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Montgomery County Residents Vent Frustrations Over Snow Removal Response
More than 400 Montgomery County residents voiced their anger and concerns during a virtual town hall this week with County Councilmember Will Jawando, highlighting ongoing issues with snow removal following last week’s winter storm.
The meeting revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the county’s handling of road and sidewalk clearing operations, which many residents said left them stranded or facing hazardous conditions days after the snowfall ended.
A major source of frustration centered on the county’s Winter Storm Information Portal, which many residents said provided inaccurate information about plowing progress. Kent Sobe from the Sligo Grandview Community Association described the community’s reaction as “insanity” when the online system showed streets as “100 percent” cleared while no plows had actually visited their Long Branch neighborhood.
Catherine, a resident of Woodside Forest, echoed this experience, suggesting that the county needs to avoid “saying things are done when they’re not” in future storm responses. This misinformation left many residents confused and uncertain about when to expect relief.
The county’s 311 service, designed to connect residents with government services, also came under fire during the town hall. Glen Felman of Aspen Hill reported “very, very long waits” when calling the service. According to Felman, even those who “persevered for hours” received little useful information or concrete answers about when plows might arrive.
Several residents pointed to neighboring Rockville as a model for more effective snow management. Felman noted a stark contrast between Montgomery County’s response and that of Rockville, which serves the adjacent Twinbrook neighborhood. “Rockville handled the storm and Montgomery County should look at what Rockville did because they got something right that Montgomery County got wrong,” he said.
Safety concerns dominated much of the discussion, with residents describing dangerous conditions that persisted well after the storm. Michael DeLong of Silver Spring detailed how “massive piles of snow, creed and jumbles of ice” made sidewalks and bus stops “treacherous” for pedestrians.
“It’s tough already enough for people like me to navigate this,” DeLong added, highlighting the particular challenges faced by those without vehicles.
Parents expressed special concern about children’s safety as schools reopened. Brett Esta worried that snow piles created by plows left no safe place for children to wait for school buses. “There is literally no way the kids can stand anywhere near those. So, they’re now going to have to tomorrow stand in the middle of the street,” Esta said, adding that the problem extended beyond just their neighborhood.
In response to these concerns, Councilmember Jawando thanked residents for their patience and acknowledged their right to expect better service. “Your tax dollars pay for high-quality service in Montgomery County, and you deserve high-quality service. And we all believe that that’s not a talking point, it’s an expectation,” Jawando said.
He committed to following up with meeting participants and bringing their concerns to the full council. The virtual town hall was one of several listening sessions held throughout the week as county officials continue to assess their response to the storm.
The issues raised during the meeting highlight broader concerns about emergency preparedness and infrastructure management in Montgomery County, one of Maryland’s most populous jurisdictions. As climate patterns become more unpredictable, effective snow removal and accurate communication systems are increasingly critical for public safety and maintaining essential services during winter weather events.
County officials have not yet announced specific changes to snow removal protocols, but the volume and intensity of resident feedback suggests pressure is mounting for a comprehensive review before the next significant snowfall.
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10 Comments
This snow response seems like a real mess. Residents deserve accurate information and reliable clearing of roads and sidewalks. Hopefully the county can learn from this experience and improve their storm preparedness and communication for the future.
This snow response debacle highlights the need for improved emergency planning and transparency from local authorities. Residents deserve accurate, real-time information they can trust, especially when facing hazardous winter conditions. The county should learn from this experience.
The widespread frustration over the county’s snow response is understandable. Effective coordination, accurate data, and timely communication are essential when dealing with extreme weather events. This situation presents an opportunity for the county to critically assess their preparedness and make necessary improvements.
This situation highlights the importance of effective disaster response planning and communication. The county should thoroughly review their procedures to identify areas for improvement. Accurate data and timely information are essential for keeping the community safe during extreme weather events.
It’s concerning to hear about the county’s failures in snow removal and communication during the recent storm. Residents rely on their local government to handle these emergencies effectively. Hopefully this serves as a catalyst for the county to reevaluate and strengthen their disaster response protocols.
Frustrating to hear about the county’s failures in snow removal and communication. Residents rely on their local government to handle these emergencies properly. Hopefully this serves as a wake-up call for the county to invest in better preparedness and accountability measures.
It’s concerning to hear about the inaccurate information on the county’s snow portal. Real-time data and transparency is crucial when dealing with dangerous winter weather. Residents need to be able to trust the information they’re getting from officials.
Agreed. The county needs to address these issues before the next big storm hits. Providing clear, honest updates is key to keeping people safe and informed.
The residents’ anger and confusion is understandable given the county’s apparent mishandling of the snowstorm response. Reliable information and effective coordination are critical during these situations. The county must do better to regain the community’s trust.
This snow response issue seems like a serious breakdown in the county’s emergency management. Residents deserve to have confidence in their local government’s ability to handle these situations. Hopefully the county will take this as a learning experience and work to enhance their storm preparedness and response capabilities.