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February 2022
In 2021 there were 11 pedestrians killed and 480 people hit while walking or riding their bicycles in Montgomery County. For too long we’ve considered pedestrian and cyclist injuries as inevitable side effects of modern life. But the reality is that we can and must prevent these tragedies by taking a proactive approach to reimagining our roads so they work for all users.
Please join me this Saturday, February 12 at 10:00 am for a Vision Zero event highlighting the need for safer streets. We’ll be joined by National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy, Congressman Jamie Raskin, and leaders from Rockville and Annapolis.
The event will take place outside Korean Korner Supermarket at the intersection of Veirs Mill and Randolph Roads. RSVP here.
County health officials report that most COVID-19 health metrics are continuing to improve. Our community's high vaccination rate is critical to ensuring our continued safety. If you haven’t yet been boosted, I encourage you to do so.
Given the current downward case count trajectory, the county health order requiring masks for public indoor spaces will be lifted on February 21.
I am pleased that Montgomery County has announced a new round of $700,000 in community service grants to help houses of worship hire part-time security and invest in safety measures. The announcement was made on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and came less than two weeks after a gunman took four people hostage at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. The hostage standoff in Texas happened after the worshippers welcomed in a stranger thinking he was homeless. It is a false choice to think we have to either have safety when we congregate and pray, or help those who are less fortunate.
February is a sweet time for some local businesses. Whether you prefer milk or dark chocolate, caramel or toffee, truffles or bark, we have a number of local candy shops across the county that can delight any sweet tooth. I recently visited The Original Velatis Caramel Company in downtown Silver Spring, which has been making small batch gourmet handcrafted caramels since 1866.
Picking up candy at the convenience store for your special someone might be easy, but consider shopping at one of the county’s homemade sweet shops for Valentine’s Day.
Brigadier General Charles McGee of Bethesda, the eldest of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen, recently passed away at the age of 102. With a total of 409 combat missions across three wars, he earned the Legion of Merit twice, earned three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and was awarded a Bronze Star, among many other awards. After retirement, he earned a college degree and made frequent appearances at the National Air and Space Museum.
Thank you sir, for your lifetime of service to our nation.
 Photo from 2019
A 105-year-old Rockville resident who lives alone woke up on a cold, winter morning to find that her apartment had no hot water. Her granddaughter contacted my office to ask if we could help restore the hot water for the Housing Opportunities Commission operated apartment. My staff quickly got in touch with the HOC and within two hours, the hot water was back on. As always, please feel free to reach out to me about any assistance you might need: Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov
As we reflect on the deep African American history here in Montgomery County, here are several ways you and your family can learn about the experiences of those who were here before us.
Visit Montgomery has curated a list of Black History events taking place throughout the county, ranging from panel discussions with experts on the culinary heritage of African Americans to self-guided explorations for the whole family at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, a historic location that marks a stop on the Underground Railroad.
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