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As Labor Day approaches, we are grateful for the hardworking people across Montgomery County who make our community an outstanding place to live, work, play and raise a family. We also recognize the advocacy of organized labor who play an essential role in elevating the voices of workers seeking good jobs and benefits to build security for their families. We know that when working families across our county, state, and nation are doing well, our entire society benefits. With gratitude to the hardworking people who have lifted up, built and sustained the American middle class, I hope Labor Day provides you with some well deserved rest and relaxation and an opportunity to reflect and connect with friends and family.
Check out Visit Montgomery’s guide on how you can celebrate Labor Day with events, parades and other festivities across Montgomery County. I will be participating in the Kensington Labor Day Parade and hope to see many of you there!
Happy Labor Day to all!
We want to hear from you! Attainable Housing Listening Sessions
The Council and Montgomery Planning invites the community out to attend five in-person and one virtual listening sessions on the Attainable Housing Strategies initiative proposed by the Montgomery County Planning Board. The initiative proposes changes to allow more types of homes to be built in Montgomery County, including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and quadplexes, in an effort to address the County’s housing crisis. I look forward to hearing a variety of perspectives and ideas from community members so we can work together to build on the recent progress we’ve made and refine solutions that support the type of communities and the quality of life we’ve come to expect in Montgomery County.
The listening sessions are scheduled on:
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center
- Thursday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center
- Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the White Oak Community Recreation Center
- Monday, Sept. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Germantown Community Center
- Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center
- Wednesday, Oct. 2, virtual on Zoom from 12-1:30 p.m.
Sign Up to Attend a Listening Session.
Police Academy Session 77 Graduation
Congratulations to the graduates of Montgomery County’s Police Academy Session 77! It is always an honor to welcome the newest members of the Montgomery County Police Department. We appreciate their dedication and willingness to serve our community. It is through tireless work that our public safety agencies remain some of the finest in the country and provide the highest quality public safety services to our communities.
Team Friedson Volunteers with Bethesda Cares
Our team had a great time volunteering with Bethesda Cares earlier this month. The nonprofit organization works to prevent, ease, and end homelessness across Montgomery County. They provide housing to those in need and support services including a soup kitchen, clothing closet, shower program and rent relief for those facing evictions.
In addition to putting together “move-in kits” that provide the basic necessities for moving into a new home, we met with Executive Director John Mendez and Board President David King and discussed the organization’s efforts to promote housing first for homeless residents in Montgomery County. The organization’s impactful work empowers people every day and brings us closer to ensuring homelessness countywide is rare, brief, and one time only.
MACo Conference
I joined Maryland legislators from every level of government in Ocean City for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Conference. MACo is a great opportunity to join lawmakers and public officials from across Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions to learn about innovation and advancements in technology, transportation, public safety, education, and so much more. As the Council’s representative to MACo and a member of the legislative committee, I joined with colleagues to strategize on our advocacy in Annapolis to ensure counties across Maryland get our fair share. I also had the good fortune of connecting with Governor Wes Moore to discuss issues in Montgomery County.
Community meetings on updates to the Bethesda Downtown Plan
The Planning Department is working on a Minor Master Plan Amendment to the 2017 Bethesda Downtown Plan, which made recommendations to create a truly sustainable Downtown Bethesda with a vision for the next 20 years. After soliciting public and stakeholder input, Planning and Parks staff are now developing preliminary recommendations for the Minor Master Plan Amendment. The Planning Department has announced another series of public meetings to discuss the preliminary recommendations and answer questions. Mark your calendars and plan to attend!
- Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. in the large meeting room at the Connie Morella Library (7400 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, MD)
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. (virtual). RVSPs are required to receive a meeting link.
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at Chevy Chase Town Hall (4301 Willow Lane, Chevy Chase, MD)
More information can be found on the Planning Department website.
Share your vision on the future of County roads and transitways
The Montgomery County Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 12 for the Master Plan of Highways and Transitways Technical Update, which will make recommended changes and updates that impact the way we walk, ride and drive along our roadways. This includes reevaluating speed limits, introducing new street designs, and other changes to help residents get around the metropolitan region.
Here’s where you come in: we want to know what you think about the streets and transitways you use and what changes could make our roads safer and more accessible for everyone. This plan will be taken up by the Council later this year following approval by the Planning Board.
You can sign up to testify live in-person or online at the public hearing, which will be held Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m., at the M-NCPPC building in downtown Wheaton (2445 Reedie Drive, 2nd Floor), or submit written testimony.
Constituent Services
I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.
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