Happy Thanksgiving from Team Friedson

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year. It is a time of gratitude and appreciation, reflection and retrospection. It reminds me of how fortunate we are to live in such a caring and compassionate community and how lucky I am to have the privilege to represent this special place I’ve always called home. From our team and my family to yours, wishing you a restful, relaxing, and fulfilling Thanksgiving!

Meeting with Parent Student Teacher Association Leaders

Councilmember Friedson meeting with District One Parent Student Teacher Assocation Leaders

I recently invited District 1 PTSA leaders to come together, share priorities, and strategize on how to best advocate for children and schools. These families are so closely tied into our local communities; they are the true experts on issues related to our schools and students.

Participants elevated several issues including the youth mental health crisis, school security and environment, capital improvement needs, and the delineation of roles and responsibilities as more services are provided in school buildings. We had a great conversation and talked through how to approach these issues as advocates for our children. I look forward to ongoing, collaborative discussions and elevating concerns to the Board of Education and Superintendent.

Fetal Infant Mortality Panel Discussion

Wrap-up and Link to Recording

Screenshot of the Fetal Infant Mortality Panelists Speaking

In late October I hosted a virtual community event titled "Why Everyone Should Be Concerned About Fetal and Infant Mortality," with speakers and panelists from the Montgomery County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board Community Action Team, Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Aaliyah in Action, the African American Health Program, and Montgomery County Babies Born Health.

Each year, approximately 100 pregnant people in Montgomery County experience a pregnancy loss or death of their infant. The rate for Black women, 6.2 per 1,000 live births, is double the rate for white or Hispanic women. These tragic losses happen across the socioeconomic spectrum to those who are privately insured as well as those who receive Medicaid for their health care. 

It was an eye-opening, educational, and emotional evening as we learned the latest fetal and infant mortality data, reviewed sample case studies, and listened to personal stories of heartbreak and resilience. I was pleased to walk away with resources and information to share. While fetal and infant mortality are serious, sober issues with disproportionate consequences for pregnant Black/African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander people and their families, the panelists clearly demonstrated that there are effective programs available for all.

I invite you to watch a summary of the event here.

Growing Solar in Montgomery County

Growing Solar in Montgomery County by the Montgomery County GreenBank

Montgomery County and its residents are doing their part to combat climate change and create a clean energy future. Thanks in part to the historic dedicated funding created through the Montgomery County Green Buildings Now Act I sponsored with Councilmember Tom Hucker, the Montgomery Green Bank has been hard at work to create opportunities for residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations to access financing for renewable energy and energy efficient retrofit projects. The Green Bank’s programs have already begun to help Montgomery County residents achieve the benefits of clean energy while accelerating our progress toward reaching our greenhouse gas emissions goals of 80% reduction by 2027 and 100% elimination by 2035 as set out in the 2017 Council resolution declaring a climate emergency.

To learn more about recent achievements in community solar and energy efficiency projects for faith-based and non-profit organizations, affordable housing communities, common ownership communities, and homeowners, please visit the Montgomery County Green Bank webpage. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please contact my office and my staff will be more than happy to assist you.

Last Chance to RSVP and New Location

In-Person Community Conversation on November 30th:

With Attendance from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the Anti-Defamation League Regional Office, and Montgomery County Police

Click to RSVP and ask your question for Councilmember Friedson to Answer

Due to the need to accommodate more constituents, we will be moving this event to Wyngate Elementary’s All-Purpose Room. We apologize for the inconvenience but hope to see you at this important Community Conversation.

Please join us for a Community Conversation on November 30th from 7 - 8:30 pm in the Wyngate Elementary’s All-Purpose Room. Given the rise of antisemitic events, representatives from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the Anti-Defamation League Regional Offices, and Montgomery County Police will be in attendance should community members have questions related to the Jewish community and antisemitic-related incidents. We will continue to welcome general District One related questions and I will still give an overview of what Montgomery County Council is currently working on.

Please RSVP for our event, and feel free to submit your questions and concerns beforehand. As always, I am thankful that so many residents take the time to share their issues and thoughts with our office and we hope you will continue to communicate with us as they come up. If you have an urgent request, you can reach us by emailing us at councilmember.friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov and calling us at (240) 777-7828.

Councilmember Friedson and Seth Goldman on the Local Economy

Click to watch Councilmember Friedson interview Seth Goldman of Eat the Change on staying local with his new business venture

Hear from Seth Goldman of Eat The Change himself on why Montgomery County is the best work to play, live, and work on impactful new business ventures.

New Website Feature Alert!

If you or your organization need to meet with me and my staff in person or virtually, please use the “Request a Meeting” function we have added to my website. This function is just one of the ways that we are trying to be more accessible to our community members as we navigate a hybrid world. If you have any difficulties with this new function and form, which will help my staff schedule meetings much faster, please feel free to call our office at (240) 777-7828 or councilmember.friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov as we navigate this technological boon together.

Potomac Library Refresh Updates

Libraries are important resources and community-gathering places that enrich our communities and enhance our quality of life. It is critical that the facilities routinely receive significant and timely updates that keep pace with emerging best practices in service provision and technology developments.

The County Council and County Executive approved a “refresh” project within the County’s Capital Improvement Program to allow library buildings to make programmatic, cosmetic, and service impact updates to two to three libraries every year. This process improves the overall user experience for residents while minimizing the time they must do without this vital community amenity.

In District 1, the Potomac Library, located at 10101 Glenolden Drive, closed on May 22 to undergo interior improvements including the replacement of flooring, new shelving, a new service desk, painting, new furniture, and a redesigned children’s area. Work will also be performed to bring the building into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The library will be closed for approximately eight to ten months. You can stay up to date on the progress at the Potomac Library by vising the MCPL blog. I look forward to seeing you at the ribbon-cutting for the newly refreshed library in a few short months!

Constituent Services

I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.