July 25, 2002
Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department will receive $198,000 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, according to U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Paul Sarbanes.
The money will be used to purchase a new 2,500-3,000 gallon tanker truck with a pump to provide a water supply when fighting fires.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program received 19,500 applications requesting funding. FEMA will distribute $360 million to 5,500 of those applicants.
Congress created the Fire Grant program at FEMA and the first $100 million was appropriated for the program in 2000. This year, Congress provided $150 million in the VA-HUD bill and an additional $290 million in the emergency supplemental bill that passed in December.
<sh>Visit County’s Rural Present
<bt>Agricultural activities occupy about one-third of Montgomery County’s total land area, but it’s taken more than fertile soil to preserve the county’s rural legacy.
On July 27 and 28, 15 of the county’s 526 farms will be open for the annual farm tour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Farm tour participants will be able to purchase local products, including fresh produce, flowers, plants and herbs. Some farms will feature attractions such as pony rides, hay rides, pick-your-own vegetable patches and opportunities for close-up encounters with farm animals.
Brochure and map available online at www.farmerlink.com. Call 301-590-2823.
<sh>Missing Woman
<bt>Lucie Van Heeckeren, 49, of Cabin John was last seen on Sunday, July 21 at her residence on the 8100 block of Riverside Avenue, according to police reports. Van Heeckeren, a 5-foot-8,120-pound white female with teeth in poor condition, has schizophrenia, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Montgomery County Police, 2nd District station, at 301-652-9200.
<sh>Elderly Woman Assaulted in Home
<bt>An 83-year-old Bethesda woman was struck in the face by a burglar in her own home on July 22, according to police.
An emergency alert company received a page from the woman, who lives in the 6000 block of Roseland Drive, at approximately 9:39 p.m, according to police. She said an unknown male had struck her in the face and was going through her dresser drawers and house.
Police discovered that the back door to the residence had been kicked in. The woman told police that she was asleep in bed when she heard a noise and awoke to find the male suspect in her bedroom. The suspect demanded money from the victim, and when she began to scream, struck her in the face, according to police. Montgomery County Fire/Rescue units treated her for facial injuries.
Police remind residents to keep doors and windows locked and to report suspicious persons or activities immediately. Police also ask neighbors to keep an eye out for elderly persons in their neighborhoods.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 2nd District Investigative Section at 301-657-0112 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-800-673-2777.
<sh>Potomac Burglary
<bt>According to police reports:
Burglars broke a window and stole currency and keys from the Inverness Swim Club, 10820 Deborah Drive, between 9 p.m. on July 16 and 8 a.m. on July 17.
<sh>Register and Vote
<lst>The voter registration deadlines for the 2002 elections are 9 p.m. Aug. 20, 2002 for the Sept. 10 primary election, and 9 p.m. Oct. 15, 2002, for the Nov. 5 general election.
Voter registration applications are available from the Elections Office, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville. Call 240-777-8500 and leave a message at the 24-hour voter information line at 240-777-VOTE.
Forms are also available at all Montgomery County public libraries, Montgomery College, public high schools, U.S. post offices and county government regional service centers.
The form can be printed from the state elections Website at www.elections.state.md.us and mailed back.
<sh>Correction
<bt>Wintergreen Plaza shopping center is jointly owned and operated by Baier Properties, Inc. and the Fordham Development Company.
<sh>Pressing for Pedestrian Safety
<bt>Montgomery County Police Department has issued 616 citations during six targeted enforcement actions this year aimed at improving pedestrian safety and curbing aggressive driving. Of these, 132 citations and 24 warnings were issued during three special crosswalk sting enforcement actions.
For more information about pedestrian safety in Montgomery County, call Montgomery County Pedestrian Safety Coordinator Lori Gillen at 240-777-2500, or check the county’s website at www.co.mo.md.us and click on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.
<sh>Federal Telecenters
<bt>The U.S. General Services Administration will establish two Federal telecenters in Montgomery County, according to U.S. Rep. Connie Morella (R-8).
Currently the County has no telecenters despite having the highest concentration of Federal workers among suburban Washington jurisdictions, according to Morella.
The specific locations have not been selected, but the U.S. General Services Administration did study possibilities to serve the Route 355/I-270 corridor and a telecenter to serve the Georgia Avenue/New Hampshire Avenue corridor.
The study indicates that the I-270 telecenter will likely be located between Shady Grove and Germantown, according to Morella.
<sh>Openings for Non-farmers
<bt>County Executive Doug Duncan is seeking applicants to fill two non-farmer vacancies on the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. Two incumbents are eligible and intend to apply for reappointment.
The five-member board advises the county executive and County Council on the status of agricultural districts and promotes preservation of agriculture. Members serve five-year terms without compensation and meet the first Tuesday evening of each month in Rockville.
Applicants should write by July 31 to Duncan at the Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850. A brief resume, including home and work phone numbers should be enclosed. Members of county boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.
<sh>Civic Calendar
<cal1>Thursday, July 25, 10:30 a.m.—Noon.
<cal2>Seniors Organized for Change Candidates Forum for County Council and Circuit Court Judges at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road. Call 301-881-0100.
<cal1>Thursday, July 25, 1:30—2:30 p.m.
<cal2>Seniors Organized for Change Candidates Forum for Maryland Attorney General at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, 6125 Montrose Road. Call 301-881-0100.
<cal1>Saturday, July 27, 1-3 p.m.
<cal2>Brian Feldman, Democratic candidate for Delegate in District 15, will hold a Family Fun Day Party at the home of Steve and Lynn Markenson, North Potomac. Call 301-517-5719.
<cal1>Saturday July 27, 3-5 p.m.
<cal2>Day in the country to help elect Republican Bob Ehrlich, candidate for Governor. 18911 Beallsville Road, Poolesville. Fundraiser. Call Laurie Bendall at 202-728-8921
<cal1>Saturday July 27, 2-5 p.m.
<cal2>Family picnic fundraiser for Sen. Jean Roesser (R-15). Home of Winnie and Tom Reed, 14211 Dufief Mill Rd., Gaithersburg, 2-5 p.m. Call 301-972-8512.
<cal>Tuesday, July 30,
<cal2>County Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on details surrounding Go Montgomery and the Transportation Policy Report. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900. The meeting will be televised live on the Montgomery County Cable Channel.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>County Council Public Hearing on Potomac Sectional Map Amendment. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Call 240-777-7931 to testify.
<cal1>Tuesday, July 30, 1:30 p.m.
<cal2>County Council Public Hearing on zoning text amendment, which would allow plastic deer fences to be built up to eight feet high. County Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Call 240-777-7931 to testify.
<cal1>August 2002
<cal2>Park and Planning is scheduled to publish the staff draft of the Blockhouse Point Master Plan. To send comments about the park master plan in writing, or to get on the mailing list to receive information about the Blockhouse Point Master Plan, address letters to: Blockhouse Point Master Plan, 1109 Spring Street, Suite 800, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
<cal1>September 2002
<cal2>Park and Planning has tentatively scheduled a public meeting, 8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, to solicit comment and input on the staff draft of the Blockhouse Point Master Plan. Visit www.mc-mncppc.org/environment/blockhouse_mp/blockhouse_mp.htm
<cal1>Tuesday, Sept. 10
<cal2>Primary Elections will be held. Voter registration applications are available from the Elections Office, 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville. Call 240-777-8500 and leave a message at the 24-hour voter information line at 240-777-VOTE.
<cal1>Tuesday, Nov. 5
<cal2>General Election.
<lst>Send items for the civic calendar to Potomac Almanac managing editor Ken Moore, 10220 River Road, Suite 330, Potomac, Md. 20854; call 301-983-2600; e-mail to PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com; Fax to 703-917-0991.