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September 2023
This summer I attended the annual Maryland Association of Counties conference in Ocean City. From participating in a panel discussion on social media to joining the “What’s Happening MoCo” podcast, it was an enjoyable and productive session connecting with federal, state and local officials. It’s always a great opportunity to learn from leaders across the state about innovative projects and new technologies that are transforming our economy and benefiting Marylanders every day.
I also recently attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference and was delighted to celebrate Montgomery County Recreation for winning the “Best in Category” award for the outdoor fitness equipment at the Holiday Park Senior Center. Montgomery County Recreation received six NACo achievement awards for a variety of programs that serve the community, reflecting the work of dedicated staff and the fantastic programming our recreation centers provide. Congratulations to our outstanding Recreation Department!
It was a pleasure to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the The Happy Life Vietnamese Senior Group at Holiday Park Senior Center last month. Holiday Park is Montgomery County's largest senior center, serving more than 500 adults over the age of 55. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Vietnamese culture, traditions, music, dances and to sample Vietnam’s world-famous coffee.
Fifty years ago, the Pre-Release Center was established to provide evidenced-based transitional services to soon-to-be released sentenced and incarcerated adults from the county’s two detention centers, and from state and federal prisons who are returning to Montgomery County and the larger Washington metropolitan area.
Participants are released from incarceration with employment, treatment, and family support services. This approach saves taxpayer money, reduces institutional crowding and reduces recidivism and victimization rates.
I’m proud to support PRC and their life-changing work that not only improves the lives of the people they serve but benefits our community as a whole.
Throughout the month of September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members are united in promoting suicide prevention awareness. Simply checking in on family and friends and listening for their response could make all the difference in someone’s life.
Check out crisis resources and information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text the national 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the Montgomery County Crisis Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 240-777-4000. Additional resources can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services’ website.
The start of the school year often means more use of our sidewalks. However, students and families using Carroll Avenue to get to school at New Hampshire Estates Elementary School - a Title 1 School - often found their path obscured by overgrown trees and bushes. Community members were steadfast in their efforts to get the trees trimmed along the county’s right-of-way.
After weeks of trying on their own, Long Branch residents contacted my office with a request to clear the sidewalk. My staff, working closely with the Department of Transportation’s Division of Highway Services, were able to coordinate the removal of overgrown trees and bushes before the start of the new school year.
As chair of the Transportation and Environment Committee, ensuring that all our school children have safe routes to school is incredibly important to me. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help navigating county agencies or departments.
The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has expanded its electronics recycling program, a key initiative to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. The County is now accepting more electronics and is accepting audio and video tapes for recycling. The list of additional recyclable electronics includes cameras, clocks, empty printer ink and toner cartridges, audio and VHS tapes and more. Community members and businesses can take their electronic recyclables to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. View a complete list of acceptable electronic products and other related articles.
Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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