 A higher minimum wage for many workers in Montgomery County goes into effect on July 1. The County Executive explains why this increase is so important for our community and our economy. He also discusses meeting with international companies at the SelectUSA Investment Summit and shares his view on the impact of the Dobbs decision on our County and women’s lives two years later. Finally, he discusses some of the community celebrations we are looking forward to ahead of the Fourth of July.
Stories in this issue include:
Free fireworks shows in Germantown on Thursday, July 4, and Kensington on Saturday, July 6, will lead the celebration of Independence Day in Montgomery County. Each fireworks display will be preceded by events that include music and activities.
 The Montgomery County Government, and programs that impact County residents, will have holiday schedule and program changes for the observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4.
 The Montgomery County minimum wage rate will increase on July 1 to keep pace with local inflation as required by County law. Starting July 1, the minimum wage rate for large employers (with 51 or more employees) will increase to $17.15 per hour, while the minimum wage rate for mid-sized employers (with 11-50 employees) will increase to $15.50 per hour. Due to a change in State law, the rate for small employers (10 or fewer employees) was increased to $15 per hour on Jan.1, 2024. This $15 wage rate for small businesses will remain in effect for the next 12 months.
The first step of a new law will phase out the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers and leaf vacuums in Montgomery County will go into effect on Monday, July 1, when the sale of the items will be prohibited. Bill 18-22 was approved by the County Council in September 2023 and signed into law by County Executive Marc Elrich.
 Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center on June 25 recognized individuals and organizations with the County’s highest honor for service and volunteerism at the 13th “Montgomery Serves Awards.” The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Rosborough Theater in Gaithersburg.
 The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration this week began assisting Washington Gas with utility work installation on MD 190 (River Road). Motorists can expect single-lane and ramp closures along MD 190 between Wilson Lane and Western Avenue. The project is expected to be complete by fall, weather permitting.
The Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) application process is now open for those interested in career as a Firefighter/Rescuer I. The online application process will close on July 10. However; applicants can attend a special On-Site Application Event from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, June 29, in Gaithersburg.
The City of Gaithersburg will get an early start celebrating Independence Day with a full evening of music and free activities from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, with a spectacular fireworks display highlighting the event.
 Heritage Montgomery’s 25th annual free “Heritage Days” celebration from noon-4 p.m. on Saturday-Sunday, June 29-30, will make available venues and activities that highlight Montgomery County’s historic, cultural and outdoor recreation sites. There will be special programs, exhibits, demonstrations, live music and activities for children at sites around the County. Many of the small sites are not regularly open to the public, except during Heritage Days.
 Montgomery County's annual free “Pride in the Plaza” event from noon-8 p.m. on Sunday, June 30, in Downtown Silver Spring will celebrate diverse LGBTQIA+ communities. The day of fun and festivities at Veterans Plaza will place an emphasis on living their most authentic selves.
 “RainScapes” are watershed friendly ways to slow, absorb, clean and reduce rainfall runoff from roofs, walkways, driveways and compacted lawns. Rain gardens, rain barrels, cisterns, green roofs, permeable pavements and conservation landscapes are common RainScape projects. This could be a good time to consider how a Rainscapes project.
 Free summer concerts will be happening in Rockville Town Square from 6-9 p.m. most Friday nights through Sept. 20. The series will feature a variety of performers. On Friday, June 28, the night will be headlined by the blues of Moonshine Society.
 The annual Heritage Days at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring and Sunset Yoga on Tuesdays are among the special events that will be hosted by Montgomery Parks in June.
 The Irish Latin Fusion sound of La Unica will highlight the “Thursday Evenings in Olde Towne Gaithersburg” summer concert series at 6:30 p.m. on July 11. The free, family-friendly series will energize the City Hall Concert Pavilion on Thursdays throughout July and into early August.
 The acoustic music of The Bubbas will be featured at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, as part of the free Gaithersburg Children’s Summer Concert Series at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Gaithersburg. All concerts will be on Wednesdays, a new day for the annual series.
The TAPP Consortium of local performing arts companies including the Kentlands Community Players, Rockville Little Theatre, Rockville Musical Theatre and Victorian Lyric Opera Company will combine their talents to present the Pride Month musical revue “Love Is Love Is Love” on June 29 and 30 in Gaithersburg.
Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) now offers an online application system for obtaining full-service digital library cards, eliminating the need for in-person visits to County library branches to apply for a card. This new system provides a more convenient and efficient way to access MCPL’s extensive collection of digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks and online databases and programs.
“The Washington Trolley Story” about the history of streetcars in the Washington metropolitan area will be a free online presentation of Montgomery History starting Monday, July 1. The presentation, led by Larry Velte of the National Capital Trolley Museum, will be available through July 8.
|
