Progress of snow removal operations... To track the progress of snow removal operations, please visit the new online map tool of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation that shows the progress of snow plows throughout the County and indicates when emergency roads, primary neighborhood streets and neighborhood streets have been cleared. A zoom feature allows residents to focus on the plow status of their immediate neighborhood and surrounding streets and then zoom out to check out on an entire trip route. Residents are also be able to report missing streets directly from the map. Please remember that primary and secondary routes are plowed first until they are clear for emergency vehicle use at which time crews commence neighborhood plowing. For more information, click here.

East County Area Town Hall Meeting... The Montgomery County Council will continue its efforts to find out what issues most concern residents when it hosts a Town Hall Meeting for the East County area on Wednesday, Feb. 2. The meeting at Francis Scott Key Middle School in Silver Spring will start at 7:30 p.m. Press Release

Councilmember Nancy Navarro Visits Liberty's Promise Class in Wheaton High School... Councilmember Nancy Navarro visited Liberty's Promise class in Wheaton High School this past December to talk about county government and her experiences as an immigrant. Click here to Learn more about Liberty's Promise.

Bill Providing Equal Benefits to Same Sex Domestic Partners of Employees of County Contractors Becomes Law... A bill that extends equal benefits to same-sex domestic partners of many contractors and subcontractors performing work for Montgomery County-a benefit already granted to County employees-became law on Jan. 1. Councilmember Nancy Navarro was the chief sponsor of Bill 37-09, which was unanimously approved by the Council in February, 2009 and also had the support of County Executive Isiah Leggett. In the picture above, Councilmember Navarro speaks at a news conference on Bill 37-09 in November, 2009. For more information, click here.

17th County Council... The 17th County Council of Montgomery County was inaugurated on Dec. 6, 2010. Each member was elected to a four-year term. Seated, left to right: Roger Berliner, Valerie Ervin, Nancy Floreen and George Leventhal. Standing: Hans Riemer, Craig Rice, Marc Elrich, Nancy Navarro and Phil Andrews.

Snow Removal Public Forum... On November 17, 2010 Councilmember Nancy Navarro hosted a public forum on the County's snow removal operations. The forum was organized in response to last winter's record storms that generated hundreds of complaints to Councilmember Navarro's office from residents who believed their streets were not plowed in a timely fashion. Residents also expressed concerns about coordination with utility companies. Keith Compton, chief of the Division of Highway Services of the County Department of Transportation (right), presented detailed information to residents about the County's snow removal operations.

Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget... The Montgomery County's Office of Legislative Oversight will host a community meeting for the East County on its report evaluating options to address the County's structural budget challenges on February 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the East County Regional Services Center located at 3300 Briggs Chaney Road in Silver Spring. Click here to view the report entitled "Achieving a Structurally Balanced Budget in Montgomery County"

NO. 1 FALCONS... The Good Counsel High School football team was honored by the Montgomery County Council on Feb. 2 for finishing as the No. 1 team in the Washington Metropolitan Area in 2009. The Falcons had an 11-1 record in the best season in the school's 51-year history. Among those at the ceremonies, in front, left to right, were: Councilmember Nancy Navarro, Good Counsel Coach Bob Milloy and Principal Jack Graham, and Councilmember Mike Knapp. Coach Milloy, in his ninth season at Good Counsel and the winner of eight Maryland public school titles at Springbrook and Sherwood, is the all-time winningest coach in Maryland history with a career record of 343-104-1.

OUTSTANDING PROMOTION... On March 9, the Montgomery County Council recognized the White Oak Campus of the Food and Drug Administration for its initiatives to minimize traffic within the campus community and for making its new campus accessible to alternative modes of transportation. At the ceremony was, from left to right: Councilmember Valerie Ervin; Betsey Bretz, Marc Bloom, Andrew Dempster and Deane Murphy of the FDA; and Councilmember Nancy Navarro.

2010 CENSUS... Nancy Navarro, left, discusses strategies to boost participation in the 2010 U.S. Census with U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, right. Senator Mikulski visited the County Council in November to discuss ways the County and Federal governments can work together.

DRIVING INTO A GREENER FUTURE... Councilmember Navarro takes the wheel at the demonstration of BGE's new plug-in hybrid vehicle, and learns about BGE's plans to create a smart energy grid that would reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SENIORS... Nancy Navarro attends a Leisure World event with former state Senator Leonard Teitelbaum, left, Delegate Hank Heller, and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. Leisure World is the largest retirement community in Montgomery County, and accounts for one of the largest constituency groups in District 4. Recently, Councilmember Navarro organized a District 4 Senior Advisory Group.

EQUAL BENEFITS FOR CONTRACTORS... Montgomery County District 4 Councilmember Nancy Navarro gave details of an "equal benefits" bill that she introduced before the Council. The legislation will extend to employees of many contractors and subcontractors performing work for the County the same benefits already granted to County employees. Since 2000, the County has extended equal benefits to same sex domestic partners of County employees.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES... The 20th anniversary of the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation was recognized on Oct. 13 by the Montgomery County Council. The non-profit organization provides college scholarships for low-income MCPS students, offers resources for academic-enrichment opportunities and equipment for students and staff and gives grants to MCPS for technology programs and instruction. For the 2009-10 school year, the Foundation awarded $275,000 in scholarship assistance to more than 115 students. County Councilmember Nancy Navarro, center, presented a proclamation on behalf of the Council honoring the organization. Attending the ceremonies were, left to right: Sandy Shmookler, Jim Cafritz, Linda Plummer, Barbara Weintraub, Jean Young, Councilmember Navarro, Aruna Miller, former County Councilmember Esther Gelman, Barry Meyer and Jon Enten.