The Katz Update: A Busy Week!!

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February 12, 2021


COUNCIL NEWS


At the County Council this week - 

  • The Council commemorated Black History Month with a proclamation and video presentation which focused on African American leaders making positive changes in our County. The Council honored the following leaders: Dr. Travis Gayles, County Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services; Avery Smedley, MCPS high school senior and activist; Reverend Patricia Drumming of the Rainbow Community Food Pantry; Joseph Hooks, founder of the 480 Club; and Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of Montgomery College. The Council has been hosting commemorative events to honor Black History Month since 2015. To view the commemoration, click here.
  • The Council met with Dr. Jinlene Chan, Acting Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, Maryland's Department of Health (MDH); Dr. Mark Martin, Deputy Director, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities (MDH); and Heather Shek, Maryland's Deputy Director, Office of Governmental Affairs (MDH) to discuss vaccine allocation, distribution and equity. The Council requested an increase in doses to go to County health clinics in order to vaccinate members of our large jurisdiction. The Council also requested a Montgomery County location as a mass vaccination site.   
  • The Council voted (7-2) in favor of Executive Order 19-21which which would reinstate indoor restaurant dining at 25% capacity starting Sunday, February 14th at 7 am. It would also suspend alcohol sales at 10 p.m. for on-site consumption and limit customers to a 90-minute indoor dining period. I voted in favor of the Executive Order. 
  • The Council unanimously passed ZTA 20-04 which would create a greener local economy by increasing the amount from 20 percent to 50 percent of materials farmers can use on their property to produce and manufacture compost and mulch. I am pleased to co-sponsor this legislation. 

PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEES


I am proud to be the Chair of the Public Safety (PS) Committee and a member of the Government Operations (GO) Committee.

  • The PS Committee held a worksession to discuss the FY21 Savings Plan for public safety related departments such as Police, Fire & Rescue, Emergency Management and Homeland Security. 
    • The recommended reductions generally reflected the impact of COVID-19 on departmental operations. 

STUDENT ADVISORY GROUP 


I met with my Student Advisory Group this week for our third meeting of the year. This advisory group includes 18 students from Montgomery College and the Universities of Shady Grove. We discussed issues of concern to them, namely, distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, mental health and isolation during COVID, opening of MCPS, and Governor Hogan's Economic Relief Package. Also, we were joined by special guests State's Attorney John McCarthy and Sherri Koch, Administrative Law Judge for the District Court. The students asked interesting and important questions to learn more about our judicial system. I am grateful for the student's participation, enthusiasm and spirit. They are our future Montgomery County leaders!!


DISTRICT 3 HISTORICAL NOTE


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22 West Jefferson Street

Rockville, MD, 20850

The Jefferson Building is one of Rockville’s most elegant office buildings and is, arguably, the best example of Georgian Revival style architecture in the area. Shortly after its completion in 1959, the Jefferson Building was suggested as a model for Rockville’s new City Hall, with opinion divided over modernist versus traditional architecture. Traditional in style, the Jefferson Building occupies an important place in Rockville’s recent past, connecting events, individuals and institutions within the framework of the City’s modern and post-modern history. 


THINGS TO ZOOM!!


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Black History Month Program: Historical Perspectives on Slavery in Maryland and Washington, D.C.- Virtual.

Saturday, February 13, from 2:00-3:00 pm

James H. Johnston from Montgomery History discusses how slavery in the Washington D.C. area evolved differently from other areas, due to the crops being grown, and the diverse nature of Washington.

JCA Virtual 50+ Mini-Employment Expo

Tuesday, February 16, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

This FREE upcoming virtual 50+ Employment Expo sponsored by Montgomery County on February 16, 2021, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm will have two Workshops and presentations by local employers who are hiring.

Virtual Social Justice Author Talk - Michelle H. Hall

Tuesday, February 16, from 5:00-6:00 pm

Michelle H. Hall, author of "1968 Riots From the Eyes of an Eight Year Old Child" will discuss her experiences and her book about the riots.

Gentle Hatha Yoga at Noon- Virtual

Wednesday, February 17, from 12:00-1:00 pm

Gentle Hatha Yoga is perfect for those who are just starting out with yoga, are less mobile, or simply want a more relaxed yoga experience.

Celebrate Black History Month: Separate but Unequal History of School Segregation in Montgomery County- Virtual

Wednesday, February 17, from 12:30-1:30 pm

Join MCPL in recognition of Black History Month for this lecture about the history of segregation in Montgomery County public schools. This lecture will discuss the importance of education to newly emancipated African Americans, segregation and the practice of “separate but equal” in our County's public schools and the number of African American schools that still exist in the County.


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Register in advance:

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VISIT THE COUNTY'S COVID-19 website.


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Email: Councilmember.Katz@montgomerycountymd.gov 

 

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