County’s Holiday Schedule for Christmas and New Year’s

Montgomery County government will observe the following holiday schedule for Christmas Day on Thursday, December 25 and New Year’s Day, January 1:

• County Offices – closed 
• Libraries – closed on December 25 and January 1; all branches will close at 6 p.m. on December 24 and 31 
• County liquor stores – closed 
• Recreation – all facilities closed December 25 and January 1; senior centers, community and neighborhood recreation centers will be closed December 25 through January 1; aquatics programs operating on a modified schedule, contact each facility directly 
• Montgomery Parks -- all Parks facilities are closed both days. For operating schedules during the holidays, including Brookside Gardens, ice rinks, tennis centers, trains and carousels, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org. 
• Ride On – Sunday schedule 
• Metrobus – Sunday schedule 
• Metrorail – Sunday schedule 
• TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) -- closed 
• Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection* 
• Transfer Station – closed 
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free 
• MCPS Administrative Offices – closed 
• State offices and courts – closed 

*Collection provided one day later for remainder of week (last collection day is Saturday).

Leggett, Governor-Elect Hogan Meet on Local Issues; Speak at Committee for Montgomery Breakfast

County Executive Ike Leggett and Governor-Elect Larry Hogan held their first meeting, since the recent election, at Seibel’s Restaurant in Burtonsville on December 11 to talk over issues of common concern, including economic development and transportation.

The two leaders shared the stage the following morning at the Committee for Montgomery’s (CfM) Annual Legislative Breakfast, viewed by many as the unofficial kick off of the legislative season. This year’s 25th breakfast followed a long-standing CfM tradition that in gubernatorial election years, the new governor-elect is invited to present the keynote address.


Before Governor-Elect Hogan spoke, Leggett focused his brief remarks on the six-point plan he introduced in his inaugural address designed “to spur economic growth and position our County for the future.”

Listen to Leggett’s remarks.

In an interview at the breakfast, the governor-elect said that he had what he termed “a terrific meeting” with Leggett the day before and “what I found was that he and I actually agree on a lot of things, found some common ground.”

Hear Hogan’s comments on his meeting with the Executive.

According to its website, Committee for Montgomery is "a coalition of leaders representing a broad cross-section of Montgomery County business, labor, education, civic and community-based organizations. Our mission is to advocate in Annapolis on issues of importance to Montgomery County and the State."

Leggett: County Delegation to India, Taiwan Elevates Montgomery’s Global Profile and Puts “Runners on Base” to Broaden Life Sciences Investment, Boost County Business

During his recent economic development trip to India, County Executive Ike Leggett visited the offices of the Montgomery County-based life sciences firm U.S. Pharmacopeia in Hyderabad.  

County Executive Ike Leggett’s recent 12-day mission trip to India and Taiwan broadened Montgomery County’s reach in education, biotech and other high-tech areas and helped local businesses and Montgomery College extend their markets in India.

A full schedule of visits across seven cities to businesses, high-tech parks, government offices and educational institutions reflected the focus of the mission on education, business development, and cultural understanding.

Leading a delegation that included Indian-American Maryland State Delegate Aruna Miller, Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, County Councilmember Nancy Floreen, and several County business leaders, Leggett visited four cities in India before continuing on to Taiwan.

The delegation opened doors for County businesses, established a “Sister City” relationship with Hyderabad, a major IT hub in India dubbed “cyberabad,” and furthered the study of languages, cultures and the humanities through the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Global Institute of Humanities at Montgomery College and Jindal Global University.

• Read more about the mission trip.
• View photos from India trips

New Flyers for Seniors on Staying Safe on the Roads and Accessing Lifelong Learning Opportunities

Two new flyers covering topics of interest to seniors have been created.

“Staying Safe on the Roads" (pdf) contains information for seniors, their families and friends to help older drivers recognize shortcomings and plan for the effects of aging. The flyer also includes a helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions about older driver safety.

“Vital Living Network’s Guide to Lifelong Learning Opportunities in Montgomery County for Older Adults" (pdf) lists nearly 20 sources of classes, programs and activities at locations around the County.

Also see two earlier flyers on senior issues: "Transportation Options for Older Adults" (pdf) and "Caregiving Support and Aging Services" (pdf).

Copies of the new flyers will be distributed to County facilities such as public libraries, community recreation centers and regional services centers.

Schedule of Upcoming Public Forums on FY2016 Operating Budget

County Executive Ike Leggett will hold the first of five budget forums the first week in January to seek input from residents about Fiscal Year 2016 Operating Budget priorities. The free forum will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 5 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Dr., Germantown.

Additional forums (all beginning at 7 p.m.) in other areas of the County are scheduled on:

• Wednesday, January 14, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place 
• Tuesday, January 20, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring. 
• Thursday, January 22, Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring 
• Monday, January 26, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor La., Bethesda. 

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, TTY 240-773-3556 or email a request to Karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The County Executive announces his Recommended Fiscal Year 2016 Operating Budget on March 16. The County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.

Join Montgomery County’s conversation about the FY16 Operating Budget on social media and help raise awareness by using #MontCoFY16budgetforum.

Tips to Reduce Waste and Recycle More during the Holidays, Throughout the Year

Residents are reminded that they can help the County reach its goal to reduce waste and recycle 70 percent of the waste stream by 2020 by reducing the amount of waste they generate and recycling everything that is possible to recycle.

The Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS) of the Department of Environmental Protection, notes that while the winter holiday season traditionally yields extra amounts of waste, there are ways to reduce what individual households might generate now and throughout the year.

See the news release for tips about unwanted mail and how to reduce, reuse and recycle while shopping, wrapping and entertaining. Also included are tips about recycling beyond the holiday season, plus information on recycling Christmas trees.

Executive Joins Local Leaders to Discuss Regional Problems

County Executive Ike Leggett (center) with (left to right) Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, Washington DC Mayor-Elect Muriel Bowser, Vice Chair of the Arlington County Board of Supervisors Mary Hynes and the Greater Washington Board of Trade Executive Director Jim Dinegar.

County Executive Ike Leggett recently participated in a regional leaders forum hosted by the Greater Washington Board of Trade. Topics discussed by the officials included transportation, education, economic development, affordable housing, the 2024 Olympic Games and the Purple Line.

Office of Consumer Protection Advises Residents to Choose Charities, Donate Carefully

The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) warns County residents to be cautious when donating to charities and other causes.

Our community has stepped up to raise money and needed items for the families affected by the recent  plane crash tragedy in the County. However, it is important to remember that scammers often use tragedies to take advantage of people.

Consumers are encouraged to:

• Verify a charity’s non-profit status. 
• Review how money is spent by the charity. How much money is used for administrative costs? 
• Know the difference between “tax exempt” and “tax deductible.” 
• Be careful of similar sounding names. A scammer may use a familiar or generic name such as Police Fund to trick you into donating. 

New fundraising vehicles are also available to individuals and groups seeking donations. For example, there is crowd-funding, the practice of funding a project or cause by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people. Crowd-funding is typically done on the internet through websites including Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and gofundme.

OCP offers the following advice to consumers:

• Donate only to users that you know and trust. It is easy to verify a relative’s fundraising request; however, responding to a local tragedy or catastrophe may take some research on your part. Verify that the donation is going to a legitimate source. 
• Be careful about bogus websites claiming to be donation centers. 
• Be aware of any fees associated with a platform. Always read the fine print and remember that the method of payment may involve additional fees. 
• Verify requests from people you know. Scammers often hack personal email accounts and use the information to steal money. 

For more information, call 240-777-3636 or visit OCP’s website.

County-based Wedding Wire Earns Emerging Business of the Year Award

Steve Silverman, DED director, left, shares the winning moment with Timothy Chi, founder & CEO of Wedding Wire, at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce's Business Awards Dinner held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center.

Locally grown Wedding Wire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $100+ billion wedding, corporate, and social events industry, recently won the prestigious Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year award presented by the Department of Economic Development (DED).

Read more about Wedding Wire and the award.

Ride On Wins Transit System of Year Award

On December 3, Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system received the 2014 Transit System of the Year Award for large bus systems from the Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM). The award was presented at TAM’s annual conference.

TAM is a statewide organization representing every jurisdiction in Maryland and has a membership of more than 80 organizations. It is dedicated to improving mobility for all of Maryland’s residents.