The residents of Montgomery County deserve and rightfully expect County government to spend hard-earned taxpayer dollars efficiently, effectively, and appropriately. That requires a serious commitment to fiscal oversight — one of the County Council’s most fundamental responsibilities.
Montgomery County lags behind our peer jurisdictions when it comes to funding fiscal oversight. This critical work comes at a price, but that cost in dollars pales in comparison to the cost in public trust if we fail to take care of this core responsibility.
That’s why I’m so pleased to have worked with Council President Nancy Navarro and Council Vice President Sidney Katz almost immediately after taking office to craft legislation the Council unanimously approved this week focused on fiscal oversight. The bill requires a proactive financial audit of potentially high-risk County contracts and a rotating, department-by-department review of County spending and financial controls by the independent Inspector General's office.
Recently, I participated in Cider Days at Locust Grove Nature Center in Potomac, one of four nature centers in the County offering many programs and classes especially for children and families. I hope you all will check out the Parks' event calendar and take advantage of these great Fall events.
 Photo by Maximilian Franz
On September 25th, I had the pleasure of joining PHED Committee Chairman Hans Riemer, Councilmember Will Jawando, the Scotland Community Development Board, and Enterprise Development to celebrate the Grand Reopening of the historic, African-American community of Scotland in Potomac. Recently transformed by an exemplary public-private partnership, seventy-five rental townhomes saw their first significant renovations since the 1970s. The townhomes were modernized inside and out, all while maintaining their affordability and access to the wonderful resources and amenities that Potomac has to offer.
As someone who grew up in Potomac with descendants of Scotland’s founder, William Dove, this extraordinary project hit home. Guided by dedicated community leaders, these improvements maintain Scotland residents’ connection to their rich history while providing access and opportunity for one of Montgomery County's oldest African-American communities well into the future.
This week we were briefed on a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) on the growing need for housing in our region. While we currently recognize that employment growth is outpacing housing, this gap will continue to grow as the region adds 413,000 new jobs in the next decade. This would compound our current housing crisis as housing demand outpaces supply, workers commute longer distances from where they can afford to live, and as Montgomery County is seen as less attractive for economic development.
To relieve our strained transportation system, MWCOG suggests that at least 75 percent of new housing be near high-capacity transit or in Activity Centers. In terms of future workers being able to afford to live in our County, they recommend that 75 percent of new housing should be affordable to low and middle income households. The Council's effort, which I led, to add $5 million to our Housing Initiative Fund (HIF) in this year's budget to build and preserve affordable units represents an important step forward. But we must ramp up our efforts and I look forward to working with my colleagues to explore every tool at our disposal to increase our housing stock.
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Public private partnerships are a win-win to realize better parks and other County projects that serve our community's needs. I have been pushing over the last year for us to partner with the private sector and I was glad to join the Washington Capitals and Montgomery Parks three weeks ago to announce the grand re-opening of the inline hockey rink at Ridge Road Recreational Park. Thanks to the support of the Capitals, residents will now enjoy a variety of improvements including a new flooring surface, boards, player bench areas, new goals, and a new scoreboard. We are grateful to the Capitals' investment in our local area and also in our youth.
Another fantastic partnership is in the works with the rehabilitation of the historic Seneca Store. The general store, previously known as Poole’s Store, dates to 1901 and served the community continuously for 109 years before closing in 2010. Montgomery Parks rehabilitated the building and landscape so the building can be leased to a commercial tenant. During the archaeological investigation, staff and volunteers removed roughly 60,000 pounds of dirt to uncover a remarkable archaeological discovery, an 18th century stone mill wheel pit. Soon a new commercial tenant will bring this site back to life, and it will also be preserved as a heritage tourism destination. We are very excited to have this gem in our County and look forward to it being fully activated for our community.
In our continuing effort to bring the Council to the community, we have some exciting events coming up.
Stop by and Say Hello at Bethesda Central Farmers Market
This Sunday, Oct 20th
9:30AM-12:30PM
Bethesda Elementary School
7600 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814
Grab a Cup of Coffee or Tea with Us on Oct 25th
Hear from Great Speakers at Our Friendship Heights Senior Forum on Nov 6th
Discuss Important Local Issues on Nov 14th
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.
Montgomery County Education Association’s Back to School Ball & Dedication of PCR's New James M. Sullivan Memorial House
Poolesville Day Parade & Walking Tour of Large Projects in Downtown Bethesda as Part of the Urban Land Institute's Fall Conference
Read Across Maryland at Davis Library & Taste of Bethesda hosted by the Bethesda Urban Partnership
National Walk and Bike to School Day at Bethesda Elementary & 30th Anniversary of the Potomac Community Center
Friday With Friedson at Clove & Cedar Coffeebar in Bethesda & Our Community Conversation at Mansion At Strathmore
Saluting Longtime Poolesville Town Manager Wade Yost & Flapjacks & Friends for Main Street Affordable, Inclusive Community
Potomac Day Parade & Friendship Picnic Hosted by Montgomery County’s Committee on Hate Violence at Wheaton Regional Park
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