Dear Friends,
Election Day showed us that tens of millions of Americans were ready to make their voices heard about the direction of our country and the issues that matter to their families and communities.
I think one of the things we saw nationally is that people are paying attention to what is happening in Washington. They are concerned about the direction of federal policies, the cost of living, the protection of civil rights, a stupid and costly war, the unprecedented war on science and medical research, and whether government is working in their interests. The paradox of American households struggling financially while the president is making billions on investments and stock trades whose outcomes his decisions affect was clearly not lost on people as they went to the polls.
That is something elected officials at every level of government need to take seriously.
Elections are an opportunity for people to hold their government accountable. No matter which party wins or loses, our responsibility as public officials remains the same: to continue serving everyone, regardless of who voted for us.
I want to offer special congratulations to County Executive-elect Will Jawando. I was an early endorser of Will because I have confidence in his commitment to listen to residents, understand their concerns, and act in the public interest. He takes office at an important time for our County. While we have made some great progress, we continue to face challenges that require thoughtful leadership, a willingness to make difficult decisions, and a commitment to making government work for the people it serves. I wish him well as he takes on the responsibilities of leading a County as large and diverse as ours. You can read my full statement here.
It is also very important that all of us thank the election workers, volunteers, and election officials who made Tuesday’s election possible. They put in long hours, sometimes under difficult circumstances, to ensure that voters could exercise their rights and to handle ballots fairly and accurately. While most of the votes have been counted, there is still more to do, and they will work hard to ensure it is all done properly. I want to extend the invitation made during my media briefing to watch the final canvassing at the Board of Elections headquarters in Gaithersburg. They happen each day until the election is finalized. Learn more about how here. This is a transparent process that shows how Democrats and Republicans work together to produce a fair election.
We should never take their dedication for granted, especially at a time when election workers have faced intimidation, threats, and unwarranted attacks on their integrity. Our democracy depends on people who are willing to do this important work, and they deserve our gratitude and respect. They give elections in Montgomery County a good name.
I also want to thank every voter who participated. Whether you voted early, by mail, or in person on Tuesday, you helped make our democracy stronger. The right to vote is fundamental, and exercising that right is one of the most important ways we shape our country’s future.
Thank you to Montgomery County voters for your support in my election to the County Council as an at-large member. I am looking forward to returning to the Council in December and continuing to work on the issues I have spent my career fighting for: affordable housing, protecting our environment, improving transportation, creating a more progressive tax system, stopping corporate giveaways, and making sure government works for everyone. Congratulations to the newly elected County Councilmembers. I look forward to working with them on the many important decisions that still lie ahead for our community.
Experience matters, especially when some out there would rather work in the best interest of corporate profit than in the best interest of the people they are elected to represent. I am looking forward to the next chapter, working with our elected officials at all levels of government to improve our residents’ lives, protect the environment, and plan for a brighter future.
I also want to take a moment to recognize the outgoing members of the County Council and the Maryland General Assembly for their years of public service. Public service is not always easy, and I appreciate the time, dedication, and work they have put into representing our communities. I wish them all the best in whatever comes next.
Here in Montgomery County, we know how important it is to stand up for our values. We believe in welcoming people, protecting civil rights, respecting differences, and making sure that everyone has an opportunity to succeed. There is still more to do to help elevate everyone throughout Montgomery County, and that is what guides me forward.
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We have worked hard to build a community where people from different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, and countries can live together and contribute to our shared future. Those commitments do not change based on who is in the White House or which party controls Congress. The results of this election should strengthen our resolve.
I hope these victories give elected officials in Congress and in state governments the confidence to stand up, speak out, and provide the oversight and accountability that have been missing over the last two years. Specifically, I am looking forward to U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin chairing the House Judiciary Committee and all the investigations that we are likely to see over the next few years. Winning elections is important, but what comes next matters even more.
We need leaders who will defend the Constitution, protect voting rights, hold government accountable, and focus on the needs of working families. We need leaders who understand that public service is about serving the public, not serving themselves. This is not simply about defeating one president or one political party. It is about restoring trust in government and reaffirming the basic principles that make our democracy work.
I grew up in a time when Democrats and Republicans could work together in Washington. Nobody got everything they wanted, but it was not the divisive experience we have had in the last few years. I am optimistic that Tuesday’s vote will prompt more politicians to work together to rebuild the public’s trust. Voters have clearly demonstrated that they have not given up, and that is something worth celebrating. It is also something worth fighting for every day.
Important Vote on Tuesday at the Council
On Tuesday, county council members will vote on two resolutions regarding the future of how we deal with our solid waste. I wrote about this last week in the newsletter and I am mentioning it again today because we have an opportunity now to change our trajectory and move away from being a throwaway society. If we shut down the incinerator, it opens up the financial and logistical path to implementing proven and innovative technologies that dramatically reduce the amount of trash, we must dispose of.
You can click here to learn more about what is possible if the council votes to close the incinerator and move towards a zero-waste path.
Regional Emphasis on Being ‘Street Smart’
The number of traffic fatalities in Montgomery County and across the Washington metropolitan region has been elevated since 2020. As of Nov. 1, the County has recorded 39 fatal crashes resulting in more than 40 deaths, compared to 35 fatal crashes by the same date in 2025. This year’s fatalities include 15 pedestrians and two bicyclists, meaning Montgomery County has already surpassed its total of 14 pedestrian deaths from all of 2025. This information is tracked on the State’s crash data dashboard at zerodeathsmd.gov.
These deaths are heartbreaking. They are family members, loved ones, children, and adults who should be alive today. Our Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director, Chris Conklin, expressed the same sentiment when he joined Fox5 this week for a segment on pedestrian safety. You can watch that here.
This week, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments brought leaders from across the region together in Silver Spring to launch a new Street Smart campaign. This is just one of many transit hubs across the County where you’ll routinely see people walking to school, work, or catching a bus or train. One of the first things I did as County Executive was to borrow a good idea for pedestrian safety I saw in Washington, D.C., to get drivers to slow down when turning. I want to thank the State for its help in redesigning Georgia and New Hampshire Avenues to make them safer for all users. As a reminder, that trip home will likely be in the dark at this time of year and throughout the winter.
At the event, regional and MCDOT leaders detailed upcoming lighting, sidewalk, and bikeway improvements designed to make roadways safer. Montgomery County remains fully committed to Vision Zero, allocating over $170 million across its fiscal year (FY) 27 Capital and Operating Budgets. This includes $90 million this year for the construction of new sidewalks, trails, bikeways, traffic-calming measures, and intersection enhancements. We’ve also lowered the speed limit across many roads.
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The biggest takeaway I’d like to share is that infrastructure alone cannot end traffic deaths; it takes effort from our community as well. We know that over 1 in 5 drivers currently violate laws prohibiting texting and driving. Pedestrians should use designated crosswalks, not text while walking, and be more aware now that more of our drive home is in the dark.
As the new campaign will tell you in its own bold and blunt way: Slow down. If you think about it like a math problem, speeding doesn’t save you much time, but it does increase the danger you are putting yourself and other people in. And speaking of danger, I’m alarmed by the number of cyclists ignoring stop signs and red lights. Then they’re surprised when drivers must adjust to miss them. We all need to do better about sharing the road and respecting each other while traveling.
If you see anything that needs immediate attention, such as broken streetlights or other hazards, report it to 311 by calling 311 or (240) 777-0311 from outside the County, or by visiting the MC311 website.
Foreign Connections: The Key Behind New Robots
In 2024, I agreed with the Mayor of Daejeon, South Korea, Montgomery County’s Sister City, to collaborate on mutually beneficial initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation in both of our jurisdictions. Now, I am excited to share how this international partnership is delivering tangible benefits directly to our local community at no cost to County taxpayers.
Twinny, an award-winning logistics robotics manufacturer based in Daejeon, is the first company to deploy its technology here in Montgomery County. Through a six-month demonstration program funded by the Korean government, these autonomous robots are making a real, practical impact across three key community sites:
- STEM Learning for Youth: At KID’s innovation and discovery lab (formerly the Kid Museum), robots are integrated into STEM activities to inspire our next generation of innovators.
- Health Care & Resident Care: At Continuum Health, robots support food and medication delivery while enhancing engagement for residents in the Memory Care unit.
- Local Business Assistance: At our County Alcohol Beverage Services store in Gaithersburg Square, robots assist staff with inventory placement and guide shoppers down product aisles.
This project is supported by the Daejeon Global Trade Center, which opened an office last year at our Rockville Innovation Center. Beyond testing new tools for small businesses, this initiative demonstrates that Montgomery County is a welcoming, diverse community where international companies can pilot ideas and enter the U.S. market. If these demonstration outcomes prove successful, Twinny will consider establishing its East Coast office right here in Montgomery County, bringing new investment, economic growth, and local jobs to our workforce.
This project highlights a unique public-private and international collaboration. I want to thank our participating local partners and our friends in Daejeon for helping show what Montgomery County can accomplish when we work together.
Veterans Day Approaching
On Wednesday, Nov. 11, we will pause to honor those who have made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom. Veterans Day is a federal holiday, and it is observed at the County government as well. Most of our County offices and services will be closed, and bus routes will be adjusted to accommodate the holiday. Click here for further details.
Montgomery County is once again proud to support Operation Green Light. We have a bus on the streets now spreading the word about the nationwide program to honor veterans by changing outside lights green to salute military service. We also have an online tribute to our local veterans, categorized by conflict, called Hometown Hero Tributes. You can find those tributes and information about benefits programs at montgomerycountymd.gov/veterans. The County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs has also compiled a list of events that you can view here.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
County Executive
Read the original article at mcgov
