My Opinion: In Search of the Elusive Courthouse Parking

This opinion piece is by Cynthia Cotte Griffiths. It is in response to an article written by Mary Ellen Flynn.

After reading Mary Ellen Flynn’s Contributor’s Opinion yesterday, in which she stated “With public parking already located nearby (some even on the same side of the street as the old Library site)…”, I decided to try to find this existing parking that could be used for the District Courthouse.

So I dropped the kids at school and went to park by the old library site to take some pictures. I couldn’t find a parking spot. Now, I’m not saying this to be sarcastic or even funny, but I couldn’t. So I drove home, parked, and walked over. It’s cold out there today.

The only public parking on the same side of the street is the Council Office Building parking which is Permit Only.

I was thinking that if they have space in this parking garage, perhaps they would share with the District Courthouse, but it was full except for a few spots on the top level:

There is also the Jury Parking lot on Rt. 28, but it is almost always full:


My only conclusion is that there is no existing public parking on the same side of the street as the old library site. People need to understand that there is no parking anywhere for this Courthouse proposal. The use of false statements to sway an argument always disturbs me, probably because I was a Philosophy major. People might be persuaded by the rosy picture painted, so the facts need to be proven. It would be unfortunate if the courthouse supporters turn around in the future and state that they thought there was parking available because someone wrote that there was parking. There is no parking existing or planned for the current District Courthouse proposal.

If this plan goes forward, the City of Rockville should not fund a single penny of the millions of dollars that will be required to not only build parking for the Courthouse but also mitigate the traffic and neighborhood problems created by the Courthouse. The residents of Rockville should not have to bear the cost of the State’s terrible urban planning which is being forced upon us.

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Rockville Police Blotter 01-24-2008

Here is the mapped version of the January 24, 2008 Rockville police blotter. I missed the one on the 14th, because I was working so hard at . . . well, work. In fact, I shouldn't be doing this one right now!

(Remember, if you are receiving this in the email announcement, the map does not come through and you will have to visit the blog itself.)

View Larger Map

Click on the little flag to learn more about each reported incident.

Each week's police report is a separate map. Click here for a list of all of them.

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POTD: Fool Moon At Dawn

I meant to type "Full Moon" and then noticed the typo . . . and decided I liked it! Moons in the morning seem so dramatic, don't you think?

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Weekend to Weekend 1/24/08

Events in Rockville

Friday, January 25

Lloyd Dobler Effect, Austin Grill –Rockville, 9 PM. Just added!! Elizabeth, Phil and Chris will play an acoustic set with some guests. Back when we had the HFStival LDE played the main stage, and they have headlined two Armed Forces Entertainment Tours. Now they will be playing their upbeat, smart music right down the street! Such awesome talent!

“Arcadia”, Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Saturday, January 26

Montgomery County History Conference, Montgomery College Germantown, 8:30 AM – 4 PM. Although designed for staff and volunteers of the Montgomery County Historical Society this is a super way to learn about our County History, so good in fact that I’m including it even though the event is not actually IN Rockville. A variety of topics are scheduled: how we got the agricultural reserve, the Civil War in MC, and the history of the banjo in Maryland. Registration is $30 residents ($35 non-residents). Fees include all materials and lunch. Continuing Education Credits will be available for an additional fee of $15 through Montgomery College.

Oldies But Goodies (OBG) Cocker Rescue Adoption Show, Rockville Petsmart, 5154 Nicholson Lane, 11 AM – 2 PM. All of the foster homes run by this DC area nonprofit are full. 17 of the cocker spaniels are being boarded in kennels. Stop by and meet some of the dogs looking for homes!

“Arcadia” , Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Ty Braddock, Austin Grill – Rockville, 10 PM. Country country rock rock! Nominated for Country Vocalist of the Year by the Washington Area Music Association.

Sunday, January 27

Bridal Expo, Glenview Mansion, 12 PM – 4 PM. Tickets are $5 and available at the door. Excellent opportunity to meet vendors for all your wedding needs: catering, cakes, photography, music, flowers, and bridal gifts. Bridal Images will have models wearing all of the latest wedding gown fashions throughout the day. Leave those bridal magazines at home (I know you have more than one!) and head over to the Mansion. If you’re getting married, you won’t be able to resist!

“Arcadia” , Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Tuesday, January 29

The Rockville Regional Youth Orchestra, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 7:30 PM. Free. Winter concert of classical music by area students.

Wednesday, January 30

Russian Book Initiative Concert: Serge Khrickenko, Rockille Library, Meeting Room 1, 7 PM. No knowledge of Russian required! He’ll perform some of his own as well as other popular melodies. Mr. Khrichenko has won several international competitions. Da!

Thursday, January 31

Nelly’s Echo, Austin Grill- Rockville. Less than a minute on his myspace had me laughing about “Sling”, plus his calypso soul is just plain groovin’ He definitely is a “Mr. Nice Guy”. He thinks he’s playing at 9:30 PM and the venue thinks 8 PM, check next week’s W2W and I’ll try to straighten it out.

Friday, February 1

Art After Hours 6:30 PM and HearArts 7:30 PM – 9 PM, VisArts at Rockville. Explore the three galleries and visit the resident artists’ spaces. Free. Wine and cheese from Whole Foods. HearArts is a performance series that will feature Sean Enright reading his fiction and Gary Gibian playing the vibraphone. Call 301-315-8200 for more information.

“Arcadia” , Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Saturday, February 2

Meet the Author – Roscoe Orman, Rockville Library, 11 AM. Do you know who this is?? I’m so excited! It’s Gordon from Sesame Street. I’ve loved Sesame Street since I was a kid and I would run out of my house whenever there was a plane on the show to try to tell where it was. Thank goodness I had kids so I could justify watching it again! He will be talking about his book, Ricky and Mobo, as well as selling and signing them. It’s “Library Lovers Month” and they have Gordon!

“Arcadia” , Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 8 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Sunday, February 3

Beall-Dawson House of the Montgomery County Historical Society has two events:

Winter Pastimes Exhibit and Walnut Shell Workshop, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. This drop-in workshop to make toys and play games is included with admission to the museum. $3 adults, $2 seniors & kids.

How to Plan a Family Reunion Workshop, 4 PM. Sandra Clunies, author of A Family Affair: How To Plan and Direct the Best Family Reunion Ever, will teach you how to plan next summer's family reunion. Get some ideas on what will make it memorable. Ms. Clunies is a certified genealogist.

“Arcadia” , Rockville Little Theatre, F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 2 PM. $16/adults, $14 seniors and students. Interesting play which switches back and forth between the Coverly family mansion in 1809 and current day, when two decendents and scholars research a possible scandal in the family history. Explores the concepts of truth and time. 240-314-8690.

Email the information for any fun, educational or community events to be included in Weekend to Weekend. Also, send along any specials or discounts. Include links!

We will publish event listings occurring in & around our coverage area (map) on Thursdays. The inclusion of events and specials is at our discretion.

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Contributor Opinion by Mary Ellen Flynn: Time for the New District Courthouse to be Built at the Old Library Site

This contributor opinion is by Mary Ellen Flynn, president of the Bar Association of Montgomery County. It is in response to an article by Frank Anastasi:

I respect that you, your friends and colleagues have a different viewpoint from the one shared by me, the entire Montgomery County Delegation of Legislators, the County Executive, all of the Courthouse Elected officials, and many public officials and County residents on the subject of the location of the new Rockville District Courthouse at the old Library site. We who support the construction at the old Library site remain steadfast in our position, as it is firmly based on facts relating to location, cost, and positive benefits to be gained for the entire County and State.

The old Library site is directly across the street from the current District Courthouse building, so infrastructure already exists for the placement of the Courthouse at that location. The site’s proximity to the Circuit Court, State’s Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office and other County agencies associated with the everyday legal business conducted in our County Seat would facilitate efficiency, not only for lawyers, judges and other public officials, but for the County’s citizens who conduct business in this judicial quadrant on a daily basis. With public parking already located nearby (some even on the same side of the street as the old Library site) and easy access to both Circuit Court and many court-related agencies within a convenient two-block area, efficiency would result. It is anticipated that shorter, less confusing travel among the courthouses and other judicial agencies would occur if the Circuit and District Courts were located within a centralized area rather than being separated and on opposite sides of the expansive Town Center.

As is well-documented, a great deal of taxpayer money has been authorized and already spent on purchasing and designating the old Library site as the location for the new District Courthouse. Additionally, architectural designs specific to that site have been ordered, prepared and paid for. These plans are now only waiting for State funding. At a time when fiscal prudence is on the minds of all County and State taxpayers and no overabundance of funds exists in any of the governmental coffers, the scrapping of completed architectural plans on which significant money has already been spent, the incurring of millions of dollars solely due to construction delays, and the risk of diverting $71 Million of State funding away from this much-needed courthouse are unacceptable to most County residents.

Although it is understood that at the outset any new construction will not be without concerns and opinions on both sides, the concerns and opinions on construction at the old Library site have been voiced and addressed as completely as is practicable. Now, with the positive benefits of the old Library site far outweighing the few negatives, it is time for the new District Courthouse to be built at the old Library site, so that the judicial, commercial and residential sectors of our County Seat can once-again operate as effectively and efficiently as possible and thrive.

Mary Ellen Flynn, President
Bar Association of Montgomery County, MD

Rockville Central runs occasional, edited opinion pieces by contributors. Their views are not necessarily those of Rockville Central. To submit your opinion for consideration, contact us.

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Latest On FiOS

Rockville Central readers know that getting FiOS (Verizon's fiber optic tv/phone/Internet/everything system) into Rockville is an interest of mine. Reader Neal B. recently asked for an update on how talks between the City and Verizon were going, and I asked City Manager Scott Ullery for a status report.

Here is what he reports:

After some promising progress several weeks ago, the negotiating teams got bogged down again. As a result, I've gotten personally involved in these negotiations with a higher level Verizon official. We've spoken twice on the phone, and after rescheduling a couple of times, he and I will meet next week.

I am optimistic about getting this on track and to a conclusion. We're just trying to get Verizon to bear the city's cost of reviewing the plans and inspecting the work. We really want Verizon to build the system in Rockville. Verizon needs to use the public's right-of-way to carry out their business, and the city is responsible for ensuring that's done properly and at minimal expense to the taxpayers. We'd also like Verizon to commit to a more aggressive construction schedule. The company claims it wants to serve Rockville, but won't commit to building the system for several years.

Stay tuned (pun!). Things appear to be moving, possibly.

I want my FiOS.

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Join Me At Kiwanis Thursday 1/31!

Here's a shameless plug, just because I can.

My good friend Ruth Hanessian has asked me to talk about Rockville Central to the Rockville Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis do wonderful and important things for local youth and seniors.

I thought it might be interesting to use the chance to talk about how Rockville Central came to be, some of the struggles we've had as we've grown, and maybe even some directions for the future. Plus, I would love to meet readers who for now are just shadowy figures lurking in my email Inbox!

I promise to try to speak briefly enough that there is time for Q&A.

So, if you are interested, the Kiwanis would love to have you (maybe they can even convince you to join this worthy and vibrant organization). And I would be delighted to see you.

Come on down and enjoy a quick morning meeting:

• Thursday, January 31, 2008
• 7:30 am -- 8:30 am
• Faculty Dining Room, Campus Center Building, Montgomery College Rockville Campus
  

Hope to see you there!

(Logo from Kiwanis Club of Corvallis, Oregon)

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POTD: Ponds

Part of a three-part series by Rockville Central friend Mark Pierzchala. He calls the series "Two Things Part of Another Thing."


Of this one he says: "Forebay pond and Storm Water Management pond at Exit 6 (towards DC) onto I-270, from the new bike bridge on West Montgomery. (Both ponds part of a Storm Water Management system.)"

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Mayor And Council Agenda 1/28/08 Available

The City has just issued the agenda for the next Mayor and Council meeting, which is January 28, 2008 at City Hall.

I've posted the agenda here; this link will always have the latest version of this agenda (that is, I will update if the agenda gets updated).

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Consider Serving on a City Board or Commission

In October I was appointed to Rockville’s Human Services Advisory Commission. With my background it is a good fit. Since it has been so rewarding to me, I’d like to encourage others to think about whether you can contribute to our City on a board or commission.

There are quite a few openings right now and the City Clerk’s office is working to fill these vacancies.

• Board of Appeals (1)
• Compensation Commission (1)
• Cultural Arts Commission (1)
• Historic District Commission (1)
• Human Rights Commission (3)
• Human Services Advisory Commission (1)
• Personnel Appeals Board (1)
• Recreation and Park Advisory Board (2)
• Retirement Board (1)
• Rockville Scholarship Foundation (1)
• Rockville Sister City (1)
• Sign Review Board (2)

The time commitment is typically a once-a-month meeting and any follow up work you might volunteer to do. Although, some members have relevant experience, you don’t necessarily need to have an expertise in any of these areas. The Mayor and Council are looking for feedback from regular citizens to determine policy.

Often when serving on a Commission, you are included in presentations and forums on broader issues too, such as the Rockville Pike Revisioning or the Parks and Recreation Program. By joining a commission, you are easily connected to many of Rockville’s issues.

The Human Services Advisory Commission is seeking a member-at-large. We would like to continue to include a diversity of members from different backgrounds. I could give you the official description but we are looking for someone that cares about youth and families in need and the organizations that work to help them, especially someone with knowledge or contacts with the residents we serve.

If you are interested in this or any one of these vacancies, fill out an Interest Form and return it to City Hall. You’ll receive an acknowledgement. The Mayor, Council, Commission Chair, and Staff Liason will be informed of your interest. You’ll be invited to attend a meeting to find out if the commission is right for you and if you are right for the commission.

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Contributor Opinion by Reeve Brenner: Our Parks And The Differently-Abled

The following contributor opinion is by Dr. Reeve Brenner, President of the National Association for Recreational Equality. Dr. Brenner will appear this week on Montgomery Municipal Channel (Ch. 16) during the "Municipal Notebook" show, discussing Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. (Thursday at 7:30 pm and Friday-Sunday at 10pm):

• It is good there are programs (scheduled activities) for the different segments of the able-bodied and disabled populations.
• Where are the recreational/sports drop-in facilities in our parks and recreation centers for the differently abled - facilities that are inclusive so that everyone can participate together?
• Why are there no inclusive facilities – without cost! - for wheel-chair users, children with MS, Muscular dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, autistic children, Down syndrome, developmentally different and other differently-abled children and adults?
• There are many no-cost facilities outdoors for all others. Why not for the differently able?
• Why only scheduled programs for these special populations?
• Other children do not need supervised activities at a rec center or at ball fields to make use of public facilities, why do they?

Why are there playgrounds for young children, play fields for athletes and older children and no Playcourts for post kindergarten ages? Playgrounds are provided without requiring membership costs. But developmentally challenged and differently able school age children, young teens and adults are ignored. They by contrast are offered no outdoor or indoor “Inclusive” facilities for ball playing. Able individuals by contrast are provided with many courts such as basketball - and tennis in abundance. Why?

Why do we continue to build recreation centers like Twinbrook, in our own community, with ball-playing facilities – which receives our largest budget and land use -for everyone able-bodied but nothing for special populations (and for mixed and diverse families), and no drop in facilities for wheel-chair users, the autistic and the developmentally dissimilar and other differently-abled youth? Why do special populations continue to be overlooked in our recreation centers and parks? Able-bodied individuals and elite athletes do not have to wait for a scheduled program. They drop in. And play ball. Why do the differently-abled still not have similar drop in ball fields and facilities available without cost, without staff and adult supervision as do all other youngsters, children and adults?

Why do communities offer first, and often only, exclusionary, fast-moving tennis and basketball facilities, speed and strength-dependent sports that exclude seniors and the differently-abled? Why are basketball courts (ten courts) and tennis courts (two) constructed in the Twinbrook rec center at huge costs and not one facility for differently-abled children who would also like to play ball as drop-ins without expense but cannot play tennis and basketball as drop-ins.

Should we not be raising consciousness and awareness for the recreational needs of the entire community?

Is it a right-thinking policy of a community that disabled children and adults have no drop in facilities? Why do they have to depend on prearranged and supervised programs as others do not? All others have tennis and basketball courts in abundance and baseball, soccer and football fields and the like – all running fast-moving facilities. These facilities do not lend themselves to drop in play by wheelchair users and non-athletes who also wish to recreate by playing ball. The special populations also wish to drop-in whenever they would like and also have an opportunity to play ball alongside and with their family and friends. They cannot in parks of Rockville – and Montgomery County, MD.

Rockville Central runs occasional, edited opinion pieces by contributors. Their views are not necessarily those of Rockville Central. To submit your opinion for consideration, contact us.

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POTD: Benched

In the future, they will say this is part of my black and white phase.

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Be An Election Judge!

Rockville Central friend Brigitta Mullican reminds us that TODAY is the deadline to register to vote in the party primaries (which take place February 12), but that the Montgomery County Board of Elections need elections judges. (More information on the need for election judges can be found in the recent Gazette article.)

According to Brigitta:

"The article states 'Republican judges is the issue,' but it does not state that the registered voter of other parties such as Green, Libertarian, unaffiliated, or other may work as election judges. Those voters are fewer in Montgomery County and get less attention, but should not be forgotten. They need to know they may volunteer to work as an election judge if they meet the registration requirement and have successfully completed the judges training. The judges receive a small pay check for their service, which is a long day."

As for registering, Brigitta also passes along this important information:

"Because of the short time citizens must go to the Twinbrook Office to turn in the completed registration application. Here is the link for the registration form."

Registered Montgomery County voters interested in working as an election judge for the February 12 Primary Election may contact the Board of Elections:

Montgomery County Board of Elections
751 Twinbrook Parkway
Rockville, MD 20851
(Click here for questionnaire to begin process.)

Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
24 Hour Voter Information Line: 240-777-8683

Thanks Brigitta!

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Contributor Opinion: Carl Henn On RORZOR

This contributor opinion is by Rockville Central friend Carl Henn:

Tomorrow, January 23, 7:30 at City Hall is the Planning Commission's hearing on the proposed zoning ordinance revisions. Its been thirty years since the last big rewrite. This revision makes a much more understandable document. It also makes substantive changes such as creating mixed use zones in some areas, allowing residential where only commercial is currently allowed for instance. It mostly leaves the residential areas alone, but does address mansionization and would block you from paving your entire front yard.

This is your chance to weigh in on the changes and hear your neighbors concerns. One controversial element is that the proposed revision would make many of the businesses on Stonestreet into nonconforming uses, such that if they had a fire and couldn't get back in business for 6 months, they would be out of business for good. I think they ought to allow the current light industrial in the new zoning, while adding the ability to have residential mixed use. These businesses serve Rockville well and ought not to be zoned out of existence.

Another element that ought to be addressed now is the underlying zoning of Rockville's country clubs. Currently if they chose to develop, they would be one acre lot homes. This would result in a few mansions and a big loss of open space. Better to change their zoning to recreation/agricultural. Recreation to al