Dear Friends,
This week, I got to experience two events that made me feel fortunate to be an American. First, on Monday, I walked in the annual Rockville Memorial Day parade. Despite some rain, there was a large turnout to remember and honor all those who served and sacrificed in defense of our nation and our freedoms.
And then on Wednesday evening, I attended Bruce Springsteen’s “Land of Hope and Dreams Tour” stop at Nationals Park. Bruce has always understood something important about this country: patriotism is not blind loyalty to a politician, political party, or government official. Patriotism is loving this country enough to want it to live up to its ideals.
The men and women we honored on Memorial Day did not sacrifice for corruption, cruelty, racism, censorship, or the abuse of power. They served in defense of democracy, freedom, equality, and the rule of law. Those values require constant protection and participation from every generation. They are not guaranteed simply because they are written down on paper.
At a time when many Americans are frustrated, divided, and worried about the direction of our country, Memorial Day serves as a reminder that democracy has always required courage, not only from those who served in uniform but also from ordinary people willing to speak up, stay engaged, and defend the rights and dignity of others. That responsibility belongs to all of us.
Department of Recreation Summer Activities Heat Up
With the end of the school year coming, our Department of Recreation will be at its busiest, running camps and activities for kids across Montgomery County.
As you can imagine, Rec employment swells during the summer with more than 1,300 seasonal employees, including teenagers and young adults. They coordinate activities for children and teens in addition to what Rec regularly provides for residents year-round at our 22 regional rec centers. The only summer days when our Rec programs will take a break are Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth, and Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4, for Independence Day.
The mission of the department is to provide high-quality, diverse, and accessible programs, services, and facilities to residents. They do that at a lower cost to our residents than many alternative summer activities, like specialty sports camps.
Pools are particularly popular, with more than 100,000 visits to one of our indoor or outdoor pools last summer. Beginning the last week of June, outdoor pools will be open seven days a week.
I have been paying attention to the rising role of private equity in youth sports programs, which is driving skyrocketing costs for families who want their children to participate. Essentially, Wall Street is once again fleecing families through pricey camps and sports leagues, which is why it’s critical that local governments continue investing in and offering affordable summer activities.
Summer program registration has been open since mid-May, and there are still some activities you can sign up for. There are also job openings for lifeguards and other seasonal employees, such as camp counselors, that have yet to be filled. Share our hiring link with anyone you think may be interested.
There are separate guides out now for our camps, summer classes, and activities for the 55+ crowd. You can register online through Active Montgomery or call 240-777-6840 with any questions.
The director of Montgomery County Recreation, Gabe Albornoz, joined my media briefing this week to discuss some of the special events going on this summer. They include:
14th Annual White Oak Day
Saturday, June 6
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
White Oak Community Recreation Center
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Silver Spring Summer Block Party
Sunday, June 21
2 to 5 p.m.
Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center
Dive-In Movie: Madagascar 3
Saturday, June 27
8:30 to 11 p.m.
Germantown Outdoor Pool
Montgomery County 250th: Shine Together (Fireworks)
Friday, July 3
7 to 10 p.m.
Newport Mill Park (next to Einstein High School), Kensington
Germantown Glory Fireworks Show
Saturday, July 4
7 to 10 p.m.
South Germantown Recreation Park, Boyds
Teens Night Out – Under the Stars
Friday, July 17
6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Outdoor Pool, Silver Spring
World Cup Viewing Party – Final Game
Sunday, July 19
Time TBD
Wheaton Regional Park
Recreation is central to community well-being. I’m glad we have the leadership in place to help the department play an essential role in making Montgomery County a place where people love to live. Visit them online at mocorec.com.
MCPS Budget Cuts Looming
Something is still bothering me about the recently passed fiscal year (FY) 27 budget and its impact on Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). County Council President Natali Fani-González said the Council didn’t support raising property taxes. That is not true. All homeowners, including condo owners, receive a $692 tax credit on their annual bill. A majority of the Council, led by the president, voted to remove that credit, meaning it will not appear on your tax bill on July 1. Your property taxes will therefore go up by $692 in FY27 — that is a tax increase.
Developers will contribute no additional taxes to our revenue; the full weight of this so-called non-tax increase falls on residents. My proposed budget, by contrast, was balanced and would not have created a $150 million revenue reduction going into the next fiscal year.
As I discussed last week, MCPS is facing a significant shortfall — money they had requested and very much needed, which is why I proposed a budget that fully funded their entire request. Unfortunately, they are now looking to save $36 million.
Among the reductions currently under consideration by the Board of Education are cuts that would eliminate hundreds of employees, including more than 40 social workers, 18 school psychologists, 17 therapeutic counselors for students learning English, and $1.6 million in mental health contracts — a combined reduction in student support staffing unlike anything our district has seen in recent memory.
At the same time, we have watched our schools navigate a genuinely difficult period. This past school year, MCPS responded to bomb threats, weapons on campus, and assaults on staff (out-of-school suspensions rose by 26%). The district updated its code of conduct at the start of the school year to hold students more accountable — and rightly so. But accountability without support is not a strategy; it is a gap.
The professionals we risk losing are not ancillary. They are often the first to notice when a student is struggling, the first to intervene before a situation escalates, and the last line of support for families who have nowhere else to turn. If those positions disappear, the burden does not— it shifts onto teachers, administrators, families, and ultimately our children.
I understand the fiscal realities our school system faces, and difficult tradeoffs are unavoidable. But our community deserves a full and honest conversation about what these specific reductions would mean in practice — in classrooms, in hallways, and in homes across this County.
A growing body of national data shows that student achievement has been slipping for more than a decade, with particular concerns about early literacy and the negative impact of technology on learning.
When most of us went to school, an assignment was read and analyzed, and each student shared an answer (hopefully right). Now, students can enter a question into AI, receive an answer, and paste it directly into an assignment. The question gets answered, but nothing is learned — the thinking process has been short-circuited. That decline coincides with the introduction of smartphones into the lives of teens and preteens. As detailed in this PBS story, passing scores in math are well below 2013’s high-water mark, and 8th-grade reading levels are at their lowest since 1990.
There is also a need for stronger accountability at every level of the education system. Evidence shows that the best-performing states pair evidence-based instruction with sustained, in-school support for teachers and a renewed focus on measurable outcomes. Rising absenteeism and reduced reading outside of school underscore the need for targeted investments and clear expectations as we plan for the year ahead.
I am calling on MCPS leadership and the Board of Education to carefully weigh the downstream costs of reducing student mental health and behavioral support at this moment. And I am asking parents, educators, neighbors, and residents to continue sharing their concerns with decision makers. Public comment opportunities are available at Board of Education meetings.
I encourage you to attend, write, and speak. Your persistence is as important as your voice. Your school system is listening, and so am I.
Breaking Ground Celebration for Howard County Bus Rapid Transit Connection
Last Thursday, I was proud to join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to break ground on four Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stops in Howard County. For as long as I’ve been involved in East County issues, the traffic on US 29 has been a big one; the large number of drivers from Howard County makes its presence felt in the congestion there. That’s why I approached Howard County more than a decade ago, asking them to consider supporting the extension of BRT to Columbia. Now that day has arrived.
Establishing an extensive BRT network has been one of the signature initiatives of my administration, making this expansion a major new milestone. By extending the US 29 Flash line from Silver Spring to Downtown Columbia, we are creating a seamless connection that reflects how many people in our two counties live and work. Our riders shouldn’t have to feel the line where one County ends, and another begins; instead, we are building a continuous community on a highly traveled corridor. US 29 Flash currently carries 2,600 passengers every weekday. The extension will supply Flash BRT service to Howard County every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours starting this fall.
This project opens doors to jobs and housing for more people. This corridor will provide faster, more convenient travel to major employers such as the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the upcoming Viva White Oak development, while linking riders to Metro, MARC train, and the future Purple Line.
I am also excited that this service will be powered by four brand-new, zero-emission electric buses, purchased with $3.35 million in federal grant funding and Howard County’s contribution. These buses are part of our commitment to sustainable solutions that protect our air quality, and they even feature a new design with clear windows so you can enjoy the view while you ride.
When we invest in transit, we are investing in our economy and our environment. This partnership shows what regional cooperation can do to improve the quality of life for residents in both counties, and I look forward to seeing the Flash network continue to grow across our region.
Give and Ride Food Drive Goes Through the Weekend
Our Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) annual Give and Ride Food Drive runs through Sunday, May 31. It comes at a time when we are facing a growing crisis in our region. More than 34% of our residents—nearly 280,000 of our neighbors—are at risk of facing food insecurity and unreliable access to nutritious meals, according to our Office of Food Systems Resilience. This is a challenge on all our plates due to cuts to federal assistance programs, layoffs, and rising food costs.
If you are able, consider donating some of the items Manna Food Center needs to help fill the gap for families in need. We are specifically looking for nutritious items such as canned tuna, oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain pasta, and shelf-stable milk. A full list of the most needed food items can be found on the MCDOT website. Last year, Manna distributed more than three million pounds of food. This effort helped more than 56,000 participants across Montgomery County last year.
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For 33 years, we have partnered with Manna to help put food on the table for families in need, so they don’t go hungry. They help educate our community about building healthy meals and provide information about support programs such as SNAP, Sun Bucks, MC Groceries, and free and reduced meals in our schools. Manna also plays a vital role in advocacy so that all lawmakers understand the impact they can make through funding food assistance programs.
Helping during this food drive is easier than ever. You can drop off non-perishable food items on any County bus, including Ride On, extRa, Flex, and Flash. Donations are also accepted at participating Montgomery County Public Libraries and County office buildings in Rockville and Wheaton during normal operating hours.
I want to thank everyone who donates food or their time to food assistance organizations, helping ensure that healthy food is available to everyone. There are more than 60 groups across Montgomery County helping to feed families. Every donation supports a neighbor in need. Montgomery County is a community that cares for one another. I thank you for your incredible generosity and for stepping up to ensure that no one in our County goes hungry.
Muslims Mark Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha is a major Islamic holiday observed this week. Montgomery County continues to be strengthened by the incredible diversity of our residents—across cultures, races, ethnicities, faiths, and life experiences. Our Muslim community plays a vital role in enriching the fabric of our County, contributing to every neighborhood and every sector with generosity, leadership, and service.
Let’s all honor the traditions of compassion, sacrifice, and unity that this holiday represents. We are grateful for the many ways our Muslim neighbors support and uplift our broader community throughout the year.
May this Eid bring peace, joy, and prosperity to all our Muslim residents and to their families and loved ones. Eid al-Adha Mubarak.
Prioritizing Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and our Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has been emphasizing the importance of mental health. Caring for your mental well-being is important all year round, and it deserves just as much attention as your physical health.
Seeing a therapist doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong — they can help in a variety of ways — from relieving stress and anxiety to dealing with the side effects of trauma.
Here are some mental health resources and services that the County offers:
- Our DHHS clinics offer one-on-one counseling at no charge.
- Our Mobile Health Clinic brings medical, dental, behavioral health, and human services to underserved and vulnerable residents and communities. Because clinic hours and sites vary, visit their website to see the schedule or call 240-777-1017 for more information.
- The County’s Crisis Center is available 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. You can call 240-777-4000 or visit in person at 1301 Piccard Drive in Rockville with no appointment needed.
- Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams also provide emergency crisis evaluations for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
- If you are in a mental health crisis or contemplating suicide, help is available by calling or texting 988 or by chat at chat.988lifeline.org.
Happy Pride Throughout June
Pride Month 2026 begins next week. We raised the first Pride flag at the Executive Office Building in Rockville in 2019, and it remains a moment that symbolizes resilience in the ongoing civil rights struggle for the LGBTQ+ community. A lot of that history was discussed in my 2023 video with Chief Administrative Officer Rich Madaleno.
Montgomery County celebrates the journey from silence to celebration. Pride Month is a time to reflect on progress and focus on the work ahead. It’s about ensuring that everyone deserves to feel safe living their lives as they truly are.
This year’s flag raising is set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, at Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Executive Office Building. There is also a flag-raising ceremony at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring tonight, Friday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Montgomery County led the way in passing an anti-discrimination law in 1984—before the State followed suit in 2001.
Before current protections, same-sex partners were often denied access to their loved ones in hospitals during their most difficult moments. I saw that first-hand in Takoma Park. When I was a councilmember there, we passed a law to give same sex couples the same access to loved ones in the hospital that everyone else expects.
Montgomery County’s LGBTQ Bill of Rights was passed in 2020. That ensures LGBTQ+ residents, particularly seniors and those living with HIV, can receive health care without fear of bigotry.
Despite this progress, the “national temperature” has changed, making this work more difficult. Leaders have expressed concern over attempts to “erase history” and “fuel hate” when, in truth, they are using fear to deny the LGBTQ+ community their basic rights. Recent Supreme Court rulings, such as Mahmoud v. Taylor, which allows parents to opt children out of LGBTQ-inclusive lessons, highlight a shift toward exclusion that many fear will ostracize queer youth.
Pride means showing up as an ally every day, not just in June. Here is how you can take action:
- Attend events like Pride in the Plaza at Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring on Sunday, June 28, to celebrate authenticity and visibility.
- Look for the “Ride With Pride” bus on County routes throughout June, which serves as a moving symbol of inclusion and social justice.
- Support or visit the MoCo Pride Center in Bethesda, a “one-stop shop” for social, cultural, and health resources.
The movement still needs advocacy. Participate in the Montgomery County LGBTQ Advisory Group or join support groups like the Hope and Support Circle to foster community joy and resilience. Many other ideas are available at liveinyourtruth.org.
If you witness or experience discrimination in housing, employment, or public spaces, report it. You can call 311 or contact the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights to file a complaint.
Standing with the LGBTQ+ community makes us a stronger, better community overall. That’s why we should support the use of inclusive books and materials in schools that help every student feel seen and safe. As we look toward the future, let’s ensure that the “links” in our community band remain strong and that we never go backward.
As always, my appreciation for all of you,
Marc Elrich
County Executive
Read the original article at mcgov