Standing with our Veterans on Veterans Day
This year, for Veterans Day, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our country's freedoms. My father, Perry Sayles, was a former member of the U.S. Army and inspired my passion for service from an early age. I will always appreciate our veterans' sacrifices to pursue a safer and more just world for all. In the community, I attended the 15th Annual Veterans Concert at the American Legion Post 41 hosted by the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., which provides an opportunity to celebrate those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Listening to and uplifting the stories of those who fought for our freedom, justice, and liberty for all is more critical now than ever as we seek to move forward and learn from our nation’s past mistakes.
Recognizing Veterans Day in the City of Gaithersburg
Celebrating the Inauguration of a New Rockville and Gaithersburg City Council
Congratulations to my dear friend and trailblazing Mayor Monique Ashton and the City of Rockville and Gaithersburg new and returning Councilmembers on their inauguration! I will always cherish my time as a municipal official on the Gaithersburg City Council. I look forward to working with the new class of dedicated public servants. I would also like to thank the candidates who ran. Regardless of the outcome, our communities are better served when residents are willing to step up and share in safeguarding our communities for generations to come. Finally, thank you to my friends, outgoing Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and Councilmember Beryl L. Feinberg, who opted not to run for re-election, for their immense contributions to creating a vibrant, inclusive community in the heart of our beautiful county, Rockville. The City of Rockville and Gaithersburg have had many prominent leaders throughout the years, and I am excited to see all that their new legislative bodies accomplish.
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Collage of photos with Mayor Ashton and the City of Rockville Councilmembers: Kate Fulton, Adam Van Grack, Izola Shaw, David Myles, Marissa Valeri, and Barry Jackson
Collage of photos with Mayor Ashman and the City of Gaithersburg Councilmembers: Lisa Henderson. Neil Harris, Yamil Hernández, Jim McNulty, Robert Wu
Honoring the Exceptional Ms. Catherine Gaines on her 107th birthday
I was honored to celebrate the 107th birthday of Ms. Catherine Gaines, a remarkable woman who lives in Silver Spring. Ms. Gaines is a U.S. Army veteran who has spent her life protecting our country and serving those in need as a volunteer with the Children’s Hospital. Her story tells the history of what it was like being Black in America in the 20th Century. She was born just over 50 years after the abolishment of slavery in the United States. By the age of 14, she experienced the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance, the founding of the Negro National Baseball League, and the New Negro Movement, all of which enlightened the country about the potent power of the Black experience and its heartbreak of traumatic events like the Red Summer and the Tulsa Massacre. For the last 40 years, Ms. Gaines has lived in Montgomery County, with the last five of those spent at Aspenwood Senior Living Community. We are so blessed to have residents aging gracefully in place in our County. Watch a PBS State Circle segment on her extraordinary life here.
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Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
The 2023 Chamber of Commerce Business Awards featured diverse community leaders, business owners, and sponsors honored for their commitment to creating a business-friendly environment here in Montgomery County. I congratulate James Waggoner, Branch Chief at the U.S. Department of State, for being recognized with the Visionary Ward, Tarandeep Bawa, President & CEO at ITegrity, Inc., for being recognized with the Small Business Leader of the Year Award, Senator Ben Cardin for being recognized as the Government Partner of the Year, as well as numerous other leaders and organizations for their entrepreneurship spirit. This past month, we also celebrated Small Business Saturday and National Apprenticeship Week, two essential occasions to invest in business and innovation.
With District 39 Delegate Greg Wims
With Chef Ype Von Hengst, co-founder and Executive Chef of Silver Diner and Silver New American Brasserie, and Maryland Women's Business Center CEO Cynthia Rivarde and interns from their office
Downtown Silver Spring Thanksgiving Day Parade
I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day, reflected on all we are grateful for, and spent time with loved ones, friends, and family. Our team had an excellent time celebrating themes like diversity and community at the annual Thanksgiving Parade in Downtown Silver Spring. We are so thankful for all who believe in our vision for a S.M.A.R.T. government. Because of your support, we can do the incredible work of caring for our community together!
Youth Empowerment and Engagement
Council’s Youth Town Hall
The Council hosted its annual Youth Town Hall to promote youth engagement in community and public policy issues. It was an excellent opportunity to hear directly from young people about their concerns and policy priorities. Some of the most significant issues we heard about are school safety and ensuring environments for our students are conducive to learning, free from bullying, threats of violence, or drug use. Also, as the Council prepares for the MCPS budget next year, we must address students’ most pressing needs and manage the equity and opportunity gap in our school system. I was glad to see multiple members of our S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council in attendance, and I look forward to increasing youth representation on the Council in the next year! You can watch a recording of the Youth Town Hall here.
With members of the Montgomery County Regional Student Government Association
With Sophia Antonioli and Nico D'Orazio from the S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council
Closing Ceremony for the Second S.M.A.R.T. Youth Advisory Council
Over the past two months, the 25 students on our Youth Advisory Council have been working hard to learn more about the inner workings of the County Council. We have been going through my S.M.A.R.T. agenda policy one by one. To apply some of the lessons they have learned for the final meeting, we split students into five groups to work on a final project proposal, each focusing on one S.M.A.R.T. agenda item. They will advocate for the feasibility of their policy proposal in front of a panel of expert judges. The event will occur on Monday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. It will be open for all residents to attend this meeting and offer constructive feedback on our students’ policy proposals. Now double the size, these students have formed another successful cohort, and we are excited to celebrate all that they have learned! Please join us and register by Thursday, December 7, at bit.ly/YACFall2023.
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Graduates from the 2023 Spring cohort and special guests (from left to right): Shella Cherry, Director of Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS); Anthony Featherstone, Executive Director at WorkSource Montgomery; Joseph Eyong, Senior Aide at the Office of Congressman Jamie Raskin; Mary Gentry, Chief of Housing at the Department of Housing and Community Affairs; and Dr. Peggy A. Pugh, Chief Academic Officer at MCPS.
Eighth Councilmember for a Day Challenge
Congratulations to Folashade Epebinu, a Seneca Valley High School senior, for winning the Councilmember for a Day challenge! The eighth annual Councilmember for a Day program was developed in 2016 by former Councilmember Craig Rice to empower youth to engage with local government in enacting change. I thank Councilmember Will Jawando for continuing this tradition so that we can elevate student voices and inspire them to get involved in Council affairs. I encourage everyone to watch Ms. Epebinu’s winning video advocating to expand access to affordable childcare.
Pictured with Chair Jawando, Ms. Epebinu and her mother
23rd Baila4Life MCPS Latin Dance Competition
I am always amazed at the creativity, energy, and beauty of our Latin Dance culture in Montgomery County. Last week, Executive Director Ricardo Loaiza and the After School Dance Fund team organized another successful Baila4Life MCPS Latin dance competition, with students from 19 schools participating. The Music Center at Strathmore hosted the event for the 13th consecutive year. I enjoyed the Albert Einstein High School’s Latin Dance Team, Titanos Salseros, performing in front of the Council for Hispanic Heritage Month last month. I appreciated connecting with the performers and learning more about their deep appreciation for living in a community that celebrates their cultural heritage through Latin Dance. With over 300 MCPS participants, congratulations to this year’s winners and dance competition participants!
Students celebrating their win at the Latin Dance Competition, photo courtesy of MCPS
S.M.A.R.T. Updates Around The County
Opioid Town Hall with Secretary Keller
On November 2, Special Secretary of Opioid Response Emily Keller visited Montgomery County for an Opioid Town Hall focused on lifting the stories of those personally impacted by the issue. As the Lead for Eliminating Disparities, Secretary Keller’s partnership with Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services is critical as we ramp up preventative measures focusing on the root causes of this public health crisis.
 Agritourism Discussion at Agricultural History Farm Park
We love working in Rockville. Still, any opportunity the Council can take to meet our constituents in the community is always exciting, such as when our ECON Committee met in Derwood at the Agricultural History Farm Park to discuss agritourism in our Upcounty gem. We heard from county and state officials and farmers throughout Montgomery County. We also reviewed recommendations from the Planning Department’s Agritourism Study, completed in December 2019. Revitalizing our economy post-pandemic is a crucial driver of my S.M.A.R.T. agenda, and I look forward to the continued discussions to promote agribusiness and agritourism in our county. You can watch the Committee session here.
 Touring Montgomery County’s BioTech Facility with Comptroller Lierman
I enjoyed ‘Taking a Look with Brooke’ on her tour of Montgomery County businesses! Comptroller Lierman stopped by Interfaith Works and companies in Rockville, Novavax in Gaithersburg, spoke to small businesses with the Wheaton-Kensington Chamber of Commerce, and ended the day at Urban Winery in Silver Spring. She focused on partnerships between small businesses and the government to ensure they can create jobs and support our communities.
Touring Novavax in Gaithersburg with Comptroller Lierman
Remembrance and Reconciliation Month Proclamation
For Remembrance and Reconciliation Month, the County installed three historical markers to commemorate Mr. George W. Peck, lynched on January 10, 1880, Mr. John Diggs-Dorsey lynched on July 27, 1880, and Mr. Sidney Randolph, lynched on July 4, 1896. Our beloved Montgomery County is a welcoming and inclusive place to call home, but it was not always like this, so it is essential to remember how far we have come and still have to go. We acknowledge our unsettling past so we do not repeat it.
Presenting a proclamation with the members of the Commission on Remembrance and Reconciliation
6th Annual Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk
The 6th Annual Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk during Montgomery County's "Remembrance and Reconciliation" Month was a joyous celebration. This walk is an annual family-friendly local community event that weaves together neighborhoods once divided by racial segregation. Kudos to all who made this a successful event and are committed to a thriving Purple Line corridor in Lyttonsville! Learn more about the history of this literal bridge-building infrastructure project here.
 Mobilizing the Anti-Hate Task Force
The Anti-Hate Task Force has been making policy recommendations to the Council from groups representing the Jewish, Black/African American, LGBTQ+, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Latino/Hispanic, and Muslim communities. Our policy solutions are most robust when diversity and inclusion are central to the outcomes. They presented their recommendations on Tuesday at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. You can find a recording here.
With Tiffany Kelly and Alex Vazquez from the Black/African American and Latino/Hispanic Anti-Hate Task Force
Interfaith Works Homelessness Forum
We are so fortunate to have partners like Interfaith Works nonprofit supporting our housing-insecure residents. I was excited to accept their invitation to be a panelist to discuss how we can effectively advocate for people experiencing homelessness. I shared several strategies for improving our numbers on homelessness, like increasing rental assistance, utilizing public-private partnerships, and investing in community support services. Additionally, I shared information about legislation I sponsored to accelerate how quickly we build affordable housing. I am so grateful for Interfaith Works’ advocacy as we strive to make Montgomery County more affordable for all.
Interfaith Works Executive Director Courtney Hall delivering introductory remarks
Legislative Corner
Agritourism Legislation to Spur Agribusiness
There is a push to invest in our Agricultural Reserve, especially as we continue to make efforts for White’s Ferry to reopen. In addition to the ECON Committee session on agritourism this month, I co-sponsored a bill ZTA 23-09, Farming - Incidental Outdoor Stays, introduced by my colleague, Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez. This new zoning measure would update the County’s Zoning Ordinance to allow incidental overnight stays on farms with agritourism businesses.
Workforce Development in Public Safety and Health and Human Services Careers
The Council held a joint EC/ECON/PS/HHS Committee meeting to discuss topics such as programs to funnel potential public safety workers into MCPD or MCFRS from high schools and colleges, workforce development needs for the Department of the Health and Human Services (DHHS) and strategies to support the DHHS workforce, and addressing staffing needs in roles such as Social Workers, especially in Child Welfare Services, Community Health Nurses (CHN), Therapists, Government Assistance Eligibility Services (GAES) workers and Community Services Aides.
Legislation to Reduce Parking Requirements Near Transit Hubs
On November 28, my colleagues, Council President Glass, Council Vice President Friedson, and Councilmember Mink introduced the Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 23-10, Parking, Queuing and Loading – Calculation of Required Parking. I was proud to sign on as a co-sponsor to this legislation that encourages housing development, including affordable units, near transit corridors and would help Montgomery County reach its climate goals by taking cars off the road.
Discussing State Legislative Priorities
As the Maryland General Assembly legislative session draws nearer, the Council is actively reviewing dozens of bills introduced by the Montgomery State Delegation. Many pieces of legislation significantly impact local and state authority over housing, land use, transportation, and collective bargaining decisions. You can find the complete list of reviewed legislation here.
Other Post-Employment Benefits Policy
For the past six months, the County Executive and his staff have been meeting with Council staff to provide additional analysis on a funding policy resolution for the County’s retiree health benefits (otherwise known as “Other Post-Employment Benefits” or OPEB) and submit recommendations to the Council. We held a work session on the policy on Tuesday. I am glad to see critical elements included, such as a 75% funded ratio, 15-year closed amortization, and no withdrawals from the Trust Fund unless jointly approved by the County Council and County Executive. I appreciate the Montgomery County Retired Employees Association, which continuously advocates for this policy.
Grants Update and Review Process
On November 16, the GO Committee received an update from the Office of Grants Management on the grant application and review process. While we have experienced several delays in the grant approval process, Director Rafael Murphy highlighted several areas for improvement, such as clarification and communication with the nonprofit community, improving interactions with other county systems, and making processes more transparent. The Committee also received an update from the Office of Procurement, which continues to improve its methods for allocating funds to businesses, nonprofits, and organizations.
Menstrual Products Access and Equity Act
My colleague, Councilmember Jawando, introduced Bill 42-23, which requires all Montgomery County public businesses to provide residents with free menstrual products. The legislation builds on efforts of state-level policies, including the 2021 Maryland law, HB0205, requiring all middle and high schools to install menstrual product dispensers in women’s restrooms by 2025.
Climate Action Plan Updates
On November 27, the TE Committee received an update on the Climate Action Plan from the County’s new Climate Change Officer, Sarah Kogel-Smucker. The report shared that Montgomery County has reduced its Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) by 31 percent from its 2005 baseline. However, the County’s interim 2027 goal of an 80% reduction would require much steeper GHG emissions reductions over the next few years.
Upcoming Events
December 1: World AIDS Day
Montgomery County Sexual Health & Wellness Services, in partnership with the Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., cordially invites you to attend an in-person breakfast event in honor of World AIDS Day! Enjoy breakfast, get tested for HIV, and learn more about how equity fits into our County's Plan to End HIV. RSVP at tinyurl.com/worldaidsday23.
December 2-3: Christmas on the Farm
The feeling of celebrating a holiday on a farm will be the theme on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 2-3, at the annual “Christmas on the Farm” event at the Montgomery Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. Among the highlights will be seeing farm animals up close, visiting the park’s tool museum, and enjoying complimentary cookies and cider.
December 4: State Delegation Fall Meeting
The Montgomery County Delegation is holding a public hearing on local legislation for the 2024 General Assembly session affecting only Montgomery County or Montgomery/Prince George’s bicounty agencies. It will occur on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the third-floor public hearing room at the Council. You can learn more about the legislation here.
December 6: Federal Hate Crimes Training Seminar
The Montgomery County Committee Against Hate Violence (CAHV) of the County Office of Human Rights, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6, will sponsor a ‘Federal Hate Crimes’ Training Seminar. The program will focus on how a public member can file a Federal civil rights Hate/Bias/Violence case and receive educational information to prevent, handle, and mediate Hate/Bias/Violence incidents. The program will be held at the Rockville Memorial Library.
December 6: Department of Permitting Services Stakeholder Forum
A Stakeholders Forum, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS), will be held from 8:30 a.m. - noon on Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the second-floor auditorium of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) building in Wheaton. The forum is designed for architects, builders, contractors, designers, developers, engineers, land use attorneys, permit expediters, and other professionals.
December 14: FY 2025 Superintendent’s Recommended Operating Budget Presentation
Montgomery County Public Schools invites you to the public presentation of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Operating Budget presentation on Monday, Dec. 14, 2023, beginning at 6 p.m. in the media center at Odessa Shannon School. Please RSVP here. Those who cannot attend may watch the presentation live on the MCPS website, MCPS-TV YouTube channel, and MCPS-TV channels in English and Spanish. Save the date and join Dr. McKnight for this important annual presentation.
Community Resource Hub
- The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division continues to provide free hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers to eligible residents aged 60 and over. The County is partnering with Access HEARS, Inc., a nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect individuals with hearing loss to the solutions they need to age well.
- Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) will open registration on Sunday, Dec. 3, for limited availability whiskey lotteries that provide opportunities to purchase highly sought-after spirits. These lotteries will be open only to Montgomery County residents and licensees. ABS expects to release more than 400 bottles for purchase in the lotteries.
- Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) seeks County high school students to serve as "Vision Zero Youth Ambassadors." The project-based learning program teaches teens leadership skills, the importance of roadway design, law enforcement, outreach, and engagement techniques to address traffic safety needs in their community. Applications are accepted through Friday, Dec. 15. Interested public, private, and home-schooled high school students can learn about the program and apply here.
- Montgomery Parks is offering a full slate of fun and educational programs in November. The special events will include Project FeederWatch on Thursday and Friday nights at the Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda and Full Moon Friday on Nov. 24 at Locust Grove. Go to Montgomery Parks' event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming, and learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.
- The Montgomery County Council seeks applicants to fill 11 public member vacancies on the Advisory Commission on Policing (ACP). The ACP is responsible for advising the Council on policing matters, recommending legislation or regulation for the Council’s consideration, conducting public outreach for community input, and accepting community feedback. Applications for the three-year appointments are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2023.
- MCDOT solicits applications for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Enhanced Mobility Grants Program from qualified organizations to provide direct transportation services in the County. This program aims to increase access to transportation services for County residents who are disabled, individuals with limited incomes, older adults, and other vulnerable populations (specifically in underserved communities). A total of $800,000 in funding is available for FY24.
Yours in Service,
Laurie-Anne Sayles
Councilmember At-Large
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