Two residents used the public-comment period at the Sept. 2 Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council meeting to raise separate concerns about a Labor Day parade contingent and conditions on East Diamond.

Jonathan Rich, who identified himself as a physician living in North Potomac, told the council he was concerned about "an unidentified black clad group representing complaints on behalf of the Palestinian people" that marched in the city’s Labor Day parade. Rich said he and his family felt threatened and that the parade should not be used to publicize international conflicts. He said if the group were permitted to attend as an expression of First Amendment rights, he would consider organizing a counter-presence at future parades.

Mayor Judd Ashman acknowledged the concern and said the city had received other complaints about that contingent. Ashman said staff decisions on parade participation were constrained by First Amendment protections and added, "we will look into it and discuss internally." That was the extent of formal council discussion; no action or policy change was taken that evening.

Russell Kennedy, a resident of Old Town Gaithersburg, spoke about recurring conditions on East Diamond: he said merchants had asked why trash cans were removed and requested some be returned; he reported motorists frequently accelerate from the Summit traffic signal toward Chestnut Street and expressed concern that vehicles exceed the posted 30 mph limit; he described uneven and damaged sidewalks and raised bricks lifting from sidewalks that make walking with a walker hazardous.

Public Works Director Brian Fields was present and denoted that the issues Kennedy raised fall under Public Works; the mayor noted Fields was taking notes. Council Member Jim McNulty referenced deployment of a digital speed reader on East Diamond and suggested relocation of one reader nearer Park Avenue to collect data; McNulty also said future Russell Avenue improvements had been discussed and could include a traffic-control device.

No formal motions or votes resulted from the public comments; staff took the items under advisement for follow-up.