Rockville Councilmember Barry Jackson

Last night, the Mayor and Council voted unanimously – 7-0 - for Rockville’s King Farm Farmstead Master Plan. I am beyond thrilled to vote for a plan to start utilizing the buildings of the Farmstead for childcare, meetings, events, City programs and more while also protecting the historic aspect of the space as well as the Community Garden and the site’s green space. For nearly 30 years, Rockville’s residents and various Mayors and Council’s have grappled with how to use this site. No longer. I am proud to be on this Council that passed this historic plan that marries Rockville’s future with Rockville’s past and will be enjoyed for generations to come. I want to say a few words of thanks to everyone who helped get this plan over the finish line. To everyone who came out to Listening Sessions or Filtering Sessions in King Farm, Twinbrook, at Glenview Mansion and at sessions. To everyone who called, met with your representatives, emailed or otherwise made your voices heard and had ...

I don’t know the thoughts around individual’s votes on RedGate Park and taking a $1.5 million grant that also preserves and protects the park for generations to come.  I can only speak for myself and say - I voted primarily to keep the land a green space for the enjoyment of the people of Rockville . The money in the grant was secondary.  Some might disagree with my position and this is okay. I suspect most support keeping the park untouched.  I will let other members of the Mayor and Council speak for themselves. Here below is a joint statement from myself, Mayor Monique Ashton and Councilmember Marissa Valeri . 

National Night Out was a great night! Watch the video and see all the celebrations all over the city!   Our city staff, our police, our firefighters and all of our first responders do a great job of getting out, connecting and making residents feel safe, informed and empowered. Rockville's Civic Associations, neighborhoods, HOAs and just plain block parties help this night happen successfully.  I regret one thing and that is that I couldn't get to every one of the celebrations. But that my friends is a good problem to have!

  What a night – everywhere you turned in Rockville there were neighbors, firefighters, police, City staffers, elected officials, food and always children and dogs. I love  National Night Out . This night is a night I look forward to every year, and once again Aug 4 did not disappoint. National Night Out  officially began in 1984 and has grown since then: “National Night Out was introduced in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. National Night Out grew to become a celebration beyond just front porch vigils and symbolic efforts amongst neighbors to send a message of neighborhood camaraderie. Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other commun...

Statement from Rockville Councilmember Barry Jackson: "This Council is pursuing multiple policies to help renters and home owners and to build additional housing. We are serious about housing and stabilizing rents while building more affordable housing. The difference is in how we get there. A majority has said we don’t want rent control due in part to its impact on the building of new housing. A minority disagrees but we had the debate over a year ago. I don’t see a need to revisit it and allocate more staff resources to a policy we are not interested in pursuing. I understand organizations advocating and speaking out. What I don’t understand is pretending this Mayor and Council are not doing anything – essentially claiming we do not care about Rockville’s residents. This is coming from elected officials and organizations who frankly should know better - but instead say rent control is their one and only issue. The lack of civility and reasoned discourse is becoming troublin...

I just want to write you a note and let you know what the Mayor and Council are working on especially in relation to what could be described as a consumer protection/renters rights provisions. I don't write too often but I think periodic reminders are hopefully all right. It is a privilege to represent you and the City of Rockville.  There are a lot of things we are working on so bear with me – First I want to say a big thank you to City staff, Rockville City Police (RCPD), Rockville Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) and all the associated organizations and vendors and volunteers who helped make this past Memorial Day Weekend so spectacular. From Hometown Holidays to Flags for Heroes to Rockville's Memorial Day ceremonies and Rockville's Memorial Day Parade it was a great weekend and I really enjoyed seeing everyone in Town Center and elsewhere. It was great to have Hometown Holidays back in Town Center for so many reasons - not least of which was that many peo...