Per the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office: For most of us, the holidays are full of giving, getting and goodwill. But some bad actors use the holidays to take advantage of people’s generous spirits. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are quickly approaching and they are prime time for crooks looking to scam you out of money or personal financial information.
Holiday Shopping Scams
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined last week by U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP); the University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to establish the “University of Maryland 3—Institute for Health Computing (UM-3-IHC).” The Institute will include research in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR).
The agreement will create a research facility and academic presence in the heart of the County’s bio-life science corridor that will serve as an anchor and attraction to developers and businesses. It also will provide new student experiential learning and job opportunities near the North Bethesda Metro Station, formerly known as the White Flint Metro Station, in the Pike District. To watch a recording of the event, click here. To view the MOU in its entirety, click here.
MCDOT partnered with the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) to lead six adult bike classes and with Bird, Lime and Spin to conduct four free e-scooter classes. Classes were held at different locations throughout the County. Classes will resume in spring 2023. Information about those classes will be posted on the MCDOT website at tinyurl.com/cycleclss in early February. Registration is required for the bike classes and spaces typically fill up fast. Walk ups are welcome and no registration is required for the e-scooter trainings.
For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice selected Malaika Wande from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring as the winner of his Councilmember for a Day V.O.I.C.E.S (Virtual Online Innovative & Civically Engaged Storytelling) challenge. Councilmember Rice, who chairs the Council’s Education and Culture Committee, developed the annual Councilmember for a Day challenge in 2016 to engage youth to write about an issue they care about and connect with local government to enact change. Last year, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and others, the Council enhanced the challenge to include V.O.I.C.E.S, a free afterschool digital storytelling program for all students in grades 8 through 12. Participants were provided a loaner iPad and mentored by an instructor as they learned to create a short video highlighting an important public policy issue and ways to help address it.
Councilmember Rice announced the winner at a virtual showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 9, where six finalists also were recognized. Ms. Wande’s winning entry was a compelling video on affordable housing in Montgomery County. She joined the Council on the dais as an honorary “Councilmember for a Day” and was recognized with a proclamation and a presentation of her video.
Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Council voted today to pass Bill 39-21, Taxation – Public Safety Officers – Public Safety Emergency Communications Specialists – Property Tax Credit, which would establish a property tax credit for certain Montgomery County first responders. Councilmember Tom Hucker and Council President Gabe Albornoz sponsored the legislation. Council Vice President Evan Glass and Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Sidney Katz, Andrew Friedson, Will Jawando and Craig Rice are cosponsors.
This legislation establishes an annual property tax credit of up to $2,500 for full-time sworn police officers, career firefighters, emergency medical technicians and public safety emergency communications specialists employed by the County. The goal of the bill is to increase the number of County employees in public safety who reside in the County and help recruit and retain these employees.
From the Office of Council President Albornoz: Today the Montgomery County Council unanimously voted to approved Bill 21-22, Weapons – Firearms In or Near Places of Public Assembly, sponsored by Council President Gabe Albornoz. This bill is cosponsored by the full Council.
The new law prohibits the possession of firearms in or near places of public assembly, with certain exemptions, and removes an exemption that allows individuals with certain handgun permits to possess handguns within 100 yards of a place of public assembly.
Review: The Council will review Bill 13-22, Buildings – Comprehensive Building Decarbonization, which would require the County Executive to issue all-electric building standards for new construction, major renovations and additions by Jan. 1, 2024.
All-electric building standards will help the County achieve its zero-greenhouse gas emissions goal by ensuring future construction is electrified. Exemptions would be provided for emergency backup systems and certain uses such as manufacturing, crematories, life sciences and commercial kitchens. In addition, income restricted housing and schools will have an extended timeline.
The Council stands in strong solidarity with our Jewish community and condemns all acts of hate and religious bigotry. There is no tolerance in Montgomery County for these hateful actions and abhorrent, violent imagery attacking the Jewish community. Earlier this month, the Council unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming our commitment to address antisemitism and protect our Jewish community from these awful acts of hate.
“These hateful acts are not only a desecration of public spaces but hurtful and damaging to the entire Montgomery County community. The Council extends its deepest gratitude to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) for actively investigating these antisemitic acts and thanks the Department of Transportation for a swift response and clean-up.
From the Office of Council Vice President Evan Glass: Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass has been recognized by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement with the 2022 Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award. Each year the Center awards a public official from each of the four jurisdictions of Washington, D.C., Virginia, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County who have made an impact on the nonprofit sector. Council Vice President Glass was commended for his public policy accomplishments and interest in increasing support for and collaboration with nonprofits.
“Our nonprofits are the backbone of our community, providing many of the vital educational, health, arts and social services in Montgomery County,” said Vice President Glass. “I am proud to be a partner in their important work and honored to receive the Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award.” The Center for Nonprofit Advancement works to strengthen, promote and represent nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan Washington region and helps their member organizations better meet the diverse needs of their communities.
Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County’s observance of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, includes participation in the national “Operation Green Light” salute to veterans and the County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs displays at two local sites and on its special website. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council are supporting the effort to join Operation Green Light, a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties to honor those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. The program has asked businesses and residences to honor veterans to display green lights in windows and outdoor lights to show support.
Montgomery County’s Memorial Plaza, which is located adjacent to the County Executive Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville, will continue to be lit with green lights through Nov. 13 More information about Operation Green Light is available at https://www.naco.org/blog/counties-take-action-participate-operation-green-light-veterans.
Per Montgomery County: Incumbent Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Evan Glass, Will Jawando and former Gaithersburg City Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles were the unofficial winners in the Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, Gubernatorial General Election for the four at-large seats on the Montgomery County Council. Incumbents Andrew Friedson (District 1) and Sidney Katz (District 3) were the unofficial winners in their respective district races. In the races for five open Council seats, Marilyn Balcombe (District 2), Kate Stewart (District 4), Kristin Mink (District 5), Natali Fani-González (District 6) and Dawn Luedtke (District 7) were unofficial winners.
“Serving the people of Montgomery County in this role has been the honor of my lifetime, and I’m humbled to continue to serve for another four years with new and diverse voices on the Council,” said Council President Albornoz. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of the outstanding bipartisan election workers, volunteers and staff at the Board of Elections for their service and tireless work this election season. As mail-in ballots continue to be counted, Montgomery County’s elections team is hard at work ensuring that all County voices are heard through our democratic process.”