Keeping Up With Kate - Aug. 20, 2025 (English)

Dear Friends,

Last week, the President and his administration ordered a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Guard in Washington, D.C. citing crime concerns, all while violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. This alarming and unprecedented overstep by the Trump administration has wide implications, and we know that what happens in our nation’s capital affects us in Montgomery County.

The full impact of D.C.’s federalization on neighboring jurisdictions remains uncertain. Here in Montgomery County, we will do all we can to support our local residents and businesses. 

I recently joined CASA and over 100 volunteers to share information with local businesses on how employers can protect and prepare themselves and their employees in case ICE shows up to their business. County agencies are working with service providers to prepare for an increase in people needing social safety net services, such as emergency shelter and food resources.

We will continue to stand up for our neighbors in D.C. while remaining focused on investments and strategies to keep our communities safe.

Sincerely,

Kate Stewart

Council President

Back to School Essentials

The countdown to a new school year is on!

Families are invited to kick off the 2025-2026 school year at the annual MCPS Back-to-School Fair at Westfield Wheaton on Saturday, Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come out for free supplies, giveaways, a free immunization clinic, and activities for the whole family. 

Plus, get up to date on immunizations with free back-to-school vaccinations for school-aged children from pre-K through 12th grade at several locations across the County from now through the end of September.

You can help set students and families up for success by participating in the MCPS GIVE BACKpacks campaign. With over 70,000 MCPS students living in poverty, your support can provide essential school supplies to help a student start the year strong.

University Boulevard Corridor Plan Public Hearings

The Council will take up the University Boulevard Corridor (UBC) Plan this fall, which aims to address traffic safety, regional connectivity, environmental sustainability, corridor-focused growth, and economic development along a three-mile stretch of University Boulevard, between I-495 and Wheaton. We will hold public hearings on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Montgomery Blair High School, and on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville. We encourage community members to provide their views at the upcoming public hearings or by reaching out to the Council.

After the public hearings, the plan will move to our Planning, Housing and Parks Committee for multiple worksessions before recommendations are made to the full Council.

Montgomery County Mourns the Loss of the Hon. Joseph M. Griffin, Register of Wills for Montgomery County

I join the Montgomery County community in mourning the loss of the Honorable Joseph M. Griffin. Mr. Griffin was a dedicated and trusted public servant with a proven track record, having been elected to seven terms as Montgomery County Register of Wills. He was highly respected by his peers and beloved by all who knew him. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Joe gave back to his community in both his personal and professional life. We honor his lifetime of service to Montgomery County and the state of Maryland, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

Meet Parker the Security Robot

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be introducing Parker, the Security Robot, to the Silver Spring community in the coming weeks and gathering public input on a possible pilot program. The mobile robot, equipped with 360-degree cameras, may roam the Town Square Parking Garage in Downtown Silver Spring as part of a potential pilot program designed to enhance security. Before the pilot gets underway, I requested a pause and asked that the department conduct community engagement and gather input and, in particular, that they do outreach in the DTSS area in Amharic and Spanish. The Council held a July 29 briefing to learn more about the program, its costs, and implementation plan from MCDOT. MCDOT will host community outreach events over the next several months to collect public feedback on the possible pilot program. Interested in learning more? Keep an eye out for the MCDOT informational booth, which will be set up at various locations throughout Downtown Silver Spring beginning today. A live demo with Parker will be held in October.

Kate in the Community

National Night Out

It was great to see so many friends and neighbors at National Night Out events across the district, including celebrations in Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Lyttonsville and Kensington. This community building event helps to enhance the relationship between neighbors and our police to help make our County a safer place to live, work, and play. Thank you to the Montgomery County Police Department, our public safety professionals and the numerous community members who help organize this great event each year.

Check out highlights from National Night Out.

Small Businesses and Safety Along the Purple Line

Our office continues to advocate for and work with residents and local businesses impacted by the construction of the Purple Line. Ongoing Purple Line construction has impacted local businesses and residents across the Purple Line corridor.

I want to thank Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, Regional Services Director Jacob Newman, and our Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security for all their work in assisting residents displaced by a waterline break caused by the Purple Line construction on July 25. Twenty families have been displaced and I want to especially thank some of our local nonprofits for stepping up, along with the County to provide assistance to the displaced residents. Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP) has set up a webpage to provide assistance as well. 

I also recently joined MTA Administrator Holly Arnold, Purple Line representatives and local business owners and residents in Long Branch to receive a status report on construction, to hear how construction is impacting residents and businesses in the area, and to hear from Administrator Arnold on how changes can be made to address the negative impacts.

In addition, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Small Business Grant Program has provided two rounds of grant funding to impacted small businesses in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Applications for a third round of grant funding will be open on Oct. 6, 2025. Our office joined with the County Executive and state delegates in Districts 16, 18 and 20 and sent a letter to Maryland Transportation Secretary Wiedefeld requesting changes to the grant program to ensure more of our businesses are eligible. We appreciate the acknowledgement from the Department of Transportation that many of our recommended changes will be incorporated in the next round of grant funding to better support businesses. Read the response.

On Aug. 8, I joined Purple Line Transit Partners, Prince George’s County Councilmember Wanika Fisher, and safe streets advocates to announce the Safe Kids Worldwide “Shine and Ride” campaign. The campaign is part of an effort to improve and increase awareness on pedestrian and bicycle safety, particularly for students and young people, along the Purple Line corridor.

Ag Fair Parade

I had a great time at the annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair parade and lunch. The Montgomery County Agricultural Center plays an essential role in preserving agriculture in the County, educating the public and providing services to the agricultural and nonagricultural segments of our population. Thank you to the Ag Center, their members and volunteers for helping all community members gain an appreciation of the role that agriculture plays in our daily lives.

Primary Care Coalition Visit at Holy Cross Center

I recently joined the Primary Care Coalition for a visit to Holy Cross Center in Silver Spring. Holy Cross is one the many clinics where people can be connected with and receive services through Montgomery Cares. Montgomery Cares provides medical care to eligible adults who live in Montgomery County and who are unable to get health insurance and their work is more important now than ever. Find a clinic near you. 

Mental Health Corner

New Beginnings Support Group

New Beginnings is the only ongoing support group in the DC Metro area for people coping with separation and divorce that is open to any individual and those with or without children. The organization facilitates discussion meetings held in members’ homes, expert speakers and social events. Twice a year, New Beginnings hosts a six-week public education series, Divorce 101, which provides a comprehensive overview of the divorce process in Maryland, featuring 13 of the top family law professionals in Montgomery County. Learn more.

EveryMind Upcoming Trainings

Did you know EveryMind offers free mental health trainings and webinars? Register for a free mental health training and help spread the word. Whether you're a service provider, parent, educator, community leader, or youth advocate, these sessions offer essential tools for building a more supportive and mentally healthy community. Learn more about upcoming events and sign up.