I have never been a much of complainer, but I had an unfortunate experience recently at the Montgomery County Community Center on Falls Road that should be of interest and import to Montgomery County government and citizens.
In June, I bought an electric car. I am still learning to live with need to plug-in every third day or so. Yesterday, around 5:30 p.m., as I left Potomac Village to drive home along Falls Road, I noticed that I only had a range of 2 miles left to go. Admittedly, this was poor planning on my part.
I wasn't sure I could make it home and had fears of either stalling in the middle of Falls Road at rush hour and causing a bad traffic jam, or of having to pull over somewhere on that narrow road thus putting myself in a danger. I was quite worried.
Then, with relief, I saw the Potomac Community Center ahead, so I pulled in thinking I had found a place to get help. I first went inside to explain what I needed, but no one was at the desk, so I went back outside to search for an external outlet. I found one not far from the parking area, although I had had to back my car up on the curb to get close enough. I plugged in and was waiting the 40 minutes or so it would take to charge a couple of miles-worth of power so I could get to my home, three miles away.
After a few minutes, a man came out and said that I shouldn't "make a habit of this." He didn't ask if he could help me, nor did he show any concern for my emergency. I explained that I lived nearby, that I was a member of the community with an emergency, and that the sign in front of this facility said "Community Center," so it seemed logical that I could seek help there. He left but did not appear happy.
About 20 minutes later, he came out again and asked how much longer this would take, said people were "complaining" that I was using the center's electricity. I should have reminded him that the taxes I have been paying since 1972 helped pay for that electricity, certainly the 50 cents worth that I had used that day. I should also have informed him that none of the plug-in places for electric cars in the area, e.g., Montgomery Mall, Whole Foods, Mom's Supermarket, etc. charge anything to plug a car in, nor is "prior permission" required. I gave him $5 and left, fuming mad.
I am airing my grievance in a public forum so that the Montgomery County Recreation Department, in fact, all county-funded facilities, should consider having a policy concerning electric cars.