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Thursday, June 27, 2024

Weigh In On Legislation! 

Have thoughts about camping in the Agricultural Reserve? Sign up to deliver testimony at the Council's public hearing on July 16. 

After thorough consultation with community members, I alongside Councilmembers Katz, Balcombe, and Fani-González introduced Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 24-02, Agricultural and Rural Zones - Campground to expand opportunities for visitors to stay overnight in and near the County's Agricultural Reserve with important safeguards to preserve our farmland and natural environment. 

Learn more about the legislation in the Council staff report and press release. 

Drone as First Responder

Photos from the June 26 community meeting about the Drone as First Responder program that is expanding to the Upcounty

Yesterday, I along with Councilmembers Balcombe and Katz held a community meeting to discuss the expansion of the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program in the Upcounty.

Representatives from the Montgomery County Police Department answered questions about this innovative public safety tool, which has proven effective in other areas of the County. We advocated to bring DFR to the Upcounty communities of Montgomery Village and parts of Gaithersburg and Germantown, and am excited and grateful that the expansion is happening. Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting. 

To learn more, check out this episode of the Maryland Association of Counties podcast. MCPD Captain Cokinos and I dive into what makes the DFR program an effective tool as we work to improve public safety and our County's response to emergency calls. 

Airpark Community Advisory Committee Meeting

This week, the Airpark Community Advisory Committee met for the first time. Last year, I introduced legislation to establish this committee to serve as a forum for stakeholders to discuss and make recommendations on important noise and safety issues related to the Airpark and the surrounding community. If you are interested in attending one of the committee’s future meetings, the calendar for all County Boards, Committees, and Commissions can be found here and look for the Committee's web page to be up and running soon with information on future meeting topics and Committee recommendations to address community impacts.

In the Community: Join Us For A Parade!

Check out this weekend's Montgomery Village 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run and come out to the annual July 4 parade and celebration.

We'll be there and hope to see you!

Click for more details for the Montgomery Village July 4th Parade and holiday festivities.

Councilmember Luedtke participates in zero-emission bus depot groundbreaking.

I was proud to attend the groundbreaking for the nation’s largest renewable energy powered bus depot right here in District 7! The County Ride On bus depot and maintenance facility on Crabbs Branch Way will soon produce green hydrogen on site and be powered by clean energy, including solar. 

The project is a testament to the County's commitment to resilient, sustainable public transit and advancing the County’s ambitious climate goals. It's also a model partnership with the Federal and State governments, which contributed significant upfront funding, Pepco, and private renewable energy companies.

Plastic Free July 

Montgomery County's taking part in #GiveUpPlastics month in July.

Consider ditching single-use plastics and switching to reusables. Americans go through over 100 billion plastic bags annually - that's about 365 bags per person, or an average of 1 plastic bag per day. Use a reusable bag instead - it's a simple switch! There are lots of great reusable swaps out there: water bottles, travel coffee and tea mugs, cutlery, containers, and much more. Plastic Free July is an opportunity to make a positive change. Learn more. 

Streamlined Permitting Process for Rooftop Solar 

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services has launched “eSolar,” an automated permitting application to speed up and streamline the permitting process for residential rooftop solar systems by approved installers. Check it out and upgrade your home today! 

Heritage Days 

The 25th annual Heritage Days celebration is June 29 and 30. This free, countywide festival celebrates the historic, cultural, and outdoor recreation sites of Montgomery County. View the event schedule. 

Fire and Rescue Job Application Event 

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) will hold an on-site application event June 29 in Gaithersburg. The event will provide information about becoming a firefighter/rescuer and an overview of the hiring process, and will feature a demonstration of the Candidate Physical Ability Test. MCFRS representatives will be present to answer questions and help interested attendees fill out their applications. Learn more. 

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