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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Happy New Year!

As we welcome 2026, I’m deeply grateful for the neighbors and community partners who make District 7 such a wonderful place to live.

In the year ahead, we're committed to strengthening public safety, fighting for lower housing costs, building up our community's climate resiliency, and working with you and your communities on the everyday quality of life issues that matter most. I wish you and your loved ones a healthy, hopeful, and joyful start to the new year!

HERO Act Update

Councilmember Luedtke at the bill signing ceremony for Expedited Bill 32-25, also known as the HERO Act.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Councilmembers Evan Glass and Sidney Katz for their partnership — and for working together on an amendment we advanced to the HERO Act so that County police officers are fully included in this initiative. The HERO Act fixes issues with delivering survivors benefits that we were made aware of after the tragic line-of-duty death of Master Firefighter Christopher Higgins almost a year ago. Thank you to his family and his MCFRS and Volunteer colleagues for their advocacy.

We hope this legislation is never needed and we'll continue to support our public safety professionals and their families. We're incredibly fortunate to have such a committed, selfless, and caring public safety community.

Black Baseball & Softball Community Heritage Project

Historical image from the Black Baseball and Softball Community Heritage Project

Montgomery Parks' Black Baseball & Softball Community Heritage Project, an effort to honor and preserve the rich history of baseball and softball in Montgomery County’s African American communities, continues with a February 2 community meeting in Wheaton.

This heritage has a special and deep connection to Johnson’s Local Park in Emory Grove. Johnson's Local Park served as the center of Black baseball in the County, making it central to the community's culture and resilience. This project will help ensure that history is documented, shared, and celebrated. We continue to work with Parks and community leaders to fully renovate Johnson's Local Park as part of the broader Heritage Emory Grove partnership.

In The Community...

Spotlight: CareerCatchers

CareerCatchers is a local nonprofit that helps residents overcome barriers to employment through coaching, training, and wraparound support.  If you or someone you know is looking for job leads, skills training, or employment support, CareerCatchers is a fantastic resource. You can learn more and sign up for their newsletter here.

Library Service Update

Some MCPS libraries are adjusting Sunday hours starting January 11, with several regional branches open from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. while others will be closed on Sundays. The goal is to keep programs strong and staffing consistent — and digital resources are still available every day. See which branches are open here: Montgomery County Library Sunday Service Hours (2026).

Olney Civic Fund Grants Now Open

The Olney Civic Fund has $10,000 in grant funding available for community-focused projects this year. The application is now open and due by January 31, 2026. If you run or support a local organization that helps strengthen the Olney community, we encourage you to apply — and please feel free to share this opportunity with others who may be eligible.

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Montgomery County invites residents to join the 2026 MLK Day of Service & Volunteer Fair on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, located at 5701 Marinelli Road in Rockville. The event runs from 2 to 4 p.m., with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will participate in service projects benefiting people and communities across the County and can connect with local nonprofit organizations to learn about year‑round volunteer opportunities. Registration is required.

Calling All Seniors: Scholarships Available!

The MCPS Educational Foundation has a wide range of scholarships and awards available for high school seniors who are pursuing their education or career goals and may face opportunity gaps along the way. With one simple application — open now through Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 — students can be considered for awards ranging from $250 to $20,000. Apply today! For questions, email the Foundation or call 240-740-3216.

EITC Awareness Day & Free Tax Help Kick-Off

Join Montgomery County’s Community Action Agency and partners for the annual Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day/Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Kick-Off on Friday, January 30, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the Universities at Shady Grove (Biomedical Sciences & Engineering Building). This free, public event highlights how the EITC helps thousands of families make ends meet — and showcases the County’s free tax filing programs that connect eligible households with valuable tax credits.

A resource fair will run from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., with a formal program at noon featuring County leaders and community partners. RSVP to attend, and if your organization would like to table at the resource fair, please complete the interest form by January 16.

Mark Your Calendars: Summer Camp Registration

Summer camp sign-ups are right around the corner! Registration opens Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 a.m. for Montgomery Parks camps and for County residents registering for Montgomery County Recreation camps. Registration for non-residents opens Thursday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 a.m. Montgomery Parks is also offering a $25 EarlyBird discount through April 3 on select Ice, Tennis, and Wheaton Sports Pavilion camps — just use coupon code EarlyBird at checkout.

If you would like to get in touch with me, please email me at Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7860.

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