New Rules? Come Talk
<bt>Game time has been set for Tuesday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m.
That’s when supporters and opponents of allowing players in sixth to twelfth grades on the inline skating rink at the Potomac Community Center have an opportunity to express their views at a public forum. The Western Area Recreation Advisory Board will host the meeting at the Community Center.
The inline skating rink at Potomac Community is currently open to children in the sixth grade or younger, and hours are limited. With the recent closure of the only other facility in the county for in-line hockey leagues, some parents have petitioned the Department of Recreation to allow older players on the Potomac rink. While the citizens board of the Potomac Community Center supports such a move, some neighbors object citing the noise, trash and other problems that could arise from older players.
Letters and calls of support or opposition can be addressed to:
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, Md. 20850; 240-777-2500; e-mail: douglas.duncan@co.mo.md.us; fax: 240-777-2517.
Gregory Bayor, Director, Director's Office, Montgomery County Department of Recreation, 12210 Bushey Drive, Silver Spring, Md. 20902; 240-777-6803; e-mail: recreation@co.mo.md.us.
* The Potomac Almanac, 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, Md. 20854; 301-983-2600; e-mail: PotomacAlmanac@hotmail.com; fax: 703-917-0991.
<sh>Fatal Collision with Police
<bt>Luis Romero, 50, of North Potomac, was killed after a two-car collision — one involving a police car — in Rockville on Saturday morning, May 4.
According to police reports:
At 2:21 a.m., a marked police car driven by Officer Alexander Weistro was on routine patrol, traveling south on Rockville Pike approaching the intersection of Edmonston Drive. Romero, of the 13400 block of Travilah Road, was traveling west on West Edmonston Drive in a 1997 Ford pick-up truck.
As the police vehicle entered the intersection on a flashing yellow light, it collided with the truck which had failed to stop for a flashing red light.
Both drivers were transported by Fire/Rescue personnel to Suburban Hospital for treatment. Romero was pronounced dead a short time after his arrival at the hospital. Weistro, 29, a three-year veteran assigned to the first police district, was treated for head and hand injuries and later released. Further investigation will continue by detectives from the Collision Reconstruction Section.
<sh>House Tour to Benefit Great Falls Tavern
<bt>On May 19, part of The Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage will feature homes in Potomac and Poolesville. Historic places including Great Falls Tavern, the Seneca School House, Riley’s Lockhouse and Poole’s Country Store join the homes of Austin Kiplinger, Ginny and George Barnes, Elie Pisarra, Gay and Tony Barclay and John and Andrea Willey as part of the tour. Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets: $25. Proceeds will go to renovate the Great Falls Tavern. Call for tickets, 983-1537. Photos and story, page 22.
<sh>Spaghetti with Special Love
<bt>The Churchill Citivians are sponsoring an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner to benefit Special Love, a nonprofit that provides activities for children and young adults with cancer. The dinner is scheduled for May 21 at the Potomac Community Center from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Contact Naina Boveja at 301-983-2894.
<sh>Falls Road Clubbing with Revenue
<bt>A new 6,000-square-foot clubhouse opened Thursday, May 2 at the Falls Road Golf Course.
The $1.1 million clubhouse project included a new structure to replace two smaller 40-year-old buildings, along with significant site work, landscaping and a new sewer system.
The Montgomery County Revenue Authority is a public corporation created in local law to operate and finance public projects in the County. All of the Revenue Authority's projects are funded without tax revenues.
The remainder of the Falls Road Golf Course renovation will be completed next year.
Nearly a third of the 200,000 rounds of golf played on the county's five public golf courses are played at Falls Road.
For more information or to schedule tee times, contact the golf courses directly: Falls Road, 301-299-5156; Hampshire Greens, 301-476-7999; Laytonsville, 301-948-5288; Poolesville, 301-428-8143; and Rattlewood, 301-607-9000, or visit the website at www.montgomerycountygolf.com.
The Revenue Authority is midway through a $7 million master plan to improve and expand practice facilities and update decades-old golf courses and facilities.
The authority projects revenues of $11,302,154 in all of its operations in the county, and expenses of $8,747,641, resulting in cash from operations of $2,554,513 for the coming year. In addition, the Revenue Authority will generate $87,600 in interest income, pay $1,366,625 in debt service, and cover $245,500 in capital expenditures, resulting in net cash flow of $1,029,988.
The Montgomery County Revenue Authority's FY 03 recommended budget is available by contacting the Montgomery County Revenue Authority at 301-762-9080. The Board of Directors seek any input about the budget by May 31, 2002, so that final decisions can be made prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2002.
<sh>Vacancy on Revenue Authority <bt>There is one vacancy on the five-member Revenue Authority, which develops, maintains and administers various self-supporting projects for the public use. Currently, the Authority owns and leases the Montgomery County Airpark, operates a HUD financed retirement home with l87 units, operates five golf courses and exercises bonding authority for public facilities.
Members serve five-year terms without compensation. They are required to file public financial disclosure statements annually. Meetings are usually held from 8-10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in Rockville. Additional meetings are held as needed.
Write to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, Executive Office Building, l0l Monroe Street, Rockville, Md. 20850 by May 24 and include a brief resume, including work and home phone numbers.
The term of the position expires in July 2007. Individuals with a strong management and/or financial background are encouraged to apply.
<sh>Flea Market Itches for Vendors
<bt>Vendors are wanted for the Potomac Community Center's Indoor Flea Market and Community Yard Sale, scheduled for Saturday, June 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Potomac Community Center 11315 Falls Road.
The cost for a 8-foot by 8-foot booth in the PCC gymnasium is $25.
The Flea Market is sponsored by the Potomac Community Center Advisory Board. All of the proceeds benefit the PCC.
To register, call Linda Barlock at 301-983-4471.
<sh>Online Council Agendas
<bt>Agendas for County Council sessions and Council committee meetings, which include analysts' packets that council members use to make decisions, are available on the Council's Web site. Packets for individual Council agenda items typically include the text of bills or appropriation requests, analysis by Council staff, and opinions pro and con on the particular items, as well as charts and maps. Materials are generally available two days before the Council session or committee meeting..
Visit www.co.mo.md.us/council, click on "Agendas and Minutes," click on "Current Council or Committee Agenda with background materials."
<sh>Environmental Expedition on Water
<bt>The Potomac Sojourn is a week-long canoeing and kayaking expedition featuring educational programs, riverside camping, restoration projects, meetings with elected officials, and more. Novice and experienced paddlers can enjoy a on-the-water experience aimed to elevate awareness of the Potomac River's importance to the region and to encourage local residents to play an active role in its restoration.
The 2002 Potomac Sojourn begins on Sunday, June 23 in Shepherdstown, W. Va., and continues to Washington, DC with overnight camping stops. Participants can paddle a portion or the entire trip. Non-paddling portions are also offered.
Call Karen Fligger at 301-984-1908, x103 or by e-mail at kfligger@icprb.org.
<sh>Tour the Charity Canal
<bt>The Tour de Canal, a 184.5 charity ride that benefits the programs and services of the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area, is scheduled for Sept. 21-22, 2002 along the C&O Canal, from Cumberland to Georgetown.
Participants can join other bikers for training trips of increasing lengths, starting at 12-15 miles and ending in late August with rides of 60-80 miles. Training rides will continue every Saturday through June 8 at C&O Canal at Carderock Park, off the Clara Barton Parkway, starting at 7:45 a.m.
Completing a free, 50-mile qualifying ride is mandatory to participate in the 184- and 100-mile rides on Sept. 21-22. Qualifying rides will take place at Carderock Park on Saturdays, June 8, Sunday, July 14 and Saturday, Aug. 10, at 7:45 a.m. Riders can also take part in the 100-mile and 10-mile portions of the race.
For information, e-mail tourdecanal@together.net, visit www.alz-nca.org or call toll-free at 1-866-259-0042.
<sh>Civic Calendar
<cal1>Wednesday, May 8, 8 p.m.
<cal2>West Montgomery County Citizens Association monthly meeting, Potomac Elementary School. Sen. Jean Roesser (R-15) and Del. Jean Cryor (R-15) are the guest speakers.
<cal1>May 6-17, 2002
<cal2>Full County Council Budget Worksessions. 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900. More specific information will be provided by the Council the week of worksessions. Visit www.co.mo.md.us/council.
<cal1>Monday, May 20, 7 p.m.
Western Montgomery County Citizens Association, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. Call 301-986-4325.
<cal1>Thursday, May 23, TBA
<cal2>Council action on CIP, Capital and Operating Budgets. 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. 240-777-7900.
<cal1>Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 p.m.
<cal2>Public forum to be held by the Western Area Recreational Advisory Board on the issue of age restrictions imposed on use of the inline skating rink at the Potomac Community Center. 301-983-4471.