'Forever chemicals': Poolesville's drinking water contaminated #artificialturf #crumbrubber

The town closed off two wells while testing determines the source of PFOS and PFOA chemicals.

POOLESVILLE, Md. — Caroline Taylor worked for years leading the environmental group Montgomery Countryside Alliance to keep drinking water safe. She was one of around 6,000 Poolesville residents who got a warning earlier in December from town management that drinking water was contaminated with two toxins.

"Many of us worked so hard in the 1990s to get protected by the federal government as a sole source aquifer," said Taylor. And at the time, the water was tested to be high quality. So we were so proud of this. And so protective of it and to find "forever chemicals,' perhaps tainting it and making it dangerous. It's tough."..

Poolesville's drinking water contaminated by 'forever chemicals' | wusa9.com

On Wednesday, January 18, starting at 7:00pm, MCDOT will hold a virtual💻public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk in the area of @RoscoeNixES

📅ICYMI📅
On Wednesday, January 18, starting at 7:00pm, MCDOT will hold a virtual💻public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk in the area of @RoscoeNixES

To register▶️https://t.co/0wcBwEjfLA#silverspringmd @MCPSSafety @MCPS @MCPSEspanol #sidewalk pic.twitter.com/paAcrporq0

— MCDOT (@MCDOTNow) December 29, 2022

Remove & ban shredded tire mulch from Poolesville playgrounds & replace w/ safer material

 As community members and concerned parents, we urge Commissioners to remove the shredded tire mulch in all playgrounds in the town of Poolesville and replace it with safer, sustainable, certified ADA-compliant engineered wood fiber tested and verified to be free of chromated copper arsenate (CCA). We also urge town Commissioners to permanently ban any further installation of shredded tire mulch in the future due to its many potential health and environmental hazards.

Our youngest, most vulnerable populations have a right to a healthy, safe environment where they play. Children should not be exposed knowingly to materials containing contaminants like lead when safer, inexpensive, readily available alternatives like engineered wood fiber exist. Children are much more biologically and developmentally susceptible to harmful chemicals even at low exposure levels since their organs are still developing and behaviors such as increased hand-to-mouth contact and crawling put them at greater risk of harmful exposures. They also breathe more air and drink more water per body weight than adults, putting them at risk of exposure to higher concentrations of toxins in their environments. 

Below are some important reasons for taking a proactive, preventative, evidence-based approach to better protect our children and community from known hazards that shredded rubber tires present. 

• Well known hazardous chemicals found in shredded tire mulch: 
  • The science on the known hazards found in shredded tires is well documented in many studies and reports including the EPA FRAP literature review, a Yale report, UMASS Lowell Toxics Reduction Institute Playground Surfacing report, and an Environment and Human Health report. This research provides evidence of the many carcinogenic and hormone disrupting chemicals, in addition to skin, eye, and respiratory irritants that can exacerbate asthma. These chemicals found in shredded tire mulch include but are not limited to heavy metals including lead, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phthalates, and PFAS.
  • Lead alone is linked to many harmful health effects including permanent neurological, behavioral, and developmental problems and cancer. There is no safe level of lead, especially for young children.
  • Other contaminants found in this material raise additional cummulative health and environmental concerns. For example, according to the EPA skin contact and breathing in PAH’s increases the risk of developing cancer and birth defects.
• Hotter temperatures means less playtime:
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend limiting time on playgrounds with shredded tire mulch as a result of hotter surface temperatures.
• Reliance on groundwater for our town’s primary drinking water source and soil quality in the agricultural reserve:
  • There is potential for hazardous chemicals mentioned above to leach into Poolesville’s aquifers and soil, contaminating our drinking water and food in the agricultural reserve. PFAS, also known as the “forever chemical” due to its high persistence in our environment, is posing an additional health and environmental risk to our community. On August 23, 2022, two months after the Poolesville playground fire, water testing results found PFAS in well two, the same well that was nearest to the site where the playground fire took place. Banning sources of PFAS contamination such as shredded tire mulch is critical as they are very costly and difficult to remove from our drinking water.
• Relevant, common sense federal and local laws that are intended to protect communities and young children from the hazards found in tire waste:
  • There is a scrap tire law in Montgomery County that includes provisions to safely dispose of tires properly, as they contain hazardous chemicals and are a fire hazard. The unfortunate fire that took place in Poolesville playground on Fisher Avenue in June of 2022 is a good example of the potential hazards from burning such material, which could have been avoided had safer materials been in use.
  • In 2015 the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed a resolution to ban tire crumb rubber used in synthetic turf and both Montgomery County Public Schools and Montgomery Parks do not use shredded tire mulch in their playgrounds, especially since it isn’t ADA approved.
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission has set strict limits for lead content in accessible parts of all children's products including playground equipment. Shredded tire mulch is highly accessible to children as it is loose and they often play with it. The CPSC documents the many instances of young children playing with the material and putting it in their mouths. All routes of exposure (skin and eye contact, ingestion, and inhalation) are a concern in this case.
• Benefits of removal far outweigh the costs associated with exposure to shredded tire mulch:
  • Per a study looking at Economic gains resulting from the reduction in children's exposure to lead in the United States by NIH and CDC researchers, estimated costs associated with reducing a 2-year-old child’s blood lead levels to the point where their IQ improves by just one point increases their lifetime productivity somewhere between 1.76-2.38%. Applying the lowest estimate, this translates to a present value of $22,375 (2022 dollars) of lifetime earnings for one child that otherwise would have been lost. Multiply that by the number of just 2-year-olds currently living in Poolesville today and it is clear that the resulting benefits far exceed the costs of shredded tire mulch removal. Note that this does not even factor in other healthcare costs associated with lead or other contaminant exposure.
  • Engineered wood fiber and wood chips are also less expensive than shredded tire mulch!

In light of all of this, we strongly urge the Commission to take a preventative approach to better protect and prioritize the health and well-being of our children and community.

Petition · Remove & ban shredded tire mulch from Poolesville playgrounds & replace w/ safer material · Change.org

While the last council had historically hashed out differences behind closed doors, members of a growing progressive wing said in interviews that they plan to be outspoken in pursuit of the policies they ran on enacting.

...Equitable representation has been a key focus in the increasingly diverse county, which is now about 42 percent White, 20 percent Black, 20 percent Latino and 16 percent Asian, according to census data.

Despite the public celebration of diversity, several council members voiced discontent over the maneuvering that took place behind closed doors to justify leadership picks. They say the decisions consolidated power between two White men and missed an early opportunity to give more influence to historically underrepresented communities.

“I want the public to be more aware of this process and be able to voice opinions and concerns prior to internal deliberations,” said Laurie-Anne Sayles (D), a Black woman freshly elected to one of the council’s at-large seats.

In addition to the top two leadership spots, Glass and Friedson will also chair two committees widely regarded as among the council’s most important: Planning, Housing and Parks; and Transportation and Environment. Meanwhile, the two Black council members said they did not get any of their top choices for committee assignments...

 On historically diverse Montgomery Council, tensions over transparency - The Washington Post

Fmr Planning Board Vice Chair Describes Two Incidents: Fmr Chair did not want ethics matter closed, this is payback **and** Fmr Chair did not trust "councilmember" down the road in bid for Park's Director.

Former Montgomery County Planning Board Vice Chair Partap Verma spoke on Senator Ben Kramer's local bill MC/PG 105-23 for the December 15, 2022, local bill hearing held on Zoom. 

On December 19, 2022, Mr. Verma elaborated on his spoken testimony from December 15th with a letter to the Montgomery County Delegation.  The letter is shown below.  

Former MoCo Planning Board Member Says, "...Planning Board members’ ability to make informed decisions were further impeded or gaslighted in public session..."

Former Montgomery County Planning Board member Tina Patterson submitted written testimony on Senator Ben Kramer's local bill MC/PG 105-23 for the December 15, 2022, local bill hearing held on Zoom. Below is portion of her written testimony. The full testimony is reprinted below. 

...Section 15-105 of the Land Use Article requires that before the County Council may remove any Planning Board Commissioner before the conclusion of his or her term, the Council must issue a written statement of the cause for such removal and hold a public hearing.

I did not receive, and the public was not informed by any written statement of the cause for my removal. The County Council said it had “lost faith in the Board.” But that is not a cause. Loss of faith is a result from some event or action. As stated in my requested letter of resignation, “I remain proud of the work that I have done as Planning Board member. I have not done anything to tarnish the Board’s work or undermine its public trust.”.

Instead, I was told that if I did not resign within 15 hours of the request, I would be given two minutes to make a statement, and regardless of what I presented the Council would thereafter vote to terminate me since the decision had already been made.

The media continues to report that the Planning Board resigned “amid a scandal” creating an implication that there was such a scandal involving all Planning Board members. There was not. The Inspector General Report regarding the alcohol make no mention of my name. While it would be expedient to dismiss the entire Planning Board to restore order to this body, I emphatically believe that requiring the resignations of those members who have not taken part in the misdeeds is not only be an unjust outcome but amount to guilt by association. I understand that some people may believe that the Board members who have not been implicated by the IG should have spoken out about the disconcerting conduct of others. I have reported disturbing conduct, but my concerns fell on deaf ears...

Full text of former Planning Board member Tina Patterson's statement is below on SCRIBD and in text at bottom of this post. 

2022 Tina Patterson - Testimony for Bill MC/PG105-23 by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

 Testimony for Bill MC/PG105-23

1

December 14, 2022

Dear Senator Kramer and Legislators:

My name is Tina Patterson. I am resident of District 39. I am writing in support of the Montgomery

County Planning Trust and Transparency Act of 2023 in principle (later in this document I do have a few

recommendations for your consideration). I believe that the increased transparency and accountability

are part of a mechanism of checks and balances that are necessary for any entity, especially a public

agency.

I served on the Montgomery County Planning Board from 2017 to 2021. I was reappointed to the

Planning Board in 2021 to serve a second term and did so until I was forced to resign in October 2022. I

have also served on the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission from 2007 to 2014. In addition,

my leadership and community engagement include:

• (2021) Public Leaders for Inclusion Council (PLIC,)

• (2019) FBI Baltimore Citizens Academy,

• (2018) Project 500 / Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority Small Business University

• (2017) Walker’s Legacy,

• (2015) Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Training (CERT),

• (2012) Montgomery County Maryland Police Citizen’s Academy,

• (2011) Leadership Montgomery (Maryland),

• (2007) White House Project’s ‘Go Run’ program,

• (2004) Leadership Texas,

• (2003) Leadership America

In addition to my community engagement, I own a consulting firm based in Montgomery County. I share

these details with you because they shape my rationale for support of this legislation.

During the time which I served as a Planning Commissioner, I frequently explained that the Planning

Board reports to the County Council but is subject to State of Maryland ethics requirements and the

Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) is a state agency. While the County

Council has been delegated the authority to appoint, and if appropriate to remove commissioners, both

actions are subject to compliance with specific processes established under state law - processes that

were designed to provide the public with transparency so that there is appropriate accountability.

From my perspective, as early as 2018 questionable events and activities were reported by Planning

Board members and the general public to the MNCPPC Inspector General (IG), County Council and the

County Executive. Memos of correspondence between the branches of government appeared on

Facebook for all to read and comment upon. As mentioned above, currently the Planning Board reports

to the County Council so adjudication of these concerns was the County Council’s responsibility. In early

2022 when Attorney General Frosh made inquiries to the County Council about complaints the

Testimony for Bill MC/PG105-23

2

Montgomery County Planning Board was tasked to take action. Publicly, the request was followed

upon. Internally, Planning Board members’ ability to make informed decisions were further impeded or

gaslighted in public session or when convening as the MNCPPC.

Section 15-105 of the Land Use Article requires that before the County Council may remove any

Planning Board Commissioner before the conclusion of his or her term, the Council must issue a written

statement of the cause for such removal and hold a public hearing.

I did not receive, and the public was not informed by any written statement of the cause for my

removal. The County Council said it had “lost faith in the Board.” But that is not a cause. Loss of faith is a

result from some event or action. As stated in my requested letter of resignation, “I remain proud of the

work that I have done as Planning Board member. I have not done anything to tarnish the Board’s work

or undermine its public trust.”.

Instead, I was told that if I did not resign within 15 hours of the request, I would be given two minutes to

make a statement, and regardless of what I presented the Council would thereafter vote to terminate

me since the decision had already been made.

The media continues to report that the Planning Board resigned “amid a scandal” creating an implication

that there was such a scandal involving all Planning Board members. There was not. The Inspector

General Report regarding the alcohol make no mention of my name. While it would be expedient to

dismiss the entire Planning Board to restore order to this body, I emphatically believe that requiring the

resignations of those members who have not taken part in the misdeeds is not only be an unjust

outcome but amount to guilt by association. I understand that some people may believe that the Board

members who have not been implicated by the IG should have spoken out about the disconcerting

conduct of others. I have reported disturbing conduct, but my concerns fell on deaf ears.

Separation from MNCPPC has resulted in loss of health insurance. I am navigating that process as

expeditiously as possible (COBRA is not available until 2023) and exercising as much care as possible in

public. The larger concern since the forced resignation is the addressing and managing personal and

professional reputational risk and damage. I’m aware that in 2023 I will need to defend my suitability to

continue to do work as a federal contractor because the “scandal” raises questions about my character,

trustworthiness and reliability. I also realize that at any point a client using my company’s dispute

resolutions services may challenge my integrity, to serve in a neutral, judicious capacity because of the

alleged “scandal” and I could ultimately lose work. I have been advised that I should be prepared to

explain my innocence for perpetuity.

Returning to the Montgomery County Planning Trust and Transparency Act of 2023, I believe shifting

appointment of the Chair to the County Executive will treat that position as one similar to other

Department Heads, while leaving the appointment of other Commissioners to the County Council to

create a more robust partnership within the branches of government. The Chair of the Planning Board is

supposed to be the administrative manager of the Planning Board. Implementation of this Act will

enhance the relationship and encourage better coordination with the Executive branch.

Finally, I do have several suggestions:

Testimony for Bill MC/PG105-23

3

• There needs to be some parity in the appointments by adding to Section 15.103.1 that the

appointment of the Chair would require the approval of 8 members of the County Council within

30 days after the hearing on the appointment.

• I recommend adding a requirement for a Compliance Officer within the Office of General

Counsel to assure compliance with state laws, particularly Open Meetings and Maryland Public

Information Act.

• Section 15-105 dealing with discipline or removal of a commissioner should be allowed by either

the Council or the County Executive with approval of the other. The written reason for discipline

or removal should be published for public review and consideration at least 2 weeks before the

hearing.

• Instead of the proposal to exclude a commissioner from the ability to testify in his or her

defense as a matter of due process, I suggest, there should be a provision specifically allowing

for a commissioner be placed on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of the hearing.

The timeline of the previous configuration of the Montgomery County Planning Board serves as

cautionary tale and justification as to why the Montgomery County Planning Trust and Transparency Act

of 2023 is necessary and supports good governance. Whether elected or appointed, public servants are

supposed to serve the public. I believe this Act is a catalyst in restoring public trust.

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me

Respectfully,

Tina E. Patterson, MCIArb

Got a sick kid at home? Most likely you won’t find commonly used pain and fever reducers at your local drug stores including children’s @tylenol . We checked a @CVSHealth store in Rockville #Maryland and they are out. Same thing over on @amazon . @fox5dc

 Ayesha Khan on Twitter: "Got a sick kid at home? Most likely you won’t find commonly used pain and fever reducers at your local drug stores including children’s @tylenol. We checked a @CVSHealth store in Rockville #Maryland and they are out. Same thing over on @amazon. @fox5dc https://t.co/v4AMqhHgch" / Twitter

Vandalism at Walt Whitman High School

From WUSA9, reporter Samantha Gilstrap. For the whole story go here. 

To stop antisemitism in MCPS, follow @wwhs_jews4change on Instagram. Jews4Change is a group of Jewish Whitman students who are pushing for their school to better support Jewish students and staff, and address the antisemitic climate at Whitman. There is going to be a walk out on 12/22 (or possibly 12/21 if there is snow on 12/22) at Whitman in the morning. Support and promote the walk out, especially if you have high school students. Go to it if you can.

MARYLAND

'Jews not welcome' graffiti found at Bethesda high school

For the second time in a month, Montgomery County Police are investigating antisemitic vandalism in the community.

Ninth-grade student Rachel Barold at Walt Whitman reached out to WUSA9 after receiving an email from her principal regarding the incident. 

She says she was with other students at the time the email hit her inbox.

"We all opened our phones at the same time and you could hears kids saying 'oh my god' check your emails. Everyone was in shock about what happened," said Barold.

She claims the graffiti comes directly after a school lesson on the Holocaust.

Barold said a petition for the Holocaust lesson was started after Jewish students at the school began noticing their other classmates genuinely did not know what it was.

Barold said this should never be happening, adding that Whitman has issues with xenophobia.

"People are forgetting and it's scary because if you don't remember what happened, history repeats itself," said Barold.

Barold is helping to organize a walkout on Thursday, December 22 with the group Jews4Change at Whitman to draw awareness to the issue.

00:3002:28

The Pattern of Antisemitism at Walt Whitman High School

Following the heels of the antisemitic graffiti at Walt Whitman, an antisemitic email was sent to Whitman staff today. Here is the response from the principal, Robert Dodd. These consistent messages of Jew Hatred in MCPS public schools must be stopped. To date all the Jewish community has heard from councilmembers and County Executive Elrich are thoughts and prayers. No action is planned by them. 

MCCPTA has not issued any statement, and neither has anyone from the Board of Education. 

ABC7: Furniture, headphones, tires: OIG finds $133k in illicit spending from MCPS DOT employee

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Charles Ewald was second in charge of MCPS' Department of Transportation.

The division has 1,800 employees and an annual budget of $120 million.

Last fall, Montgomery County's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) dug into Ewald's MCPS charge card statements and found $133,000 in prohibited spending...

Furniture, headphones, tires: OIG finds $133k in illicit spending from MCPS DOT employee | WJLA

Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims

I was sad — but certainly not surprised — to learn of former state Sen. Bobby Zirkin’s about-face on his original 2019 stance regarding the passage of the Hidden Predator’s Act (”Catholic Church paid Maryland lobbyists more than $200K to help limit, prevent abuse lawsuits,” Dec. 8). He had the courage then to stand up to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and push legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations regarding child sex abuse. But for the past three years, he’s been paid by the church to lobby against it. 

 In 1976, I first heard the catch phrase, “follow the money,” in the movie, “All The President’s Men,” about the Watergate burglary during the Richard Nixon White House years. Here is another example of a former state politician more interested in collecting a fee than what he at one time passionately believed to be the right thing to do. Why is it that money continues to override the decent thinking of today’s leaders? Can’t Zirkin collect fees lobbying for causes he truly believes in? I hope the former senator comes to his senses and stops his lobbying for the Archdiocese of Baltimore trying to maintain the statute of limitations on child sex abuse. 

There is another movie title I would like Zirkin to recall. This one is entitled, “Do the Right Thing.” — Mac Kennedy, Baltimore

Zirkin turned his back on child abuse victims | READER COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun

Incident of Antisemitic Graffiti at Walt Whitman High School

12.17.22 Letter to WW Community- Antisemitic Graffiti by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland on Scribd

Groups ask high court to bar ‘exorbitant’ fees for government documents

Frustrated by the rising cost of obtaining government documents, three public interest groups have turned to the state’s highest court for relief. 

The organizations want the Court of Appeals to interpret state law in a manner that would make most government documents available to the public free of charge. And in cases where fees are warranted, the groups say it’s time state and local governments stopped charging “exorbitant” rates. 

The groups — the ACLU of Maryland, the Baltimore-based Public Justice Center and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee — filed their petition with the Court of Appeals earlier this month. Their plea came in the form of an amicus brief filed in support of the appellants in Baltimore City Police Department, et al. v. Open Justice Baltimore, a civil rights organization. 

The groups’ lawyer noted that the General Assembly has instructed state and local agencies that they should waive document fees when doing so “would be in the public interest.” Despite that order, the public has seen “a disturbing pattern” emerge in recent years. 

“[A]gencies are increasingly demanding that public interest organizations like [the petitioners] pay thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to access records about the operations and activities of the government,” the groups wrote. 

The ability of individuals and groups to hold governments accountable for their actions “begins to crumble if government agencies are permitted to erect barrier after barrier when nonprofit public interest organizations… seek access to public records in furtherance of their missions,” they added...

Groups ask high court to bar 'exorbitant' fees for government documents - Maryland Matters

Howard County Public Schools Bell Times for 2023/24 School Year

 

Report: MCPS’ Department of Transportation Abused Use of its Credit Cards @mcps @mocoboe

Montgomery County Public School’s Department of Transportation (DOT) abused its use of purchase cards [CREDIT CARDS], according to a 15-page report released Thursday by Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi.

An earlier internal audit by the school district found “questionable purchases,” including gift cards, furniture, and other purchases that were shipped to an employee’s home.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed $570,000 worth of transactions from July 2020 to June 2022 and ruled that $133,000 of these purchases by a former DOT assistant director were prohibited by MCPS policy.

The OIC and MCPS noted that $6,500 was spent on items that were considered not for use by MCPS.

According to the report, “The OIG also found that MCPS DOT management and staff regularly violated MCPS P-Card [CREDIT CARD] policies.”..

Report: MCPS' Department of Transportation Abused Use of its Purchase Cards - Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org)

Breaking: Former MoCo Planning Bd Commissioner Partap Verma Describes Toxic Work Environment, Says Fmr PB Chair Influenced IG Investigation of Sitting Councilmember and more...

Listen to Partap Verma, then Carol Rubin and then hear Senator Ben Kramer's follow up question: 

Breaking: MoCo Inspector General Releases Investigation - Finds Misconduct In MCPS Credit Card Program By MCPS Transportation Staff

OIG Finds Misconduct in MCP... by Parents' Coalition of Montg...

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Megan Davey Limarzi, Esq.

Inspector General

NEWS RELEASE

______________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release December 15, 2022

OIG Finds Misconduct In MCPS Purchase Card Program

Rockville, Maryland – Montgomery County Maryland Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi 

announced today the release of a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report of 

investigation, Abuse of Purchase Cards by Montgomery County Public Schools 

Department of Transportation Employees, OIG Publication # 23-006, detailing the results of an

OIG investigation directed at abuses of MCPS’s purchase card program. The investigation was 

initiated in furtherance of the OIG’s mission to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in 

government activities; and propose ways to increase the legal, fiscal, and ethical accountability 

of County government departments and County-funded agencies.

The OIG analyzed the approximate $570,000 worth of transactions that occurred from July 2020 

to June 2022 through P-Cards assigned to MCPS DOT staff and found approximately $133,000 

in purchases made using P-Cards issued to the former MCPS DOT Assistant Director were 

prohibited by policy. The OIG and MCPS deemed that approximately $6,500 was spent on items 

that were possibly for non-MCPS related use. The OIG also found that MCPS DOT management 

and staff regularly violated MCPS P-Card policies. 

The OIG noted that MCPS took several steps to address program vulnerabilities since allegations 

of misconduct emerged, however opportunities still exist for them to strengthen oversight 

programs. The backstop against program abuses and failures is a strong audit and oversight 

program. The OIG found that MCPS’ P-Card monitoring program is not consistently followed

and P-Card audits of central office departments, like DOT, are not a part of routine audits. The 

OIG made similar observations in a 2016 review and recommended improved oversight. The 

OIG made 5 recommendations as a result of this investigation, some of which are again targeted 

at improving oversight of P-Cards.

The OIG pursued this investigation after consulting with the Montgomery County Police

Department about their investigation of alleged misconduct by the former MCPS DOT Director 

and former MCPS DOT Assistant Director. The OIG shared the results of its investigation with 

the State’s Attorney’s Office.

The full report can be found at 

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2023/OIG-23-006.pdf

Please direct all inquiries to: Email: ig@montgomerycountymd.gov Phone: 240-777-8240

ACLU of Virginia: We've reached a settlement in our case about peer masking in Virginia public schools affirming that masking is a reasonable modification for students with disabilities that put them at severe risk if they contract COVID.

 In February of last year, 12 parents of students with disabilities filed a lawsuit against Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 2 & Senate Bill 739.

These directives restricted schools from requiring community masking to combat COVID spread & keep kids with disabilities safe. 

In March, a court preliminarily granted these parents the ability to request & receive community masking accommodations.

The parties have reached a settlement that we are waiting for the court to accept that will ensure kids with disabilities can be accommodated at school. 

Under federal disability law, schools MUST make accommodations if a child with a disability requires peer & teacher masking, regardless of the requirements of Executive Order 2 & Senate Bill 739.

Kids with disabilities deserve the same access to education as their peers. 

We are glad to be working with @BrownGoldLevy, @disAbilityLawVA, @arnoldporter, & @WashLaw4CR to move this case forward.

Read more about this lawsuit and its settlement:

Parents and State Settle Lawsuit on School Masking Accommodations for Students with Disabilitieshttps://www.acluva.org/en/press-releases/parents-and-state-settle-lawsuit-school-masking-ac

Thread by @ACLUVA on Thread Reader App – Thread Reader App

Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D) has a $500,000 campaign finance war chest that is overflowing with donations from development interests. Wasting no time, he has a fundraiser planned for Thursday that is co-hosted by, among others, a prominent developer, Aris Mardirossian...

Greater transparency necessary for Montgomery County development decisions

...A twin package of legislation introduced recently by state Sen. Ben Kramer (D-Montgomery) offers to take some other steps: adding some requirements for greater transparency for members of the planning board; limiting their ability to make donations to politicians; and in what some on the County Council have complained, cutting into the council’s authority to appoint all board members by allowing the executive to nominate, subject to council approval, a candidate for either chair or vice chair.

That would be a small reprise of the system in use in the late 1960s and not changed for a few decades, when the power over the board shifted back to the council. It would partly parallel the way it works now in Prince George’s County, which, with Montgomery, makes up the bi-county Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Kramer’s proposals still would leave the Montgomery County Council in charge of land use decision making, allowing it to continue to hold the power to approve or veto Planning Board development recommendations. He has proposed a task force to examine some of these issues. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday evening.

Transparency is an oft-used phrase these days in government. At the opening session on Dec. 6 of the newly elected 11-member Montgomery County Council, new members Kristin Mink (D) and Laurie-Anne Sayles (D) and returning member Will Jawando (D), put down markers on the issue of transparency, saying that there are many instances of the council operating in the dark, and calling for greater light.

Land use would be a good place to start.

Montgomery County’s system for making decisions about new development, overseen by the council, may be one of its most difficult to observe and understand. Councilmember Andrew Friedson (D) has a $500,000 campaign finance war chest that is overflowing with donations from development interests. Wasting no time, he has a fundraiser planned for Thursday that is co-hosted by, among others, a prominent  developer, Aris Mardirossian, whose Bethesda Land LLC is involved in a controversy over a promised park in downtown Bethesda...

Miranda Spivack: Greater transparency necessary for Montgomery County development decisions - Maryland Matters

Students with disabilities win dispute over masks in Va. public schools

Parents of students with disabilities in Virginia public schools have won a major legal dispute, winning the right to require mask-wearing by teachers and students to help protect their children against COVID-19.

One of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s first acts was to stop mandatory mask wearing in public schools, signing executive order number two in January that left the decision of masking in the hands of parents...

Students with disabilities win dispute over masks in Va. public schools - WTOP News