Thanks to our readers who sent us their feedback on Empty Bike Lanes and Plastic Bags! Here are some of the responses:

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I feel this is actually  non-partisan item. The question now is how do we get rid of them?  No one asked us the voters and tax payers if we needed or wanted them. I feel like this is one topic we can get everyone on board on.

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I agree on the bike lanes. They were a terrible idea that I feel the people responsible for them should feel embarrassed spending the money to build, taking away a car traffic lane backing up traffic, and now seeing them unused.

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The Minneapolis Shooting

Saints and Sinners - Cops and Criminals

Things are not often black and white, life (and death) but are many shades of grey. We firmly Back the Blue, we're on their side and have hated the Defund the Police movement and racial stereotyping so many have used in the last decade. ...and some of the fiercest critics of bad cop behavior are other cops! They hate it in the rare instances when one of their own has a split second life or death decision. 

  News & Opinions

Montgomery County parents upset about newest boundary study options | ABC 7 News | Kellye Lynn | January 5, 2026, 4:30 am, Updated January 5, 2026, 7:00 am

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MoCo property values increase by 12.2% in 2026 state reassessment  | Bethesda Today | Ceoli Jacoby | January 6, 2026, 9:14 am

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After-school pedestrian safety under scrutiny after death and multiple child injuries | Montgomery Community Media | Fran Murphy |January 5, 2026  

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Billions in the dark: Maryland won’t say how much taxpayer money flows to nonprofits | ABC 7 News | Gary Collins | January 7, 2026, 11:00 pm, Updated January 7, 2026, 11:23 pm

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Maryland named most expensive state for utilities, report finds | Fox 45 News | Ashley Cusicanqui & Danny Tow | December 30, 2025, 10:10 pm, Updated December 31, 2025, 5:47 pm

Leisure World Republican Club celebrates

A New Year of Hope

On Wednesday January 14th @ 1:30 pm. in Clubhouse 1, in the Chesapeake Room Republicans will bring in a New Year of Hope with guest speaker Reardon “Sully” Sullivan, former Chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee. www.mcgop.com. He will present on topics including: election integrity, combatting high energy prices, addressing out-of-control County Council spending and tax increases, promoting a healthy economic environment to enhance our standard of living, a return of safety and security to our County by supporting law enforcement and the need to fight religious persecution and hatred. 

For the past 25 years, Reardon Sullivan is founder and owner of a consulting engineering company in Montgomery County. He attended Wootton High School, earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of Maryland and completed studies towards an MBA at George Washington University.

We are gearing up for midterm elections and feel very encouraged by tripling our growing numbers in the club, we have much to celebrate with continued growth, increased political knowledge and plans to take concrete action in making our voices heard. All are welcome to toast in a New Year. Although not required, we are asking for appetizers or desserts to share. Check out our Shadow Box #14 – Clubhouse 1. To donate, become, or renew membership ($15.00), send checks to: RCLW PO Box 12293, Silver Spring, MD 20908. For info contact Maria Dudish at [email protected]

Curious about why traffic's worse and bikes are absent? Here's an update on the Radical Left's EMPTY BIKE LANES. Two years ago we presented this story, still no bikes, only backed up cars! 

From 2 years ago... "We're all amazed that Maryland, DC and MoCo are taking away streets and adding empty bike lanes. We're forced to pay for them, forced to wait in more traffic, and forced to "Smile" pretending it's for safety and the environment. It's not.

The Road Diet is a type of coercion, one that one-party rules makes possible.

Enjoy this great video of an Empty Bike Lane Picnic that took place in Bethesda one weekend two years ago.

Watch the video HERE or tap on the Empty Bike Lane pix.

Click here to read about leaf blowers, plastic grocery bags and gas heat.

Early Saturday morning I was alerted about the overthrow of the corrupt Maduro regime in Venezuela. 

Reading the Headlines Is Just the First Step

The real work happens when parents organize, share information, and show up together. UARE turns awareness into action - through outreach, digital tools, and local engagement focused on MCPS decisions that affect your child’s daily school experience.

Even a modest donation helps us:

• Maintain our website and weekly newsletter
• Reach more Montgomery County families
• Support parent-focused school board candidates

Make a small donation to support UARE’s work.

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Record school spending fails to reverse decline in test scores| The Center Square | Esther Wickham | December 22, 2025 

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ACTION NEEDED MARYLAND HEALTH CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK

The new recommended Family Life framework for Maryland removes references to gender in grades Pre-K through 4. They have recommended teaching those concepts in grades 5-12.  

If you agree that introducing these concepts should be up to the parents, and that the concepts of "sex assigned at birth" or "gender identity" are not based in science, please click the link below to comment. The state board will be reviewing the comments to make a decision on the final draft of this framework. Please be specific and ask that lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation be removed from all grades, Pre-K through 12.  

Here is the link to comment:  MSDE Health Education Public Comment Survey