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August is recess on the Council, yet my team and I have enjoyed a productive summer working hard for the residents of Montgomery County. From spending time in the community, responding to constituent inquiries, and advocating for a more robust democracy, we look at long-term initiatives to position our County for future success and economic prosperity.
Launching the second cohort of the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council
The S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council has generated lots of interest in the community, which speaks volumes to our youth's passion for local government. For our next cohort, participants will hone their public speaking skills, attend community events, engage with their peers at different schools across the County, and more! The application deadline is this Friday, September 1, and the first session will start on Monday, September 11, in the evening at the County Council building.
We are impressed with all of the fall applicants and remain excited to welcome a new cohort in a few weeks. The inaugural spring cohort made an impressive debut, and we commend them for their hard work and creativity with their final project presentations. Please contact my office for suggestions on meeting topics or partnership opportunities.
Community listening session for Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village
The County is discussing building a new recreation center in the Gaithersburg/Montgomery Village region. Earlier this month, I joined District 7 Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, District 3 Councilmember Sidney Katz, and At-Large Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Evan Glass, and Will Jawando to send a letter to the property owner of Lakeforest Mall requesting they include a recreation/community center in their planned redevelopment project. The project is going through an extensive review process with the City of Gaithersburg. In the meantime, Councilmember Luedtke and I are organizing a listening session with community leaders, residents, and organizations to discuss our vision and how to make this a reality. I look forward to working closely with stakeholders to deliver infrastructure investments for the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities to thrive.
The Universities at Shady Grove President Anne Khademian speaking to a group of student-athletes with the 480 Club
All babies deserve the same chance
As the County Council’s Lead for Eliminating Disparities in Public Health, I am closely monitoring disparities in maternal and infant mortality, which disproportionately represent Black mothers and babies. This month, our team met with Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board members to discuss this issue and brainstorm ways to address it. I have also requested a report from the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight to look at where these rates are the lowest in our country so that we can provide recommendations on how to replicate these figures in the County. The Washington Post recently published an opinion piece about this issue, with detailed policy recommendations. Finally, our team attended the third annual “Right From The Start” event as well as the County’s event recognizing Black Breastfeeding Week, organized by the Department of Health and Human Services. Community outreach remains paramount as we work to eliminate health disparities in our County.
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My Community Engagement Coordinator, Joseph Amara, with speakers and organizers at the “Right From The Start” event
Expanding youth workforce and professional development opportunities
My team and I are excited to support the Moore-Miller Administration's service year initiative. As a member of the Council’s newly created Economic Development Committee, we will tap into resources the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), Montgomery County Chambers of Commerce, WorkSource Montgomery, and other public and private community partners provide in order to expose our future workforce to an abundance of opportunities in our County. This summer, we explored the benefits of the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program in Washington, D.C., a great example of how we can introduce young people to employers who will positively impact our economy and their futures.
Interns who graduated from the Minority Scholars Program from 22 MCPS high schools
MACo Summer Conference
I would like to extend my deep appreciation to all of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) staff, sponsors, elected officials, and community organizations who put together an outstanding 2023 summer conference, showcasing why Maryland is a leading state for local government to thrive. As Governor Wes Moore stated in his keynote speech, “Don't bet against Maryland. This is our time. This is our decade.” The collaboration between state, county, and local leaders makes this an exciting time for Maryland. My chief of staff and I attended informative sessions covering the future of artificial intelligence and the impacts it can have on our society; the dangers of fentanyl and opioid use, especially when it comes to youth, with Special Secretary of Opioid Response Emily Keller; programs to create a more skilled workforce and increasing educational pathways to success; environmental sustainability, managing the Dickerson plant, and proper disposal of waste; and marijuana pardons and expungements with Attorney General Anthony Brown and Governor Moore, who have both committed to making this a priority of their administrations. Learn more about the full list of programs here.
Community Outreach
Fela at Olney Theatre
I had an excellent time with friends at the newly renovated Olney Theatre for their co-production with Roundhouse Theatre of the award-winning musical, Fela! The musical premiered on Broadway in 2009 and is still as entertaining and exciting as my first time seeing the musical in over a decade. The plot is about the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the iconic Afrobeats musician who revolutionized his home country of Nigeria with the vibrancy of his music. Bravo to the actors, playwrights, and staff who made it all possible and showcased why the arts are crucial to our County’s well-being!
 National Night Out
On August 1, County residents celebrated National Night Out at 29 locations! This event strengthens the relationship between law enforcement, first responders, and the community. My team visited all of the police districts in the County, including Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Kensington, Wheaton, White Oak, Germantown, and Montgomery Village. We shared our crime-fighting initiatives at each location, like the County’s late-night safety plan bill and increased investments in the Youth Harm Reduction Initiative. Thank you to our public safety professionals for keeping our neighborhoods safe.
 Ama Tu Vida "Love Your Life" Health Fair and Salvadoran Day Festival
I enjoyed welcoming the 10th annual Ama Tu Vida "Love Your Life" Health Fair and the Salvadoran-American Fair at Montgomery College. The Salvadoran community is the largest immigrant community in the County, and I appreciate events that showcase the richness of their cultures and contributions to our community. The Latino Health Initiative distributed the County’s health resources during the fair. Providing culturally relevant programs and information for our Latino community is essential, as data shows that Latino residents in the County tend to suffer from disproportionate access to healthcare resources and support. I thank Montgomery College and the Comunidades Transnacionales Salvadoreñas (COTSA) for hosting this annual event. We look forward to kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month in September!
 One-year celebration of the Happy Life Vietnamese Senior Group
I was honored to be a distinguished guest at the first anniversary of the Happy Life Vietnamese Senior Group at the Holiday Park Senior Center in Wheaton. During the celebration, I saw dozens of standout performers, met with AAPI leaders across Maryland, and had some of the world’s most well-known Vietnamese coffee. To my surprise, we ran into my aunt, one of the many beneficiaries of the senior center's services. Thank you to the Montgomery County Recreation Department for all they do to help our seniors thrive. At the 2023 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards, the Holiday Park Senior Center won the Best in Category Award in the Parks and Recreation category while being recognized for its outdoor fitness equipment program. During the pandemic, the outside workout area made it possible to exercise and social distance when many seniors were apprehensive about returning to indoor spaces.
 74 years of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair
The 74th annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair offered 62 acres of fun for families, including over 5000 animals, carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food, and more. I met the 2023 Agricultural Fair King & Queen, Andres Guerra and Gracie Ray. Guerra is a rising senior at Kennedy High School and a Montgomery County’s 4H Committee member. I also attended the Agricultural Leaders Luncheon, highlighting our agricultural economy and some concerns. Agriculture is Maryland’s #1 industry, generating $8.5 billion annually and supporting over 83,000 jobs, and we are fortunate to have state leaders like Secretary Kevin Atticks and the Maryland Department of Agriculture invested in the preservation and vitality of our nationally recognized Agricultural Reserve in Montgomery County.
 ‘Back To School’ shopping
Last week, I joined Minds in Motion Child Care for a field trip to the Nike store in Clarksburg to help kids shop for shoes for the first day of school. Every kid deserves to start the school year with a comfortable pair of shoes in which they can learn, work, and play. Students should be focused on learning rather than on other kids who may have more resources. My mother had six kids, so we did not experience wearing name-brand shoes to start the school year off. I am so grateful to Latisha Gasaway Paul, Minds in Motion Child Care, and Nike for going above and beyond to ensure our students start their school year off confidently. You can learn more about this touching surprise by watching the recap here. I also want to thank Montgomery County Public Schools and the many community partners who organized a successful ‘Back To School Fair’ in Wheaton, providing resources to thousands of students and families. With students returning to school this week, my office is here to support our young people to ensure they have the resources needed to perform well in and out of the classroom.
News Roundup
Booming economy with historic unemployment in Montgomery County
Montgomery County’s workforce is outpacing Maryland, the D.C. area, and the nation. Unemployment in Montgomery County is at a 33-year low of 1.5% in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With workers returning to work, we turn our focus to upward mobility and increasing pathways for low-wage workers to qualify for technical and higher-paying jobs. About 8.5% of residents in the County, nearly 90,000 people, live below the federal poverty line. We must prepare our most vulnerable residents for future opportunities to avoid an economic downturn.
United against workplace harassment in our schools
As a parent and lawmaker, the allegations of sexual harassment in MCPS are alarming. All my colleagues on the Council share the same desire to address the claims that have created a toxic, unsafe environment for adults and students. I am committed to a respectful and transparent process that harnesses the expertise of key stakeholders in executing a comprehensive and in-depth review. We must get to the root of the problem, ensure that our schools create a safe environment for adults and children, and hold bad actors accountable when they violate our trust in those who occupy positions of power.
 Source: Rob Hill for The Washington Post
MCPS and MedStar Health launch innovative sports medicine partnership
MCPS athletics kicked off on August 9, and student-athletes have many reasons to rejoice. Thanks to an innovative sports medicine partnership with MedStar Health, all 25 MCPS high schools have a certified athletic trainer for the first time. MCPS is Maryland’s first school system to establish a sports medicine partnership with MedStar Health, the region’s most prominent and largest overall healthcare provider. MedStar will provide medical professionals on staff to assist with the assessment and treatment of student-athlete injuries, prevention, rehabilitation, and more, according to Dr. Jeff Sullivan, MCPS System Wide Athletic Director. Montgomery County already has an advanced system for sports medicine and athletic training facilities, and this program will make athletes safer and ready for optimal performance. Every student should be able to enjoy the benefits of sports without worrying about severe injuries and access to care.
 Source: MCPS Athletics
Montgomery County Firefighters supporting the Maui community
On August 16, 70 rescuers and ten personnel support members of the Maryland Task Force 1 departed to help with the devastating fires in Maui, Hawaii. Maryland Task Force 1 is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comprising several local jurisdictions, but is sponsored and hosted here in Montgomery County. They frequently respond to search & rescue missions. Maryland Task Force 1 has a distinguished history of responding to the country's worst disasters, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the 9/11 Pentagon attack, and Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona. I am proud of the selfless men and women who represent the best of Montgomery County and am glad to see they had a safe return from Maui.
 Source: Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service
I-495 and I-270 Expansion Update
On August 21, the Moore-Miller administration announced a path forward for the American Legion Bridge, I-495 and I-270, with a federal grant application envisioning a multimodal corridor focused on access, mobility, and engagement. As we move forward, our government will focus on a balanced approach to improve commutes for drivers and riders of public transportation. I have long expressed concerns about highway expansion and adding toll lanes, especially considering its irreversible environmental impacts. Further action with this plan must center communities who will be impacted the most. I stand committed to working with the community and my colleagues to determine the best path forward.
Photo from a tour of the proposed M-83 highway alignment
60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
The March on Washington happened 60 years ago. Yet, in many ways, we are dealing with the same historical battles with racism, discrimination, and inequality more prevalent than ever before. To commemorate the 60th anniversary, I joined my Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Sisters on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The message was clear: we must continue to fight for voting rights, close racial wealth and health gaps, and demand a renewed urgency to protect our communities from hate and violence. For those interested in learning more about the historical legacy of the March on Washington and its influence today, the National Museum of African American History and Culture offers an essential list of resources here.
 Source: Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo
Top Constituent Concerns
My team and I have started tracking constituent inquiries monthly. We created a pie chart below highlighting some of the following concerns: more open parkways, the Governor’s plans for I-270 and I-495, safety in our neighborhoods and schools, property taxes and the increased cost of living, housing and homelessness support, and more. Thank you to all who have reached out and given my office a better idea of how we can improve our County.
Upcoming Events
August 31: Ceremony to Recognize International Overdose Awareness Day
Montgomery County will host a remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to overdose and substance use. The event will commemorate “International Overdose Awareness Day,” a global event aimed at raising awareness of overdoses and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths.
September 4: Labor Day Festivities
Labor Day is a momentous occasion to recognize the tireless efforts of the workforce and their pivotal role in shaping society. I encourage people to check out the many festivities occurring throughout the County this weekend. I will be marching in the 85th Annual Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade, one of the most popular parades to hit the streets of Olde Towne.
September 5: African Heritage Month Celebration
Montgomery County’s 2023 Proclamation of African Heritage Month takes place on Sept. 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. This year’s celebration marks the 15th Anniversary of African Heritage Month in Montgomery County. The observance of African Heritage Month pays tribute to the history, heritage, culture, ancestry, values, and contributions of the African community that continues to enrich our diverse County.
September 9: 20th Arts on the Block Anniversary Celebration
Since 2003, Arts on the Block has empowered creative youth and emerging artists to imagine and shape fulfilling futures, join the creative workforce, and contribute to their communities. Join the festivities on Sept. 9 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown Silver Spring to celebrate this milestone and the impact of Arts on the Block on the youth and the community.
September 12: Senior Citizen Day Proclamation
National Senior Citizens Day officially occurred on August 21. On Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m., I invite senior citizens to join me before the Montgomery County Council to recognize National Senior Citizens Day as a significant occasion in our county. The contributions of senior citizens are valued and appreciated, and I hope this proclamation can raise awareness of the importance of advocating for our seniors.
September 13: Minority Contractor Summit
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2023 Minority Contractor Summit at the Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center on Sept. 13 from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join elected leaders, contractors, small business owners, and other stakeholders for a free event to identify and find real solutions to the challenges in the construction industry in the DMV area.
September 14: Budget Community Conversations
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the County’s regional services offices and community partners, will host 10 Community Conversations from September through December to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget. The first conversation will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Mid-County Recreation Center in Layhill.
September 17: Montgomery Sister Cities Multi-Cultural Humanitarian Day
To honor and recognize the rich diversity of the communities in Montgomery County, Montgomery Sister Cities invites residents to their Multi-Cultural Humanitarian Day on Sept. 17 from 2-5 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. This event highlights the contributions of Montgomery Sister Cities and their partnering with El Salvadorian, Indian, Chinese, Ethiopian, and South Korean organizations in Montgomery County.
Community Resource Hub
- With the Ride On Senior SmarTrip Card, seniors 65+ can ride free on MCDOT buses and most Metro buses within the County. Seniors can get a card today from any of the following locations: Montgomery County public libraries, TRiPS stores, or the county finance office.
- Montgomery County officials announced Phase III of its grants program that provides funding support for small businesses affected by the construction of the Purple Line. The Maryland Department of Commerce has provided a grant of $815,000 to support this grant program. Applications will be accepted online through Sept. 30.
- As the new school year begins, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers students a comprehensive youth mental health resource library for students. Their resources aim to support educators, guide parents, and empower students on their mental health journey during the school year and beyond.
- The newly minted Department of Service and Innovation is currently accepting applications for its inaugural class of service-year and Maryland Corps participants. For young adults aged 18-21, the service year program will provide job training, mentorship, and other resources to succeed while earning $15 an hour plus focused professional development time each week.
- The Montgomery County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce a grant program to support watershed restoration and outreach projects throughout Montgomery County. This program promotes initiatives and projects to improve water quality in Montgomery County’s local streams and waterways through public engagement, education, and on-the-ground restoration.
- The three-year Student Loan pandemic pause is ending, causing stress and anxiety for borrowers. Rules and repayment programs are shifting, and it is essential to keep up. The Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center is sponsoring a series of webinars that will cover what consumers need to know about managing, repaying, and borrowing student loans to finance higher education.
- The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Care Support Services (CCSS) seeks nominees for its first-ever presentation of the Montgomery County Early Care and Education Excellence Awards. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Self-nominations are encouraged.
Celebrating another trip around the sun
On a personal note, I recently celebrated my birthday on August 13! I had a fantastic birthday dinner at Planta with my daughter, Mikaylah, and mother, Hilda. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such loving family, friends, and community residents. This past year has been a whirlwind of great connections and adventures, and I am excited to see what this new year will bring. Onwards!
Yours in Service,
Laurie-Anne Sayles
Councilmember At-Large
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