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November 2019
Our New Police Chief
Last week I was pleased to join all of my colleagues in voting for Marcus Jones to be our new Police Chief.
Jones has served the Montgomery County Police Department for more than 30 years and has earned the respect of his colleagues. After an extensive police chief search, the Council unanimously confirmed Jones to lead the county's 1,300-member force.
During the confirmation hearing, I asked Jones about his commitment to two issues of great importance to me and many in our community: making our roads safer for all, and training police officers on best practices toward engaging the LGBTQ+ community.
You can watch my discussion with Chief Jones here.
Bringing New Jobs to the County
Welcome to Montgomery County, Truebill!
I was proud to facilitate this tech startup’s move from San Francisco to Silver Spring, with the goal of creating 95 jobs over the next four years.
The founders of this innovative company happen to be three brothers who graduated from Blair High School, so the ribbon cutting celebration was actually more like a homecoming celebration. Adding to the festive spirit was the CEO’s announcement of $15 million in new investments for the growing company!
I’m looking forward to facilitating more homecomings and relocations to Montgomery County, where business owners know we are a great place to live, work and play!
Increasing School Capacity and Affordable Housing
Last month I introduced the Housing Impact Fairness Act to make our housing laws more fair and equitable. Under current law, any new residential construction (be it a studio or one bedroom apartment, a townhouse or new home) is required to pay an impact tax — a fee that supports our growing infrastructure needs. But one type of new housing is currently exempt from contributing to the fee –– newly rebuilt homes (aka teardowns).
These new, larger homes are built on a site where an original home was demolished. Based on ten years of data from the Planning Department, these teardowns are on average 4,200 square feet and sell for $1.75 million.
By closing this loophole, the Planning Department anticipates that the county will generate $100 million over the next decade, of which $57 million will go toward school construction and $47 million will go toward increasing affordable housing initiatives.
Donating winter clothes for those in need
Nonprofits are the engines of impact in our community, and organizations like Interfaith Works rely heavily on our support. In preparation for the winter season, my husband and I donated gently used clothes that we knew would be better used by residents in need.
As you're doing your own fall cleaning, I encourage you to donate your clothing to a good charity so that neighbors can be warm this winter season.
Watch this short video to learn more about Interfaith Works and their donation center.
Interfaith Works Clothing Center
WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi show
On October 18, I was a guest on WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi show, where I talked about a wide range of issues, including affordable housing, the Kirwan Commission, reforms to our police department and the need to access mental health resources.
You can listen to the interview and read the transcript here.
Honoring the life of George Peck
Residents from across Montgomery County came together and honored the life of George Peck, an African American citizen who was killed during an act of domestic terrorism in Poolesville in 1880.
The soil collected from the site of his murder will be used for the Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project to foster greater dialogue about truth and reconciliation.
Rest In Peace, Mr. Peck.
DID YOU KNOW…?
Veterans who live in Maryland can receive legal help from the Veterans Legal Assistance program. The Legal Assistance program can help with disability compensation, pensions, discharge upgrades and criminal record expungement.
They offer services on the 4th Tuesday of every month, from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., at the Gaithersburg Community Based Outpatient Center. You can schedule an appointment by calling (410) 387-3126.
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