Councilmember Andrew Friedson

12/06/2023

Deeply humbled to be chosen by colleagues to serve as President of the Montgomery County MD Council today.

We will boldly embrace our oversight role like never before.

We will continue to pursue innovative ways to produce and preserve housing that’s affordable, accessible, and serves the variety of needs in our community, and ensure it’s available where it’s most needed and wanted – with access to jobs, transit and educational opportunities.

We will break away from the same old strategies that lead to the same old results. We will be strategic and intentional, and we will act with urgency.

I’m excited for this new chapter, as we strive to make Montgomery County more attractive and competitive for new and legacy businesses, more equitable and welcoming for all our neighbors, and a beacon of light and hope for everyone in our community, especially our youngest and oldest residents.

12/02/2023

The Inspector General released a report today on the Investigation into Misconduct Allegations against Dr. Joel Beidelman which “substantiated violations of the MCPS Code of Conduct, and sexual harassment and workforce bullying policies.”

The abhorrent conduct and resulting culture of fear and humiliation confirmed in the report is alarming and entirely unacceptable. A second IG report is expected regarding Montgomery County Public Schools’ handling of misconduct allegations.

We need full accountability.
Systemic change is clearly needed.

You can find the report here:
https://montgomerycountymd.gov/OIG/Resources/Files/PDF/IGActivity/FY2024/MCPS_Beidleman.pdf

My statement on the investigation into MCPS employee misconduct and promotion processes.

To watch today’s hearing: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/OnDemand/index.html

To report issues to the Inspector General: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oig/hotline.html

11/30/2023

The Montgomery County MD Council Youth Town Hall is always a highlight. Very impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness of all the young participants, and am excited to see how these future leaders will shape our community moving forward.

11/30/2023

Proud to proclaim November as Prematurity Awareness Month.

We know that health disparities begin at birth or even before — and we recognize that infant loss affects us all. We must never become complacent in our efforts to improve birth outcomes and address systemic inequities.

11/28/2023

We shouldn’t impose unnecessary costs on desperately needed housing that contradicts our environmental goals and hinders building livable, walkable communities.

I was pleased to join Councilmember Kristin Mink, Councilmember Evan Glass as lead sponsors & all Montgomery County MD Council colleagues as cosponsors to introduce legislation today that would end government-imposed parking minimums that significantly drive up the cost of housing.

To be clear, this doesn’t eliminate parking, it simply ends the one-size-fits-all parking mandates from the 1970s and 80s in transit-oriented areas and instead embraces modern, market-based approaches to take a modest but meaningful step towards achieving our housing and climate goals.

As we build new housing for the next 40+ years, we shouldn’t be basing the requirements on standards from 40+ years ago.

For more details:
https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=44385&Dept=1

11/23/2023

Great to spend morning with my family and the Congregation Har Shalom Social Action Tikkun Olam Committee serving those in need at Cordell Place in Bethesda. Despite the hurt, harm, and hate we have seen increase at alarming levels, there is still so much for which to be thankful.

Hoping we can all find light amid the darkness this holiday weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

11/22/2023

In this season of thanksgiving, I’m so grateful to have neighbors who are so committed to serving those in need in our community. Thank you, Nourishing Bethesda!

Thank you Montgomery County Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Andrew Friedson for distributing Thanksgiving dinner packages this past week! 🤗⁣
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Help us continue to feed those in need this holiday season 🧡💚⁣
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🔗 https://bit.ly/NB_Turkey23
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🧡💚

Councilmember Evan Glass Councilmember Andrew Friedson

11/20/2023

It was a privilege to join a truly historic Rockville Inauguration today as Mayor Monique Ashton and Councilmembers Kate Fulton, Adam Van Grack, Izola Shaw, David Myles, Marissa Valeri, and Barry Jackson were sworn in to serve the City and our County’s Seat for a new term.

I look forward to partnering together to serve our community!

11/19/2023

Humbled to participate in a event this morning for to honor Sarah Langenkamp, Enzo Alvarenga, Jake Cassell and every road victim as we build support, raise awareness, and advocate for safer roadways in our community and throughout the country.

11/13/2023

I have referred the video of the abhorrent Islamophobic hate speech from a counter demonstrator in Rockville on Sunday, November 5th to Montgomery County’s Committee Against Hate Violence and to the Anti-Hate Task Force. City of Rockville Police have also been notified.

Here is my full statement:

11/13/2023

Honored to join my good friend Dipak Thakker and the beautiful community at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir again this year for a spectacular Grand Diwali Celebration.

At a time when our region and world need it more than ever, here’s to light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Happy Diwali, my friends! 🪔

11/11/2023

It was an honor to join the Daughters of the American Revolution Montgomery Chapters once again at Veterans Park in Bethesda for the 62nd Annual Veterans Day Observance to express our gratitude to all the service members and our military families.

On this Veterans Day and every day, we stand on the broad shoulders of their extraordinary sacrifice. May we support them in a manner that befits their service and sacrifice — with access to quality housing and jobs, mental health, and healthcare.

11/10/2023

I have seen images of deeply disturbing language used by demonstrators and counter-demonstrators locally and on college campuses in Maryland.

We must be abundantly clear: hate speech of any kind is unacceptable and harmful. I don't condone referring to people as animals, promoting terror, or suggesting violence. That is never in bounds at any peaceful protest.

We must be able to stand up for our cause without causing unneccesary harm to others. Our words matter. It's not just what we say, but how we say it, especially now when emotions are so raw and tensions are so high.

Let's try to value, rather than vilify one another. Let's hold each other accountable to speak our truth without robbing others of their truth.

11/09/2023

We must follow through on our commitment to protect the nonprofit organizations that are most at risk in this critical moment while maintaining our budgeted commitment to provide funding for ongoing security risks.

I want to express my thanks to Chairs Councilmember Kate Stewart and Councilmember Sidney Katz, and committee members Councilmember Dawn Luedtke and Councilmember Kristin Mink
for their support this afternoon.

11/09/2023

Honored to represent the Montgomery County MD Council to provide testimony before Secretary Wiedefeld, Delegation Chairs Julie Palakovich Carr & Ben Kramer, and MDOT administrators on Maryland’s Consolidated Transportation Program and our county’s transportation priorities.

Thank you for the partnership to build a safer, more efficient, multi-modal transportation network to serve the needs of our communities.

11/07/2023

Improving our tree canopy is essential to meeting our environmental goals and ensuring healthy, livable communities. This legislation will help us plant more trees in our neighborhoods, improve air and water quality, reduce heat islands, and enhance our quality of life.

I'm excited to introduce Bill 40-23 alongside Council President Evan Glass, and I want to thank Councilmembers Laurie-Anne Sayles, Kate Stewart, Dawn Luedtke, Gabe Albornoz, Sidney Katz, Marilyn Balcombe, Kristin Mink, and Natali Fani-Gonzalez for co-sponsoring.

Press Release: https://tinyurl.com/2yerxmrc

11/07/2023

This morning, I joined the Montgomery County Police Department for Coffee with a Cop in Friendship Heights. It's a great opportunity for residents to get to know the officers who serve in their communities and learn about their service. It's also your chance to get some one-on-one time with an officer and share your experiences.

11/06/2023

My views on the recent statement from CASA Executive Director Guastavo Torres:

The inflammatory and inaccurate statement by CASA is deeply offensive and hurtful. While the tweets have since been deleted, the statement demonstrated a divisive disregard for the Jewish community who have been steadfast partners in countless of the organization’s efforts to support immigrants in our community over the years. Using antisemitic language that denies Jews as being indigenous to their own ancestral homeland and failing to recognize that over half of Israel’s population are people of color, CASA inexplicably failed to recognize the connection so many Jews have to CASA’s mission and to their own homeland as a people who have been systematically persecuted and forced to flee countless countries for over 2,000 years.

While I appreciate CASA’s dedication to “building a world where our community can live free from discrimination and fear,” their statement suggests that Jews – and especially Jews of color – have no place in that community. We must be able to advocate for Palestinian lives without diminishing the existence of Jewish lives. We can question government policies and decisions without denying rights to existence and self-determination. We must mourn all innocent lives lost and recognize each loss as a tragedy.

I hope CASA will formally retract the statement and use this painful misstep as a learning opportunity to engage with Jewish community leaders and organizations to repair the damage and avoid future pain.

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11/02/2023

Inspiring morning joining my friends at Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to support the organization’s exceptional work providing safe, stable housing in our community and speaking on a panel about the power of partnership among public-private-faith-nonprofit sectors to tackle our most challenging problems.

10/19/2023

Thank you, Sheriff Uy and Montgomery County (MD) Sheriff's Office, for hosting us and for all you do to keep our community safe.

10/17/2023

❗️OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE❗️

The Montgomery County MD Council is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on the Board of Appeals and the Merit System Protection Board.

See the press releases for full details:
https://bit.ly/Board-of-Appeals-Oct-30
https://bit.ly/Merit-System-Protection-Baord-Oct-30

Letters of interest and resumes for these vacancies should be sent to [email protected] by 5pm on October 30th.

10/13/2023

The Middle East is complicated, but this massacre against Jews is not.

Guest column by Montgomery County Council Member Andrew Friedson. On October 7th, 2023, nearly 1,500 innocent civilians were murdered and kidnapped in the worst massacre...

10/12/2023

The Montgomery County Board of Education has released a redacted version of the Jackson Lewis report regarding employee misconduct allegations in Montgomery County Public Schools and their processes for promoting principals and administrators.

It can be found here:

https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/boe/boe-news/230908-jackson-lewis-report.pdf

My statement on the investigation into MCPS employee misconduct and promotion processes.

To watch today’s hearing: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/OnDemand/index.html

To report issues to the Inspector General: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oig/hotline.html

10/08/2023

Thanks to Bethesda Urban Partnership staff, volunteers, and partners for pulling off another great Taste of Bethesda to celebrate community and culture, and to support our local businesses.

A massive turnout on what turned into a beautiful afternoon from those like me who’ve dearly missed this signature Bethesda event over the past three years.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to spend several hours meeting with constituents in the community to talk about issues.

10/06/2023

It was an honor to welcome a delegation of officials from Mandaluyong City located just outside of Manila, Philippines. Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz, Sidney Katz, Natali Fani-Gonzalez, Kate Stewart, and I appreciated the opportunity to share how our government in Montgomery County works – from one national capital area local government to another.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your visit in the United States, and safe travels! Mandaluyong City Public Information Office

Recently, a delegation from Mandaluyong City, Phillipines visited the Montgomery County Council to find out how the county operated its government.Montgomery...

10/06/2023

I had a great time kicking off with students and families of Brook Grove ES this week on Walk and Roll to School Day. It’s never too early to raise awareness of this healthy routine for our students. Councilmember Dawn Luedtke Senator Craig Zucker Delegate Bernice Mireku-North Montgomery County Maryland – Fire & Rescue Service Montgomery County Police Department Vision Zero Montgomery County Montgomery County Department of Transportation

The Council has been hard at work to ensure we have for our students and families, particularly with the recent passage of the and upcoming vote on the .

I'm looking forward to joining constituents at Bethesda ES next week.

The annual “Walk and Roll” to School Day was Wednesday.Full story: https://bit.ly/3td5U8aMost county elementary schools would take part, according to the cou...

09/29/2023

The Montgomery County History Conference on November 4, 2023, in-person at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus will offer a myriad of opportunities to engage with local history, including a keynote address, eight breakouts, a performance, and a happy hour reception.

Register: https://tinyurl.com/2p8ubts9

Schedule and more: https://tinyurl.com/mr2v7d8p

Question? Contact [email protected]

Join Montgomery History on November 4, 2023 for the 18th edition of the ever-popular Montgomery County History Conference. We’re again partnering with Montgomery College and will be holding it in-person on their Rockville campus. The conference will offer myriad opportunities to engage with local history,

visit https://montgomeryhistory.org/montgomery-county-history-conference/ to learn more and purchase tickets!

We hope to see you there!

09/29/2023

From tragedy to triumph…

When the Scotland AME Zion Church was built, its founders wisely located it above the floodplain. What they did not anticipate was an impervious, paved Seven Locks Road built immediately adjacent and uphill from their church.

It has been the honor of my professional and public life to work together with the community to restore the decades of damage that this church has endured. We’ve now raised up this community gathering place, both figuratively and literally, so it can continue to be a light for the community. And even the greatest floods cannot extinguish its light.

Montgomery county officials and members of the Scotland AME Zion Church witnessed the church being raised two feet. It is a step towards repairing the damage...

09/28/2023

My statement on the investigation into MCPS employee misconduct and promotion processes.

To watch today’s hearing: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/OnDemand/index.html

To report issues to the Inspector General: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/oig/hotline.html

09/27/2023

The Safe Streets Act of 2023 requires government to take certain steps proactively to make our roads safer for pedestrians and bicyclists while ensuring that government responds comprehensively when a pedestrian is involved in a collision while travelling to and from school.

I am pleased that colleagues on the Council supported my amendment, which expands the safe routes to school infrastructure review requirement to include pedestrian-involved collisions at school bus stops.

I will continue to fight to make our streets and roads safe for all users, especially those who are most vulnerable, and appreciate the continued support of our community partners and advocates
Montgomery County Families for Safe Streets Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Coalition for Smarter Growth Action Committee for Transit Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA)

Earlier today, Montgomery County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin attended the signing of the Safe Streets for All bill by County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Councilmember Evan Glass.

Montgomery County Government Montgomery County MD Council Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe Councilmember Andrew Friedson Natali Fani-Gonzalez Councilmember Dawn Luedtke

09/26/2023

It's National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month and I'm proudly co-sponsoring the Su***de Awareness and Firearm Education (SAFE) Act.

The reality is that we have gun violence and mental health epidemics in this country and the SAFE Act will help address both.

Thanks to sponsor Council President Evan Glass, my fellow co-sponsors, and the many supporters who joined us today including the Montgomery County (MD) Sheriff's Office, Moms Demand Action - MD, Everytown for Gun Safety, EveryMind., and NAMI Montgomery County MD.

09/25/2023

09/24/2023

Loved joining our exceptional District 15 Delegation who were instrumental in securing the key funding as well as Allan Cohen and the Friends of the Potomac Community Center to cut the ribbon of the new accessible outdoor fitness area for all ages and abilities at the Potomac Community Center — a special place that has hosted so many formative moments in my life.

09/21/2023

Tonight at 6:30pm on Microsoft Teams. Be sure to tune in and add your voice to the conversation on how we can improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety on MD-190 (River Road).

If you cannot be there, please consider submitting written feedback to [email protected].

Delegate Marc Korman Maryland State Highway Administration

The Maryland State Highway Administration will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 21 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on River Road (MD-190) corridor safety between Springfield Drive and Little Falls Parkway. This is an opportunity to hear from the SHA and share your thoughts and questions about how we can make this dangerous stretch of roadway safer for all.

September 21 6:30-8:00pm Microsoft Teams Meeting: https://tinyurl.com/4c9m9juj

SHA Flier: https://tinyurl.com/23tbkzw5

09/20/2023

An opportunity to hear from Montgomery County transportation officials and share your feedback on potential long-term improvements to the Norfolk Avenue streetery tonight at 6:30pm.

MCDOT will present the recommended alternative, which was developed based on feedback from the March 2023 meeting, outreach to businesses, and input from other community events over the past year. The designs are still preliminary, so please let us know what you think as we work to envision how to use this public space and best serve the needs of residents and businesses.

✨Reminder✨
-Norfolk Avenue Shared Street in-person meeting
Tonight, Wednesday, September 20, starting at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT is holding an in-person community workshop to discuss options and gather feedback at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center regarding the Norfolk Avenue Streetery.

Info at: https://bit.ly/3r8fWac

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center Naval Support Activity Bethesda Bethesda Urban Partnership Bethesda Transportation Solutions

09/19/2023

I am grateful for Montgomery County Office of Agriculture Director Jeremy Criss for his 34 years of service to our agricultural community.

Jeremy not only understands WHAT our farmers do, but WHY they do it, and that's made him an indispensable resource to our County.

Best wishes in your retirement, Jeremy! And thanks to Councilmember Dawn Luedtke, Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe, and all those who work hard every day to make our agricultural community thrive for joining me to recognize Jeremy's service.

09/13/2023

If Maryland is America in miniature, Montgomery County is the world in miniature. And the fabric of our community is strengthened by the threads of the African Diaspora. From food, music, and arts & culture to entrepreneurship, family focus, and community engagement, we are a more resilient and more vibrant community because of you.

Thank you, Councilmember Will Jawando and Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, for hosting what has become a beautiful annual tradition. I’m proud to work with you in service to our community.