"I am pleased that the County has settled the lawsuit we brought to recover taxpayer costs associated with the repair and remediation of the Silver Spring Transit Center. This is very much in the public interest. The $25 million payment to the County will cover 90 percent of the hard costs we incurred to deliver a safe and durable Silver Spring Transit Center.”
June 7, 2017
County Executive Ike Leggett’s Statement on Lawsuit Brought by Montgomery County to Recover Costs Associated with Delivering a Safe and Durable Silver Spring Transit Center
County Executive Ike Leggett made the following statement about the lawsuit brought by Montgomery County to recover costs associated with delivering a safe and durable Silver Spring Transit Center.
Local Elected Officials Request the Federal Aviation Administration to Address Airplane Noise
The increased air traffic is caused by the 2015 implementation of the Washington, D.C. Optimization of Airspace and Procedures in the Metroplex. These procedural changes shifted flight patterns into Ronald Reagan International Airport, which caused the increased noise.
On May 5, the officials sent a letter to Federal Aviation (FAA) Administrator Michael P. Huerta requesting a thorough review of the increased aircraft traffic caused by the shifted flight paths and all documents relating to the environmental review.
Concerned residents have formed the MC Quiet Skies Coalition, which is an alliance of concerned citizens and community associations in the County who are living under newly formed flight paths. The group is committed to work with residents, elected officials, the FAA and others to resolve the excessive levels of noise, air pollution, and health and safety risks imposed on our communities by the FAA’s flight paths and procedures at Reagan. Visit website for more information on the coalition.
View the letter from County Executive Ike Leggett (pdf).
Montgomery County to Host a Public Meeting to Discuss Proposed Zoning Changes to Address Small Cell Antennas in Neighborhoods
Change is coming to wireless technology at a swift pace. On one hand, we all welcome the coming transformation that will allow us to stream information and videos at high speed in our homes and businesses, but on the other hand, many of us are questioning the need for the antennas and equipment that will deploy this technology in our residential neighborhoods.
Montgomery County is on the forefront of these challenges for two important reasons: 1) Montgomery has recently received an unprecedented number of applications to deploy these small cell antennas in residential neighborhoods around the County, and 2) the Federal government (Federal Communications Commission - FCC) is right now considering preempting local governments’ zoning authority over siting these antennas. It is this local zoning authority that allows local governments across the country to regulate how and where these antennas are placed in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
In May, County Executive Ike Leggett took a delegation of County technology experts, Councilmember Hans Riemer, Congressman Jamie Raskin and representatives from the offices of Senators Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman John Sarbanes and Congressman John Delaney to the FCC to meet with Chairman Ajit Pai and his staff. Leggett strongly advocate against federal preemption of local zoning authority, and asked Pai to help allay the public’s health concerns about these small cell antennas by updating the federal RF emissions standards, which have not been revised since 1996.
Leggett requested the County’s Department of Information Technology Services (DTS) to work with the County Attorney to develop zoning regulations to protect residential neighborhoods from a proliferation of small cell antennas while still allowing wireless providers to deploy their new technology in the County. Federal law is clear on this matter: local governments cannot put regulations in place that would prohibit providers from providing service.
The County will hold an information meeting for the public on these proposed zoning changes on June 14 at 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria at the Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.
View the County Executive’s letter to the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
Montgomery County is on the forefront of these challenges for two important reasons: 1) Montgomery has recently received an unprecedented number of applications to deploy these small cell antennas in residential neighborhoods around the County, and 2) the Federal government (Federal Communications Commission - FCC) is right now considering preempting local governments’ zoning authority over siting these antennas. It is this local zoning authority that allows local governments across the country to regulate how and where these antennas are placed in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
In May, County Executive Ike Leggett took a delegation of County technology experts, Councilmember Hans Riemer, Congressman Jamie Raskin and representatives from the offices of Senators Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressman John Sarbanes and Congressman John Delaney to the FCC to meet with Chairman Ajit Pai and his staff. Leggett strongly advocate against federal preemption of local zoning authority, and asked Pai to help allay the public’s health concerns about these small cell antennas by updating the federal RF emissions standards, which have not been revised since 1996.
Leggett requested the County’s Department of Information Technology Services (DTS) to work with the County Attorney to develop zoning regulations to protect residential neighborhoods from a proliferation of small cell antennas while still allowing wireless providers to deploy their new technology in the County. Federal law is clear on this matter: local governments cannot put regulations in place that would prohibit providers from providing service.
The County will hold an information meeting for the public on these proposed zoning changes on June 14 at 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria at the Executive Office Building at 101 Monroe Street in Rockville.
View the County Executive’s letter to the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.
Office of Community Partnerships Middle Eastern American Advisory Group Denounces the June 3 Terrorist Attack in London
The Middle Eastern American Advisory Group -- volunteers with the Montgomery County, Maryland Office of Community Partnerships serving as advisors to the County Executive made a statement denouncing the June 3 Terrorist attack in London. Read the full statement (pdf).
For more information, visit Middle Eastern American Advisory Group website.
For more information, visit Middle Eastern American Advisory Group website.
Get Ticked Off About Lyme Disease; Here’s What You Need to Know to Protect You and Your Family
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| deer tick |
Lyme disease is an illness caused by the Borrellia Burgdorferi bacteria and is spread by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria. Symptoms of Lyme disease may include headache, fever, muscle and joint-aches, fatigue and a rash often characterized by a distinctive “bull’s-eye” appearance. If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to more serious problems, including joint and muscle-swelling and heart disease.
Read more about how to protect yourself and your family from Lyme Disease at montgomerycountymd.gov/lymedisease.
Montgomery County Department of Recreation’s “MoCo’s Got Talent” is a Winning Event
Montgomery County’s Department of Recreation held the grand finale performance for the fourth annual MoCo’s Got Talent contest on Sunday, May 21. The Recreation department’s Youth Development Team hosted the special event at the Fillmore in Silver Spring. This unique talent competition took place throughout the spring as more than 70 youth competed to earn a spot in the finals. The emphasis of the show was to promote the importance of keeping the Arts alive and thriving in the County for all young people.
Winners were selected by local art professionals who rated finalists on the following criteria: creativity, originality, quality, audience appeal and skill level.
See photos from flickr album.
Created with flickr slideshow.
Winners were selected by local art professionals who rated finalists on the following criteria: creativity, originality, quality, audience appeal and skill level.
See photos from flickr album.
ALL 2017 WINNERS
Music Category
- 1st-Leanna Rathbun, junior at Sherwood HS
- 2nd-Lancie Kear, freshman at Paint Branch
Dance category
- 1st-Tribal Dancers from Blair, Wheaton, Springbrook and Watkins Mill HS
- 2nd-Unique Image, Gaithersburg HS
Visual arts awards
- Middle School-Larisa Kachko from Rosa Parks MS
- High School-Will Flaig from Northwest HS
Created with flickr slideshow.
Montgomery County to Hold Seventh Annual Senior Safety Forum in Recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The event will include presenters, exhibitors and workshops on a variety of important health and safety topics relating to senior citizens. Enjoy free bag lunches while supplies last, as well as raffle prizes, free blood pressure checks and police and fire and rescue demonstrations.
To learn more about the event, go to the press release.
Montgomery County Encourages Residents to Participate in Second Annual Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmember Craig Rice will proclaim the second week in June as Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week in Montgomery County. The designation is intended to increase awareness of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in Montgomery County and throughout the metropolitan area.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) works all year to protect and improve the County’s air, water and land. Residents are urged to take advantage of the dozens of services and outreach activities offered to help anyone looking to improve the environment. Every effort, whether small actions such as taking a reusable bag when shopping, or a much more time-intensive action such as organizing a large stream clean-up can make a difference in the health of the Bay.
For more information about Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s water quality programming and how you can get involved, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water.
Free Outdoor Movie Series Returns to Bethesda
- Tuesday, July 18: The Wizard of Oz
- Wednesday, July 19: Field of Dreams
- Thursday, July 20: Dead Poets Society
- Friday, July 21: Hidden Figures
- Saturday, July 22: La La Land
County Earns 31 National Association of Counties Awards
Montgomery County received 31 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards this year for outstanding programs.
The following departments received awards:
More information, about the awards, check NACO website.
The following departments received awards:
- Correction and Rehabilitation - “A Comprehensive Stress Management Program for Correctional Employees”; “Department Intranet and Web Board”
- Environmental Protection - “Montgomery County GreenFest”; “Stakeholder-Designed Energy Benchmarking Program”; “Watershed Restoration and Outreach Grant Program”
- Finance and Environmental Protection – “Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program”
- Finance and Risk Management - “Risk Management Safety & Health”
- General Services - “Sustainable Government Communication Initiatives”
- Health and Human Services - “Community Action Board’s Leadership Development Institute”; “Maternity Partnership Oral Health Initiative”
- Housing and Community Affairs - “Licensing and Registration System”; “Multifamily Loans Portfolio Management System”
- TechnologyServices- “CALMS – Case and Licensing Management System”; “Greenscapes; Expert GIS Map Creation in the Hands of GIS Novices”; “Mobile Bikeways”, “searchMontgomery”
- Libraries - “Building Community Bridges During Crisis”; “Connecting Communities through Social Media”; “One Student, One School & One Library Card at a Time”; “What Do I Check Out Next?”
- Recreation - “Chill”, “Food, Fun, Fitness and Fundamentals”; “100 Mile Challenge”; “Safe Walk Home”; “Tech Connect”
- Police - “Montgomery County STEER”
- Transportation - “GIS Data Collection of Culverts”; “Mobile Automatic Vehicle Locator”; “Nebel Street One-Way Separated Bike Lanes Project”; “Ride On Route 301 – Tobytown Isolated Community”; “Uninterruptable Power Supply / Battery Backup for Traffic Signals”
More information, about the awards, check NACO website.
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