gaithersblog.net

Update: The Washington Post now has a story by Ernesto Londoño, Montgomery Legislator Arrested for Drunk Driving:

Barve pulled out of a parking lot in the 200 block of East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg at approximately 11:40 p.m. last night. Gaithersburg Officer Shane Eastman noticed the delegate’s green Acura Integra drive out through a driveway marked as an entrance, Gaithersburg police spokesman Sgt. Rudy Wagner said.

Growlers is located in the 200 block of E Diamond Ave.

Patricia M. Murret and Douglas Tallman write in the Gazette, Top state lawmaker arrested for drunk driving in Gaithersburg

Kumar P. Barve, 49, of Gaithersburg was arrested by Gaithersburg City Police just before midnight for driving while intoxicated, said Chief John A. King.

Barve, who represents District 17, was charged today with driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence, failure to obey a traffic device and failure to drive right of center, King said.

I don’t think I’ve posted this before; from the City’s website:

Gaithersburg Police Announce Crime Tip Hotline
Posted 8/31/2007

The Gaithersburg Police Department has established a Crime Tip Hotline to allow residents to report criminal activity they may be aware of or observe.

The tip line will allow members of the public who wish to report suspicious activity, criminal activity, or other information directly to the Gaithersburg Police Department. Callers may choose to remain anonymous or leave contact information in order to be contacted by an investigator. The tip line does not capture, record or display any information about the caller. There is no means to contact the caller unless the caller chooses to provide contact information.

Callers are greeted by a message in English and Spanish, and messages may be left in either language. The calls received on the tip line are recorded on a voice message system and will be retrieved by investigative personnel who will evaluate each message and conduct appropriate follow up or referral on information provided.

The tip line is not associated with Crime Solvers, nor does it provide rewards in return for information provided. It is not connected to the Montgomery County Public Safety Communications Center and is not intended for witnesses to report crimes in progress or that have just occurred.

Victims of or witness to a crime that requires a police response should continue to call 911 or the non-emergency number of 301-279-8000 for police assistance.

The new Gaithersburg Police tip line number is 301-330-4471.

From the City’s website:

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Burglary

On 11/28/07, at about 3:53 a.m., police where called to the 600 block of Cedar Spring Street for a report of a burglary. Once on scene, police learned that unknown suspect(s) broke into the building, damaged property and stole a television.

Cedar Spring Street is in Hidden Creek, near Odend’hal & Goshen roads.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Significant Events

On 11/26/07, at 5:45 p.m.. there was a fatal hit and run accident on Southbound Route 355 at South Westland Road. A pedestrian was struck and the striking vehicle left the scene.

Suspect vehicle: A maroon Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible with Virginia license plates.

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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Burglary

Sometime between 6:00 p.m. on 11/24/2007 and 11:40 a.m. on 11/25/2007, an unknown suspect burglarized numerous storage units at Bob’s Storage, 26 West Diamond Avenue. Property was taken.

---

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Burglary

Sometime between 11:00 a.m. on 11/17/07 and 9:00 a.m. on 11/24/07, an unknown suspect burglarized Andy’s Parties located at 422 Main Street. Property was stolen.

422 Main Street would be in the Market Square area of Kentlands.

In an article in this week’s Gazette, Sebastian Montes writes, Day-laborer center has created thousands of jobs:

A new report on the county’s day-laborer center in Shady Grove shows that more than 2,200 people were hired for jobs in the third quarter of this year.

The quarterly reports were mandated by the county Planning Board in February when it approved County Executive Isiah Leggett’s plan to open the temporary Crabbs Branch center. The board has no authority over the center, but stipulated the reports as part of its approval to allow the county to change the use of one of its properties.

I actually do take issue with the Gazette’s choice of a headline for this article, because I hardly think that the laborer center can be credited with creating the jobs obtained by the workers. I think that one would instead say that the local economy — or possibly the employers — have created these jobs. One could possibly credit the laborer center with facilitating the placement of these workers in these positions, although a large number of them probably would still have been hired off the street in the absence of the center. It’s also possible that the apparent endorsement by the County and consequent apparent legitimacy of the hiring of workers who use the center may have encouraged some employers to hire those workers in particular, but it still isn’t clear to me that this would mean that the jobs were created by the center.

In any event, Gaithersblog has obtained a copy of what seems to be the original Microsoft Word-format report, which I’ve posted here as it does not appear to be available on the County’s website. I’ve also transcribed the content below:

REPORT ON THE OPERATION
OF
THE CRABBS BRANCH TEMPORARY WORKERS CENTER (CBTWC)
(Operated by CASA of Maryland, Inc.)

July - September 2007

Employment Highlights
There was a record number of job placements during the third quarter including a total of 1,842 day jobs, 377 temporary and 17 permanent placements. Two hundred and eighty-one new employers registered at the center and 806 previously registered employers returned to secure workers. There was also a significant increase in females seeking employment at the center. A total of 46 females registered during the quarter as compared to seven the previous quarter. Four were placed in one-day jobs. There was a decline of temporary job placements in landscaping in September due to the continuing drought conditions. Twenty-three workers were offered temporary leaf collection positions with the County beginning November 1.

Programs Presented
Center staff sponsored a “Christmas in July” campaign to encourage workers to save a portion of their earnings during the busy summer months in order to meet their expenses during the slower fall and winter months when jobs are scarce. Workers were also instructed on the importance of being flexible and willing to accept unconventional jobs that may pay less and are not related to construction and landscaping, but are more available during the slower months. A visit from Bank of America representatives resulted in 13 workers opening bank accounts.

Twelve workers received ESOL certificates. Classes continued into September and after new class registration, resumed on October 17.

A refresher presentation of the “Good Workers and Good Neighbors” campaign was offered to the workers. This campaign seeks to build and enhance the reputation of the center and the workers in the community and among employers by using media contacts. Workers were offered the opportunity to learn about CASA’s vocational training programs. As a result one worker received $600 in tuition assistance through CASA to attend a construction renovation program at Centro de Capacitacion Tecnica in Wheaton. Four workers received culinary training at “Through the Kitchen Door” with two receiving certification from the program. Although legal rights presentations were suspended due to lack of certified presenters, the program will resume in November.

Community Organizing and Outreach
On Saturday, July 21, CASA organized an event to support the workers at the Crabbs Branch Temporary Workers Center and to counter protesters who gathered near the center. Marino Cordoba, CASA’s day laborer organizer, and workers, including those from CASA’s other centers in the County were present. CASA also placed 23 workers that day.

CASA continued its outreach to attract new workers and employers. CASA representatives visited businesses where workers continue to gather and some employers are most likely to hire day workers. Approximately 3,000 flyers per month were distributed at various locations throughout Gaithersburg during the quarter including at the Montgomery County Fair. The center also participated in the annual Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade and “Celebrate Gaithersburg” day.

Gaithersburg Police Chief John King toured the center and encouraged CASA to contact him if there was need for his services.

Other Activities
Leadership Montgomery, a group of non-profit, business and government leaders, visited the center in July to learn about programs being offered by CASA. Several workers spoke about their experiences in the United States and the importance of the employment centers to the immigrant community.

The Washington Post featured the CBTWC in an article in recognition of Labor Day. Author Pamela Constable spent two days at the center observing and speaking with workers and staff.

Monthly Progress Meetings and Reports
The Upcounty Regional Services Center staff continued to meet with CBTWC staff to review monthly reports provided by them and to discuss facility issues and future outreach and programming plans.

Security
No incidents or calls for service were reported by District 1 Police. There was police coverage on July 21 during the demonstration and there were no arrests or citations given that day.

Traffic
A total of 1,194 vehicles passed through the center property during the third quarter. The daily average was 17 vehicles. The monthly breakdown is as follows:
July - 399
August - 461
September - 334

July Program Statistics
Day Job Placements - 607
Permanent Job Placements - 5
Temporary Job Placements (more that one day/not permanent) - 77
New Employers (newly registered) - 116
Existing Employers (previously registered/repeat) - 220
ESOL Students - 11
Legal Rights Presentations - 1
Attendees at Legal Rights Presentations - 35
Information and Referrals - 25

August Program Statistics
Day Job Placements -704
Permanent Job Placements - 7
Temporary Job Placements (more that one day/not permanent) - 143
New Employers (newly registered) - 99
Existing Employers (previously registered/repeat) - 295
ESOL Students - 12
Legal Rights Presentations - 0
Attendees at Legal Rights Presentations - 0
Information and Referrals - 17
ID Cards Issued - 42

September Program Statistics
Day Job Placements - 531
Permanent Job Placements - 5
Temporary Job Placements (more than one day/not permanent) - 157
New Employers (newly registered) - 66
Existing Employers (previously registered/repeat) - 291
ESOL Students - 0 (previous month class continued)
Legal Rights Presentations -0
Attendees at Legal Rights Presentations - 0
Information and Referrals - 15
ID Cards Issued - 31

Prepared by the Upcounty Regional Services Center
November 9, 2007

• Sebastian Montes writes, Two more pedestrians die in upcounty crashes:
  

  Two senior citizens were killed in separate incidents Monday night — one a hit-and-run — as they attempted to cross busy roads in Gaithersburg and Germantown, bringing the number of pedestrian fatalities in the county this year to 15.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Gaithersburg gas station clerk shot in robbery:
  

  A gas station clerk was shot and wounded in a robbery at an Exxon on Muncaster Mill Road in Gaithersburg on Thursday morning.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Three fires, one fatal and one arson, in Gaithersburg:
  

  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crews spent much of Thanksgiving Day responding to fires in Gaithersburg.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Arson in Olde Towne was started by ‘Molotov cocktail’:
  

  A Clinton woman was charged with first-degree attempted murder and arson after a Thanksgiving morning fire in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Bethesda man dies after car strikes tractor on Interstate 370:
  

  The Bethesda man whose car careened off of Interstate 370, struck a parked tractor and burst into flames on Friday was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services officials.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Elections board may seek state review of campaign complaints:
  

  Gaithersburg election officials met last night to begin their review of mounting complaints over spending and other perceived violations in this season’s City Council campaign.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City Cable poised for prime time:
  

  The Gaithersburg Cable TV operation unveiled upgrade plans last week that city staff said will make way for new digital programming and improved production.

  Also in this item,

  • Gateway signs coming
  • Public hearing planned
  • Police department award
  • Olde Towne vitality

• Patricia M. Murret and Melissa A. Chadwick write, Gaithersburg lab is hub of federal toy safety:

  In a residential neighborhood off Darnestown Road, a small group of federal workers spends its days in a laboratory testing the safety of thousands of products headed for store shelves.

• Douglas Tallman and C. Benjamin Ford write, Unions ponder role in slots referendum:
  

  Although labor unions were part of the pressure applied to lawmakers to pass the slot machine referendum, several said they have not yet decided what their role would be in the November 2008 balloting.

From Raleigh-Durham’s Channel 17 News:

Police Searching For Missing Woman
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007 - 05:16 PM

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Police are searching for a woman reported missing Nov. 20.

Kevia Cecilia Engrums, 19, came to Fayetteville to attend Fayetteville State University, but the school has no listing of Engrums as a student. Her last known address was 2601 Burma Court, Fayetteville. The last contact she had with her mother was on Aug. 8 at about 1:30 p.m.

Engrums is a black female, 5’05” tall, 110 pounds, black hair and brown eyes. She has tongue and nose piercings and Chinese symbols tattooed on her arms and neck. Engrums is originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Investigators have no reason to believe she is in danger at this time.

Anyone with information should contact the Fayetteville Police Department at (910) 433-1856. To remain anonymous and receive up to a $1,000.00 reward contact Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-8477.

Update: The County Police have published a press release:

11/27/2007

Update: Detectives Seek Additional Information on Fatal Hit and Run Pedestrian Collision in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are continuing to investigate a fatal hit and run pedestrian collision that occurred yesterday evening in Gaithersburg.

During the early morning hours today, detectives located the driver and the 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible with Virginia tags that was seen at the time of the pedestrian collision. That vehicle remains a vehicle of interest in this collision. But after examination of the Mitsubishi, detectives now believe that there was at least one other vehicle that struck the victim, Ronald Bender, age 64, from Rapid City, South Dakota. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was at approximately 5:45 p.m. yesterday that 6th District officers responded to the report of a pedestrian struck in the 700 block of Route 355 (South Frederick Avenue) near North Westland Drive in Gaithersburg.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Bender was crossing Route 355 in an easterly direction, going toward the Walnut Hill Shopping Center, when he was struck prior to reaching the median strip on Route 355. It was dark, but the street lights were on. No driver remained at the scene. A witness described a burgundy 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible with Virginia tags leaving the scene in a southbound direction.

Detectives need to hear from anyone who was in the area of the 700 block of South Frederick Avenue and the Walnut Hill Shopping Center between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Something that was seen or heard might not have seemed important at the time, but could possibly now help investigators find additional vehicles, perhaps unknowingly involved in this collision. Calls should be placed to Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives at 301-840-2435. The investigation continues.

###>

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

Channel 4 reports:

Police are looking for at least one more vehicle they say may have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian collision Monday in Gaithersburg.

Police located the driver of a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible they were seeking in connection with the crash, which happened at about 5:45 p.m. in the 700 block of Route 355, South Frederick Avenue, near North Westland Drive.

After examining the car, however, investigators say at least one more vehicle struck the victim.

From The Rapid City Journal:

Longtime Journal staffer Ron Bender killed in Maryland
By Steve Miller, Journal staff
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Former longtime Rapid City Journal reporter and editor Ron Bender was killed Monday evening in Gaithersburg, Md., when at least one car hit him as he was walking across a street, authorities said.

Bender, 64, had attended the wedding of his brother, Stan Bender, of Gaithersburg over the weekend. Stan Bender said his brother was cooking dinner for him and his new wife, Monir, at their home and had left to walk to a nearby store to buy some olives.

Ron Bender was struck about two blocks away while crossing Route 355-Frederick Pike toward the Walnut Hill Shopping Center aabout 5:45 p.m. EST.

Bender retired last May from the Journal, where he had worked for 38 years as a reporter, assistant wire editor, assistant news editor, night city editor, news editor and editorial page editor.

Bender graduated from Eureka High School in 1961. After graduating from Augustana College in 1965, he did graduate work in journalism at the University of Missouri, then became a sportswriter for the Waterloo (Iowa) Daily Courier. He joined the Rapid City Journal in 1969.

He is survived by his wife, Muriel Shepard of Rapid City; two children, Matt Bender and his wife, Wendy, of Rapid City and Stephanie Westbrook and her husband, Cliff, of Burleson, Texas; six grandchildren; his brother, Stan Bender of Gaithersburg; six grandchildren; one stepdaughter, Amanda Hirscht and her husband Ryan, of Portland, Ore.; and one stepson, Tom Shepard and his wife Lupe, of Gilbert, Ariz.

From the County’s website:

11/26/2007

Fatal Hit and Run Pedestrian Collision in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit are investigating a fatal hit and run pedestrian collision that occurred this evening in Gaithersburg.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the report of a pedestrian struck in the 700 block of Route 355 (South Frederick Avenue) near North Westland Drive in Gaithersburg. The victim, Ronald Bender, age 64, from South Dakota, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Bender was crossing Route 355 in an easterly direction, going toward the Walnut Hill Shopping Center, when he was struck prior to reaching the median strip on Route 355. It was dark, but the street lights were on. The driver of the striking vehicle did not remain at the scene of the collision. The vehicle is described as a burgundy 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible with Virginia tags KLH 5957. The vehicle should have front-end damage to include a damaged windshield. It was last seen traveling southbound on Route 355.

Anyone who witnessed this collision and has information to provide about the striking vehicle is asked to call Collision Reconstruction Unit detectives at 301-840-2435. The investigation is continuing.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

The Town Courier’s November Mid-Month Edition was just posted online:

• Krista Brick writes, City Investigates Campaign Finance Allegations:
  

  The Gaithersburg Board of Supervisors of Elections is meeting late this month to determine whether a new political activist group violated Gaithersburg election regulations during its attempt to fill three vacant slots on the City Council with candidates they endorsed.

  “The board members and I have noticed some weakness in our election finance laws. The board has indicated they want to provide recommendations for tightening them up,” [Assistant City Manager Fred] Felton said.

• Sonya Burke writes, One Gaithersburg Candidates Asked for Undercover Police at Polls:
  

  City Council candidates Ahmed Ali, Ryan Spiegel and Carlos Solis asked for “plain clothed police officers to protect voter access” at the city’s polling places one day before the city’s November 6 election.

  Gaithersburg Sgt. Rudy Wagner tells The Town Courier that police presence was beefed up on Election Day, but he says that is not unusual and has been done in the past. He said police read the above referenced e-mail but did not consider it to be threatening.

• Karen o’Keefe writes, Chief King Looks to Strengthen Gaithersburg Force:
  

  In a recent interview with The Town Courier, Gaithersburg Police Chief John King, who is nearing five months in his new job, says that creating and implementing a long-term strategy for the growth of the department over the next 10 years — specifically aimed at critically important recruitment, hiring and retention goals — is a matter of the highest priority, especially over the next three years.

• Krista Brick writes, Residents Call City’s Skate Park Process “Flawed”:
  

  As a special committee is expected to recommend in favor of a skate park in Lakelands Park, residents nearby are calling the process flawed and are asking Gaithersburg city leaders to reevaluate the need for this type of facility.

  “All members appointed to the committee were individuals who signed an online petition that supports having a skate park at Lakelands Park,” [Rachel Hopp] said.

  Michele McGleish, director of Gaithersburg’s Parks, Recreation and Culture, said the city advertised for members for the committee in local newspapers. Each city resident who wrote to the mayor requesting inclusion on the committee was allowed a seat, and McGleish said members were added even after the committee’s first meeting.

• Sonya Burke writes, City Planners Move Aquatic Center Forward
  

  The Gaithersburg Planning Commission unanimously approved this month the preliminary site plan for construction of the 62,897-square-foot indoor aquatic center with a gymnasium.

In addition, I’ve neglected until now to post about the November Gaithersburg Edition, which came out a couple of weeks ago:

• Krista Brick writes, Humpton Looks Back:
  

  Leaving a 22-year career with the city of Gaithersburg, former City Manager David Humpton now sits at a new desk across town working for Montgomery Village as that community’s executive vice president. His decision to make that change comes hot off the heels of some very divisive issues for the city.

  “The city has no mechanism to run without an approved budget. I went to find a way to run the government. I was comfortable with that way,” he said. “I was then told that the Council was going to veto what I had found as a way to continue, and that really made me angry.”

  In the end, the Council did approve the budget, and the city didn’t need an alternative plan.

  “It showed me that this Council thought this was more of a political game than people’s lives,” Humpton said.

• Sonya Burke writes, Book Store Tops Charrette Wish List:
  

  Would you like to see a book store in Kentlands? If so, you are not alone.

  The book store suggestion was one of the most popular ideas left on comment cards for planners at the Kentlands Boulevard commercial area charrette last month.

• Carrie Dietz writes, Crowded Conditions to Continue at RCES:
  

  After more than six months of discussions, public meetings and a formal feasibility study, there is still no relief in site for Rachel Carson Elementary School’s (RCES) 828 students, who are currently operating in a facility built for 649.

• City Election Nets Historic Voter Turnout:
  

  The 2007 Gaithersburg City Council election may be remembered for drawing a record number of voters to the polls. According to the unofficial results, over 3,562 ballots were cast on Election Day and Gaithersburg’s Assistant City Manager Fred Felton calls the turnout “an all time high.”

  “We have never had this many votes,” Felton said.