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Dear Ward 3 residents,

I wish you all a happy new year. To many, it was a relief to say goodbye to a very difficult year.

At the same time, we have already seen that 2021 is bringing a number of challenges as well. Like many of you, I watched the rioters and violence at the Capitol last week with frustration, anger, sadness, and concern. As we look towards the coming weeks in particular, it will be important to support one another and maintain our commitment to the values we cherish.

The issues we're facing together are big and complicated. We're in the midst of a pandemic that has sickened and killed friends, family members, and acquaintances here and around the world, as well as resulted in enormous changes to our everyday lives. Job losses, food insecurity, loss of childcare, digital learning, social isolation, uncertainty for the future, and more have come with this.

And we are facing an incredibly challenging moment in our country's history. I look enthusiastically and hopefully to the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, with hope for the many positive changes we need in the future. However, the Capitol riots were very concerning, and we are faced with uncertainties about whether there may be more violence.

In the coming weeks, it will be more important than ever to come together in spirit as a community and support each other. City staff and police have been following the events in the area and communicating with other area jurisdictions and will be monitoring the situation on an ongoing basis. We will share information as it becomes available, and I encourage you to you sign up for Takoma Park Alerts so you get messages quickly if there is information to share. Please also see Chief DeVaul's recent message on police planning for the coming weeks.

I am hopeful for a positive, healthier 2021 and am looking ahead to what I hope will be better days in the future. The City Council will return from recess this week with a regular public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 7:30pm. We will also be looking ahead at priorities and key work for the coming year in a virtual "retreat" this Saturday, Jan. 16. See below for agendas. 

Please also join me on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7pm for a virtual Ward 3 Meeting. I'll send more details soon, but one exciting agenda item will be an opportunity to meet-and-greet with Pastor Mac, pastor of Centro Evangelistico, the recent purchaser of the former John Nevins Andrews School property on Elm Ave. They are working to fix up the location in hopes of providing some space for worship and a preschool/childcare center.


Sincerely,

COVID Update

The Takoma Park COVID-19 Dashboard has been updated with data through 1/8/21:

  • There were 81 new cases since December 29, for a cumulative total of 1,185 infections in the city since the start of the pandemic.
  • The 7-day moving average of cases per 100k residents declined slightly since the last update, but remains higher than both the county and city case numbers in late November.
  • December cases ended at 285 - the highest of any month since the start of the pandemic - and there have been 25 cases so far in January.
  • There was one new death in the 20912 zip code.
You may also be interested in checking out this hospital capacity map for the area.

Protecting Yourself & Others
COVID cases are rising. PLEASE take precautions: socially distance, avoid gatherings, wear masks, and wash your hands!

COVID Testing
Free testing is available at the Takoma Park Recreation Center on New Hampshire Ave each Wednesday and Saturday from 10am-5pm. There will be no testing on Jan. 13, however. No appointment is needed. More information here.

More COVID resources and information are available here.

City Council Meetings This Week

Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 - 7:30pm

For the Record

Legislative Update

Public Comments (sign up by 5pm the day of the meeting here)

Council & City Manager Comments

Adoption of Minutes

Work Session


Saturday, Jan 16, 2021 - 10am-4:30pm

10:00 AM  - Welcome and Goals for Meeting

10:10 AM  - COVID-19 Response and Plans for 2021

11:10 AM - Housing and Economic Development – A Livable Community for All

12:15 PM - Lunch Break

12:35 PM - Climate Change and Sustainabilty Work

1:35 PM - Update on Racial Equity Work and a Look Ahead

2:15 PM - Key Updates on Priorities:

  • Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce
  • City Manager Search
  • Resident Committee Restructuring
  • Redistricting

3:00 PM - Review Major Projects

3:30 PM - Discussion of Other Priorities

4:30 PM - Wrap Up and Adjourn

News & Information

Pepco Community Look Ahead
The Pepco Takoma to Sligo Project Community Look Ahead is available here. I have asked for information about the updated anticipated completion date on the work that they were aiming to finish in December.

Passing of Tommy Raskin
Many of you have probably heard the very sad news of the passing of Congressman Jamie Raskin's son Tommy at the end of December. I encourage you to read this moving tribute to Tommy. If anyone is looking for ways to support the Raskin family, they have announced the Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals. A neighbor has also been collecting stories of acts of compassion done to honor Tommy (calling an old friend, picking up trash in a park, etc). Although she aimed to collect these stories by the end of last week, if you have not participated and would like to, please let me know so that I can connect you with her.

SHA Junction Intersection Report
The State Highway Administration has completed and posted its Takoma Junction Vision Study Report. This report is the result of meetings with the Stakeholder Advisory Group and community meetings.

MDOT Rail Study
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking input from the public on passenger rail (MARC and Amtrak systems) and freight rail through an online survey. The survey is open through Jan. 29.

Around Town: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

There are typically a number of celebratory, reflective, and service events around the city to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the annual celebration with food and music has been canceled, along with coordinated trash pickups that usually happen at local parks.

However, there are still many ways to honor this day. Residents are encouraged to shine a light into the darkness, symbolically and literally by going outdoors on your stoop, balcony, or yard from 7-7:15 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and lifting a flashlight, candle, or your phone to the evening sky. Dr. King said, “Even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow I still have a dream.”

Thank you to MLK Committee Members Jackie Frazier, Cherwanda Oliver, Councilmember Cindy Dyballa, Jay Keller, Annie Mozer, and Howard Kohn -- we hope to celebrate and do service work again in person next year!

For those looking to volunteer with a local-serving organization, several organizations looking for volunteers are listed below. If you know of others, please share with me, and I will circulate those opportunities as well. 

  • A PTA coalition provides meals to families from Takoma Park Elementary, Piney Branch Elementary, East Silver Spring Elementary and Takoma Park Middle. Volunteers are needed to move boxes of food and to communicate in Spanish and Amharic. Older students receive SSL credit. Sign up to volunteer or contact Meghan Holland McDonald (megholland@gmail.com) for more information. Donations are also being accepted here.
  • Adventist Community Services distributes food and addresses other basic needs. On MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 18th) they will be sorting food and clothing outdoors at 501 Sligo Ave, Silver Spring. (In case of rain or snow, they will cancel.) Contact Terry or Joyce Seamens at 240-793-5108 to schedule a time to volunteer -- 3 one-hour shifts each with 15 volunteers (at least 3 must be adults). Shifts will start at 10 am, 11 am and Noon.
  • Small Things Matter distributes fresh food and staples, with assistance from the TPSS Coop, Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, and the 9:30 Club. Currently they are looking for teens to earn SSL hours by making casseroles, baking, and bagging bulk items, and they ask that donations of canned foods and other nonperishable items be deposited in a grocery cart near the Coop service desk.  Volunteers can sign up here.
  • Homes Not Borders needs volunteers to sort household items and move furniture for refugee families on January 18th (10 am to 1 pm) at 117 Elm Avenue, Takoma Park.  More information at here.
  • Montgomery County MLK service projects, both virtual and safely distanced, can be found at here.
  • Crossroads Community Food Network will need volunteers at their farm market when it reopens on April 14th. More information here.

The Takoma Park Equity Walk is an opportunity for residents to explore equity by examining who we are and what makes us feel valued and included. Each station engages you in a fun, physical activity, then prompts discussion. Additional resources enhance understanding about ourselves and others. 

Kacy Kostiuk  -  kacyk@takomaparkmd.gov  -  202-617-9295
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