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Thursday, May 30, 2024 

Expanding Pre-K and Public Safety

On May 23, the Council formally approved a $7.1 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 and a $5.94 billion Capital Improvements Program for Fiscal Years 2025-2030. 

You can see more of my thoughts about the budget here, including the significant funding increase and record budget for MCPS. I'd like to highlight a few other budget "wins" and thank the residents and community advocates who worked hand-in-hand to get these items over the finish line for the next fiscal year.

Increasing the number of pre-K seats We know how important early childhood education is to prepare children to succeed in school and live healthier lives. I was proud to partner with Councilmember Kristin Mink to push for an additional $1 million for the Children's Opportunity Alliance to support children from low-income families get placed in quality pre-K programs. The County has been building up its early childcare capabilities and support for years thanks to many outstanding leaders, including Council Health and Human Services Committee Chair and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz. Adding more funds for pre-K seat creation this fiscal year was a key priority for Action In Montgomery and its resident advocates - many who are District 7 residents and who face the challenge of finding affordable and quality childcare.

Expanding Drone as First Responder The County's Drone as First Responder program began last year in Silver Spring and Wheaton and has proved successful to help Police and other emergency responders respond safely, effectively, and efficiently when a call comes in for an emergency situation or potential crime. After supporting the creation of this program last year, I joined fellow Upcounty District Councilmembers Marilyn Balcombe and Sidney Katz to request County Executive Marc Elrich include funding to expand this initiative to Montgomery Village, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. I'm thankful the County Executive included funding to expand Drone as First Responder to the Upcounty as well as to Bethesda, and to my Council colleagues for supporting this smart and tested way to improve public safety coverage. It was great to see our public safety professionals show Governor Wes Moore how the program works a few months ago at the operations center.

Help Create a Better Damascus Main Street

Graphic for the Damascus Placemaking Festival coming this October. Click the image for more information on the June 3 community kick-off meeting.

Join me and the Planning Department at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 3 in the cafeteria at Damascus High School for the community kick-off ahead of this fall's Damascus Placemaking Festival. You'll get to give your input on how to transform a portion of Main Street in Damascus into a fun and inviting place for residents and visitors.

Feedback collected at this meeting will inform the design and programming for the Damascus Placemaking Festival in October. Montgomery Planning, in conjunction with residents and community leaders, is exploring temporary and low-cost ideas to improve the Main Street corridor to make it more attractive for residents and to foot traffic to help strengthen this great community and its local businesses.

RSVP for Monday's meeting here and sign up for Planning's Damascus e-newsletter to get updates throughout the process.

Choosing the Next Police Chief

Click to watch the ABC7 report on the nomination of Marc Yamada for Montgomery County Police Chief

Last week, County Executive Elrich announced his nomination of Assistant Police Chief Marc Yamada to serve as the County's next Chief upon the retirement of Chief Marcus Jones. I appreciate the nomination of Assistant Chief Yamada and his career serving our community and look forward to the Council's confirmation process.

Assistant Chief Yamada will bring continuity for the Department at a critical time and has the knowledge of the unique public safety needs of our County and State that make him well-suited for this new role. See more on his nomination and watch the report.

Camping in the Agricultural Reserve

Photos from the May 29 Community Meeting on Overnight Stays in the Agricultural Reserve

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to the Office of Agriculture last night to give your input on overnight stays in the Agricultural Reserve. 

I'm happy to partner with Councilmember Balcombe, the district Councilmember representing the other half of the Reserve, to find a solution that allows visitors to enjoy the farms and activities that make this place special while balancing the need to preserve land for farming. Working with leading stakeholders, we envision allowing camping, recreational vehicles, and some temporary and removable structures that people can stay in overnight with guardrails to protect against negative environmental impacts.

There will be much more to come on this work in the coming weeks. Don't hesitate to reach out to councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov if you have questions or feedback.

Celebrate Pride!

Join me for a free event at Olney Theatre celebrating Pride Month! Click on the image for details.

In the Community...

Councilmember Luedtke presents a proclamation for American Craft Beer Week to representatives from Waredaca Brewing Company, Brookeville Beer Farm, Lone Oak Farm Brewing Co., and the Brewers Association of Maryland.

It was a pleasure last week to honor local brewers and breweries who are helping to build community and the local economy with a proclamation for American Craft Beer Week!

Clockwise from top left: Councilmember Luedtke honors law enforcement, fire and rescue personnel, mental health clinicians, community intervention professionals and emergency call takers at Public Safety Day; Councilmember Luedtke promotes reading at the Gaithersburg Book Festival; Councilmember Luedtke celebrates community at the annual Laytonsville Community Parade; Councilmember Luedtke attends the graduation ceremony for the Community Action Board’s Community Advocacy Institute.

Farm Tour and Harvest Sale 

The Annual Farm Tour & Harvest Sale will be held July 27 and 28. This is a fantastic opportunity to support our farmers by purchasing local, fresh, and healthy produce and take part in fun and family-friendly events. 

Summer Reading Challenge for Kids and Teens 

Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge will take place June 14-August 31. MCPL will hold six celebratory kickoff events in June at various library branches. Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Inc. and the Washington Nationals are sponsors of the program.  

Augmented Reality Experience at the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park 

On June 8, there will be an unveiling celebration for the Augmented Reality (AR) Experience at Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park. AR overlays digital content and objects onto real life environments. This is the first of its kind AR experience created for any historical site in Maryland. Use your smartphone to see AR videos, explore 3D manipulatable models, and have interactive digital experiences to learn about the history of Oakley Cabin and lives of the freed Black families who lived there in the reconstruction period following Maryland’s emancipation in 1864. The Oakley Cabin will be open for guided tours following the unveiling and Montgomery Parks will provide information and fun activities for the whole family. 

Nominations Open for African American Living Legends Awards 

Montgomery County is seeking nominations for its African American Living Legends Awards that honor individuals 75 and older who have dedicated their lives to service, advocacy, and selfless acts of kindness. The awards ceremony will be held June 14 at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown as part of the County’s 27th annual Juneteenth celebration. Nominations close this Saturday!

Take Action Against Gun Violence 

As part of the annual national event, Montgomery County Moms Demand Action is hosting a meeting and walk for Wear Orange 2024. Participants will gather to honor gun violence survivors and support community partners, then walk to spread awareness about gun violence prevention.

Celebrate Girl Power 

On June 13, the Montgomery County Commission for Women is hosting the 2024 Girl Power Contest Celebration! Join them at the Rockville Memorial Library as they recognize and honor the winners of their annual Girl Power Contest.