Ashton, Feinberg, Myles and Pierzchala Elected to Council Seats
Rockville voters re-elected Bridget Donnell Newton as mayor, with 7,561 votes, or 63.75% of the total, according to unofficial results in the City of Rockville’s historic Vote by Mail election, which were announced early Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Four councilmembers were also elected: Monique Ashton, Beryl L. Feinberg, David Myles and Mark Pierzchala.
The Mayor and Council serve four-year terms.
City Scores Perfect Marks on Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index
For a third consecutive year, Rockville has scored perfect marks on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index for the city’s commitment to the health, welfare, safety and equality of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
Rockville scored 100/100 on the scorecard, along with, Baltimore, Columbia and Frederick, out of the 10 Maryland towns and cities rated on the 2019 scorecard.
The eighth annual MEI scorecard, released Tuesday, Nov. 19, analyzes and rates 506 municipalities across the country, measuring each for the inclusivity of laws, policies and services for their LGBTQ communities. Overall, 88 cities in the U.S. earned the highest possible score.
Cities are rated across 49 different criteria, covering citywide nondiscrimination protections, policies for municipal employees, city services, law enforcement and the city’s leadership on LGBTQ equality.
“This year’s Municipal Equality Index shows that across the country, city leaders are working tirelessly to ensure that their constituents can secure housing, make a living and participate in community life without being discriminated against because of who they are,” HRC president Alphonso David said in a statement accompanying the MEI scorecard’s release.
The 2019 MEI report can be found at www.hrc.org/mei.
2019 MEI Maryland Rankings
Rockville 100
Baltimore 100
Columbia 100
Frederick 100
Gaithersburg 93
College Park 86
Towson 86
Annapolis 76
Bowie 60
Hagerstown 54
Look for Rockville’s latest 2019-2020 winter guide, “LIFE in Rockville,” which lists all the programs, events, classes and fun available from the city’s Recreation and Parks Department.
Rockville has something for you and your kids to take part in, whether it’s preschool programs, sports, arts, dance or getting fit.
Also look for “60+,” the Rockville Senior Center’s guide to classes, programs and events for those aged 60 and older.
The guides will be available in print and online by early December.
General registration for Recreation and Parks programs begins Thursday, Dec. 5. Most winter programs will begin the week of Jan. 6.
Find recreation guides at www.rockvillemd.gov/guide, and search and sign up for courses and programs at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.
Last Minute Tips, Where to Find Results, and Inauguration Information
The deadline for Rockville voters to get their ballots to City Hall for the 2019 Vote by Mail election is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Casting Ballots
Ballot Replacement
For
voters who have not received a ballot, or who have lost or incorrectly
filled out their ballot, a replacement ballot can be issued at the vote
center.
Qualified Rockville residents who register and vote the same day on Nov. 5 will be issued a provisional ballot, and will be required to bring a current, valid photo ID with a City of Rockville address or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document with the voter’s name and current address. Documents must be dated within three months of the election.
There will be only one vote center on Election Day. The city will no longer operate polling places.
Results
Unofficial results will become available as soon as all ballots have been counted after the election deadline, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 in the following places:
Following the Election
Official results will be certified and announced on Nov. 12.
An inauguration ceremony for the new Mayor and Council will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603 Edmonston Drive. The inauguration is open to the public.
The first meeting of the Mayor and Council will be 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18.
City Pairs Helpers with Seniors
Each winter the Rockville Senior Center looks for ways to help older Rockville residents with snow removal. If you’re handy with a shovel and don’t mind digging out an extra driveway or clearing a walkway or two, you can sign up and volunteer for the program.
The senior center’s home maintenance coordinator organizes the program and can connect you with neighbors in need near your home. What better way to celebrate the season of selfless giving?
To sign up to volunteer or to request snow-shoveling assistance, email Jerry Jones at jjones@rockvillemd.gov, call him at 240-314-8819 or call the Senior Center Support Services office at 240-314-8810.
To sign up for assistance or volunteer online, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/snowshoveling.
For more information about Rockville Senior Services, call 240-314-8800 or email seniorcenter@rockvillemd.gov.
When winter weather strikes, turn to the city’s website at www.rockvillemd.gov/winterweather for information about Rockville’s snow removal policies.
The installation of small-cell antennas will begin in city rights of way during the next few weeks.
Rockville adopted guidelines and fees for small-cell installations subsequent to a Federal Communications Commission order that went into effect Jan. 14. That order pre-empted many aspects of the city’s ability to regulate the installation of the small antennas used in the wireless network.
Small-cell antennas seek to create a next-generation 5G network that delivers faster internet and increases cell phone service coverage, as well as providing additional capacity for existing 4G networks. They can be a maximum of 3 cubic feet, with up to 28 cubic feet of associated equipment. They are intended to provide additional coverage in areas with a high volume of cell traffic, or to fill in areas with marginal coverage.
The FCC order requires local governments to allow the antennas in public rights of way; to act on applications to install antennas within 60 or 90 days, depending on the type of installation; and to publish aesthetic standards for the installation. It also regulates the fees that local governments can charge.
Fourteen permits for small wireless facilities have been issued so far by the City of Rockville, mainly on city-owned streetlight poles, which will be replaced and reinstalled to match existing poles.
For more information, visit RockvilleReports.com and search for “small cell.”
The State Highway Administration will host a series of public workshops in Frederick and Montgomery counties in mid-November to provide an overview of plans for Interstate 270 between interstates 370 and 70. The workshops will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. as follows:
The workshops will provide an overview of pre-National Environmental Policy Act activities and the NEPA process; discuss the transportation needs of the corridor; and identify potential solutions and existing environmental considerations.
Pre-NEPA activities include a review of existing and future traffic, roadway and environmental conditions to inform the development of alternatives. There will be a brief presentation at 7 p.m. during each workshop. Attendees will be able to review display boards and meet with SHA staff.
Meeting materials, including an online presentation, will be available at 495-270-p3.com.
Free sessions at the Rockville Senior Center will show you ways to live fuller and more healthily this month.
Register at the senior center’s information desk, by calling 240-314-8800 or online with the course number at www.rockvillemd.gov/registration.
Rockville will honor veterans of our nation’s armed forces at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, will include a wreath laying and a military salute by the American Legion Post 86 Honor Guard. A reception will follow at American Legion Post 86, at 2013 Veirs Mill Road.
Rockville and Montgomery County residents who have retired from, or currently serve in, the United States military are eligible to take part in the ceremony.
If you are a military member interested in being a guest speaker at future city events, please contact Amanda Knox at aknox@rockvillemd.gov or at 240-314-8620.
For more information, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/veteransday, email specialevents@rockvillemd.gov or call 240-314-8620.
