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January 2023
Maryland made history last week as we swore in Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. I’m excited to work hand in hand with our new governor and lieutenant governor, and the diverse and accomplished slate of leaders in their administration, to ensure that no one in Maryland is left behind. Let’s get to work!
Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year for many Asian cultures including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities, and others. Each year in the Lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 zodiac animals based on an ancient folk tale of a Great Race and contribute their own symbolic meaning. 2023 is a special year as the Vietnamese zodiac celebrates the Year of the Cat and the Chinese zodiac honors the Year of the Rabbit. The Council recently presented a proclamation where we recognized Lunar New Year and reaffirmed our commitment to our diverse and growing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Montgomery County. I'm wishing all of you a happy, prosperous new year filled with good fortune, health and love.
Last week I had the opportunity to participate in the groundbreaking event for the Randolph Road community, which will bring new, mixed-income affordable housing in Silver Spring. This new community -- the largest-ever affordable housing development in the County -- will become home to 195 families, offering deeply affordable apartments and homeownership opportunities.
This partnership is exactly the type of collaboration needed between our public and private sectors to increase affordable housing options throughout the County and region.
You can watch my remarks here.
More than 1,000 coats were distributed at the Long Branch Community Recreation Center at this year’s coat drive that took place on Friday, January 6th. Thank you to our partners, including Montgomery County Police Department, the Department of Recreation, Silver Spring Cares, Silver Spring Regional Services Center, CHEER, and to all those in the community for their efforts to help our neighbors keep warm this winter.
This time of year is when the County Council holds public hearings and deliberates on the spending and revenue proposals for the budget for the next fiscal year. It’s your chance to weigh in on programs and services that are important to you and how funds are allocated. Public hearings for the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and we want to hear from you. There will be opportunities to testify both in person and virtually. Sign up online to testify at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/phsignup.html or call 240-777-7803.
Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved during the budget process. Public hearings for the FY24 operating budget will be held in April.
As Council President, one of my first responsibilities was to determine committee assignments for the new Council. There are currently seven standing committees, including the new Economic Development Committee, which I established in order to focus efforts on growing our business sector, attracting Fortune 500 companies from around the country, and retaining the small and minority businesses that already call Montgomery County home. At the same time, we will address other major economic concerns, like closing the racial wealth gap, wage inequality and reducing barriers for mom and pop businesses.
I’m proud to sit on this committee with Chair Natali Fani-González and Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Laurie-Anne Sayles, and am excited to get to work.
More dogs in the D.C. region are getting sick, and as a dog owner myself, I encourage my fellow pet parents to consider skipping dog parks until the instances of canine influenza begins to subside. According to the Montgomery County Office of Animal Services, dogs are more at risk if they visit dog parks, attend doggy daycare or are boarded when their owners are traveling. If you suspect that your dog may have canine influenza, you should contact your veterinarian immediately for assessment and early supportive treatment.
Key Facts about Canine Influenza (Dog Flu) | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC.
Affordable, age-appropriate screening mammography is available through the Primary Care Coalition for Montgomery County residents who meet the eligibility criteria for Montgomery Cares:
- You are a resident of Montgomery County
- You have a low income (at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level)
- You can not get private, state or federal health insurance
Residents can contact their Montgomery Cares clinic for a well-woman visit for cervical cancer screening and to request a referral for mammography. You can find a clinic, make an appointment and apply for Montgomery Cares at the time of the first visit. Clinic locations and more information can be found at https://www.primarycarecoalition.org/findaclinic.
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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