Heroes from Cabin John
Members of the Montgomery County Swift Water Rescue team, who are usually deployed at Cabin John Station on River Road, assisted rescuers in Baltimore County after the hurricane.
The teams had been positioned in anticipation of rescue situations. “We deployed boats strategically throughout the county,” said Pete Piringer, spokesman for the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Department.
But then at about 2 a.m. on Friday, Baltimore County’s Fire Department called to ask for assistance. About 35 members of Montgomery County’s team made the trip to the Dundalk/Essex area to assist in helping people who were caught in flooding, said Piringer.
“They were pulling people out of their second-story windows, and off of decks that were floating away,” Piringer said.
The crews made between 150 and 200 rescues in a 12-hour period. “Some, apparently, were quite dramatic,” Piringer said.
It was Piringer’s understanding that Baltimore County Executive James Smith had called the teams heroes.
The effects were even more far-reaching — as a result of the Montgomery County teams making the trip, Anne Arundel County teams had been able to stay in place and make necessary rescues in their own jurisdiction. “Our team was really instrumental,” Piringer said.
Legacy Open Space
The Planning Board is seeking individuals to fill openings on the Legacy Open Space Advisory Committee.
The Legacy Open Space program establishes criteria for protecting important natural resources, water supply sites, heritage resources, farmland, trail connections and urban open space in Montgomery County.
In Potomac, the program made possible the purchase of hundreds of acres of new parkland, including Callithea Farm and the Serpentine Barrens.
Copies of the Legacy Open Space Functional Master Plan are available online at www.mc-mncppc.org, or at the address below.
Members of the group should expect to attend four meetings per year. Those interested in joining should send a letter of interest, noting relevant organization memberships, experience and expertise to: Marion Joyce, Community Relations Manager, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 or fax to 301-495-4724.
Sniper Victims’ Memorial
On Oct. 1 at 6:30 p.m. a candlelight vigil will be held to remember the victims of last year’s sniper shootings. The remembrance ceremony will include brief remarks from County Executive Doug Duncan (D), an interfaith prayer service and music by folk singer Tom Paxton, accompanied by the University Park Children’s Choir.
A memorial plaque honoring the 10 shooting victims will be unveiled and a tree planted in their memory.
Call 240-777-6530.
The Nominees Are …
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce is starting its search for nominees for Businessperson of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Youth of the Year for 2003.
These awards are given annually by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce and are presented annually at the Potomac Day Parade, this year scheduled for Oct. 25.
Businessperson of the Year must work or do business in Potomac (20854 zip code), be a member of the Potomac Chamber and must have benefited the community. Citizen of the Year can be a private citizen or organization that has benefited the local, regional or national community. Youth of the Year must live or attend high school in Potomac. Youths must be nominated by their school principals or counselors.
Nomination forms and guidelines may be obtained from Fred Goldman 301-294-0007, fax 301-294-9055. The deadline for entries is Sept. 26.
Service Academies
U. S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-8) announced that his office is accepting applications from students in the Eighth Congressional District, which includes Potomac, for nominations to one of the uniformed service academies.
The academies for which nominations will be made are the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
Applications may be obtained in person or by writing to Van Hollen’s office at 51 Monroe Street, Suite 507, Rockville, MD 20850. Those requesting an application are asked to include a brief biography and some information to allow the office to open a file on the applicant.
Completed applications and supporting materials must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Rockville Office by Friday, Oct. 17. Call 301-424-3501.