Great news! My bill that strengthens the county’s Economic Impact Statement process and ensures its independence in the legislative branch passed the Council unanimously yesterday. The new process will require a thorough study of potential economic impacts of all Council legislation performed by an economist in the Office of Legislative Oversight. These changes will allow us to have a clearer picture of the fiscal impacts of legislation before any votes are taken.
We need to foster a healthy and growing private-sector economy in order to afford the services we provide residents, maintain a high quality of life in the county, and meet the growing needs of our community. Economic expansion has been a top priority of mine since I took office and will continue to be my focus as long as I have the privilege of representing you on the Council.
For our County's Agricultural Reserve to remain environmentally sustainable, it must be economically sustainable. Rocklands Farm Winery in Poolesville has succeeded while remaining true to its sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices. It's a great place to grab some wine, some food, host an event, or to hang out as a family.
Thanks to CEO and Farm Manager Greg Glenn for showing me around and explaining how Rocklands is committed to preserving and promoting the integrity of the Agricultural Reserve. Also, check out the recently rebuilt Montevideo Road Bridge, part of the County’s Rustic Roads preservation program.
It was a pleasure to visit Tobytown this week, one of Montgomery County's historic African-American communities founded by freed slaves during Reconstruction. The County has brought much-needed bus service here in the form of Route 301, which has been a critical link to many without other transportation options. There is still more to do – parking and street lighting improvements are needed. Thank you to the HOA Board and residents for showing me around.
The Pike District, which encompasses the area surrounding the White Flint Metro, provides one of Montgomery County’s greatest opportunities for transit-oriented smart growth and economic expansion. I’m proud to represent this area and am committed to fulfilling the vision of our master plans for a vibrant, livable, walkable, mixed-use community.
Last week, I hosted a meeting of nearly 40 Pike District residents, property owners, marketing experts, planners, and other stakeholders to discuss how we best move the area forward. As we discussed ongoing marketing and placemaking efforts in the Pike District, it was clear that everyone at the table remains committed to the success of this area. I'm excited about our shared goals of attracting the type of business activity and quality of life that will allow us to create the place we all want the Pike District to become.
Key to that effort is Montgomery County fulfilling its end of the bargain in providing promised infrastructure, particularly when it comes to transportation. I continue to push for a second entrance to the White Flint Metro and ensure continued progress on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) planned for Rockville Pike. Earlier this week, I was proud to support a supplemental appropriation that will allow the County to begin preliminary engineering on that BRT project, which is necessary for the mobility and economic vibrancy of the Pike District and the entire County. The “western workaround” road project, which will help us achieve the type of road network called for in the White Flint Master Plan, continues to progress, and the county stands prepared to move forward with improvements to Wall Park as soon as the adjacent redevelopment gets underway. Residents are already enjoying some of the new bikeways installed in the area and planning and design for the new fire station near Montrose Road has been funded.
Partnering with the private sector is key to our County's success. I will continue to advocate for needed public infrastructure so we can realize our economic development potential.
Earlier this month, we got the good news from Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Director Adam Ortiz that the County will restart much-needed restoration work of two streams in District 1: The Grosvenor-Luxmanor Tributary and Old Farm Creek.
Since arriving on the Council, we’ve worked hard to get these projects off of DEP’s suspended projects list and back into action. I made the request of Mr. Ortiz in January when he interviewed for the Director position, worked with community and watershed advocates to press the issue, and am pleased that Director Ortiz and his watershed restoration staff followed through on their commitments to re-evaluate the situation.
These restorations are needed to stop polluting sediment from entering our waterways and to prevent stream banks from eroding onto private property. It’s a great example of a core local government responsibility with far-reaching benefits.
Following a successful senior forum with Delegate Shetty, please add to your calendar and tell your friends and neighbors about our upcoming event with Councilmember Katz in Potomac! It will be a great opportunity to learn about existing County resources, hear from local nonprofits, and listen to our fantastic speakers. Hope to see you there.
Public service is a rewarding career path and it certainly has been for me, but I wouldn't be here without others giving me an opportunity to learn with them and from them. This summer we were glad to host a handful of interns (including a Summer Rise student) to help them gauge their interest in this field, absorb office culture and norms, and to have an interactive learning experience. Whether they enter public service as a career path or as citizen advocates, we hope to inspire a lifelong interest in doing the people's work.
It's been another busy month as we continue to be out and about throughout the district.
Senior Event with Delegate Shetty at Kensington Park Senior Living & Assessing Battery Lane Park Improvements with a Special Inspector
Ribbon Cutting for Clove & Cedar Coffeebar in Bethesda & "Montgomery County is Open for Business" Segment with Small Business Network
Community Support Services' Annual Olympics and Family Picnic at Georgetown Prep & Brookside Gardens 50th Anniversary Celebration
Purple Line Now Forum Focused on Completing the Capital Crescent Trail & Mural Dedication at Connie Morella Library
Discussion with Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) & Guest Bartending for Local Rotary Clubs (Foundations)
National Farmers Markets Week Proclamation & National Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation
It's 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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