The Glass Gazette: January 16, 2025

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January 16, 2025

New Legislative Session

Last week kicked off the 447th legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. It was great to be in Annapolis with our state leaders as they start their 90-day work period. There are a lot of important issues to work on for the residents of Montgomery County and the state, including housing affordability, economic growth and public safety. I wish them well in their efforts.

Councilmember Glass with Delegate David Moon

Councilmember Glass and House Majority Leader David Moon inside the Maryland Capitol.


BioHub Maryland

The new BioHub facility in Rockville is beautiful! 

This biopharma training and education center in Rockville will help increase our local life sciences workforce in Montgomery County — which is already the third largest hub in the nation.

With the support of the state and county, this initiative will help train the next generation of life sciences talent and keep our community safe and healthy.

Councilmember Glass looks into a microscope at the new BioHub facility

Councilmember Glass looks into a microscope at the new BioHub facility.


Honoring Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Christopher Higgins after his tragic death in the line of service. A 23-year veteran of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, MFF Higgins was not only a skilled firefighter, but also a cherished mentor and friend to his colleagues. May his memory be a blessing.

A photo of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins accompanying a notice of his death in the line of duty.

Image credit: Pete Piringer, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.


MLK Day of Service

MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, and I invite you to participate in the late Congressman John Lewis’ vision of making it “a day on, not a day off.” 

There are opportunities across the county to do good this weekend, including the Montgomery County Volunteer Center’s annual Day of Service & Volunteer Fair on Sunday, January 19. You can learn more and register for this and other events online.

A digital banner advertising MLK Day of Service

Image credit: Montgomery County Volunteer Center.


Veganuary

I had a great time celebrating “Veganuary” at Rooted3 in Bethesda! This local, women-owned restaurant offers 100% plant-based meals that are healthy and delicious. 

If your New Years resolution is to eat healthier, plant-based foods are not only good for our health, they’re also great for the planet. Thank you to the Veg Society of DC and Rockville Vegans for organizing this great event and encouraging everyone to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diet this month.

Councilmember Glass with two members of the Veg Society of DC and the owner of the Bethesda restaurant Rooted3

Councilmember Glass with members of Veg Society of DC


Get Outside in 2025

I started the new year off on the right foot by hiking along the Little Falls from downtown Bethesda to the Potomac River. There are more than 260 miles of trails across Montgomery County for every resident of every ability to enjoy. 

My appreciation to the Little Falls Watershed Alliance for organizing the New Year’s Day hike. Let’s recommit ourselves in this new year to local environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Councilmember Glass and his husband Jason outside on a hike

Councilmember Glass and his husband Jason along the Little Falls hiking trail


Constituent Corner

A neighbor reached out to me about a particularly noisy storm grate on a busy street. The loose metal planks meant that every time a vehicle drove over it, the grate would rattle — the noise was constant and loud enough to hear inside her home. I contacted TrafficOps on her behalf, and they repaired the grate and added rubber padding to dampen the noise. She wrote back to say that the noise had stopped, and that she was very appreciative of our help.

If you need help with a county agency, please fill out this service request form and my office will reach out to assist you.

A construction worker putting a cover over a metal grate

Image Credit: Municipal Sewer and Water


Did You Know?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) turns 50 years old this month! To celebrate, the Montgomery County Community Action Agency and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Partnership are hosting an EITC Awareness Day and VITA Kickoff event!

The event will be held in Gaithersburg on Thursday, January 23, and will feature a resource fair, information about free tax services in Montgomery County and a panel discussion about local programs to help low-income residents. To learn more or to RSVP to this event, please email Leah Goldfine at Leah.Goldfine@montgomerycountymd.gov

A photo advertising the VITA Kickoff Event, which will take place on January 23 at 2:00 p.m. at 16 South Summit Ave in Gaithersburg

Please do not reply to this email. To contact my office, email me at Councilmember.Glass@montgomerycountymd.gov.