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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.