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Wednesday, October 2, 2024 

Student Advocacy on a Half Day

I was so excited to join 480 Club and an amazing group of local students who spent the afternoon of a recent MCPS half day advocating for their communities!

As part of our ongoing effort to increase indoor recreation opportunities for Montgomery Village residents, we toured other Montgomery County Recreation Centers with students from Watkins Mill High School, Montgomery Village and Neelsville Middle Schools, and a number of local area elementary schools. I was able to join for the tour of the Damascus Community Recreation Center - where we got real-time feedback from the students about what aspects of the facility they want to see replicated closer to home. Their opinions and ideas for indoor recreation in their community were invaluable.

This builds on the work that began last fall when Councilmember Sayles and I hosted a town hall to hear directly from the community about their recreation wants and needs. We have continued to push this effort forward through regular meetings with stakeholders and site visits, and during this past budget cycle we were able to secure $50,000 to begin the planning process for a future facility. Look forward to more information soon on a community meeting to discuss this planning effort.

Thank you Coach Joe Hooks from 480 Club for making this visit possible, and Rebecca Cole from Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative as well as the terrific MCPS staff whose support was crucial. And thank you Doug Simpson, Charlene Green, and everyone on the Recreation department team for hosting the kids!

Councilmember Luedtke and Councilmember Sayles tour the Damascus Community Recreation Center with 480 Club and local students

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 

Each Hispanic Heritage Month, we uplift the voices and culture of the Hispanic and Latino community in our County and recognize their significant contributions and achievements. We are home to more than 200,000 Latino and Hispanic residents who make our communities better every day.

The Council held its 11th annual Hispanic Heritage Month commemoration this week. The theme of this year’s commemoration was “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together” and you can learn more in this video. 

The County Council with community leaders and residents commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Talking Housing with Secretary Day

Last week, Jake Day, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), visited the Council to talk about how to address our housing affordability crisis and highlight the Department's $321 million investment in local affordability, broadband, neighborhood revitalization, and homelessness prevention projects and programs. I look forward to the continued partnership between our county and DHCD. 

I'm grateful for this investment in our County and I'm proud of the action the Council has taken over the past two years - such as removing parking minimums that act a as a barrier to building housing, making it easier for faith organizations to build housing, and funding the preservation of existing income-restricted and naturally occurring affordable housing stock.

Still, we have a long way to go, which is why the County is currently considering an Attainable Housing proposal put forth by the Planning Board. I attended the recent Upcounty listening session to hear residents' feedback on the proposal. If you or your community organization have questions about the Attainable Housing proposal, please do not hesitate to contact my office at councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov. 

Councilmember Luedtke and the Council meet with Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day

In the Community

Recapping the MACo Summer Conference 

I joined the What’s Happening MoCo podcast to recap what happened at this summer’s Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) conference and to highlight the importance of collaboration to advance initiatives that benefit County residents.

Enjoying District 7’s Rustic Roads  

The Rustic Roads Program evaluates, protects, and enhances historic and scenic roadways that reflect the agricultural character and rural origins of the County. Montgomery Planning recently published videos taking the viewer on a tour of two rustic roads running through District 7: Greenbridge Road and Gregg Road. Watch and enjoy! 

Free COVID Test Kits 

Every U.S. household can now order four free at-home COVID tests, including more accessible tests for people with low vision or low manual dexterity. The tests will detect the currently circulating COVID variants and are intended for use through the end of 2024. To order standard tests, fill out this form. To order InteliSwab accessible tests, fill out this form or order by phone at 1-800-232-0233. Learn more about what makes InteliSwab more accessible. 

Children’s Opportunity Alliance Final Community Conversation 

Calling all parents, child care providers, and educators! The Children’s Opportunity Alliance (COA) wants to hear your vision for early childhood care and education! Join the COA on October 2 from 2-3 p.m. via Zoom for a listening session, part of the COA’s planning process to help shape a Common Agenda for early childhood systems change in Montgomery County. Learn more and register. 

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

October 26 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This annual event aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible method for disposing of prescription drugs, and educate the public about the potential for medication abuse. Prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved to be abused or illegally sold, and drugs flushed down toilets can contaminate the water supply. Clean out your medicine cabinet and take unused or expired medications to a local prescription drug drop-off site during National Prescription Take Back Day. Learn more and find an authorized collection site near you.

Student PSA Video Contest

The State’s Attorney’s Office’s Speak Up, Save a Life Student PSA Contest is accepting short video entries focused on the dangers of using drugs, opioids, and fentanyl. The contest is open to any high school or middle school student living in Montgomery County. Montgomery County Public Schools students can earn 10 Student Service Learning hours by participating. The top prize in the contest earns $1,000. Entries are due by November 8. 

Walktober! 

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and walking is Maryland’s official exercise, so join me in celebrating walking and walkability during Walktober! Maryland is offering five “walkinars” - free webinars on topics including complete streets, safe routes to school, equity and reconnecting communities, and more. Learn more and register. 

Metro Finishes Security Upgrades  

Several constituents have raised concerns about Metro fare evasion, so I am pleased to report that WMATA has finished installing more secure faregates at all 98 Metrorail stations and fareboxes on 1,500 buses. Fare evasion increased to record levels during the pandemic, leading to a loss of $40 million of fare revenue a year. 

For those who need help paying, Metro has several fare discount programs. Nearly 8,500 people have signed up for Metro Lift, a half-off fare program launched in June 2023 for low-income individuals enrolled in SNAP. Those over age 65 are eligible for half-off fares with a Senior SmarTrip card. 

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