I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Thursday’s Bethesda Yappy Hour and encourage everyone to check out the next one on September 19. It was an opportunity to celebrate our community and our beloved furry and not-so-furry pawed friends in beautiful Elm Street Park. It was also a chance to think about the additional parks and recreational space we need, something I’ve been focused on as the Council’s Lead for Parks, and how the Planning Department’s Thrive Montgomery 2050 plan can help make it happen.
Thrive Montgomery 2050 is the update to the County’s General Plan kicking off this summer. It will outline how our County will look in the future – where we will have access to a good job, an affordable place to live, access to transportation and places to shop, eat, and relax. This is the time to speak up about your ideas for the future of Montgomery County. Want a healthier environment? Want a better economy? Want more housing choices? Want more parks for more events such as Yappy Hour? Let the Planning Department know now and let us know your thoughts as the plan gets created over the next two years.
I spent the week of June 10-14 getting around without my car as part of Transit Challenge Week in Montgomery County. Relying on transit to get to and from the office and events, and joining some of my Council colleagues doing the same, left me with some thoughts and reflections about the importance of transit services and transportation infrastructure more broadly:
1. I'm very fortunate to be able to live in downtown Bethesda and work in downtown Rockville, within walking distance of Metro stations and bus routes. We must create more affordable housing around transit so that those who don't have the privilege of using transit as a luxury, but as a necessity, have the same access to opportunities.
2. Riding transit provides a much clearer view of how people get from place to place, not just how cars get from place to place.
Take Rockville Pike and Bouic Avenue, where I found no crosswalk near the Twinbrook Metro station, a bus stop, a major grocery store, retail, and office buildings. That meant walking another 5-10 minutes out of the way just to cross the street. We asked the State Highway Administration to look at putting a crosswalk in to make the area safer and I know there are many similar examples throughout District 1.
3. Transit requires planning and patience .
It takes time to plan out the right bus route and more time to wait for that bus to come. We know this is an obstacle to people choosing transit and a challenge every day for people relying on transit. More frequent service is critical.
4. I met great people and had interesting conversations that you can't have driving alone in your car. Starting off your morning with a friendly "hello" or "good day" from a bus driver is a good way to kick off the day!
Check out my interview with Susan Kenedy on "In the Loop" to hear about my first 6 months, treating businesses as partners in growing our economy, and the unique privilege of representing one of the most geographically diverse districts:
Thanks to the steadfast advocacy of Montgomery County Quiet Skies advocates and leadership of Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Ben Cardin, and Representative Jamie Raskin, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week it will postpone flight procedure changes announced in May that would’ve doubled down on the airplane superhighway over our community. The FAA will reopen the conversation about needed broader changes so the near-constant plane noise and disruption aren’t the burden of Montgomery County residents alone.
There is much more to be done, but last week’s announcement was one of the first instances since the 2015 flight path changes were forced onto our residents that the FAA has truly listened to the community.
I’m very fortunate to represent part of the County’s Agricultural Reserve. It is part of our responsibility to preserve our agricultural heritage, sustain our environmental stewardship, and ensure economic vitality. A great example of this is Gypsy Flower Farm in Poolesville, where I visited with fellow lifelong Montgomery County resident and University of Maryland alum Sidney Egly, who founded the farm in January 2018 after working in his mom's flower shop in Poolesville.
It was inspiring to see the work Sid and his team have done building a locally-owned, agriculture-based business in our County. It speaks to the incredible entrepreneurial spirit in our County and what a tremendous asset we have in the Agricultural Reserve.
Captain Gagen was promoted to lead the 140-officer 2nd District Police Station (Bethesda) on Sunday, June 9th, 2019. Gagen, 46, of Damascus, most recently served as director of the Special Victims Investigation Division beginning in March 2018. He was assigned as a Lead Director of the Legal and Labor Unit before he was promoted to the rank of Police Captain.
Captain Gagen has held a variety of roles in the department, including patrol sergeant in the 4th District and member of the Criminal Investigations Division and Major Crimes Division. From his time in the Major Crimes Division, Gagen is well aware of the issue of thefts from vehicles, as well as the pharmacy robberies in the county and neighboring Washington, D.C. Crowded streets and traffic are primary concerns of the new 2D Commander, with special consideration of the development going on in downtown Bethesda.
We appreciate Captain Gagen’s commitment to public service and congratulate him on leading the 2nd District Police. We look forward to working with him to further public safety in the County.
Please RSVP for this event by clicking the image below.
It's been another busy month as we continue to be out and about throughout the district.
Friday with Friedson in Kensington at Car Wash Coffee & Community Conversation at Potomac Community Recreation Center
Immigration Solidarity Event hosted by Rep. Jamie Raskin & Drag Performance at Denizens with Councilmember Evan Glass
Montgomery County Muslim Foundation Annual Iftar Dinner & Ivymount School Commencement
Joined Lauren Strawbridge on the Capital Crescent Trail for the 200-mile “Every Trail for Every Call for EveryMind” campaign & Celebrating 50,000 Child Safety Seat Inspections with Jack Fitzgerald at Fitzgerald Auto Mall
Windermere HOA Meeting & Wildwood Manor Citizens Association Annual Meeting
Grand Reopening of the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase & Hard Hat Tour of Round House Theatre’s Renovation
Fogo de Chao Ribbon Cutting at Pike and Rose & 4th Annual Defeat DIPG Superhero Sprint & 6K at Westfield Montgomery
It is truly an honor and privilege to represent our extraordinary community on the County Council.
As always, we hope you will continue to keep in touch and reach out to us with any issues.
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