Monday, May 22, 2023, 7PM EDT, Webinar by League of Women Voters MoCo Watch the presentation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/g1DhA0b2wW4?feature=share PRESENTERS:THEODORA SCARATO — Executive Director, Environmental Health Trust MITSUKO HERRERA — Program Director, Montgomery Connects, Montgomery County Office of Broadband Programs SABINE NESCHKE — Policy Analyst (business and technology issues), Bipartisan Policy Center Public infrastructure is more than roads and bridges. Bridging the “digital divide” is important for improving educational, economic, health, and political equity. Montgomery County […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Montgomery County
Opinion: The Montgomery County Council faces a defining moment (Letter to Editor of The Washington Post)
This letter appeared in The Washington Post on April 23, 2023 at 1:28 p.m. EDT The Montgomery County Council faces a defining moment as it considers whether to eliminate the Office of the People’s Counsel. Will the council act on its stated values of integrity and inclusion and keep the OPC? As reported in The Post over the past several months, including in the Oct. 24 editorial “A permanent Planning Board” and the Feb. 13 […]
Continue readingRick Meyer Testimony Opposing Bill 18-23 and Urging Council to Fully Fund the Office of the People’s Counsel
Restore full funding to the statutorily mandated Office of the People’s Counsel (OPC) Testimony of W. E. “Rick” Meyer Public Hearing. Bill 18-23, Structure of County Government – Community Zoning and Land Use Resource Officer April 18, 2023 Watch all of the public testimonies:Montgomery County Council Youtube Caroline Taylor testified earlier as part of a different hearing.Her testimony is available at this bookmarked link View all of the written testimony submitted. Read Rick Meyer’s full […]
Continue readingBREAKING: 9 Groups + Mayor Sign Letter to @MoCoCouncilMD Calling for 1- Council to Follow MD Law, 2- Independent Investigation of Planning Board
BREAKING: 9 Groups + Mayor Sign Letter to @MoCoCouncilMD Calling for 1- Council to Follow MD Law, 2- Independent Investigation of Planning Board Get the full scoop at MC4T.org >>
Continue readingMontgomery County Medical Society Withdraws from MD5G Partnership/Takes Neutral Position on ZTA 22-01
Please see the statement sent to the County Council today. https://youtu.be/U6kzg14gsm0
Continue readingThank you to everyone who came out to support our Rally opposing ZTA 22-01
We’re still in this! Also, BIG Thanks to Fox5DC and @thesierrafox for helping to uplift our voices, raising more awareness. The rally was held Tuesday October 11th On the steps of the County Council Building 100 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD Share the news coverage with friends! Post on social media! https://www.fox5dc.com/news/residents-protest-cell-towers-in-montgomery-county Re-tweet ! Second news report. https://youtu.be/f4N1ZMN3ecE Rally Highlight: Marion Edey, long-time Environmental Activist and once Founder of the National League of Conservation Voters (LCV), […]
Continue readingCouncilmember Riemer Ignores County Executive’s Recommendation
to Table ZTA 22-01
Key Points From County Executive Marc Elrich’s Letter: NO federal obligation to pass this ZTA NO need Prudent to wait for FCC reply to Appeals Court ruling on “arbitrary and capricious” RF rules Won’t help address digital divide. Montgomery County digital equity efforts include: 12,294 County households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – as of JUNE 2022 Residents enrolled in other benefit programs are eligible to receive $45 off their home or mobile broadband […]
Continue readingRacial Equity Social Justice Impact Statement Based Largely on Industry-Funded Report
The Council’s own staff, in its Racial Equity and Social Justice impact statement on ZTA 22-01, did not find that 22-01 would have a positive net impact on racial equity or social justice in the County. And that was after relying on a “report” that was “generously” supported by T-Mobile. At the same time, they noted that “if the reduced set back requirements for small cell towers authorized under ZTA 22-01 results in negative health […]
Continue readingMoCo Residents have had enough of the false claims by the Telecom industry and their lobbyists AND by Councilmember Hans Riemer
Council’s narratives about residential wireless zoning requirements cannot be squared with what the FCC guidance actually states. THERE IS NO FCC REQUIREMENT! The following is an excerpt of a report by Montgomery County Clear Vistas. Read the entire document here. Background Information: Zoning Text Amendments relating to “small” wireless facilities On July 27, 2021, the Council approved Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-07, which enables deployment of telecommunications towers in County rights-of-way in residential and agricultural […]
Continue readingMD5G Partnership Deleted Tweet After Resident Pointed Out the False Claims
The Tweet shown in this screen capture was deleted after a Montgomery County resident pointed out the false claim. Their next tweet wasn’t any better. MC4T @MC4Torg Oct 5 Your bogus @amcancersociety “quote” was hastily taken down. And, this new messaging angle FAILS to mention that DC Circuit ruled current RF standards are “arbitrary and capricious.” @MoCoCouncilMD So, maybe try again @MD5GPartnership?? @Steve_Bohnel In the October 3, 2022 – PHED Committee Worksession on […]
Continue reading