…with a few interesting articles I’ve read over the past few days:
The first few are from the Examiner, and written by Kathleen Miller:
- Intersection a hot spot of immigrant frustration
Nonetheless, throughout 2007, 50 to 80 workers a day looked for jobs at the Exxon and 7-Eleven at the intersection [of University Boulevard and Piney Branch Road], roughly the same number who signed up for work at [Casa’s day laborer] center. Now, with the downturn in the economy, those numbers have doubled, according to Hispanic community police liaison Officer Luis Hurtado.
- Immigrant groups push for $15M to speed up citizenship process
Immigrant advocates are lobbying Washington area state and local governments, plus private organizations, for $15 million to help legal permanent residents in the region become citizens.
“I am just wondering why this is necessary — my mom got her citizenship without the help of any centers,” Virginia Del. Jeff Frederick said. “I feel like, if we’ve got $15 million, let’s go build some roads.”
- Gaithersburg considering street cameras
Gaithersburg leaders may turn to surveillance cameras on city streets and license plate scanner systems that check plates regardless of suspicion of guilt.
- Maryland considers adding tolls on I-270, Beltway
State transportation officials said they are studying the use of tolls on two Montgomery-area highways to combat congestion in the rapidly growing region, and hope to meet with the public about the potential projects in the fall.
- Budget troubles to curtail Montgomery planning panel’s agenda
Budget woes will force Montgomery’s Planning Department to delay or abandon county environmental protection initiatives, traffic-relief studies and some of the transportation and zoning planning necessary in rapidly growing Bethesda next year, planning officials said Tuesday.
In the Frederick News-Post, Sarah Fortney writes, Walkersville — English: official language:
Town commissioners voted unanimously to designate English as Walkersville’s official language.
A Gazette-written story in the Washington Post gives a little more background on Gaithersburg’s new Enterprise Zone:
The move, made to enhance economic development and job creation in targeted revitalization areas, is to help one of Montgomery County’s historic districts. Olde Towne Gaithersburg is the site of the city’s original mercantile district, spurred by the arrival of the B&O Railroad in 1873. The area flourished for decades as shops and businesses served the needs of the local agricultural-based economy. However, in the 1930’s a six-lane bridge, erected to address a rail safety issue, virtually obscured the view of Olde Towne and distanced potential shoppers from the area, according to state and county information.
Actually, I don’t recall the old bridge, which was torn down and replaced in the 1980s, having six lanes.
Finally, Raymond McCaffrey writes in the Washington Post, Man to Serve 10 Years for 2006 Crash That Killed 2:
A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in a drunken-driving accident in Howard County in 2006 that killed a Marine and his date.
In imposing the sentence, Circuit Court Judge Louis A. Becker said he considered that Eduardo Raul Morales-Soriano is an illegal immigrant and that his blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit on the night of the crash.
The Baltimore Sun also has a story on this, written by Tyeesha Dixon:
The sentence imposed by Becker exceeds suggested state guidelines for the charges. The judge said he made his decision “primarily because of the high alcohol read.” Morales-Soriano’s blood-alcohol level was 0.32 percent, four times the legal limit, at the time of the crash, police have said.
Becker said he also considered an unusual facet of the case: Morales-Soriano, a native of Mexico, was living in the country illegally.
”This court cannot ignore that the defendant has violated the law with his illegal presence here,” Becker said.
