gaithersblog.net

The August issue of the Gaithersburg edition of the Town Courier is now available for download as a PDF. Following are short excerpts of some of the stories I found interesting:

• Sonya Burke writes, Fire Marshal Pleads for Action on Code Violations:
  

  Gaithersburg Fire Marshal Ivan Humberson pleaded with city officials last year to correct a series of what he called serious fire code issues in city buildings, including an access problem at the Kentlands Mansion that Humberson called a “VERY big liability to have blocked exits in a facility that is rented to the public.”

  Apparently the City had initially refused to release the email, but City Manager David Humpton ordered it released after receiving a formal letter from an attorney on behalf of The Courier. In sidebar, The Courier has printed the entire text of Mr. Humberson’s email; quoting:

  These issues bring up the question of what, if anything, is going to be done about code violations at city facilities that were identified during my inspections. I have attached my inspection reports from the inspections I did some time ago and the violations noted. Few, if any, corrections have been made subsequent to these issues.

• Krista Brick writes, County’s Mortgage Foreclosures Are Rising Swiftly:
  

  Montgomery County is ranked second in the state so far this year in the amount of mortgage foreclosures, and homes in Lakelands, Kentlands and Quince Orchard Park have not avoided this epidemic.

• Sonya Burke writes, Wilson “Lee” Faris Announces Candidacy for City Council:
  

  With a three-pronged platform, Wilson “Lee” Faris of Hope Lane has announced his candidacy for the Gaithersburg City Council.

• Karen O’Keefe writes, Infrastructure:
  

  Years back, I found myself in a sub-sub-basement in a building — an international corporate headquarters in Rochester New York, interviewing a likeable, even charismatic fellow with the tired eyes, loosed tie and rolled shirtsleeves of a beleaguered TV homicide cop circa 1980s.

  He was the facility engineer. And he was Don Quixote.

• Sonya Burke writes, Council Approves $110,000 Security Contract for Private Patrols:
  

  The Gaithersburg City Council unanimously approved a resolution at its July 23 meeting authorizing the city manager to enter into a security contract for $110,000 with CES Security for private guards to patrol city-owned facilities in Olde Towne from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. seven days a week, including holidays.

• Krista Brick writes, Planning Commission Delays GE Decision:
  

  Potential developers of the G.E. Technology Park and city officials may be heading to the courtroom to determine what can be built on the site located between the Kentlands and Lakelands communities.

  This story includes a sidebar, Take Advantage of Property Tax Credits:

  Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and County Council President Marilyn Praisner are urging eligible county homeowners to act now to take advantage of a tax credit program that could save residents thousands of dollars on their property tax bills. They also reminded senior residents of a new Senior Property Tax Credit that began this year. The additional credit is available to seniors who are at least 70 years of age and eligible for either one or both of the state and county credits.

• Sonya Burke writes, Kentlands Workshops Aim to Inform and Improve Area:
  

  The city of Gaithersburg and HOK Planning Group held two workshops in July at Lakelands Park Middle School to discuss transportation and retail issues in the Kentlands Boulevard commercial area. City leaders are trying to find out what\u2019s important to stakeholders when it comes to creating a vision for the business area.

• Sonya Burke writes, City Steps Up Outreach for Kentlands Charrette:
  

  Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz sent out hundreds of personal letters to selected city residents asking them to attend educational workshops this summer as part of an extensive review process for the Kentlands Boulevard special study area.