Councilmembers - Michael Knapp - Photo Gallery

Michael Knapp , Democrat - District 2 (View Detailed Map) Council President Represents: Upcounty and western areas of Montgomery County, including the communities of Barnesville, Boyds, Clarksburg, Damascus, Germantown, Laytonsville, Montgomery Village, Olney, and Poolesville Chair: Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee Member: Public Safety Committee , Education Committee Council of Governments: Chairman (2008); Member, Transportation Planning Board Home News Photo Gallery Click Here for a Video Welcome "The Open Mike" -- Councilmember Knapp's Online Newsletter  (click here for the most recent issue) "Starting With The Socks" -- Councilmember Knapp's Blog

BREAKING NEW GROUND IN OLNEY … Leaders from MedStar Health, Montgomery General Hospital and the Montgomery County Council ceremoniously broke ground on Feb. 1 for a $30 million expansion project at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney that will provide increased patient care services to those in the community, including a new emergency department. Getting the project started, left to right: Steve Shimoura, immediate past president of Montgomery General medical staff; Nancy Floreen, Montgomery County Councilmember; E. F. Shaw Wilgis, MedStar Health board chair; Kenneth A. Samet, MedStar Health president and CEO; Peter W. Monge, Montgomery General president; Donald Sweeney, incoming Montgomery General board chair; Sara Watkins, Montgomery General board chair; and Joan Murphy, Montgomery General women’s board president. Earlier, Montgomery County Council President Mike Knapp and Councilmember Floreen presented a proclamation saluting the hospital’s long commitment to the community and marking the merger of Montgomery General with MedStar Health, the region’s largest nonprofit health system.

ASIAN LUNAR NEW YEAR … Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Montgomery County Council recently joined with leaders of the County’s Asian community to help celebrate the Asian Lunar New Year. In the celebration cycle, the new year is the “Year of the Rat.” At the ceremonies in which proclamations were issued in recognition of the event were County Executive Leggett (ninth from left) and County Council President Mike Knapp (10th from left).

HOUSING FIRST … A new initiative proposed by Montgomery County Councilmembers Mike Knapp, left, and George Leventhal, at podium, that would seek to significantly reduce homelessness was announced on Dec. 18 in Gaithersburg. The initiative, modeled after the national philosophy of ‘Housing First,” would provide permanent housing—and follow-up social support. The first year of the initiative, which will be addressed by the Council during the Fiscal Year 2009 budget discussions, would re-allocate already identified funds to help the homeless and would not require new funds. Supporting the new initiative were Sharan London, executive director of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (third from left), and Nan Roman, president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

GETTING THEIR KICKS … The Montgomery County Council on Dec. 11 honored the Quince Orchard High School girls soccer team, which this fall won the Maryland 4A state championship and finished 17-2. The Cougars set team single-season records with 17 victories, 56 goals, 46 assists and 10 consecutive victories. A proclamation recognizing those accomplishments was presented by Council President Mike Knapp, left, and Council Vice President Phi Andrews, third from left. Among those celebrating were Quince Orchard Principal Carole Working, second from left, and Coach Peg Keiller, second from right.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS … Montgomery County on Dec. 11 released the results of its first independent residents’ survey in 13 years. Among the results were that 86 percent of respondents thought Montgomery County was a good place to live. At a news conferencing announcing the results, County Council President Mike Knapp, center, and County Executive Isiah Leggett, right, said the survey results also show where the County must improve. Helping explain how the survey was conducted was Tom Miller, left, of the National Research Center in Boulder, Colo. Complete survey results are available on this Web site.

BREAKING NEW GROUND … Elected officials and representatives from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services joined community members on Thursday, Nov. 29, to break ground for the new one-story, 16,770-square foot Germantown/Kingsview Fire Station at the intersection of Route 118 and Clopper Road.  When completed in late 2008, the station will be the first new Fire and Rescue facility built in Germantown since 1980. Getting the construction started, left to right: International Association of Fire Fighters No. 1664 President John Sparks, Maryland State Senator Charles Barkley, Montgomery County Fire Chief Thomas Carr, County Executive Isiah Leggett, County Councilmembers Phil Andrews and Mike Knapp, State Delegate Craig Rice, State Senator Nancy King, Councilmember Marc Elrich and County Volunteer Fire Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe.

RIGHT ON TRACK … Train Day in Damascus celebrated its 20th anniversary on Nov. 10 as more than 1,000 people of all ages were thrilled by the model train displays and other train-related exhibitions that filled the Damascus Library. County Councilmember Mike Knapp (third from left) presented a proclamation from the Montgomery County Council recognizing the growth of the event, that began with the display of just one layout two decades ago. Among those accepting the proclamation were members of the Fry family, which started the event and has continued to help it grow, including Anita (second from left) and Bob (fourth from left) Fry.

CONSTITUTION WEEK … The Montgomery County Council on Sept. 18 issued a proclamation declaring “Constitution Week” in recognition of those who helped draft the nation’s constitution. Council Vice-President Mike Knapp presented the proclamation to Patricia Johnson of the Goshen Mills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Most members of the Goshen Mills Chapter live in northern Montgomery County.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE … The Montgomery County Council on June 12 saluted the George B. Thomas Learning Academy for 20 years of helping Montgomery County students. Thomas (holding proclamation) said the academy’s goal was simple: “Our mission is to enhance the academic achievement of students. … We believe we make a difference.” Presenting the proclamation was Councilmember Mike Knapp (center).

COUGARS ROAR … The achievements of several Quince Orchard High School athletic programs were recognized with proclamations by the Montgomery County Council in April. The Cougars field hockey team (above) was honored for winning a Maryland 4A state championship. Councilmember Phil Andrews (second from left) presented the proclamation. Also honored were the state champion boys cross-country team and Mike Mascio, who won the Maryland 3A/4A 160-pound state wrestling championship.

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH … The County Council has declared April to be Autism Awareness Month in Montgomery County. Councilmember Mike Knapp, right, presented a proclamation at a recent Council meeting to representatives of the Montgomery County Chapter of the Autism Society of America. The proclamation notes that “autism is the third most common developmental disability, affecting an average of one child in every 150 … a cure for autism has not been found, but persons with autism can be helped to reach their greatest potential.”