President's Message: It takes a Village

by Doniele Ayres, MVF President

When I started looking for my new home, I thought about all the places I have ever lived. I grew up in Chicago, a big city. Augsburg, Germany is where my family and I lived as part of military service. And Berrien Springs, Michigan, a small town in ‘the glove’ that had two traffic lights at the time. Each of these places has a unique culture and made living there a great experience.

Montgomery Village offers the same cultural experience; we are a suburban community with a diverse population in one of the most diverse counties in the country. Dictionary.com defines a village as: “the inhabitants of such a community collectively.” Our Village is also unique because it is the second largest homeowners association in the State of Maryland with an estimated population of 40,000 in 2020. As a homeowners association (HOA), we are a community that has collective values, care and concern for the environment, our neighbors and the community at large. We display these values in our volunteer service on committees and as we care for our neighbors, our homes and our shared property.

I appreciate the efforts of our residents to make Montgomery Village a great place to live. Suggestions, ideas and even taking steps to implement ideas in the community are the central tenet of a homeowners association. The HOA is a partnership where community management and the Montgomery Village Foundation (MVF) work together with residents to maintain our community with the homeowners and residents as the foundation.

When I decided to purchase a home in the Village, I was reminded of all the places I have lived before and what I appreciated about them; a collective sense of responsibility and commitment to making the place where we all lived better. Every day I see that in our residents and it is appreciated. Our community is better because everyone works together to make it better.

I am looking forward to what is ahead for our community. As we plan for the 2025 Budget, MVF will focus on the needs and priorities of Village residents. We will also work with our neighbors in the City of Gaithersburg and the owners of Lakeforest on the redevelopment project, one that I would like to think of as an enhancement to our community. Finally, I am looking forward to working with each of you to maintain our shared goals and values: an economically viable community where we protect our community, neighbors and the environment.

It takes a Village to do great things. Thank you for being a part of Montgomery Village.