Dear Friends,
The shooting inside Wootton High School on Monday was horrible, and our thoughts are with the victim and the Wootton community for what they went through this week.
I invite you to watch my weekly media briefing, where we addressed school safety, emergency response, and other issues tied to the incident.
I want to thank the Rockville Police Department, the Montgomery County Police Department, the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), the mayor of Rockville, and the State’s Attorney’s Office for working together during this difficult process.
Let me also acknowledge the support from the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, County and municipal Emergency Management, and staff from my office who were on the scene throughout the day. Our Department of Health and Human Services team has also worked with school and community partners to provide mental and emotional support to students and their families. Montgomery County’s 24/7 crisis center is available at 240-777-4000.
While I welcome a dialogue with MCPS and the Council that examines school safety, I want to caution anyone who thinks this is a straightforward problem with a simple solution; it is not. We can talk with MCPS about how police can provide more help, but I think the Superintendent’s desire to combine personnel, technology, and policy together to bolster its security plan gives us the best chance to improve safety for everyone.
This has been a difficult week for so many in Montgomery County, and unlike so many other schools and communities, we are fortunate that this incident did not end with more victims or, at worst, a fatality.
Sadly, no school anywhere is immune to these tragedies. This week, our neighbors in Canada are going through the aftermath of one of the deadliest mass shootings in their history that occurred at a small-town school in British Columbia. We must continue to advocate for sensible gun laws, invest in mental health, and support all kids and families.
State of State Reaction
I was in Annapolis on Wednesday for Gov. Wes Moore’s State of the State address (photos). The governor spoke forcefully about federal workforce cuts and the very real impact that federal decisions are having on Maryland families. Montgomery County is home to tens of thousands of federal employees. When federal jobs are cut and agencies are hollowed out, it affects our neighborhoods, our small businesses, and our local economy.
Governor Moore emphasized that we can’t control every decision coming out of the White House and Congress, but we can use the tools in our toolbox at the State level to respond.
He reflected on his first term — coming into office at a time when Maryland’s economic growth had stalled, and our tax base was not keeping pace. His administration focused on cutting red tape, supporting entrepreneurs, and modernizing economic development programs. That work has helped businesses create nearly 100,000 new private-sector jobs statewide. His $4 million investment in AI workforce training and quantum computing will continue to fuel new jobs, with Montgomery County poised to be a key player in the emerging sectors.
Gov. Moore highlighted continued investments in public education, and our schools are beginning to demonstrate improved performance outcomes. The focus moving forward will be on early childhood literacy and teacher recruitment. Education is still the single strongest driver of long-term opportunity for our residents and for economic development.
He brought in a new state schools superintendent (credited with the “Mississippi miracle” of major improvements in student achievement between 2013 and 2022), and we are looking to bring that same approach here to Montgomery County. I could go on about the mistaken obsession with testing and test-based teaching, the misguided elimination of phonics, and the failure to teach basic math skills, all of which contributed to the decline in student performance. Read more about the governor’s plan for education here. On public safety, the governor pointed to declining crime trends and emphasized that sustained investment and partnership are making a difference.
Gov. Moore also addressed energy affordability, calling on utilities to cap prices and pushing for reforms that protect consumers. Families are feeling the pressure of higher utility bills. We need reliability, but we also need affordability.
And finally, he spoke about immigration — pushing back on federal overreach while working in partnership with the Attorney General’s Office to safeguard communities and protect vulnerable residents.
Maryland and Montgomery County are navigating serious headwinds right now. I echo the governor’s message that standing still won’t do.
Antisemitic Vandalism in Olney
A horrible act of vandalism targeted a Jewish synagogue in Olney overnight on Monday. I am appalled by the antisemitic phrases and symbols painted on multiple signs outside Shaare Tefila Congregation. The picture below shows one of the signs before it was vandalized.
Police have reviewed surveillance footage, increased patrols in the area, and offered Crime Stoppers rewards for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. You can use crimesolversmcmd.org to make a report online or call 1-866-411-8477. Tips may remain anonymous.
Antisemitism is on the rise across the country, and incidents like this deepen the anxiety and pain felt by our Jewish neighbors. The Montgomery County government takes every hate crime and bias incident seriously. We have invested in nonprofit security grants, expanded law enforcement resources, and created a hate bias reporting portal to ensure accountability.
To report a non-emergency hate or bias incident, call 311 or complete the online form on our Hate/Bias Incident Complaint Portal at montgomerycountymd.gov/report-hate. To report a crime, call 301-279-8000. To report an emergency, call 911.
Montgomery County is home to people of many faiths, cultures, and backgrounds, and that diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Acts of hate—whether directed at Jews, Muslims, Christians, or any other community—undermine the safety and dignity of our neighbors and create fear and mistrust. This kind of behavior has no place here.
This act of vandalism follows last month’s anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian graffiti at Walt Whitman High School. We will continue to speak out against bigotry in all its forms and reaffirm our commitment to being a community where everyone is respected, protected, and valued.
Once again, we ask anyone who witnesses or knows of anyone involved in these crimes to use our “Montgomery County Hate/Bias Incident Complaint Portal.” It is sad that we continue to need it, but we do.
Remarks on the Passing of Reverend Dr. Ruby Reese Moone and Marye Wells-Harley
I want to take a moment to recognize two extraordinary women we lost this week — Rev. Dr. Ruby Reese Moone and Marye Wells-Harley.
Both dedicated their lives to public service. Both helped shape Montgomery County in lasting ways. And both leave behind legacies that strengthened opportunities for others.
Dr. Moone’s life reads like a chapter of the civil rights movement itself. Born in segregation-era Georgia, she experienced the injustice of Jim Crow firsthand. She worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery marches, and helped organize for voting rights and equal protection under the law.
When she came to Montgomery County, she continued that work — serving for four decades as a guidance counselor at Poolesville High School, helping generations of students find their path forward. She helped establish the Montgomery County NAACP chapter and served as the first female chair of the Montgomery County Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee.
She was recognized as a Montgomery County Living Legend and inducted into our Human Rights Hall of Fame. Those honors reflect what she built here — institutions, access, and opportunity.
Marye Wells-Harley’s legacy is equally rooted in public service. She spent more than 40 years with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, rising to lead parks and recreation in Prince George’s County before becoming the first African American woman appointed to the Montgomery County Planning Board.
She understood that parks, recreation programs, and planning decisions shape everyday life. They determine that children have safe places to play, families have access to cultural programs, and that everyone feels connected.
A fund established in her name helps ensure that children who could not otherwise afford it can attend summer camp. That kind of commitment reflects a deep understanding of equity — that access to opportunity should not depend on income.
As we observe Black History Month, we are reminded that progress is not automatic. It is built by people who choose to serve, who push institutions to be fairer, and who expand opportunities beyond themselves. Rev. Dr. Ruby Reese Moone and Marye Wells-Harley did that work. Montgomery County is stronger because of them.
My condolences go out to their families and all who were touched by their leadership.
Trump’s Racist Behavior
While Ruby and Marye’s lives symbolized the struggles and victories of the civil rights movement through Black excellence and achievement, it is disheartening that the advancements made by their generation of activists and trailblazers are now being undermined, whitewashed, and erased by Donald Trump.
Last week, he posted a blatantly racist meme targeting the Obamas and then deliberately did not invite Maryland’s governor, the nation’s only black state leader, to a dinner he is hosting for governors from around the nation.
On Monday, we honor Presidents Day, a time to reflect on the history of this country and the office of the presidency. We are also in the middle of Black History Month. Next Saturday, Feb. 21, I hope you get the chance to join Montgomery Preservation and Silver Spring Town Center for a discussion about Josiah Henson at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station in Silver Spring from 3 to 5 p.m.
Leadership matters. Words matter. The tone set at the highest level of government shapes public discourse. Black History Month is about honoring the full story of our country — the struggles, the progress, the resilience, and the achievements of Black Americans who shaped our democracy, our culture, our science, and our economy.
While our President and the Republican Party continue to attack diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and attempt to whitewash our nation’s history, we will take a different path in Montgomery County.
We do not traffic in racial division. We do not tolerate language that dehumanizes people. We teach our children about respect, dignity, and the contributions of leaders like President Obama and Gov. Moore - whose historic elections remain meaningful to Black Americans and Marylanders.
Trump’s recent behavior is not a surprise. He and his father were well-known racist slumlords in New York City. He was a racist when he took a full-page ad to encourage the death penalty for the Central Park Five, who were eventually exonerated and found innocent. He was a racist when he incited the birther movement against President Obama. He was a racist when he sided with neo-Nazis over protestors in Charlottesville and when he advocated for Black Lives Matter protestors to be shot.
What is different today is that this President, I fear, is becoming more unhinged. Unfortunately, unlike his first term, he has now surrounded himself with so many sycophants that no one is checking his behavior.
Every week, he seems to behave more erratically and act on evil impulses. How bad is this going to get over the next three years before anyone within the leadership of the Republican Party stands up to this inappropriate behavior?
Measles Cases in our Region
You may have seen news of measles cases in the DMV. None of those cases originated in Montgomery County, but it is important for our residents to be informed and aware.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses we know. It spreads through the air — when someone coughs or sneezes — and the virus can remain in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves. That means it can spread quickly, especially in places where people gather. In a region like ours, connected by rail, bus, and commuting patterns, everyone should be informed and proactive in protecting their family.
For most healthy adults who were vaccinated, the risk is low. But for infants, young children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, measles can be serious and deadly. It can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, and other complications.
Our public health team is working with other health departments in the DMV to monitor this closely. We will continue to provide updates as needed.
Rep. Jamie Raskin Honors Consumer Protector as Hero of the Week
Before we end this turbulent week, let me shine a spotlight on something positive, then look ahead to next week.
Rep. Jamie Raskin regularly picks a Local Hero to highlight. Last Friday’s hero was Michelle Escobar in an interview you can watch now. Michelle is an investigator at the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. She catches rip-off artists, fraudsters, and scammers who prey on our people. Michelle also hosts Consumer Connection, the County's excellent podcast that helps residents identify scams.
Consumer Connection helps educate our community and empowers consumers on essential issues. Through her work, Michelle has helped strengthen consumer awareness and protection in our community. I’m proud that some of the excellent work done by our County employees is recognized like this and given a bigger platform thanks to Congressman Raskin.
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Lunar New Year celebrations are taking place across Montgomery County in honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, which symbolizes energy, determination, and resilience.
Montgomery County is privileged to host one of the largest (about 15% of the population) and most vibrant Asian American communities in the region. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, there will be events across the County throughout February.
In Rockville, the annual Lunar New Year event at Richard Montgomery High School features cultural performances, interactive exhibits, children’s activities, and traditional food. This community gathering showcases the strength and richness of our Asian American residents. It will be held from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21.
At Westfield Montgomery in Bethesda, families can enjoy lion and dragon dances, live music, calligraphy demonstrations, and traditional arts. You can catch performances on Sunday, Feb. 15 and Feb. 28, starting at 11 a.m. and enjoy generations of history and storytelling.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is hosting a special storytime, sing-along, and crafting event at Connie Morella Library in Bethesda from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. Our libraries regularly host storytimes and craft events for children, providing young residents with opportunities to learn about traditions through hands-on activities. Learn more through the MCPL calendar.
I joined Councilmember Kristin Mink and the entire County Council this week in presenting a proclamation in honor of Lunar New Year. Throughout the County, restaurants and cultural organizations are commemorating the holiday with special menus, performances, and community programs.
Lunar New Year is a period for family, reflection, and optimism. It also presents an opportunity for all members of our community to learn about traditions deeply rooted in our community.
Wishing a happy New Year to all those celebrating the Year of the Horse.
Ramadan Begins Next Week
Next Tuesday, Feb. 17, Ramadan begins for our Muslim neighbors here in Montgomery County and around the world.
Ramadan is a sacred month of fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection. From dawn to sunset, many Muslims abstain from food and drink as an act of spiritual discipline and gratitude. Each evening, families and friends gather for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast.
Mosques across our County will host community iftars, prayers, and service projects throughout the month. There are more than 30,000 Muslims in Montgomery County, making it the fourth-largest Muslim population in the U.S. The County is home to at least 12 mosques that represent various nationalities and ethnicities.
Ramadan is a time of generosity. Many families increase their charitable giving during this month and volunteer to support those in need. That spirit of service strengthens our entire community.
For residents who do not observe Ramadan, it’s helpful to understand what the month entails. Fasting can be physically demanding. Students who are fasting may feel tired later in the school day. Employees who are fasting are balancing work responsibilities with spiritual commitment. A little understanding goes a long way.
If you’re attending a public meeting or school event in the evening, you may see participants stepping aside briefly at sunset to break their fast. That’s part of the observance. It’s a reminder of the discipline and faith that guide many of our neighbors during this month.
As a County government, we remain committed to ensuring that all residents can practice their faith freely and safely. We maintain close relationships with community leaders, and law enforcement remains attentive to protecting houses of worship.
Ramadan is a time centered on patience, compassion, and generosity. Those values resonate well beyond any single faith tradition.
Montgomery County works because we respect one another’s traditions. We learn from one another. And we make space for every community to celebrate, reflect, and practice freely. To all who observe Ramadan, I wish you an easy and meaningful fast. I look forward to breaking the fast with many of you over the next month.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
