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Tag: montgomery county council

  • Montgomery Co. school officials say progress made in backlog of employee background checks – WTOP News

    Montgomery Co. school officials told a committee Friday that they’ve made progress updating employee background checks after a report showed many had incomplete checks.

    Montgomery County school officials told a council committee Friday that they’ve made progress updating the criminal background checks on employees in the system.

    In August, the Office of the Inspector General for Montgomery County found that more than 12,000 school employees — nearly half the workforce — had not had their criminal background checks updated.

    The Aug. 4 report also indicated 4,900 individuals had not had their initial screenings by Child Protective Services completed.

    Inspector General Megan Limarzi and school officials appeared before the Montgomery County Council’s Audit Committee to issue the progress report.

    Essie McGuire, chief of staff for the Montgomery County Public School system, reported significant headway was made on updating the screening process. “We are more than halfway through our school-based rescreening, which we’re very pleased about,” she said.

    As of Nov. 7, McGuire said “over 6,400 individuals” were rescreened, leaving about 7,500 cases to be finished.

    “We feel very confident that we will be able to have completed our school-by-school, cluster-by-cluster approach before the winter break,” McGuire said.

    McGuire said there may be some “loose ends to complete in January, but we will have finished the first pass, and gone through all the school-based and transportation employees before winter break.”

    Asked how she felt about the report, Limarzi told Council President Kate Stewart that she felt it was “still very early” in the process, and that “as a profession, we don’t opine on things before we have all the facts in front of us to review.”

    However, Limarzi told the council, “MCPS obviously has attacked these issues out of the gate from the time the report was issued and has done a great deal of work, which is excellent.”

    Overall, Limarzi said, “the amount of work that’s been done here is to be commended.”

    Limarzi said the recommendations for improving the process of conducting and tracking background checks “remain open,” pending completion of the background checks by the schools.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • WATCH: Montgomery County Council member confronted by apparent ICE agents – WTOP News

    Montgomery County Council member Kristin Mink said she is considering all her legal options after a Monday morning confrontation with ICE agents in Adelphi, Maryland.

    Montgomery County Council member Kristin Mink said she is considering all her legal options after a Monday morning confrontation with ICE agents in Adelphi, Maryland.

    Mink said she was walking near a school when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers made what appears to be an arrest, and Mink began recording the events. Moments later, she was confronted by two officers.

    The video, which Mink shared on Facebook, shows two men, who Mink said were ICE agents, making an arrest in Adelphi, just before 7:30 a.m.

    You can hear the confrontation appear to escalate as the men get closer to Mink.

    As they approach, Mink can be heard saying, “Don’t touch me,” as another man repeatedly says, “You got to go.”

    One of the agents moves closer, grabbing at her left arm, and Mink said he grabbed her phone. She can be heard in the video saying, “Don’t touch my phone.”

    “You got to go over there,” said one of the men, who appeared to have a holstered weapon.

    The two men then back off, according to the video, and moments later get into two SUVs, one white and one black, and drive toward Mink.

    “I’m behind Tick Tock Liquors, Monday morning. This vehicle looks like it’s about to drive into me,” Mink said in the video. The two vehicles faced her momentarily, and then drove away.

    Mink told WTOP the two aggressively approached her, and one agent tried to grab her phone to stop her from recording and then he touched her face during the confrontation.

    “I didn’t know they would be around the corner when I entered that parking lot. But I was not shocked to see them,” she said. “Two of them approached me from across the parking lot, yelling at me and pointing at me. … One of them grabbed me by the arm and pulled me and reached for my phone as well, which I pulled away.”

    Mink told WTOP she was startled by what took place and did not identify herself as an elected official.

    Mink said she has no intention of stopping what she’s doing and since ICE has stepped up its actions, she’s gone to areas where agents may be making arrests.

    “The terrorizing of our communities is my business. It’s all of our business. We have the First Amendment right to film. And we’re not going anywhere,” she said in the same social media post after the incident. “I encourage everyone to be well versed on your rights and your neighbors’ rights, to consider all levers you may have to harden your workplace against efforts ICE may make to enter without a judicial warrant.”

    Mink indicated that she’s weighing all possible legal courses of action.

    “From my perspective, they were attempting to be threatening and intimidating, and it felt important to stand my ground,” she said. “They are untrained and did not know what to do. But it was very clear that they didn’t want me there, and they didn’t want me recording. … I am exploring all legal options at this point.”

    WTOP has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on what took place.

    Mink was elected to the county council in 2022 and represents District 5, which includes White Oak, Fairland, Colesville and Burtonsville.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Dan Ronan

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  • Over 60 applications submitted to fill Montgomery County Council vacancy – WTOP News

    The Montgomery County Council has received 67 applications from people vying to fill the seat currently held by Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) when he steps down next month.

    This article was written by WTOP’s news partner Bethesda Today and republished with permission. Sign up for Bethesda Today’s free email subscription today.

    The Montgomery County Council has received 67 applications from people vying to fill the seat currently held by Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) when he steps down next month.

    Albornoz announced Oct. 16 his plans to resign his seat on Dec. 1 with roughly a year left in his second four-year term.

    County Executive Marc Elrich (D) subsequently announced that he would nominate Albornoz to lead the county’s recreation department, a position Albornoz held for years before joining the council in 2018. The council will have to approve the nomination.

    Members of council are limited to three consecutive terms, meaning Albornoz could have sought re-election in 2026. He announced in a social media post on Sept. 15 that he  did not plan to do so.

    Due to the timing of Albornoz’s resignation, his seat on the council will be filled by appointment rather than by special election.

    Read more at Bethesda Magazine.

    Gaby Arancibia

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  • ‘It’s devastating’: Montgomery County Council member with Jamaican roots leads hurricane relief efforts – WTOP News

    Recovery efforts continue in Jamaica, over a week after Hurricane Melissa ravaged the island. Now a Montgomery County Council member is working to provide disaster relief.

    Laurie-Anne Sayles on a call with her mother in Jamaica after she got power back following Hurricane Melissa.(Courtesy Laurie-Anne Sayles)

    Recovery efforts continue in Jamaica, over a week after Hurricane Melissa ravaged the island as a Category 5 storm. Now, a Montgomery County Council member — who’s the daughter of Jamaican immigrants — is working vigorously to provide disaster relief.

    “Jamaicans understand hurricane season, but a Category 5 is not anything that they were prepared for,” said At-Large Council member Laurie-Anne Sayles.

    Her mother, Hilda Williams-Sayles, had just returned to Jamaica in September after spending 25 years in Montgomery County working as a social worker. She planned to spend half the year in her home country, and Sayles was going to visit her over the holidays.

    Then Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as one of the island’s strongest storms on record.

    “She’s running low on water,” Sayles said. “There’s no flights coming in or coming out of Montego Bay, so she’d have to get to Kingston. And it’s taking almost eight hours to get back and forth because of the devastation and the roads not being cleared away just yet.”

    More than two dozen communities in Jamaica are still cut off by landslides and flooding. Roughly half the island remains without power. According to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, preliminary estimates show the Category 5 hurricane caused at least $6 billion in damage.

    Because of the dire conditions, Sayles said she wants to bring her mother back to the U.S. as soon as possible.

    “It’s hard because her heart’s there and she sees the devastation, she doesn’t want to leave. So many of us here wish we could be down there doing the hard work, helping to clean up, helping to clear roads, helping those in need,” she said through tears. “So I understand her struggle, that she doesn’t want to leave, but we’re so worried.”

    In an effort to help, Sayles has partnered with Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkins and the Embassy of Jamaica in D.C. to collect much needed supplies for the island, including bottled water, nonperishable food, first aid kits, soap, diapers, blankets and towels.

    “We cannot thank the community enough, because the response has been overwhelming,” Sayles said.

    There are two drop-off locations: The Silver Spring Civic Building on Veterans Plaza and the Montgomery College Bioscience Education Center in Germantown. They’re accepting donations through Nov. 17. You can also volunteer to help sort the supplies or donate money online.

    “This is Jamaica’s Hurricane Katrina,” she said. “It’s devastating. It’s heartbreaking. But we just appreciate all the love and support that we’ve received so far.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Linh Bui

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  • ‘Like drinking out of a fire hose’: Challenge of filling a vacancy on Montgomery Co. Council – WTOP News

    The clock is ticking for anyone interested in applying to fill a Montgomery County Council seat vacated by Gabe Albornoz.

    The clock is ticking for anyone interested in applying to fill a Montgomery County Council seat vacated by Gabe Albornoz, the departing at-large council member.

    Applications for the position, which will run for just one year to complete Albornoz’ term, are being accepted through Nov. 5. The applicant who is ultimately appointed to the position would have to agree not to run for reelection to the seat.

    Former Council member Cherri Branson was the last person who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Council.

    “Serving on the council is like drinking from a fire hose,” Branson said. “No matter what your base of knowledge might be, you won’t know the intricacies of all the stuff that comes before the council.”

    Branson served as the District 4 council member for the last year of Valerie Ervin’s term in 2014, when Ervin stepped down to take a position with the Center for Working Families.

    Branson said that when she applied for and was appointed to the council, she’d already had decades of government experience — but that was at the federal level.

    “I’d been in the legislative environment for 23 years,” said Branson, whose last job on Capitol Hill was as the chief counsel for oversight on the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

    From zoning matters to public safety to education funding formulas, Branson said serving on the council “requires a good deal of independent study,” and the ability to learn on the fly.

    Branson said she was often surprised how many constituents paid close attention to council hearings and meetings. And her experience drove home the axiom “all politics is local,” she said.

    “When you’re on the local level and you live in the community, you hear immediately from people,” about what they think of your decision-making, she said.

    Anyone who serves in elected office, Branson said, will find that they will be working nights and weekends, attending events, work sessions and public hearings.

    But she said she felt it was especially important for her to meet constituents because, as an appointed official, “they hadn’t had a chance to vote for me or vet me in any way.”

    Branson said doing as many meet-and-greet events as she could “was really important.”

    Applications to fill the vacancy for the at-large council position are being accepted through Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Proposed bill would provide options for families of fallen Montgomery Co. firefighters – WTOP News

    The HERO Act, inspired by Lt. Christopher Higgins, aims to expand and expedite survivor benefits for families of career firefighters who die in the line of duty. Proposed by Council members Evan Glass and Sidney Katz, the bill ensures grieving spouses and children receive a 20-year pension equivalent, and eliminates delays in benefit distribution.

    Lisa Higgins, the widow of a Montgomery County, Maryland, firefighter who died in the line of duty in January, had to wait months before she and her two children saw the first of the survivors’ benefits they were entitled to under county law.

    Two council members want to change that, so no grieving family has to face hardship after their loss.

    Inspired by fallen firefighter 46-year-old Lt. Christopher Higgins, Montgomery County Council members Evan Glass and Sidney Katz introduced the HERO Act at Tuesday’s council meeting.

    Higgins, who was posthumously granted the rank of lieutenant, died while fighting a fire in Laurel in January.

    According to Glass’ office, if a career firefighter dies in the line of duty, their spouse would receive a disability benefit equal to at least 70% of the firefighter’s salary. If the firefighter was eligible for retirement at the time of death, that spouse could receive a 100% joint and survivor pension.

    The proposed bill would not take away those options, but would provide a third, Glass said.

    “The HERO Act expands the existing survivor benefits so that spouses and children of firefighters who die in the line of duty can receive the equivalent of a 20-year pension, regardless of how long they served,” Glass said.

    Glass also said the bill would expedite the process, so that families don’t face delays.

    “I would not wish this journey upon anyone, and I just appreciate what everyone’s doing to support my children and myself,” Lisa said during a news conference announcing the legislation.

    Lt. Michael Moore spoke of the loss felt by the department when Christopher Higgins died.

    “The pain of that day didn’t stop at the firehouse doors.”

    Referring to the Higgins family, Moore said, “They lost a husband, a father, a mentor, a son and a brother.”

    Lt. Scott Kitner, the captain of the Burtonsville Fire Station where Higgins worked, said the passage of the HERO Act would ensure surviving spouses aren’t left waiting for benefits, and aren’t burdened with years of paperwork.

    For families who lose a loved one in the line of duty, Montgomery County Fire Chief Corey Smedley said, “Even after the emergency is over, that doesn’t stop the suffering.”

    Council member Katz said he expected the council to act on the bill as quickly as possible.

    Glass agreed, saying, “Once it becomes law, which I anticipate it will, it takes effect immediately.”

    The legislation applies to career firefighters only, but Glass’ office indicated that expanding the law to include police and volunteer firefighters could be considered.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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  • ‘Going home’: Montgomery County Council member stepping down to lead the recreation department – WTOP News

    Gabe Albornoz will step down from the council in December. In an interview with WTOP, Albornoz said he’s returning to the job that “I’ve enjoyed most throughout my entire professional career.”

    Two-term Montgomery County Council member Gabe Albornoz said he’s resigning his post as council member to return to leading the county’s Department of Recreation.

    Albornoz announced last week he would be stepping down effective Dec. 1, a move that will trigger an appointment process for the period remaining in his term, until December of 2026.

    In an interview with WTOP, Albornoz, who led the recreation department from 2006 to 2018, said it was the job “I’ve enjoyed most throughout my entire professional career.”

    “The 12 years that I spent as the director of the recreation department were 12 extraordinary years, and I can’t wait to go back and have the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing people,” he said.

    Albornoz, 49, and a lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, is stepping into an appointed position as recreation director, and will be serving under County Executive Marc Elrich, who will be leaving office after two terms in 2026.

    Albornoz was asked about taking a job that will subject him to another appointment process under the next county executive.

    “I have a high degree of confidence that my service to the county has been pretty well documented and I think I could bring a lot to the table to the next administration,” Albornoz told WTOP.

    Three of Albornoz’s colleagues on the council, Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass and Will Jawando, are running for county executive. Albornoz denied discussing his new position — and the fact that he’d be subjected to a future appointment process — with those council members.

    “No, I have not talked to them specifically about this position moving forward,” he replied. “I think all three of them are just focused on winning their races right now.”

    Albornoz would be stepping into the position at a time when Montgomery County’s fiscal outlook appears challenging.

    what about: When the council announced a $7.6 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2026 in May, Albornoz told his colleagues they would have to be “extremely cautious with budgets moving forward” due to the economic outlook for the county.

    Now, he expressed confidence about having to weather likely budget cuts as the head of a county agency.

    Albornoz said he served through the recession, “the Department of Recreation’s budget was cut by more than a third over the course of three fiscal years, and a lot of staff had to be let go, and a lot of programs had to be cut.”

    Once he steps into the office of recreation director, Albornoz said one of the things he wants to do is focus on work opportunities for young people, such as TeenWorks, a program that was introduced during his past tenure with the department.

    “We’re going to have to go back to that and expand that program because what I do foresee over the next several years, it’s going to be a really tough workforce environment,” Albornoz said.

    Asked about his decision not to run for office again, Albornoz said he consulted with people he trusted, and he had his family in mind.

    “Being in elected office is certainly difficult on the elected officials themselves, but especially on their families,” he said. “It’s a lot of nights, it’s a lot of weekends, it’s a lot of stress, and they absorb all of that along there with you,”

    For Albornoz, heading back to leading the job he enjoyed most in his professional career was like “going home.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Gabe Albornoz leaving Montgomery Co. council — but not saying why – WTOP News

    Montgomery County Council member Gabe Albornoz is stepping down from his at-large seat on Dec. 1.

    Montgomery County Council member Gabe Albornoz. (Montgomery County government via YouTube)

    Montgomery County Council member Gabe Albornoz is stepping down from his at-large seat on Dec. 1.

    In a statement released Thursday morning, Albornoz said he remains “deeply committed to our community”, but didn’t say why he’s stepping down from the 11-member council before his term ends in December of 2026. In September, Albornoz said he would not be running for reelection.

    “I am proud of the work we have accomplished during my time at the Council – advancing meaningful policies and initiatives, expanding opportunities, and strengthening the systems that support the health and well-being of all residents across Montgomery County,” Albornoz said in the statement.

    When asked for further comment, Albornoz told WTOP he’s is not commenting on his decision until Monday.

    Albornoz is a lifelong Montgomery County resident. The Democrat led the county’s Department of Recreation before running for county council, where he’s served as chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

    Montgomery County’s Council serves 1 million residents in the state’s largest county.

    How Montgomery County will fill Albornoz’s seat

    The at-large seat will be filled through an appointment process.

    A majority of the council members will need to appoint a Democrat to fill Albornoz’s seat within 30 days of his vacancy.

    The appointee will serve for less than a year, until Dec. 1, 2026.

    “We are seeking a Montgomery County resident to serve on the Council who is knowledgeable about budgetary, public policy, and legislative work,” County President Kate Stewart said in a statement Thursday. “Additionally, we are seeking individuals who do not intend to run for office in 2026 to eliminate any potential unfair advantage in the upcoming election cycle.”

    That means the appointee shouldn’t be someone who plans to run for office in the 2026 primary or general elections.

    To qualify, the temporary council member must live in Montgomery County and be registered to vote as a Democrat.

    The council plans to pick an appointee based off their professional experience, public service and knowledge of the community, according to a news release.

    Anyone interested in temporarily filling the seat needs to apply by Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. by emailing council.clerk@montgomerycountymd.gov. For more information about what to include in an application, head to the county’s website.

    The initial interviews with candidates will be done during a closed session, but secondary interviews will be open the public and held during the council’s meeting on Dec. 2.

    The final vote on the appointment is scheduled for Dec. 9.

    WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report. 

    This is a developing story. Stick with WTOP for the latest.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Montgomery Co. continues to hedge against potential cuts to federal grants – WTOP News

    As federal funding remains uncertain, local leaders in Montgomery County emphasize the importance of maintaining the social safety net and preparing for potential budget impacts.

    There are a lot of people in Montgomery County who face economic uncertainty — and that was the case even before the federal government shutdown.

    Heather Bruskin leads the county’s office on food systems resilience and told county council members at a meeting on Tuesday, “In our population of a million residents, about 35% of our households live below the self-sufficiency standard meaning they don’t have enough income to cover their basic cost of living which includes putting food on the table for their families.”

    The good news, she said, is that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, program is fully funded through the month of October.

    “Within that population, about 10% of our population lives below the SNAP threshold. They’re income eligible for programs like SNAP at 130% of the federal poverty level,” Bruskin said.

    A lot of programs that deal with health and human services, public safety and transportation are paid for in part with federal grants, and Raphael Murphy, with the county’s Office of Grants management told the council, that could lead to uncertainty in the county’s budget process.

    “So much is still up in the air,” Murphy said. “The White House continues to issue new directives, new executive orders, new policy statements on almost a daily basis.”

    “There’s no evidence yet that Montgomery County is being targeted in any way. We just see broad cuts to programs that help our residents being reduced,” Murphy added.

    He said his office has been diligent about compliance and meeting deadlines to prevent any losses of grant funding.

    County Council member Andrew Friedson said he was “sobered” by the testimony from Bruskin and Murphy: “The reality is the impact on the social safety net is beyond alarming.”

    Looking ahead, Council member Evan Glass said, “Thankfully, we do have fiscal stewardship that has afforded us to have a rainy-day fund, and we will have to have very tough conversations moving forward about how we ensure our social safety net is strong using those funds.”

    Council member Gabe Albornoz said the county will continue to hedge against any further cuts.

    “I want our public to know this is all hands on deck,” he said. “We’ve been through crises before — we have. The recession, COVID, now this. We’ll get through this, we just have to remain on the same page.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Water cremation added as funeral option in Montgomery County – WTOP News

    Cremating remains through a process involving water for a more sustainable option is now approved in Montgomery County, Maryland.

    Cremating remains through a process involving water is now approved in Montgomery County, Maryland, with supporters arguing it’s a more sustainable and affordable option.

    Water cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis, uses water, alkaline chemicals and heat in a watertight vessel to “accelerate the natural decomposition process,” according to a news release from the Montgomery County Council.

    The council unanimously approved the new zoning amendment to facilitate the process, which is already available in 20 states.

    It was legalized in Maryland in 2024 under the Green Death Care Options Act.

    “Families have been asking for this choice because it’s safe, sustainable, and more affordable than other options,” Montgomery County Council member Natali Fani-González, who introduced the amendment, said in a news release. “This legislation ensures that Montgomery County residents no longer have to look outside our borders to honor their loved ones in a way that reflects both dignity and environmental responsibility.”

    Water cremation creates an ash that can then be placed in an urn and returned to families.

    The byproduct of water cremation is 95% water, which is “safely discharged as wastewater after pH adjustment,” according to the news release.

    There are no direct emissions or smoke from the process, according to the council.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Valerie Bonk

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  • Montgomery Co. Council member gets emotional during Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony – WTOP News

    When the Montgomery County Council held its Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony Tuesday, Council member Gabe Albornoz gave his colleagues a heads up — it would be emotional for him.

    WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.

    When the Montgomery County Council held its Hispanic Heritage Month ceremony Tuesday, Council member Gabe Albornoz gave his colleagues a heads up — it would be emotional for him.

    Albornoz, the son of immigrants, held up a copy of the program for his mother’s 1971 naturalization ceremony.

    After taking a deep breath, he began to read from a letter to his mother from then-Rep. Paul Sarbanes. His voice shaking, he read, “I want to congratulate you … on becoming an American citizen.”

    He also held up an English-Spanish dictionary given to him by his grandmother. Albornoz joked that he had always assumed she gave it to him because she was decluttering her meticulously kept home, but said, “I realize all these years later, that she didn’t want me to forget where I came from.”

    “This is the most important Hispanic Heritage Month of my lifetime,” Albornoz said. “It’s hard to be in this room and not feel the sadness and the anger and the tension of what’s happening and transpiring in this country right now.”

    “What warms my heart, and what gives me hope is all of you. Look at this room!”

    Albornoz announced a few weeks ago he would not be running for reelection to the council, saying in a Facebook post, “Serving the county that I love and have proudly called home my entire life has truly been an honor. It has been both humbling and deeply meaningful to represent this community as an elected official.”

    He noted Tuesday that the Hispanic community is made up of people from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers and scientists.

    “We have the best of the best,” he said. “We are here, we are proud and we are not leaving!”

    After concluding his speech, Albornoz turned to his colleague on the council, Natali Fani-González, who gave him a hug before she began her remarks with a shake of her head.

    “I am so proud to live in Montgomery County, and … I’m very proud to serve with each one of you,” she said of her fellow council members.

    Like Albornoz, Fani-González described the concerns she has for the immigrant community in Montgomery County as the federal government continues a crackdown on illegal immigration that’s swept up citizens in its enforcement actions.

    “I’ve got to say, it’s hard for me as an immigrant to recognize this country today,” Fani-González said. “I think we need now more than ever we need to embrace our culture.”

    Noting Montgomery County’s reputation as a community that prides itself on its diversity, she said, “We are in a very difficult time, and it will take all of us to keep working together and keep defending what we have today.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Montgomery County Council celebrates African Heritage Month – WTOP News

    The Montgomery County Council is celebrating African Heritage Month as part of the county’s drive to “work toward being an inclusive community.”

    When Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore proclaimed September African Heritage Month in 2024, he said it was a time to mark the “significant contributions of African immigrants to the state’s cultural, social and economic landscape.”

    In Montgomery County, which has commemorated African Heritage Month for more than a decade, County Council President Kate Stewart said, “Over 16% of the overall immigrant population in our county is from Africa,” and celebrating that is part of the county’s drive to “work toward being an inclusive and welcoming community.”

    At Tuesday’s council meeting, where officials celebrated Moore’s proclamation, Council member Will Jawando talked about his own roots.

    “My father came here from Nigeria in 1970, and I carry that part of my identity with me every day” Jawando said.

    The African immigrant population has grown statewide in Maryland. In Baltimore, Cindy Ogide, whose own roots are in the Ivory Coast, works as the health and human services manager for CASA, a national immigrant advocacy organization.

    Asked what she wishes people knew about Africa, Ogide said they should be aware that it’s a continent, not a country.

    “It’s a continent of 54 diverse countries, culture and tribes,” Ogide said.

    It’s not uncommon for people to stumble over African names, whether it’s at a public meeting where speakers are being introduced, or in private settings. In each case, Ogide urged people not to hesitate to ask how to pronounce a name.

    And Ogide said people of African descent shouldn’t be shy about offering a correct pronunciation, “because it is part of who we are and it has a meaning, so we should be proud of it.”

    Ogide mentioned the incredible diversity of languages, cultures and foods in Africa.

    Asked about the signature dish of Ivory Coast, she didn’t hesitate to describe achecke, or attiéké, granulated cassava.

    “It’s often served with grilled fish, and also some fried plantain on the side with a little bit of tomato stew,” and some onions and tomatoes as well, she said.

    “When you say you’re from the Ivory Coast, that’s the number one thing people ask, like, ‘Do you got some achecke?’ It’s the best, I can even taste it in my mouth right now,” she told WTOP, laughing.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Kate Ryan

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  • Reported immigration enforcement near middle school raises concern in Montgomery County – WTOP News

    Montgomery County officials are trying to reassure communities rattled by an incident involving the immigration arrest of two men near a Silver Spring middle school.

    Montgomery County officials are trying to reassure communities rattled by an incident involving the arrest of two men near a Silver Spring middle school in Maryland.

    According to an account posted by Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink on her Facebook page, an Eastern Middle School parent described the arrest as being carried out by “Two heavily armed, masked men.” The parent said two men were chased, detained and then walked handcuffed along the sidewalk near the school.

    In a message to the Montgomery County school community posted on the school system’s website on Tuesday, Montgomery County Public School Superintendent Thomas Taylor referred to the Sept. 10 incident as a “federal immigration enforcement action,” and said, “For many in our community, immigration enforcement is not simply a policy issue; it is deeply personal.”

    Taylor restated his commitment to what he called “Strict Protocols for Immigration Enforcement Visits” and described the procedures that the schools follow in those cases.

    During a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich called the incident “destabilizing” for children who witnessed it, which happened when children and parents were arriving for the morning drop-off at the middle school.

    “I’m sure that makes the kids even more nervous about coming to school, and that’s the last thing we need,” he said.

    Erlich said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Council officials that they weren’t going to do enforcement actions at schools.

    During Elrich’s briefing, Louisa Cardona, recently appointed the county’s assistant chief administrative officer, urged families to “please make sure that your family has a family preparedness plan, please encourage your neighbors” to do the same, she said, suggesting that families contact the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center for more information.

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  • Montgomery County’s Planning Board lays out development plans for a 3.5 mile stretch of University Boulevard – WTOP News

    Montgomery County’s Planning Board has released a bold new vision for the University Boulevard Corridor. The 20-year plan proposes a mix of low-density residential and high-density mixed-use development near five future Bus Rapid Transit stations.

    Montgomery County’s Planning Board presented its proposed development plans for the University Boulevard Corridor on Tuesday morning.

    “It looks for the next 20-plus years and delivers recommendations that can improve everyone’s experience along the corridor,” Planning Board Chair Artie Harris told county council members.

    The plan covers a 3.5-mile stretch of University Boulevard from Interstate 495 to Amherst Avenue.

    According to the draft of the plan submitted to the council, the plan is designed to support lower density “predominantly” residential development between five bus-rapid-transit, or BRT, stations, and higher density mixed-use development near those planned stations.

    “The plan’s recommended zoning changes would not lead to change unless a property owner decides to pursue a development,” said Carrie Sanders, east county division chief for the planning department.

    Sanders also said that in cases that allow more density, “Generally, the buildings facing the corridor between the transit stations, the five stations, will have a height of up to 50 feet.”

    According to planning board staff, a chief focus of the plan includes improving transportation safety. A video played at Tuesday morning’s council meeting pointed out that between 2015 and 2024, there have been 38 severe injury crashes and four fatal crashes along the corridor.

    Included in the plan is consolidating, removing or relocating driveways from University Boulevard to side streets and alleys and “limit future driveways.”

    The 11-member council had no questions after the presentations.

    There has been concern from residents in the areas under the University Boulevard Corridor plan. The public will get a chance to offer comment on the plan.

    On Wednesday night, a public hearing will be held at Montgomery Blair High School starting at 7 p.m. A second public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Montgomery County Council building in Rockville.

    Ahead of Wednesday’s public hearing, a neighborhood group under the name of EPIC of MoCo plans on holding, what it’s calling, a “Funeral for Affordable Homes and Community Stability.”

    The draft plan states that part of the goal of the plan is to “preserve existing market rate affordable housing where practicable, striving for no net loss of market rate affordable housing in the event of redevelopment.”

    Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has also objected to the plan. In a Sept. 2 memo to Council President Kate Stewart, Elrich wrote, “It is focused solely on producing as much housing as possible without adequately addressing the other essential elements of a master plan.”

    Elrich also criticized the plans laid out regarding BRT, writing, “This plan is based on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line that does not exist and is not even in the planning stage.”

    The council’s Planning, Housing and Parks Committee is tentatively scheduled to begin its review of the plan on Sept. 29.

    Editor’s Note: WTOP has a property within the zone that’s part of the University Boulevard Corridor plan.

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    Kate Ryan

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  • New affordable housing development in North Bethesda stands on site of former Metro parking lot – WTOP News

    New affordable housing development in North Bethesda stands on site of former Metro parking lot – WTOP News

    A new affordable housing development in North Bethesda in Maryland stands on the site of a former Metro parking lot.

    Housing, transit and local officials cut the ribbon on a new housing development in Montgomery County, Maryland. (Courtesy Strathmore Square)

    “We want to make sure that everybody in Montgomery County has a place to live.”

    That’s what the Maryland county’s council President Andrew Friedson said minutes before cutting the ribbon at Strathmore Square in North Bethesda.

    Backing up to Rock Creek Park, next to the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station, Ravel and Royale is the newest affordable housing project in the county.

    It’s Metro’s fourth development in 2024, totaling 1,300 new housing units. Metro worked on the project in partnership with Fivesquares Development, Strathmore, Aimco, Amazon Housing Equity Fund and Montgomery County officials.

    The Amazon fund makes the apartments available to a range of income levels.

    “Here, we actually have gone from a commuter parking lot to a new community,” Andy Altman, with Five Squares Development, said.

    “This has become, and will continue to be, a model for how we are turning parking lots into places,” Friedson said. “In land use, we often focus on the what and the where. The what is housing at Metro; the most sustainable, most transit-oriented place possible. The where is critical for environmental and equity reasons, for economic reasons. But the why is just as important. The why is about the arts, the why is about the connection to the environmental footprint right here in a critical area.”

    The connection to the arts is particularly apparent in the developing Strathmore Square neighborhood.

    “As I walked up to this incredible structure, I walked by and saw ballet taking place,” Friedson said.

    The new affordable housing project is located right next to The Music Center at Strathmore and also sits above City Dance.

    “Dance rehearsals happen here every day,” said Monica Jeffries, the president and CEO of Strathmore. “Imagine life in a community enlivened by the arts, and today we’re living that vision.”

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  • Montgomery Co. Council passes $7 billion budget, criticizes proposed school cuts – WTOP News

    Montgomery Co. Council passes $7 billion budget, criticizes proposed school cuts – WTOP News

    The Montgomery County Council has approved a $7.1 billion budget that included funding on the same day teachers urged the school board to avoid cutting up to 300 positions.

    The Montgomery County Council has approved a $7.1 billion budget that included funding on the same day teachers urged the school board to avoid cutting up to 300 positions.

    According to a statement from the Montgomery County Education Association, which represents teachers and school staff, the Montgomery County Board of Education called for a reduction in force.

    The MCEA statement said the group “vigorously rejects this ill-conceived plan” and said that the membership was “shocked to learn of MCPS’ plan for layoffs and the cancellation of new contracts.”

    Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson noted that the council approved funding 99.2% of the school system’s budget request.

    Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass blasted the school board during the council voting session Thursday, saying that the council had been deliberating on budget plans for months.

    Referring to the school board, which started its Thursday meeting with a closed-door session, Glass complained about the timing of the move.

    “And they’re giving us information now of their decision? Shame on them. Blindsiding us, blindsiding our educators, blindsiding the entire community,” Glass said.

    Councilmember Kristin Mink — who, along with Councilmember Will Jawando, abstained from voting on the school board budget — repeated her own concerns that the council needed to increase funding to schools.

    Mink said it was clear from earlier deliberations that the school planned some belt-tightening measures.

    “I know there are concerns out there about whether or not — is this really real, or is this crying wolf,” Mink said. She added that the cuts could damage the school system’s hiring efforts “for years and years to come.”

    “No teachers are going to come to Montgomery County if they know that your contract could be broken” or that new hires could see job offers rescinded, Mink concluded.

    ‘More support, not less’

    Jawando, who heads the council’s Education and Culture Committee, said 143 teachers could be fired, while 177 teachers offered contracts could see them rescinded.

    “If you take those numbers together, that’s 320 teachers,” Jawando said. “The bottom line is that a significant number of teachers will be gone.”

    Referring to the cuts, Jawando said we “can’t let this happen.”

    “One thing I’m clear on is our students need more, not less,” he said. “Our teachers need more support, not less.”

    During the school board meeting on Thursday, Jennifer Martin, current president of MCEA, urged the board to meet with them to discuss alternatives to layoffs and cancelled contracts, prompting dozens of MCEA members in the audience to stand and applaud.

    “To our staff, I want to say, we do not make these decisions easily and they are not our first choice,” school board president Karla Silvestre said at the Thursday meeting.

    ‘Difficult decisions that may be necessary’

    On Friday, after WTOP asked for comment from a member of the school board, Liliana Lopez, Communications Director for the Board of Education, included a link to a “community message” from Interim Superintendent Monique Felder and Board President Karla Silvestre.

    “We have previously shared with County Council members, our employee bargaining unit associations and our community partners the difficult decisions that may be necessary to address the significant financial constraints our county is facing,” the joint statement said.

    “Lately, there has been public discussion about $13.7 million in contractual services that were not itemized in a list given to County Council and the employee bargaining unit associations’ leadership. The list was intended to share information about major contracts and present examples of major contracts by budget category.”

    MCPS didn’t include specific information on the number of positions that could be affected by the ongoing budget concerns.

    The school board meets on July 11 to approve its budget.

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  • ‘There’s a lot coming at you’: Montgomery Co. Council members suggest need for a full-time school board – WTOP News

    ‘There’s a lot coming at you’: Montgomery Co. Council members suggest need for a full-time school board – WTOP News

    Given the current school board structure and the wide array of issues they are expected to oversee, Council member Gabe Albornoz said: “I just worry that we’re not built to be able to do that in a way that’s effective enough.”

    Expressing both frustration over the Montgomery County school system’s oversight of personnel issues and sympathy for the breadth of the Board of Education’s responsibilities, several county council members suggested there’s a need to go from a part-time to a full-time school board.

    At Thursday’s county council hearing on the school system’s response to an Inspector General’s report, Council member Gabe Albornoz told Board of Education members that they get “what amounts to a stipend,” with salaries of $25,000 for the oversight of a school system that operates on a budget of $3.2 billion dollars.

    Albornoz told board members the school system is dealing with the fallout from the pandemic, including “literacy scores and math scores that are catastrophically low.” He said schools are seeing behavioral health challenges among students, “and our kids are screaming for help.”

    But, he continued, given the current school board structure and the wide array of issues they are expected to oversee, Albornoz said: “I just worry that we’re not built to be able to do that in a way that’s effective enough.”

    Council member Evan Glass told school board members they have an incredibly difficult job.

    “It is hard. There’s a lot coming at you,” but Glass said the current part-time nature of the board’s positions doesn’t create a situation where they can tackle the issues the school system faces.

    Glass said a board of education compensation commission reported in 2019 that board members should get salaries commensurate with full-time positions. Glass said in its report, that committee recommended salaries of $60,000 a year.

    “We could have a public conversation about it,” Glass said, referring to the salary recommendation, but he continued: “We need you to succeed. We need you to have the time and the staff to do your due diligence on a $3.2 billion dollar budget.”

    Council member Marilyn Balcombe agreed with Albornoz and Glass about “expecting a part-time board to do a full-time task,” saying, “It’s an impossible task, to ask the board to oversee a budget as large as you do and then to oversee everything about the school system.”

    The calls for a possible overhaul of the school board structure came during an at-times contentious hearing Thursday as county council members grilled school officials and school board members about issues outlined in an Inspector General’s report on long-standing failures by the school system to address the handling of allegations of employee misconduct across the system.

    Board members and newly appointed Interim Superintendent of Schools Monique Felder told the board Thursday that they are committed to addressing the issues in the OIG’s report and implementing the IG’s recommendations.

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    Kate Ryan

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