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Thursday, January 18, 2024

Join Recreation in Montgomery Village!

Graphic promoting Montgomery County Recreation's Rec 'N Resources event February 11 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Montgomery County Recreation will be at Montgomery Village Middle School from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, February 11 to connect District 7 residents with resources and services available from the County. The Rec 'N Resources event will include games, activities, arts, and crafts.

It's one example of how we're working to provide Montgomery Village with the recreation and community services it deserves following our community town hall in October with Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles.

Councilmember Luedtke at Montgomery Village/Gaithersburg Recreation Center Community Town Hall. Click to watch video.

Montgomery County Recreation, the Montgomery Village Foundation, Housing Opportunities Commission and community leaders from the 480 Club, Cider Mill Safe Tenants Association, and more have been terrific partners in trying to provide more opportunities in the short-term and a community recreation facility.

Reach out to councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov if you're interested in how you can help advocate for this center in the County's upcoming capital budget.

Crisis Intervention Teams

The Council this week hosted the public hearing for my legislation to establish Crisis Intervention Teams in Montgomery County. We heard from mental and behavioral health professionals, law enforcement officials, and other stakeholders who expressed their support for this internationally recognized best practice that has been successful in many other jurisdictions, including other counties right here in Maryland. We also heard from people concerned about the presence of police in crisis situations. I look forward to working with all stakeholders and my Council colleagues on this bill, because we should always strive to best respond to those potentially facing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

This legislation aims to foster communication, collaboration, and trust between the public, clinicians, and law enforcement. And make no mistake: Law enforcement is already responding to these calls and will continue to be required to respond to such calls. Crisis Intervention Teams are designed to coordinate those responses to divert individuals from the criminal justice system and into treatment and wraparound services. It's just one part of the broad spectrum of solutions needed to effectively deal with behavioral health crises in our community and will be complimentary to the existing crisis services provided by Health and Human Services and MCFRS

Graphic on how Crisis Intervention Teams provide a safe, dignified, and effective crisis response

Maryland General Assembly 2024 Legislative Session Begins

The Maryland General Assembly kicked off its 2024 legislative session on January 10. I will be keeping a close eye on legislation that could impact Montgomery County and weighing in on a number of bills. If you have questions about how to make your voice heard in Annapolis or in Rockville, my office would love to connect.

Maryland flag and State House pictured

Police Recruitment Efforts

Check out this recent media attention on an issue I've been working on with County Police: Antiquated State standards stymieing police recruitment efforts. 

State lawmakers amended the law in 2021 to allow certification of new officers who may have used cannabis in the past. These changes went into effect in 2022, yet the Maryland Police Standards and Training Commission hasn't made its regulations match the law despite the fact that cannabis use is legal.

Our local law enforcement departments cannot continue to pass over otherwise qualified individuals out of fear that the Commission will refuse to certify them, especially as MCPD and departments around the State face significant officer shortages.

Thank you to MCPD Chief Jones, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Earl Stoddard, FOP Lodge 35, and others for your continued advocacy to make this right.

What's Going On In Government

Department of Environmental Protection 2023 Highlights 

I’m proud of everything that the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) accomplished in 2023 and all of the great work underway. DEP’s “2023 Year in Review” video showcases some of the ways that DEP protected our County’s air, water, and land during the past year, including: 

• Started recycling medical equipment, audio/video tapes, handheld electronics, mattresses and boxsprings at the Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center 
• Diverted 850 tons of food scraps from landfills 
• Collaborated with 20+ car dealerships who are now offering electric vehicle incentives through the Electrified Dealer Program 
• Grew 1,800+ native plants with MCPS high schoolers 
• Helped County residents recycle 3,000 lightbulbs through lightbulb exchanges 
• Funded its 100th grant to nonprofit water quality projects 
• And so much more! 

Watch the video, see the progress, and learn how you can take action! 

Changes to 25 Ride On Routes 

To improve efficiency and reliability, Ride On is adjusting the schedules for 25 of its routes. Check if your route has been adjusted. 

Summer Camp Registration Open

Montgomery County Recreation hosts safe and fun kids summer camps that promote active and healthy lifestyles. Registration began January 16 for County residents and will begin January 18 for non-County residents. Register for summer camp. 

Metro Eliminates SmarTrip Card Fee for Seniors

To expand access to public transit, the Senior SmarTrip program (for customers 65 and older) will join other Metro reduced fare programs in offering SmarTrip cards at no cost. Obtain a Senior SmarTrip card. 

MCPS Summer Rise Seminar for Potential Employers January 30th

Summer Rise offers Montgomery County Public Schools rising juniors and seniors an opportunity to gain career-based learning experiences. A seminar for potential host employers will take place January 30.

Animal Adoption Center Now Open Seven Days a Week, No Appointment Needed 

The Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Derwood will now be open for adoptions seven days a week! No appointment is necessary. Find your new furry friend. 

Commission for Women to Host 44th Women's Legislative Briefing 

The Montgomery County Commission for Women will host its 44th annual Women’s Legislative Briefing January 28 at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. The theme will be “From Proposal to Passage: Collaborating for Justice and Equality.” Learn more and register to attend.