The Montgomery County Department of Transportation recently invited the Montgomery Square Citizens Association to assist in the development of a new website that Montgomery County is working on and I (Tony Primerano) volunteered to be MSCA’s pointperson on the project.  Last Friday, I had the chance to check out the new web site.  The interactive site shows the current state (Plowed, Not Plowed or In Progress) of roads in the county and there are links to traffic cameras and other useful tools.

The test map was here: http://gis3.montgomerycountymd.gov/snowmap/index.html

The test map is loaded with test data as the Department of Transportation is still working on and testing the site.  The map is designed around snow removal status but it is also useful for exploring local bus routes, schools and traffic cameras.

When people are snowed in they want to know when they will be plowed out.  Unfortunately, this map will not give estimated street clearing times but it may in the future.

Now I’m looking forward to our 1st snow event so I can see this site in action.   Three cheers for Government transparency and innovation!

UPDATE: The map is now live

http://www5.montgomerycountymd.gov/snowmap/

Or find the map and other information from the county’s snow information page

www.montgomerycountymd.gov/snow

Posted on November 23, 2010 at 10:33 am under News.
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Montgomery Square 

announcement
 

Help a Neighbor – If anyone has a metal detector that can be borrowed or put to use, please contact Susan Cohen at scohen@cesjds.org

Discourage Thieves - At least twice this year, on one night, items have been stolen from several vehicles and sheds in the neighborhood.  The police want residents to be aware that they can help deter these crimes by locking vehicles,sheds and homes.  Please report crimes when they happen.

 

Take a few minutes to record models and serial numbers of your various electronic equipment.  It comes in handy if something is stolen.  For some crimes you can report online at:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/coplogic/cologic.asp

Advocacy Opportunity - Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy

 

Dear Members of the MJBHA Community,

 

Our school is at a critical crossroads and we need your help.

 

We signed the lease agreement with the county for our building 13 years ago.  The property, formerly used by Montgomery County Public Schools as Peary High School, had been abandoned and neglected for 14 years, and was in complete and utter disrepair.  It took two years of major renovations and almost $9 million to turn the dilapidated, gang-controlled, illicitly used building into our proud new home. To see photos of the renovation process, please visit http://www.mjbha.org/Media/album.cfm?AlbumID=279&fID=825

 

The agreement the school made with Montgomery County gave us a 25-year lease and an option to buy at virtually any time.  As the years went on, we grew increasingly comfortable in our building, and we developed strong relationships with our Aspen Hill neighbors, many of whom took advantage of our beautiful, clean, safe new campus for meetings and for a multitude of sporting events.

 

Shortly after we moved into the building, we sought to exercise our option to purchase.  The sale required approval from the Montgomery County Council, but the contract stipulated that such approval could not be unreasonably refused.  But one delay has followed another, and the purchase price goes up every year.

 

The Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy has been an excellent neighbor, and we feel at home in Aspen Hill.  We deserve to be recognized for the positive ways we have contributed to the community.  We very much appreciate the support of County Executive Ike Leggett and Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, who have spearheaded this effort and we are hopeful the rest of the Council reaches the same conclusion very soon.

 

We need 100% participation in the effort to persuade the Montgomery County Council to be fair and honor its agreement.  Therefore, we are asking every supporter of MJBHA to:

 

1.     Please call, e-mail and write to council members and County Executive Leggett to demonstrate your support.  You will find council members’ contact information below.

2.     Join us at the public hearing:

 

Tuesday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Council Hearing Room

100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville MD

 

Suggested points to raise in your communications with council members:

 

·       MJBHA has been an anchor in helping to revitalize the Aspen Hill community.  Neighborhood property values, which had been steadily decreasing before MJBHA renovated and moved in, began to stabilize and increase.

·       MJBHA has been a good neighbor and made itself available for public use.  MJBHA will continue to maintain the property and the track, which is used regularly by neighborhood residents free of charge, in good condition and at no cost to the county.

·       MJBHA’s exercise of its option to purchase has long had the support of the Aspen Hill Civic Association.

·       The purchase price of $1.9 million will provide the County with needed funds to support County programs.

·       Although not required by the original lease, MJBHA has agreed that 1) the property will only be used as a school and 2) should the property be needed in the future as a public school, the County can reclaim it for a price that simply is intended to ensure that MJBHA recovers its investment (purchase price and improvements), no more.

 

It is fine for your letters, calls and e-mails to be short and to just include two or three key points that you think are most important.  What matters most is that you call and write and that you be very positive in your comments.

 

We are hoping that the proposed sale will be called to a vote November 30.  The more voices we have with us, the more likely the Council will realize the importance of this issue to not just Berman Hebrew Academy families, but to all Montgomery County residents who understand the value of diversity in education.

 

And if you finish calling and writing council members and persuading your friends and family to do the same, and you still want more to do, we would also love to have you write letters-to-the-editor of your local papers, and to comment online on stories already written.  You will find information on how to do so below as well.

 

For more information about the purchase and why the Council should approve it, please visit:

http://www.mjbha.org/About_MJBHA/Proposed_MJBHA_Purchase_/Proposed_MJBHA_Purchase.cfm.

 

Thanks for your support.  Together we can make this happen but we really do need everyone to join this effort.

 

Daphna F. Raskas, Ph.D., President

Joshua Levisohn, Ph.D., Headmaster

Behnam Dayanim, Esq., 1st Vice President

Larry Stern, Esq., Past President

Jennifer Zukerman, Development Director


Montgomery County Council members’ contact information:

 

To find your council member please go to: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/elections/enterstreet.cfm

 

·       Roger Berliner, District 1 (Potomac):

o   (240) 777-7828 * councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Mike Knapp, District 2 (Germantown):

o   (240) 777-7955 * councilmember.knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Phil Andrews, District 3 (Gaithersburg, Rockville, North Potomac):

o   (240) 777-7906 * councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Nancy Navarro, District 4 (Kemp Mill, Aspen Hill, White Oak):

o   (240) 777-7968 * councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Valerie Ervin, District 5 (Woodside, Chevy Chase):

o   (240) 777-7960 * councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Marc Elrich, At-Large (All of Montgomery County)

o   (240) 777-7966 * councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Nancy Floreen, At-Large (ALL of Montgomery County)

o   (240) 777-7959 * councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       George Leventhal, At-Large (ALL of Montgomery County)

o   (240) 777-7811 * councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Duchy Trachtenberg, At-Large  (ALL of Montgomery County)

o   (240) 777-7964 * Trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov

Note: All written mail to any Council member can be addressed to the member and sent to:

100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850

County Executive Ike Leggett:

·       (240) 777-2500 * ocemail@montgomerycountymd.gov

·       Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850
How To write a letter- to the editor or post a comment online:

 

After you’ve written all your letters, made all your phone calls, and persuaded others to do the same, you can also opt to write a letter-to-the-editor or comment on a story already written.

 

When writing a letter-to-the-editor of a newspaper, the same rules apply at almost every newspaper – make yours like all the others.  Not in terms of content, but of length and format.  If the paper is not very clear about its format on its website letters page, look at ten or twenty of its most recently published letters.  You will quickly see a limit to length (often no more than 200 words), a style in addressing the editor (such as “Dear Editor”), if your letter relates to something published in the paper – how you reference that article, and so on.

 

As with any communication, please take care to use the talking points but not to copy the talking points.  This letter, as with all you write and say, must be in your own words, in your own voice.  Otherwise, editors will see your letter as little more than a coordinated campaign that could have been achieved with pre-printed post cards.

 

Almost all papers these days allow you to submit a letter online or by email.  This does not mean the letter is only for consideration to be published online; it’s just an easier way for both you and the paper to communicate.  Here are several landing pages for writing letters to the Montgomery County Gazette, The Washington Post and the Washington Jewish Week.  Don’t be discouraged if your letter isn’t published.  The vast majority most papers receive aren’t.  But it’s important editors see how important the issue is to you, just as it’s important council members see the same.

 

Some newspapers require you to register before entering their site or writing them.  Most do not.

 

http://www.gazette.net/gazetteinfo/opinion.shtml

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/20/AR2007022000709.html

 

http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=31&ArticleID=13740&TM=78805.54

 

Now, here are a few stories already written about the pending sale.  Read them and look for a place to comment.  Your comments will very likely be used.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/28/AR2010102806598.html

http://www.gazette.net/stories/10272010/damanew230041_32545.php

http://www.gazette.net/stories/11032010/montnew190552_32555.php

http://www.wtop.com/?sid=2096854&nid=25

http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=13772&SectionID=57&SubSectionID=76&S=1

 

 
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.org
Steve Schuck TheSchucks@longandfoster.com 

or
Bob Gross

 
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Posted on November 16, 2010 at 9:31 pm under News.
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Montgomery Square

announcement

One of our neighbors is putting on the 2nd Annual Elvis Week Free Concert
One Hour Free Concert
Sunday, August 15th, 7pm weather permitting (no rain date scheduled)
To be held on his front lawn 12300 Old Canal Rd
They will be serving watermelon.  Feel free to bring any other of your own refreshments and something to sit on.  For more info contact Elvis_e@comcast.net
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.org
Steve Schuck TheSchucks@longandfoster.com

or
Bob Gross
Sign up Block If you know someone in MSCA who wants to be added to the list serve, forward this to them.

Posted on August 17, 2010 at 9:36 pm under News.
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(If you want to receive updates like this subscribe to Montgomery County’s electronic newsletter subscription system

—- START OF LETTER —

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850

Isiah Leggett
County Executive

July 29, 2010

Mr. Joseph M. Rigby
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
PEPCO Holdings, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
701 Ninth Street,
NW Washington, DC 20068

Dear Mr. Rigby:

On Sunday, July 25 at approximately 3:20 p.m. a line of severe thunderstorms passed through the Baltimore/Washington region. As a result of those storms, over 219,000 of PEPCO’s 302,000 customers in Montgomery County lost power.

While I understand the size of the storm was considerable and the damage extensive, I am at a loss to explain to County residents and business owners why PEPCO took so long to mobilize sufficient contractors to assist in restoring service to its many customers, some of whom, as of today, still have no service.

I assumed that PEPCO, like the County, has pre-established mutual aid agreements with regional utilities and independent contractors whose resources can be mobilized quickly in situations such as what we are experiencing. I also expected a significant increase in resources to have been mobilized sooner instead of hearing that they were just arriving Tuesday, nearly two full days after the storm hit and the extensive damage was clear to you.

Further, there is little acceptable explanation why current conditions exist for PEPCO, and not for utilities servicing adjacent jurisdictions. The storms that we experienced on Sunday were region-wide and BG&E and Allegheny Power have had nowhere near the outages being experienced in the PEPCO service area (see enclosed map).

This causes me to draw a number of conclusions:

  1. PEPCO’s preventive maintenance and tree trimming programs need review and revision;
  2. PEPCO’s contracting and operational procedures and practices for bringing additional resources to bear in emergency situations need reconsideration;
  3. PEPCO was unable to communicate useful and accurate information in a timely way to customers; and
  4. Practices regarding coordinating activities with the County under these kinds of emergencies need improvement.

Montgomery County will continue to cooperate in whatever way necessary to coordinate with PEPCO’s efforts. Still, Montgomery County is not in the business of distributing electrical power. That is PEPCO’s responsibility – and County residents and businesses deserve much better and more reliable service than we are receiving. Many of our residents have suffered great inconvenience and sometimes life-threatening problems due to the extended outages. Meanwhile, many of our businesses have suffered significant losses at a time when they can ill afford to. The unreliability of your service must be addressed.

Given the experience of the February winter storms and this most recent emergency, I am sure there are “best practices” available from which PEPCO can benefit. I look forward to reviewing your post-incident analysis and how you plan to make system improvements and changes to your operating practices to improve system reliability.

Plainly put, the status quo is unacceptable.

By copy of this letter to the Governor and the Public Service Commission, I am also seeking their assistance in ensuring that Montgomery County residents and businesses are better served by a public utility on which they are completely dependent for vital and sometimes life saving services.

In addition, I am convening a work group of Montgomery County residents and businesses that will be exploring the explanations for the poor service we receive and options for improvements. I am hopeful that we will be able to depend on PEPCO staff’s assistance in the work of this group.

Sincerely,

Isiah Leggett County Executive

IL:rsd Enclosure

cc:
Martin O’Malley, Governor
Douglas R. M. Nazarian, Chairman, Maryland Public Service Commission
Thomas Graham, President, PEPCO Region
Nancy Floreen, Council President, Montgomery County Council

View the letter in pdf format.

Posted on July 30, 2010 at 3:31 pm under News.
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Email From Joseph DeRosa AIA, Project Manager,  Division of Construction, Montgomery County Public Schools

To all community and BFES FAC committee members:

At the Beverly Farms ES (BFES) June 24, 2010 community meeting presentation, new BFES community members and HOA representative from Regency Estates Citizens Association and Montgomery Square Citizen Association were in attendance. The 6-24-2010 site plan was presented by Muse Architects and the following design issues were discussed; new Storm Water Management (SWM) features and the locations of newly located retaining walls that will be required at the rear of the bus loop to the western portion of the site and at the rear of the school along the paved play areas. As explained at the meeting, the retaining walls will be needed to address the grade changes at the rear of the property.  The community members in attendance raised concerns regarding the retaining wall heights and the length of the bus loop.  After extensive discussion, the community members requested that the architect investigate the possibility of reducing the length of the bus loop and reducing the height of the retaining walls to address their concerns.

MCPS staff directed Muse Architects to explore the possibility of reducing the length of the bus loop and reducing the height of the retaining walls in response to the concerns raised by the community members, prior to the Board of Education presentation of the preliminary plans, which is scheduled for July 8, 2010.   Because of the limited time before the Board of Education meeting, MCPS agreed to provide the community members with a revised site plan and perspective drawing of the school along the bus loop prior to the July 8, 2010 meeting, via electronic mail.

In response to the community concerns raised at the June 24, FAC Committee meeting regarding the new retaining walls and the request for the reduction of the bus loop length, a meeting was held with MCPS/ DOC staff, Muse Architects, and Mr. James Song, director, Department of Facilities Management to review the revised site design.  Attached for your review is the proposed revised site plan dated July 2, 2010 which reduces the bus loop length by 36’-0” and retains the 38 parking spaces. I also have attached for your comparison the 6-24-2010 site plan as presented at the FAC committee Community meeting on 6-24-2010. Please note that the new retaining walls height on the revised site plan will be approximately 3’-0” high as it curves around the rear of the bus loop, and reach approximately 4’-0” maximum height at its highest point. (Please note: Heights on the retaining walls are approximate heights and may change as the design progresses.)  In addition to the site plans, I have attached (below) the new perspective view of the new school viewed along the bus loop. Also please note, that a 4’-0’ wide concrete sidewalk (currently not shown on the revised site plan or the perspective) will be added to the west perimeter of the bus loop to allow students to access the school from the west.

Please review the revise site plan and perspective with your neighbors and email back your comments regarding the revised site plan ASAP, but no later than July 6, 2010. If you require any additional information regarding the above design issue please contact me (contact information removed). Thanks Joe
Attachments

BFES-SD Brochure Site Plan as sent to BOE 6-23-2010 (2)

BFES-SD.Site Plan.Revised to shorten.bus.loop.Muse.7-2-2010.

Attachments inlined as images

Posted on July 12, 2010 at 8:43 am under News.
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Montgomery Square eBulletin 5/28/10
The Annual Meeting was held on Monday 5/17.  Thank you to those who attended and to Thomas Pogue from the Office of the Director for Montgomery County Department of Transportation.  More info is below.

***************

MSCA wants volunteers for September Social

We are looking for volunteers to help with a community social event in September to be held in the Smoketree Road / Devilwood Drive area.  Please contact Steve Schuck.
****************
Support a neighbor and help a good cause
An Evening of Classical Proportions – Saturday, June 5th at 7:00
Being promoted by neighbor and performer Teddi Pensinger
Come and enjoy “An Evening of Classical Proportions” presented by the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) Community Orchestra and Chorus in association with
The East Avenue Ensemble of Chevy Chase.  The concert will take place on
Saturday, June 5th, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of the North Bethesda United
Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland.  This one-
time only performance will feature a combination of the timeless orchestral and
choral music of Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert as well as American
composers Daniel Gawthrop and Morten Lauridsen.  The performance, which is
sponsored by the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association, and
The American Music Performance Foundation.
No charge for admittance or parking.  Donations are accepted and appreciated.
Benefits NIH charities.
For more information, please visit the Orchestra’s website at  www.nihco.org
****************
Annual Meeting Details
Thomas Pogue’s Presentation – Mr. Pogue gave a detailed explanation of the services that the Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation provides.  Five major functions are:
  • Transportation Engineering – Sidewalks, Bikeways, Road Construction, Storm Drains…
  • Highway Services – Snow Removal, Potholes, Road/Curb/Sidewalk Maintenance…
  • Parking Management
  • Traffic Engineering – Speed humps, Traffic Mitigation, Signals…
  • Transit Services – Ride On, Taxi Cab licensing, Medicaid Transportation …
A main point of his is that they are here to help and open to requests and questions.
Main number is 240-777-6000 or www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot
Ice Cream social update  - Based on a bowl count, we had about 150 people through for the event.

Yard Sale update - This year we had at least 20 homes holding a yard sale – most in the past several years

Treasurer/dues report - MSCA began 2010 with a balance of $8,105.  Dues in the amount of $12,940 were received from approximately 260 families.  Expenses have been paid in the amount of $1,500 for our P.O. Box, newsletter preparation and mailing, yard sale ad, and the ice cream social.  Projected calendar year expenses include landscaping at $8,500.00, web site maintenance at $300 and Fall Newsletter, Directory Mailing and Directory at $1500.  The projected year-end balance is $9,245. - David Grossman

Directory update - We have 60% of the community that has responded with forms.   The association will do one last mailing to the 172 households that haven’t responded to the directory information and dues requests.  After that deadline passes, we will get to work on the directory.

Mont Square logo
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.org
Steve Schuck TheSchucks@longandfoster.com

or
Bob Gross
Offers & Info
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Posted on May 28, 2010 at 10:18 am under Newsletter.
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Minutes of Annual Meeting 2010

The annual meeting of the Montgomery Square Citizens Association was held as required by our bylaws, on May 17, 2010 at Beverly Farms Elementary School. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by President Bob Gross. As a courtesy to our guest speaker, the agenda began with his presentation.

Our speaker was Mr. Thomas Pogue, the Community Relations Manager for the Montgomery Count Department of Transportation, covering our area. Mr. Pogue’s office provides a lot of informational offerings for the local communities, and he provided packets for those in attendance. He described a re-organization of the County departments which separated the former Department of Public Works and Transportation into independent units. The Department of Transportation covers many issues of concern to citizens, including road maintenance, pedestrian safety, snow removal, parking, Ride-On busses, traffic engineering, etc. Valuable resources and information on the Department that he highlighted are available on the Montgomery County website: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ The Department’s main telephone number, 240-777-6000 will be replaced this year with a centralized county-wide help desk, dialing 311.

Mr. Pogue took several questions from members, covering hot topics. Snow removal was one, after the sever winter. Residents questioned whether damage to curbs caused by snow plows would be addressed. Mr. Pogue responded that the Department does plan to drive the snow plow routes and assess any damage. Residents can also report damage themselves to the number above. A standardized “service request” process will be used and residents should be sure to get a service request number to use for follow-up. In response to a question on speed humps, Mr. Pogue said that traffic calming is still an active program. There are strict criteria on speed and traffic volume, with surveys and citizen input required. After the repaving of the southern portion of the community, speed humps were replaced with lower, broader models according to current guidelines. A resident noted that the striping on some was not adequate visibility. Relevant to Seven Locks Road, there are open studies still on the Sidewalk and Bikeway, and other improvements such as repaving. The County remains far behind on repaving due to budget constraints.

Mr. Gross thanked Mr. Pogue for his long record of service to the County and to the community and for coming to our meeting.

In the community portion of the meeting, members discussed the Treasurer’s report, and a report from the President. The community finances are in good shape, with sufficient revenues to meet projected expenses. About 260 households contributed dues this year. This is slightly above prior year participation rates, representing diligent work from the Membership Chairman and the Board to encourage participation. Funds go predominantly to maintain and beautify the neighborhood entrance areas, to print the community directory, and support a few neighborhood events. Events included a special ice cream social with entertainment by our neighborhood’s resident Elvis Tribute Artist which was well attended. The annual yardsale, with support from Vice President Steve Schuck, got good feedback and will remain on our calendar. There was some discussion on the community directory, validating the consensus that it should print information on participating residents only. In part, this is as an incentive, but it also reflects reality that without submission of the dues and information form, we have no basis to list members who do not respond.

Secretary Tom Hall announced that no new nominations for the Officers of the association were received, but that current incumbents did volunteer to continue in office if elected. A motion was made and seconded to re-elect the serving Officers, passing unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00.

Posted on May 18, 2010 at 9:12 pm under Board Meeting.
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Ice Cream and Elvis E — April 10th from 3:30-5:00.   Come make an ice cream sundae (kosher frozen treats also provided), hang out with neighbors, and enjoy a performance from Montgomery Square’s Elvis E from approx 4:00-4:30.  Located at Old Canal Rd and Old Canal Ct, residents are encouraged to walk and bring something to sit on.  Weather permitting, no rain date scheduled.

Posted on March 27, 2010 at 2:34 pm under Events.
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MSCA has reported to the County’s Department of Highway Services the damage done by snow plows to the grassy areas along Seven Locks Road and to the retaining walls at the intersection of Seven Locks and Post Oak roads .  Hopefully, the County will send out an inspector and replace the grass and fix the walls in the near future.   The County’s phone number for requesting road repairs, or to follow-up on an existing service request, is:   240-777-6000.

Posted on March 5, 2010 at 3:58 pm under News.
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Please note that MSCA has received the following information from county officials via Alert Montgomery:

Montgomery County officials are urging residents to clear snow away from fire hydrants so that they are visible from the road and accessible to firefighters in the event of emergency.

Residents are also reminded to exercise caution when shoveling snow. Shovel snow into the yard rather than the street, to facilitate plowing. Cold weather puts an extra strain on the body. Individuals with heart disease or high blood pressure should follow their doctor’s advice about shoveling snow or performing other hard work in the cold. Avoid overexertion. Heart attacks from shoveling heavy snow are a leading cause of deaths during winter.

Property owners are responsible for clearing their public sidewalks, driveways and entrances within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm. All residents are strongly encouraged to be good neighbors by clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes, as well as assisting those who may not be physically able to do so.

MSCA encourages its members to sign up for Alert Montgomery, a FREE service, at https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov

Posted on February 7, 2010 at 5:52 pm under News.
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