County Executive Ike Leggett, joined by nearly 60 other municipal leaders and mayors from around the country, issued a letter to the next president to commit to immigration reform within the first 100 days of the presidency.
The letter, signed by leaders from both the Democratic and Republican parties, highlights the urgency of the need for immigration reform and outlines a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Read the entire letter.
August 1, 2016
County Executive Ike Leggett Working with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to Ease Congestion on I-270
On June 28, County Executive Ike Leggett joined Maryland Governor Larry Hogan at a press conference as the State announced approximately $230 million would be apportioned to help relieve traffic congestion on the I-270 corridor. Traffic congestion frustrates thousands of residents daily and directly hampers economic growth and development.
I-270 is one of the most traveled roads in Maryland. According to a State of Maryland press release, the 35-mile, I-270 corridor carries from 79,400 vehicles a day on the north end of I-270 to 261,200 vehicles a day near the Capital Beltway. By the year 2035, these volumes will increase to 107,000 to 290,000 vehicles a day. Other officials attending the event included Council President Nancy Floreen, Councilmembers George Leventhal and Roger Berliner, State Senators Cheryl Kagan and Brian Feldman and Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.
For more on the news conference go to https://youtu.be/jqTbOR8WV3Q
Community and Police Working to Build Mutually Respectful Relationships
Hundreds of people attended recent town hall meetings to encourage a public conversation to build a County free of violence and hostility. The meetings, held at the Silver Spring Civic Building and the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown, were facilitated by James Stowe, Office of Human Rights director.
The panel, made up of Mansfield Kaseman of the County's Faith Community Working Group, Police Chief Tom Manger and Linda Plummer, president of Montgomery County NAACP, opened the meetings with a pledge to listen and an invitation to all to share concerns. Residents shared personal perspectives of race relations and law enforcement. Stories and experiences differed from person to person but a common theme was the importance of mutual respect and communication. View photographs from the meetings here.
Council Makes Plea to Governor to Provide Critical Safety Improvements to Veirs Mill Road/Turkey Branch Parkway Intersection Following Another Fatal Accident
Following a second fatal accident, within a few months, at the Rockville-area intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Turkey Branch Parkway, the Montgomery County Council have asked Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, State Secretary of the Department of Transportation Peter Rahn and Administrator of the Maryland Highway Administration Gregory Johnson to take “more aggressive action to resolve the serious safety deficiencies at this intersection.
The complete text of the letters written by the County Council on July 20 and by Councilmember Nancy Navarro on Jan. 6: (pdf)
Local Athletes Going for the Gold at the Upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics
Montgomery County is home to three of the 11 athletes representing Maryland on the 2016 U.S. Olympic roster.
- Jack Conger from Rockville will be competing in the 4x200m freestyle swimming event. Conger graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 2013.
- Katie Ledecky, former gold medalist from the 2012 Olympics will compete in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle. Ledecky, from Bethesda, graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in 2015.
- Ashley Nee from Bethesda will compete in the Canoe Slalom. Nee graduated from Northwestern High School.
When signing the flip flops, tweet #MoCo2Rio to give the athletes an opportunity to follow our hometown support and excitement, from Rio, as they go for the gold!
National Night Out Festivities Return to Montgomery County
Mark your calendars for the 33rd Annual 2016 National Night Out annual observances scheduled for Tuesday, August 2. National Night Out is a night to promote community-police partnerships and neighborhood solidarity. The evening brings attention to the importance of communities working together to build safer neighborhoods and enhance police and community relations.
As in previous years, there will be many celebrations throughout the County to help neighbors come together in community spirit.
Please check out the County's listing of locations.
Respect the Space Disability Parking Campaign Begins New Initiative
A new campaign goal is to ensure that signage for all disability parking spaces in Montgomery County complies with Maryland’s Accessibility Code adopted under the Public Safety Code. A beginning step is to ensure that parking lot managers know their legal obligations. All parking lot managers are encouraged to review the legal standards, and take necessary action to make their parking lot signs compliant.
- Read press release about the Respect the Space new initiative.
- Learn more about the legal signage requirements.
County Cable Montgomery “Neighborhood Niches” Explores What Make Wheaton and Somerset Special
The latest edition of the County Cable Montgomery “Neighborhood Niches” provides a fresh look at the uniqueness of Wheaton and Somerset. The episode shares unconventional facts about the communities. Who knew Wheaton is home to the longest escalator in the United States and has a music store frequented by some of the world’s top artists, such as Stevie Wonder? And the Town of Somerset was founded in 1890 by five scientists and its 1,200 residents live in an area less than one-quarter mile wide.
In the show County Councilmember Nancy Navarro talks about the ongoing revitalization of Wheaton, a part of Council District 4, which she represents. Council Vice President Roger Berliner who represents District 1 talks about the character of Somerset.
The 15-minute show can be viewed numerous times on CCM (Montgomery Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon). Upcoming viewing times include Sundays at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m.; Mondays at 9:30 p.m.; and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Police Adventure Camp Completes 9th Successful Year
The Montgomery County Police Department’s (MCPD) community outreach “Police Adventure Camp” program brought officers and 25 campers to learn and have fun with one another. Held July 11 through 15 at Maryvale Elementary School in Rockville. The program is a partnership between MCPD, Montgomery County Public Schools, and the Linkages to Learning program.
The day-camping experience provided the 3rd- through 5th-grade campers with a unique opportunity to better understand the work of police officers and allowed the campers to get to know some of the officers in supportive and mentoring roles. The Officers facilities conflict resolution, team work and good-decision making activities. Campers viewed demonstrations by MCPD Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers, K-9 teams, and Maryland-National Capital Park Police – Montgomery County Division Horse-Mounted Patrol. Former Redskin Charlie Brown provided football drills and Baltimore Blast soccer team member Levi Houapeu led soccer clinics.
Photographs and more information is available police website.
Summer of Safety Update
Can you believe it is already the first of August? And how about the heat! It was 100 degrees on Monday, July 25, the first time that’s happened since 2012, and the heat indices were up to 112 degrees. Summer of Safety tips during a heat emergency can be life-saving.
Please read and share the many safety tips on cooling, hydration, sun and pool safety. Find all the
Summer of Safety A to Z tips at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/summersafety. It is also important to check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable family members.
It is never safe to leave a young child, an elderly person or a pet unattended in a car during warm weather, even for a few minutes. There have been recent news of children and pets dying in hot cars. Researchers at San Francisco State University found that the inside of a car can reach 115 degrees in an hour when it is hotter than 70 degrees outside. Imagine how hot it gets inside a car when it is 80/90-plus degrees outside.
Review following hot weather tips;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)