gaithersblog.net

• Sebastian Montes writes, Gaithersburg turns to County Council for help on GE Tech:
  

  Gaithersburg leaders are urging the County Council not to fund any of County Executive Isiah Leggett’s massive facility relocation plan until the future of the GE Tech Park is resolved.

  Note that the list of “most divisive” issues in Mr. Montes’ article is out of sync with the information in the actual letters sent by the City; in particular, according to the City, the county is ammenable to development restrictions on the 7-acre tree lot and the 14 acres around Lake Placid.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Gaithersburg ethics policy under debate:
  

  Gaithersburg’s 27-year-old ethics policy is raising eyebrows as city leaders work to revamp the measure for a better accounting of gifts given to officials.

  According to records obtained by The Gazette, no city official or elected leader has reported receiving a gift to the ethics commission in the past five years.

• Nathan Carrick writes, Residents urge action on Gude Landfill:
  

  Rockville residents who raised concern about a seeping landfill off Gude Drive told Montgomery officials they are not satisfied with the county’s efforts to mitigate the pollution, but the officials say they are doing their best to find a solution.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Tragedy averted in Flower Hill crash:
  

  Sunday’s plane crash in the Flower Hill community of Gaithersburg appears to mark the first time in the Montgomery County Airpark’s 50-year history that a plane went down in one of its surrounding neighborhoods, stoking long-held fears among some neighbors that one of the airpark’s annual 100,000 operations will go horribly wrong.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Recession stalls ailing airpark:
  

  It’s not that the Montgomery County Airpark has gone quiet: Dave Hopkins still had to yell over the roar of Cessnas and Cirruses taxiing to their tie-down spots Saturday.

  But the 59-year-old from Gaithersburg, who has been in the flying business for three decades, has never felt this much of a squeeze in the four years since he opened DH Aviation, one of three repair shops at the airpark.

• Janel Davis writes, Spending plan reflects national economic woes:
  

  As the impact of County Executive Isiah Leggett’s spending proposal for next year was sinking in Tuesday, many observers said the plan made the best of the worst, while some council members complained that union cost-of-living cuts had been assumed in the budget even though they haven’t been finalized.

• Alan Brody writes, Obama taps Perez for position with Justice Department:
  

  President Barack Obama has announced his intent to nominate Thomas E. Perez, the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation secretary and a former Montgomery County Council member, for a U.S. Department of Justice post.

  One aspect of Mr. Parez’s resume that is left out of the Gazette’s article is his years of service on the Board of radical immigrant advocacy outfit Casa de Maryland.

• Ryan S. Spiegel writes, CCT: A worthy project gets short shrift:
  

  With the passage of the federal stimulus bill, the focus has sharpened on so-called “shovel-ready” transportation projects that could receive much-needed funding. Despite the immense size of the stimulus package, the number of worthy transportation projects still far exceeds the amount of money available, so state and local governments are all jockeying to paint their priority projects as the most worthy.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Planning Commission Meeting, 3/18/2009

Posted 3/6/2009

City of Gaithersburg
31 South Summit Avenue

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
Telephone: 301-258-6330

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA [subject to change]
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
7:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chambers

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

March 4, 2009, Planning Commission Meeting
TBA - Background Material (pdf format)

RECORD PLATS

RECOMMENDATION TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL

Olde Towne Guidelines - Design Guidelines for Future Development and Redevelopment in accordance with The Olde Towne Master Plan: MP-1-05
Background Material (pdf format)

DISCUSSION

M-NCPPC Gaithersburg West Master Plan

Background Material (pdf format)

FROM THE COMMISSION

FROM STAFF

ADJOURNMENT

From the City’s website:

Monday, March 16, 2009

Burglary

On 03/17/09 at 0421 hours, a burglary was reported in the 600 block of Quince Orchard Road. During that time, unknown subject(s) forcibly entered through the front door of the establishment. Property was removed. The business was unoccupied during the incident.

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Armed Robbery

On 03/11/09 at approximately 9:00 p.m., an armed robbery was reported in the 400 block of East Diamond Avenue. During that time, an unknown subject entered the establishment and attempted to rob the clerk. When he was unsuccessful the subject fled the area.

Dan Morse writes:

Last year’s murder of a Montgomery County woman at the hands of a violent offender who served barely half his original sentence has inspired Maryland lawmakers to rethink the “good time” provisions that helped set him free.

On Wednesday, when a state Senate committee is set to weigh legislation that could lengthen prison terms, victims’ advocates will raise the case of Shawn Henderson, who left prison in April 2006, about six years after slashing the throats of two people he robbed in Gaithersburg. Those people survived. In April 2008, he fatally shot Lindsay Harvey and left with $40.

“She should still be alive, without question,” Montgomery County Police Capt. Mitch Cunningham said of the 25-year-old woman. “She is the reason that the system must fix itself.”

There’s several interesting things in this week’s Council package. As is increasingly true, some of the more interesting items are not in the agenda itself, but rather in in the additional correspondence at the end of the document.

Below, in front of the usual agenda post, I’ve pasted in four items taken from the package document. Generally these are OCR’d from scanned originals, so there was some transcription involved, and thus you should consult the City’s PDF for the definitive version.

First up is a pair of letters, one sent by the Mayor & City Council to County Council President Phil Andrews, the second from City Manager Angel Jones to County Chief Administrative Officer Timothy L. Firestine, both discussing the City’s concerns regarding the County’s plans for the GE Tech Park. While there have been repeated references to negotiations between the City and the County regarding what the County can or will do on that property, these letters form one of the most detailed looks we’ve yet had at the specifics of those discussions.

Following those letters, I’ve pasted in an excerpt from a memo sent to the County Council regarding the Capital Improvement Program for County libraries. The bad news here is that renovations to the Gaithersburg Library have been pushed off to 2012. Finally, I’ve pulled out a few pictures of the elevation drawings for the project that Keystone Real Estate Investments is proposing to build at the current site of the Executive Garden Apartments, near Barron’s lumber and the the MD 355 bridge over the railroad tracks.

March 9, 2009

The Honorable Phil Andrews
Montgomery County Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Dear Council President Andrews,

As you know, Gaithersburg City staff has been in discussions with representatives of the Executive branch on the impacts of the County Executive’s Smart Growth Initiative on the City of Gaithersburg. As Assistant City Manager Tony Tomasello testified before you on January 22, 2009, we are supportive of the goals of the Smart Growth Initiative, but we still have concerns that have not been addressed.

We hope to complete discussions with the Executive branch in the near future, and we are requesting that the County Council not approve any additional funding for the Smart Growth Initiative until such time as discussions between the City and the Executive branch are concluded.

Since your January 22^nd meeting, the position of the Mayor and Council is to reach a binding agreement with Montgomery County concerning the GE/Finmarc Tract that includes the following key provisions:

1. County to execute an easement to preserve the 14-acre open space area adjacent to Lake Placid as open space, while allowing the planned Public Safety Memorial. (Executive staff appears to be supportive of this item.)
2. County to execute conservation or open space easement/covenant for the seven acre Parcel C. (Executive staff appears to be supportive of this item.)
3. County to agree to City Planning Commission courtesy review, consistent with Montgomery County’s mandatory referral of all development plans. (Executive staff appears to be supportive of this item.)
4. County to agree to covenant to limit redevelopment of property to current structures, with the exception of an Aquatic/Gymnasium Center, for a period of 25 years.
5. County to agree to a covenant to limit future development of property to uses permissible under the Annexation Agreement and City zoning on the property at the time the agreement was executed.
6. County to fund total cost of construction of the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center, with the exception that the City would contribute $3 million in Program Open Space funds and convey Lot 3 to the County at no cost. The City has substantially completed design of this facility, and will work with County representatives to finalize design. In addition, the County would pay a proportionate share per annum of operating costs. (Please note that there have been some very preliminary discussions on the concept of developing a combined facility that includes a Senior Center and the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center.)
7. County to add screening to include fencing and additional plantings to the existing 50 foot conservation easement between the Finmarc property and the adjacent residential development as agreed to by a committee comprised of a County representative, adjacent property owners and a City representative. (Executive staff appears to be supportive of this item.)
8. With the exception of local neighborhood traffic, the County facilities at the GE/Finmarc Tract will be accessed by Edison Park Drive.

We realize that funding the construction of the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center would have significant budget implications for the County; however, it is important to note that if the County acquires this land, the City will lose significant tax base in perpetuity. While building an Aquatic/Gymnasium Center in this location remains a priority for the City, in our strategic planning process we identified a Senior Center as having higher priority. We will not pursue the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center unless significant capital and operating support can be provided by Montgomery County. It is important to understand that although such a facility would be located within City limits, it would serve County residents. In fact, past experience and estimates of future use indicate that a majority of the users of a Senior Center or an Aquatic/Gymnasium Center would be non-City residents, thus necessitating major capital and operating cost contributions from the County.

Additionally, we are very concerned with the lack of communication with the County regarding the Smart Growth Initiative. For example, just this week the County failed to notify us about very sudden modifications to the plan for the Webb Tract, which were announced after the residents near the Webb Tract were told a different story about the County’s use of that land. We had to read about it in the newspaper. Such changes validate the concerns this Council has about the certainty of the County’s plans for the site in Gaithersburg. We would appreciate timely notice of any future meetings regarding the County’s plans so that we may fully participate in the process. Finally, we are requesting that the County appoint a City representative to serve on the Advisory Committee for this initiative.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact us at 301-258-6310 if you have any questions or wish to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

(signed) Sidney A. Katz Mayor	(signed) Michael A. Sesma Council Vice President
(signed) Jud Ashman Council Member	(signed) Cathy C. Drzyzgula Council Member
(signed) Henry F. Marraffa Council Member	(signed) Ryan Spiegel Council Member

cc: County Council Members
Isiah Leggett, County Executive
Angel L. Jones, City Manager

March 5, 2009

Mr. Timothy L. Firestine
Chief Administrative Officer
Montgomery County Executive Office Building
101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Dear Mr. Firestine,

As you know, the Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council are supportive of the goals of the Smart Growth Initiative, but they are concerned about certain impacts on the City of Gaithersburg.

Our staff has held a series of meetings with Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Diane Schwartz Jones and other staff, and real progress has been made on a number of our concerns. In addition, Ms. Jones and other County staff have given several presentations to the Mayor and City Council during work sessions. Subsequent to Ms. Jones’ February 9, 2009, presentation, the Mayor and City Council took a position on items they would like included in a formal agreement with the County concerning the acquisition of the GE/Finmarc Tract.

County staff is already familiar with most of these issues, but our position has been modified on one issue and one additional request has been added. At this point, the City would like to reach a binding agreement with Montgomery County that includes the following key provisions:

1. County to execute an easement to preserve the 14-acre open space area adjacent to Lake Placid as open space, while allowing the planned Public Safety Memorial.
2. County to execute conservation or open space easement/covenant for the seven acre Parcel C.
3. County to agree to City Planning Commission courtesy review, consistent with Montgomery County’s mandatory referral of all development plans.
4. County to agree to covenant to limit redevelopment of property to current structures, with the exception of an Aquatic/Gymnasium Center, for a period of 25 years.
5. County to agree to a covenant to limit future development of property to uses permissible under the Annexation Agreement and City zoning on the property at the time the agreement was executed.
6. County to fund total cost of construction of the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center, with the exception that the City would contribute $3 million in Program Open Space funds and convey Lot 3 to the County at no cost. In addition, the County would pay a proportionate share per annum of operating costs. (Please note that the concept of developing a combined facility that includes a Senior Center and the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center has recently been raised-the City would like to pursue this concept further.)
7. County to add screening to include fencing and additional plantings to the existing 50 foot conservation easement between the Finmarc property and the adjacent residential development as agreed to by a committee comprised of a County representative, adjacent property owners and a City representative.

We realize that funding the construction of the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center would have significant budget implications for the County; however, it is important to note that if the County acquires this land, the City will lose significant tax base in perpetuity. In addition, the City, as part of its strategic planning process, has prioritized development of the Senior Center over the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center.

Please note that the Mayor and City Council would like the County Council to understand what we are seeking in an agreement with Montgomery County concerning the GE/Finmarc acquisition. Accordingly, Mayor Katz and the City Council will be writing Council President Andrews in the near future. In addition to outlining what we are seeking in the agreement, it is my understanding that this correspondence will ask the County Council not to approve any additional funding for the Smart Growth Initiative until such time as discussions between the City and the Executive branch are concluded.

At this point, we would like to accelerate the pace of our discussions on this project with the goal of reaching and documenting an agreement as soon as possible. As indicated above, the concept of developing a combined facility that includes a Senior Center and the Aquatic/Gymnasium Center has recently been raised. Our staff is in the process of determining how much land would be required for such a facility, and will share that data with County officials as soon as a determination is made.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank your staff for continuing to work with us to resolve this issue. We are, however, concerned with the occasional lack of communication with City staff. For example, we did not know that the plan for the Webb Tract was recently modified until we read it in the newspaper last week. We would appreciate notice of any future meetings regarding the County’s plans so that we may fully participate in the process.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact me or Assistant City Manager Fred Felton at 301-258-6310 if you have any questions or wish to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

(signed)

Angel L. Jones
City Manager

ALJ/ms

cc: Gaithersburg Mayor and City Council
Diane Schwartz Jones, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer
Frederick J. Felton, Assistant City Manager

The following is taken from a memo written by County Legislative Analyst Essie McGuire to the County Council:

1. Gaithersburg Library Renovation

The approved PDF for this project is on circle 10 and the Executive’s recommended amendment is on circle 11. The amendment shifts a total of $2 million from FYI0 to FYI2. The recommended FYI0 appropriation is $19.8 million. DGS staff states that the expenditure shift is primarily due to affordability reasons and accurately reflects the current implementation schedule.

The original schedule that the Council discussed last spring projected completion of the library in FY 11. However, the planning and design processes took longer than anticipated. A revised implementation schedule is provided on circle 12 and shows construction beginning at the very end of FY10 with completion of the library in March 2012 (FYI2).

A timeline of events and interactions with the community regarding the library is shown on circles 13-14. It references community interest in a second entrance to the library to be included in the design. DGS staff reports that this issue has been resolved with design to include only one primary entrance due to security reasons.

The HHS Committee unanimously recommends approval of the Executive’s recommended amendment and appropriation for the Gaithersburg Library Renovation.

The following pictures are taken from Keystone Real Estate Investments’ application for approval of a new project near the MD 355 bridge over the CSX railroad tracks; far more detail is available in the Council package.

From the City’s website:

Agenda - Mayor and City Council Meeting, 3/16/2009

Posted 3/12/2009

City of Gaithersburg
AGENDA FOR A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
Full Meeting Package (pdf format - Large File: 71M)

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. INVOCATION

Reverend Dr. Thewodros Asfaw, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Minutes of a Work Session of the Mayor and City Council Held February 9, 2009, Topic #2
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Minutes of a Work Session of the Mayor and City Council Held February 23, 2009

   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council Held March 2, 2009
   Background Material (pdf format)

V. APPOINTMENTS

Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Establishing a Gaithersburg Book Festival Ad Hoc Committee, a Sub Committee of the Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee and Confirming Appointments Thereto
Background Material (pdf format)

VI. PRESENTATION

GREAT (Gaithersburg Recognizing Educational Achievement Today) Award to Brown Station Elementary School and Washington Grove Elementary School
Background Material (pdf format)

VII. 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)

VIII. FROM THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Upcoming City Events
• Work Session Announcement

IX. FROM THE CITY MANAGER

X. PUBLIC HEARINGS

1. JOINT — Z-309, Application Requests Rezoning of 3.6859 Acres of Land From R-20 (Medium Density Residential) to CD (Corridor Development) in Accordance With §24-196 (Map Amendments) and §24-160G.6 (Procedure for Application and Approval) of the City Code. The Property is Located at 12-16 South Frederick Avenue, and Includes Parcels N323 & N271, and is Known as Executive Gardens

   Background Material (pdf format)

2. JOINT - SDP-08-005, Application Requesting the Redevelopment of 3.6859 Acres of Land Located at 12-16 South Frederick Avenue, and Includes Parcels N323 & N271, and is Known as Executive Gardens Apartments. The Plan Proposes a 268-Unit Multiple-family Building With Structured Parking
   Background Material (pdf format - 28M)

XI. 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 Adopting the Strategic Plan for the City of Gaithersburg
   Background Material (pdf format)

2. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for the B&O Station Roof Replacement Project ($101,732)
   Background Material (pdf format)

3. Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a contract for Wells Robertson House Fire Code Upgrades Project ($65,000)

   Background Material (pdf format)

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

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

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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 Monday, March 23, 2009, to receive a presentation from County Councilmember Marc Elrich on a Concept for Bus Rapid Transit.

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THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF
THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 31 SOUTH SUMMIT AVENUE

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

P1 Beat:

• A theft from a shed occurred on Brighton Terrace in Gaithersburg between Thursday, 2/26 and Friday, 2/27. Property taken.

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 300 block of West Side Drive in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 3/3 around 7:15 p.m. The adult female victim was followed to the entrance of her apartment building by the suspect, who produced a knife. Suspect fled when neighbor was alerted.

  Suspect: B/M 15 to 18 years, 6’, slim, short black hair, and knife

P2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred on Oakshade Road in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 2/25 between 8:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Forced entry and property was removed.

• An attempted commercial burglary occurred at the Dry Clean Warehouse, 112 North Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg on Saturday, 2/28 around 1:15 a.m. No entry gained, nothing taken

R1 Beat:

• No significant activity.

R2 Beat:

• A residential burglary occurred in the 10400 block of Kardwright Court in Montgomery Village on Monday, 2/23 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Suspects forced entry and removed property.

• A residential burglary occurred on Dellcastle Court in Montgomery Village on Wednesday, 2/25 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Suspects forced entry but fled when they discovered that a resident was home. Property was removed.
  Suspects: Two males, 13 to 15 years, one in a grey jacket, the other in a black jacket

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 19500 block of Transhire Road in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, 2/24 around 7:42 p.m. A witness saw the suspect flee after breaking the car window and stealing the GPS unit. Suspect: B/M 18 to 23 years, 5’10” to 6’0”, red jacket, blue jeans

• A rape was reported to have occurred in the 9400 block of Chadburn Place in Montgomery Village on Friday 2/27. The case involves juveniles known to each other.

S1 Beat:

• A commercial burglary occurred at the Island Market, 615 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg on Friday, 2/27 just before 2:00 a.m. Suspect forced entry and removed property.
  Suspect: B/M 5’8” to 6’0”, 170-190 lbs., gloves, black face mask, black baseball cap

• An attempted rape was reported in the 400 block of Girard Street in Gaithersburg on Friday, 2/27 around 11:50 p.m. Investigation is ongoing. Suspect: H/M 20 to 30 years, 5’4” to 5’6”, skinny, mustache

• An aggravated assault occurred in the 8900 block of North Westland Drive in Gaithersburg on Wednesday, 2/25 and was domestic. A warrant for second-degree murder was issued.

• A commercial burglary occurred at the Eagles Club, 15966 Shady Grove Road in Rockville on Sunday, 3/1 between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. The suspects forced entry and removed property.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Park Avenue in Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 2/24 and Wednesday 2/25. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Park Avenue in Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 2/24 and Wednesday, 2/25. Suspects cut the convertible top and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Park Avenue in Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 2/24 and Wednesday 2/25. Suspects entered an unlocked vehicle and removed tools.

• A theft from a vehicle occurred in the 200 block of Lee Street in Gaithersburg between Tuesday, 2/24 and Wednesday, 2/25. Suspects broke the window and removed a GPS unit.

• A theft from a vehicle was reported at Water Works Plumbin g, 16021 Industrial Drive in Gaithersburg on Thursda y, 2/26 around 2:40 a.m. Suspects forced entry to several work vehicles and removed tools and copper piping. Suspects: three males in hoodies Vehicle: Range Rover

S2 Beat:

• An attempted burglary occurred in the 17600 block of Wheat Fall Drive in Derwood on Friday, 2/27 around 12:15 p.m. Force used but no entry was gained. Suspects: H/M 18 to 20 years, black hair crew cuts.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Jones takes hard look at city spending:
  

  Six months on the job, Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones is taking a sharp look at processes and preparing for upcoming budget talks.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Shifting plans stir angst among Webb, GE neighbors:
  

  Neighbors of the Webb Tract near Montgomery Village and the GE Tech Park in Gaithersburg are increasingly frustrated by what some say is a lack of community leadership on a county proposal that would move or build several county operations to the properties.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, One year in, lawsuit looms against Gaithersburg:
  

  Gaithersburg is poised to ask a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by an Olde Towne land owner who claims her property was damaged by water running from a city parking lot.

• Patricia M. Murret writes, Reward vowed in Gaithersburg killing:
  

  Five weeks after the brutal stabbing of a Langley Park teen in Gaithersburg’s Malcolm King Park, police say they are pursuing whether his death is connected to MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, a violent street gang whose origins run to Los Angeles.

• Andrew Ujifusa writes, Municipalities expect revenue drop:
  

  Chevy Chase municipalities are expecting cuts of up to 30 percent in revenue sources for 2010 fiscal year budgets, and long-term projects ranging from street paving to private property purchases could be put on the backburner.

• Andrew Ujifusa writes, Speed cameras defended:
  

  Chevy Chase Village officials preparing to fight a class-action lawsuit against its speed camera program could file a motion to dismiss the case, but also believe the recent changes to the community’s speed camera program will be helpful if the case is heard.

  Chevy Chase Village attorney David Podolsky said the lawsuit, which was allowed to proceed by a county Circuit Court judge last week against Montgomery County, Gaithersburg and the village, could not be pursued by a group of private citizens because it was a matter between the state and local governments.

• Joe Beck writes, Man stole cars after finding keys inside, court records say:
  

  A man charged with stealing vehicles told police he stole them after finding the ignition keys inside, according to charging documents filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Contrasts emerge in officers’ testimony on immigration:
  

  Testifying to Congress last week on a federal program that empowers local officers to enforce immigration law, Montgomery and Frederick counties’ top law enforcement officials offered starkly contrasting assessments of the program’s effectiveness in fighting crime.

• Douglas Tallman writes, More state budget cuts ahead:
  

  The worsening economy is taking its toll on Maryland’s tax collections.

  The state treasury can expect to receive $1.2 billion less over the next 15 months.

• Douglas Tallman writes, Lawmakers say state should speed helicopter purchases:
  

  Maryland should buy three new medevac helicopters each year for the next three fiscal years to replace the choppers in the state’s aging fleet, a legislative work group said Tuesday.

  The delegates, in their 36-page report, also suggest a study of flight requests, with an eye toward eliminating one of the eight bases the helicopters use.

  The study would be conducted at the end for 2010 after medevac use has normalized, Bohanan said. Before the crash, state police were flying about 5,000 missions a year. Since then, the number has slipped to about 1,700, he said.

  Since the crash, state police have been unable to keep all eight bases open, and the Norwood base in Montgomery County has been dormant.

• Margie Hyslop writes, County may be too wealthy for state help with pipes:
  

  The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission won’t know until late this week whether state environmental officials will recommend it for federal stimulus money to shore up its drinking water pipes that ruptured at a record rate last year.

• Susan Singer-Bart writes, Police shift tactics used for alcohol citations:
  

  County police are altering the way they write some alcohol citations following a recent case in which a judge ruled the defendants not guilty of the charge against them, but suggested different charges might have changed the outcome.

• Melissa J. Brachfeld writes, County hopes to build bike path to connect Redland, Shady Grove roads:
  

  County residents will soon have a new way of getting to and from the Shady Grove Metro station in Rockville.

  The county plans to begin construction in the early fall on a pedestrian and bicycle path from Redland Road to Shady Grove Road.

• Sebastian Montes writes, Business leaders uniting to advocate ‘Science City’ vision:
  

  If all goes to plan, it will still be decades before a “Science City” emerges between Gaithersburg and Rockville, but business and biotech leaders are forging partnerships to harness the sky-high hopes unleashed by the county’s blue print for catapulting the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center to the leading edge of scientific research.

From the City’s website:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Burglary

Between 8:00am and 8:15am on 03-08-09, unknown suspect(s) entered a residence, in the 600 block of Gatestone Street, through an unlocked basement door and removed property.

Between 8:00am and 6:00pm on 03-09-09, unknown subject(s) attempted to break into a residence in the 800 block of Quince Orchard Boulevard. Entry was attempted by breaking out a side window. Entry was not made. Nothing was stolen.

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Monday, March 09, 2009

Burglary

Sometime between 03/06/2009 at 5:45p.m. and 03/09/2009 at 9:00a.m., an unknown suspect burglarized a business in the 900 block of Russell Avenue. Property was taken.

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Sunday, March 08, 2009

Arson

On 03/08/2009 at 4:00 am., Police responded to the report of a single vehicle accident at Water st. and Mills Rd. Investigation by responding units revealed that the vehicle in question had been driven to the intersection and set on fire on the side of the road.

Arrest

On 03/08/09 at 12:08 p.m. police responded to 400 block of Westside Dr. for a burglary report. Police were told that the suspect entered the location and was then later chased out by occupants. The occupants directed police where the suspect had fled and he was later arrested.

Suspect: Black male, 5′10, 160

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Saturday, February 28, 2009

Burglary

On 02/28/09 at 8:15 a.m., a burglary of a business was reported in the 600 block of South Frederick Avenue. The victim reported that sometime after closing, an unknown subject broke the glass door, entered the business, and removed property.

On 02/28/09 at 4:00 p.m., a burglary was reported at a business in the 100 unit block of North Frederick Avenue. The suspect forced entry through the roof of the building sometime during the night. The building was unoccupied during the time of the incident. There was no property stolen.

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Friday, February 27, 2009

Burglary

On 02/27/09 at approximately 11:50 p.m., a burglary occurred in the 400 block of Girard Street. Entry was made through the balcony door, and the suspect fled following a confrontation with the victim. Suspect information is being developed.

On 02/27/09 at 5:10 p.m. a burglary was reported in the unit block of Brighton Drive. The victim reported that sometime between 02/26/09 at 8:00 a.m. and 02/27/09 at 7:30 a.m. a detached shed was forcibly entered and property was removed. There is no suspect information at this time.

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Burglary

On 02/26/2009 at 10:19 a.m. a burglary was reported in the unit block of Oak Shade Road. The victim reported that sometime between 02/25/09 at 10:00 p.m. and 02/26/09 at 7:40 a.m., an unknown suspect forced entry through the bathroom window. The residence was unoccupied during the incident. Property was removed.

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Monday, February 23, 2009

Burglary

On 02/23/09 between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., a burglary occurred in the unit block of Brighton Drive. Entry was made through the 2nd floor window and property was removed. The residence was unoccupied during the incident. There is no suspect information at this time.

Dan Morse and Ann E. Marimow write:

After a long and distinguished career with the Montgomery County Police Department, John King made a request similar to that made by many Montgomery colleagues before him: He applied for a disability retirement pension, citing injuries first suffered years earlier.

But King’s case had its own twist. He was about to start a second career as a police chief in Gaithersburg, a city in the county. His disability package application was approved, and he is now in his second year as chief. His total compensation tops $200,000.

The case has caught the attention of federal authorities.

The above article appears as a companion to a longer, front-page article about the Montgomery County Police disability retirement system in general.

Dan Morse and Ann E. Marimow write, Montgomery Police Seeking Disability Find System Weighted in Their Favor:

If a Montgomery County police officer can show that his bad knee limits his ability to chase a suspect through the woods or that his injured trigger finger can no longer fire a gun, he gets the same tax-free benefits as an officer paralyzed from a gunshot, under the police department’s one-size-fits-all disability retirement system.