Dear Friends,
I don’t often talk about crimes in this newsletter, but this week I felt it was important to address the shocking crash in Germantown involving young adolescents driving a stolen car that killed a Virginia man in Germantown. My condolences go out to his family and friends. This is the kind of loss that stuns many people in our community and across the area.
I want to thank our police for the extra time they’ve taken to determine what happened. Investigations are important to build criminal cases, but they also help the family of victims understand and cope with tragic losses.
I want to encourage anyone experiencing anxiety, stress, or a mental health crisis to reach out for help. The County’s Crisis Center is available 24/7 at 240-777-4000. You can also call or text the national hotline for mental health 988. If you witness or sense a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Another Successful National Night Out
I want to acknowledge the role of our public safety professionals and volunteers, first responders, community organizations, County departments, and residents who made this year’s National Night Out special. There were more than 30 events across Montgomery County, so I couldn’t make it to all of them. The ones I did visit were well attended by residents, and it was a great opportunity for us to share information about the services the County offers and many of our residents depend on.
This was the final National Night Out that I will attend as your County Executive, but it will not be the last one I am involved in. It is always good to see residents interacting with law enforcement and getting to know the people who show up when you need help—so they’re not strangers.
Thank you to all the organizers who worked on hosting events this year, large and small. They are important to our community, and that kind of cohesion is worth celebrating. You can find photos from all my stops on our Flickr page.
The State of Public Health
We have been hearing a lot about the nation’s health lately. Last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the face of the federal administration during the early days and months of the pandemic, was grilled by a Senate committee led by Republican Sen. Rand Paul, and the focus was purely to try and make him the scapegoat for missteps the U.S. made during the pandemic.
Despite years of research being accessible through the National Library of Medicine, the source of the pandemic is still a mystery. Dr. Fauci was the voice of reason in instances where the President was recommending to all Americans that they use untested and dangerous “treatments” for COVID-19.
Did the United States do everything right in responding to the global pandemic? No country in the world had everything figured out but we had the best scientific minds working around the clock to respond. There have been multiple large outbreaks of the measles, a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious complications in infants and children. The U.S. now has the distinction of having surpassed the number of measles cases in all of 2025. There have been more than 2,370 confirmed cases (measles tracker), the most cases reported in a single year since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
One of the most important functions of government is keeping residents safe and healthy. The primary goal of public health is to protect and improve the health of populations by preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles. Public health operated under the radar for many people, and that was the point. Having a safe water system, a safe food system, and low rates of communicable diseases, such as measles and tuberculosis, meant the government was doing its job. That required important functions like inspections and the tracking of disease to protect all of us from things like food-borne illnesses and diseases that can be controlled through vaccines. We saw the benefits of a robust public health system first-hand during the COVID pandemic.
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Over the last 20 months, however, since the Trump administration took over, we have seen the systematic dismantling of the U.S. public health and medical research systems. There were mass layoffs at the National Institutes of Health, a research institution and a worldwide leader in advancing understanding of many diseases. Trump has personally attacked the National Science Foundation, the National Academies of Sciences, and wiped out the U.S. National Science Foundation’s governing body. All these institutions are sources of knowledge and are responsible for helping bring that knowledge to bear on human health.
Let’s not agree to disagree here or write these moves off as partisan. That is way too generous. The attack on scientific research is because that research may lead to cures and, just as importantly, research that often leads to causes. If you understand reasons for health problems and if you can address the causes, you solve the problems before people get sick.
Here is what they are doing instead. Rather than holding companies responsible for the chemicals they expose us to through the air, water, or the food supply, this administration wants us to learn less about the environmental dangers that big corporations expose us to. History has shown that the negative impacts on human health have often been hidden for decades to protect the corporate world from the responsibility of poisoning the environment.
Knowledge is power, and in this case, the power to improve our health and safety. Ignorance leaves us in the dark and unable to identify what in our environment is behind bad health impacts. We have routinely been lied to for decades. Trump and his friends want us to know as little about our environment as possible so that they can prevent the regulation of things that need to be regulated. This is not a policy of ignorance; it is policy rooted in cynicism and in placing corporate interests above the public interest.
I am proud of the work that our Department of Health and Human Services and other health care institutions did here in Montgomery County, where we had one of the highest vaccination rates in the country for a jurisdiction our size. We made deliberate efforts to make sure vaccines and testing were available to all Montgomery County residents, especially those in traditionally underserved communities.
I am puzzled by what the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., shared during an interview with CNN last weekend. As is his typical demeanor and attitude, he attacked the interviewer and the U.S. response to COVID-19, blaming it on the Biden administration, even when it was the first Trump administration that led the U.S. through the first year of the pandemic. Sec. Kennedy frequently touted unproven treatments like ivermectin. Organizations including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization, and Infectious Diseases Society of America concluded that the available evidence did not support ivermectin as an effective treatment for COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. They noted that many of the early studies had significant methodological limitations, and some influential studies were later retracted because of concerns about data quality or fraud.
In a word, what the president and his “so called” health experts have done to our public health system is “tragic.”
Earlier this week, Dr. Georges Benjamin, County resident and chief executive officer of the American Public Health Association, joined me to talk about the state of public health. Listen to our discussion here.
What our conversation made clear is that public health is a vital service to our residents and to all Americans. We must continue to rely on science and facts, and we will continue our work to keep Montgomery County healthy and work to reduce disparities in health outcomes.
Important Work in Annapolis Focused on Redistricting
This week, the Maryland General Assembly met in a special session to vote on redrawing the state’s congressional districts. Both the House of Delegates and the Senate passed the measure, which will now go before Maryland voters as a ballot question in November.
The President started this when he asked Texas to do mid-term redistricting. Even if we could gain only one vote for the Democrats, why wouldn’t we? Thank you to Gov. Wes Moore for his efforts on this issue. Republicans who don’t like it can thank their own party leaders for actively encouraging “red states” to redistrict Democrats out of the House of Representatives.
Any attempt to rig the next election was, of course, going to be countered. Expecting anything less would be absurd, not to mention intellectually dishonest. Thank you to our Montgomery County delegation for its work to keep our election process fair.
Honoring the Legacy of Senator Karen Montgomery
I was saddened to learn about the death of former Maryland Senator Karen Montgomery. She was a remarkable leader, advocate, artist, and friend who devoted her life to public service, championing policies grounded in compassion, equity, and dignity.
Karen represented the County’s District 14 with insight and unwavering commitment, serving first in the Maryland House of Delegates and later in the Maryland Senate, where she became known for her thoughtful approach to complex issues and her ability to bring people together.
Often with her husband Harry at her side, Karen’s advocacy extended far beyond Annapolis. Her work was deeply personal, shaped in part by her experience as a parent of a child with autism. That lived experience fueled her decades’ long commitment to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She fought for increased funding for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, improved access to services, and more inclusive policies centered on families and individuals. Her voice ensured that some of our most vulnerable community members were not only seen but valued.
As someone who also shares the experience of parenting a child with an intellectual disability, I felt a strong connection with Karen. Her empathy, her honesty, and her steadfast belief that government has a responsibility to uplift every family made her a trusted ally and a source of strength. I deeply appreciated her encouragement, her insight, and the authentic understanding she offered in moments when only another parent could truly understand the journey.
Karen also enriched our community as an accomplished artist. Her creative work—honored through exhibitions such as the sculptural retrospective at the Sandy Spring Museum—reflected her curiosity, courage, and love for the cultural life of Montgomery County.
Karen deserved to be honored not only for her legislative work, but for the humanity she brought to improving lives through service. She led with heart, and our County is better, stronger, and more compassionate because she gave so much of herself for our benefit. She was a strong environmentalist and took a wholistic view of how her legislative work could improve Maryland.
On behalf of the residents of Montgomery County, especially those of her beloved Brookeville, I extend my deepest condolences to Karen’s family. We will remember her leadership, her artistry, her advocacy, and her fierce commitment to building a community where every person can thrive.
Lifting Health Advisory for Shoreline Areas Affected by the Potomac Interceptor Collapse and Sewage Leak
Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis has lifted all remaining health advisories for the Potomac River shoreline and sediment.
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You’ll remember that order was needed following DC Water’s Potomac Interceptor collapse and sewage leak back in January. Recent testing showed that e-coli levels have returned to normal in the sediment near the water so the contact advisory specific to the shoreline between Lock 11 and Minnie’s Island is no longer needed. Visit the County’s website to learn more about the response.
Latest Gun Safety Legislation Challenge
It has been widely reported that upon signing expedited bill 23-26 last week, the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit arguing that buffer-zone limits near parks, schools, and places of worship violate the Second Amendment and recent Supreme Court precedent.
I cannot comment on pending litigation, but I will reaffirm my support for all measures we can take to reduce gun violence and protect our communities. I encourage you to watch the entire press conference that was held before the bill signing where we explained the revised law and why it is needed in our community.
Another Potomac River Drowning
Sadly, we have lost another young person in the Potomac River. The drowning is the third we’ve seen in the last three months. I want to express my condolences to the family and friends of the victim, a 25-year-old man from Virginia.
Montgomery Fire Rescue Services and the Montgomery County Department of Police are working with U.S. Park Police on a public education campaign about the dangers of swimming in the river. Last week, they filmed several public service announcements that will be shared widely on social media.
Not only is it illegal to swim in the Potomac River, but it is also extremely dangerous. This is a message I have shared frequently this summer, but it bears repeating—find somewhere else to swim. The strong currents and sudden drops in the riverbed put lives at risk.
New Maryland Comptroller Office in Rockville
I was pleased last week to join Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman and other elected officials as the Comptroller opened a new office in Rockville. The Comptroller’s Office serves Maryland residents and businesses by administering the State’s tax system, providing taxpayer assistance, collecting revenue, and promoting fiscal accountability.
The new Rockville Branch Office, located in King Farm, will provide Montgomery County residents and businesses with convenient access to in-person services, reducing the need to travel to Annapolis for assistance.
Back to School Immunizations
There are several weeks left of summer break for students but it’s not too early to check your child’s immunization records to ensure they are up to date on required vaccinations before the start of the school year.
The County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is offering free vaccination clinics for students through Friday, Sept. 25, to help families ensure children are up to date on required school immunizations. Visit the DHHS website to see the clinic schedule.
Come Out to the Friendship Picnic on Sunday, August 23
I wanted to give you the heads up that on Sunday, August 23, we’re hosting the annual Friendship Picnic at Wheaton Regional Park — and I hope you’ll come out.
It’s free, there’s no registration required, and food is provided. Just show up.
The picnic is put on by our Committee Against Hate and Violence, and the whole point is to bring people from different backgrounds, cultures, and faiths together to meet each other and enjoy the day. At a time when too many people are being made to feel like they don’t belong, I think there’s real value in a day like this.
Food options include traditional American, Kosher, Halal, and vegetarian. And there will be activities focused on learning about different cultures and building community together.
Free shuttle parking is available from the Wheaton Ice Rink, athletic fields, and Kennedy High School. Come out and meet your neighbors.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
County Executive
Read the original article at mcgov