County Offering Matching Grants for Neighborhood Events

| at 1:49 pm | Categories Montgomery County

Montgomery County will again offer matching grants of up to $1,000 to help fund neighborhood events, according to an announcement from Silver Spring Regional Services Center Director Reemberto Rodriguez. Neighborhood organizations, block groups, tenant groups, civic groups and similar organizations are eligible to apply to help fund events and activities that “promote community engagement, encourage capacity building, networking and stimulate the local economy.”

Bill Would Create Public Police Advisory Commission

| at 2:02 pm | Categories Montgomery County

Thirteen members of the public would become part of a Policing Advisory Commission under the terms of a bill introduced by Councilmember Hans Riemer (D-At Large). A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow evening. In addition, the county executive’s office release the results of a survey asking the public about the characteristics they would like to see in the county’s next police chief.

The Transit Challenge: What I Learned

| at 9:44 am | Categories Montgomery County

A number of local officials accepted a challenge from the Action Committee for Transit to spend the week of June 10-17 using only public transit, or active modes of transportation such as biking, walking or scooters, to travel around the county. The Source asked one of those participants, Councilmember Hans Riemer (D-At Large), who lives in Takoma Park, what he thought of the experience, and here is his report.

Jazz Festival Will Be Held This Summer After All

| at 2:21 pm | Categories Montgomery County
County Executive to Eliminate Jazz Festival, Consider Smaller Events

The Silver Spring Jazz Festival will go on this summer after all, thanks largely to community feedback in reaction to a Source story about its apparent demise in favor of a series of smaller events. The festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 24 and the list of performers will be released in a few weeks. In the meantime, the Thursday Summer Concert Series is back next week.

County Seeking Applicants for Local Citizen Board Vacancies

| at 10:49 am | Categories Montgomery County
County Seeking Applicants for Local Citizen Board Vacancies

Applications are now being accepted to fill five vacancies on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, according to an announcement from County Executive Marc Elrich. The 18-member board serves as a liaison between the community and the executive’s office. Applicants must live within the boundaries of the Silver Spring Regional Center and can apply online.

M-NCPPC Votes to “Not Concur” with Managed Lanes Alternatives

| at 2:57 pm | Categories Montgomery County
M-NCPPC Votes to “Not Concur” with Managed Lanes Alternatives

The bi-county Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission voted last week to “not concur” with the alternatives proposed for study in an attempt to relieve traffic congestion on I-994 and I-270. The 9-1 vote was taken as part of the public comment process required to complete and environmental impact statement for the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration’s Managed Lanes Study for the two highways. The effects on M-NCPPC parkland aren’t yet known; any decisions will be later in the process.