<sh>Strong Arm Robbery
<bt>According to police reports:
Upon returning home to a unit block of Maplecrest Court, a 37-year-old Potomac man was approached from behind by two suspects.
The first suspect — described as a five-foot-nine male with a heavy build who was wearing a baseball cap and leather gloves — punched the victim in the face. The suspects then attempted to duct tape the victim's hands.
They took the victim's bag containing cash and fled down Maplecrest Court toward Maplecrest Lane. The victim heard them enter a vehicle and drive towards Deerbrooke Drive.
The second suspect was described a six-foot-two male, with a skinny build, who was wearing leather gloves.
<sh>Candidacy Deadlines
<bt>The deadline for candidates running for State Senate, House of Delegates and party central committees that run by legislative district has been extended to Monday, July 8 at 9 p.m.
The deadline for candidates to file for the 2002 Gubernatorial Primary Election is Monday, July 1 at 9 p.m.
Candidates for State Senate, House of Delegates, Circuit Court judges, Governor/Lt. Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General and Congressional representatives must file their certificate of candidacy with the Maryland State Board of Elections in Annapolis.
Candidates for County Executive, County Council, Clerk of the Court, Register of Wills, Sheriff, Board of Education and party central committees must file their certificate of candidacy with the Montgomery County Board of Elections in Rockville.
The State Board of Elections website, www.electionsmaryland.com, contains information and forms necessary for filing.
The Elections Office in Rockville will be open to accept candidate filings on both July 1 and July 8 until 9 p.m.
<sh>Transportation Forum
<bt>The Montgomery County Civic Federation held a forum on the region's traffic situation last Saturday, June 15, at the County Council Hearing Room.
Projects discussed at the forum included widening the beltway and building an inner purple rail line, among other things.
County Council is scheduled to hold worksessions on July 9 and July 16 on recommendations made in the Transportation Policy Report and to vote on July 23.
See www.co.mo.md.us/council for materials to be used by Councilmembers in the July 9 session.
The Transportation Policy Task Force met for more than a year to develop a set of recommendations to solve the county’s traffic woes. While the group had agreement on many issues, it was divided on controversial projects like the Inter-County Connector and a possible Techway and new bridge crossing the Potomac River.
Information to be used at the July 16 worksession should be available online no later than July 5.
Comments to the Council should be sent to county.council@co.mo.md.us.
<sh>Last Week's Burglaries
<bt>According to police reports:
* A safe was taken from a residence on the 13800 block of Hidden Glen Lane in Potomac, between 8:20 a.m. and 3 p.m. on June 10. Burglars broke through the rear door.
* Burglars broke into a unit block of Oaklyn Court in Potomac, between 6:10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on June 10. An unknown amount was taken.
* A computer was taken from a residence on the 8900 block of Falls Farm Drive in Potomac, between 9 p.m. on June 6 and 8 a.m. on June 7. Burglars entered through an unlocked garage and unlocked the owner's vehicles.
* Golf clubs and accessories were taken from a residence on the 12600 block of Greenbriar Road in Potomac, between 3 p.m. on May 24 and 3 p.m. on May 28. Burglars entered through an unlocked garage.
<sh>No Fireworks Allowed
<bt>During the last five years, fire investigators have confiscated over 30,000 pieces of fireworks, according to police reports. All fireworks are illegal in Montgomery County as well as in Baltimore City and Prince George's County.
In the last four years, there have been nearly a half-dozen injuries related to fireworks.
See upcoming issues in The Almanac for listings of places to see fireworks displays.
<sh>Maryland's Horse Census
<bt>The first official horse census is scheduled for August. A complete count of equine animals in Maryland has never been conducted before.
The Maryland Horse Industry Board is working with the Maryland Agricultural Statistics Service to conduct the survey and will mail the final version to 21,000 horse owners in August.
Gathering accurate equine statistics will be useful to measure the size and impact of the industry for public and private decision-making purposes, and is not to be part of any licensing, testing or other regulatory activity, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Anyone who owns a horse or pony of any breed, mule, donkey or burro should receive a questionnaire. The Maryland Horse Industry Board recommends that any owner or stable operator who does not receive a survey in August request one from the Maryland Agricultural Statistics Service at 410-841-5740 or 1-800-675-0295.
Visit www.mass.usda.gov/md for information on Maryland agriculture.
Visit www.marylandhorseindustry.org for information on the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
<sh>Keep Montgomery Beautiful
<bt>County residents who have captured the beauty of Montgomery County are encouraged to participate in the 11th Annual Amateur Photography Contest, sponsored by the Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Task Force. All photos must have been taken in Montgomery County and will be judged in the following categories:
* Montgomery County by Day: daytime outdoor shots that depict the fun, beautiful or exciting.
* Montgomery County by Night: nighttime outdoor shots of something fun, beautiful or exciting.
* Montgomery County Landmarks: outdoor shots of a natural or manmade landmark or scene that is commonly recognized.
* Montgomery County, Her People: shots of one or more residents engaged in leisure or community service.
* Montgomery County at Work: shots of one or more citizens at work.
Photographs up to 8" x 10" in size and dry-mounted on mat board will be accepted. There is no entry fee for participation. The deadline for entries is June 30. Winners will be honored at a special ceremony this fall.
Entries should be mailed to: Keep Montgomery County Beautiful, Montgomery County Amateur Photo Contest, 101 Monroe Street, 10th Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850-2540. For complete list of entry rules, call 240-777-7155 or visit the County’s website at www.dpwt.com.
<sh>Civic Calendar
<cal1>July 9, time TBA
<cal2>County Council Worksession, on Transportation Policy Report. Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. 240-777-7900. The Council is scheduled to hold the first of three full Council worksessions on the Transportation Policy Report. This worksession is to be devoted to updating the State construction priority list and to discuss whether or not to direct the Planning Board to initiate a master plan amendment of transportation facilities as an outcome of TPR and the scope of such a plan, including landuse policy issues. Information to be used by the Council during the worksession is available online at www.co.mo.md.us/council
<cal1>July 16
<cal2>County Council Worksession, on Transportation Policy Report. Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. 240-777-7900. This worksession is to review suggested transportation demand management measures, review the TPR Task Force's recommendations for restructuring and enhancing the County's bus service.
<cal1>July 23
<cal2>County Council Voting Session, on Transportation Policy Report. Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville. 240-777-7900. The Council is scheduled to vote on the issues discussed on July 9 and 16.
<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 to solicit comment and input on the staff draft of the Blockhouse Point Master Plan. Visit http:mc-mncppc.org/environment/blockhouse_mp/blockhouse_mp.htm