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Thursday, May 29, 2025

Wins for District 7!

Investing in Cider Mill: Budget Wins

Councilmember Luedtke meeting with residents part of the Safe Places Tenants Association.

I’m proud to share we made real progress in the recently approved County budget for communities across District 7.

Thanks to the persistent advocacy of residents at Cider Mill and strong support from community partners, we secured funding for two needed improvements: An additional Resident Counselor to support families on-site, and the next phase of safety and security upgrades, including lighting and surveillance equipment. These investments will create a safer and healthier Cider Mill and we continue to work with residents, our partners in the State legislative delegation, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and nonprofit leaders on building renovations and bringing a high-quality recreation space to the community.

I’m grateful to my Council colleagues for recognizing the urgent needs at Cider Mill and supporting these additions to next year's budget. This is a clear example of what’s possible when residents, community organizations, and elected officials work together.

I carry the conversations I have with residents and community advocates into every budget discussion. Thank you to everyone who testified, wrote in, or corresponded with me and my office during the budget process.

Your advocacy, your partnership, and your determination makes a difference! 

We'll be highlighting more key services and projects in next fiscal year's budget in future newsletters.

MCPD Crisis Team Wins International Award

Montgomery County Crisis Internvention Team

Montgomery County Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) has been honored with a prestigious CIT Response Team of the Year Award by CIT International. The department is recognized for its groundbreaking approach to public safety and mental health response. This achievement underscores the success of recent efforts to embed licensed therapists directly within the CIT, fostering a co-response model that brings mental health expertise to the front lines of crisis intervention.

A key factor in the team’s success has been the co-location of police officers and behavioral health clinicians, enabling seamless communication and swift, compassionate responses to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.

As the Council’s Lead for Crisis Response, enhancing these efforts has been one of my top priorities since I took office and this collaborative model was at the core of legislation I introduced in 2023. Co-location has proven critical in addressing complex situations with professionalism and empathy. This innovative partnership model has served as a blueprint for jurisdictions across the country.

The CIT's growth has also been bolstered by $700,000 in new federal funding secured by Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8), which supports the program’s expansion and scales its capacity to serve more residents in need. 

This award affirms the County’s commitment to public safety through smart, compassionate, and community-rooted solutions. Congratulations to MCPD on this accomplishment and thank you to the officers and clinicians who work hard each and every day to serve our residents.  

A Special Thank You to an Impactful Teacher

District 7 Councilmember Dawn Luedtke shares her favorite teacher story.

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Month, I had the opportunity to share a few words with Montgomery Community Media about one of the teachers who made a lasting impact on my life.

I hope you’ll take a moment to watch the video and reflect on the teachers who shaped your journey, too. To all our educators: thank you for the work you do to inspire, empower, and uplift.

In the Community...

Top: Councilmember Luedtke attends the New Burtonsville Elementary School Groundbreaking. Middle left: Councilmember Luedtke gets dunked in the dunk tank at the Gaithersburg–Germantown Chamber of Commerce Police Fundraiser. Middle Right: Sheriff Max Uy, Councilmember Luedtke, and Delegate Ryan Spielgel at the Flags for our Heroes and Peace Pole Dedication. Bottom: Councilmember Luedtke speaking at the Gaitherburg Book Festival.

Join the 11th Annual AAHP Community Day

Montgomery County’s African American Health Program (AAHP) will host its 11th Annual Community Day on Saturday, May 31, from 9 AM to 3 PM at Montgomery College’s Germantown Campus. This free, family-friendly event features health screenings, mental wellness resources, youth activities, cooking demos, and more–all aimed at promoting health equity across the county. A pre-event walk begins at 8 AM in partnership with GirlTREK. Register here! 

Ride On Service Changes

Beginning on Sunday, June 29, MCDOT Ride On will discontinue Route 10, adjust routes 34, 41, 42, and introduce a new Route 40, while WMATA adjusts routes L8 and T2. WMATA will replace the Route 10 with Metrobus route M42 and planned Metrobus routes M12, M44 and M60. Riders are encouraged to review these changes carefully and plan trips accordingly. 

Celebrating Peace Day and Mattie’s Birthday! 

Join us for Toast2Peace on Peace Day, Wednesday, July 17, from 5-8 PM at World of Beer in Downtown Rockville. Enjoy music, peace activities, and a special international toast at 7PM, featuring the Mattie’s Peace Day Proclamation. Let's come together to honor Mattie’s legacy of peace, purpose, and play. 

Day of Service in the Park! 

Volunteer to clean up a local park or remove invasive plants in Clarksburg on Saturday, May 31 from 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Participants can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Department of Recreation Summer Camp Registration

Registration is underway for Montgomery County Recreation summer camps. Camp options include arts, dance, music, cooking, STEAM, sports, service learning, and more. Registration is first-come, first-served, and payment plans are available. Register at the Department of Recreation website here.

New Funding for Business

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has been designated as the lead agency to administer Maryland's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation​. Funds will be used to support businesses with limited opportunities for growth. Maryland's statewide SSBCI initiatives will target communities and areas with a high concentration of small, micro, and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses. 

Community Survey: High School Programs 

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is reviewing high school academic programs to ensure all students have equitable access to high-quality options. Some programs are available at students' home schools, while others require travel. This survey collects the community's input to help decide which programs should be available to all students within a reasonable distance. Please take a few minutes to share your input. 

Maryland SUN Bucks

Maryland SUN Bucks helps families with school-aged children who receive free or reduced-price meals buy groceries during the summer break when school meals are unavailable. Families who qualify for the Maryland SUN Bucks program will receive $40 for June, July, and August (a total of $120) for each eligible student. If you have any questions, call 1-800-332-6347 and select the Maryland SUN Bucks option. Learn more.

Summer Reading Challenge 

Residents of all ages are invited to tap into their creativity this summer through Montgomery County Public Libraries’ annual Summer Reading Challenge. Starting June 14 and running through Sunday, Aug. 31, the 2025 program theme is “Color Our World,” celebrating the arts, storytelling and cultural expression.