As residents of Ward One are likely aware, I had the great honor to be formally sworn in this past Monday, November 16 as a new Member of the Takoma Park City Council, representing Ward One. I look forward to representing everyone in the Ward, and I encourage you to be in touch if you have any concerns about the City or if I can be of any assistance.
The City Council will be meeting this coming Monday evening, November 23. This is the agenda:
http://takomaparkmd.gov/meeting_agendas/monday-november-23-2015-work-session-of-the-city-council/
As you can see, since this is the first City Council meeting since the evening of the swearing in, the focus of the meeting will be primarily an overview of key municipal projects.
Residents may also be interested in the following testimony, delivered on November 18 by Mayor Stewart on behalf of the entire City Council before the Montgomery County members of the Maryland State legislature:
http://takomaparkmd.gov/council-news/montgomery-delegation-joint-priorities-hearing-testimony/
The statement lays out in some detail the City's priorities for State legislation.
You will note that the second paragraph includes language calling for an open approach to refugees. I would add that a number of Ward One residents have raised with me concerns about Governor Hogan's recent comments on Syrian refugees, and suggested that the City Council adopt a resolution expressing our opposition to his comments. I strongly support that idea, and believe such a resolution should also include language that makes it clear that Takoma Park would welcome the opportunity to host an appropriate number of refugees. I anticipate we will vote on a resolution on this topic at our November 30 meeting.
Finally, I am forwarding, at the Mayor's request, her inaugural message:
http://takomaparkmd.gov/city-blog/inaugural-message-from-mayor-kate-stewart/.
Please feel free to be in touch with me if you have any comments or questions regarding any of this information or anything else relating to the City. Thanks.
Peter Kovar
Takoma Park City Council
Ward One