Palakovich Carr Says Goodbye, Council Discusses Vacancy On Monday

ROCKVILLE, MD — On Monday, Rockville City Council will bid farewell to one of its members.

Julie Palakovich Carr, a Democrat who has served on the Council since 2013, will officially leave her post Monday evening to represent her constituents in the Maryland House of Delegates. She will be sworn into her office in Annapolis on Jan. 9.

Before she is sworn in, Palakovich Carr will attend her last Rockville City Council meeting at 7 p.m. At the meeting, council members will celebrate her accomplishments and wish her luck as she heads to the state's capital.

At Monday's meeting, the mayor and remaining council members will also consider amendments to the city code that would institute a clearer process to fill vacated seats. A change to the city code would require the Board of Supervisors of Elections to hold a special election between 90 and 105 days after the mayor or council members vacate their post. To learn more about the amendments, and Monday's meeting, click here.

Palakovich Carr, who is the youngest woman to be elected to city council, said she has supported a number of reforms, such as pushing for a statewide fracking ban, banning smoking in outdoor dining spaces, and improving safety measures for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Palakovich Carr announced that she was stepping down as Rockville City Council member two days after she won her District 17 race in November of 2018.

Photo courtesy of the City of Rockville

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