 Wednesday, June 14, 2023
This June, we celebrate both Pride Month and Caribbean-American Heritage Month. At a time where hateful rhetoric is at an unfortunate high, it is vital that we recognize the diversity that makes our community so special.
On June 1st, we held the annual raising of the Pride Flag outside of the Executive Office Building. Yesterday, we celebrated Caribbean-American Heritage Month with a proclamation and a luncheon, along with a commemoration at the Executive Office Building. I was honored to be a part of these celebrations alongside my colleagues.
 At the Pride Flag raising with Council President Evan Glass, Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez, and Rich Madaleno.
I have been incredibly busy in the community over the last few weeks. I've been continuing my visits to schools in District 2 with a stop at Roberto Clemente Middle School to speak with some amazing student leaders. I also spoke to students at Lake Seneca Elementary School for Career Day and was a judge at Northwest High School's Project Citizen Showcase. I'm excited to continue visiting the rest of the schools in District 2 next school year!
I spent a great Friday morning at the Red Wiggler Farm in Germantown, which is a community farm where people come together to sustainably grow healthy produce. Red Wiggler Farm sells and donates its vegetables across the community.
You can learn more about the great programs at Red Wiggler Farm by checking out its website!
 At the Red Wiggler Farm with Woody Woodruff and Kristin O'Keefe.
On Monday, I had the opportunity to attend a ribbon cutting celebration for The Crossvines - Poolesville's newest event venue, research farm, and dining destination. Next time you are in Poolesville, take a trip to The Crossvines!
 Speaking at The Crossvines ribbon cutting ceremony.
The County Council was on recess following passage of the FY24 budget, which meant that we were not meeting for committee or Council sessions. Now that recess is over, we are back to our routine cadence of Council work!
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
The ECON committee met for the first time post-budget on Monday, June 12th to receive a briefing on the 4th quarter economic indicators for the County and to discuss Expedited Bill 23-23 (Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program - Amendment) and Executive Regulation #2-23 (Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Matching Grant Program). Learn more about both items here.
You can view the committee agenda here and watch a recording of the session here. The next ECON committee meeting will be a joint session with the Public Safety committee on June 26th.
Transportation and Environment Committee
Coming up, we will have our second work session on Bill 11-23 (The Safe Streets Act of 2023) and begin to discuss the Rustic Roads Master Plan. Our next TE committee session is scheduled for June 29th. I will keep you posted on our discussions.
Other Committee Work
The Planning, Housing, and Parks Committee will be taking up two rent stabilization bills – Bill 15-23 and Bill 16-23 starting on June 15th. This is an important discussion for our community and I encourage you to let me know your thoughts on rent stabilization and any other legislation before the Council.
- The County's annual Juneteenth celebration is scheduled for June 17th at the BlackRock Center for the Arts from noon to 10PM. I hope to see you at this great event that will have activities for all ages!
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Worksource Montgomery is hosting its quarterly job fair on June 27th from 11AM to 1PM at the M-NCPCC headquarters in Wheaton. Learn more here.
- Montgomery Parks is hosting MudFest at the Woodstock Equestrian Park in Beallsville on June 17th from 11AM to 3PM. This one day event is your opportunity to dive into giant mud pits for fun! More information can be found on the Montgomery Parks website. You can find a full list of Montgomery Parks' summer events here.
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WSSC Water has issued a statement on the changes in smell and taste of drinking water across the region. The change is due to algal activity, warmer weather, and low water conditions in the Potomac River. You can read the statement here.
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Washington Gas has a number of energy efficiency programs that you might be eligible to take advantage of. Learn more here.
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WMATA is rolling out a new reduced fare program to assist low-income customers. The new "Metro Lift" program will be launched on June 20th and is for customers who qualify for SNAP benefits. Visit WMATA's website to enroll.
- The Board of Education has selected a name for the school formerly known as Clarksburg Elementary School #9. The new school - which is set to open this coming fall - will be named Cabin Branch Elementary School!
- The County Council is hosting a hybrid town hall on June 21st from 7-8PM. Check out the flyer below for more information.
- The County is seeking feedback from the community as a part of its application for the USDOT's Safe Streets and Road for All grant. Check out the flyer below to participate.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7940.
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