Following are excerpts from the latest edition of the Town Courier posted on their website:
- Sonya Burke writes, City Leaders Sink Pool to Bottom of Priorities:
Just six months before construction was slated to begin on the Gaithersburg Aquatic and Recreation Center, city leaders have decided to delay the $25 million project. The decision to sink the pool project took place at the city’s annual retreat on January 19 after a financial presentation and a look at the competing projects and a revised list of priorities for city officials.
“We can’t afford it,” said City Council member Henry Marraffa.
- Sonya Burke writes, A Fond Farewell to the City Historian:
Twenty years ago, Patricia Patula began her career as a planning intern at the city of Gaithersburg after answering a want ad in the classifieds. It was a second career for Patula, who had worked as a teacher and started a family before deciding to search for a new career.
- Sonya Burke writes, Police Chief Reviews City Personnel Incident:
Gaithersburg Police Chief John King has reviewed for possible criminal misconduct a personnel incident at City Hall in which Assistant City Manager Fred Felton allegedly gained unauthorized access to his former boss’ e-mail account.
- Carrie Dietz writes, City Sees High January Foreclosures:
Gaithersburg, like many cities, is not immune to the housing slump, and at least 25 foreclosures were slated to be auctioned off at the Montgomery County Courthouse January 16, including one each in both the Lakelands and Kentlands.
- Election Investigation Continues Next Month:
Three candidates in the race for the Gaithersburg City Council, including sitting Council member Ryan Spiegel, are being questioned by the city’s Board of Elections Supervisors about alleged campaign violations.
- Kentlands Could Become Skate Spot Home:
Kentlands could become the city of Gaithersburg’s second choice for a skate spot pending a final decision by the Mayor and Council on the proposed locations in Lakelands.
- Carrie Dietz writes, Kentlands Resident Fights Transgender Bill:
Dr. Ruth Jacobs, a Kentlands resident, is president of a citizen-led group working to overturn Montgomery County’s controversial new transgender bill that protects individuals from discrimination, and her deadline is February 16.
- The editorial reads, Arnoult Accolades:
Acting City Manager James Arnoult is leading the city with professionalism and grace during a trying time at City Hall.
- In a letter to the Editor, Dr. Michael Stumborg of Olde Towne writes, GE Concerns:
To the Editor:
If Montgomery County’s past treatment of the Gaithersburg
Historic District neighborhood is any indication, the citizens of the Lakelands and Kentlands should be very concerned about county plans to acquire the GE Tech Park and FinMarc properties. - Krista Brick writes, County Council To Discuss GE on Jan. 22:
The Montgomery County Council is expected on Jan. 22 to get its first look at County Executive Isaiah Leggett’s proposal to consolidate several county services on a 96-acre tract of land between the Kentlands and Lakelands communities.