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Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Powys longest serving councillor Gareth Morgan standing down
Powys' longest serving county councillor was given a standing ovation by fellow members after bidding farewell to the chamber after more than 50 years. Gareth Morgan said it has been a 'privilege' and a 'wonderful experience' to represent Llanidloes on Powys County Council since 1973. First elected to Montgomery County Council in 1970 as a Liberal, he remained the only councillor to have served since the local authority was formed. The former solicitor announced to the chamber on Thursday, May 15, that he was standing down from the role after 52 years. Cllr Morgan said to councillors: 'It has been a wonderful experience being a member of this council from the start in 1973. 'Throughout the years that I have been member; it's been such a privilege to among so many friends. 'There is a wonderful atmosphere in this chamber, please do your best to preserve it. 'We've all got differences – we can argue in the chamber but when we leave it, we must forget those, and we must be friends. 'This is the way we deliver policies and have the most beneficial effect on the people we represent.' Three-time mayor Cllr Morgan fulfilled many council roles over the years including as Chair of Council between 1999 and 2000 and also held the position of Board Member for Arts and Culture from the Board's establishment in 2002 until 2008. In recognition of his service, Cllr Morgan was presented with a glass bowl by outgoing Chair Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson on behalf of himself, fellow county councillors and council staff. 'We really appreciate the work that you've done here at Powys County Council over a long period of time – it has been an incredible service that you have given,' Cllr Wilkinson said.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Montgomery County volunteer fire department at risk of closing due to budget cuts
The Brief A Montgomery County volunteer fire department is at risk of closing due to budget cuts. The Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department has been around for nearly a hundred years. There are plans to relocate the career firefighters and leave the Hyattstown station volunteer-only, which would be unprecedented in Montgomery County. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - A Montgomery County volunteer fire department is sounding the alarm, saying cuts to their station could cause them to shut down and leave the community vulnerable. The backstory The Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Department has been around for nearly a hundred years. There are about 20 career firefighters who staff the station 24/7 and roughly 10 volunteers. As part of recommendations from Montgomery County Council staff and MCFRS' Master Plan, there are plans to relocate the career firefighters and leave the Hyattstown station volunteer-only, which would be unprecedented in Montgomery County. "It would be a savings of almost $1 million a year, but for that cost, it is leaving upper Montgomery County community vulnerable," said Eric N. Bernard, executive director of the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. "Never in Montgomery County have we had a station completely de-staffed of career firefighters." Hyattstown Chief Jeff Gross has been at the station for 32 years. "It is exasperating to me, it just wears me down and a little demoralizing sometimes," Gross said. "In the last 15, 20 years, this is about the sixth or seventh episode of them trying to remove funding from our staff here and each time we fight it, we manage to overcome it when the public comes out and voices their opinions about it." Gross said the 10 volunteers primarily have EMS training, and do not have the qualifications to operate the big specialized tanker the career firefighters can run. It has an extrication unit for accidents on nearby 270 and can carry more water, since the area around the station does not have fire hydrants. Dig deeper The entire county runs on a hybrid system with about 1,0000 volunteer firefighters working side by side with roughly 1,200 career firefighters, Bernard explained. Montgomery County Fire officials said the move is best for the county as a whole. They also point to the opening of a new station in nearby Clarksburg — a nearly $40-million investment — as one of the reasons to reallocate Hyattstown's resources. "This station has served the community well for decades," said Pete Piringer, spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. "But the move will enhance services where they are needed. And as I said there's not that many calls in that area, fire calls or emergency medical calls, and we think the opening of this station, this investment in greater Hyattstown-Clarksburg area, will be adequate." Bernard said the volunteer firefighters association disagrees and opposes the plan. "While they don't run as many calls as we do in Silver Spring or Bethesda, the over 680 calls a year they do run are very important for those people and they should have a response in five minutes and not 10 minutes," Bernard said. Big picture view For reference, stations in Gaithersburg, Rockville and Silver Spring run more than 10,000 calls a year. To be clear, there are no cuts to MCFRS' overall budget. In fact, there's a six percent increase for fiscal year 2026. Montgomery County Council is reviewing the MCFRS budget at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. After Wednesday's full Council budget review with Chief Corey Smedley, the Council is scheduled to make a recommendation on the issue. Straw votes on the entire budget will be May 15 with a final budget vote on May 22. The changes in Hyattstown would go into effect July 1 if it's approved.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kensington neighbors concerned about proposed marijuana dispensary
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – Matt Rand thinks a marijuana dispensary along University Boulevard may not be the best thing for the Kensington area. In fact, he and others are hoping to stop it from becoming a reality. 'Does it normalize the use of marijuana?' Rand said. 'Does it normalize the use of drugs?' Third annual 'Black Family Wellness Expo' held in Silver Spring Those are some questions Rand has after finding out that a dispensary could open near his home in Kensington. Since finding out about it, he started a petition to keep it from opening. In about a week's time, it has more than 100 signatures. 'I don't think it's aligned with the values and vision of Kensington,' he said. Some neighbors agree. 'I don't think we need to support that,' Ashby Anderson said. 'I think if people want to find marijuana, they can find it in other places.' Others are more open to it. 'I'm not crazy about the idea just because the smell can get a little bit much,' one Kensington neighbor said. 'With that said, I really don't have a big issue with it.' Mold, air quality at Montgomery County elementary school draws concern Kensington said Montgomery County Council handles zoning issues related to business including this one that has gone through the permitting process. DC News Now reached out to the Montgomery County Council about these concerns, but did not hear back in time for publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Proposed bill would give hiring preference to displaced federal workers living in Montgomery County
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – Montgomery County Council Vice President Will Jawando introduced Expedited Bill 10-25 on Tuesday. He's hoping qualified former federal employees are placed at the top of the list for county job openings. 'We're here quite simply, just to defend our neighbors,' Jawando said. Rockville neighbors band together out of concern for dogs' welfare The legislation is meant to help displaced federal workers. 'This bill will guarantee that these civil servants are considered earlier in the hiring process and are interviewed if they meet the qualifications of the job they are applying for,' Jawando said. The proposal, which comes after actions by the Trump administration that left thousands of federal employees without jobs, is intended to give those workers a leg up in finding new positions. Juliette Rizzo is among more than 1,000 federal workers who live in Montgomery County and lost their jobs. 'I just want to share a few hardships when I think about unemployment,' Rizzo said. 'For me, I think about the cost of this wheelchair that raises up to this podium.' Montgomery County nonprofits team up to collect sports equipment for children Kate Greenberg worked at the National Institutes of Health for nearly 15 years before she was fired. 'The mental toll is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be,' Greenberg said. 'This is not how you treat human beings, and this is certainly not how you treat your own workforce.' Rizzo and Greenberg said they're grateful for the opportunity this bill could present if voted into law. 'I want to continue to serve,' Rizzo said. 'I believe in what's being done here for federal servants.' Jawando addressed concerns of people who may apply for county jobs but aren't former federal workers. 'We want to help them find employment, too,' he said. 'But it's a whole government response, and I think this is a targeted response for people, specifically targeted in a negative way.' Bethesda food pantry honors life of former Bullis School student Community members will have a chance to share their thoughts about the bill during a public hearing on Tuesday, April 1. 'If the federal government won't retain its best and brightest, why not put that talent to work at the county level?' Greenberg said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montgomery County Executive Office Building renamed to honor Isiah ‘Ike' Leggett
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () — The Executive Office Building (EOB) in Rockville now carries a new name in honor of former County Executive . On Monday, Feb. 24, leaders from across the county gathered to celebrate the renaming of the EOB now called, 'Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building.' During the ceremony, officials also unveiled the new plaque highlighting Leggett's historic accomplishments across the county and state. In 1986, Leggett made history in Maryland as the first person of color elected to the Montgomery County Council. He served four terms as an At-Large member and three times as the council's President and Vice-President. How Justin Haynes went from working at the Gap to an international fashion icon In November 2006, Leggett continued to write history and was elected as the first Black county executive for Montgomery County. He secured his seat winning over 67% of the ballots. While serving as the Montgomery County executive, the Louisiana native addressed local issues like transportation and immigration labor, while advocating for a statewide gas tax increase to support county transit projects. He served two more terms and his final term was in 2018. Outside of his accomplishments in the county, Leggett served as a Captain in the United States Army. While on tour in the Vietnam War, he earned a Bronze Star Medal. In 1977, he was selected as a White House Fellow under President Jimmy Carter. Over the last several years, Leggett has received more than 200 honors and awards from a variety of organizations including the Maryland State Teachers Association Humanitarian Award and The Martin Luther King – Heschel Award. Hagerstown's Ebenezer AME Church to celebrate 200 years In January 2016, he was named the 'Washingtonian of the Year' by Washingtonian Magazine. 'While this building will now bear his name, Ike's true legacy isn't this building,' said County Executive Mark Elrich. It's in our neighborhoods, our schools, our parks and community centers across Montgomery County. It's in the policies that opened doors for those who'd been shut out. It's in the lives he's touched, whether they knew his name or not. Ike Leggett didn't just serve this County, he shaped it. This building, now the Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building, will stand as a reminder of what principled leadership looks like. It will remind every County Executive who walks through its doors of the standard Ike set, one of compassion, strength and unwavering dedication to the people he served.' County Executive Mark Elrich The Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building is located at 101 Monroe Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
