Keeping the Silver Spring Circle on track

February 10, 2020

Category: bicycle

Last month I learned that the County Executive has proposed to delay the Fenton St. Cycletrack bikeway, which is a key part of the Silver Spring Circle.

In response, Councilmember Glass and I wrote the following letter to the County Executive urging him to advance this critical project with all due haste. I will fight hard through the Council’s budget process to get this project back on track.

Dear County Executive Elrich:

Like you, we are committed to Vision Zero and achieving zero deaths on our roadways by 2030. We were pleased to see the County’s Vision Zero efforts—in particular the Silver Spring Circle (a network of protected bicycle lanes and intersections)—play such a prominent role in your State of the County Address. We agree that pedestrian and bicyclist safety must be a much higher priority. Keep Reading >>

Jobs: We can do this

January 22, 2020

Category: Economic development, economy, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, technology

Dear resident,

You may have seen the recent Washington Post stories about economic challenges facing Montgomery County. As Northern Virginia’s tech sector booms, our job growth is lagging.

We urgently need a new vision and action to grow our job base. We can do it — by understanding our strengths and investing in them.

Looking at economic powerhouses like Boston or the Bay Area, it is clear that research institutions — usually major universities — are driving innovation and economic growth.

That is why I am so excited about my recent engagements with our Federal research labs, such as the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and others. Keep reading >>

What we accomplished in 2019

January 7, 2020

Category: affordable housing, Economic development, education, housing, police, transportation

Dear resident,

Following is a detailed report about my work this past year as your Councilmember. This list is progress that we made together.

Progressive leadership requires making tough decisions and getting the basics right. You can’t reach high from a wobbly foundation.

That’s why I focus every day on making the kinds of forward thinking changes that we need to position Montgomery County for future success and prosperity.

I’m eager to hear from you! Please share your thoughts by email to councilmember.riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov. Keep reading >>

Council creates Police Advisory Commission

December 4, 2019

Category: MCPD, police

I am pleased to let you know that the County Council unanimously passed legislation I authored to establish a Police Advisory Commission.

I am writing to share some background about the proposal and what I hope it can achieve. You can watch a video of my remarks at Council here.

I support our police officers without hesitation. They serve our community under tremendous pressure. We are all fortunate for the work they do, day in and day out, to keep us safe.

The Washington Post editorial board, which pushed hard for the bill, says it “could prompt other localities to fashion more meaningful civilian oversight of law enforcement.”

I also support police reform, because the police profession needs to constantly evolve and improve as our challenges change. And like jurisdictions across the country, we too have our share of issues that need to be addressed. Keep reading >>

Montgomery County Council adopts landmark legislation to create Policing Advisory Commission

December 3, 2019

Category: MCPD, police

Councilmember Riemer’s bill will create a new body to bring police and communities together and improve police policies and procedures

ROCKVILLE, Md., December 3, 2019—The Montgomery County Council today unanimously adopted Bill 14-19, introduced by Councilmember Hans Riemer, creating a Policing Advisory Commission. Councilmembers Will Jawando, Tom Hucker and Evan Glass were cosponsors of Bill 14-19.

The goal of the Commission is to improve Council oversight of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and strengthen community trust in police. The Commission will advise the Council on policing matters, provide information regarding best practices, and recommend policies and programs.

“We have an excellent police department staffed by conscientious public servants,” Riemer said. “But we are not immune to the challenges that communities are facing all over the country. Montgomery County can be part of the solution by embracing a new approach that centers police work in community participation and community values.” Keep reading >>

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