 Wednesday, February 11, 2026
I had the great pleasure of visiting Second Chance Wildlife Center's brand new facility in Clarksburg last week! Since 1995, SCWC has been providing emergency treatment and long-term rehabilitative care to injured, ill, and orphaned wildlife. SCWC cares for approximately 3,000 animals annually and does great work educating the public on how to safely coexist with wildlife.
SCWC has put together a helpful guide on what to do should you come across wildlife that may be in need of assistance. Visit the organization's website to learn more, and save the SCWC hotline number for when you may need it: 301-926-9453. SCWC's hours are Monday-Sunday from 10AM-4PM. The center is located at 26400 Haines Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871. While Second Chance is not open for tours and does not exhibit its patients for public viewing, they are always looking for extra hands to help. Visit the SCWC website to learn more about volunteer opportunities!
Thank you to Second Chance for welcoming me to your state of the art space, and thank you for all that you do for our vulnerable wildlife neighbors!
 Council Vice President Balcombe alongside her staff and Second Chance Wildlife Center staff.
Last Monday, my team and I spent the morning volunteering at Montgomery College's Mobile Market in Germantown. The MC Mobile Market provides fresh produce and other food staples to students, faculty and staff, and the regional community on a first-come, first-come basis. No proof of eligibility is required - all you have to do is check the distribution schedule, bring your grocery bags, and pick up some food! Below is information about the upcoming distributions scheduled for the Montgomery College Germantown campus.
Dates: March 4th, April 1st, May 6th, June 3rd
Time: 10AM-noon
Location: Outside the Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard Student Affairs and Science Building Bus Circle
Inclement Weather Location: BE Circle
If you would like to volunteer at the Mobile Market, visit Montgomery College's website and fill out the volunteer form.
Thank you to Montgomery College and distribution partner Capital Area Food Bank for all you do to provide equitable access to nutrition for all members of our community.
 Council Vice President Balcombe and her staff volunteering at Montgomery College's Mobile Market in Germantown.
As Montgomery County continues its discussion about data centers, I wanted to share with you an additional opportunity to provide your thoughts on this topic with the County Council. On February 3rd, the County Executive hosted a community forum about data centers, and I hosted a Breakfast with Balcombe on February 6th dedicated to talking about data centers. You can watch a recording of the community forum on the Montgomery County YouTube channel.
On February 24th, the County Council will host a public hearing on ZTA 26-01 and Bill 4-26, both of which are related to data centers. To sign up to participate in the public hearing, please visit the County Council website. You can participate in the public hearing in-person or virtually, and also have the option of submitting your testimony online or through the mail.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.
 A graphic of District 2's geographic outline, with the text "District 2 Historical Highlights: Celebrating 250 years of Montgomery County."
- Waverly Woodson was a member of the all-Black 320th Anitaircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion, and served as a medic during D-Day on June 6, 1944. He spent 30 hours treating over 200 wounded and dying men on Omaha Beach, while suffering from blood loss and exhaustion himself. After the war, Woodson earned a medical technology degree from Lincoln University, moved to Clarksburg and married Joann Snowden of the prominent Clarksburg Snowden family, and became director of the morgue at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda. He died on August 12, 2005 at the age of 83, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. On June 3, 2024 - 80 years after his heroic actions on D-Day, Woodson was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. His widow Joann continues to uplift his story to this day.
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Did you know that Andrew Jackson spent time in Montgomery County? He dined in Clarksburg on his way to his inauguration!
Economic Development (ECON) Committee
Our next Economic Development (ECON) committee session is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th. We will be discussing the FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and will be focusing on revenue authority and economic development. You can review our staff packet on the County Council website and can watch our work session live or on demand on the Council YouTube channel.
Transportation and Environment Committee
The Transportation and Environment (TE) committee had an excellent meeting last week to discuss the rising cost of residential utility bills. You can watch a recording of our work session on the Council YouTube channel, and can review our staff packet on the Council website.
The committee is scheduled to meet on February 19th to discuss transportation projects included in the FY27-32 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). We will also be working on supplemental appropriations that would fund improvements to the Wheaton Parking Facility and the Capital Crescent Trail. You can review our staff packet on the County Council website and can watch our work session live or on demand on the Council YouTube channel.
Council Legislation
Below is a list of recent legislation that the County Council has introduced.
Upcoming Public Hearings
To testify at a Council public hearing or to submit written, audio, or video testimony, please visit the Council website or call 240-777-7803. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 1:30PM public hearing is 2PM the day prior. The deadline to sign up to testify for a 7PM public hearing is 5PM the day prior.
February 24, 2026
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1:30PM: Bill 1-26, Human Rights and Civil Liberties - County Minimum Wage - Actual Impact Analysis - Amendments
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1:30PM: Bill 2-26, Taxation - Fuel Energy Tax - Green Bank - Amendments
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1:30PM: Bill 4-26, Buildings - Task Force on Data Centers - Established
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1:30PM: Expedited Bill 6-26, Fire and Rescue Services - Emergency Medical Services Emergency Reimbursement Program - Use of Revenues
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1:30PM: Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 26-01, Commercial Uses - Data Center
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1:30PM: Planning Board Draft Amendment to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation for the Rose-Budd House
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1:30PM: Resolution to approve Supplemental Appropriation #26-25 to the FY26 Operating Budget, Montgomery County Government, Department of Health and Human Services, $2,200,000, Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions, $800,000, Community Connect Portal Continued Development (Source of Funds: General Fund Undesignated Reserves)
March 3, 2026
The following County boards, committees, and commissions are seeking applicants:
 A flyer advertising MCDOT's Upcounty Travel Training event, which will be held on February 27th from 1-3PM at the Germantown Library. The event will teach participants how to navigate public transportation. Clicking the flyer will redirect to the MCDOT website.
If you would like to get in touch with me regarding anything mentioned in this newsletter or any other concerns you may have, please email me at Councilmember.Balcombe@montgomerycountymd.gov or call my office at 240-777-7960.
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