gaithersblog.net

Update 2: Janel Davis, with assistance from Patricia M. Murret, writes, Feds subpoena disability records on former assistant chief:

King worked for the county for more than 25 years before taking the position in Gaithersburg. He has maintained that his application for disability was because of numerous injuries, including three herniated discs in his back, which made it impossible to do the work of an officer.

His injuries with Montgomery County occurred from wrestling a suspect and from four vehicle crashes, including two in which his cruiser was struck by drivers who ran red lights, King said.

“I can’t run, I can’t stand up for a certain period,” King said in an interview with The Gazette in August.

Update: Ann E. Marimow and Dan Morse write in Friday’s Washington Post, 91% of Applicants for Disability Pay Got It:

More than 90 percent of Montgomery County police officers who applied for disability retirement benefits in the past decade received them, including one officer who qualified based on a finger injury, according to county records released this week.

The troubled program, discussed at a County Council hearing yesterday, is drawing interest from federal law enforcement officials, who this week subpoenaed the records of Gaithersburg Police Chief John King, who retired from the Montgomery police on disability last year. Asked if Montgomery had also been subpoenaed about the disability program, county officials said they received a federal subpoena this week but would not discuss the subject of the request.

Kathleen Miller writes in the DC Examiner, Feds investigate Montgomery disability retirement rolls:

Federal authorities have started a preliminary investigation into allegations of abuse of Montgomery County’s disability retirement system by some former high-ranking police officers, and have subpoenaed at least one current employer of a retired assistant police chief.

Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones told The Examiner she received a subpoena Tuesday afternoon from the office of U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein seeking access to information about Gaithersburg Police Chief John King.

A September report from Montgomery County Inspector General Tom Dagley found that more than 60 percent of police officers who retired in recent years are receiving extra payments for work-related disabilities, compared with 3 percent of similar workers in Fairfax County.

Edward Lattner, a lawyer in the Montgomery County attorney’s office, told The Examiner Wednesday he was not comfortable commenting about whether county officials had also received subpoenas. He directed The Examiner to contact Rosenstein’s office for information

According to the article, Rosenstein would not comment.
.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Future of Casey tracts hinges on I-270 plans:
  

  Progress at Watkins Mill Town Center, expected to take at least 15 years to complete, hinges on the future layout of the Interstate 270 interchange it is planned around, according to Gaithersburg officials and representatives with the developer.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City prepares to be ‘Capital for a Day’:
  

  Gaithersburg officials are readying for Nov. 6, when the city serves as “Capital for a Day” and welcomes the cabinet of Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown.

• Meghan Tierney writes, Deer with arrow in head on the move in Gaithersburg:
  

  When Marisa Berube stopped by her Gaithersburg home during her lunch break last week, she encountered a strange sight — a small deer with an arrow in the middle of its head walking toward a nearby park.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Education gap wider for some non-English speakers in county:
  

  Two dozen teens pour into Margaret Vanbuskirk’s classroom for 6th period at Gaithersburg High School, a blur of blue jeans and baseball caps.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Village warms to Webb Tract plan:
  

  Community leaders in Montgomery Village are coming to grips with the fact that the county’s plan for one third of the Webb Tract will likely be a better alternative than private commercial development there.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, City leaders tour safety center:
  

  In lieu of their regular work session on Thursday, Mayor Sidney A. Katz, the City Council and City Manager Angel Jones toured Gaithersburg’s emergency communications hub, the Public Safety Communications Center at 300 Quince Orchard Blvd.

• Marcus Moore writes, Decision on fees likely by December:
  

  School system officials plan to offer a recommendation on curricular fees to the school board and superintendent by December, officials said this week.

• Janel Davis writes, Council mulls $51M in forward funding:
  

  The County Council on Tuesday introduced legislation to forward fund $51 million in state transportation projects in the county as a way of addressing infrastructure needs.

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, Details needed on landfill plan:
  

  The county Planning Board deferred issuing advice on two proposed gas-to-energy facilities on former landfill sites in Derwood and Laytonsville, saying more information is needed after residents posed several questions at a Thursday hearing.

• Sean R. Sedam writes, Officials urge off-peak voting:
  

  With six days until Election Day, officials are reminding voters to check their polling place and plan on voting during off-peak hours.

• Janel Davis writes, Budget cuts weighed at Leggett breakfast:
  

  As the county faces down a $251 million projected budget shortfall next year, County Executive Isiah Leggett warned County Council members Tuesday that the fiscal outlook at all levels of government is not expected to improve.

In Gaithersburg, I see mention of two events; the first is the City/Jaycees/Tots2tweens event at City Hall Concert Pavilion:

An evening of Halloween fun awaits as the City of Gaithersburg hosts Halloween Fest at the City Hall Concert Pavilion from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 31. The Concert Pavilion is located in front of City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue in Olde Towne, Gaithersburg.

Complete with a costume parade and plenty of diversions, Halloween Fest 2008 is sure to be a night to remember for every pirate, witch and pumpkin, or whatever children may be dressed as. The evening kicks off with a juggling act from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., followed by a delightful magic show from 7:15 to 8 p.m. Throughout the evening there will be balloon artists and face painters, and plenty of popcorn.

This event is sponsored in part by Tots2Tweens.com and the Gaithersburg-Germantown Jaycees.

For more information call 301-258-6350 or email cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov

Earlier in the day it appears there will be an after-school event at Kentlands Market Square:

Halloween Rocks! Festival - Fri, Oct 31 - 3-6:30pm - Kentlands Market Square, Gaithersburg, MD

We are excited to organize the 2nd Annual Halloween Rocks! Festival in the Kentlands on Halloween Day - afterschool from 3:00 - 6:30. Just like last year, Halloween Rocks! will feature the award winning kids rock band, Rocknoceros! This year, we will be introducing the new local kids band, Mark’s Music Factory, and will also have performances from Kicks Karate, Funfit, and Unique Dreams DJ. We are also expanding this year to include a mini-carnival, petting zoo, and an expanded trick-or-treat with nearly 30 local merchants. Each merchant will have a trick-or-treat station, so come in costume for great music, tons of treats, and a lot of fun!

The following is a list of our sponsors. Please visit them or call Paula or Andy at 301-309-2FUN ext 3 for more information.

Also, Montgomery Village is having their “Halloween Spooktacular” on Friday evening at the Lake Marion Community Center.

Calling all children ages 3 through 9—get ready for a fun evening of spooky games, creepy crafts, and a costume contest. Halloween Spooktacular will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lake Marion Community Center. For the costume contest, ribbons will be awarded for two age groups, 3 to 5 years and 6 to 9 years old, in the following categories: funniest, scariest, most original and best overall. The fee for this program is $5/child or $4 with two cans of food to benefit a local charity (parents are free). Mark the date on your calendar now and start planning your costume for a TERRORific Halloween! For more information, call Ed Kallas at 301-948-0110, ext. 338 or email ekallas@mvf.org.

For more information on the various contests at the MVF event, see their most recent newsletter.

Currently the National Weather Service is saying that it is likely to be clear and a bit chilly, with a daytime high of 63 and a low around 40; the Weather Channel says it could be two to three degrees colder than that.

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

P1 Beat:

• An armed robbery occurred on Water Street near Mills Road in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 10/11 around 7:00 p.m. The suspect displayed a knife and threatened the victim. Suspect took the victim’s property and fled on foot in an unknown direction.
  Suspect: H/M, 20-25 years of age, 5’10” to 6’ tall, weighing 175-185 pounds, bald.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 300 block of West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 10/12 between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. No signs of forced entry, nothing taken.
• Two thefts from a vehicle occurred in the 300 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg between 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, 10/8 and 8:55 a.m. on Thursday, 10/9. Forced entry in both incidents, GPS units taken in each incident.
• Two thefts from a vehicle occurred in the parking lot of the Marriott Hotel at 9715 Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg between 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, 10/11 and 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, 10/12. Forced entry in both incidents, GPS units taken in each incident.

P2 Beat:

• A residential burglary that occurred in the 800 block of Flagler Drive in Gaithersburg on Friday, 10/10 was domestic related. No force, nothing taken.

R1 Beat:

• No significant activity in this time period.

R2 Beat:

• An armed robbery occurred near Watkins Mill Road and Crested Iris Drive in Montgomery Village on Monday, 10/13 around 10:00 p.m. The suspect approached an adult male victim with a handgun. Suspect took victim’s property and fled.
  Suspect: B/M, white t-shirt, black pants.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 9600 block of Duffer Road in Montgomery Village on Saturday, 10/11 at 1:15 a.m. A resident heard noises downstairs and found a door open. No signs of forced entry, property taken.

S1 Beat:

• A commercial burglary occurred at MRB Counseling Services, 317 East Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg between Friday, 10/10 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10/11 at 7:50 a.m. No signs of forced entry, property taken.
• An indecent exposure occurred on South Frederick Avenue and South Westland Road in Gaithersburg on Sunday, 10/12 around 12:45 p.m. The adult female at the bus stop advised the suspect drove up, called her over, and exposed himself.
  Suspect: H/M, 6’ tall, weighing 160 pounds, black ball cap, all black clothing
  Suspect Vehicle: 2002 Ford Expedition, black, MD tags
• A residential burglary occurred on Tuesday, 10/7 between 1:00 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. in the unit block of Federal Court in Gaithersburg. Forced entry, property taken.

• A residential burglary occurred on Wednesday, 10/8 between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in the unit block of Anna Court in Gaithersburg. Forced entry, property taken.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 700 block of Sunnybrook Terrace in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 10/7 at 12:10 p.m. Forced entry, nothing taken.
  Suspect #1: B/M, 18-26 years of age, 5’8” to 5’9” tall, weighing 190-210 pounds, green hat worn backwards.
  Suspect #2: B/M, 18-26 years of age, 5’5” to 5’6” tall, weighing 100-120 pounds, black jacket over a white hooded-sweatshirt.

S2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18600 block of Hallmark Court in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 10/9 between 5:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Forced entry, property taken.
• A residential burglary in the 7400 block of Brenish Drive in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 10/9 around 10:00 a.m. Forced entry, nothing taken.

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

P1 Beat:

• A commercial burglary occurred at The First Assembly of God Church located at 313 Cedar Avenue in Gaithersburg on Monday, 9/29 around 6:00 p.m. Forced entry and property was taken.
• Three thefts of vehicle parts were stolen from the 17000 block of King James Way in Gaithersburg between 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, 10/5 and 5:30 a.m. on Monday, 10/6. Tires, rims and an airbag were taken.

P2 Beat:

• No significant activity.

R1 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred at Lake Forest Mall, located at 701 Russell Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday 10/4 at 10:20 a.m. It involved two known persons. One of the two involved was arrested on an unrelated drug charge.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 9900 block of Boysenberry Way in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 10/1between 9:05 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. No signs of forced entry. Property was taken.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 800 block of Trotters Ridge Lane in Gaithersburg on Friday, 10/3 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:44 p.m. Forced entry, property was removed.

R2 Beat:

• An aggravated assault occurred in the parking lot of Denny’s, 19290 Montgomery Village Avenue in Gaithersburg, on Sunday, 10/5 around 11:00 p.m. A fight that started inside moved out into the parking lot. One of the victims was struck with a metal pipe and was transported to a local hospital.

  One suspect was arrested and the second was found and arrested in some nearby bushes.

• A residential garage burglary occurred to an open garage in the 10800 block of Eberhardt Drive in Montgomery Village on Saturday, 10/4 around 3:20 a.m. A neighbor saw a suspect (no description) running from the garage at that time. Property was taken.

S1 Beat:

• The aggravated assault that occurred in the 400 block of North Summit Avenue in Gaithersburg on Monday, 9/29 at 8:17 p.m. was domestic. The suspect threatened his girlfriend with a knife. Adult male suspect arrested on the scene.

S2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 18300 block of Quondal Court in Gaithersburg between Sunday, 10/5 at 5:30 p.m. and Monday,10/6 at 3:30 p.m. Forced entry, nothing was taken.
• An aggravated assault occurred in the 8100 block of Morning View Drive in Gaithersburg on Monday, 9/29 at 1:53 a.m. It was between boyfriend and girlfriend. The suspect fled before the police arrived. Investigation is continuing.
• A strong-arm robbery involving a CDS transaction dispute that occurred at a bus stop in the 18100 block of Washington Grove Lane in Gaithersburg on Thursday, 10/2 at 3:00 p.m. Two were arrested nearby and positively identified.
• A residential burglary occurred in the 8400 block of Flower Hill Terrace in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 10/1 around 9:00 a.m. was domestic. Forced entry, nothing was taken. Investigation is continuing.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Work Session: Tour the Public Safety Communications Center, 10/27/2008

Posted 10/22/2008

City of Gaithersburg
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION AGENDA
Monday, October 27, 2008
7:30 p.m.
(This session is not open to the public and will not be televised)

• Off-Site Work Session to Tour the Public Safety Communications Center at 300 Quince Orchard Boulevard, Gaithersburg, Maryland
  Background Material (pdf format)

---

THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL

WILL BE HELD MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

The only report I can currently find on this incident is this brief item on Channel 5’s website:

GAITHERSBURG, Md. – Police are at the scene of an apparent stabbing inside a church in Gaithersburg.

Officers say it happened inside the Grace Methodist Church on N. Frederick Avenue on Friday night. One person was reportedly stabbed, but their injuries are said to be non-life threatening.

There’s no word what led to the story, or if the suspect is in custody.

Update: The account ledger for Gaithersburg High School has been posted on the Parents Coalition website. Among other things, this document shows that as of June 30, the Independent Activity Fund at GHS had total assets of $620,583.80, including $493,824.96 in cash and $115,313.92 in accounts receivable — the latter including $99,928.00 in “Student Obligations”. The accounting lists hundreds of account categories with positive working balances, ranging from the expected funds for various teams, field trips, proms, etc., to more baffling categories such as textbooks, workbooks, and other apparently academic, curriculum-related line items such as “SCIENCE-CHEMISTRY”. I say “baffling” because the school system is arguing that they continue to offer a free education, and insist that student fees are not used for curricular activities. I have trouble understanding how e.g. textbooks are not curricular. From July 2007 through June 2008, the total income in this fund appears to have been $759,221.08, while total disbursements were $707,201.98. It is quite difficult to determine from this accounting how much of that money came from student fees.

Daniel de Vise writes in the Washington Post, Audits Obtained by Parents Show More Misspent Funds

For a second consecutive year, parent activists are calling attention to a pattern of accounting problems in the use of student funds at some Montgomery County high schools.

Periodic audits of student activity funds find that school administrators frequently fail to follow protocol in recording how money is spent. In some cases, thousands of dollars intended to be spent on students are instead spent on teachers. In other cases, schools appear to be making a profit from course or test fees that are supposed to cover — but not exceed — the school’s costs. Some schools are running five-figure deficits.

PDFs of several audit reports can be found on the Parents Coalition website.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Knapp questions funding of Leggett’s property use plan:
  

  Montgomery County Council President Michael J. Knapp is skeptical that the county will be able to borrow $274 million needed to advance County Executive Isiah Leggett’s plan to buy and sell six properties to relocate more than a dozen county agencies.

• In the “County News” column, Circuit Court judge rules against FOP:
  

  Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Ronald B. Rubin ruled the county plan to record conversations in police cruisers does not violate the state’s wiretap laws or infringe on the privacy of police officers.

• Sean R. Sedam and C. Benjamin Ford write, Late surge drives up county voter registration to 554,000:
  

  A late surge of applications kept the county’s elections board busy last week as residents rushed to meet the Oct. 14 deadline for registering to vote in the Nov. 4 general election.

• Margie Hyslop writes, Charities get caught in squeeze:
  

  Banks are getting their bailout, but local charities aren’t sure anyone is coming to rescue them.

  Note that if you have the ability to donate money, time or other resources, contributing to Gaithersburg Help is a great way to help out the needy in our community.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Have a boo-ti-ful Halloween:
  

  In Gaithersburg, the city-sponsored Halloween Fest runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at City Hall Concert Pavilion, in front of City Hall, 31 S. Summit Ave. Wear a costume and walk in the parade! The evening for children kicks off with a juggling act that runs from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., followed by a fun-tastic magic show from 7:15 to 8 p.m. Balloon artists, face painters and plenty of popcorn will help to provide fun throughout the evening. For more information call 301-258-6350 or e-mail

  cityhall@gaithersburgmd.gov.