October 29, 2020

Message from County Executive


Dear Friends, 

In-person voting has begun! Early voting started on Monday and people came out in droves to the 11 early voting sites around the County. Early voting will continue from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Monday. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. You can register and vote the same day at the polls. For information on voting, go to 777vote.org.

And please vote FOR Question A and AGAINST Question B. Recently, at a virtual forum on the budget, I explained why it is important to vote for Question A and against Question B. You can listen here. You can also read about it here.

Last week, I explained why I had vetoed Bill 29-20, and I was disappointed that this week the Council overrode the veto. You can read about my position here. My opposition to and concerns about the bill remains. Despite the rhetoric, Bill 29-20 does not prioritize affordable housing or fair payment of wages. The bill is too costly and does not produce sufficient public benefit to justify the cost. It is an expensive, and unnecessary approach, particularly at this moment when the County is struggling to fund critical services. And at the risk of stating the obvious, using our limited funds to subsidize market-rate (not affordable) housing development means fewer funds for other services including affordable housing, recreation and education. This bill allows housing to be built for those who can afford it, not for lower income populations who are disproportionately Black and Latino. You can read my full veto message here.

Last week, our public health experts, led by Public Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, released updated indicators that are being used to guide decisions to protect the public health. The primary indicators are the daily case rate of positive tests of COVID-19 per 100,000 people, the test positivity rate and the rate of transmission. There are other indicators. You can see the data dashboard here.

We are watching a disturbing climb in daily positive cases, but that is not true just for Montgomery County. All but three states in the country are either described as “active or imminent outbreak” or “at risk of outbreak” according to the CovidActNow website, which can be found here. And cases are rising around the region as well. That information can be found here.

We continue to ask that everyone not relax their caution. Please follow the guidelines to maintain physical distance and wear masks. We are carefully watching the situation. I thought you might find this long, but informative, article from El Pais helpful explaining how the virus is transmitted. You can find the article here.

In my video this week, I talk about why the idea of herd immunity is a dangerous concept. You also can read here more about why this should not be considered.

We continue to try to help businesses and residents who have been hit hard by COVID-19. Our Reopen Montgomery grant program helps businesses to reopen. This includes restaurants that want winterized outdoor seating. Our rent relief program is targeted for households that have lost income during the pandemic and are struggling to pay for rent.

You may have noticed that we have changed the name of this weekly newsletter to better reflect that we are providing information on a variety of events and issues around the County. We will continue to keep you updated.


Sincerely,



Marc Elrich, County Executive

P.S. I wanted to note an amazing project by one of our own residents, Suzanne Firstenberg, to honor and remember the more than 200,000 Americans who have died from COVID. Suzanne is an artist and longtime hospice volunteer who has created a powerful statement that you can visit at RFK Stadium or view via webcam. Learn more about her project here

October 28, 2020

As Daylight Saving Time Ends This Weekend, Vision Zero Program Addresses Needed Adjustments with Road Safety Upgrades, Enhanced Impaired Driving Enforcement



The fall and winter months bring less daylight and darker commuting hours, which includes the end of Daylight Saving Time overnight this Saturday as clocks need to be turned back one hour. The adjustments that must be made at twilight during Eastern Standard Time can lead to more crashes between car drivers and pedestrians, with past records showing that two-thirds of all fatal pedestrian injuries over the past four years occurred between dusk and dawn.

To address the changing conditions, Montgomery County’s Vision Zero Initiative continues to make upgrades to streetlighting and crosswalks to protect pedestrians and urges residents to lookout for each other and obey the rules of the road. For those choosing to drink and drive this Halloween weekend, Montgomery County Police will be performing high visibility enforcement to get drunk drivers off the road. The County’s Ride On buses are currently operating free to all riders and serve as a safe and viable alternative to drinking and driving.

“We all have an important role to play in keeping our roadways safe this fall and winter,” said Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland. “The County Government is making it safer for people to walk and bike through upgrades to streetlights, new signals and beacons to stop drivers when pedestrians are crossing and painting high visibility crosswalks. However, new infrastructure alone is not enough. We all need to prioritize safety as we get around. That means obeying the speed limit, never getting behind the wheel impaired, and waiting for the signal whether we are driving, biking or walking. For those choosing to endanger themselves and others on the road, Montgomery County Police will be out issuing tickets.”

To curb the dangers of less daylight and increased alcohol consumption during fall and winter holidays, the County has been involved in the following:
  • The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently completed its Countywide conversion of streetlights to LEDs that have longer lifespans and are less likely to go out compared the previous high-pressure sodium bulbs.
  • MCDOT will spend $9.72 million over the next six years for evaluating and enhancing streetlighting across the County through streetlight maintenance and adding fill-in streetlighting.
  • MCDOT and the State Highway Administration have installed 13 new traffic signals and beacons so far this year, with another 16 scheduled to be completed over the coming year.
  • Montgomery County Police are performing high visibility enforcement patrols across all six police districts with an emphasis on stopping impaired drivers, drivers not yielding to pedestrians, speeding and drivers not wearing seatbelts throughout November.
  • Montgomery County and its regional partners sponsor the Fall Street Smart Campaign that shares educational messages and gripping stories told by those whose lives have been shattered by a preventable mistake on area roadways.
For more information on the County’s Vision Zero Initiative, go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/visionzero/index.html


County’s COVID-19 Team Offers Halloween Safety Guidance



Many of the traditional ways of celebrating Halloween and Dia de los Muertos will not be appropriate this year, so it is important to identify safer alternatives to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Local Order does not allow for events or activities of more than 50 people. Large Halloween gatherings, even if held outdoors, are not permitted.

The following guidelines will help families and their neighbors stay safe on the upcoming Halloween weekend:

Avoid these activities
  • Traditional, door-to-door trick-or-treating, due to the challenge of maintaining proper physical distancing on porches and at front doors.
    • However, if individuals do so, make efforts to ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread.
  • Sharing of food through activities such as “trunk-or-treating,” where children go from car to car instead of door to door.
Activities recommended to promote a safer environment for children and families, these alternate ways can help with a safe Halloween celebration this year:
  • Online parties/contests (such as costume or pumpkin carving).
  • Decorating homes, yards and neighborhoods with Halloween-themed decorations.
  • Car parades such as:
    • Drive-by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles, with drive-by “judges” that are appropriately physically distanced.
    • Drive-in or drive-through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays. Participants can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged nonperishable treats) or other takeaway items from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle.
  • Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters (must comply with the public health drive-in movie theater guidance).
  • Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants (must comply with the restaurant protocol).
  • Halloween-themed art installations at an outdoor museum (must comply with the public health museum guidance).


Early Voting Centers Are Now Open and Will Continue through Monday, Nov. 2

Election day—Tuesday, Nov. 3—is days away. For those who want to avoid possible long lines on Election Day, a better option will be to vote early at one of the 11 Early Voting Centers in the County. Early voting is underway and will continue through Monday, Nov. 2.

Early voting hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voters can vote at any early center, regardless of where they live in the County. The location of early voting centers can be found at the Maryland Board of Elections website at https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/2020%20Early%20Voting%20Centers.pdf

On Election Day, in Montgomery County, there will only be about 40 polling places open throughout the County. In a normal year there are about 255 voting locations in the County, but due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the number of Election Day polling places were reduced statewide.

Some important election information:
  • Residents can still register to vote. This can be done in-person at Early Voting Centers and on Election Day. More information on how to register is available at Maryland Board of Elections website.
  • If you have previously requested a Vote by Mail ballot, they must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Mail early or put your mail-in ballot in a voting drop box.
  • Secure drop boxes are now at all voting centers. The list of drop box locations can be found at https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/PG20_Drop%20Box%20Locations.pdf
  • When voting by mail or with a ballot printed via the Internet, be sure to sign the oath that comes with the ballot. Ballots will not be counted if the oath is not signed. For ballots delivered via the email/Internet, the oath will be on a separate piece of paper. For ballots that come to you via the mail, the oath will be printed on the envelope that holds the ballot. Do not sign the ballot.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


Free Transportation Options Available for Early Voters and on Election Day

Montgomery County residents who choose to cast their votes at ballot drop boxes or in person during the early voting period and on Election Day are encouraged to make use of multiple free transportation options to support voting activity.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will allow two hours of free parking in the urban areas of Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Rockville at specific garages if drivers display their “I Voted” stickers to garage attendants now through Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3). Voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Two hours free parking will be available for those who vote at these locations:
  • The Silver Spring Civic Building and who park at the Town Square/ Garage at 801 Ellsworth Dr. (directly across from the Civic Building).
  • The County Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville and who park at the public parking garage adjacent to the County Council Office Building at the corner of Monroe Street and Jefferson Street.
Capital Bikeshare will provide unlimited free bikeshare rides on classic bikes for any trip under 30 minutes all day on Election Day.

All e-scooter companies operating in Montgomery County are offering free or discounted rides on Election Day to support voting activity. Specific offer information can be found at the following links: Lyft, Lime and Bird.

All bus services operated by the MCDOT continue to provide free rides throughout the County in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Ride On bus services (including Ride On Extra) now operate about 80 percent of normal service levels and all routes have been reactivated except for the Flex bus. US29 Flash launched earlier this month between Burtonsville and Downtown Silver Spring and operates every 7.5 to 15 minutes.

County-Operated COVID-19 Testing Will Expand to 52 Clinics on Upcoming Schedule



Montgomery County will significantly expand its COVID-19 testing program over the next nine days as it will hold 52 County-operated clinics. Those clinics will be in addition to more than 45 private providers who are continuing to operate testing clinics.

The upcoming schedule of County-operated clinics includes sites that previously never had testing operations.

Testing at County clinics is free, does not require a doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a walk-up basis. Reservations can be made online at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

There may be a fee at privately operated sites. Residents should check in advance on any possible cost and available times at privately operated sites.

The upcoming County-operated clinics will be at the following:
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Rd, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. CentroNia, 1345 University Blvd E, Takoma Park.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. East County Regional Service Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Consulate General of El Salvador, 926 Philadelphia Ave, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rockville Methodist Church, 112 W Montgomery Ave, Rockville. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. Maryland SoccerPlex, 18056 Central Park Cir, Boyds. Walk-up and drive-up.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Department of Health and Human Services Building, 8818 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 201 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Monday, Nov. 2. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Monday, Nov. 2. Noon-5 p.m. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall. Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome). Parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Monday, Nov. 1. Noon- 4 p.m. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Monday, Nov. 1. 1 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mary's Center, 344 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Ivy Mount School, 11614 Montrose Rd., Rockville.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. White Oak Gardens, 11600 Lockwood Drive, No. 104, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Department of Health and Human Services Hungerford Office Building, 401 Hungerford Dr., Rockville.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 1-8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3. 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Spring Ridge Apartments, 374 N Summit Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall. Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome). Parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sligo Adventist Church, 7700 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4. 2-5 p.m. St. Matthew Presbyterian Church, 4001 Bel Pre Rd., Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4. 3-6 p.m. Mary's Center, 344 University Blvd West, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville. No appointment needed
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ivy Mount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville.
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Nov. 5. 3-5 p.m. Middlebrook Garden Mobile Homes, 19515 Frederick Rd., Germantown.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Rockville Civic Center, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Rd, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mary's Center, 344 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Nov. 6. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Consulate General of Guatemala, 8124 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. East County Community Recreation Center, 3310 Gateshead Manor Way.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rockville Methodist Church, 112 W Montgomery Ave., Rockville
  • Sunday, Nov. 8. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Nov. 8. Noon-4 p.m. Westfield Wheaton Mall, 2730 University Blvd. West, North Building, Wheaton.
  • Sunday, Nov. 8. 2 p.m. -4 p.m. Saint Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 11801 Claridge Rd., Wheaton.

Residents Urged to Get a Flu Shot; Free County-operated Clinics for Those 18-and-Under to be Held on Nov. 7 and Nov. 21

Montgomery County health officials are urging all residents to get a flu vaccination, with two upcoming County-operated clinics providing shots specifically for children ages 6 months to 18. Those clinics will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Dennis Avenue Health Center in Silver Spring.

The Dennis Avenue Health Center is located at 2000 Dennis Ave. in Silver Spring. Each clinic will be from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The County will offer flu shots only. High-dose flu vaccine and FluMist will not be available.

Appointments for clinics can be made on the Maryland Vax website. There will be no walk-ups for these clinics. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In addition to the County-operated clinics, flu vaccinations are available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community.

While getting a flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19, flu shots have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccination also can save health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

More information on how to prevent getting or spreading the flu is available on the County’s flu website.


Woodland Drive Temporary Neighborhood Greenway Begins as County ‘Shared Streets’ Program Makes More Local Roads Friendlier for Pedestrians and Bicyclists


A local street in Montgomery County has been transformed into more friendly roadway for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-vehicular users as the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) unveiled the newest “Shared Street” in a program that encourages roads to be shared by vehicles and other users. 

Shared Streets “Temporary Neighborhood Greenways” limit vehicular traffic to local traffic only, providing access to residents, service providers and deliveries. The concept restricts other traffic to support shared outdoor uses in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The addition of the Woodland Drive location to the Shared Streets program brings the total area designated as temporary neighborhood greenways to 6.4 miles of roadway.

The newest addition to the Shared Streets Program includes: 
  • Woodland Drive South between Spring Street and Flora Lane in Silver Spring totaling one mile. Near Downtown Silver Spring, Montgomery Hills/Seminary shopping and dining and Forest Glen Metro.
  • Woodland Drive North between Forest Glen Road and Amherst Avenue at Windham Lane in Silver Spring, totaling 1.1 miles. Near Wheaton shopping and dining, Windham Lane Temporary Neighborhood Greenway, General Getty Park, Evans Parkway Neighborhood Park and Forest Glen Metro.
A complete list of all Shared Streets locations and initiatives, including maps, can be viewed at MCDOT’s Shared Streets website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/sharedstreets/.

Shared Streets programs have also included the partial closing of streets to allow restaurants to expand their outdoor seating during the health crisis while maintaining ADA-compliant pedestrian access along sidewalks. MCDOT’s efforts have supported the programs of Downtown Bethesda’s “Streetery,” Silver Spring’s “Streetdine” and Wheaton’s "Streetery."

The Shared Streets concept supports the County’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030.

Reduced and slower traffic aims to enable people to walk, ride bicycles or use scooters without competing against fast-moving vehicles. Although MCDOT has been planning Neighborhood Greenways projects for some time, the rapid and temporary implementation at this time was inspired in response to the health crisis.

County Office of Consumer Protection Advises That Taking Password Protection Actions Can Help Avoid Giving Criminals the Holiday Gift of Access to Your Personal Accounts


The holiday season is when consumers are most active, buying many gifts and household items online. Most of those transactions involve creating accounts that require passwords. The holidays are also times when criminals are most active, stealing identities and personal information. Easily identifying a password makes their work even easier. That is why the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is urging consumers to review their passwords before the holidays and make sure they have ones that are not easy for criminals to guess.

Easy to remember passwords for consumers are an Internet hacker’s greatest gift. Online hackers are hoping that consumers continue to make common password mistakes that have made their jobs easier over the years. However, there are ways to avoid some of the problems.

Passwords are generally the first security check that a criminal can use to access someone’s accounts on a commercial business site, an email account, a bank account and even a social media account. “Weak” passwords are susceptible to being guessed by specialized hacking software.

“It is understandable that people want to use passwords that are simple and easy to remember,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “Then it becomes natural to want to use the same password for account after account. However, doing those things makes individuals easy targets for people who want to steal their credit information and use it for themselves.”

Broadtechs offers advice on how to have more secure passwords in a column entitled “10 Password Mistakes That Hackers Hope You Make.” The story can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y6cokxll.

Here are additional steps on how to have more secure passwords:

Advice to follow:
  1. Create complex passwords using letters, numbers and characters.
  2. Use passphrases over passwords.
  3. Create passphrases using letters (capital and lower case), numbers and characters: For example, Cyb3r$ecurItyR0ck$ and not cyberscurityrocks.
  4. Research and use a secure password manager or vault.
  5. Use two-factor authentication (pin codes, thumb print, facial or retinal scan) for sensitive accounts.
Do not do the following:
  1. Use easy to guess passwords: These could include a combination of your name, initials, date-of-birth, etc. Passphrases should not identify you, your hobbies, profession, etc.
  2. Create passwords without numbers or special characters: The more complex, the harder to crack.
  3. Use the same password for everything: All it takes is one hack and criminals can access all your accounts.
  4. Keep the same password for years: 86 percent of consumers are using account/passwords that have already been stolen in a data breach.
  5. Use short passwords: The longer it is, the harder it will be to guess.
  6. Use impossible to remember passwords. You want to be secure from hackers, but you must be able to remember your own passwords.
  7. Ignore news about data breaches: Take all measures available to safeguard your accounts after a breach.
  8. Use insecure password storage: Spreadsheets, cell phone notes and post-it notes may be convenient, but they are not secure from theft or intrusion.
  9. Modify passwords only slightly when changing them: Do not use the same password with a slight tweak for each website. That is an easy pattern to discern by hackers.
For questions about password security, call 240-777-0311.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration for Willow Manor at Fairland Senior Housing Community


Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joined developers and community leaders on Oct. 23 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at an affordable housing residence in Silver Spring for tenants age 62 and older. Willow Manor at Fairland is a new, $24 million, three-story, 121-unit apartment building located adjacent to East County Regional Services Center, the East County Community Recreation Center and FLASH, a transit service running along US 29 between downtown Silver Spring and Burtonsville.

The project, at 13605 Robey Road in Silver Spring, represents a continuing effort by County leaders to maintain and build affordable housing for County residents – including those age 62 and older.

“We are committed to helping older County residents remain active in their community and Willow Manor at Fairland supports that commitment with affordable stabilized rents for half the residents,” said County Executive Elrich. “We have leveraged County-owned land to produce many more affordable units for seniors than would have been possible. It is a great community adjacent to two community-based government centers with strong vibrant programs for residents, and a host of community and government services and transit enhancements to provide both affordability and amenities for maintaining quality of life and community connections.”

The apartment building design promotes connection and group activities with on-site residential social events, a large community room, computer café, resident lounge and fitness room.

Willow Manor at Fairland includes 121 mixed-income apartments for people age 62 and older. Six units are rented to those with income less than 30 percent of area median income (AMI); six are rented to those with income between 31 percent and 50 percent AMI; 48 are rented to those with income between 51 percent and 60 percent AMI. All told, there are 60 affordable units and 61 units rented at market rate.

The project was built as a partnership by the Willow Manor at Fairland, Limited Liability Limited Partnership, formed by KB Companies, Inc. Funding for the project included approximately $16.6 million from AGM Financial/Wells Fargo, $2.5 million in Maryland DHCD-Rental Housing Funds; $600,000 in Montgomery County Housing Initiative Funds; $3.1 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit Equity; and, $1.4 million in Developer Deferred Fees.

County assistance also included a 60-year ground lease of approximately 2.1 acres of County land and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOT, agreement.

For more information about Willow Manor at Fairland Senior Housing Community, contact Habitat America at 443-716-2550 or visit Willow Manor at Fairland.

WATCH VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_ouFafFvMs&feature=youtu.be 

 

Changing Clocks Twice a Year Are Good Reminders to Change Batteries in Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Safety—And Here is How to Dispose of Those Batteries

 

Overnight this Saturday, everyone must turn back their clocks and watches one hour as most of the country goes to Eastern Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time ends for the year. The twice-annual time changes are good reminders to change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure they are always working in case of an emergency.


Disposing of those batteries—in fact, disposing of any batteries—is something that needs to be done properly. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants all residents to know that batteries should not be placed in regular trash.

Improperly disposed batteries can cause fires in trash cans, on trash trucks and at the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. This applies to all batteries including:
  • Dry cell and alkaline batteries
  • Lithium batteries
  • Lithium-ion batteries
  • Nickel-cadmium batteries
  • Lead acid (vehicle) batteries
  • Uninterruptible power supplies (personal and network)
  • Tool batteries
The household hazardous waste drop off area at the Transfer Station accepts all batteries, including alkaline batteries, for disposal. Lead acid and/or vehicle batteries can be dropped off for no charge.

Many retail locations accept batteries for disposal, although some may charge for disposal service.

It is important to transport batteries safely when they are headed for disposal, especially larger vehicle batteries. The safest methods of transporting batteries are to protect terminals by placing each battery individually into a plastic bag or by taping the ends with masking tape or another non-metallic tape. When carrying small batteries in your pocket, do not mix them with coins and house keys.

Businesses and organizations can drop off batteries for a small fee through the County Ecowise Program from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Shady Grove Transfer Station. Businesses and organizations can register using Ecowise Online Application. Registration can be found at https://mcgmd.wufoo.com/forms/w1g80qjv1abb6y3/.

This video explains how to properly dispose of batteries: https://youtu.be/DuOQb4YHhXs

Alcohol Beverage Services Begins ‘Labor Against Cancer’ Initiative to Raise Funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS), in partnership with the Montgomery County Government Employees Organization (MCGEO—UFCW Local 1994) and County Executive Marc Elrich, are supporting the Labor Against Cancer initiative, benefiting the local chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The “Labor Against Cancer” retail store campaign will run in all 26 County ABS store locations through Nov. 14.

During the campaign, customers will be asked at checkout if they wish to donate $1, $3 or $5 to support LLS and the Labor Against Cancer initiative. County Executive Elrich has issued Executive Order 126-20 to authorize the campaign.

Blood cancer is the second-leading cancer killer of children and young adults under age 19. All funds raised in the campaign will go toward LLS research and patient support services.

ABS and UFCW 1994 have set a goal to raise $35,000 during the campaign. In addition, corporate partner Tito’s Handmade Vodka has pledged a $10,000 donation to LLS.

County Commission for Women to Present Free Monthly Seminars on the Legal Process of Separation and Divorce

The Montgomery County Commission for Women and the Family Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, starting Wednesday, Nov. 4, will be presenting a series of free monthly seminars on “Separation and Divorce: What I Need to Know.” The sessions will be offered from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through June 2021.

A local family law attorney will lead each session discussing legal details about separation and divorce in Maryland. Session topics will cover methods of dispute resolution; when and where to file; types of divorce and grounds; financial statements; alimony; property and equitable distribution; the role of the attorney; and domestic violence/orders of protection. The free seminars will be presented on Zoom. Advance registration is required, with a link forwarded after registration. 

To register, visit registration website.


Montgomery County Announces Schedule Changes for Veterans Day Holiday on Wednesday, Nov. 11

The Montgomery County Government will observe the following holiday schedule for Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11:

  • County offices – Closed.
  • State offices and courts – Closed.
  • Libraries – Closed.
  • Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) – Stores closed
  • Recreation – Indoor aquatics facilities open. Recreation centers, senior centers and administrative offices closed. 
  • Montgomery Parks – For schedules, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org.
  • Ride On/ Ride On extRa – Operates on a weekday schedule. For more information, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/essential-plan.html.
  • Ride On Flex – Not in operation due to health crisis.
  • Metrorail and Metrobus – Information available at wmata.com/service/status.
  • MARC Train and Commuter Bus – Information available at mta.maryland.gov.
  • TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center – Closed.     
  • TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – Not in operation due to health crisis. 
  • Parking at Montgomery County public garages, lots and curbside meters - Free.
  • County-provided refuse/recycling pickup – County-provided trash and recycling collection will not be collected Wednesday, Nov. 11.  After the holiday, County-provided collections will slide to be one day later than normal. The last collections of the week will be on Saturday, Nov. 14. 
  • Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station – Open on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

October 21, 2020

County Office of Consumer Protection Alerts Consumers and Restaurant Owners to the Large Fees Charged by Online Food-Delivery Services


Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) is alerting consumers and restaurant owners about the confusing and costly fees charged by third-party online food ordering-and-delivery services. 

Although these companies often advertise free or low delivery fees, the commissions they charge restaurants are far higher, typically totaling 20 to 40 percent or more of each order. Many patrons are unaware of these high costs, and therefore do not know to seek more sustainable ways to support their favorite eateries.

A recent report in Washington Consumers’ Checkbook provided details on the impact the fees have on restaurants and patrons. The report can be found linked from the OCP website at montgomerycountymd.gov/ocp or directly from the Consumers’ Checkbook site at https://tinyurl.com/y6geenfg.

During the COVID-19 health crisis, consumers are increasingly placing food delivery orders, and many restaurants must rely upon companies such as Grubhub, Uber Eats and DoorDash. Those companies have bought up many of their competitors and now dominate their industry. Restaurants have turned to delivery companies to compensate for the loss of dine-in revenue.

However, the fees imposed by the major ordering services may result in restaurants losing substantial portions of any revenue these companies might provide.

“Our restaurants and food establishments have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic; necessary efforts to protect the public health have been difficult for restaurants,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Many residents have been eager to support their local restaurants by getting take-out and delivery. I don’t think they realize how much some of these delivery services charge the restaurants, and I think that this is an important step—to let customers know that the restaurants may be paying way too much to these companies. Numerous states and local governments continue to craft creative legislation to address nationwide issues related to food delivery apps. While we explore legislative remedies, I believe Montgomery County is best served by full disclosure and knowledge.”

The Consumers’ Checkbook report describes how the big food-ordering services are dominating the industry and causing major financial problems for restaurants. Checkbook reports that even consumers who never use these apps stand to be affected as restaurants raise their menu prices to account for large commissions paid to these websites and apps.

The report sheds light on this complicated issue and provides guidance for consumers and restaurant owners. For example:
  • Checkbook created illustrative orders for eight restaurants using a variety of delivery services and found the three largest services—Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats—took a huge cut of each order. On average, Checkbook estimates that fees charged by these three companies were 38 percent of total order costs.
  • Restaurants may be required to pay extra fees to receive better placement in companies’ search results.
  • Consumers wishing to support their favorite restaurants should order directly from the restaurants. By using a restaurant’s own phone number, website or app, people can ensure their money goes to the eatery. But Checkbook says to make sure to use the restaurant’s real phone number: Grubhub sets up proxy phone numbers for restaurants so that it can capture its commission even for phone orders.
  • If you want to order via an app, ChowNow charges restaurants low fees, compared with the other services Checkbook referenced.
  • Do not be fooled by cheap or “free” delivery. To tantalize first timers, apps often offer deals. But those consumer savings often are charged back to the restaurant.
Checkbook’s report also notes that these middlemen squeeze their own restaurant clients by paying big money to Google and other Internet search engines to steer customers to place orders via their apps and websites, instead of those of the restaurants.

“Food delivery apps come with a side order of confusion and lack of transparency,” said OCP Director Eric Friedman. “Small restaurants may feel forced to pay steep fees and commissions in order to stay in business. Full disclosure is essential to ensure integrity in the marketplace.”

COVID-19 Information Portal Has Statistics on How the Virus Has Impacted the County, Including Infections by Zip Codes




Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Information Portal provides a variety of breakdowns on how the virus has impacted the County. The statistics are regularly updated to reflect the most recent reports during the health crisis.

Among the information available is how many positive cases have been reported in each zip code in the County. That information can be found at https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/data/case-counts.html#cases-zip.

Other breakdowns on the COVID-19 Information Portal include:


County-Operated COVID-19 Testing Will Expand to 51 Clinics on Upcoming Schedule




Montgomery County will significantly expand its COVID-19 testing program over the next 10 days as it will hold 51 County-operated clinics. Those clinics will be in addition to more than 45 private providers who are continuing to operate testing clinics.

The upcoming schedule of County-operated clinics includes sites that previously never had testing operations.

Testing at County clinics is free, does not require a doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a walk-up basis. Reservations can be made online at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

There may be a fee at privately operated sites. Residents should check in advance on any possible cost and available times at privately operated sites.

The upcoming County-operated clinics will be at the following:
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Consulate General of Guatemala, 8124 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rockville Civic Center, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Rd, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 1-4 p.m. Coalition Homes, 7901 Lockney Ave., Takoma Park.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. East County Regional Service Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring. Drive-up and walk-up.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Outdoor drive-up clinic.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Hughes United Methodist Church, 10700 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Oct. 25. 2-5 p.m. Saint Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 11801 Claridge Rd, Wheaton. Outdoor drive-up clinic.
  • Monday, Oct. 26. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Monday, Oct. 26. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Monday, Oct. 26. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Monday, Oct. 26. 1 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Department of Health and Human Services Hungerford Office Building, 401 Hungerford Dr., Rockville.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27 10 a.m -6 p.m. White Oak Gardens Apartments, 11600 Lockwood Dr., No. 104. Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. 1-8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 27. 3-6 p.m. Oakfield Apartments, 2217 Georgian Way, Wheaton.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall. Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome). Parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sligo Adventist Church, 7700 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. Noon-3 p.m. Pembridge Square and Amherst Garden Apartments, 2315 Blueridge Ave., Wheaton.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 3-6 p.m. Mary's Center Clinic, 344 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Drive-up and walk up.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 29. 3-6 p.m. Glenville Apartments, 8800 Glenville Road, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. Noon-4 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring. Enter from Bushey Drive.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Good Hope Recreation Center, 14715 Good Hope Rd, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Lincoln Park Community Center, 357 Frederick Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 30. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. CentroNia, 1345 University Blvd E, Takoma Park.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Consulate General of El Salvador, 926 Philadelphia Ave, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Rockville Methodist Church, 112 W Montgomery Ave, Rockville. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31. Maryland SoccerPlex, 18056 Central Park Cir, Boyds. Walk-up and drive-up.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Nov. 1. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 201 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.


County Health Officials Urge Residents to Get a Flu Shot; Online Appointment System Available for County-operated Free Clinics


Montgomery County health officials are urging all residents to get a flu vaccination, with three upcoming County-operated clinics providing shots this fall. One of the clinics will be for residents 14-and-over and the other two specifically for children ages 6 months to 18.

While getting a flu vaccination does not protect against COVID-19, flu shots have been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death. Getting a flu vaccination also can save health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

In addition to the County-operated clinics, flu vaccinations are available through private health providers, as well as at retail locations throughout the community.

The County-sponsored clinics will include one drive-through clinic. The County will offer flu shots only. High-dose flu vaccine and FluMist will not be available.

Appointments for the County-operated clinic for residents 14-and-over can be made on the County’s flu website or by calling 311. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ups will be accepted based on availability of vaccine. Appointments for the children-only clinics can be made on the Maryland Vax website. There will be no walk-ups for these clinics. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The schedule for County-operated clinics:
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28. 2-6 p.m. For ages 14-and-over. Universities at Shady Grove Parking Garage, 9630 Gudelsky Dr., Rockville. This will be a drive-through clinic. Masks are required and social distancing will be in place.
  • Saturday, Nov. 7. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For children only—ages 6 months to 18 years-old-old. Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring. Clinic will be indoors.
  • Saturday, Nov. 21 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For children only—ages 6 months to 18 years-old-old. Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring. Clinic will be indoors.
Anyone hoping to avoid getting the flu should receive the seasonal flu vaccination, particularly the elderly, those living with children younger than six months of age, health care workers and individuals with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease or diabetes.

More information on how to prevent getting or spreading the flu is available on the County’s flu website.


Early Voting Centers Will Be Open from Monday, Oct. 26, through Monday, Nov. 2

Election day—Tuesday, Nov. 3—is less than two weeks away. For those who want to avoid possible long lines on Election Day, a better option will be to vote early at one of the 11 Early Voting Centers in the County. Early voting will take place from Monday, Oct. 26, through Monday, Nov. 2.

Early voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voters can vote at any early center, regardless of where you live in the County. The location of early voting centers can be found at the Maryland Board of Elections website at https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/2020%20Early%20Voting%20Centers.pdf

On Election Day, in Montgomery County, there will only be about 40 polling places open throughout the County. In a normal year there are about 255 voting locations in the County, but due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the number of Election Day polling places were reduced statewide.

Some important election information:
  • Residents can still register to vote. This can be done in-person at early voting centers and on Election Day. More information on how to register is available at Maryland Board of Elections website.
  • If you have previously requested a Vote by Mail ballot, they must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Mail early or put your mail-in ballot in a voting drop box.
  • Secure drop boxes are now at all voting centers. The list of drop box locations can be found at https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/PG20_Drop%20Box%20Locations.pdf
  • When voting by mail or with a ballot printed via the Internet, be sure to sign the oath that comes with the ballot. Ballots will not be counted if the oath is not signed. For ballots delivered via the email/Internet, the oath will be on a separate piece of paper. For ballots that come to you via the mail, the oath will be printed on the envelope that holds the ballot. Do not sign the ballot.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


Two Hours Free Parking Will Be Available for Early Voters and on Election Day in Downtown Silver Spring and Rockville

Montgomery County residents who choose to cast their votes in person during the early voting period and on Election Day in the urban areas of Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Rockville will be given two hours of free parking at specific garages if they display their “I Voted” stickers to garage attendants.

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation, which oversees operation of County parking facilities, is making the arrangements during the early voting period (Monday, Oct. 26, through Monday, Nov. 2) and on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 3). Voting hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

Two hours free parking will be available for voters using:
  • The Silver Spring Civic Building to vote and who park at the Ellsworth Drive Garage at 801 Ellsworth Dr. (directly across from the Civic Building).
  • The County Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe St. in Rockville to vote and park at the public parking garage adjacent to the County Council Office Building at the corner of Monroe Street and Jefferson Street.

MCEDC Announces New ‘3R Initiative’ to Assist Montgomery Restaurants and Retailers in Hard-Hit Areas as They Prepare for Holidays and Winter

Restaurants and retail establishments in Montgomery County that have been particularly impacted during the COVID-19 health crisis may be eligible for grants up to $5,000 from the public-private “3R (Reopen, Relaunch and Reimagine) Initiative” of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). Applications are now being accepted as the establishments prepare for the upcoming holiday season and winter months. 

Eligible businesses can submit applications through Thursday, Nov. 5.

Although any locally owned restaurant or retailer with fewer than 100 employees can apply for a grant, 10 County target corridors will be given priority for funding. Those corridors are Aspen Hill, Burtonsville/Briggs Chaney, Damascus, Four Corners, Germantown, Montgomery Hills, Takoma-Langley, Twinbrook/White Flint, Wheaton/Glenmont and White Oak. The target corridors were selected with community input.

More information on the 3R Initiative and the application can be found at thinkmoco.com/3r-grant.

The grant program is an important component of MCEDC’s year-long 3R Initiative designed to address the devastating impacts of the health crisis on the County restaurant and retail industries.

The 3R Initiative will support needed technical assistance and new business expenses that may have been unanticipated prior to the pandemic, including e-commerce solutions, delivery service fees and auto insurance costs related to deliveries.

The grant program will supplement Montgomery County’s existing COVID-related funding programs for small businesses. MCEDC will work with 3R Initiative applicants to coordinate and facilitate potential reimbursements of an additional $5,000 available through the County’s Reopen Montgomery grant program. Reopen Montgomery reimbursement grants offset eligible business expenses related to meeting state and local public health requirements. Consequently, 3R Initiative grant recipients could receive up to a total of $10,000 in funding support from both programs.

“The pandemic is forcing small businesses to change operations just to survive. Restaurants and retail have been significantly affected,” said MCEDC President and CEO Benjamin H. Wu. 

“Our local consumer survey underscored a greater need to emphasize on-line shopping, delivery and take-out that will continue until a vaccine is developed. The 3R Initiative can help these businesses cover some of their new expenses and complement other available COVID resources provided by the County.” 

MCEDC introduced the $1 million 3R Initiative with public and private funding from Montgomery County and PEPCO earlier in summer. The 3R Initiative has received additional support from the Exelon Foundation and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association.

Executive is Holding Series of Virtual FY22 Budget Forums, with Next One on Monday, Oct. 26



Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich is holding a series of virtual forums about priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Operating Budget and the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. The next forum will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, and will focus on the operating budget. Each of the forums will be hosted via Microsoft Teams.

“I am hopeful that our virtual format will allow more residents to participate in these forums,” said County Executive Elrich. “Even though we cannot be together, this new format should enable us to discuss with residents the County’s budget process for Fiscal Year 2022. COVID-19 has changed how the government delivers services, and this virtual forum may make it easier for more residents to participate and engage with the process. We hope you will join us to listen, learn, ask questions and let us know what is important to you.”

The schedule for upcoming budget forums:
County Executive Elrich will transmit his Recommended FY22 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY21-26 CIP to the County Council on Jan. 15. The County Executive will transmit his Recommended FY22 Operating Budget to the County Council on March 15. The Council will approve the budgets at the end of May.

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-6507, Maryland Relay 711 or email a request to Karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.


Health and Human Services’ Licensure and Regulatory Services Moves to County’s New Wheaton Office Building



Montgomery County’s Licensure and Regulatory Services will move to the County’s new Wheaton Office Building on Friday, Oct. 23. In preparation for the move, the current office at 255 Rockville Pike in Rockville will be closed to the public at noon on Oct. 23. Walk-in services will reopen to the public at the new location at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The new location, located at 2425 Reedie Drive, 9th floor, is part of the County’s Wheaton Revitalization Project. The County built a 14-story office building in the Wheaton Triangle business district.

During the temporary office closure, residents can email hhsmail@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 311 with questions. They also can go to the Licensure and Regulatory Services’ website for more information.

The Licensure and Regulatory Service, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, handles licensing issues including food service establishments such as restaurants, grocery stores, bars, mobile food trucks, farmers markets, nursing homes assisted living facilities, group homes, swimming pools, massage establishments and video games facilities. The program also enforces the County’s smoking, trans fat and menu labeling laws, as well as regulations related to short-term rentals and the control of rats.


New Parking Rates Go into Effect at Montgomery County-Operated Garages, Parking Lots and Street Meters in Downtown Silver Spring on Monday, Nov. 2

 

New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots and street meters in Downtown Silver Spring will go into effect beginning on Monday, Nov. 2, and will be implemented in stages over the course of the month. The Montgomery County Council adopted the parking rates as part of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget process. 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT), which operates public parking in the County, will modify the hourly rates in accordance with Resolution 19-441, ‘Setting Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares.’ Parking revenues  are used to directly support and benefit Downtown Silver Spring and Montgomery Hills by operating and maintaining parking facilities through customer service, cleaning, facility maintenance and security services. The Parking Lot District also provides financial support to the Silver Spring Urban District for programs such as sidewalk and lighting maintenance and clean-and-safe crews.

MCDOT’s Division of Parking Management will place informational signs about the new rates at garages and lots in advance of the planned changes.

The new parking rates will be:

  • On-street parking: $2 per hour
  • Surface lot parking: $1.25 per hour
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wayne and Town Square Garages 58, 60 and 61: $1.25 per hour
  • All other garages: $1 per hour
  • Permits:
    • $195.00 monthly access at Garages 60 and 61
    • $132 per month at long-term meter with a Parking Convenience Sticker monthly permit
    • $12 per day with a daily parking permit

All other rates, including carpool passes, remain unchanged. Days and hours requiring payment remain unchanged.

$236,804 Awarded to 22 Local Farms Through the Montgomery County ‘Farm to Food Bank’ Capacity Building Grant Program


Grants totaling $236,804 have been awarded to 22 Montgomery County-based food producing farms to improve their infrastructure and expand their capacity to contribute local food to the Montgomery County “Farm to Food Bank” program in 2021. Grant awards are funded by the Montgomery County Government, Manna Food Center and Food for Montgomery, a fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation

The 22 farms awarded funding through the program are Alden Farms, Amaranth Acres, Beauty Blooms, LLC., Bella Vita Farm, Bethel World Outreach Organic Farm, Butler's Orchard, Button Farm, Cedar Ridge Community Church Farm, Chicken of the Woods Farm, Dodo Farm, Eat the Rainbow Farm, Lewis Orchards, Love and Grit, LLC., Koiner Farm, One Acre Farm, Passion to Seed Gardening, Purple Mountain Organics, Red Wiggler Community Farm, Sandy Spring Gardens, Savage Acres Farm, Inc., Tanglewood Farm and The Farm at Our House.

A panel of 11 local food security and agriculture experts reviewed applications to determine grant awards. Grant applications were reviewed on criteria that included the long-term viability of the project, the ability of the farm to increase the quantities of culturally appropriate food being provided to local food assistance organizations and the promotion of sustainable farming practices.

The County’s Farm to Food Bank Program is part of the Food for Montgomery public-private partnership between the Montgomery County Food Security Task Force, the Montgomery County Food Council, the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture, Manna Food Center and the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

More information on the Farm to Food Bank Program is available on the Food Council's website. To learn more about the effort to raise private dollars to support the grants and additional efforts in Montgomery County’s broader COVID-19 food security response, visit the Food for Montgomery website.

October 14, 2020

County Launches ‘Flash,’ Maryland’s First Bus Service of its Kind

Montgomery County on Oct. 14 launched its inaugural “Flash” transit service in ceremonies led by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Sidney Katz and Council Vice President Tom Hucker. Immediately after the ceremonies at a Flash station in Silver Spring, the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) began the 14-mile service along US Route 29 that spans from Burtonsville to Silver Spring. 

Flash is MCDOT’s first transit service in which specially designed, 80-passenger capacity buses will bypass other vehicles in certain locations and provide high quality and reliable transit service and amenities at the same price to ride as any other local bus.

Specific information on the service, including maps and hours of service, can be viewed at ridetheflash.com. A video explaining features and amenities of the new service, including footage of the buses and stations, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/2m5jQT-wMJU


The dedication ceremonies can be viewed on twitter from @MCDOT and can be viewed in its entirety at any time at https://twitter.com/MCDOTNow/status/1316389438801543168. Officials who helped guide the Flash to its start, but were unable to attend in person, have provided virtual remarks to acknowledge the occasion. Those remarks can be viewed at https://youtu.be/xmAsohgt6Ss


Flash, which serves the County’s busiest transit corridor, has frequent service with fewer stops than regular buses; shorter waits at bus stations (15 minutes maximum); and runs seven days a week. Similar to Metrorail, the buses stop at each station, so there is no need to request a stop or have riders pay attention to their location between stations.

Flash could reduce travel times by an estimated 30 percent compared with current bus routes.

Flash stations are constructed to be at the level of the bus doors, so there are no steps to get on or off at any door, and bicycles can be rolled right onboard and secured to the first bike racks inside a bus in the region. The buses are the first in the region to employ a fully automated wheelchair securement system, allowing passengers in wheelchairs to secure themselves onboard.

MCDOT is currently providing all bus services free of charge in response to the COVID-19 health crisis, but when fares are reinstated, the cost to ride Flash will be the same as Ride On’s regular prices ($2 per ride, and all special passes and discounts apply), making Flash a premium transit experience at an economical price. With Flash’s free WiFi and USB ports for charging devices at stations and also on the vehicles themselves, riders will be able to stay connected while traveling.

Flash has comfortable stations along the route that feature weather protection, pre-payment kiosks and real-time transit information. Each station includes an interactive screen with public interest information available in seven languages. The kiosks include USB ports and a free WiFi hot spot.

New bus safety features include Mobileye, a pedestrian detection system that alerts bus operators when a pedestrian is approaching the vehicle’s path. Flash buses are the first in the region to use this new technology, which further supports the County’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate serious and fatal injuries related to traffic incidents.

More than a decade ago, County Executive Elrich, who was then an at-large County Councilmember, was the first to propose Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines to address the County’s long history of traffic congestion.

“I'm most excited about bringing high quality transit service to the east side of the County,” said County Executive Elrich. “We have a huge population that has a very difficult time getting to work if they don't drive. I wanted to make sure that residents have a transit network that is efficient and gets them where they want to go. I also know that if we are going to support economic development in this corridor, we must have quality transportation that serves it. I wanted to start making these kinds of investments to open up economic opportunities for people and businesses, but also to help the people that commute have an easier time.”

The new service links a continuous corridor of neighborhoods, retail operations, job centers and regional Park and Ride Lots. The route serves the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, and also expands transit connection options near the new Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center and the emerging East County development that includes Viva White Oak.

“Flash is an innovative transit system that will open the County up to greater investment and economic development,” said Council President Katz. “This is exactly what we need right now. It will bring new jobs and businesses to US Route 29/Colesville Road in Silver Spring. I applaud this outstanding first step for a more transit and business friendly Montgomery County.”

Flash is intended to be the first step in creating a network of BRT lines in the County. The County is performing preliminary engineering and design for planned routes along MD 355 (Rockville Pike) and MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road).

Total project costs for Flash on US 29 were nearly $40 million, of which $10 million was funded by a Federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant. Flash vehicles and stations were all fabricated in the United States.

“Montgomery County thanks our Congressional delegation—Senators Cardin and Van Hollen and Representatives Sarbanes, Trone and Raskin—for their dependable and strong commitment to funding public transit programs,” said Flash Program Manager Joana Conklin. “Each year, they go to the mat and fight for Federal dollars that provide the crucial funding needed to advance innovative infrastructure projects. That is the case with Flash—a $10 million TIGER grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation made the difference, and our partnership with our Congressional delegation allows us to be here today.”

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com or by subscribing to MCDOT news releases.



Flash BRT Launch Silver Spring

County-Operated COVID-19 Testing Will Expand to 48 Clinics on Upcoming Schedule


Montgomery County will significantly expand its COVID-19 testing program over the next nine days as it will hold 48 County-operated clinics. That schedule exceeds the record number of clinics the County held in its previous busiest schedule. Those clinics will be in addition to more than 45 private providers who are continuing to operate testing clinics.

The upcoming schedule of County-operated clinics includes sites that previously never had testing operations.

Testing at County clinics is free, does not require a doctor’s referral and is available by making advance appointments or on a walk-up basis. Reservations can be made online at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.

There may be a fee at privately operated sites. Residents should check in advance on any possible cost and available times at privately operated sites.

The upcoming County-operated clinics will be at the following:
  • Friday, Oct. 16. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 16. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Oct. 16. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 16. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Hungerford Office Building, 401 Hungerford Dr., Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 16. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 17. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 10 a.m. -2 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 17. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville.
  • Saturday, Oct. 17. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Martin's Catholic Church, 201 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. 1-5 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. 1-8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mega Mart Parking Lot 1101 University Blvd. East, Takoma Park.
  • Monday, Oct. 19. Noon-5 p.m. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall. Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome). Parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 1-8:30 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center,1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Broome Middle School, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., White Oak Gardens Apartments, 11600 Lockwood Dr., No. 104, White Oak.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20. 3-6 p.m. Spring Ridge Apartments, 374 North Summit Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. White Oak Community Recreation Center,1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Trailer, Lakeforest Mall. Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome). Parking lot near food court entrance, directly in front of Ride On transfer station, 701 Russell Ave., Gaithersburg.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sligo Adventist Church, 7700 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. Noon-3 p.m. Pembridge Square and Amherst Garden Apartments, 2315 Blueridge Ave., Wheaton.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 2-5 p.m. St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church, 4001 Bel Pre Road, Silver Spring.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21. 3-6 p.m. Mary's Center Clinic, 344 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 1-5 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 3-5 p.m. Middlebrook Garden Mobile Home Community, 19515 Frederick Road, Germantown.
  • Thursday, Oct. 22. 3- 6 p.m. Glenville Apartments, 8800 Glenville Road, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 7- 9:30 a.m. and 4-6:30 p.m. Angarai Testing Center, 12210 Plum Orchard Dr., No. 214, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 1-5 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Germantown Outdoor drive-up clinic (parking garage behind Regal Cinema), 20002 Century Boulevard, Germantown.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. CDC Mobile Testing Trailer Outdoor drive-up clinic (walk-ups welcome), Montgomery County Recreation Department Administrative Building, 4010 Randolph Road, Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Consulate General of Guatemala, 8124 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. Noon-4 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville.
  • Friday, Oct. 23. 1-4 p.m. Coalition Homes, 7901 Lockney Avenue, Takoma Park.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. East County Regional Service Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Proyecto Salud Clinic, 11002 Veirs Mill Rd., No. 700, Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hughes United Methodist Church, 10700 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Rockville United Methodist Church, 112 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville.