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Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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We are here to support those impacted by the federal government shutdown. Our friends, neighbors, and community members who work in the federal government and as federal contractors have already faced a lot this year. The State of Maryland, Montgomery County, and our partners have multiple ways to help.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with specific questions:
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Gov. Wes Moore's Office and the State of Maryland - Unemployment insurance, info on specific available protections for furloughed workers, and more.
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Montgomery County - County food, childcare, eviction prevention, and housing support options, and County Government job openings.
- Resource pages and information on frequently asked questions from federal representatives Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Rep. April McClain Delaney.
- Pepco payment support, including support for federal contractors. Pepco customers can also call 202-833-7500.
- BGE payment support - BGE customers can also call 1-800-685-0123.
- Federal Workers Resource Hub from WorkSource Montgomery.
 Top: Councilmember Luedtke, Commander Jordan Satinsky, and Upcounty Regional Services Center Director Ruben Rosario presenting to the Derwood community. Bottom: Councilmember Luedtke, Commander Jordan Satinsky, and Upcounty Regional Services Center Director Ruben Rosario with leaders of the Westside Shady Grove HOA Board.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Derwood Public Safety Town Hall at Westside Shady Grove! It was a wonderful evening of connection and dialogue with neighbors, county partners, and public safety leaders. I'm grateful for the partnership of Shobhana Sharma, President of the Westside Shady Grove Board of Directors, and the entire HOA.
Thank you also to 1st Police District Commander Capt. Jordan Satinsky and Upcounty Regional Services Center Director Ruben Rosario for providing your expertise.
We discussed the County's newest crime fighting programs, pedestrian safety, automated traffic enforcement, juvenile crime and services, and more.
I also shared updates on initiatives like the Sgt. Patrick Kepp Act, homelessness response, and behavioral health services. Commander Satinsky walked through local crime trends and what law enforcement is doing to keep Derwood safe. Thank you to all of the residents who participated in our Q&A, your input helps shape how we move forward together.
Derwood was the first of several public safety town halls across District 7. I hope you’ll join us at an upcoming session:
Montgomery Village - Monday, October 13, 7:00 PM at the North Creek Community Center with the Montgomery Village Foundation
Olney - Wednesday, November 12, 7:00 PM with the Olney Chamber of Commerce (location to be announced)
Damascus - Date and location to be announced
Public safety is a shared responsibility, and these conversations ensure that your voice is heard. I look forward to seeing many of you at our future town halls and continuing the work of building safer, stronger communities together.
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A Proven Tool for Safer Roads
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Many of you have reached out to me about dangerous driving in our neighborhoods and along key arterial routes. Speed cameras are one of the most effective tools we have to slow down drivers and prevent serious crashes, and it's also one of the most common constituent requests we receive.
While some have circulated misinformation about the purpose of the County's program, the data is clear: Speed cameras save lives. They reduce excessive speeding, encourage safer driving habits, and make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
 Vision Zero Graphic showing data from a third-party study of speed camera enforcement in Montgomery County, and data on how higher vehicle speeds significantly increase the likelihood that a crash is fatal or causes severe injuries.
This work is about more than enforcement – it’s about protecting our families, our children, walking to school, and our neighbors out for a bike ride or evening walk. I'll continue advocating for common-sense safety measures like speed cameras because they reflect what so many of you have told me: You want safer streets in our communities.
I'm proud that Montgomery County is now expanding speed camera usage, including to "High-Injury Network" roadways thanks to our State legislator partners and Vision Zero team via a State bill that I and many District 7 residents advocated for.
 Councilmember Luedtke at Bethesda Cares to learn more about their important work.
Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Bethesda Cares, an incredible organization dedicated to connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with permanent supportive housing. Their team works every day to meet people where they are, build trust, and connect them to the resources they need to move off the streets and into stable housing.
This work is so important – and it cannot be limited to just one part of the County. I'm working with our Services to End and Prevent Homelessness and nonprofit partners to expand outreach services across all of District 7, and beyond. Every person deserves the dignity of safe housing and the wraparound support that makes it sustainable.
By strengthening partnerships and investing in proven approaches, we can ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness are not left behind, whether they live in Bethesda, Damascus, or anywhere in between.
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Join Our Public Safety Team
Montgomery County is hiring 911 Emergency Call Takers and Dispatchers. These professionals are the first point of contact in a crisis, playing a vital role in keeping our community safe. If you or someone you know is looking for a rewarding career in public service, this is a great opportunity to make a difference every day.
Cattail Chase Races!
Join neighbors for a fun, family-friendly day at the 2025 Cattail Chase Races on Sunday, October 19, at Pleasant Prospect Farm in Brookeville. This year’s event benefits MedStar Montgomery’s Howard R. Gudelsky Emergency Department renovation -helping ensure our community has access to modern, high-quality emergency care.
Board of Elections Open House
The Montgomery County Board of Elections will host an Open House on Monday, October 13, from 1–5 PM at its Gaithersburg office. Tours begin at the top of each hour and include demonstrations of ballot-sorting and ballot-scanning equipment, as well as a look inside the new Training and Canvass Center. This is a great opportunity to learn how elections are run and how every vote is counted.
Animal Services Expands Support for Families and Pets
Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center (MCASAC) is seeing more pet surrenders as families face economic hardship. To help keep pets in their homes, MCASAC offers resources including monthly pet food pantries, free behavior consultations, weekly rabies and microchip clinics, and a low-cost spay/neuter program for income-qualified residents. Community members can also help by adopting, fostering, donating, or volunteering.
Nadim Khan Memorial Homeless Resource Day
Montgomery County’s annual Homeless Resource Day will take place on Thursday, November 6, from 10 AM–3 PM at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. The event provides individuals and families experiencing homelessness–or at risk of homelessness–with access to vital services, including health screenings, housing assistance, employment support, legal advice, veteran benefits, and more. Free lunches will be provided, and volunteers and sponsors are needed to help make the day possible. Email to learn more!
Airpark Community Advisory Committee Wants to Hear from You
Your voice matters when it comes to balancing airpark operations and neighborhood quality of life. The Airpark Community Advisory Committee needs to fill voting positions representing flight schools and the community. Apply by October 6!
Nominations Open: Unsung Heroes in Sports
The Montgomery County Sports Advisory Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Unsung Heroes Awards. These awards honor individuals or organizations who have expanded sports participation in our community, especially among underserved groups. Nominees can be athletes, coaches, parents, donors, officials, organizations–or anyone making sports more accessible in Montgomery County. Nominations are open through October 31 and winners will be celebrated at the Sports Hall of Fame Celebration on April 26, 2026, at the Silver Spring Civic Center.
USG Career Fair
The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) will host its first-ever Collaborative Career Fair on Wednesday, October 8, from 2–5 PM at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Register to join and connect with top local talent!
If you would like to get in touch, please email me at Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7860.
If you were forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to my newsletter, click the button below. I look forward to remaining in touch with you!
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