Crime Reports
News & Opinions
News & Opinions
Elrich calls for 6% property tax rate hike to fund MCPS in county budget proposal | Bethesda Today | Ceoli Jacoby & Ashlyn Campbell | March 13, 2026, 7:00 pm, Updated March 13, 2026, 7:05 pm
Superintendent Elrich Wants More Waste at MCPS | Montgomery Perspective | Adam Pagnucco | March 9, 2026
Charter Schools in Montgomery County: Why One Is Not Enough | Direct Line News | Carol Hughes | March 15, 2026
MCPS backtracks on all-electric school bus fleet | NBC News 4 Washington | Adam Tuss | March 4, 2026 4:55 pm
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Save Wootton Files State and County IG Complaints, Establishes Legal Defense Fund | Montgomery Perspective | Adam Pagnucco | March 13, 2026
Four MoCo school board candidates discuss school safety, parent engagement at forum | Bethesda Today | Ashlyn Campbell | March 13, 2026, 7:00 am, Updated March 13, 2026, 12:22 pm
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Hard Choices: Mold Remediation - or - 50 MCPS Logo Paperweights and 100 MCPS Logo Commemorative Coins? How would you spend MCPS Education dollars? | PCMC's Substack | Parents' Coalition (MD) | March 9, 2026
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When Housing Policy and Reality Don’t Align | EPIC of MoCo | March 11, 2026
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Elrich heading to Taiwan, India for economic development mission | Bethesda Today | Ceoli Jacoby | March 11, 2026
Maryland House Moves to Open Primaries to Unaffiliated Voters | Maryland Bay News | MD Bay News Staff | March 13, 2026
Double Standards?
Some folks say if it weren't for Double Standards there wouldn't be standards at all!
We tease the Democrats 'cause we love 'em.
Freedom, Prosperity, Safety
Last week I wrote about the difference between legal and illegal immigrants. Indeed, it got a lot of notice, from our readers, the press and media and even the elected Democrats! As a matter of fact, one of the Councilmembers actually started her recent public comments and referred to enforcement efforts against ILLEGAL immigrants.
For our one-party local government to have that happen was monumental. (As you know Obama was the Deporter in Chief, and Hillary and Bill made all sorts of noise about illegal immigrants taking jobs and money from hard-working Americans. Although history is inconvenient, it can’t be denied.)
So many of our GOP candidates this year are patriotic, legal immigrants. It’s inconvenient for their opposition to acknowledge that, but it’s true. I appreciate the Democrats willing to step up with the truth, and advocate for only legal immigration – it’s what both parties want and will achieve soon. We all want what's best for America.
In the meantime, we’re marching forward with great candidates, money saving ideas and opportunities to free up commerce, enhance education, move traffic and recognize the individual’s importance, welfare and wellbeing. We want Prosperity, Freedom and Safety and we can achieve it if we work together. Help us with messaging with your neighbors, relatives and friends.
This week, drop by Coffee with the Chairman and give me your ideas and viewpoints to move the county to the center. Look at our schedule and again, drop in at one of the events throughout the County to meet our great candidates and engage with them. It will be worth your while.
And give to the Chairman’s Club so that we can print our Sample Ballot to help folks at the polls this primary season – especially folks working so hard all week without the time to fully research each candidate. We’ve got so many good ones. It’s a blessing and an opportunity.
I appreciate your notes and feedback. Hope to see you and talk to you soon.
Dennis Melby
2026 Republican Chairman
Montgomery County, Maryland
Share your thoughts on America, legal immigration and single party rule. Tell me at [email protected]
COFFEE WITH THE CHAIRMAN MARCH 14
Come by Republican Party Headquarters on March 14, Saturday morning to chat, exchange ideas, volunteer or learn about new initiatives. It's just one hour. Meet the Party Chair, other Republican leaders and guests. We'll provide coffee, you bring anything else! See you then
Dennis Melby, Chairman
Party Headquarters are upstairs at 15833 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. 301-417-9256 VM
Leisure World Republican Club - Candidate Forum
Leisure World Republican Club Hosts a Candidate Forum - March 11
By: Alina Zygmunt
All Democrats, Independents, and Republicans are invited to the “Candidate Extravaganza” to be held on March 11, 1:30-3:00 pm, in Leisure World’s Crystal Ballroom.
This special event is being held in association with the Montgomery County Republican Party.
Spring is around the corner, which ushers in renewal, growth, and new beginnings. In the spirit of a brighter future, Republican candidates will offer solutions to major problems that polarize Maryland voters: crime, safety, taxes, government spending, high utility rates (energy needs), cost of living, and more! (These serious issues were identified in a poll conducted by The Institute of Politics at the University of MD, Baltimore County.)
Come and meet the Republican Candidates, who will initiate the changes that MD needs in order to survive in the future. Dan Cox, John Myrick, Ed Hale and other candidates for Governor have been invited, as well as Republican candidates for Congress, County Council, and MD Senate and House Delegates. Also invited are the non-partisan candidates for Judge and Board of Education posts.
All voters have the opportunity to listen to the presentations and chat with the candidates in person. Change in leadership is one solution to the voter pessimism that exists in MD today. We look forward to seeing you at this “Candidate Palooza!”
For more information, please contact Maria Dudish at [email protected]. Thank you!
Sully Says: Are Taxes Raised on Behalf of the Schools Really Going to Schools?
Are taxes raised on behalf of the schools really going to schools?
I just finished watching an excellent presentation by Esther Wells and the Montgomery County Taxpayers League.
At the 40 min mark, they discussed the “fungibility of tax dollars” and how Marc Elrich, Will Jawando and the County Council raise taxes in the name of our schools but sweep the money into the general fund. 
This might explain why we keep getting tax increases in the name of schools, but the school performance is decreasing, and the school buildings need repair.
If elected, I would propose a change to the county charter such that tax money raised for schools is kept in an escrow or lock box account where it can be tracked and accounted for by the public.
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS!
Purim
Thank you for your very good newsletter. I just want to point out that there was actually a holiday missed in the list of March holidays and ironically, one that coordinates perfectly timing wise with what’s been going on in Iran as it is about victory over an evil despot in ancient Persia.
It’s the Jewish holiday of Purim, which begins this evening and coordinates with the Book of Esther.
Here’s some information about it. It’s one of the more fun holidays:
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Surrounded by Immigrants
Inspiring gathering of Legal immigrants in G’burg!
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This is important no racism. Amen
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Great letter, as always! Nice piece, Dennis!! Thanks!
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Call out Delanaey and Trone for their false advertisement Propaganda they have been putting out there in the media. "They should be ashamed of themselves" AND "they are crazy"
News & Opinions
News & Opinions
Montgomery County Cannot Prosper If We Ignore the Future | Montgomery Perspective | Adam Pagnucco | Guest column - Adam Van Grack |March 5, 2026
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New MoCo bill would prohibit building permits for ICE detention facilities | The Banner | Ginny Bixby | March 2, 2026, 5:56 pm
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Inspector general finds MCPS improperly paid $149K to police | Montgomery Community Media | Suzanne Pollak | March 4, 2026
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MoCo Republican Central Committee member running for register of wills | Bethesda Today | Elia Griffin | March 2, 2026, 5:12 pm
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Has Jared Demarinis Found the Fountain of Youth? Maryland’s Super Aged Voters | Substack | Direct Line News | Mark Uncapher | March 05, 2026
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The Real Threat to Democracy | Mary Jane Perraut | March 3, 2026
Like Warren Buffett, in 2009, I was still using a flip phone. My co-workers made fun of me especially as they showed off the latest iPhone. It really struck me that times had changed when I was waiting to board a train at Union Station to New York. There was dead silence. I looked around and all passengers waiting in line were on their phones, isolated in their own worlds. Technology had changed society.
Then, the pandemic isolated us even more. Whatever was in our own cyber space became “truth.” We lost the power of healthy debate with each other. We lost critical thinking because the information being fed to us via algorithms was believed to be honest and factual. The questioning of our positions seems to be guarded at all costs as if to protect our self-worth and inner souls. READ MORE
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How to Make America Great Again | Jon Nowick | March 2, 2026
The last round of elections and recent polls suggest challenges for Republicans this November. Growing political rancor also raises questions about our country’s direction and the future of our democracy. As a lifelong registered Republican and independent-minded voter, I offer a few thoughts for our leaders about how to make America great and keep it great:
1. Show Respect. Restore civility to public life by treating friend and foe with decency. Refrain from labeling, name-calling, belittling. Set an example for our children.
2. Promote Unity. Seek solutions that bridge the political divide—or at least are palatable to the various sides. Downplay culture wars. We’re all Americans and all in this together. We need our elected officials to broker deals, starting with lasting budget agreements.
3. Uphold Legal Norms. Our forefathers signed on to a Constitution, independent institutions, and separation of powers and of church and state. Maintain them. Avoid retribution, redistricting, and attempts to curb free speech. READ MORE