Vote by Mail Applications Available Now

Here's the full press release from the Board of Elections:

Any registered voter who wants to vote by mail may request an application online to vote in the Presidential General Election as long as they have a Maryland driver’s license or MVA-issued ID card. If you request a vote by mail ballot, it will be your official ballot and you will not be able to vote on the paper based, digital image scan voting system at the polls on Election Day on November 8, or during Early Voting, October 27 – November 3.

To apply for a vote by mail ballot, visit our website – www.777vote.org – and select Vote by Mail. Follow the instructions for completing the application which may be mailed, faxed (240-777-8560) or e-mailed absentee@montgomerycountymd.gov) to the Board of Elections. To obtain an application for another person, please call 240-777-8550 for detailed information.

The deadlines for receipt of your completed application are as follows: 

• If you want your ballot mailed to you, your deadline is Tuesday, November 1, 2016. If you mail or deliver this form, your election office must have it by 8 pm. If you fax or email it, they must have it by 11:59 pm. 
• If you want to print your on-line delivery ballot from the State Board of Elections’ website, your deadline is Friday, November 4, 2016. If you mail or deliver this form, your election office must have it by 5 pm. If you fax or email it, they must have it by 11:59 pm. 

 After the aforementioned dates, absentee ballot applications need to be requested in person at our office – 18753 N. Frederick Avenue, Suite 210, in Gaithersburg. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. During Early Voting, October 27 – November 3, the office is open from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 15 and November 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; on October 22 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sunday October 23 and November 6 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections wishes to remind voters that impersonating another voter or casting a ballot on behalf of another person is a crime. If you see or hear of any attempted vote fraud, contact the State Attorney’s Office at 410-576-6300 or 1-888-743-0023 toll free in Maryland or via TDD at 410-576-6372.

For more information on voting by mail call 240-777-VOTE, visit www.777vote.org, our mobile app at m.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections, the Maryland State Board of Elections’ website at http://elections.state.md.us, or follow the Montgomery County Board of Elections on Facebook or Twitter.

Your Time, Your Voice, Your Vote!

Media Contact: 240-777-8625

Pop Up Programs in the Parks

Stop by one of these free Montgomery Parks' Pop Up programs scheduled this fall for various urban parks:

• September 1, 8, 15 at 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Seated Massage, Caroline Freeland Urban Park, 7200 Arlington Road, Bethesda
• September 10 and October 1 at 10 a.m. - Noon: Tai Chi, Fairview Urban Park, 8900 Fairview Road, Silver Spring
• September 17 and 25 at 11 a.m.- Noon: Bollywood Dancing, Elm Street Urban Park, 4600 Elm Street, Bethesda

No registration is required, just show up!

Holiday Schedule for Labor Day

Here's our holiday schedule for Labor Day, Monday, September 5:

• County Offices – closed
• Libraries – closed
• County Liquor stores – all Country liquor stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All stores with Monday deliveries will get their morning deliveries at the normal time.
• Recreation – Bethesda, Germantown, Western County, Wheaton/Glenmont and MLK outdoor aquatic facilities will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Olney Indoor Swim Center will be open normal hours; all other indoor aquatic facilities, as well as the Long Branch and Upper County outdoor pools, will be closed. Administrative offices, senior centers and community centers are closed.
• Montgomery Parks - For operating schedule, visit www.MontgomeryParks.org
• Ride On – Will operate on a Sunday schedule
• Metrorail – Information available at www.wmata.com
• Metrobus – Information available at www.wmata.com
• TRiPS Commuter Stores (Silver Spring and Friendship Heights) – closed
• Refuse/recycling pickup – no collection. Collection provided one day later for remainder of the week. (Last collection is Saturday). More information available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sws/holidays/
• The Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station - closed
• Parking at public garages, lots, curbside meters – free
• MCPS Schools and Administrative Offices – closed 
• State offices and courts – closed

New President and CEO of Economic Development Corporation

The Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation has announced that David Petr will become the first president and Chief Executive Officer of the new public/private venture beginning September 6. Petr joins MCEDC from the Central Florida Development Council, Inc., where he was the president and CEO.

As the former president and CEO of the Central Florida Development Council, Petr successfully transitioned the organization from a public/private partnership to a private organization, while achieving record-setting job creation and capital investment results during his tenure. The MCEDC Board believes his unique talents in organizational transformation and team building, while running a high-performing economic development program, will align well to the immediate and long-term needs of MCEDC.

Petr expressed his excitement to come to Montgomery County and to be part of the bold, new public/private partnership. "There's never been a better time for Montgomery County. I am honored to fuel prosperity as one of the many leaders of the organization. Collaboration and creativity will drive us to deliver results for the residents of the County and region, and enhance our collective quality of life."

Last year the Council approved the reorganization of the County's Department of Economic Development into a new non-profit organization that would have more flexibility in many aspects--including retaining current businesses and attracting new ones to the County.

Town Hall Meeting for Olney

Let us know what matters most to you at our Town Hall Meeting for the Olney area on Wednesday, September 14, at Rosa Parks Middle School (19200 Olney Mill Road) beginning at 8 p.m. with a pre-meeting reception at 7:30. You can voice your opinions on specific issues and ask questions of us in an organized, but informal, setting. I hope to see you there.

The meeting will be taped for later broadcast on County Cable Montgomery (CCM—cable Channel 6 on Comcast and RCN, Channel 30 on Verizon). For more information about the Town Hall Meeting or about the broadcast times, call 240-777-7931.

Long Branch Apartment Fire: How to Help

Donations for Piney Branch Apartment Explosion Victims

MAIL (via check) FINANCIAL DONATION
Mail it to:
Montgomery Housing Partnership
(Attn: Long Branch Fire)
12200 Tech Road, Suite 250
Silver Spring, MD 20904
[*] Write LONG BRANCH FIRE in check memo

ON-LINE FINANCIAL DONATION
(Easiest - and preferred!)
[1] Go to: www.MHPartners.org
[2] Click on "Give Direct" (on right side of your screen)
[3] Input amount and credit card number
[*] Make sure you indicate LONG BRANCH FIRE in the 'comment' box:

GOODS (Toiletries, canned/boxed food, clothing)
CASH DONATIONS

CASA Welcome Center
734 University Blvd East
(Off University Blvd, just south of Piney Branch)

A Wider Circle
Phone #:301-608-3504
Address: 9151 Brookeville Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Call for pick-up
drop-off furniture 7 days a week

Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington
Phone #: 301-585-6556
Address: 501 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Make donations:
Cash Donations - Checks can be sent to ACSGW at 501 Sligo Avenue,
Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Make checks payable to ACSGW) Emergency Fund.
On-line and pay via PayPal and mark it “Other” or Emergency Fund @ www.acsgw.org
Clothing, houseware items, toiletries, blankets, sheets, etc. --- No furniture

ACSGW will be open for calls and services at the following days and times during this weekend:
Friday – 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Saturday – 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Sunday – 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Spanish speaking Case Manager at ACSGW for any help or questions.

Public Channels in HD Coming Soon

Soon you'll be able to watch Council meetings (and a lot of other good programming) in HD. Montgomery County’s community cable PEG (Public / Education / Government) television stations will take a big step in bringing in-depth local information to residents on October 1 when they add broadcasts in high definition to subscribers of Comcast and RCN services.

Under newly approved franchise agreements, you can continue to get broadcasts of the community stations on standard definition channels, but now you'll also get four HD station with a fifth HD community station to be added in 2018. If you subscribe to Verizon, you will continue to be able to view the community stations only in SD formats.

HDTV is a digital TV broadcasting format where the broadcast transmits widescreen pictures with more detail and quality than found in a standard analog television. HDTV is considered to be the best quality digital television format available. HDTV, which requires an HDTV tuner to view, provides the most detailed format of 1080i.

The PEG channels that will be available in HD are:

• Public access Montgomery Community Media (MCM—will broadcast on HD Channel 995 on Comcast, HD Channel 1055 on RCN).
• Government channel County Cable Montgomery (CCM—will broadcast on HD Channel 996 on Comcast, HD Channel 1056 on RCN).
• The community channels of the cities of Rockville and Takoma Park and of the Montgomery Municipal Channel will combine as the Municipal Broadcast Network (MBN—will broadcast on HD Channel 997 on Comcast, HD Channel 1057 on RCN).
• The combined education channels of Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery College (MCPS/MC—will broadcast on HD Channel 998 on Comcast, HD Channel 1058 on RCN).

Shop Tax-Free Week Starts Sunday

The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less, per item, are exempt from the state sales tax. Accessory items are not included. The Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week for 2016 is Sunday, August 14 - Saturday, August 20.

Send Your Fan Mail to Local Olympians

Show your support for the four County athletes who are going for the gold at the Summer Olympics. Every library branch has established a station where you can deliver fan mail or messages to the athletes.

Montgomery County is home to four of the 11 athletes representing Maryland on the 2016 U.S. Olympic roster. More than 10,500 athletes from 204 nations are expected to participate in 28 sports, including the highly anticipated reinstatement of golf and rugby.

• Jack Conger from Rockville will be competing in the 4x200m freestyle swimming event. Conger graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in 2013.
• Katie Ledecky, former gold medalist from the 2012 Olympics will compete in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle. Ledecky, from Bethesda, graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in 2015.
• Ashley Nee from Bethesda will compete in the canoe slalom. Nee graduated from Northwestern High School.
• Helen Maroulis, a former Col. Zadok Magruder High School student, is a wrestler who will be competing in the freestyle 53 kg.

You can stop by any of the library branches to drop-off your letters or cards. The fan mail stations will be available during regularly scheduled hours through August 21. The letters will be delivered to the athletes after the Olympics.

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair August 12-20

Mark your calendar for the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair August 12-20. This showcase of farm life in Montgomery County features live animals, carnival rides, a variety of entertainment, food and fun activities for all ages. Kids especially enjoy the opportunity to see all kinds of farm animals up close, including prize-winning goats, sheep, pigs, dairy cattle and horses. Live entertainment includes monster trucks, demolition derby, tractor pull and much more. You can also purchase quilting, clothing, canned goods, baked goods and vegetables from local farmers and enjoy arts and crafts exhibits of local youth.

Letter Requesting Delay of Beach Drive Closures until after Surge 10

The Chair of the T&E Committee and I sent this letter to the National Park Service asking for the delay of an upcoming rehabilitation project on Beach Drive in order to to avoid additional difficulties during Metro's Surge 10.

August 2, 2016

Tara D. Morrison, Superintendent
Rock Creek Park
National Park Service
3545 Williamsburg Lane NW
Washington, D.C. 20008-1207

Dear Superintendent Morrison:

We recently learned of the National Park Service’s plan to rehabilitate Beach Drive between the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and the Montgomery County/District of Columbia boundary.  We understand that the project will take three years to complete and will require four sequential closures of segments of Beach Drive, starting shortly after Labor Day.  Along with its recreational functions, Beach Drive is an important commuter route for Montgomery County residents reaching their jobs in downtown Washington, and its closures will mean longer commutes for our residents and more congestion on many District streets for the duration of the project.

We understand the need for this project.  However, the first phase of the rehabilitation comes at a very inopportune time, coinciding with the upcoming closure of a portion of Metrorail’s Red Line as part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s SafeTrack Program.  Specifically, it would overlap with SafeTrack’s Surge #10, which will shut down the Red Line between the Fort Totten and NoMa Stations for 23 days between October 10 and November 1.  Most of the rest of the Red Line will have much reduced service: 70% less between Silver Spring and Fort Totten; and 40% less between Grosvenor and NoMa.  WMATA estimates that Surge #10 will impact 108,000 trips every weekday during this period; this is by far the most impactive surge of the 15 WMATA has planned.

Although Montgomery County and Maryland are attempting to mitigate this lack of capacity by running free shuttle buses along the Red Line and are encouraging carpooling, biking, and other alternative modes of commuting, we suspect that a large proportion of the 108,000 weekday trips will be added to the street system, particularly Blair Road/North Capitol Street, Georgia Avenue, 13th Street, 16th Street, Connecticut Avenue, and Wisconsin Avenue.  This will slow down our residents’ commute and will further congest streets running through the District’s Wards 1-4.  The closure of Beach Drive between Calvert Street and Tilden Street—the first planned closure—will only serve to exacerbate the problem.

We urge you to postpone the first closure until after Surge #10 is completed on November 1.  We would like to meet with you very shortly to discuss how this can be accomplished.  My staff will be in touch to try to find a time this week.

Sincerely,

Nancy Floreen
President, Montgomery County Council

Roger Berliner
Vice-President, Montgomery County Council
Chair, Transportation Infrastructure Energy and Environment Committee

cc:
The Honorable Benjamin Cardin, U.S. Senate
The Honorable Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Senate
The Honorable Christopher Van Hollen, U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia
The Honorable Brianne Nadeau, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 1
The Honorable Jack Evans, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 2
The Honorable Mary Cheh, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 3
The Honorable Brandon Todd, D.C. Councilmember, Ward 4
Al Roshdieh, Director, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
Leif Dormsjo, Director, D.C. Department of Transportation
Montgomery County Councilmembers

Council Office Building Gets Solar Panels

The next time you are in the Council Office Building, take a look at our new rooftop solar panels. The solar energy system is expected to generate more than 53,000 kilowatt hours of energy each year.

The solar panel project at the Council Office Building is part of a larger Montgomery County initiative to generate clean solar energy on-site at County-owned facilities. With 75 percent of the projects completed, the Solar and Advanced Energy Initiative is on track to bring six megawatts of solar power on line this year. That is enough electricity to power more than 600 single-family homes.

The County’s solar projects will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 870 cars off the road or planting 100,000 trees. In addition, the projects will save the County $11 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

The Department of General Services deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the fantastic job they have been doing with renewable energy all over the County. Of course, this project seems extra special because it is so close to home for us, but it is really a part of a much larger program of sustainability.

Montgomery County has fully operating solar energy systems at 11 facilities, including the Gaithersburg Library, the Rockville Library, Potomac Community Center, Jane Lawton Recreation Center in Chevy Chase, the Up-County Regional Services Center in Germantown, the Silver Spring Civic Building, Fire Station No. 31 in North Potomac, the Montgomery County Circuit Court South Tower in Rockville, the Shady Grove Transfer Station, the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control in Darnestown and the Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center.

Red Line Metrorail Service Extremely Limited Starting August 1

To help you deal with the disruption to Metro during its safety improvements, here's some excellent information from Montgomery County Commuter Services:

It's Time: Make alternative commuting plans. Metrorail service on the Red Line will be extremely limited and slow during Metro's upcoming "Safety Surges" on these dates:

• August 1-7 (Continuous single tracking between Takoma and Silver Spring)
• August 9-18 (Continuous single tracking between Shady Grove and Twinbrook)
• October 10 - November 1 (Line segment shutdown between Ft. Totten and NoMa)

Plan for the Worst: Although each surge targets a limited section of the Red Line, you should expect major disruptions and very long delays throughout the entire loop between Shady Grove and Glenmont.

Choose Alternatives: Visit montgomerycountymd.gov/commute to explore your options.

• Montgomery County Ride On will provide additional bus service on certain routes and free shuttles between affected Metrorail stations. Ride On will also provide on-street ambassadors at affected Metrorail stations to help direct travelers to transit options. (WMATA plans to enhance Metrobus service in surge areas, too.)
• Consider MARC train, if your route aligns with their services.
• Bike sharing and car sharing can help you reach your destination when your nearest transit stop is a bit too far for walking. (Capital Bikeshare offers a special $2 single-trip fare during SafeTrack.)
• Join or form a carpool or vanpool. Call 240-773-TRIPS (8747), fill out the Commuter Connections ridematching form, or email us at mcdot.Trips.ss@montgomerycountymd.gov for ridesharing assistance.
• Download the Commuter Connections mobile app (available for iPhone, Android, Blackberry).

Employers, You Can Help

• Telework is a great option for coping with Metro's SafeTrack surges. (See below for info from our recent telework webinar.)
• Email mcdot.CommuterServices@montgomerycountymd.gov to arrange on-site commuter information fairs for your employees.

PARKing Day Makes Lots Fun

The full press release:

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging artists, planners, businesses, organizations, groups and individuals to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 16 by temporarily transforming a metered parking space into a fun, parklike spot. MCDOT has identified parking spaces in Silver Spring, Bethesda, Wheaton and Montgomery Hills for use by participants who are encouraged to creatively reimagine the urban landscape.

“PARK(ing) Day is an annual, global event that gives residents, businesses and organizations an opportunity to temporarily transform metered parking spaces and stimulate conversations about how we use our urban landscape,” said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh. “We hope PARK(ing) Day will encourage everyone to rethink their transportation choices to support infrastructure that is more transit-oriented, bikeable and walkable.”

PARK(ing) Day participants can choose from 80 different locations (each one comprised of two adjacent parking spaces) in the County’s parking districts. The spots were chosen with safety in mind. The use of parking spaces will be allowed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., including set up and tear down. There is no charge to participate in the event.

Those interested in taking part in PARK(ing) Day can get more information and apply online or by mail. Participants are required to meet certain guidelines that are spelled out in the application.

Get inspiration and see what others have done on past PARK(ing) Days online.

Learn more about International PARK(ing) Day.

Council Asks for Safety Improvements at Veirs Mill Road and Turkey Branch Parkway

Following the second fatal accident in less than a year at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Turkey Branch Parkway, the Council has asked Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, State Secretary of the Department of Transportation Peter Rahn and Administrator of the Maryland Highway Administration Gregory Johnson to take “more aggressive action to resolve the serious safety deficiencies at this intersection.”

Within the past week, a bicyclist was fatally injured on the road, which is near the crossing of the Matthew Henson Trail. After another bicyclist was killed near the same area in December, County Councilmember Nancy Navarro asked the State for improved safety measures at the intersection. The State Highway Administration responded by installing flashing yellow lights to make drivers aware that pedestrians and bicyclists may be in the area.

In the letter that went to the State official this week, the Council wrote: “While we appreciate the effort, we believe the flashers are insufficient to address the problem since they require motorists to slow down and exercise caution but not to stop. Drivers continue to exceed the 40-mph speed limit even when the light signal is activated. At these speeds, a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist is almost certainly fatal.

“In the wake of this latest tragedy, we urge you to take more aggressive action to resolve the serious safety deficiencies at this intersection.”

The complete text of the letters written by the County Council on July 20 and by Councilmember Navarro on Jan. 6:


July 20, 2016


The Honorable Larry Hogan, Governor 
100 State Circle 
Annapolis, Maryland  21401

Pete K. Rahn, Secretary 
Maryland Department of Transportation 
7201 Corporate Center Drive 
Hanover, Maryland  21076

Mr. Gregory C. Johnson, Administrator
State Highway Administration 
707 North Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland  21202

Dear Governor Hogan, Secretary Rahn and Administrator Johnson:

            Once again, we are mourning the loss of a young man who was struck and killed on Veirs Mill Road (MD 586) at the Matthew Henson Trail crossing. Less than a year ago, another bicyclist lost his life at the same intersection. With downhill approaches in both directions and high traffic volumes on Veirs Mill Road and the Matthew Henson Trail, there is no question this intersection remains a pedestrian and cyclist hazard.

            After the fatal collision in December, Councilmember Nancy Navarro wrote the attached letter asking you to expedite the process for implementing measures to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety at this intersection. Since then, the State Highway Administration has taken steps to address the safety concerns and has installed flashing yellow lights. While we appreciate the effort, we believe the flashers are insufficient to address the problem since they require motorists to slow down and exercise caution but not to stop. Drivers continue to exceed the 40-mph speed limit even when the light signal is activated. At these speeds, a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist is almost certainly fatal.

            In the wake of this latest tragedy, we urge you to take more aggressive action to resolve the serious safety deficiencies at this intersection. We ask you to investigate the feasibility of a pedestrian-actuated traffic control device and structural improvements that may make this area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. We understand from your correspondence with Councilmember Hans Riemer in March that an earlier study determined that the pedestrian volumes did not satisfy the warrants for a pedestrian-activated signal, but we encourage you to take another look in light of the ongoing hazard.

            On a separate topic that is also critical for bicycle safety, a loophole in the Maryland law must be fixed. In 2010 the State legislature amended § 21-1103 of the Maryland Code to allow cyclists to ride their bikes in crosswalks. While this was a strong step forward, the law that protects pedestrians on the crosswalks (§ 21 – 502) needs to be amended to include wheelchairs, electric personal assisted mobility device and bicycles. It has been reported that a judge dismissed charges against the driver who struck and killed the 19-year-old at the same intersection because he was riding his bike, not walking it, and thus was not protected by the law. We will be working with our Delegation to amend this law to safeguard all legal users of a crosswalk in our state, and we ask for your support in that endeavor.

            Montgomery County shares the Maryland Department of Transportation’s commitment to moving the State toward zero deaths on our roadways. There is no way to prevent people from making mistakes on our roads, but these mistakes need not be deadly. The crossing at Veirs Mill Road/Turkey Branch Parkway and the Matthew Henson Trail is undeniably dangerous, and we thank you for prioritizing improvements there.

Sincerely,
                      
Nancy Floreen                   Roger Berliner                   Marc Elrich   
Council President               Council Vice President       Councilmember

                       
Tom Hucker                      Sidney Katz                       George Leventhal
Councilmember                  Councilmember                  Councilmember

                 
Nancy Navarro                   Craig Rice                         Hans Riemer
Councilmember                  Councilmember                  Councilmember

Enclosure

cc: Isiah Leggett, Montgomery County Executive
      Al Roshdieh, Director, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
      Montgomery County Delegation




Nancy Navarro Councilmember, District 4


January 6, 2016


Larry Hogan, Governor 
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Pete K. Rahn, Maryland Secretary of Transportation 
7201 Corporate Center Drive 
Hanover, Maryland 21076

Gregory C. Johnson, State Highway Administrator
707 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202


Dear Governor Hogan, Secretary Rahn, and Administrator Johnson:

On Monday, December 28, a 19-year-old man named Frank Towers was struck by an SUV and killed while riding home from work on his bicycle at the intersection of Veirs Mill Rd. (MD 586) and Turkey Branch Parkway. As you know, the area around this intersection has been a pedestrian and cyclist hazard for some time. Two people were killed within a mile of this intersection by cars last year. 

While I am aware the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and State Highway Administration (SHA) are currently reviewing this incident, I am urging your administration to take prompt action to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety at the intersection of Veirs Mill Rd. (MD 586) and Turkey Branch Parkway, as well as undertake a comprehensive review of all intersections along Veirs Mill Road (MD 586).

According to the Washington Post, SHA “has an active project underway to add additional flashers at this location…to address the occurrence of rear-end crashes…” While I am pleased some thought has already gone into making this intersection safer for vehicular traffic, I am concerned there is not enough emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle safety. As SHA continues to review traffic calming strategies for this area, I hope you will prioritize the need to reduce the number of accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles. I implore SHA to expedite its process in light of this most recent tragedy by taking swift action to resolve these serious safety deficiencies.  

In 2015, Montgomery County experienced more than a dozen pedestrian and bicycle fatalities. The vast majority of these incidents occurred along State Roads. I look forward to working with your administration, the County’s Department of Transportation and Police Department to reduce the number of these incidents to zero in 2016.


Sincerely,



Nancy Navarro Councilmember, District 4


CC:      Isiah Legget, Montgomery County Executive
            Thomas Manger, Montgomery County Police Chief
            Al Roshdieh, Acting Director, Montgomery County Department of Transportation
            Nancy Floreen, Montgomery County Council President
            Roger Berliner, Chair, Transportation, Energy, & Environment Committee
            Roger Manno, Senator (District 19)
            Richard Madaleno, Jr., Senator (District 18)
            Bonnie Cullison, Delegate (District 19)
            Ben Kramer, Delegate (District 19)
            Marice Morales, Delegate (District 19)             
            Al Carr, Delegate (District 18)
            Ana Sol Gutierrez, Delegate (District 18)
            Jeff Waldstreicher, Delegate (District 18)