Dear Residents,

This has been a strange winter storm! The snow was not deep, but we have had continuing bands of rain and snow with temperatures right below freezing.

Our crews will continue to treat roadways and clear sidewalks along City facilities. We will have staff in through the night again tonight to make sure the streets are safe. Please report slippery streets or other problem areas to our Police Department at 301-270-1100 so our crews can respond.

On Tuesday morning, we will be collecting trash, recycling and food waste from those residents who have Tuesday collections, but it will likely begin a bit later than usual. Other than that, City operations should be back to normal on Tuesday, including Library Books-To-Go and our new library book delivery service.

It is slippery outside! Please be careful when walking, biking, or driving.

Happy February!

Suzanne Ludlow

Dear Residents,

Snow began falling early this morning and there might be about 2 inches at this time. Our first shift of slow plow drivers arrived by 6 am and began treating roads.

So far, there have been no significant problems. Some of the roads are slippery and, if you must be out and about, it is best to stick to the main roads. It is better to stay home if you can.

We are not sure exactly what the weather will be overnight. Temperatures are supposed to warm some, and so there may be rain, freezing rain or sleet. Then, temperatures go down again in the morning and there may be a bit more snow tomorrow.

It is best to keep up with snow shoveling if you are able. The snow that is walked on can harden into ice and be difficult to remove when the storm is over. After shoveling, use sand or ice melt on places that may be slippery – do not use rock salt.

On Monday, we will not be having yard waste collection, Library books-to-go or book delivery. It will be a day to clean up from the storm, make sure all sidewalks are safe to walk on and get back to whatever normalcy we can have in a pandemic! Clean sidewalks are always important, but being able to walk safely outside is one of our few ways to exercise while keeping a safe distance from others.

We do not yet know what impacts there may be on Tuesday operations, including trash and recycling collection. The weather guides when our staff is out clearing roads and sidewalks, and that can affect other work. We’ll keep on top of it and let you know when we know.

I have seen beautiful photos of the snow around our neighborhoods, and cute videos of dogs happily playing in the snow. I know kids are trying out sleds and making snowpeople and snowballs. I hope all can enjoy this day outside or through windows from a warm place.

But, please call our Police Department at 301-270-1100 if you see dangerous conditions, such as a slippery street, so that our Public Works crews can address it. And, if you see an emergency situation, call 9-1-1.

Dear Residents,

The topic on so many of our minds is vaccinations. So many of us want to get a vaccination and the information that is out there on vaccinations is so very confusing.

It’s confusing for us, too!

Although the State of Maryland is putting out information on all who are eligible to receive vaccinations at this time, there is not enough vaccine availability for those who are eligible and the various vaccination sites each have their own criteria or process for registration.

We keep trying to get good information to share and then the information changes right away!

Please be careful about where you register for vaccines. Don’t use links forwarded to you from others. There are scams out there to steal your personal information. And, if you go to a vaccine site that someone else forwarded you information about, you will likely be turned away and not get the vaccine – sometimes after a long wait. Although some folks have registered at county sites outside of Montgomery County, some of those sites are now barring non-residents. Go to the Maryland Vaccine Website or the Montgomery County Vaccine Website for information and links.

Obviously, this confusion is terrible for everyone and disproportionately hurts members of our community who are more vulnerable to COVID-19. I know the State and County governments want to be doing the right thing and are working hard to straighten things out.

In the meantime, please know we are trying to learn and help, and we are strenuously advocating for the residents of Takoma Park. We will share good information as we obtain and verify it.

Suzanne Ludlow

Takoma Park residents, visitors and business owners, we made it through another peaceful transition of power. This did not come without planning and sacrifices by all of us. I wanted to share an email I sent to police department staff yesterday.

Message sent to TPPD staff on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2021:

“I wanted to extend my thanks to all of you, sworn and civilian, who have stepped up over the last few weeks to keep our community safe and secure. We have asked you all to come in on your days off, conduct additional patrols/duties, and perform many additional tasks. Every one of you did this professionally and without complaint. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and have not gone unnoticed.

Due to your efforts, Takoma Park residents, visitors and businesses were safe and secure and our nation was able to have a peaceful transfer of power. No matter what your political affiliation, watching the peaceful transfer of power is something you will never forget. I will never forget as a young officer standing out in the cold for hours on end while working the Inauguration Detail for President Bill Clinton. I remember how proud I was to be part of the peaceful transfer of power. Four Presidents later, I feel the same way.

Don’t underestimate your contributions today and every day. They make a difference! Keep up the great work!”

Please take the opportunity to thank our great team. They are well trained, professional, dedicated, caring, and service-oriented. I am proud to lead such a professional team and to be a Takoma Park native and your chief. Our community’s diversity, inclusiveness, caring for others and community service is what holds us together!

It’s been a week since the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building occurred. As you have seen from the messages of Takoma Park Police Chief Tony DeVaul, our police department is conferring with other public safety agencies, monitoring locations in Takoma Park, and scheduling staff to be prepared for the impacts of potential violent disruptions as we near the Presidential Inauguration on January 20.

Besides the work of the Police Department, all City departments are on call to serve the needs of public safety in Takoma Park. From communicating to the public, to reporting suspicious activity, to making sure we have barricades or equipment ready, to providing support to residents and staff, staff throughout the City government are working to ensure that we are prepared even as we keep calm.

As Chief DeVaul has said, there is no indication at this time that Takoma Park is a target. Please rest assured that we are working jointly to take care of our community.

What can you do?

First, avoid going to downtown Washington, D.C. on days of higher risk, particularly January 17-20. Inauguration activities are scheduled to take place mostly virtually, so you can watch safely from home.

Second, if you see or hear something that is especially concerning, contact Takoma Park Police at 301-270-1100 or – if an emergency – call 9-1-1.

Third, help bring down the anxiety level. The mental health pressures of these last months have been heavy, and comments or listserv postings that sound scary can add to the unease. Yes, be vigilant. But also help reassure others that we are in this together and the City of Takoma Park has your back.

Keeping Takoma Park residents safe and secure is a team effort. It involves all departments of the City government, our business owners, elected officials, and residents. In these unprecedented times, this team effort and collaborative strength will serve us well.

Thanks to you and the wonderful City staff for being this caring team!

Suzanne Ludlow

Update:

The Raskin family today announced the launch of the Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals: https://t.co/BFTKVD7mCA https://t.co/j21YgLjdpi

 Information on condolence notes and other memorial plans through this link:  https://raskin.house.gov/media/press-releases/raskin-family-announces-memorial-fund-tommy-raskin.

To make donations in honor of Tommy, go to: https://cfncr.wufoo.com/forms/tommy-raskin-memorial-fund-for-people-and-animals.

The City of Takoma Park expresses its heartfelt sympathy to Jamie Raskin and Sarah Bloom Raskin on the passing of their son, Tommy.

Please know that just as you have been here for us, we are here for you and your family.

Dear Residents,

As I have been for almost every year for 27 years, I am at work on Christmas Eve, which is a half-day workday for City staff. I traditionally get some work done, talk to staff in different departments and then, at 12:30, make sure the doors are closed and the lights turned off. This year, most doors have been locked since March and the building has a few staff inside, although many are working at home or in the field. Very strange indeed. And yet we persist.

Holidays are always both joyous and hard. My heart goes out to all who have lost family members this year or who have had a difficult time. Although my husband died three years ago, I have felt his loss more this year. And, I lost a nephew to suicide two weeks ago – which I believe is an indirect COVID-19 death. Many City staff have lost loved ones this year and I so appreciate that they continue to work to serve the residents of Takoma Park despite the difficulty in doing so.

One thing that surprised me after my father’s death 20+ years ago is how his love continues. I didn’t know what to expect when he died, and it has been wonderful to know that the memories and counsel of my father, mother and husband remain. For those who are having a very difficult time, I recommend the book, Healing After Loss by Martha Whitmore Hickman. I still find it useful.

There is much to be hopeful about as we move into the year 2021. Thank you to the researchers, scientists, volunteers and others who have developed COVID-19 vaccines! Over the next six months, everyone should be vaccinated unless there is a medical reason not to receive the vaccine. This is the only way to save lives, reopen schools and stores, and get back to the communal everyday life we so badly need.

I am reminded of a story I think I read in a Reader’s Digest years ago. A flood warning had gone out to a community and a resident said he wasn’t leaving his house because “God will protect me.” The floodwaters were at waist level when a man in a boat came by to get him and the man turned him away, saying “God will protect me.” As the floodwaters deepened and the man was on his roof, a helicopter came by to get him and the man said, “No, God will protect me.” The man drowned. When he then saw God, he said, “What happened? Why didn’t you save me?” God replied, “I sent you a warning, a boat and a helicopter, what more did you need!”

Whatever your faith, please heed the sound health care advice: wear a mask, avoid large gatherings, and get a vaccine as soon as you are able.

The City has a terrific COVID-19 resource page that you should check periodically. It includes information on testing, as well as food, financial and mental health resources. And, as we get information on vaccination plans, we will help share it.

One of my brothers wrote in a message to me this morning, “As in other countries, there are masses of people who are ready for more truth, more peace, more justice, more freedom, more environmental responsibility than our so-called leaders give us credit for.” This particular brother is one that I expected to die this year but now is out of hospice care. It is one of the best holiday presents I could have hoped for.

I hope the miracle of love comes your way this holiday season. We will get through all of this together!

Happy holidays!
Suzanne Ludlow