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From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 4/21/2008
Posted 4/17/2008

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008, 7:30 P.M.

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Chaplain Edco Bailey, Shady Grove Hospital

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held March 17, 2008
Background Material (pdf format)

V. PRESENTATIONS

1. Presentation from the District 17 Team on the 2007 General Assembly Legislative Session
2. Proclamation of the Mayor and City Council Designating April 27 - May 3, 2008, as “National Volunteer Week” in the City of Gaithersburg 2.
3. Proclamation of the Mayor and City Council Designating April 18 - 26 as “Gaithersburg Green Week” and April 25, 2008, as “Arbor Day” in the City of Gaithersburg

VI. PUBLIC APPEARANCES
(public is invited to speak on any subject that is not a public hearing topic on tonight’s agenda - each speaker three minutes)

VII. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events

VIII. FROM THE ACTING CITY MANAGER

IX. PUBLIC HEARING

1. JOINT - Z-308(o), Requesting a Map Amendment to Rezone 2.1416 Acres of Land From R-20 (Medium Density Residential) to CBD (Central Business District) in Accordance With §24-196 (Map Amendments) and §24-198 (Optional Method) of the City Code. The Property is Located at 1 Water Street and 49 West Diamond Avenue, and is Commonly Known as Diamond House and Diamond Acres (Parcels 184 & 185) 2.

   Background Material Part I (pdf format 5.6)
   Background Material Part II (pdf format 3.8M)

2. JOINT - SDP-08-001, Application Requests Approval for the Schematic Development Plan, SDP-08-001, for Lot 3, Quince Orchard Crescent. The Proposed Plan Establishes the Use of Office, Medical Office and a Religious Facility Within the Two Existing One-Story Buildings Each Containing 25,000 Square Feet. The Subject Property is Located at 902/904 Wind River Lane and is in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) Zone 3.

   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Surplus Land Hearing - Consideration for Disposition of Four City-Owned Parcels in Olde Towne Central Business District
   Background Material (pdf format)

XII. ORDINANCES, RESOLUTIONS, AND REGULATIONS
(ordinances, resolutions, and regulations to be introduced or adopted following appropriate procedures required by the City Code, or resolutions that may require discussion by the Mayor and Council prior to approval)

1. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract for Cleaning Services for Various City Facilities ($329,992)
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract for a Street Resurfacing Project ($556,000)
   Background Material (pdf format)
   
   
3. Introduction of An Emergency Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact With Amendments Chapter 15 of the City Code, Section 15-9, Entitled “Solicitation in Roadways,” so as to Amend Existing Language With Regard to the City’s Prohibition on Solicitation in Roadway Medians Areas (Public Hearing 5/5/08)

   Background Material (pdf format)

4. Introduction of an Ordinance to Adopt the City Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2008, Through June 30, 2009, and Levying an Ad Valorem Tax on all Assessable Property Within the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland (Public Hearing 5/5/08)
   Background Material (pdf format)

5. Notification of a Public Hearing to Establish a Constant Yield Tax Rate for the City of Gaithersburg for Tax Year Beginning July 1, 2008 (Fiscal Year 2009) (Public Hearing 5/5/08)
   Background Material (pdf format)

6. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Waive All City Fees Associated With Moving Structures That Are More Than 50 Years Old
   Background Material (pdf format)

7. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute an Agreement for Stream Restoration and Repair With Asbury Atlantic, Inc. ($158,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

XI. FROM THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGERS, CITY ATTORNEY AND OTHER STAFF

XV. ADJOURNMENT

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THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
WILL BE HELD MONDAY, MAY 5, 2008, 2008, 2007, 7:30 P.M.

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

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ANNOUNCEMENT
Notice to the general public is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will conduct a Work Session on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, to discuss the proposed plan for paperless Mayor and City Council meeting packets.

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UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING AND WORK SESSION ITEMS
This list is not all-inclusive, and does not reflect priorities or scheduling
But is intended to provide a glance at future items to come before the City Council.

May 5 Meeting:

Public Hearings:
FY ‘09 Proposed Budget for the City of Gaithersburg

- Establishing a Constant Yield Tax Rate

- Federal Fiscal Year 08 Action Plan for Receipt of CDBG Funds Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

- Ordinance to Repeal and Reenact “Anti-Solicitation”

Also from the City’s website:

Notice - Joint Public Hearing, SDP-08-001, 4/21/2008
Posted 4/7/2008

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Application Type: SCHEMATIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

File Number : SDP-08-001
Location: LOT 3, QUINCE ORCHARD CRESCENT
Applicant: SOKA GAKKAI INTERNATIONAL- USA
Development: MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

Day/ Date/Time: 7:30 p.m., MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008
Place: GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL

IMPORTANT

The application requests approval for the Schematic Development Plan, SDP-08-001, for Lot 3, Quince Orchard Crescent. The proposed plan establishes the use of office, medical office and a religious facility within the two existing one-story buildings each containing 25,000 square feet. The subject property is located at 902/904 Wind River Lane and is in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) Zone. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner (listed below) at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
Eliza Voigt, Planner
Planning and Code Administration

LOCATION MAP

Also from the City’s website:

Notice - Public Hearing - Olde Towne Redevelopment Sites, 4/21/2008
Posted 4/1/2008

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg will hold a public hearing on:

Monday
April 21, 2008
7:30 p.m.

or as soon thereafter as it may be heard in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. The purpose of this hearing is to consider a disposition of public lands held by the City of Gaithersburg as follows:

Under consideration for disposition will be four parcels of land (constituting two separate redevelopment sites commonly known as the “Fishman site” and the “Y site”) owned by the City of Gaithersburg.

The first parcel, located on 315 East Diamond Avenue and commonly known as the “Fishman Building,” is legally described as “PL108645 Fishmans Sub” and is more fully described as parcel N035 consisting of 33,381 square feet of land of which a portion will be retained by the City. The second parcel, located on South Summit Avenue and commonly known as “Lot 5”, is legally described as “NE corner railroad station & Summit Ave” and is more fully described as Parcel P038 consisting of 52,272 square feet of land of which a portion will be retained by the City. These two parcels constitute the “Fishman site.”

The third parcel, located on South Frederick Avenue and commonly known as the “Y site,” is legally described as “Y lot west of station art/merger” and is more fully described as parcel P117 consisting of 84,956 square feet of land of which a portion will be retained by the City. The fourth parcel, located at Fulks Corner Avenue (formerly East Cedar Avenue) and commonly known as the “Schultze site,” is legally described as “Maddox Addition Gaithersburg” and is more fully described as parcel N118 consisting of 23,193 square feet of land. These two parcels constitute the “Y site.”

The public hearing will consider whether the subject parcels should be declared surplus property and subject to disposition, should no future public use of the property be found. The land is currently zoned in the CBD (Central Business District) Zone.

The hearing will give the public an opportunity to offer input in regard to disposition of the property and also to comment on whether the parcel is needed for any future public purposes.

The property involved in this hearing is reflected in information and documents available for public inspection in the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland during regular business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Tony Tomasello
Assistant City Manager

Also from the City’s website:

Notice - Joint Public Hearing, Z-308(o), 4/21/2008
Posted 3/28/2008

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG
31 South Summit Avenue
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

NOTICE OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Gaithersburg Mayor and Council and Planning Commission will conduct a public hearing at the time and place noted below.

Meeting: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Application Type: ZONING MAP AMENDMENT

File Number: Z-308(o)
Location: 1 WATER STREET & 49 WEST DIAMOND AVENUE
Applicant: JODY KLINE, ESQ. FOR KEYSTONE REI
Current Zoning: R-20 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL) ZONE

Day/ Date/Time: MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008, AT 7:30 P.M.
Place: COUNCIL CHAMBERS, GAITHERSBURG CITY HALL, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

IMPORTANT

A Joint Public Hearing will be held on Monday, April 21, 2008, regarding application number Z-308(o) requesting a map amendment to rezone 2.1416 acres of land from R-20 (Medium Density Residential) to CBD (Central Business District) in accordance with §24-196 (map amendments) and §24-198 (optional method) of the City Code. The property is located at 1 Water Street and 49 West Diamond Avenue, and is commonly known as Diamond House and Diamond Acres (Parcels 184 & 185). This is a joint public hearing, which allows the public an opportunity to participate and comment on the request. Contact the Planning and Code Administration City Planner listed below at 301-258-6330 if you should have any questions and/or to learn more about this process and your ability to offer testimony and input.

CITY OF GAITHERSBURG

Jacqueline Marsh, Planner
Planning and Code Administration

LOCATION MAP

Y’all might remember this post about an illegal immigrant who is alleged to have stabbed another man in the sternum while on bail, and later got picked up in Prince William County, where he was awaiting extradition to Montgomery County. In today’s Examiner, Freeman Klopott and Kathleen Miller write:

Calderon-Melendez was arrested in Virginia last month and is now fighting to stay there until he’s deported, he told The Examiner from the Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center.

“If I’m here, there’s a better chance they’ll send me back to El Salvador. My wife needs my help and I’m the only one who can help her,” he said in Spanish, adding he worries for his family’s safety because he left the MS-13 gang in El Salvador shortly before he slipped across the U.S.-Mexico border last year.

But police and federal officials say even if the charges had stemmed from crimes allegedly committed in Prince William, he’d likely still serve prison time before being deported.

Via Connected Communites, where reports for all six districts are available.

P1 Beat:

• An assault was reported on Saturday, 4/5 around 9:00 p.m., when a patient at Potomac Ridge at 14901 Broschart Road in Rockville was found unconscious with eye injuries and a broken nose. He could not advise any details of the attack.
• The aggravated assault on Friday, 4/4 in the 400 block of West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg was domestic-related and the boyfriend was arrested.
• A domestic-related assault occurred Sunday, 4/6 around 1:00 a.m. on School Drive in Gaithersburg. The ex-boyfriend forced his way into the victim’s apartment, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and attempted to attack her. The suspect fled before police arrival.

  Suspect: B/M 5’7”, 180lbs.

• An attempted burglary of a garage occurred on Friday, 4/4 between 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Mission Drive in Gaithersburg. Attempted force entry, nothing taken.
• Three thefts from vehicles occurred overnight from Friday, 4/4 into Saturday, 4/5. Forced entry, when necessary. Cars on West Diamond, Water Street, and King James Way in Gaithersburg were affected. Property taken.

P2 Beat:

• Three thefts from vehicles occurred in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 4/01 and Friday, 4/04. Forced entry, property taken. Cars on Beacon Square, Booth Street, and Little Quarry were affected.

• An aggravated assault occurred on Tuesday, 4/8 around 1:00 a.m. and involved a DWI on Rt. 270 in Gaithersburg. After stopping, the defendant drove off abruptly almost striking an officer. The pursuit ended at Gaithersburg Square Shopping Center when the man wrecked his car. The driver, a 36-year-old male from Washington, DC was arrested.

R1 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred during the daytime on Friday, 4/4 in the 400 block of Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg. No forced entry, property taken.

R2 Beat:

• A commercial burglary was reported on Wednesday, 4/2 at 10:45 p.m. at Classic Bakery 18503 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Forced entry, property taken.
• A commercial burglary was reported on Wednesday, 4/2 at 10:45 p.m. at Antonio’s Café 18509 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Property taken. The following suspect was seen in the area:

  Suspect: B/M 30-35 years, 6’0”2 to 6’2”, 240, goatee, crew cut Athletic team jacket, white tee shirt, light blue jeans, black boots

• A stolen vehicle was reported taken overnight between Saturday, 4/05 and Sunday, 4/06 from the 19600 block of Club Lake Road in Montgomery Village. The vehicle was a 1994 black Honda Accord.
• A stolen vehicle was reported taken overnight between Sunday, 4/06 and Monday, 4/07 from the 19400 block of Brassie Way in Montgomery Village. The vehicle was a 1997 Honda Accord, white in color.

S1 Beat:

• An attempted residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of Belle Grove Road in Gaithersburg between Monday, 3/23 and Tuesday, 4/1. Attempted force entry, nothing taken.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of Belle Grove Road in Gaithersburg between overnight between Tuesday, 4/1 and Wednesday, 4/2. No force entry, property taken.
• A commercial burglary occurred at Gaithersburg Check Cash, 213 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg, between Saturday, 4/5 and Monday, 4/7. Forced entry, property taken.

S2 Beat:

• Three thefts from vehicles occurred overnight on Tuesday, 4/01 into Wednesday, 4/02 in the Laytonia area in Gaithersburg; involving three different makes of vehicles. Forced entry, property taken.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Suspect held without bond in Gaithersburg homicide:
  

  State’s Attorney John J. McCarthy called Henderson “a danger to the community” and said that Henderson had selected Harvey in a similar manner and method he had selected victims of armed robberies he previously committed. McCarthy cited evidence that included an article of Henderson’s clothing with Harvey’s blood on the right arm.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Esai Lopez’s family angered by early release:
  

  After less than a week in jail and six weeks in a work-release program, the Columbia man who killed 17-year-old Esai Lopez of Gaithersburg in a hit-and-run collision last year has been transferred to home confinement to serve the rest of his one-year sentence.

• Erin Donaghue and Patricia M. Murret write, Police, schools say they’re prepared for unthinkable:
  

  News last week of gunfire in a county high school and a foiled shooting plot at another last May are evidence that a violent school tragedy could be closer to a reality than many would like to think.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Attempted-murder charges dropped against teenager:
  

  Prosecutors determined earlier this month that there was insufficient evidence to continue the case against Tiffany Palmer, 16, of Red Buckeye Court in Germantown, who was indicted for attempted first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit attempted first degree murder, according to Seth Zucker, a spokesman for the county State’s Attorney’s Office. There was probable cause for arrest but not enough to prosecute, he said.

  Palmer was charged in connection with one of four gang-related attacks near the Lakeforest Transit Center in Gaithersburg and the Shady Grove Metro station in Rockville between Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 that left one man dead, one man with serious stab wounds, a third with minor stab wounds and two with gunshot wounds.

  Palmer’s cousin, 21-year-old Robert Troy Jackson Jr. of Germantown, was stabbed multiple times at the transit center Nov. 5 during the afternoon rush hour and died the next day, police have said. That afternoon, a then-26-year-old Gaithersburg man was stabbed on Odenhal Avenue, allegedly in retaliation for Jackson’s death.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Drivers beware on Route 355:
  

  City and county police started an aggressive traffic enforcement campaign along Route 355 in Gaithersburg on Monday, with a goal to remind teen drivers that getting behind the wheel isn’t without risk.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Burglars use roofs to access businesses:
  

  Crime has recently reached new heights in Gaithersburg with two recent rooftop burglaries of businesses.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Mural could add to museum makeover in Olde Towne:
  

  After months of searching for a home for a $35,000 mural planned for Olde Towne Gaithersburg, a committee is suggesting that the public art complement a museum makeover.

  The Gaithersburg Community Museum, located at 9 S. Summit Ave., in the restored 1884 B&O Railroad Station complex, is undergoing an $866,000 transformation that will quadruple its museum space and expand its surrounding plaza, said Denise Kayser, a city parks department employee who works with the city’s Art in Public Places Committee.

• C. Benjamin Ford writes, Slower economy could make housing affordable:
  

  A plan to have government agencies make affordably priced housing available to more middle-class and lower income residents might face competition — from the economy.

• Sean R. Sedam writes, Groups join to fight illegal immigration:
  

  On Thursday, 11 groups from Maryland, Virginia and Washington will hold a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington to announce the formation of the Capital Area Alliance Against Illegal Immigration. The alliance will include organizations such as Help Save Maryland and Save the Old Dominion that have pushed for legislation and advocacy against illegal immigration around the region.

• Janel Davis writes, Council OKs Leggett reorganization plan:
  

  The County Council on Tuesday gave approval to a county reorganization plan proposed by County Executive Isiah Leggett that would split one of the county’s largest departments, eliminate the Department of Homeland Security and put other departments under the executive’s jurisdiction.

• Bradford Pearson writes, History found at Uncle Tom’s Cabin:
  

  More than 550 artifacts ranging from pieces of broken farming equipment to old coins have been discovered at the North Bethesda home known to many as Uncle Tom’s Cabin, bringing the historic site one step closer to opening to the public.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Bus tours visit foreclosed homes:
  

  Would-be homeowners convened in Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village on Saturday to turn mortgage-crisis lemons into lemonade as part of the county’s first foreclosure bus tour, a new trend rolling out around the country.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Shady Grove bowling lanes to get overhaul:
  

  For more than 40 years, the clack-and-clatter of falling pins at the Shady Grove Bowling Center in Gaithersburg has warmed locals’ hearts, but a scheduled $3.5 million facelift for the alley has enthusiasts on edge.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, No wrecking ball for ‘green’ demo:
  

  The former Broadstone apartment complex near Olde Towne Gaithersburg is now the site of the city’s largest construction waste recycling project ever. Nearly two-thirds of the recently demolished buildings will be reused and recycled by a Clarksburg company.

Update 11: According to Court records, a preliminary hearing in this case is scheduled for May 9th at 10:00 AM:

Court Scheduling Information
Trial Date: 05/09/2008 Trial Time: 10:00 AM Room:204
Trial Type: PRELIMINARY HEARING
Trial Location:27 COURTHOUSE SQUARE ROCKVILLE 20850-2325

Update 10: From the Examiner:

Freeman Klopott writes, Suspect in Md. woman’s slaying had violent history, records show:

The man charged with robbing and killing a 25-year-old woman outside her Gaithersburg apartment had been released on parole after serving seven years of a 10-year sentence for armed robbery.

Court documents show Shawn Henderson, 25, of Landover, had a history of violent robberies long before he allegedly decided around 2 a.m. Sunday to kill Lindsay Harvey.

Good to see the local papers finally catching up with the Oneonta paper on this story.

Update 9: Another from the Daily Star:

Denise Richardson writes, Area ‘heartbroken’ over death:

Lindsay Marie Harvey was a quiet, sweet person, good student and valued teammate who helped whenever asked, teachers and friends said Tuesday.

The arrest Tuesday of a suspect in the murder of Harvey, 25, a 2000 Oneonta High School graduate, was welcomed news, they said, but it didn’t ease the heartache of losing someone dear.

Update 8: Some news reports on the arrest:

• Denise Richardson writes in the Oneonta Daily Star, Suspect charged in murder:
  

  Harvey appeared to have suffered a traumatic injury to her head, according to papers filed in the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, and a .40 caliber semiautomatic shell casing was found next to her head.

  According to a copy of the court papers, concerned citizens stepped forward but their identities were withheld for fear of reprisals.
  
  One such citizen said Henderson had committed similar robberies and recently had been released from prison, the court papers said. The citizen also said Henderson had been seen with a semiautomatic handgun Saturday night, and when speaking with Henderson on the telephone Monday, Henderson “admitted his involvement in the murder.'’

  On Monday, police interviewed two witnesses who saw Henderson at the Grove Park Apartments brandishing a handgun before the shooting. Henderson showed the gun to a group of people in the apartment complex and said he “had some things to handle,'’ the witnesses said.

  One witness said a woman yelled “get away from me, no'’ and then a single gunshot sounded from the area near the Dumpster. The other witness said a car door had closed and a woman walked toward the Dumpster, then Henderson walked toward the woman and a gunshot was heard.

• Channel 4 has an updated item, which includes a video report from the evening news:
  

  “We don’t know why this particular apartment complex, but we do know that he had the intent of robbing someone,” said Lucille Baur, of Montgomery County police. “Even though Mr. Henderson lives now in Landover, Md., he does have ties to the Gaithersburg area. We know that he lived here at one time. We know that he still has family here and friends in this area.”

• Patricia M. Murret and Meghan Tierney write in the Gazette, Robber charged in Quince Orchard homicide:
  

  ‘‘We believe that he was already in the parking lot when she drove in,” Baur said. ‘‘It’s very unusual in Montgomery County to have a stranger-based homicide such as this one. We’ve found that the majority of homicide suspects know one another.”

  Henderson knew people who live nearby, Baur said.

Update 7: The record of the arrest of Shawn Marquieis Henderson is now up in the court records. He is being charged with a single count of first degree murder.

Digging back in the court records, I found additional records for a Shawn Marquieis Henderson with the same date of birth, who was charged in December of 1999 with a whole raft of crimes including armed robbery and assault in the first degree. The case was heard in Montgomery County Circuit Court by Judge Durke Thompson, and, from contemporaneous Gazette reports (see below) appears to have been prosecuted by assistant state’s attorney Cheryl McCally. Mr. Henderson pleaded guilty to two charges of armed robbery, one charge of attempted armed robbery and one charge of carrying a weapon with intent to injury. His original sentence for the first armed robbery charge was for twenty years in prison, eight of which were suspended, and five years of supervised probation (the other counts also had prison sentences which were suspended in their entirety). In 2004 the sentence was reconsidered, and the suspended period was increased from eight years to ten. The last docket item in that case reads:

Docket Date: 11/09/2006 Docket Number: 127
Docket Description: ORDER, ADVISING PAROLE AND PROBATION
Docket Type: Docket
Ruling Judge: THOMPSON, DURKE
Docket Text: ORDER OF COURT (THOMPSON, J.) ADVISING PAROLE AND PROBATION REPORT NOTED, CONCUR WITH RECOMMENDATION, FEES WAIVED, ENTERED. (COPIES MAILED)

Digging in the Gazette’s archives, I find the following related stories:

• From December 22, 1999, 3 local men held in knife attacks:
  

  Abdul Tejan Williams, 20, of the 12900 block of Poppyseed Court, Germantown, and Shawn Marquies Henderson, 17, of the 700 block of Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, are both being held without bond.

  They face two counts of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of armed robbery and three counts of first-degree assault.

  During Dec. 8 and 9, police had two reports of two separate victims being robbed by an assailant who came up from behind them, put a knife to their throats, robbed them and cut each of their necks.

• From July 26, 2000, Area men plead guilty in armed robberies:
  

  Shawn Marquies Henderson, 18, of the 700 block of Clopper Road in Gaithersburg and Abdul Tejan Williams, 21, of the 12900 block of Poppyseed Court in Germantown pleaded guilty to two counts each of armed robbery and one count each of attempted robbery.

  Henderson also pleaded guilty to carrying a weapon openly with intent to injure. He will be sentenced Sept. 12 in Montgomery County Circuit Court and could face up to 63 years in prison.

  The charge is a result of Henderson admitting to using the knife in the robberies, said Cheryl McCally, assistant state’s attorney.

• From Sep. 13, 2000, Gaithersburg man sentenced in robberies:
  

  An 18-year-old Gaithersburg man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a series of armed robberies in December in which two men attempted three separate attacks, leaving their victims with knife wounds in their throats.

  Shawn Henderson of the 700 block of Clopper Road in Gaithersburg pleaded guilty in July to two counts of armed robbery, and one count each of attempted robbery and carrying a weapon openly with intent to injure, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s office.

  Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Durke G. Thompson issued a 60-year sentence Tuesday to Henderson, and suspended all but 12 years.

Best I can tell from the court records, Abdul Williams, who was initially sentenced to 26 years, is still in prison.

Update 6: Suspect has been charged. From the County’s website:

4/15/2008

Update: Suspect Charged for Homicide of Gaithersburg Woman

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Sex Section along with Gaithersburg Police detectives announce the arrest and charging of a suspect for the murder of Lindsay Marie Harvey who was killed on Sunday, April 13, 2008, in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

Through information received from concerned citizens, Shawn M. Henderson, age 25, of the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue in Landover, Maryland, was developed as the individual who shot and killed Ms. Harvey. He was charged this afternoon with first-degree murder.

It was at approximately 2:00 p.m. on April 13, that Fire/Rescue Service personnel responded to the report of an unconscious person who was seen behind a dumpster in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Fire/Rescue personnel found the body to be unresponsive and notified police. Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department along with 6th District Montgomery County Police officers then responded to the scene.

Through the course of the investigation it was learned that Harvey, age 25, of the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg, had just returned home after socializing with friends. She had parked her car approximately 90 feet from the dumpster which is located between where her car was parked and her apartment. Detectives learned that the sound of a single gunshot from the area of the dumpster had been heard by several residents, who had not initially contacted police. As a motive for the murder was investigated, it was determined that several items were missing from Harvey’s purse. The preliminary report from the medical examiner’s office determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was homicide. The motive was determined to be robbery.

Detectives are still investigating to determine if any other individuals were involved in this homicide. Anyone who has additional information and has not already contacted a detective is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous.

###

Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

Update 5: Freeman Klopott writes in the Examiner, Gaithersburg homicide has neighbors ‘on edge’

“Everyone is on edge,” said Lisa Barry, a neighbor and acquaintance of Harvey’s. “I’m surprised that something would happen to such a nice person.”

Harvey’s body was discovered behind a trash container less than 100 yards from her apartment early Sunday afternoon by a woman walking along the manicured edge of the sprawling complex on the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard.

The area where Harvey’s body was found is a particularly dark corner of the parking lot that surrounds the three-story apartments, residents said. The floodlights meant to light the area haven’t been working for months, they added. On Monday, crews were attaching new lights to a high wall directly overlooking the trash container. A manager at the Grove Park leasing office declined to comment.

Update 4: According to a report by Denise Richardson in the Oneonta Daily Star, Ms. Harvey was a native of Oneonta, NY:

Harvey, a graduate of Oneonta High School who was a member of its swim team, was an all-around “super kid,” her aunt, Char Carentz of Mount Vision, said Monday night. Harvey was a caring, loving person who was especially fond of animals and who studied biology at Binghamton University, she said.

Harvey was the daughter of Craig Harvey and Debra Lynd Harvey, said her aunt, who is Craig’s sister. She said the news of her niece’s death was devastating.

“Lindsay was extremely family oriented — extremely close to her mom and dad and brothers,'’ Carentz said. Harvey had two younger brothers, she said.

Also, according to Binghamton, NY’s FOX 40, Ms. Harvey was a graduate of Binghamton University.

Update 3: A Gaithersblog reader directed me to this story at Channel 4, which has a photograph of the victim and a video report from the evening news:

The body of Lindsay Marie Harvey, 25, was found near the Grove Park apartments in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. Police were called at about 2 p.m. after a resident out for a walk discovered the body.

Patricia M. Murret also has a brief report in the the Gazette:

Lindsay Marie Harvey, a DNA analyst for the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, lived in the Grove Park Apartments in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Road, according to police and a statement from her employer.

Update 2: MCPD press release via Connected Communities:

Suspicious Death in Gaithersburg Ruled a Homicide

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Sex Section along with Gaithersburg Police detectives are continuing to investigate the suspicious death of a woman whose body was discovered in Gaithersburg yesterday. The body was found by a citizen who was out walking in the area of the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard.

The victim was identified as Lindsay Marie Harvey, age 25, of the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. The preliminary report from the medical examiner’s office determined that the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death is homicide.

It was at approximately 2:00 p.m. yesterday that Fire/Rescue Service personnel responded to the report of an unconscious person who was seen near a dumpster in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Fire/Rescue personnel found the body to be unresponsive and notified police. Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department along with 6th District Montgomery County Police officers then responded to the scene.

The early stages of the investigation revealed that Harvey was just returning home after socializing with friends. She had parked her car and was walking to her apartment. Detectives believe that the assault occurred between 1:15 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 13. The motive for this homicide may have been robbery, but remains under investigation.

Detectives are asking anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the area between late Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. Callers may remain anonymous. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and/or indictment for this felony crime.

Also, from the Washington Post, Dan Morse reports, Gaithersburg Women’s Death Ruled Homicide:

The 25-year-old woman whose body was found yesterday near a dumpster in Gaithersburg was killed by a gunshot while walking from her car to her apartment, Montgomery County police said today. Detectives are investigating the possibility that robbery was the motive.

Update: According to a revised County press release posted at Connected Communities, the victim has been identified as Lindsay Marie Harvey, age 25, of the 700 Block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

From the County’s website:

4/13/2008

Suspicious Death of Female Victim in Gaithersburg

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide Sex Section are investigating the suspicious death of a female; whose body was discovered this afternoon in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg. The body was found by a citizen who was out walking in the area.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. today, Fire/Rescue Service personnel responded to the report of an unconscious person who was seen near a dumpster in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Fire/Rescue personnel found the body to be unresponsive and notified police. Officers from the Gaithersburg Police Department along with 6th District Montgomery County Police officers then responded to the scene. The preliminary investigation determined that the victim is a 25-year-old female from Gaithersburg. Her identity will be released after family members have been notified. The exact cause and manner of death will be determined after an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore. It is not yet known if the death occurred last night or today.

Anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the area from last night through this afternoon is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070. The investigation is continuing.

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Contact: Media Services Division Phone: 240.773.5030

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Environmental Programs, 4/14/2008
Posted 4/3/2008

City of Gaithersburg
WORK SESSION
Mayor and City Council
Monday, April 14, 2008, 2008
7:30 P.M.

• Overview of the City’s Environmental Programs
  Background Material (pdf file)

From the City’s website:

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Burglary Arrest

On 04/13/08 at about 11:00 a.m. police were called to the 300 Block of East Diamond Ave for a burglary report. The victim found the suspect sleeping in a vacant building. The suspect was later arrested.

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Burglary

Sometime between 4:30 a.m. and 10:10 p.m. on 04/11/08, an unknown suspect entered an apartment residence in the 700 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard, and took an undetermined amount of property.

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Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Attempted Robbery

On 04/08/08, at approximately 3:00 p.m., the victim was in front of the 200 block of Kentlands Boulevard when he was approached by the suspect. The suspect and the victim got into a fight. The victim was able to run away.

Suspect - Black male, 5′10″, 170 lbs, black hair in braids, muscular.

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Saturday, April 05, 2008

Burglary

Sometime between 1:01 a.m. on 03/30/08 and 1:01 a.m. on 04/05/08, an unknown suspect entered a vacant apartment in the 400 block of Girard Street. Entry was made through an unlocked door.

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Friday, April 04, 2008

Attempted Burglary

Sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on 04/04/08, a residence in the 100 block of Mission Drive had a window in the garage forced open. No entry was made.

Sometime between 12:00 a.m. on 03/23/08 and 12:00 a.m. on 04/04/08, the screen on a window to a residence in the 400 block of Belle Grove Road was cut. No entry was made.

Burglary

On 04/04/08, at approximately 4:21 p.m., police responded to the 300 block of E Diamond Avenue for the report of a burglary. A window had been broken and property was taken.

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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Burglary

Sometime between 11:30 p.m. on 04/01/08 and 5:40 a.m. on 04/02/08, an unknown suspect burglarized a residence in the 400 block of Belle Grove Road. Property was taken.

On 04/02/08, at approximately 9:45 a.m., police responded to the unit block of North Summit Drive for a assault in progress. This incident was discovered to be an attempted burglary. An arrest was made. No property was taken.

On 04/02/08, at approximately 10:44 p.m., two businesses in the 18500 block of N Frederick Avenue were burglarized. The front doors were pried open and property was taken. The investigation is ongoing.

From the City’s website:

City Manager Position Available
Posted 4/4/2008

Alliance Resources Consulting, LLC has been hired by the City of Gaithersburg to conduct a national search for Gaithersburg’s next City Manager. The position has been vacant since the retirement of former City Manager Dave Humpton on October 26, 2007. The consultant has solicited input from the Mayor and Council, citizens and staff to define the ideal qualities and qualifications for the successful candidate. The position description and formal announcement of the job appear below.

Master’s degree in public or business administration (or related field) and a minimum of 10 years of managerial experience in a medium-to-large sized city, county, or comparable organization.  Gaithersburg is a CHARACTER COUNTS City and candidates must have high ethical standards and the integrity and courage to express their opinion and disagree when appropriate.  The person should be able to do what is right, not necessarily what is popular.

It is desirable that candidates have knowledge of community development, budgeting and financial management, planning, economic development and redevelopment (including mixed-use projects), public works, negotiation, intergovernmental relations, and community relations.

The City Manager is appointed by the City Council and is the chief administrative officer of the City, responsible for managing the City’s organization and administrative operations in accordance with policies and procedures set forth by the City Council.  Work is performed under the direction of the Mayor and City Council.  The City has over 250 full-time employees and an annual operating budget of $53 million.  The City Manager’s Office also oversees several special programs such as Environmental Affairs, Economic Development, Human Services, and the Public Information Office.

Salary Range: $117,804 - $186,191 (Grade 146) (Depending on Qualifications)

Generous benefits package including retirement plans and health, dental, life, and long-term care insurance.

Interested candidates may apply for this position and obtain additional information at http://www.allianceresourceconsulting.com/Public/jobprofile.aspx?pid=357

Confidential questions, inquiries, and nominations may be directed to:
Eric J. Middleton, Managing Partner
emiddleton@alliancerc.com
Alliance Resource Consulting LLC

1940 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA  22314
703.684.3120 (Telephone)
703.548.9446 (Fax)            

• Patricia M. Murret writes, New hotel tax expected to bring $1.2 million to city:
  

  Thanks to a recently passed bill that would enable cities to impose up to a 2 percent tax on hotel rooms, Gaithersburg could collect $1.2 million in fiscal 2009, officials said.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Mayor applauds city progress in annual speech:
  

  Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney A. Katz highlighted a year of change addressing about 350 area officials, community leaders and residents who gathered Thursday for the annual State of the City Dinner at the Gaithersburg Hilton.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Brunswick line gets comfort upgrades, possible expansion:
  

  Riders will see upgrades along the Brunswick line — which runs from Union Station in Washington, D.C., through Montgomery and Frederick counties and on to Martinsburg, W.Va. — by 2010.

  Minor improvements are already under way, including aesthetic touchups at stations, new train cars and environmentally friendly diesel locomotives, onboard wireless Internet access and some updated seating.

• C. Benjamin Ford writes, Council president wants to delay construction:
  

  Montgomery County Council President Michael J. Knapp introduced a plan to delay more than $363 million in new construction and renovation projects of county schools, libraries and fire and police stations because of the current budget crunch.

• Sebastian Montes writes, No action yet on industrial uses at Webb Tract:
  

  With the idea of county industrial operations coming to the Webb Tract property still a possibility, Montgomery Village residents are gearing up for a forum with county officials to hear details of that plan.

• Bradford Pearson writes, Leggett targets high housing costs with tax break, impact fee:
  

  Montgomery County’s first-time homebuyers could see a property tax break while commercial developers could pay a new impact fee as part of County Executive Isiah Leggett’s plan to provide more affordable housing.