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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Happy Thanksgiving! 

In this season of gratitude, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the privilege to serve you and work with you to make our community better.

I'm grateful for all of the County’s incredible nonprofit partners who do so much good, especially for those most vulnerable. I'm grateful for the educators, administrators, and staff in MCPS who teach, mentor, and support our kids every day. I'm grateful for the organizers, activists, and volunteers who speak up on behalf of their communities. I'm grateful for our public safety professionals who constantly innovate and work to protect all of us. And I'm grateful to all who make Montgomery County such a wonderful place to call home. 

The end of the year is a time for reflection. We're entering a challenging time, but the sense of community and partnership that prevails in Montgomery County gives me hope.

In the new year, I will continue to work with you to create and maintain safe and vibrant communities where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential. Thank you for being partners in this mission. The work continues!

Upcoming School Safety Community Meeting 

Please join me on December 9 for a community meeting to discuss school safety.

The meeting will focus on student safety both inside and outside of our schools. Representatives from Montgomery County Police and MCPS will be there to discuss policies and strategies for enhanced school safety - and the many changes that have happened over the past few years.

There will be a brief presentation followed by discussion and Q&A. See you at 7 p.m. in the Redland Middle School cafeteria located at 6505 Muncaster Mill Road.

Click the image above to register for the upcoming community meeting.

Bill Introduction: Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act (U VISA)

Councilmember Luedtke speaks with advocates at the U-VISA bill introduction press conference.

Last week, my colleagues and I introduced the Uplifting Victims and Immigrant Safety Act (U VISA). This legislation strengthens the County’s commitment to protecting the safety of victims of crime who assist law enforcement in solving crimes. 

Many immigrants live in fear of potential federal immigration enforcement and are hesitant to seek help from our local law enforcement when they need it most: after becoming victims or witnesses of violent crimes. Everyone, regardless of their race, religion, income, and immigration status, should feel safe in Montgomery County. The U visa grants legal status to victims of violent crimes (such as sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence) who assist law enforcement with the investigation of these crimes. Federal and state law currently have no statute of limitation; this bill removes the County’s 10-year cap on the U visa application process. 

Thank you to my co-lead sponsors, Evan Glass and Natali Fani-González, for spearheading this effort with me. 

The bill’s public hearing will take place January 14. Learn more in the press release.  

Talking Public Safety

Thank you all who took part in our Montgomery Village meeting last week! Thank you also to Upcounty Regional Services Director Ruben Rosario, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Police for presenting on the work you do to promote public safety, health, and wellbeing.

We've made progress and know we have much more work to do. Reach out to us at councilmember.luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov if you're interested in the presentation materials.

Councilmember Luedtke, MCPD, and DHHS present about public safety and health at a recent community meeting.

In the Community

Councilmember Luedtke partners with the Olney Chamber of Commerce and County Police to promote MoCoConnect.

It was a pleasure to join the Olney Chamber of Commerce and County Police to meet with local businesses and spread the word about MoCoConnect - a way to help our public safety officials respond faster and more effectively when an emergency happens. 

Councilmember Luedtke serves lunch at Shepherd’s Table with Executive Director Manny Hidalgo and Commander Jason Cokinos.

I always enjoy volunteering at Shepherd’s Table and was pleased to be joined by Commander Jason Cokinos of MCPD’s 3rd District.

Looking for volunteer opportunities during the holidays and beyond? Check out MoCo360’s 2024 Guide to Giving, a list of over 100 nonprofits where you can share your time, talents, and money. 

Small Business Saturday

Find small, locally-owned businesses near you and support them this holiday shopping season - starting with Small Business Saturday on November 30. Keeping your spending local has numerous benefits for our entire community and District 7 has some of the best shops for all sorts of gift giving ideas.

United in Service and Support Community Resource Fair 

The Montgomery County Council and County Executive are inviting community service providers and residents to join the United in Service and Support Community Resource Fair on December 8 from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Executive Office Building in Rockville. This free event will provide residents with a wide range of information about public health and wellness, including reproductive rights; job skills training and contracting; and available resources so residents understand their rights. Learn more. 

On-The-Spot Admissions

Attention Class of 2025! Get on-the-spot admissions and scholarship offers from local and regional colleges and universities 3 p.m.-6 p.m. on December 3 at Richard Montgomery High School. 

Nominations Open for “Women Making History” Awards

The Montgomery County Commission for Women, in partnership with Montgomery Women, is accepting nominations until November 30 for the annual “Women Making History” Awards, which honors exceptional Montgomery County women and their significant contributions. To showcase their remarkable achievements and inspiring stories, award recipients will be highlighted on the Montgomery County Commission for Women and Montgomery Women’s social media channels throughout March, Women’s History Month. Submit a nomination. 

New Pickleball Courts

Montgomery Parks has expanded pickleball opportunities with the creation of six new dedicated pickleball courts at East Norbeck Local Park! Montgomery Parks now has 18 dedicated pickleball courts, plus more than 50 shared tennis/pickleball courts. Residents who previously had been playing tennis at East Norbeck can find 19 tennis courts just five minutes away at Olney Manor Recreational Park. To learn more about pickleball in Montgomery County, visit the Montgomery Parks webpage.

Christmas on the Farm at Agricultural History Farm Park 

Christmas on the Farm returns to Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood. The free annual event looking at how the holidays would be celebrated in the historic agricultural areas of Montgomery County will be on display December 7-8 noon - 5:00p.m. 

Council Summer Fellows Accepting Applications 

The Montgomery County Council is thrilled to announce the ninth year of our Summer Fellows Program! This program is a unique opportunity for current graduate students (who will have completed their first year by summer 2025) to gain hands-on experience in policymaking and local government. Apply now and take the first step toward an impactful summer in public service. 

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