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There isn’t much in the press this week about the up-coming Council election. All I’ve been able to find are one general article, a sidebar and an endorsement letter in the Gazette, and a tangentially-related article in the Washington Post.

First, the Post story:

• Kirstin Downey writes, Hispanic Officials Urge Immigrant Voters to Get to Polls:

  (This was at a “news conference in Arlington attended by several Spanish-language news organizations”)

  The event was opened with a prayer by a Methodist minister, the Rev. David Rocha. Comments by speakers were greeted with shouts of “Sí se puede” (Yes, we can), the rallying cry used by Cesar Chavez in organizing farm workers in California.

  Carlos Solis, who is running for the Gaithersburg City Council, said the interests of all immigrants, not just Hispanics, are at stake.

  “This is a fight for all and for everyone,” he said.

  The speakers said that elections are often determined by just a handful of ballots, and that individual voters have the ability to swing an election.

  Solis is running on a “One Gaithersburg” campaign platform with Ahmed Ali, who was born in Bangladesh, and Ryan Spiegel, a lawyer.

  “Many anti-immigrants are afraid,” Solis said. He said that if he and his colleagues won, they could “get control” of the city.

  “We’re all one pueblo,” he said.

• City officials back their candidates:

  The endorsement letter comes from Mayor Sidney A. Katz and the two continuing council members, Michael A. Sesma and Henry F. Marraffa Jr.:

  The Nov. 6 election is an especially important one for Gaithersburg. City voters will choose three new members of our five-member City Council. We will be voting for Jud Ashman and Cathy Drzyzgula for City Council.

This is the one general article in the Gazette:

• Patricia M. Murret and Chris Robinson write, City voters prepare to head to polls Tuesday:
  

  The election that will bring three new faces to the Gaithersburg City Council is less than a week away and some residents say the race is a toss-up.

and it appears with this sidebar in the print edition:

• Chris Robinson writes, New voting machines unveiled:
  

  No one attended a seminar Friday afternoon at City Hall about how to operate the machines, said Sarah Paxton, executive assistant to the city manager and an elections coordinator.

This really is a slow week for Gaithersburg coverage in the Gazette. Perhaps this is a reflection of the transition from Chris Robinson to Patricia M. Murret as the primary Gaithersburg reporter (I’ve heard that Chris is leaving the Gazette to pursue other interests), or perhaps there just isn’t that much going on, other than the election — there were no Council or Planning Commission meetings last week, for example.

Anyway, this is what we have; I’ll make a separate post of the election coverage.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Olde Towne bank robbery trial begins:
  

  The trial of a Gaithersburg man charged with the armed robbery of an Olde Towne bank in April began Tuesday in Montgomery County Circuit Court in Rockville.

  Timothy James Denzel, 30, of the unit block of Russell Avenue was charged with armed robbery April 27.

• Chris Robinson writes, Commercial vacancy rising in Gaithersburg:
  

  Gaithersburg’s overall vacancy rate is 14.7 percent for the third quarter of 2007, which includes July through September, the report states. There is about 5.1 million square feet of office space in Gaithersburg, according to the outlook report.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Pickup truck bill comes, goes:
  

  Del. Saqib Ali (D-Dist. 39) of Gaithersburg introduced the Fairness to Pickup Truck Owners Act of 2008 earlier this month in Annapolis after ongoing talks with several Village residents — some who own pickups, some who do not, he said. The bill would have blocked homeowners associations across the county from prohibiting residents from parking any personal-use passenger vehicle in their community.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Seneca Valley senior sparkles at football game:
  

  Seneca Valley High School senior Sarah Mealy of Germantown was aglow Saturday night.

  The 16-year-old, an accomplished baton twirler, performed at halftime of the SVHS-Damascus football game. But she didn’t use any ordinary baton. This one was rimmed in fire.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Plenty of frights at night:
  

  As little ghosts and goblins (and princes and princesses) seek treats around neighborhood streets tonight, the sounds of galloping hooves and clashing sabers could echo from near the Gaithersburg-Germantown border as a headless Civil War cavalryman rides his bright-eyed horse.

Of special note in the following is the item listed as “Redevelopment of 2-12 East Diamond Avenue”. This would include both the brick building now known as Roy’s Place and the strip shopping center known as the Galanis Center. This would represent yet another major change in Olde Towne.

Agenda - Historic Preservation Committee Meeting, 11/1/2007
Posted 10/26/2007

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Telephone: 301-258-6330

AGENDA
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Council Chambers at City Hall at 7:30 p.m.

The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
will conduct a site visit at 112 Meem Avenue
at 6:30 p.m., prior to the meeting.

I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of October 16, 2007 - deferred
Minutes of September 18, 2007

II. PUBLIC HEARING

HAWP-29F
Applicant: Beverly Stalker
11 Brookes Avenue
Tree Removal
Background Material

III. RECOMMENDATION TO HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

Plaque for Artifacts under Covenant (Kentlands)
Applicant: Gil Price
801 Inspiration Lane

IV. DISCUSSION

Redevelopment of 2-12 East Diamond Avenue

V. UPDATES

1. December Meeting
2. Crown Farm Site Visit 
3. MAHDC Training - February 20, 2008
4. City Elections on November 6, 2007

VI. ADJOURNMENT

Update: The video of Monday’s forum is available here.

The Olde Towne Neighborhood Watch is sponsoring a City Council Candidate Forum on Monday, October 29 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The forum will be held in the Council Chambers in City Hall. It will also be televised on Cable Channel 13, and webcast live from the City’s website. The telecast will be rebroadcast daily on Channel 13, and archived on the City’s website.

The previous televised forum is currently playing on Channel 13 several times per day (see Gaithersburg TV’s schedule here) and is available in streaming video on the City’s website, so you can watch it any time.

The final Candidate Forum (as opposed to the final televised forum) will be held at Asbury Methodist Home on Wednesday, October 31 (yes, Halloween) at 2:30 in the afternoon in the Rosborough Theaterm at 409 Russell Avenue. In the Asbury forum, the candidates will be asked about affordable housing and about how they would deal with increasing crime.

The election will be on Tuesday, November 6.

Sunday, October 28, 2007
Attempted Burglary
On 10-28-07 at about 1:44 p.m. GPD officer responded to unit block of S. Frederick Ave for a report of an attempt burglary. Police were told that at about 3:00 a.m. on the same date, an unknown suspect push a window unit air conditioner into the room. When the victim heard the noise, he went into the room to investigate and saw a figure run away from the building. Due to the low light conditions, the victim could not provide any description of the suspect

Burglary
On 10-28-07 at about 5:51 am MCP units responded to an alarm at 400 block of N. Frederick Ave. Once on scene they found one of the front windows broken out. The suspect(s) threw a large rock through the window, enter the building then exited out the back door. It’s unknown how much merchandise was stolen at this time.

---

Saturday, October 27, 2007
Burglary
On 10/27/07 a burglary was reported in the unit block of Professional Drive. The burglary occurred between 10/23/07 at 7 P.M. and 10/26/07 at 4 P.M. Entry was made through an unlocked front door and property was removed.

Professional Drive is on the west side of MD355, just south of Game Preserve Road.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Attempted Burglary

On 10/24/07, at 3:36 a.m., police responded to the 200 block of Park Avenue for a report of burglary in progress. Upon arrival, the victim advised officers that she saw a black hand raising her bedroom window. Investigation revealed that the suspect cut a small hole in the screen, and raised the window approximately 2-3 inches. The suspect left on foot in an unknown direction of travel.

Suspect - Black male

The 200 block of Park Ave would likely be the new Summit Crossing townhouses in Olde Towne, which are under construction.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Aggravated Assault
On 10/23/07, at 9:30 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Girard Street for an assault. Suspect became upset and stabbed the known victim in the face with a pen. Suspect arrested on scene.

Strong Arm Robbery
On 10/23/07, at 11:30 p.m., the victim was in the 300 block of North Frederick Avenue when he was robbed of cash by two suspects. They were located a short distance away and arrested without incident.

---

Monday, October 22, 2007
Strong Arm Robbery

On 10/22/07, at approximately 4:45 a.m., the driver of a bread truck was making a delivery at a commercial establishment in the 12100 block of Darnestown Road when he observed the suspect seated on the sidewalk in front of the Italian Gourmet Market. The suspect appeared to have blood on his face and shirt. After the driver exited the truck, the suspect approached him and struck him in the face and appeared intoxicated. The suspect then got into the truck and drove away. The suspect drove the vehicle southbound on Darnestown Road and wrecked at Main Street. He then fled the scene on foot. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Suspect - Hispanic male, 5′07″, 100-115 lbs, short black hair, wearing a black and white checkered dress shirt and blue jeans.

---

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Burglary

Sometime between 4:00 p.m. on 10/13/07 and 10:30 a.m. on 10/21/07, several locked storage bins in the 200 block of Park Avenue and 200 block of Lee Street were broken into. Property was taken from the storage bins.

Park Avenue and Lee Street are in Olde Towne.

Rape
On 10/19/07, at approximately 9:00 p.m., there was an alleged rape by a known acquaintance. The incident is under investigation.

From the Gazette Editorial, Gaithersburg has no choice; it’s time for change

Cathy Drzyzgula leads the pack. An Olde Towne resident, Drzyzgula, 51, served on the well-reasoned Day Laborer Task Force and has extensive experience with the city’s Historic Preservation Committee. She brings the most knowledge of city issues and is a top choice for the council. We expect her to be a strong voice in the long-stalled effort to revitalize Olde Towne.

Jud Ashman, 36, is Drzyzgula’s slate mate and another sound pick. A resident of Orchard Place, this is his second bid for the council. He ran on a controlled-growth ticket with Michael Sesma in 2005 and today says he favors ‘‘responsible” growth. His only formal service to the city is as a relatively new member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Election Participation. He served two years as chairman of the activist group Citizens for Smart Growth and has served as a school cluster coordinator since 2005. While he lacks formal experience with the city, his background on the issues is thorough and his close observation of city government gives him the footing to grow on the council.

Kentlands resident Ryan Spiegel, 29, is the youngest of the council candidates, and our pick for the third seat. He is young, but he understands city issues and has a fresh energy and perspective that will benefit the council. Spiegel believes it is time for Gaithersburg’s elected leaders to stop governing the city as the rural farming community it once was and encourages a look at policy changes that would advance finance plans to the models of other big cities.

Read the full endorsement editorial on the Gazette’s website.

• Chris Robinson writes, High stakes, but not much election buzz:
  

  Several political watchers say there is a surprising lack of talk about the upcoming election and the candidates who will assume the majority in Gaithersburg’s City Council next month.

• Chris Robinson writes, Quality of life issues top City Council election forum:
  

  Code enforcement and outreach to non-English speakers took center stage during the second candidates forum last week in the run up to the Gaithersburg election Nov. 6.

• Gaithersburg City Elections: Candidates is an editorial item with profiles of the seven candidates.
• Voting tutorial:
  

  Gaithersburg will teach residents how to operate the new AccuVote and AutoMARK voting systems during a seminar 1-5 p.m. Friday at City Hall, 31 S. Summit Ave. No appointment is necessary.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Day laborers banned from gathering on Route 355:
  

  Gaithersburg Police are now systematically enforcing trespassing in the parking lots in the city where day laborers have sought work for years.

• Sebastian Montes and C. Benjamin Ford write, Immigrant arrests will continue, chief says:
  

  A county police practice of arresting people wanted on federal immigration detainers may become a written directive, although county leaders say they are awaiting a legal review by the county attorney.

• Chris Robinson writes, Housing and retail project advances in Olde Towne:
  

  A 389-unit apartment complex lauded by some Gaithersburg residents to boost Olde Towne’s vitality is a step closer to realization.

• Chris Robinson writes, Delivery truck stolen, wrecked after assault:
  

  A delivery truck driver was assaulted and his vehicle was stolen by man covered in blood in south Gaithersburg early Monday, police said.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Man nabbed for credit card thefts at gyms:
  

  For the past year, credit cards have been regularly stolen from lockers at gyms in Gaithersburg and Rockville and police have charged a Silver Spring man with the crimes.

The Quince Orchard Park Community Association will host a candidate debate Wednesday evening, October 24, from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. The debate will be held in the City Council chambers and televised live on cable channel 13. A video of the debate will be replayed daily on channel 13. The City’s website does not say if they will make the video available for replay online, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t.

Also note that, while it is too late to register to vote, it is not too late to apply for an absentee ballot, although it is getting pretty close. You do not need any specific reason to use the absentee ballot.

From the City’s website:

Any qualified (registered) voter is entitled to cast an absentee ballot.

Applications must contain the signature, printed name, the current legal residential address within the incorporated limits of the City, any mailing address different from the residential address of the applicant and, if applicable, his or her authorized agent.

Applications for absentee ballots may be picked up in person at City Hall during normal business hours, requested via telephone at 301-258-6310 or downloaded below thru November 6, 2007. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

After approval of the application, absentee ballots will be mailed to the absentee voter; however, absentee ballots cannot be mailed to the absentee voter or his/her authorized agent making application after the close of business on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 (Sec. 6C-16(d) “Any absentee ballot that is not secured in person by the absentee voter or his authorized agent making application therefore shall be sent by first class mail to the approved applicant as expeditiously as possible, but not later than the close of business on the sixth day before the election”).

Residents who have been approved for an absentee ballot after WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 must pick up their absentee ballot at City Hall during normal business hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Absentee ballots may be returned to City Hall in person up to and including the time of closing of the polls on Election Day, November 6, 2007. All mailed absentee ballots must be received by November 6, 2007.

• Download a 2007 Application for Absentee Ballot

• Kathleen Miller writes, Enrollment soars in Montgomery County adult English classes
  

  Enrollment in Montgomery County adult English classes for immigrants has jumped about 34 percent since the county spent nearly half a million dollars to reduce massive waiting lists in the past year.

• Kathleen Miller writes, Montgomery committee approves legislation to increase closing costs for those buying homes
  

  Under the bill approved 2-1 by the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, home-buyers and sellers would see recordation taxes increase from their current level of $6.90 per $1,000 paid for a home to $8.50 per $1,000, if their homes cost $600,000 or less.

• Courtney Mabeus writes, Staph infection spreads further through Montgomery County public school system
  

  A virulent strain of staph infection spread further into Montgomery County’s Public Schools this week with officials reporting five more cases Monday, bringing the total to 19.