gaithersblog.net

Philip Rucker writes in the Washington Post, Gaithersburg Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional:

A controversial Gaithersburg ordinance making it illegal for anyone to seek work or hire workers on most city streets, sidewalks and parking areas was deemed unconstitutional in an opinion released yesterday by Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler.

“The portions of the Gaithersburg ordinance that are not preempted by state law regulate speech in a traditional public forum,” they wrote in the opinion. “While those provisions are content neutral, they are not narrowly tailored to serve the designated purposes of public safety and traffic flow.

“Accordingly, in our view, the ordinance would not survive a constitutional challenge.”

Sebastian Montes writes in the Gazette, Gaithersburg anti-solicitation law spurned by AG

Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz and the City Council passed the measure in February 2007 in the face of years of struggling with day laborers looking for work every morning along the city’s Route 355 corridor.

The measure makes curbside hires a misdemeanor for both hirers and workers. However, they agreed to delay enforcing it until the county opened its day-laborer center just outside city limits. The center opened in April.

I received the following announcement from Thomas Grant at Shady Grove Hospital:

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital to Host Community Forum on MRSA

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital will host a free community forum on March 3 to educate residents about what they can do to prevent and reduce the spread of staph infections including MRSA, a form of staph infection that has been making headlines in Maryland and throughout the nation.

[Visit this page for more information.]

Please let me know if you have questions.

Tom

Thomas Grant
Associate Vice President,
Communications
Adventist HealthCare, Inc.
1801 Research Boulevard, Suite 200
Rockville, MD 20850
301-315-3356
301-315-3637 (FAX)
tgrant@adventisthealthcare.com
www.adventisthealthcare.com

Note that, according to this article in the Gazette, this appears to be the first in a series of such forums:

Forums will take place:

• From 7-9 p.m. Monday at the Universities of Shady Grove Building 1 Auditorium, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville. This forum is organized by Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. For more information, call 301-279-6000 or visit www.adventisthealthcare.com/SGAH .
• From 7-9 p.m. March 5 at the Professional and Community Education Center Auditoriums A & C at Holy Cross Hospital, 1500 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. For more information call 301-754-8800. or visit www.holycrosshealth.org.
• From 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 13 at Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Registration is required for this event. Please call 301-896-3939 to register or e-mail soc@suburbanhospital.org www.suburbanhospital.org
• From 6:30-8 p.m. March 18 at Montgomery General Hospital, 18101 Prince Philip Drive, Olney. Registration is required for this event. To register, call 301-774-8881. For more information, visit www.montgomerygeneral.com.

I received the following email from Art Brodsky at Public Knowledge:

Hi GB,

I’m writing to ask your help with a project I’m working on with Del. Herman Taylor (who, BTW represents me in Olney). We’re working on a bill to require telecom companies to report to the state what high speed services they provide where. The bill is attached. Taylor is concerned that some parts of the county, even some neighborhoods, have the best in high speed service while some are left on dialup.

We’re looking for consumers to let us know what they have, and what they want, in their neighborhoods. Is there any way you could put out the word on the bill, and direct people to Del. Taylor? His email is Herman.Taylor@house.state.md.us. If you have any questions about the bill, or about what we’re trying to do, please get in touch.

Thanks,

Art

–
Art Brodsky
Communications Director
Public Knowledge
[phone numbers redacted]
1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20009
www.publicknowledge.org

• Melissa A. Chadwick writes, Violent spree ends in three arrests:
  

  Investigators believe the Clarksburg man charged last week in the stabbing death of one man and a violent carjacking and kidnapping spree involving three other victims was wearing shoes stained with the dead man’s blood when he was arrested, according to charging documents.

  The final incident occurred on Feb. 19 and involved a 22-year-old woman who was able to fend off the knife-wielding suspects and escape a carjacking attempt in a neighborhood near the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Woman mugged in Olde Towne:
  

  A woman was grabbed from behind and robbed by two men in Olde Towne Gaithersburg last week as she exited her car in a parking lot on the 200 block of East Diamond Avenue.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Armed men rob driving school:
  

  Two men armed with a handgun robbed a driving school instructor and his class in Gaithersburg Monday night, police reported.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Damascus man charged in drug-related stabbing:
  

  A drug deal gone wrong ended in a stabbing in Gaithersburg on Saturday afternoon.

  Robert Jesse Hartman, 20, and Robert Wayne Earl Joshua King, 22, both of Gaithersburg planned to meet Matthew Doyne Cantrell, 27, of Damascus to buy marijuana from him on Saturday, said Sgt. Rudy Wagner, a spokesman for Gaithersburg Police.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Former GHS football player faces trial:
  

  A former Gaithersburg High School student who was indicted last year on multiple counts of robbery and sex offenses of 11 women is standing trial this week.

  Dion Harvey Montgomery, 18, of the unit block of Duvall Lane in Gaithersburg was indicted Sept. 13 on 20 counts including robbery with a dangerous weapon, attempt to commit robbery, second-degree assault, third- and fourth-degree sexual offense and indecent exposure.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Latinos worry about being targeted for crime
  :

  The brutal deaths of two Latino men in less than two weeks have flamed worries that immigrants are being targeted because of their community’s acknowledged reluctance to report crimes to police.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City police redouble fundraising efforts:
  

  The Gaithersburg Police Department is reaching beyond city coffers for money for officer training and high-tech equipment.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Candidates cleared in election investigation:
  

  Gaithersburg’s election board has ruled that City Councilman Ryan A. Spiegel and two other candidates did not break city election rules during the November election, and some are unhappy, saying the spirit of the law was ignored.

  In its opinion, the board wrote: ‘‘While candidates cannot be expected to disclose unknown in-kind contributions, the Board is troubled by the lack of due diligence to ascertain and disclose an in-kind contribution that was billed as early as October 17, 2007. However, the Code is silent on what efforts need to be made to discover and confirm in-kind contributions.”

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Crown Farm homes historic:
  

  Ten of the 20 remaining structures on the 182-acre former Crown Farm property in Gaithersburg received historic designation from the city last week.

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, Timetable tentative for relocating County Service Park:
  

  County planners have devised a possible timetable to begin moving some facilities out of a county industrial park in Derwood to a 96-acre property on Route 28 in Gaithersburg.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Search team for city manager seeks your help:
  

  The recruiting firm hired to help Gaithersburg find its new city manager, Alliance Resources Consulting LLC, is holding an open house this week.

  Also in this item:

  • Enterprise zone is urged on
  • Speed threshold increased

The relevant proposed legislation is House Bill 1256. Given the budget situation in the State and in the various counties in the State, this hardly seems the time to be making it easier for people to cheat on their property taxes. Not that, like, there would be a good time. You can find contact information for your State legislators here.

Timothy B. Wheeler writes in the Baltimore Sun, Officials rethink home tax law:

Last year, convinced that landlords and owners of second homes were claiming tax breaks they didn’t deserve, legislators unanimously passed a law requiring all Maryland homeowners to apply for a valuable tax credit that they’ve gotten more or less automatically until now.

Since December, though, state lawmakers have been peppered with questions and complaints from homeowners about the new application requirement.

Now, they’re considering calling the whole thing off.

[…] in Montgomery County, one of a handful where rental homes have to be registered, officials checked the list a few years ago and found 2,700 improperly claiming the credit.

Statewide, budget analysts have estimated that if 2 percent of property owners are claiming the credit improperly, local governments might be missing out on $10 million a year in property tax revenue. The state, which also levies a small property tax, would miss out on $700,000 a year.

But that 2 percent estimate is just hypothetical, officials acknowledge. The percentage of improperly claimed credits - and the amount of taxes dodged - might be higher.

Update 3: Kathleen Miller writes in The Examiner, Police seeking duo in robbery at Gaithersburg driving school:

They robbed an instructor and six students of cash and personal property before fleeing the school, said Paul Kaaawane, owner of the school. No one was hurt in the incident, and police would not disclose how much cash was taken.

Montgomery police spokeswoman Lucille Baur said police officers think this was intended to be a commercial robbery, with the target being the business itself rather than the students.

“We believe once they found out they couldn’t take money from the business, they robbed the students,” Baur said.

Update 2: The County Police have posted the following:

2/26/2008

Armed Robbery at a Driving School in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Robbery Section are investigating the armed robbery at the American Driving School which occurred yesterday evening in Gaithersburg.

Last night at approximately 8:14 p.m., 6th District officers responded to the American Driving School, located at 431 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, for the report of an armed robbery that had just occurred.

Through the course of the investigation it was learned that two suspects posing as students entered the driving school. One suspect displayed a handgun and demanded cash. The suspects robbed the instructor and the adult students of personal property. The suspects then fled the school in an unknown direction.

The first suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 21 years of age, 5’6” to 6’0” tall, with a thin build, and his hair was worn in dreadlocks. He was wearing a black jacket. The second suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 21 years of age, 5’6” to 6’0” tall, with a thin build, and wearing a black jacket.

Anyone who has information about this robbery and/or the suspects is asked to call the Robbery Section at 240-773-5100. Callers may remain anonymous.

Update: The City Police have posted the following regarding this incident:

Monday, February 25, 2008

Armed Robbery

On 02/25/2008 at approximately 8:30pm., two suspects robbed the American Driving School at 431 N Frederick Ave. They first knocked on the locked classroom door. When the instructor opened the door, one suspect put a gun to the instructors face and demanded his money. They then took cash and a cell phone from the 6 students. The suspects then fled the business.

Suspects: Two black males in their late teens to early 20’s, 5′10″ to 6′00″ - Thin built. Both in Green pants and black tee-shirts, one suspect was armed with a semi-auto hand gun.

Channel 7 reports:

Montgomery County Police say two armed men robbed a driving school Monday night in Gaithersburg.

It happened around 8:15 p.m. at the American Driving School in the 400 block of N. Frederick Avenue. Police said the school was filled with students when the men, wearing masks, demanded money from the class. Police said the suspects them left the scene. No one was hurt.

Channel 5 reports:

One of the suspects was seen with a semi-automatic handgun running from the scene. American Driving School is located at 431 N. Frederick Avenue.

The suspects are black males described to be possibly teenagers or in their early 20s. They were both dressed in black and last seen running north on 355.

Note that these are the plans for replacing the dead Giant Food shopping center on the top of the hill at N. Summit Ave/Goshen Road and Girard St. The plan would demolish the existing strip center and replace it with high-density apartments and a small amount of retail. If you have thoughts about this plan, tonight would be a good time to express them.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Joint Work Session: Z-307 Summit Shopping Center, 2/25/2008
Posted 2/15/2008

City of Gaithersburg
JOINT WORK SESSION
Mayor and City Council
Planning Commission
Monday, February 25, 2008

7:30 p.m.

• Z-307 - Application Requests Rezoning of a 6.58-Acre Parcel, Known as the Summit Shopping Center (Parcel N182), Located in the Northeast Quadrant of Goshen Road and Girard Street at 559 Girard Street, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, From the Existing C-2 (General Commercial) Zone to the MXD (Mixed Use Development) Zone, in Accordance with § 24-196 of the City Code (Map Amendments). The Property is Adjacent to the Hidden Creek Land Bay III. The Sketch Plan Proposes Seven 4- to 5-Story Residential Structures Containing a Range of 360 to 405 Multiple-Family Dwelling Units, up to 20,000 Square Feet of Commercial/Retail Space and Structured Parking
  Background Material - I (pdf file)
  Background Material - II

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Burglary

On 02/23/2008 sometime between the hours of 3:00-9:00 p.m., an unknown person(s) entered a residence in the unit block of Goodport Court through an unlocked front door and stole property from the residence. An investigation is ongoing.

Strong Arm Robbery

On February 23, 2008 at 9:42 p.m., a citizen reported a strong arm robbery to the rear of 220 E. Diamond Avenue. The victim was grabbed from behind by a Hispanic male as she was exiting her vehicle. The suspect punched the victim and he demanded her purse. A second suspect then pulled the victim’s purse away from her and both suspects fled the scene on foot, last seen running towards Park Avenue. An investigation is ongoing.

Suspect #1: Hispanic Male, 5-04 Medium build. Wearing a white sweatshirt with a hoodie.
Suspect #2: Hispanic Male, 5-04 Medium build. Wearing white pants.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Strong Arm Robbery

On February 21, 2008 at approximately 8:45 p.m. a citizen was walking on Fallbrook Street in the area of Carousel Court when he was approached by three black males. The suspects physically attacked the victim and took property from him. The suspects then got into an unknown type of vehicle and fled the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Crime Alert

On 02/19/08, at 12:45 p.m., police responded to the 400 block of Beacon Hill Terrace for the report of a theft from an unlocked motor vehicle. During investigation of the theft and a canvass of the area, it was discovered that several additional vehicles had been entered, with varying amounts of property having been removed. The locations of these additional vehicles include addresses on Longmeadow Drive, Rye Court, and Chestertown Street. It appears that at least one door on each of these vehicles had been left unlocked. These crimes remain under investigation at this time.

From the County’s website:

P1 Beat:

BURGLARY

• A residential burglary occurred in the 9900 block of Shelburne Terrace in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 2/6 between 6:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. The method of entry is not known. Property was stolen.
• A residential burglary occurred to an apartment in the 9800 block of Mahogany Drive in Gaithersburg on Friday, 2/8 between 3:00 P.M. and 9:30 P.M. The method of entry is not known. No property was stolen.

LARCENY FROM VEHICLE

• Two larcenies from vehicles occurred in the 10000 block of Trafalgar Square in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 2/6 between midnight and 8:00 A.M. A GPS unit was stolen in each incident.

P2 Beat:

BURGLARY

• A commercial burglary occurred at the physical therapy office located at 17 Firstfield Road in Gaithersburg between Wednesday, 2/6 at 10:00 P.M. and Thursday, 2/7 at 12:00 noon. Forced entry. It is not known whether property was taken.

  Suspect: white male, 5’9” to 6’0” tall, short grey hair, grey crew neck sweater, light blue jeans

LARCENY FROM VEHICLE

• Multiple larcenies from vehicles occurred between Sunday, 2/10 and Monday, 2/11 in the area north of Great Seneca Highway and Quince Orchard Rd,, Gaithersburg, to include cars parked on Landsend Drive, Longmeadow Drive, and Diamond Drive. No forced entry. Loose items were stolen.

R1 Beat:

LARCENY FROM VEHICLE

• Two larcenies from vehicles occurred at Whetstone Rec. Center, 19140 Brooke Grove Court, Montgomery Village, on Thursday, 2/7 between 7:15 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. No forced entry. Property taken.
• Two larcenies from vehicles occurred at the Sport & Health, 700 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, on Thursday, 2/7 between 8:30 P.M. and 10:00 P.M . Property taken.
• Two larcenies from vehicles occurred at Strawberry Knoll Elementary, 18820 Strawberry Knoll Road, Gaithersburg, between 3:00 P.M. and 3:50 P.M. on Saturday, 2/9. Forced entry. A purse was stolen in each incident. They were recovered nearby without their contents.

VEHICLE THEFT

• Auto Thefts: (Gaithersburg)
  • Lake Forest Mall 701 Russell Avenue Tuesday, 2/5 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. 1999 GMC Jimmy
  • 18500 block of Boysenberry Drive between Thursday, 2/7 and Friday, 2/8 2003 Suzuki motorcycle
  • Rosenthal Acura 631 North Frederick Avenue Monday, 2/11 between 12:00 noon and 4:00 P.M. 1994 Honda Civic

R2 Beat:

ROBBERY

• A strong arm robbery occurred in the 20400 block of Shadow Oak Drive in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 2/5 involving known juveniles. A 16-year-old male from Gaithersburg was arrested.

BURGLARY

• A residential burglary occurred to a vacant home in the 9600 block of Brassie Way in Montgomery Village during the week of 2/3.

  Suspects: a black male, age 17, and a black male, age 25 to 30, 5’2” to 5’5” tall, 180 to 200 lbs, with a mustache and afro.

• A residential burglary that occurred in the Unit block of Watkins Station Circle, Gaithersburg, involved a known suspect who had a key to the residence. The 28-year-old male suspect from Gaithersburg was arrested.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 8300 block of Marketree Circle in Montgomery Village on Tuesday, 2/12 between midnight and 7:00 A.M. The method of entry is not known. Property was taken.

S1 Beat:

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

• An aggravated assault occurred inside a home in the 8700 block of Emory Grove Road in Gaithersburg on Sunday 2/10 around 12:45 A.M. The victim reported he was attacked by five black males wearing black hooded sweat shirts and ski masks. Three suspects were reportedly armed with firearms. The victim managed to escape the house. His injuries were minor.
• An aggravated assault occurred at a grocery store at 615 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, on Wednesday 2/6. All who were involved are known to one another. The suspect reportedly took aim at the victim with a handgun. There were no injuries.

  Suspect: a 28 year old female from Gaithersburg last seen driving a Gold Toyota.

BURGLARY

• A residential burglary occurred Tuesday, 2/5 at 9:30 P.M. in the 500 block of South Frederick Ave.,Gaithersburg. The suspect fled the scene when the homeowner arrived. Forced entry. Unknown if property was taken.

S2 Beat:

There was no significant activity in this beat during the reporting period.