Rockville 021115

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TheGazette

B-E-E SPELLST-R-O-U-B-L-EKensington Arts Theatrepresents musical“25th Annual PutnamCounty Spelling Bee.”

B-5

A&E

NEWS: Neighbors wary ofbig retailer at former BAE sitein Aspen Hill. A-3

Automotive B-15Business A-13Calendar A-2Classified B-11Entertainment B-5Obituaries A-12Opinion A-16Sports B-1

INDEX

PleaseRECYCLE

Volume 28, No. 6,Two sections, 36 PagesCopyright © 2015The Gazette

ROCKVILLE | ASPEN HILL | POTOMAC | OLNEY

25 centsDA ILY UPDATES AT GAZETTE .NETWednesday, February 11, 2015

SPORTS: Good Counsel juniorone of the top wrestlers in thenation for his weight class. B-1

FOWL AND FELINES TO THE FORERockville hearing focuses on hens and cats. A-3

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n City postpones vote on changing itsstandards, pending March meeting

BY RYAN MARSHALL

STAFFWRITER

After weeks of debate and public hearings ona controversial proposal to change how the citybalances development with growing school en-rollment, Rockville’s mayor and council were setto voteMondaynight.

But theydidn’t.Instead, they decided to wait until they see

whathappens at a countymeetingon the subjectnextmonth.

The mayor and council voted, 3-2, to post-pone the vote on whether to tie the city’s schoolstandards toMontgomeryCounty’s,withnoclearidea ofwhen theywould revisit the issue.

Supporting the postponement were MayorBridget Donnell Newton and CouncilwomenBeryl Feinberg and Virginia Onley. CouncilmanTomMoore andCouncilwoman Julie PalakovichCarr opposed thedelay.

The proposal would have raised Rockville’sthreshold for cutting off development in an areawhen the local schools reached 120 percentof their programmed capacity — the county’sthreshold — from the current standard of 110percent. Capacity also would have been mea-suredacross all the schools in a givenhigh school

Rockvilledeferringto countyfor now

n Middle and high school daysto start 20 minutes later

BY LINDSAY A. POWERS

STAFFWRITER

Montgomery County middle andhigh school students can sleep in an-other 20 minutes starting next schoolyear.

Following another round of heateddebate on the issue, the school boardvoted 5-3 Tuesday to shift bell times.High schools and middle schools willstart and end20minutes later.

Elementary schools will start 10minutes later andend20minutes later.School officials said the extra 10 min-utesof thedaywillbe for longer lunchesand recesses.

High schools currently start at 7:25a.m. Middle schools start at 7:55 a.m.andelementary schools,whicharesplitinto two tiers, start at 8:50 and9:15 a.m.

At the board’s request, Superinten-dent Joshua P. Starr presented a rangeof options for a possible change —some thatwould cost a fewmilliondol-lars, some thatwouldn’t cost anything.

Board President Patricia O’Neillsaid after Tuesday’s vote that Starr’sproposal made in 2013 would havebeen the best solution, but its $21million price tag wasn’t possible forthe district to take on. O’Neill said the20-minute shift is “a step in the rightdirection.”

“You justhave todowhat you thinkis right and I became convinced, andsome of my other colleagues did, thatwe need to give our high school andmiddleschoolkidsabitof reliefandthisis as good as we can do given the fiscal

Split board agrees to change bell times

TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE

Lisa Silverberg (left) and son Jesse, 12, who attends Takoma Park Middle School, chant with other Montgomery County PublicSchools students and their parents, most wearing robes and pajamas over winter clothes, during a demonstration Monday outsidethe Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville.

n At Bethesda meeting,residents express a mix of

opinions about higher charges

BY ELIZABETH WAIBEL

STAFFWRITER

TheNational Park Service is scal-ing back its plans to increase userfees at the Chesapeake&Ohio CanalNational Historical Park.

The park still proposes raising

current entrance, campground andpavilion rental fees, but only at parklocations where those fees are nowcollected.

“We have seen the great passionwe all share for this park displayedover the course of threepublicmeet-ings and have three more sched-uled,” Superintendent Kevin Brandtsaid in a news release issued lateFriday. “At this point we’re modify-ing our proposal and will continuepublic dialogue.”

At a public meeting Thursday at

the Washington Waldorf School inBethesda, feedback wasmixed.

Some expressed concern aboutthe hardship that more and higherfees might cause users, while othersemphasized theneed to raisemoneyto care for the park, which stretchesfrom Cumberland to Washington,D.C.

The park service recently an-nounced that it was consideringraising fees at theC&OCanal park, tobring it in line with other parks in itscategory, such as Antietam National

Battlefield.Brandt said at Thursday’s meet-

ing that the Park Service has beendeferring maintenance projects be-cause of federal budget cuts, whichputs some areas of the park in dan-ger of deteriorating beyond repair.

“Weare livingonborrowed time,becausewe aren’t doing themainte-nance,” he said.

Brandt said people at previouspublic meetings near the western

C&O park pulls back on plan to raise fees

n ElderSAFE Center offers temporaryshelter for vulnerable, older population

BY DANIEL LEADERMAN

STAFFWRITER

Senior citizens who become the victims ofabuse now have access to a special, temporaryshelter throughanewprogramrunbyaRockvilleorganization that provides housing and servicesfor seniors.

The ElderSAFE Center, established withinthe Charles E. Smith Life Communities in Sep-tember, offers “a full panoply” of senior-focusedmedical services that other shelters might notbe able to provide, said Tovah Kasdin, a formerprosecutorwho is now thedirector of the center.

An inaugural celebration for the center washeld Jan. 28.

The abuse encountered by seniors can bephysical, psychological, sexual or even financial,Kasdin, said.

Since the center opened in September, Kas-dinhasofferedadmissiontothreeseniors,but forvarious reasons thosepeopledidnotcometo theshelter, she said. Inonecase, awomanwasbeing

A safe place forabused seniors

n North Bethesda site hosts tours,history and spoken word events

BY ELIZABETH WAIBEL

STAFFWRITER

A historic park in North Bethesda is hosting aseries of events tomark BlackHistoryMonth.

EverySaturday inFebruary, the JosiahHensonPark is offering free guided tours and showing adocumentary about archaeological researchat thepark. Themonth’s events finish up with a spokenword poetry event Feb. 28.

The park is named for theRev. JosiahHenson,who was a slave on the Riley farm in what is now

North Bethesda in the late 1700s and early 1800s.Henson escaped to freedom in Canada, and hisautobiography probably inspired the abolitionistnovel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” according to the De-partment of Parks.

TheHensonpark still has the Riley farmhouseand historians are still researching the site.

On Feb. 28, people can celebrate Black His-tory Month by presenting their compositions at aspoken word poetry event, “Lyrical Rhythms: TheSounds of Freedom.” At the event, which runsfrom 3 to 4 p.m., people can contribute originalpoetry, songs or other formsof artistic expression.

This Saturday and Feb. 21 and 28, the park of-

Black history comes to life at Henson park this month

HERITAGE MONTGOMERY

Josiah Henson Park in North Bethesda is hosting aseries of events for Black History Month in February.

Schools vs. development

See FEES, Page A-15

See HISTORY, Page A-15 See SENIORS, Page A-15

See VOTE, Page A-14

See BELL, Page A-15

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12Loss of a Child Support Group, 6:30-8

p.m.,MontgomeryHospice, 1355 PiccardDrive, Rockville. For parents grieving thedeath of a child of any age. Free, registra-tion required. 301-921-4400.

THURSDAY, FEB. 12“The Yankees” Showing, 12:15 p.m.,

B’nai Israel Hazak Group, 6301 Mon-trose Road, Rockville. Award-winningcomedy about an Orthodox Yeshivabaseball team. Bring a brown bag dairylunch; drinks and cookies provided.Free. www.bnaiisraelcong.org.

American Red Cross Blood Drive,12:30-6 p.m., Salem United MethodistChurch, 12 High St., Brookeville. Hostedby Sandy Spring Lions Club. Free. [email protected].

Where and How to Get Financing,1-3:30 p.m., Wheaton Business Inno-vation Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road,Suite 700. Commercial banker andsmall-business adviser discuss financ-ing resources, programs are available tostartups, what’s needed to qualify andwhat lenders seek in a loan package. $50.301-403-8300, ext. 22.

Screen Issues: Taming the ElectronicMonster in Your Home, 7-8:30 p.m., EarleB.WoodMiddle School, 14615 BauerDrive, Rockville. Hosted by the Parent En-couragement Program andMontgomeryCounty Public Schools. Free. 301-929-8824.

NAMI MC General Education Meet-ing, 7-8:30 p.m., 11718 ParklawnDrive,Rockville. Veronica E. Cruz discusses herrole as a forensic social worker special-izing in criminal defense, the intersectionbetween criminal justice and thementalhealth system, and needed changes. Free.301-949-5852.

Celebrating Cultural Heritage in Honorof Black History Month, 7-8:30 p.m.,Bethesda-Chevy ChaseHigh School, 4301EastWest Highway, Bethesda. An eveningcelebrating diverse cultures in the com-munity.Members of theMinority Schol-ars Program and other students presentspokenword, dance,music and songs,followed by amessage fromDeRionne P.Pollard, president ofMontgomery College.Free. 301-938-9102.

FRIDAY, FEB. 13Medic Against Bomb: A Doctor’s Po-

etry of War, 7:15-8:30 a.m., Oakville Grille,Wildwood Shopping Center, 10257 OldGeorgetown Road, Bethesda. Fred Foote, a

poet, doctor, retired Navy captain and ho-listic healer, uses his poetry to introduce adiscussion on how communities can healveterans through arts and nature. [email protected].

Montgomery Hospice BereavementWorkshop: Forever Yours, 1-2:30 p.m.,1355 PiccardDrive, Rockville. Workshopfor widows, widowers and life partnerswhowant to honor and remember theirloved ones on Valentine’s Day. Free, regis-tration required. 301-921-4400.

SATURDAY, FEB. 14Antique and Collectible Show, 10

a.m.-5 p.m., Montgomery County Fair-grounds, 16 Chestnut St., Gaithersburg,also 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 15. Dealerswith antiques and collectibles for sale,including furniture, porcelain, silver,books, linens, advertising and jewelry.$6 for both days. 301-649-1915.

PAWS to Read, 11 a.m.-noon, As-pen Hill Library, 4407 Aspen Hill Road,Rockville. Pets on Wheels helps promotechildren reading and relieves their anxi-ety when learning to read. Natty, Recoand Kirby will listen as children read tothem. Free. 240-773-9410.

Owl-n-tine’s Day, 5 p.m., CroydonCreek Nature Center, 852 Avery Road,Rockville. Learn about owls, hear a story,dissect an owl pellet and see the residentowl. Ages 6 and up. $7-$9. 240-314-8770.

NIH Community Chorus Presents “AWinter Valentine,” 7:30 p.m., St. MarkPresbyterian Church, 10701 Old George-town Road, North Bethesda. FeaturesRodgers and Hart’s “My Funny Valen-tine,” Sondheim’s “Send In The Clowns”and Billy Joel’s “And So It Goes.” Fol-lowed by chocolate buffet. Free, dona-tions welcome. nihco.org.

SUNDAY, FEB. 15Mardi Party and Dance, 11:15 a.m.-1

p.m., CSA Church 5910 Goldsboro Road,Bethesda. Featuring NewOrleans-styleband the Jefferson Street Strutters, kingcake and potluck lunch. Free. 301-229-3383.

Family Ramble: Winter Adaptations,1:30-2:30 p.m., Croydon Creek NatureCenter, 852 Avery Road, Rockville. Joina naturalist on a hike through theHayesForest Preserve. Children under 12mustbe accompanied by an adult. $4-$6. 240-314-8770.

TUESDAY, FEB. 17Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner,

5:30-7:30 p.m.,Mill Creek Parish UnitedMethodist Church, 7101Horizon Terrace,Derwood. Hosted by Youth Group, servingpancakes, bacon, applesauce and drinks.Proceeds support the teenagers’ summermission trips to Virginia, Delaware andMaryland. Donations [email protected].

Volunteer Tutor Information Session,7:30-9 p.m.,Wheaton Library, 11701 Geor-gia Ave. Literacy Council ofMontgomeryCounty holds information session for vol-unteers interested in helping adults learnto read, write or speak English. Tutorswork one-on-one or with small groups.No foreign language skills necessary. Free,registration required. 301-610-0030.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18Marketing on a Shoestring Budget,

10 a.m.-noon, Maryland Women’s Busi-ness Center, 51 Monroe St., Plaza East-20, Rockville. How to market a business,increase brand awareness and connectwith potential clients on a small budget.$10. [email protected].

Wine, Women and Heart Health,5:30-8 p.m., Medstar Montgomery Medi-cal Center, 18101 Prince Philip Drive,Olney. Signs and symptoms of heartdisease and ways to reduce risk, withEstelle Jean, cardiologist fromMedStarHealth Cardiology Associates. With winetasting and light dinner. Free, registra-tion required. 301-774-8881.

Matters of the Heart: Heart-HealthyCooking Demo, 7-8:15 p.m., BrookeGrove Rehabilitation and Nursing Cen-ter, 18131 Slade School Road, SandySpring. How to keep healthful eatingresolutions with recipes with heart-healthy “super-foods” and nutritiousingredients. Free, RSVP requested. 301-388-7209.

THE GAZETTEPage A-2 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 r

BestBet

MC Live! A SpecialEvening of Comedy,6-9 p.m., JewishCommunity Centerof GreaterWashing-ton, 6125Montrose

Road, Rockville. Hosted by sixJewish organizations that supportpeople with disabilities. Proceedsbenefit Friendship Circle, Jew-ish Community Center of GreaterWashington, Jewish Foundation forGroupHomes, Jewish Social ServiceAgency,Matan and Sulam. $36. 240-283-6053.

THURS

12

EVENTSSend items at least two weeks in advance of the paper in which you would like them toappear. Go to calendar.gazette.net and click on the submit button.Questions? Call 301-670-2070.

MORE INTERACTIVE CALENDARITEMS AT WWW.GAZETTE.NET

PHOTO GALLERYBlake’s Martha Sam races for the win in the 500 meter event at the 4A West Region

track meet held at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complexin Landover on Thursday. Go to clicked.Gazette.net.

SPORTS Damascus defends its wrestling duals state title this week and Clarksburgand Northwest will try to win indoor track and field championships Tuesday.

Check online for coverage.

• A Jan. 28 article about a women’s legislative briefing in Rockville misspelledthe last nameofMekalaRajagopal and incorrectly said she isworkingwith aWorldBank initiative to eliminate poverty. She is working with action/2015.

• A Feb. 4 article on the county’s transportation priorities misstated Al Rosh-dieh’s title. He is acting director of the county’s Department of Transportation.

CORRECTIONS

Get complete, currentweather information

at NBCWashington.com

GAZETTE CONTACTSThe Gazette – 9030 Comprint Court

Gaithersburg,MD 20877Main phone: 301-948-3120 Circulation: 301-670-7350

Robert Rand,managingeditor, Rockville: [email protected], 240-864-1325Elizabeth Waibel, staff writer: [email protected], 301-280-3500Peggy McEwan, staff writer: [email protected], 301-670-2041

The Gazette (ISSN 1077-5641) is publishedweekly for $29.99 a year byThe Gazette, 9030Comprint Court, Gaithersburg,MD 20877. Periodicals postage paid at Gaithersburg,Md.Postmaster: Send address changes. VOL. 28, NO. 6 • 2 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES

Olney students performat Disney World

School’s theater ensemble entertains inOrlando

Members of St. John’s EpiscopalSchool’s “Oasis” Musical Theatre Ensemblebecame stars of their own Disney show Jan.30, when they performed at the WatersideStage at Downtown Disney in Orlando, Fla.

The 12 fourth- through eighth-gradersfrom the Olney school traveled to the Dis-ney resort to take part in the Disney Per-forming Arts Program. The show choir,under the direction of Andrew Baughman,entertained hundreds of guests.

“Walt Disney World’s college programis a professional entry point for many

young artists,” Baughman said in a newsrelease. “It was really exciting for our ... stu-dents to get to go backstage at Disney andexperience performing in their professionalvenue.”

This was the group’s second visit tothe resort with the 25-year-old Disney Per-forming Arts Program.

The St. John’s group was selected fromvocal, instrumental and dance ensemblesaround the world that apply to perform atDisney resorts.

Campus congratsEmille Beller, a sophomore at Hartwick

College in Oneonta, N.Y., was named to thefall semester dean’s list.

Beller, who is majoring in political sci-ence and has participated in the honorsprogram, is the daughter of Michael andSusan Beller of Potomac.

• The following students were named tothe fall semester dean’s list at Hood College

in Frederick:Michael Bushman of North Potomac;

and Lucy Hurlbut and Samantha Marquez-Gamer, both of Olney.

• Maya Alexis Hester of Olney gradu-ated in December from the Honors Collegeof Towson University with a bachelor’s inEnglish.

Hester, who also was named to thefall semester dean’s list, is the daughterof Chris and Beth Hester of Olney, and a2011 graduate of Sherwood High School inSandy Spring.

T H E G A Z E T T EWednesday, February 11, 2015 r Page A-3

Robert S. Yount Jr., 89, of Gaithersburgdied Feb. 7, 2015. A memorial service will beat 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at Rockville United Meth-odist Church.

Robert S. Yount Jr.

DEATHS

n Neighbors wary of bigretailer in Aspen Hill

BY KEVIN JAMES SHAYSTAFF WRITER

Numerous residents ob-jected last week to the zon-ing proposed by planningofficials for the site of a vacant263,000-square-foot building inAspen Hill.

The highly visible, 10-acreproperty on Connecticut Av-enue near Aspen Hill Road hashad a vacant building since2010, when defense and aero-space contractor BAE Systemsmoved out. The site comprisesmost of the 14 acres beingreviewed by county officialsthrough a “minor” amendmentprocess to Aspen Hill’s masterplan.

Most speakers at a Mont-gomery County Council hearingFeb. 3 asked that council mem-bers not go along with the Plan-ning Board’s recommendationto rezone the property to neigh-borhood retail from its presentoffice designation. They pre-ferred commercial residentialneighborhood zoning, whichthey said would not allow suchbig retailers.

Neighborhood retail zon-ing could allow a building upto 218,453 square feet and fivestories tall, said Melissa Ryan,president of the Aspen HillCivic Association. Commercialresidential neighborhood zon-ing allows up to 50,000 square

feet, unless the retailer is a gro-cery store, she said.

“We in Aspen Hill do notconsider this minor,” addedJudy Fink, a board memberof the Aspen Hill Civic Asso-ciation and steering committeemember of Aspen Hill Home-owners Group. She said thegroups have more than 2,000signatures on a petition fromresidents who oppose neigh-borhood retail zoning.

Casey Anderson, chairmanof the county’s Planning Board,told the council that it was clearthat office zoning was not work-ing for that site and there wasstill a “strong demand for re-tail” in the area. The plan is notrecommending a big-box use,but a zone that will respond tochanging market forces in thearea, he said.

“The focus on big box ismisplaced,” Anderson said.“Many grocery stores, REI,Best Buy and stores like thatcould be considered big box,but would also be consistentwith what the community de-sires.”

Andrea Gilles, lead planneron the project for the county,said she had heard from peo-ple who wanted more groceryoptions in that section besidesa 54,000-square-foot GiantFood supermarket on Con-necticut Avenue. Fink saidthere were other grocery storesin a larger general area, includ-ing another Giant at LeisureWorld and a Safeway on Nor-beck Road.

The plan also seeks to con-nect shopping centers in thearea, so people can walk be-tween them, Gilles said.

Earlier Feb. 3, CouncilmanMarc Elrich (D-At Large) ofTakoma Park questioned whyplanners would allow build-ings as tall as 60 feet on the sitewhen neighborhood retail zon-ing allowed only 50 feet at most.

“You have actually changedwhat is allowed in the [neigh-borhood retail] zone,” Elrichsaid.

The 60 feet was a carryoverfrom the original plan, Gillessaid. But planners will doublecheck on that issue, she said.

The council’s Planning,Housing and Economic De-velopment Committee is ten-tatively scheduled to beginreviewing the plan March 2.That committee is chaired byNancy Floreen (D-At Large)of Garrett Park and includesCouncil President George L.Leventhal (D-At Large) of Ta-koma Park and Hans Riemer(D-At Large) of Takoma Park.

Bruce H. Lee, presidentof Lee Development Groupin Silver Spring, the site’s de-veloper, said he has tried forseveral years to find an officetenant without success. Wal-Mart expressed interest inthe property if the zoning waschanged, then withdrew dueto uncertainty in the county’szoning processes. Before that,Costco was interested in AspenHill, but was lured to Wheatonafter the county offered a $4

million subsidy, opening therein 2013.

At the nearby NorthgatePlaza Shopping Center, Lee’scompany spent millions ofdollars in upgrades and addeda roughly 60,000-square-footKohl’s Department Store in2012. “We plan to spend a simi-lar amount and would like toduplicate what we did there” atthe BAE site, Lee said.

He said he supportedthe planning board’s recom-mended zoning. The maximumstore size would be smaller thanmany say after parking andother requirements are met,Lee said.

Boris Lander, co-presidentof the Aspen Hill Business Co-alition and owner of nearbyDunkin’ Donuts locations,said his stores “have struggled”since BAE closed and received aboost after Kohl’s opened.

“We are eager for a newlarge retailer in this area,”Lander said. “The area couldbecome a retail destination.”

The former BAE build-ing was first occupied by Vi-tro Corp., which started in the1950s as a manufacturing com-pany of mostly slide transpar-encies for overhead projectorsand eventually became part ofBAE. Vitro once had two otherbuildings in a campus there,but they were torn down in the1990s to make way for HomeDepot.

[email protected]

Residents blast proposed rezone for BAE site

n Rockville hearing focuseson chickens and cats

BY RYAN MARSHALLSTAFF WRITER

If the crowds who showed uptotestifyatahearingonproposedchanges to Rockville’s animalcontrol ordinance are represen-tative, the city’s residents like catsand they really like chickens.

More than 20 people turnedup Monday night at city hall totestify at a public hearing be-fore the mayor and council onchanges to the ordinance thatwould allow residents to keepup to five hens in the backyardsof single-family homes, as well aschange how the city deals withferal cats.

The changes would requirethe licensing of not only dogs,but cats and ferrets; impose newrequirements on the sheltersand tethers required for animalshoused outdoors; and allow thecity to designate an area for dogsto be off their leashes in a publicarea as long as they are withintheir handler’s sight.

The changes also would al-ter the city’s schedule of fines foranimal-related violations.

Currently, only dogs are re-quired to be licensed in the city.

Sophia Zuckman, 10, told themayor and council she was ex-cited to hear about the possiblechange to allow hens.

Keeping chickens would al-low children to learn about biol-ogy and the different breeds ofchickens, as well as be more con-nected to their food and where itcomes from, she said.

Children who have chickenscould be more involved in agri-culture, join the 4-H Club andshow their hens at the Montgom-ery County Agricultural Fair, shesaid.

Zuckman said her mothergrewuponafarm,andshewouldlike theopportunity tohavesomeof the same experiences that hermother had.

Clark Reed, chairman of thecity’s Environment Commission,said residents should be allowedto raise hens, and the commis-sion had unanimously endorsedthe proposal.

And because roosters wouldstill be banned, “Our sunriseswill continue to be seen and notheard,” he said.

Another resident, Brigitta

Mullican, said she’s concernedabout potential problems if thecity allows chickens, and shedoesn’t want to see an increasein the city’s animal control bud-get to deal with the birds.

The proposal also wouldchange the city’s strategy fordealing with feral cats. It calls fortrapping, then spaying or neuter-ing them, and giving them rabiesvaccinations before releasingthem back into the population.

The system, known as trapneuter release, is the only effec-tive approach to managing thecat populations, said Erin Robin-son of Alley Cat Allies, a Bethesdagroup that advocates for humanetreatment of feral cats.

The rationale behind themethod is that by eliminatingcats’ ability to reproduce, thepopulation in an area decreasesover time rather than allowingnew cats to move into an areaand breed.

Whetheryou lovecatsorhatethem, most people can agree thatthey’d like to see fewer feral cats,saidKimDeserioofGaithersburg,who helps work with feral popu-lations.

Animal control officers willnever be able to get all the catsin an area, and those that areleft will just breed and rebuildthe population, causing animalcontrol to come back to the sameneighborhoods again and again,she said.

People for the Ethical Treat-ment of Animals sent a letterto the city expressing concernsabout some of the provisions inthe trap neuter release, or “TNR,”section of the proposed law.

“By its very name, so-called‘TNR’ programs ‘return’ or ‘re-lease’ cats into the street — usu-ally with no way of securingpreventive and/or emergencyveterinary care (it’s virtually im-possible to re-trap cats who havebeen trapped once before) noradequate protection from the el-ements or the countless dangersthat domestic animals face whenrunning at large — especiallywhen they’re perceived as a nui-sance,” the letter said.

The record from the publichearing will remain open untilFeb. 24. The mayor and councilare scheduled to discuss the ordi-nance changes on March 9, witha vote tentatively scheduled forApril 20.

[email protected]

City pecks away atanimal ordinance

PEOPLEMore online at www.gazette.net

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Dyer, LaMarcaDon and Patty LaMarca and Bob and Starr Dyer are excited to announce theengagement of Dominic LaMarca and Danielle Dyer.

Dominic and Danielle’s lives first crossed in the halls of Towson University.

Dominic attended Magruder High School in Rockville, MD, and graduatedfrom Towson in 2008 with a degree in Computer Information Systems.Currently he is a Principal Management Consultant at the technologyconsulting firm Infinitive.

Danielle attended St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis, MD, and graduatedSumma cum Laude from Towson in 2009 with a degree in MassCommunications. She is employed at Iron Bow Technology as a PartnerMarketing Manager.

The couple got engaged at Veritas Vineyards near Charlottesville, VA. We’reall heading back to Veritas for the wedding on September 6, 2015. WooHoo!

Engagement

1932226

1932088


n Rockville still withoutpermanent hireafter departure

BY RYANMARSHALL

STAFFWRITER

Rockville’s new city clerkshould continue to report tothe mayor and council ratherthan the city manager, ac-cording to a report issued bya group of former city officials.

The city has beenoperating

with an acting clerk since for-mer clerk and treasurer Doug-las Barber left his job inAugust.

The report, commissionedby the mayor and council tolook at the future of the clerkposition in the city, found thatwhile the clerk should keep re-porting to the city’s elected of-ficials, some aspects of the jobshould change.

The position’s title shouldbecome city clerk/directorof council operations, whilethe treasurer function that is

now listed in the title shouldbe eliminated. That’s becausethe responsibilities of that jobare now handled by the city’sfinance department, the reportsaid.

Under the changes recom-mended, the clerk’s staff wouldreport directly to the clerk, andthe mayor and council wouldbe responsible for hiring andfiring the clerk.

Moving the clerk positionunder the city manager or cityattorney would not serve the

best interests of the city, thereport said.

The group that created thereport was chaired by formercouncilman Glennon Harrisonand comprised former councilmembers John Britton, RobertDorsey, John Hall and RobertWright; former mayor LarryGiammo; former mayors andcouncil members Susan Hoff-manandRoseKrasnow; formercity clerks Claire FunkhouserandHelenHeneghan; and LoisNeuman, chairwoman of thecity’s Board of Supervisors ofElections.

The report is at tinyurl.com/n7kqbgf.

[email protected]

Report: Keep city clerk under mayor, council

n No polar vortex and less snow,ice, but officials still wary

BY RYANMARSHALL

STAFFWRITER

After last year’s bitter and snowier-than-average winter tested road crews’endurance and salt supplies, this win-ter has not been nearly as demanding.

Rockville started the season with2,700 tons of salt in its salt barn andso far has used 1,591 tons, Craig Simo-

neau, director of the city’s PublicWorksDepartment, said Tuesday.

So far, this winter has been milderthan a year ago, when the term “polarvortex” entered the American vernacu-lar. While January’s average tempera-ture was 0.4 degree colder than the30-year normal at Ronald ReaganWashington National Airport, Decem-ber’s was 4 degrees above normal,according to theNationalWeather Ser-vice. Meteorological winter comprisesDecember, January and February.

Lastwinter, on topofwinter storms

that seemed to come almost weekly fora time, Rockville also had to deal witha salt shortage up and down the EastCoast and a delivery problem with oneof its suppliers, Simoneau said.

This year, the city has changed sup-pliers and the deliveries are more con-sistent.

“We order some and we get somewithin 48 hours,” he said.

The State Highway Administrationstarted with about 380,000 tons of saltand has used about 111,000 tons so far,said spokesman Charlie Gischlar.

While the state agency has spent$50.2 million of the $51 million bud-geted, those figures can be adjusted atthe end of the season to accommodateadditional expenses, Gischlar said.

By this time last year, the state hadspent about $70 million on winter op-erations and used about 288,000 tonsof salt on the roughly 17,000 lane-milesof road for which it’s responsible.

Road crews have been helpedthis year by several storms that didn’tproduce as much snow as expectedbecause of warmer weather, Gischlar

said.While there have been some icy

roads that crews have had to respondto this winter, the crews also haven’thad to plow verymuch except inWest-ernMaryland, he said.

But despite the relatively mild win-ter, his agency will continue to keep aneye on the forecast.

There’s still a lot of winter left, Gis-chlar said.

[email protected]

Milder winter eases strain on Rockville salt supplies

Pancake breakfast fundraiserThe 39th annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, hosted by the

Lions Club of Olney and the Knights of Columbus Council 6793, willbe from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3427Olney-Laytonsville Road.

The cost for the all-you-can-eat fundraiser is $9 for adults, $8 forseniors, $5 for children 5-12 and free for children under 5.

Tickets are available at the door. Proceeds will benefit the LionsClub’s community activities fund, and the council’s scholarshipfund.

Formore information contact [email protected].— GAZETTE STAFF

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EngagementBrady – Novakovich

Mr. and Mrs. Mark C.Brady of Olney announcethe engagement of theirdaughter, Kelley, toMatthew J. Novakovich,son of Mr. and Mrs.Matthew S. Novakovichof Damascus. Kelleygraduated FairfieldUniversity magma cumlaude and is now agraduate studentpursuing a Master’s ofBusiness Administration.

She works as an ExportDevelopment Managerat Reed Exhibitions inNorwalk, CT. Matthewgraduated from the U.S.Merchant MarineAcademy with a marineengineering degree andworks for Electric Boatin Groton, CT.A September wedding isplanned.

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THE GAZETTEWednesday, February 11, 2015 r Page A-5

n Will receive $100,000in salary, can keep health

plan for rest of 2015

BY LINDSAY A. POWERSSTAFFWRITER

Under a resignation agree-ment with the MontgomeryCounty school board, Super-intendent Joshua P. Starr willreceive about $100,000 in owedsalary, can keep driving a board-issued vehicle through Marchand can stay on his health planthroughout the year.School officials have not

elaborated on the reasoning forStarr’s departure. A clause in theagreement says both sides can’tdisparage each other.Starr’s resignation was an-

nounced Feb. 3 after a series ofreports and speculation aroundthe board’s consideration of hisfuture, severalmonths before histermwould have ended.During a news conference

Feb. 3, school board PresidentPatriciaO’Neill said boardmem-bers and Starr agreed that a newleader was needed to “carry for-ward the board’s vision.”The school board on Feb. 3

unanimouslyapprovedanagree-ment that defined the terms un-der which Starr would make hisexit. He is scheduled to workuntil Monday. His contract wasscheduled to expire June 30.The resignation agreement,

which is an amendment toStarr’s contract, said he will re-ceivecompensationandbenefitsthrough June 30.From Tuesday to June 30,

Starrwill receiveabout$97,100 inowed salary, according to DanaTofig, a spokesman for Mont-gomery County Public Schools.Starr’s annual salary is about$264,000.He will receive $35,000 in

deferred compensation, whichwas provided annually in thecontract.He will be allowed to stay on

his health plan through Decem-ber, or until he starts a new planthroughhis next job.Thedistrict alsowill payStarr

about $46,600 tied to vacation,sick and personal leave that hedidn’t use.Starr’s attorney’s fees — up

to $2,000 — related to the con-tract amendment also will becovered.Starr will need to give back

his laptop computer, iPad andiPhone when he resigns, unlesshe buys them from the district.He can use a board-providedvehicle until March 31 if he pro-vides insurance coverage; hewillneed to foot the gas bill after Feb.16.Another part of the contract

amendment addresses howthe district’s eight school boardmembers and Starr can talkabout each other.“Boardmembersand theSu-

perintendent shall refrain frommaking disparaging remarks re-garding the other,” the amend-ment said.One part of the agreement

said that, in the interimbeforeheleaves, Starr will not “undertaketravel at the Board’s expense orrepresent the Board atmeetings,conferences, conventions, semi-nars.”Starr told The Gazette in

January that hewanted a second

term. His deadline to ask for onewas Feb. 1.On Tuesday, he presented a

similar message, saying he hadhoped to continue leading thedistrict.“While I’m not happy cer-

tainly at the way things haveturned out, at the same time it isabsolutely the board’s authority

to move in a direction that theysee fit,” he said at the press con-ference.Starr replaced Jerry D.Weast

as superintendent in Montgom-ery County in 2011 after lead-ing the public school system inStamford, Conn.The Gazette interviewed six

of eight school board members

in January about a potentialsecond term for Starr. Severalmembers said they would needto consider various issues as theythought about his future. Twowere committed to giving Starranother term.DaysbeforeStarr’sdeparture

was announced, a WashingtonPost editorial anda storyquoting

unnamed Montgomery Countyofficials reported that Starr ap-parentlydidn’thaveenoughsup-port from the board to continue.The Post’s story, citing the

officials, said thereweremultiplereasons several board memberswanted to replace Starr, includ-ing his approach to closing thedistrict’s achievement gap and

his relationships with somemembers.Larry Bowers, the district’s

COO,will serve as interim super-intendent after Starr leaves.The board hopes to have a

new permanent superintendentin place by July 1.

[email protected]

Starr resignation agreement outlines compensation, restrictions

n Members expectedto meet this month

to discuss desired qualities

BY LINDSAY A. POWERSSTAFFWRITER

A week before SuperintendentJoshuaP.Starr leaveshispost, theMont-gomery County school board picked afirmTuesdaytohelpfindthenext leader.The board unanimously approved

a contract with Hazard, Young, Attea& Associates of Rosemont, Ill., the firmthat helpedMontgomery County PublicSchools discover Starr and former Su-perintendent JerryD.Weast.For$35,000“plusexpensesasappro-

priate,” the firm will help Montgomerysearch for and select Starr’s successor,according to a boardmemo.Starr will step down on Monday.

Larry Bowers, the district’s chief operat-ing officer, will take over as interim su-perintendent.School board members will meet

with the search firm this month to talkabout what theywant in the next super-intendent, said board President Patricia

O’Neill.Boardmembers remain tight-lipped

aboutwhy Starr is leaving the systemaf-ter about three-and-a-half years, just afew weeks after he told The Gazette hewas seeking a second term. Somewon’teven talk about specific qualities theywant in the next superintendent.The board, which met privately to

decide Starr’s future, approved a clausein a separation agreement prohibitingeither side from “making disparagingremarks regarding the other.”School board member Jill Ortman-

Fouse said she wants the next leaderto look at a variety of ideas, includingreducing student testing and analyzingwhere the district is getting results inclosing achievement gaps.She said the superintendent should

strike a balance between flexibility andguidance to the district’s staff.Addressing speculation around

Starr’s departure, she said board mem-bers “deliberated very thoughtfully”when considering the school system’sfuture and took their decision aboutStarr “very seriously.”“Personally, I feel like I had a good

relationshipwithhim,” she said. “I think

he was working really hard and doingthe best job he could.”O’Neill said she will think about the

three superintendents she has workedfor— Starr, Weast and Paul Vance— assheconsidersqualitiesof thenext leader.She said, however, she couldn’t

comment on what those specific quali-ties should be, since the board hasn’tdiscussed that yet.During a Feb. 3 press conference,

O’Neill said board members and Starragreed that someoneelsewasneeded to“carry forward the board’s vision.”Asked about the “disparaging com-

ments” clause, O’Neill said it limitsboard members from speaking publiclyaboutwhy Starr is leaving the district.BoardVice PresidentMichaelDurso

also declined to comment on the idealnext leader until board members talkwitheachotherand thesearchfirm, say-inghispersonalviewcouldmakemuddywaters “muddied a bitmore.”The board is on “a pretty fast track”

to pick a leader by June, he said.Board member Judith Docca de-

clined to comment. The board’s fourothermembers couldnotbe reached forcomment onMonday.

Several board members, includ-ing O’Neill and student board memberDahliaHuh, thankedStarr forhis serviceduring Tuesday’smeeting.Starr “put social-emotional learn-

ing on the map” for the district and hiscommunity engagement is “a model”for superintendents, saidboardmemberPhilip Kauffman.Under Starr’s leadership, the district

has rolled out CommonCore state stan-dards better than other school systemshave, Kauffman said.During an interview, Fred Stich-

noth, a leader of One Montgomery, agroup working to support and improvecounty schools, said the group wants asuperintendent with experience leadinga large, diverse jurisdiction “that is splitinto haves andhave-nots.”The person should increase staff

diversity and direct more resources toschools that need themmost, he said.Richie Yarrow, president of the

Montgomery County Regional StudentGovernment Association, which rep-resents high school students, said Starrtried to engage students and recognizedthe achievement gap is tied to “a broadmix of issues.”

“I really do hope that most of whatDr. Starr has been doing over the pastthree or four years is continued andcontinued strongly, accelerating thosechanges, strengthening those changes,rather than letting them fall by the way-side,” he said.ArthurWilliams, chair of the 1977-II

ActionGroup,which focuses on educat-ing black students, said the group soonwill discuss its wishes for a new super-intendent.Generally, he said, the group wants

someone to focus on eliminating theachievement gap, a focal point of thegroup’s mission, and to ensure the dis-trict’s Curriculum 2.0 helps all studentssucceed.CouncilmanCraig L. Rice, chairman

of the council’s Education Committee,said the school system must keep em-bracing career-readiness programs, hesaid.He said the new leader should push

to close the achievement gap and keepthe school systema global competitor.

Staff Writer Kate S. Alexander con-tributed to this story.

[email protected]

Board launches search for next school superintendent

1932076


n Proposes repealing‘rain tax,’ eliminatinggas-tax increases

BY KATE S. ALEXANDERSTAFF WRITER

Gov. Larry Hogan’s firstState of the State address leftmembers of the all-DemocraticMontgomery County leadershipwishing for a more positive toneto start the year.

Hogan’s speechwasnotwellreceived, said Council PresidentGeorge L. Leventhal.

“The speech was somethingof a rupture in the effort to bebipartisan,” said Leventhal (D-At Large) of Takoma Park.

Del. Marc Korman (D-Dist.16) of Bethesda called the toneof the speech a “missed oppor-tunity.”

“He didn’t even start withany unifying statements,” Kor-man said.

Hogan spent several min-utes detailing Maryland’sshortcoming during his Feb. 4address.

Del. Anne R. Kaiser, theHouse majority leader, said heignored its many strengths.

Rather than noting thestate’s top-rated school systemor its growing biotech and cy-bersecurity industries, she said,Hogan spoke in campaign rhet-oric, saying: “High taxes, over-regulation and an anti-businessattitude are clearly the cause ofour economic problems.”

“Our economy is flounder-ing and too many Marylandershave been struggling just to getby,” Hogan continued, listinghis frequent talking points of taxincreases, lost businesses andtaxpayers “fleeing” the state.

Still, Montgomery lawmak-ers hope they can still meet thegovernor in the middle this ses-sion.

“I felt that while he steppedout of the gate awkwardly in hisState of the State, there is still along time in front of us to forgethose alliances, find commonground and find compromisesthat improve our state,” saidKaiser (D-Dist. 14) of Calverton.

Sen. Susan C. Lee (D-Dist.16) of Bethesda said despite herhope for a more positive Stateof the State, she wants to findcommon ground with Hogan.

“I know that everybodywants to get back on track,”Leventhal said. “We want Mary-land to succeed. We want thegovernor to succeed. And if thegovernor succeeds, Marylandsucceeds and vice versa.”

In his State of the State, Ho-gan laid out several key policiesfor the remainder of the session,including:

• Repealing the so-called

rain tax.• Repealing scheduled gas-

tax increases.• Providing a tax break for

retired military, police officers,firefighters and first responders.

• Creating a personal prop-erty tax exemption for smallbusinesses.

• Restoring lost highwayuser revenues to localities.

• Providing charter schoolswith more autonomy.

• Creating a tax credit forbusinesses that voluntarilydonate to private or parochialschools.

• Allowing contribution topublic campaign financing onincome tax forms.

Some of Hogan’s proposalsare “oxymoronic” policies, Kor-man said.

Korman noted that the gastax that Hogan proposed cut-ting directly funds the Trans-portation Trust Fund, whichprovides the highway user rev-enues the governor proposes toincrease.

Leventhal said he’s heardthat trying to touch the gas taxis “dead on arrival.”

But changes could cometo the so-called rain tax, Kaisersaid.

The tax is a stormwater feethe 10 largest jurisdictions inthe state must charge residents,organizations and businessesto fund stormwater manage-ment projects designed to meetfederal requirements for Chesa-peake Bay restoration.

Republicans have de-nounced it as an unnecessarymandate.

“If the ultimate goal is tomeet those federal require-ments, does it really matterhow the jurisdictions get thatmoney?” Kaiser asked.

Montgomery had a fee formanaging stormwater for yearsbefore the state mandated thetax in 2012. It’s unlikely a stateaction will change that, Leven-thal said.

But Leventhal said he’s in-terested in ensuring that thecounty’s stormwater fee —known as the Water QualityProtection Charge — is accurateand fair.

“The need to raise revenueto capture runoff and to makesure that harmful chemicals,substances and pollutants don’tmake their way into the water-sheds and into the ChesapeakeBay remains,” Leventhal said.“And it’s a federal mandate, soI don’t see repeal of the WaterQuality Protection fee.”

“We’re not taxing the rain,”Leventhal added. Rather, hesaid, the county is imposinga fee to pay for necessary im-provements that ensure thequality of drinking water, thePotomac River and the Chesa-peake Bay.

“It’s one of the most pro-business things we can do tomaintain a healthy and thriv-ing Chesapeake Bay,” he said.“People want to come to Mary-land for many reasons, but oneof those reasons is we have deli-cious seafood. We’re famous forour blue crabs and rockfish andwe’re trying to restore our oysterindustry.”

[email protected]

County lawmakersturned off by toneof Hogan’s address

“I know thateverybody wants

to get back ontrack. We want

Maryland tosucceed. We want

the governor tosucceed. And if thegovernor succeeds,Maryland succeeds

and vice versa.”Council President

George L. Leventhal

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n Proposal to expand studentmember voting advances

to House committee

BY KATE S. ALEXANDER

STAFF WRITER

A push to give Montgomery Coun-ty’s student schoolboardmembermorepower inched closer to success Fridaywhen the county’s House delegationbacked a bill expanding voting rights.

The bill was one of three bills thedelegation discussed Friday that af-fected the county’s board of education.

Last introduced in 2012, the idea ofgranting additional voting rights to thestudent member was strongly opposedby then-Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Dist. 16)of Somerset and ultimately defeated.

Montgomery lawmakers said inDecember they hope that with Froshnow attorney general, there is a greaterchance a bill will make it through.

If the bill passes, the county’s stu-dent board member would get anofficial say on previously restrictedmatters, including the capital and op-erating budgets, collective bargaining,school closures and school boundaries.

The student still could not vote oncertain personnel issues, such as sus-pensions or dismissals.

With full House delegation sup-port, the bill is headed to the Ways andMeans Committee, chaired by Del.Shelia Hixson (D-Dist. 20) of SilverSpring.

While the delegation unanimouslysupported expanding the voting rightsof the student school board member,themajoritydidnot agreewitha second

bill, which would put the names of can-didates running in uncontested schoolboard races on the primary ballot.

Del. Charles E. Barkley (D-Dist. 39)of Germantown argued for putting allschool board candidates’ names on pri-mary ballots. All names would be on theballot if the number of candidates seek-ing election is no more than the num-ber of nominations available in thatprimary.

Currently, for all counties with anelected board of education, schoolboard candidates only are on the pri-mary ballot if there are more than dou-ble the number of candidates as thereare open seats.

Barkley said that for all other racesfor elected office, the names of thoserunning in uncontested primaries areon the ballot. Board of education racesare nonpartisan.

Putting all the candidates on theprimary ballot, Barkley said, would callmore attention to school board races.

Other delegates feared the changecould overburden candidates andaffect outcomes. Del. David Moon(D-Dist. 20) of Silver Spring said thechange would “ratchet up” costs forcandidates. Del. Marc Korman (D-Dist.16) of Bethesda said the change couldfavor better known candidates, poten-tially ending the general race before ithas begun.

The delegation chose to not backthe bill. However, another bill thatwould affect school board elections ispending.

Currently, vacancies on the boardof education are filled by appointment.Proposed legislation would put that de-cision in the hands of voters.

The delegation is considering if it

will back a bill this session that wouldmandate a special election for fillingschool board vacancies.

As written, the bill would requirethe special election to be held in thenext regularly scheduled general elec-tion. It would not require a primary.

Del. Eric Luedtke (D-Dist. 14) ofBur-tonsville questioned if there should besome process in the bill for winnowingthe field should several candidates run.Theschoolboardexpressedconcernthatwithout a process to narrow the field —such as rank-choice or instant run-offvoting, in which voters rank candidatesin order of preference rather than se-lecting just one — the winner could beelected by less than a majority.

The delegation hasn’t taken a posi-tion on the bill.

[email protected]

County delegation considers three bills related to school board

n Riemer asked for Legislative Oversightreview; council debates implications

BY KATE S. ALEXANDERSTAFF WRITER

Privatizing Montgomery County alcoholsales and distribution would require substantialchanges to state law and could cost the countyup to $43 million a year in revenue and eliminateabout 400 county jobs, a new county report found.

Montgomery County is the only county inMaryland that still controls the sale and distribu-tion of beer, wine and liquor. The council is con-sidering if it should get out of the booze businessor move some aspects of it to the private sector.

A newly formed ad hoc Committee on LiquorControl has been tasked with considering alterna-tives to the current system, a decades-old modelformed after the states repealed prohibition in1933 by passing the 21st Amendment to the U.S.Constitution.

CouncilmanHansRiemer said the current sys-tem of county control is plagued by poor selectionand poor service due to its monopoly.

“The one thing you can’t do is nothing,” hesaid.

At the request of Riemer (D-At Large) of Ta-koma Park, the committee chairman, Montgom-ery’s Office of Legislative Oversight reviewed thecounty’s alcoholic beverage system and the De-partment of Liquor Control.

“We knew this needed a really focused policyanalysis,” Riemer said. “Now we have the founda-tion to have productive discussions.”

The report released Tuesday outlined fivepossible options for changing the system, rangingfrom the county completely leaving the alcoholbusiness to keeping the system as is, but adoptingways tomake itmore efficient andeffective. All butone option allow for some private distribution ofalcohol in the county.

Most businesses supplied with alcohol by thecounty don’t care for the current system and sup-port changing it, according to the report.

But Montgomery County enjoys about $30million in annual profit from its alcohol sales,money that Councilman Marc B. Elrich says theprivate sector wants in its pockets, hence the pushto get the county out of the market.

“On the fiscal side, this has been very good tothe county,” Elrich (D-At Large) of Takoma Parksaid. “I do think the report highlights certainly theneed for better management of the operations.”

If the county were to privatize the system, thereport estimates, the county will have a one-timegain from selling assets and assuming the balancein the Liquor Fund of as much as $76 million.

But, the county would stand to lose as muchas $43 million in revenue each year, according tothe report.

“It’s not like it would be free,” Council VicePresident Nancy Floreen said of changing the sys-tem. “We’d maybe have to tax something else togenerate that amount of money. Is it worth it?”

While the county knows it’s control of alcoholis unique, Floreen (D-At Large) ofGarrett Park saidthe model has served the county well as “a nice lit-tle cash calf” and she is not persuaded the systemneeds to change.

Riemer, who supports at least some privatiza-tion, said fees for distributing and selling alcoholcould be imposed to cover lost revenue.

“In the long term, I think it supports a morevibrant economy in the county,” he said. “But wehave to solve the immediate problem and the re-port shows that a distribution fee on the sale ofbeer and wine and alcohol can more than makeup for what you lose on the profit-making side.”

According to the report, a range of fees couldbe imposed along with the changes to replace thelost revenue, but allwould require changes in statelaw.

[email protected]

Report outlines effects if countywere to get out of alcohol business

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153003G



n Prosecutors also allegehe leased an SUVwith stolen identity

BY DANIEL LEADERMANSTAFFWRITER

A Wheaton-area man hasbeen indicted on burglary, theftand fraud charges for trying tomove his family into a Bethesdahouse he didn’t own and usingthe stolen identity of a formerbusiness partner to lease a car.

Charging documents filedin Montgomery County DistrictCourt show that James DevlinCrombie, 48, of the 3000 blockof Findlay Road near the West-fieldWheatonmall tried tomovehis family into a home at 7625Dwight Drive on Aug. 30. ButCrombie and his family werediscovered by the vacant home’sowner, who stopped by to checkon the residence, as they movedin. The owner saw the Crombiefamily’s moving truck and calledpolice.

Crombie told police thehouse had been purchasedfor him by a company called

The Moore Group, of which heclaimedtobeaprincipal,buthadno paperwork, contracts or titlesregarding the house. Crombiedid have a typewritten letter, ex-plaining to the local school thathis children now lived onDwightDrive; the letter listedaColumbiaaddress and phone number forThe Moore Group, according tochargingdocuments.

The company that is actuallyat that address— JPBPartners—said Crombie never worked forit, according to charging docu-ments.

Police ordered the Crombiefamily out of theBethesdahouse,and the owner discovered dam-age to the carpets, ceiling andseveral pieces of furniture total-ing $1,030, according to chargingdocuments. The list price of thehomewas $990,000.

Crombie later gave police aname and contact informationfor an associate at The MooreGroup that investigators soondetermined to be bogus, accord-ing topolice.

Court records list Rebecca A.Nitkin,whosepractice is inRock-ville, as Crombie’s attorney. She

could not be reached for com-ment.

Crombie also is accused ofstealing the identity of a formerbusiness partner, Peter McCon-non, to leasea2015FordExploreronAug. 21.

Documents filed in federalcourt in Northern California in2011 show that Crombie used tobe the principal of Paron Capi-tal Management, a commoditytrading adviser in Tiburon, Calif.The company andCrombieweresued by the U.S. CommodityFutures Trading Commission in2011 for making “false, fictitiousand fraudulent statements” dur-ing an audit by the National Fu-tures Association.

CourtdocumentsshowthataPeter J.McConnonalsowasaffili-atedwith ParonCapitalManage-ment, but was not a party to thelawsuit.

The court ordered Crombieto pay more than $1.5 million inNovember2013,accordingtodis-trict court chargingdocuments.

Crombie’s indictment sayshe used McConnon’s name toobtain both the Explorer and alease from the FordMotor Credit

Co.Crombie is charged with

first-degree burglary and theftof an item valued at more than$100,000 in connection withthe attempt to move into the

Bethesda house, plus threecounts of fraud by theft of per-sonal identifying information,one count of obtaining goods ormoney by forgery and one countof theftofanitemvaluedbetween

$10,000 and $100,000 in connec-tionwiththe leaseof theExplorer.

Crombie is due in court for ahearing onFeb. 27.

[email protected]

Man indicted on charges of squatting in Bethesda home

For the weeks of Jan. 17-31,the Sandy Spring Volunteer FireDepartment responded to thefollowing incidents. InformationfromChiefMichael Kelley.

From Station 4 (Sandy Spring)•On Jan. 18 at 12:03 a.m., Ednor

Road andClearCreekDrive for a ve-hicle rolloverwith injuries.

•On Jan. 18 at 7:50 a.m., AshtonRoadandTucker Lane for amulti-vehicle collisionwith injuries.

•On Jan. 23 at 9 p.m., Layhill andNorbeck roads for a vehicle collision;injuries unknown.

•On Jan.26 at 8:08 a.m., 12800block of LimeKilnRoad inHowardCounty to assist on ahousefire; nodamage reported.

•On Jan. 26 at 4:12 p.m., Spencer-ville andThompson roads, Burtons-ville, to assist at a vehicle collision;injuries unknown.

•On Jan. 29 at 12:20p.m., 16700block of Batchellors Forest Road for avehicle collisionwithno injuries.

From Station 40 (Olney)•On Jan. 21 at 6:43 a.m.,Mun-

casterMill andAvery roads for a ve-hicle collisionwithunknown injuries.

•On Jan. 22 at 1:39 a.m., 16900block ofGeorgia Avenue for a vehiclecollisionwithno injuries.

•On Jan. 23 at 6:12 p.m.,NorbeckRoad andEmory Lane for a vehiclecollisionwithno injuries.

•On Jan. 24 at 12:26p.m., 14100block ofGrandPreRoad, AspenHill,to assist on anapartment firewithmoderate damage.

•On Jan. 26 at 1:20 p.m., 4800block ofHornbeamDrive for a housefire; extent of damagenot known.

•On Jan. 26 at 7:46 p.m., 18900block ofGeorgia Avenue for a vehiclecollisionwithno injuries.

•On Jan. 29 at 10:21 a.m., 4400block ofCannes Lane for an insideelectrical odor; nofire reported.

•On Jan. 31 at 10:53 a.m., 12700block ofMiddlevale Lane,Wheaton,to assist on ahousefire; nodamagereported.

From both stations•On Jan. 17 at 3:53 p.m., 4900

block ofMelindaCourt, AspenHill,to assist on ahousefire; nodamage

reported.•On Jan. 17 at 7:09 p.m., 16600

block ofGeorgia Avenue atOlneySwimCenter for reportednear drown-ing; nodrowningoccurred.

•On Jan. 20 at 10:13 a.m., 17600block of AuburnVillageDrive for anodor of smoke; nofire found.

•On Jan. 24 at 6:25 p.m., 18100block of RollingMeadowWay for ahousefire;minor damage reported.

•On Jan. 26 at 8:20 p.m., GeorgiaAvenue andOwensRoad for a vehiclecollisionwithno injuries.

•On Jan. 29 at 4:28 p.m., 3900block of BrookeMeadowLane for aninsidenatural gas leak; nodamagereported.

•On Jan. 30 at 8:26 p.m., GeorgiaAvenue andMd. 108 for report ofpedestrian struckby autowithminorinjuries.

•On Jan. 31 at 4:55 a.m., 7000block ofMinkHollowRoad inHowardCounty to assist on ahousefirewithmoderate damage.

Units also responded to 167emergencymedical calls and 38non-emergency service calls.

FIRE LOG

153004G

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190

DATESDATESFebruary 26 • March 26 • April 23 • May 21 • June 25

TIMETIME8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

LOCATIONLOCATIONUnited Therapeutics Education Center

1040 Spring Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910Breakfast will be provided courtesy of Geppetto Catering.

Bea has helped Aetna, Allstate, Bank of America, FedEx, HP,IBM, Levi Strauss & Co., Toyota, The Walt Disney Company andmany other companies develop and enhance their communityinvolvement programs through strategy development,program design and measurement.This series will focus on building a high-impact employeevolunteer program and is relevant to businesses of all sizes.

2015 Education Series with Bea Boccalandro

Present

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT CVC-MC.ORG.LEARN MORE AND REGISTER AT CVC-MC.ORG.

T H E G A Z E T T EPage A-10 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 r

Latvian concert Fridayin Rockville

The Latvian Organizationsof Washington, along with theLatvian Embassy, will present afree concert of chamber musicby Latvian composer PeterisVasks at 8 p.m. Friday at theLatvian Center, 400 Hurley Ave.,Rockville.

Performing will be the RixPiano Quartet and flutist DitaKrenberga. After the concert, theaudience can meet with Vasksand the performers.

For more information, callAnita Juberts at 301-814-1080.

Farmers marketcelebrates chocolateThe Olney Farmers and

Artists Market will host its firstChocolate Happy Hour com-petition at noon Sunday at theSandy SpringMuseum.

Contestants should preparea chocolate creation of any kindand drop it off by 11:30 a.m.

Entries will be judged byDeb Alfarone of WUSA9; MarkMills, owner of Chocolate andTomatoes Farm; and StevenHoward from Steven HowardChocolates.

The grand prize is brunchfor two atWildfire Restaurant.

The winter market is openfrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundaysthrough March 29 at the mu-seum, 17901 Bentley Road. Itfeatures about 30 farmers, juried

artists, crafters, food vendors,chef demonstrations and chil-dren’s activities.

More information is at ol-neyfarmersmarket.org.

It’s time to rock ’n’ rollat Sherwood High

Tickets are now on sale forSherwood High School’s 44thannual Rock ’n’ Roll Revival,“Dancin’ in the Street,” whichwill be performed two week-ends,March 6-8 and 13-15.

The show will be presentedin its ErtzmanTheater at 300Ol-ney-Sandy Spring Road, SandySpring.

Performances are at 7:30p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, andat 2 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $10 and $20,and can be purchased at Show-Tix4U.com.

‘Tiger Mom,’ husbandto discuss new bookYale Law School professor

Amy Chua and her husband,Jed Rubenfeld, will discuss theirnew book, “The Triple Package:How Three Unlikely Traits Ex-plain the Rise and Fall of Cul-tural Groups in America,” at 7p.m.Wednesday in Rockville.

The talk will be in theCharles E. Smith Jewish DaySchool, Annette M. and Theo-dore N. Lerner Family UpperSchool Campus, 11710 HuntersLane.

Chua achieved notoriety asthe “Tiger Mom” after the re-lease of her book “Battle Hymnof the TigerMother.”

The authors will discuss thebook’s thesis that a combina-tion of a superiority complex,insecurity and impulse controlfuel the disproportionate suc-cess of certain cultural and reli-gious groups. They will discusshow Jews fit into this “triplepackage” and how the culturalvalues responsible for successcan endure through future gen-erations.

A book signing and re-ception will take place after aquestion-and-answer session.The talk is open to the public,but reservations are required byemail at [email protected] orby calling 301-692-4837.

Rockville celebratesValentine’s Day

Rockville is celebrating Val-entine’s Day with a number ofevents this weekend.

• The XOXOAfterschool Val-entine’s Day Dance will be heldfrom 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday atLincoln Park Community Cen-ter, 357 Frederick Ave. A DJ willprovide music and dancers areencouraged to wear Valentineoutfits. Refreshments will besold. The cost is $5.

• The annual Heart to HeartFamily Valentines Dance will beheld from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday atTwinbrook Community Recre-ation Center, 12920 TwinbrookParkway. A DJ will provide mu-sic and there will be crafts tomake and carnival games. TheTwinbrook Elementary Schoolwill sell refreshments. The costis $3.

• A Late Night Teen Valen-tine’s Party will be held from7 to 10 p.m. Friday at ThomasFarm Community Center, 700Fallsgrove Drive. Sixth- throughninth-graders can play bas-ketball and video games, anddance. Refreshments will besold. The cost in advance is $10and$7 for city residents; the costat thedoor is $15 and$10 for cityresidents. To register, use course49092 at rockenroll.rockvillemd.gov.

• Owl-n-tine’s Day will befrom 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturdayat Croydon Creek Nature Cen-ter, 852 Avery Road, off Balti-more Road. This program aboutowls is for anyone6orolder. Thecost is $7 to $9 for city residents.To register, use course 49987 atrockenroll.rockvillemd.gov.

More information is at rock-villemd.gov/valentineevents orcall 240-314-8620.

Scholarship program opento high school seniorsHigh school seniors in the

Washington region who live ina community association are in-vited to apply for a $1,000 awardfrom theWashingtonMetropol-itan Chapter Community Asso-ciations Institute’s ScholarshipProgram.

Submissions should be inthe form of a 500- to 700-wordessay or a three- to five-minutedigital presentation on “HowVolunteer Leadership AddsValue to My Community Asso-ciation.” Submissions are dueApril 30.

More information is at caidc.org under News & Services.

Healthful cookingdemonstration next week

BrookeGroveRehabilitationand Nursing Center will host afreeheart-healthy cookingdem-onstration at 7 p.m. Feb. 18.

The program will providerecipes that incorporate heart-healthy “super-foods” andothernutritious ingredients, accord-ing to a news release.

This “Living Well” commu-nity seminar will be presentedby personal chef Nikki Haddadin partnership with WarmanHome Care, and will be pre-ceded by a complimentary lightsupper at 6:30 p.m.

For information or to RSVP,contact Toni Davis, 301-388-7209 or [email protected] by Mon-day.

The center is at 18131 SladeSchool Road, Sandy Spring.

County offers annualcivil rights bus tourThe Montgomery County

Office ofHumanRightswill hostits annual civil rightshistoricbustourApril 6-11. The tourwill visitGreensboro, N.C.; Atlanta; Bir-mingham, Montgomery, Selmaand Tuskegee, Ala.; Cincinnati;andMemphis, Tenn.

The tour is offered in con-junction with MontgomeryCounty Public Libraries, theAfrican American EmployeesAssociation, the Lincoln ParkHistorical Foundation and theSouthern Christian LeadershipConference.

Tour stops will include thebirth homemuseum of the Rev.Martin Luther King Jr.; the newNational Center for Civil andHuman rights; the TuskegeeAirfield and National Museum;the Rosa Parks Museum; theFreedom Rides Museum; theSixteenth Street Baptist Church;the Edmund Pettus Bridge; theNational Underground RailroadFreedom Center; and the Lor-raineHotel National Civil RightsMuseum.

Thecost for a groupof four is$545 per person, which includeshotels, transportation, somemeals and snacks, andmuseumand tour fees. The fee is higherfor smaller groups, according toa county news release.

At least onemember of eachgroup is required to attend ameeting in Rockville about aweek before the tour.

More information is atmontgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights, or contact BeverlyMarshall at [email protected] or240-777-8479.

Rockville videos highlightBlack History MonthRockville marks Black His-

tory Month in February withspecial programs on YouTubeand Channel 11 produced byRockville 11.

Inone,five-minutesegment,Councilwoman Virginia D. On-ley discusses joining the councilas its first black femalemember.Onley talks about some of herheroes who have inspired her,including her great-grandfatherwhowas a freed slave.

A six-minute piece featureslocal historian Eileen McGuck-ian on a walking tour of historicblack sites in Rockville. Thetour was created by the city’sHistoric District Commissionseveral years ago. Stops includethe Jerusalem-Mount PleasantUnited Methodist Church andthe old Montgomery CountyCourthouse, according to a citynews release.

A 13-minute documentary,“Montgomery to Montgomery:An Incidental Encounter with

History,” features FrantzWilsonof Rockville, who lived in Mont-gomery, Ala., during the heightof the civil rights movement. Hediscusses the movement andseveral encounters he had withthe Rev.Martin Luther King Jr.

The videos are at youtube.com/cityofrockville and onchannel 11 on county cable sys-tems.

Comedy fundraiserbenefits Jewish groupsMCLivewill present “A ‘Spe-

cial’ Evening of Comedy” from6 to 9 p.m. Thursday to benefitseven Jewish community orga-nizations that support peoplewith disabilities.

The show, featuring Kalei-doscope Comedy, will be at theJewish Community Center ofGreaterWashington, 6125Mon-trose Road, Rockville.

It’s for adults 21 and olderand includes a bar reception at6 p.m. The showwill start at 7:30p.m. Jewish dietary laws will beobserved, according to a newsrelease.

MC Live is a collabora-tive venture hosted by CapitalCamps, Friendship Circle, theJewish Community Center ofGreater Washington, the JewishFoundation for Group Homes,the JewishSocial ServiceAgency,Matan and Sulam.

The fundraiser was first heldin Montgomery County lastMay. This year’s event marksJewish Disability AwarenessMonth.

Tickets start at $36, withdiscounts for groups of four ormore. Tickets at the door cost$40. Registration and other in-formation is at mclivecomedy.blogspot.com.

Jewish Film Festival inRockville, Silver SpringFans of Jewish cinema can

get their fill thismonthwhen the25th annual Washington Jew-ish Film Festival presents morethan 100 screenings and relatedevents from Feb. 19 to March 1at various venues in the region.

The Jewish CommunityCenter of Greater Washingtonat 6125 Montrose Road, Rock-ville, and AFI Theater at 8633Colesville Road, Silver Spring,will host several screenings.

Ticket and other informa-tion is atwjff.org or call 888-718-4253.

Women’s Boardto award scholarshipsNamed after the wife of Dr.

Jacob Wheeler Bird, founder ofMontgomery General Hospitalin Olney—nowMedStarMont-gomery Medical Center — theJean Bird Memorial Fund wasestablished to provide schol-arships to those interested inpursuing careers in the medicalfield.

In 1969, thehospital’sWom-en’sBoardassumed responsibil-ity for the scholarship fund. Theorganization funds the programthroughproceeds from the thriftshop, hospital gift shop, Gifts ofLight program and the annualPicnic and Bazaar, along withprivate contributions.

Scholarship recipients willbe chosen based on appli-cant’s financial need, academicachievement, community ser-vice, extracurricular activitiesand a strong passion for a careerin an allied health field.

Applications are available attinyurl.com/l88serc. For moreinformation, contact Amy Co-hen at [email protected] or leave amessage at 301-774-8840.

Volunteers needed to leadBone Builders classesThe Montgomery County

RSVP program and Aging andDisability Services is seekingvolunteers to lead Bone Build-ers exercise classes around thecounty.

The one-hour daytimeclasses, held twice-weekly, aredesigned to prevent and slowthe development of osteoporo-sis. The sessions are based onbone density research and in-clude balance and weight train-ing.

Osteoporosis causes bonesto become thin and break eas-ily. It can strike at any age, but itaffects one in three women andone in eightmen older than 50.

Volunteer leaders will dem-onstrate the exercises, encour-age and assist participants, andensure a safe, clutter-free envi-ronment, according to a newsrelease. They receive two fulldays of free training, plus pe-riodic refresher classes, ongo-ing support and supervision bymaster trainers.

The next training sessionswill be held from 10:30 a.m. to3:30 p.m. Feb. 20 and March 13at Potomac United MethodistChurch, 10300 Falls Road.

For more information or toregister, call 240-773-8268 oremail [email protected].

Olney Relay teams upwith the Wizards

Supporters can help Olney’sRelay for Lifewhilewatching theWashingtonWizards takeon theMiamiHeat at 7 p.m.March 6 atVerizon Center inWashington.

Tickets are $28 for 400-levelseats. For each ticket sold, $5goes toward Relay for Life of Ol-ney and each ticket holder willreceive a freeWizards T-shirt.

Tickets must be purchasedthrough msesales.com/wiz/re-layforlifeolney. Enter the promocode RELAY to receive the spe-cial offer.

Formore information, [email protected].

Olney’s 10th annual Relayfor Life will be June 13 at Sher-wood High School in SandySpring. More information is atrelayforlife.org/Olneymd.

Community-supportedagriculture applicationsThe Farm at Our House is

now accepting community-supported agriculture applica-tions for the 2015 season.

Participants can pick uptheir food at the farm on ZionRoad in Brookeville or at farm-ers markets in Silver Spring,Annapolis and Crystal City, Va.Available items include freshand local certified organic veg-etables and berries, and eggsfrompasture-raised hens.

The program is set up as adebit system instead of a prese-lected box of produce. The farmpickup is set up market style,also offering a choice of items.Members also are invited to thefarm to pick their own free flow-ers, herbs and other seasonalcrops.

Our House is a residentialjob-training center for abused,abandoned and orphaned ado-lescent boys from throughoutMaryland and Washington D.C.They receive counseling and jobskill training, GED preparationand life skills. Through the col-laboration with the farm, theycan choose to work and gain ex-perience in organic farming.

Sign-up and other informa-tion is at thefarmatourhouse.com. More information on OurHouse is at our-house.org.

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Federal Realtynames new CIO

Federal Realty InvestmentTrust of Rockville named Por-ter Bellew vice president-chief

informationofficer.

P r e v i -ously, Bellewwas chief in-f o r m a t i o n

officer for Washington RealEstate Investment Trust andsenior information technol-ogy director with CarrAmericaRealty, and also worked forKPMG Consulting/Bearing-Point and Apgar & Co.

Heholdsabachelor’sdegreefrom the University of Georgiaand a master’s in accountingfrom the University of Virginia.

LA Fitness site in SilverSpring sells for $13.1M

Washington Propertyof Bethesda has sold the48,000-square-foot LA Fit-ness gym site in downtownSilver Spring for $13.1 mil-lion, according to Greysteel ofBethesda, which arranged thesale.

The two-story facility ona half-acre at 8616 CameronSt. was renovated in 2007 andincludes a spa, basketballcourt and swimming pool,according to a Greysteel newsrelease.

The buyer was ExcaliburDevelopment of Pikesville.

Long & Foster namesmanager at Leisure World

Long & Foster Real Estatenamed Chris Jeffries managerof its Leisure World Plaza Of-fice in Silver Spring.

Previously, Jeffries ledbusinessdevelop-ment ef-forts at theNat ionalRural Util-ities Co-operativeF i n a n c eCorp.

Jeffrieshas a master’s degree in busi-ness administration from theUniversity of Maryland.

Bethesda education firmmakes acquisition

Teaching Strategies ofBethesda, an educationalcompany, acquired TadpolesLLC of Pennsylvania, whichprovides digital technologysystems to the child-care in-dustry.

Both companies are pri-vately held and terms of theacquisition were not dis-closed. For now, Tadpoles willoperate as an independentbusiness unit of TeachingStrategies, according to a newsrelease.

Teaching Strategies pro-vides curriculum and assess-ment resources.

AdditionalBizBriefsn Page A-13

Jeffries

BizBriefsHave a new business in Montgomery County?

Let us know about it at www.gazette.net/newbusinessformn Billionaire’s foundation

benefits fromlower impact charge

BY BILL TURQUETHE WASHINGTON POST

The foundation that oper-ates Potomac billionaire MitchellRales’ private art museum nearhis home is getting a $372,993tax refund from MontgomeryCounty.

The refund reflects a changeapproved by the County Councillast week after officials decided itwas unfair to tax a building thatwill house much of Rales’ art col-lection at the same rate as somecommercial establishments.

“We have to ask ourselveswhat we want in this county,”Councilman Hans Riemer (D-AtLarge) of Takoma Park asked justbefore the vote. “Does the countywant to levy heavy taxes on a mu-seum as though it were the samething as housing or commercialconstruction? This is a socialbenefit we don’t want to createbarriers to.”

The unanimous passage ofBill 62-14 reduced the tax due onthe new exhibition space from$445,419 to $72,426.

The change illustrates thechallenges inherent in decidinghow much those who want tobuild in the county should pay tohelp address the impact of newconstruction on traffic and roads.And the quiet manner in whichthe change was made — withouta separate public hearing or de-bate — drew criticism from onecouncil member and a key mem-ber of the council’s staff.

Rales, through a spokesman,didnot respondtomultiple inter-view requests.

Montgomery’s transporta-tion impact tax is a one-time pay-ment assessed on new projectsto help pay the costs of increasedtraffic on congested roads. Thecounty collected about $14 mil-lion in impact taxes in the lastfiscal year.

The tax rate varies. An of-fice building in most parts ofthe county would be assessed at$12.30 per square foot, or $1.23million for 100,000 square feet ofspace. Other buildings — suchas houses of worship — paymuch less because of their valueto the larger community. Hos-pitals, social service agencies

and affordable housing units areexempt.

But county officials hadseen nothing quite like the150,000-square-foot additionRales is building at Glenstone,the white modernist building onhis Potomac estate that housesone of the world’s leading privatecollections of modern art.

When the project was an-nounced, it was described ascomparable in size and scope tothe National Gallery of Art’s EastBuilding in Washington. It willallow Rales and his wife to per-manently exhibit much more oftheir extensive collection, whichincludes works by AlexanderCalder, Henri Matisse and MarkRothko.

There was no specific “mu-seum” category in the county’stax charts. So officials placedGlenstone under “Other Non-Residential,” a grab bag of landuses that includes funeralparlors,dog kennels and sewage treat-ment plants.

They levied a tax of $6.15 persquare foot for the new building.The Glenstone Foundation ap-pealed the $445,419 tax bill in Oc-tober, arguing that the museumshould be categorized as a “socialservice provider” — exempting itfrom the impact tax — becauseit hosted small groups of Mont-gomery County Public Schoolsstudents during the school year.The appeal was denied, and thefoundation paid the tax bill latelast year.

That’s where the story mighthave ended. But Diane SchwartzJones, director of the county De-partment of Permitting Services,which collects impact taxes,

thought Glenstone’s paymentseemed “hefty,” especially fora nonprofit that would benefitcountyschoolchildrenandwouldnot draw heavy traffic.

She suggested that CountyExecutive Isiah Leggett (D) createan impact tax category — “cul-tural institution” — paralleling acategory that had been includedin the county’s recently rewrittenzoning code. She set the rate at $1per square foot, the same as forprivateschools. It cutGlenstone’simpact payment by more than 80percent.

The council approved thechange as an amendment to an-otherbill relatedto the impact tax— this one eliminating the levyfor ancillary buildings at existinginstitutions if they are not ex-pected to draw additional traffic.

Because the “cultural insti-tution” category was not intro-duced as a separate bill, it did notreceive its own public hearing,whichconcernedMichaelFaden,then the council’s senior legisla-tive attorney. “It’s a new concept,and it hasn’t had a public vettingat all,” Faden said at a Govern-ment Operations Committeehearing Jan. 29.

In a separate memo to coun-cil members, Faden — who wasdays away from his Feb. 1 retire-ment — said such changes intax policy are “appropriate onlywhen those changes are urgentlyneeded, and we have not beengiven any reason why that is thecase here.”

Councilwoman Nancy Na-varro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring,chairwoman of the GovernmentOperations Committee, also fa-vored a separate hearing “to ex-

amine the cost and what othertypes of categories this wouldaffect.”

But she was voted down bycommittee members Riemer andSidney Katz (D-Dist. 3) of Gaith-ersburg. Riemer said the amend-ment was consistent with theintent of the ancillary buildingsbill and did not require its ownairing.

Some activists said they weredisappointed by the lack of trans-parency, which they attributedto Rales’ wealth and influence.Rales won a controversial battleto installasewer lineatGlenstoneseveral years ago.

State records show that Ralesand his family and corporationsdonated a total of more than$40,000 during the 2014 electioncycle toLeggett,Riemer,Council-man Roger Berliner (D-Dist. 1) ofBethesda and others.

“They give [Rales] whateverhe wants,” said Ginny Barnesof the Western MontgomeryCountyCitizensAssociation.“Butmy chief concern is the lack oftransparency in granting this ex-ception to the transportation im-pact tax. We knew nothing aboutthis issue, and we are not hidingunder a rock.”

Asked whether the dona-tions might have influenced thecounty’s action, Leggett scoffed.He called the $24,000 he had re-ceived from the Rales family “avery small pittance” comparedwith the nearly $1 million hespent in his election campaign.

“They’re wealthy people, butthat’s not the standard,” Leggettsaid Thursday. Glenstone, hesaid, “is clearly a very valuable as-set to the county.”

County cuts Potomac museum’s tax by $373K

Religiousleaders willmeet Feb. 26

Issues of concern to thecounty’s religious leaders top theagenda of a community meetinghosted by the County Council onFeb. 26 in its office building inRockville.

“Thereare fewgroupsofpeo-ple who know the pulse of theirrespective communities thanleaders of the faith community,”Council President George L. Lev-enthal (D-At Large) of TakomaPark said in a news release.

“Religious organizationshave issues that pertain particu-larly to their needs, but they alsosee what is of most importanceto their members,” Leventhalsaid. “This meeting will give usan opportunity to hear abouta broad range of issues from aspecial group of people in ourcounty.”

The gathering will start with areceptionat7:30p.m. followedbythe meeting at 8 p.m. The build-ing is at 100 Maryland Ave.

Topics for discussion arelikely to include land-related is-sues such as where houses ofworship can be located and thezoning that can limit expansionor renovation of existing places ofworship.

Also on the agenda are the of-ficialdesignationandobservanceof religious holidays, religiouscurricula in schools, regulationsrestricting property tax exemp-tion for religious use, programsfor low-income people and se-nior citizens, and police andcommunity relations.

The county’s interfaith com-munity liaison, Mansfield Kase-man of Boyds, is working withreligious leaders to organize themeeting. Religious leaders areasked to RSVP by calling 240-777-7931.

The meeting will be shownlive on County Cable Montgom-ery and rerun at various times inthe following weeks.

— BY GAZETTE STAFF 1889339


n Utility: Shifting to higherfees creates steadier

funding for pipe upgrades

BY KATE S. ALEXANDERSTAFFWRITER

After years of larger rate in-creases, the Washington Subur-ban Sanitary Commission hasproposed raising customer wa-ter and sewer rates a combined1 percent for fiscal 2016, whichstarts July 1.

However, the utility alsohas proposed raising fees,which WSSC says allows it tolessen rate increases and have asteadier revenue stream.

In total, the proposed bud-get would provide the agencywith a 6 percent bump in rev-enue, adding about $4.20 moreper month to the average cus-tomer bill through fees andrates.

Rather than drawing thefull 6 percent from rates, WSSCis proposing only a 1 percent

rate increase. The remaining 5percent will be paid through feeincreases, said spokesman JerryIrvine.

During the last decade,WSSC rates have nearly dou-bled, Irvine said. On average,rates have increased about 7.5percent annually, with someyears reaching 8.5 percent.

“We’re fully aware that is nota sustainable solution,” Irvinesaid. “That is why we’re puttingin fees, sowecan start to level offthose rate increases.”

While rates havenearly dou-bled, water usage has been flator declining. The agency, with agrowing number of customers,said it was facing significant fis-cal challenges.

Among the fees is a new In-frastructure Investment Fee tocreate a dedicated, predictable,transparent funding source forthe agency’s water and sewerpipe reconstruction program, abudget document says. The feewill be phased in over two years,starting at 50 percent in fiscal

2016.According to WSSC’s pro-

posedcapital budget, theagencyplans to spend about $101 mil-lion in fiscal 2016 fixing waterpipes and about $34 million fix-ing sewer pipes.

Irvine said the goal is to re-hab about 55miles ofwater pipethis year.

Montgomery County Ex-ecutive Isiah Leggett openlyopposed the idea of WSSC re-structuring its fees, arguingthat the change could hit somecustomers harder than others.In October, Leggett (D) warnedthat it could give some people“sticker shock.”

Leggett was not availablefor comment on the proposedbudget.

But the County Council issupportive of the move to gen-erate more revenue from fees,said Councilman Roger Berliner(D-Dist. 1) of Bethesda, chair-man of the council’s Transpor-tation Infrastructure Energyand Environment Committee.

Both Montgomery and PrinceGeorge’s counties recom-mended phasing in the new fee.

To balance increasing costswith what customers can af-ford, the agency’s budget — 95percent of which is funded byratepayers — includes $1.7 mil-lion to establish a program thatprovides financial assistance tolow-income customers.

However, the agency is stillwaiting on approval from theGeneral Assembly to establishthe program. A bill is pendingthis session in Annapolis.

On the capital side, WSSCplans to spend about $9.6 mil-lion on water projects in Mont-gomery County and about $9.4million on sewer projects.

The lion’s share of its capi-tal work will happen in PrinceGeorge’s County, where theagency is working to meet therequirements of a settlementwith environmental groups, Ir-vine said.

[email protected]

WSSC proposes 1 percent rate increasen Planning Board will

review proposal March 5

BY VIRGINIA TERHUNESTAFFWRITER

TheMontgomery Parks de-partment could lower its $1.1million yearly electric bill by 25percent, according to a plan toinstall money-saving solar pan-els in two county parks.

The proposal is expectedto go before the county Plan-ning Board onMarch 5 in SilverSpring.

If approved, the arrayscould be installed at the SouthGermantown Recreational Parkand the Rock Creek RegionalPark in Derwood by the end ofthe year, said Jim Poore, Mont-gomeryParks facilitiesmanager.

“A federal tax credit [forsolar companies] expires inDecember, and the goal is tohave the [solar panels] up andoperational before that creditexpires,” he said.

Followinga10-monthstudyofpark facilities,officials recom-mend locating arrays of panelson two sites. One is on 5 acresin the South Germantown Rec-

reational Park near the archeryrange, golf driving range andcommunity garden.

The solarpanels in theRockCreek Regional park would belocated on a dredge spoils sitenear the intersection of Need-woodRoadand the IntercountyConnector, Poore said.

Both sites were recom-mended because of theirminimal negative effect on theenvironment, park activitiesand bordering communities,officials said.

“They’re not near resi-dences or other uses,” saidBrooke Farquhar, parks andtrails supervisor.

Assuming Planning Boardapproval, theplanwouldbeputout to bid for a solar companythat would likely spend $2 mil-lion to $3 million to build eacharray, and then generate elec-tricity that itwould sell toMont-gomery Parks at below-marketcost for 20 years.

“The electricity would goback into thegrid, andwe’dbuyit back at a discounted rate,”thereby lowering MontgomeryParks’ electricitybill, Poore said.

[email protected]

Solar arrays in countyparks on the fast track

n Military scaling backdeploymentsto West Africa

BY PEGGYMCEWAN

STAFFWRITER

Plans for members of anArmy Reserve unit in Rockvilleto fight the Ebola outbreak inWest Africa have been shelved.

The 398th Combat Sustain-ment SupportBattalionofRock-ville learned Jan. 29 that it was“down ramped off the planneddeployment that was supposedto take place in support of Op-eration United Assistance,” ac-cording to an email from Capt.

Sean Delpech, a public affairsofficer for the 310 SustainmentCommand, which includes the398th.

The local unit of about 68soldiers was told in mid-No-vember that it would deploy toSenegal or Liberia to supportOperation United Assistancelate this spring.

OperationUnitedAssistancewas designed to provide “logis-tics, training and engineeringsupport to the U.S. Agency forInternational Development toassist in ... efforts to contain andspread the Ebola Virus/Diseaseas part of the international as-sistance effort supporting thegovernments of Liberia, SierraLeone and Guinea,” according

to information from the U.S. Af-rica Command.

President Barack Obamapromised U.S. logistical helpto the disease-stricken Africancountries in September.

Staff Sgt. E6 Bedelle Mc-Queen of Gaithersburg said thatwhen she heard of the changeof plans her first thought was“more family time.” McQueenis the single mother of a 9-year-old son who would stay withhis godparents had the unit de-ployed. The two keep in touchwith each other using Skypewhen McQueen is away, some-thing she loves, she said, be-cause she can actually see him.

Another MontgomeryCounty soldier in the unit is 1stLt. David Lloyd of Germantown,a Seneca Valley High School

graduate.In December, Lloyd said he

was excited about going to help.“He feels very confident in

what he’s doing and I try to sup-port that,” his mother, SheilaLloyd of Germantown, said atthe time.

Now she’s glad he’s not go-ing.

“I [am] very happy that theywould not have to leave thecountry at this time,” she said.

Delpech said the change ofplans is the result of improvingEbola conditions inWest Africa.

The Pentagon “is reducingforces in the area and as a re-sult the 398th CSSB is being offramped from the ... mission un-til further notice,” he said.

[email protected]

Army Reserve unit not going to fight Ebola

1934080

1934233

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1934236

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On Wednesday, February 4, 2015, Todd E. Pendleton,artist, sculptor, and print maker, of Frederick, MD, passedaway.Todd is survived by his loving wife and companion ofthirty-seven years, Donna Walker-Pendleton, whom hemarried on December 10, 1988; his daughter, Denise AnnPendleton-De La Rosa of Laguna Beach, California; hisgrandson, Andres De La Rosa; his step-daughter, MichelleS. Walker-Rice of Byram, Mississippi; ; step-son, Kevin J.Walker of Dover, Pennsylvania; and his five step-grandchildren; and seven step great-grandchildren, whomhe loved dearly. He is also survived by his brother, John“Jack” Edward Pendleton and wife, Patricia, of Kensington,Maryland; and his niece, Lorraine M. Pendleton of Pacifica,California. In addition, he was lovingly cared for by hisnurse, Christa; and aide, Amelia. A Celebration of Life willbe held in Todd’s memory at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday,February 14, 2015, at Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702. Final resting-place ceremonies will be held at a later date at Cedar HillCemetery, Suitland, MD. Expressions of sympathy may beoffered to the family at www.StaufferFuneralHome.com

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1934213

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1934212

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGROCKVILLE’S PIKE PLAN

an Amendment to the City of Rockville Master Plan(Planning Commission Draft for Public Preview)

Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Council of Rockville is seeking testimony on the draft Rockville Pike Plan andwill conduct a public hearing on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as it may be heard, in theMayor and Council Chambers, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland. The hearing is inconnection with the June 2014 Planning Commission draft of Rockville’s Pike Plan, which the Planning Commission isconsidering to propose as an amendment to the City’s Master Plan.

The draft Plan covers 382 acres of the City of Rockville that is located south of Richard Montgomery Drive; north of theCity’s southern border; and west of the CSX railroad tracks and Metrorail right-of-way. The western border follows thewestern edge of Jefferson Street and runs through the Woodmont Country Club property. Rockville Pike (MD 355) bisectsthe area. The draft Plan includes transportation and land use policies, as well as implementation strategies. After thepublic hearings, the Mayor and Council may elect to send its comments to the Rockville Planning Commission, whichmay result in modifications to the draft Plan.

The Plan may be accessed via the City’s Web site at http://www.rockvillemd.gov/rockvillespike. Printed copies may bereviewed at the City’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services at Rockville City Hall; theTwinbrook and Rockville Public Libraries; the Rockville Senior Center; as well as the Lincoln Park, Thomas Farm, andTwinbrook Community Centers.

Written comments on the draft plan may be submitted to the Mayor and Council via email at [email protected] ormailed to City Clerk’s Office, Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Persons submittingtestimony, orally or in writing, are requested to provide their name and address. More detailed information is available bycontacting Cindy Kebba, Planner, at 240-314-8233.

Persons wishing to testify are requested to call the City Clerk’s Office at 240-314-8280 by 4:00 p.m. on the date of thehearing at which they intend to speak to place their names on the speakers’ list. Advanced sign-up is requested but notrequired.

Mayor and Council of RockvilleBy: Sara Taylor Ferrell, Acting City Clerk

1933011L

NOTICENotice is hereby given that applicationhas been made by:

Hector O. FloresDora Alicia Escobar

on behalf of Mercado Las AmericasInternational, Inc., for the transfer of aBeer & Light Wine License, Class A, OffSale Only, for the premises known asMercado Las Americas International,which premises are located at:

785 E. Rockville PikeRockville, Maryland 20852

A hearing on the application will be heldin the Montgomery County GovernmentRockville Library, First Floor MeetingRoom, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville,Maryland 20850, on:

Thursday: February 19, 2015At: 11:30 a.m.

Any person desiring to be heard on saidapplication should appear at the timeand place fixed for said hearing.

BY: Kathie DurbinDivision ChiefBoard of License Commissionersfor Montgomery County, Maryland

1933008

NOTICENotice is hereby given that applicationhas been made by:

Margery BrenemanLauren Barbara RobinsJackelyn N. Wirth

on behalf of Courtyard ManagementCorporation, for the transfer of a Beer,Wine & Liquor License, Class B, H/M,On Sale Only, for the premises knownas Courtyard by Marriott, whichpremises are located at:

2500 Research BoulevardRockville, Maryland 20850

A hearing on the application will be heldin the Montgomery County GovernmentRockville Library, First Floor MeetingRoom, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville,Maryland 20850, on:

Thursday: February 19, 2015At: 10:00 a.m.

Any person desiring to be heard on saidapplication should appear at the timeand place fixed for said hearing.

BY: Kathie DurbinDivision ChiefBoard of License Commissionersfor Montgomery County, Maryland

1934210

Notice Of Non-Discriminatory Policy As To Students

The Garrett Park, Glenbrook, Wesley, Silver Spring, Bannockburn,Bethesda, Suburban, Kensington, Chevy Chase United MethodistChurch, Rockville Presbyterian, Rockville Community, Cedar LaneCooperative Schools, Rockville Early Childhood Center and SilverSpring Day School admit students of any race, color, national and ethicorigin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generallyaccorded or made available to students at these schools. They do notdiscriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin inadministration of their educational policies, admissions policies,student-aid policies and other school-administered programs.

1933009

1934211

NOTICE OF HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and Council of Rockville, Maryland,will conduct a public hearing on Monday, March 2, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., oras soon thereafter as it may be heard, in the Council Chamber, RockvilleCity Hall, 111 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, Maryland, in connection withText Amendment Application TXT2015-00240, Mayor and Council,Applicant.

The purpose and intent of this application is to amend the zoningordinance to allow the Historic District Commission to authorize the filinga Sectional Map Amendment to designate a historic property if it meetsthe criteria for designation.

More detailed information on the above application can be found on file inthe City Clerk’s Office at Rockville City Hall. Persons wishing to testify atthe hearing are asked to call (240) 314-8280, before 4:00 p.m. on the dayof the hearing to place their names on the speakers’ list.

Mayor and Council of RockvilleBy: Sara Taylor-Ferrell, Acting City Clerk


BUSINESS

RadioShack plans to shut11 stores in countyRadioShack of Fort Worth,

Texas, which reported a netloss of $161.1 million in itsmost recent quarter, plans toclose 11 stores in MontgomeryCounty as part of its Chapter11 bankruptcy reorganizationplan.

The stores are on NewHampshire (two) and Georgiaavenues, all in Silver Spring;on Old Columbia Pike, Bur-tonsville; in Lakeforest malland on North Frederick Av-enue, both in Gaithersburg;on Muncaster Mill Road,Derwood; on Rockville Pike,Rockville; on Veirs Mill Road,Wheaton; on Wisconsin Av-enue, Bethesda; and in the As-pen Hill Shopping Center.

All told, the electronicschain plans to shutter about1,700 stores. Its plan, filed inthe last week, also calls forabout 1,700 stores to be incor-porated into Sprint stores.

CohnReznick promotestwo to partner

Accoun t i n g f i rmCohnReznickpromotedJeremyC o l v i l l eand Rich-ard Daviesto part-ner in itsBethesdaoffice.

Colvilleholds abachelor’sdegree inaccount-ing fromFrostburgState Uni-versity.

Davies,a mem-ber of thef i r m ’ scommer-cial realestate industry practice for

nine years, holds a bachelor’sin accounting and a master ofbusiness administration witha concentration in financefrom the University of Mary-land, College Park.

Freeman Cos. namesoperations directorCarl M. Freeman Cos. of

Rockville named Neil D. Burkaof Gaith-e r s b u r gd i r ec to rof opera-tions.

Previ-ously, wasd i r ec to rof assetmanage-ment with

Federal Realty InvestmentTrust and CFO of PMM Cos.

Liquor businessesget ID calendars

Montgomery County’sDepartment of Liquor Controlis giving calendars to 1,010county businesses that sell al-cohol to help them avoid sell-ing to minors.

The county worked withthe Maryland Motor VehicleAdministration’s HighwaySafety Office to develop andprint the 2015 identificationchecking calendars, accordingto a county news release.

The calendar is part of thecounty’s “Keeping It Safe”public education campaigndesigned to educate busi-nesses and the communityon alcohol laws and socialhost responsibility. The calen-dars feature monthly regula-tory tips, important licensingdates and training schedules.The state agency funded theproject.

The calendars also are atmontgomerycountymd.gov/dlc under “Licensing Regu-lation and Education, Re-sources.”

n Equity One releasesits initial plans for

Bethesda shopping center

BY ELIZABETH WAIBEL

STAFF WRITER

A redeveloped shoppingcenter in the Westbard neigh-borhood of Bethesda could add500 to 700 new homes and moreshops while retaining some ex-isting retailers, the developersaid last week.

Equity One owns 22 acresacross seven properties aroundWestbard Avenue where theGiant Food supermarket is,including Westwood Center,Westwood Center II, the Bowl-mor bowling alley, ManorCare,the Westwood Tower apart-ments and two Citgo gas sta-tions. The company is looking atredeveloping all of them exceptfor the apartment building overthe next 10 years or so.

At a meeting Feb. 4 withnews media members, MichaelBerfield, executive vice presi-dent of development for EquityOne, emphasized that the plansmight change down the road.

“We like it, but we realizethere are some things the com-munity will want to change,” hesaid.

In what Equity One is call-ing the “new Westwood,” mostparking is likely to be under-ground. Some townhouses areplanned across from the Ken-wood Place condominiums,where the Giant Food parkinglot is now. The Westwood Cen-ter that is home to Giant wouldbe divided into three blockswith a grocery store and othershops.

Across Westbard Avenue,more shops and condominiumsare planned to replace Bowl-mor, Westwood Center II andManorCare. The total numberof new residences has not been

determined, but Berfield saidthere would probably be about75 townhomes and 450 condo-miniums or apartments in theentire development. The maxi-mum number would be 700, hesaid.

Berfield said the area willnot be like Bethesda Row orRockville Town Center. EquityOne is not looking to create anew community, but to fit in theexisting community, he said.

“What we want is for thepeople who already come to theshopping center ... to stay lon-ger,” he said.

EquityOnehas startedhold-ing meetings with civic groupsto present its plan, and Berfieldsaid the response has been veryfavorable overall, despite somelingering concerns and objec-tions. As neighbors see render-ings with buildings that are 50to 75 feet tall, rather than high-rises, “they see that it is not ar-mageddon,” Berfield said.

The project will likely takeup to 2½ years to get approvalfrom the county PlanningBoard.Constructionwould thenbe phased in over a 10-year pe-riod, Berfield said. Equity Onehas not started talking with ex-isting tenants other than Giantabout staying through redevel-opment, he said. Giant’s leaseis up in 2019 and it is interestedin renewing it, but Berfield saidhis company also has been ap-proached by other grocery storechains.

As for the smaller stores,Berfield said it is in the land-lord’s best interest to keepshops customers want.

“We’re not going to do somesort of radical rent increase” forexisting tenants who want tostay, he said; the bigger concernis working with them to staythrough the disruptions of con-struction.

[email protected]

Shops, condos for the ‘new Westwood’

EQUITY ONE

This rendering shows what a shopping center in the Westbard neighborhood in Bethesda might look like 12 years from now. River Road is in the foregroundwith a reconfigured Westbard Avenue snaking through the center of the image.

BizBriefsHave a new business in Montgomery County?

Let us know about it at www.gazette.net/newbusinessform

Colville

Davies

Burka


BY GAZETTE STAFF

Many county and munici-pal offices and facilities will beclosed Monday for PresidentsDay.

County• Closed: public schools and

school offices; county offices;libraries; county liquor stores;senior centers; state offices andcourts.• Recreation: aquatic fa-

cilities and community centersopen; aquatics programs meetas scheduled; other classes andprograms canceled; administra-tive offices closed; Senior Ac-tive Adult Programs that meetin community centers are can-celed.• Montgomery Parks: all fa-

cilities open. Schedules are atMontgomeryParks.org.• Ride On buses: modified

holiday schedule.• Metrobus: Saturday sup-

plemental service.•Metrorail: Saturdayholiday

schedule.• TRiPS commuter stores

in Silver Spring and FriendshipHeights: closed.• Trash and recycling: no

collection; all pickups shiftedone day later all week.• Transfer station: open.• Free parking at public ga-

rages, lots and curbsidemeters.

Rockville• Closed: City Hall; Rockville

SeniorCenter; F. Scott FitzgeraldTheatre andboxoffice; CroydonCreek Nature Center; GlenviewMansion and its art gallery.• Thomas Farm and Twin-

brook community centers willbe open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.• Lincoln Park Community

Center will be open from 9 a.m.to 9:30 p.m.• Rockville SwimandFitness

Center open regular hours.• Free parking at city-owned

meters.• Trash and recycling pick-

ups as scheduled.More information is at rock-

villemd.gov or call 240-314-5000.

Holidayclosings

n Bill targets dealersbehind fatalities; protectsthose who try to help

BYDANIEL LEADERMANSTAFFWRITER

MontgomeryCounty’schiefprosecutor and lawmakersfrom the county are targetingthedealers behindoverdoses ofheroin and another dangerousdrug called fentanyl.Anewbill,writtenbyState’s

Attorney John McCarthy andDel. Kathleen M. Dumais (D-Dist. 15) of Bethesda,who is theproposal’s lead sponsor, wouldmake it a separate felony to dis-tribute either of the twodrugs ifthey are a “contributing cause”of someone’s death. Distribut-ing these drugs or possessingthem with intent to distributethem is already a felony.Overdose deaths from

heroin and fentanyl have beenincreasing across the state inrecent years, and the problemhas struckMontgomeryCountyas well, Dumais told The Ga-zette. The drugs responsible foroverdose deaths in the countytoward the end of 2014 are sus-pected to have come from acommon source, she said.Overall, there were 25

deaths from heroin-relatedoverdoses in 2014, andmany of

the victims were mixing heroinwith other drugs such as fen-tanyl, according to county po-lice.Statewide, Maryland saw

464 heroin overdose deaths in2013, and 428 in the first ninemonths of 2014; there were58 fentanyl-related deaths in2013 and 141 in the first ninemonths of 2014, according tothe state Department of Healthand Mental Hygiene. Heroinand fentanyl are often taken to-gether, according state healthofficials.According to the bill, the

proposed penalty for fatal dis-tribution, whether the dealerdirectly distributed the heroinor fentanyl to the victim or not,is up to 30 years in prison.The bill is modeled on a

federal statute which calls fortough sentences for drug deal-ers linked to overdose deaths,but does not include a manda-tory minimum sentence, Mc-Carthy said.Mandatory minimum sen-

tences have drawn fire fromcritics of the “War on Drugs,”who argue that such policiesare discriminatory against mi-norities.The Baltimore Student

Harm Reduction Coalition, astudent-run advocacy group,opposed thebill, explaining in astatement that “heavy-handedpolicies such as those in this

bill, which attempt to furthercriminalize drug use” were notas effective as policies that fo-cused more on treatment andtherapy for drug users.Dumais said the proposed

law was not intended to recre-ate the “WaronDrugs,” butwasintended to give law enforce-ment officials an additionaltool to prosecute drug dealerscontributing to the epidemic.County police say fatal

overdoses — once treated likeother unattended deaths— arenow being investigated morelike homicides, which meansdetectives are more focused ontrying to link the deaths to dis-tributors.Thebill is not solely focused

on punishment; it differs fromthe federal statute because italso includes a provision toprotect those who try to helpoverdose victims by calling forhelp,McCarthy said.The bill protects such a

person from prosecution if theevidence is obtained “solelyas result of the person’s seek-ing, providing or assisting withthe provision of medical assis-tance”—meaning it couldevenprotect the dealer if the dealertries to help.McCarthy said he was not

interested in “incarcerating ourway out of this problem” andthat adealerwho sees someonestart to overdose shouldn’t be

worried about whether or notto call 911.“We’ll give you immunity

because we will value that hu-man being’s life more than aconviction for distribution,”McCarthy said.At a public hearing on the

bill before the House Judi-ciary Committee in AnnapolisTuesday, the proposal drewcriticism from some BaltimoreCity lawmakers. Del. Jill Carter(D-Dist. 41) toldMcCarthy,Du-mais and other supporters thatshe didn’t see how creating anew criminal offense would re-ally enable the prosecutions ofhigher-level, rather than street-level, drug dealers.Calvert County State’s At-

torney Laura L. Martin (R), asupporter of the measure, re-sponded that there was a pro-vision in the bill stating that aperson doesn’t need to havedirectly distributed the drug tothe victim in order to face pros-ecution.The committee also heard

from the mothers of severalheroin addicts, some of whomurged lawmakers to pass thebill so the dealers could be heldaccountable. Other opponentsargued that the penalties fordistributing the drugs weresteep enough, and that therewere already adequate legalmethods to prosecute the high-level dealers.TimWeber, a formerheroin

addict fromCarroll County alsospoke in favor of the bill, whichhe said would strike a blowagainst dealers who don’t usedrugs themselves and thereforedon’t need treatment the waydrug users do.Dumais’s bill is co-spon-

sored by 15 other membersof the Montgomery County’sHouse delegation; the Senateversion of the bill is sponsoredby Sen. Susan C. Lee (D-Dist.16) of Bethesda. Its co-sponsorsinclude three other senatorsfrom the county.

[email protected]

Lawmakers back heroin-overdose billcluster, rather thanper school, asis currently done.It now appears the county

will examine the issue, too.On Monday, Montgom-

ery County Councilman RogerBerliner (D-Dist. 1) of Bethesdaoutlined his plans in a letter toNewton for a meeting onMarch7of variousgroupswith stakes inthe county’s school standards.The meeting “is intended to

serve as the beginning of a con-versation about what is workingwell in our county and frankly,what is not working well,” Ber-liner wrote.The meeting will address is-

sues such as why the county al-lowsdevelopmentwhen schoolsand roads are already crowded;why developers aren’t payingmore for infrastructure; whythe county needs to keep grow-ing; why businesses feel it’s soexpensive to do business in thecounty; and how Montgomeryshould compete economicallywith surrounding jurisdictions.Berliner said Tuesday he

hopes the meeting will be aforum for conversation, afterwhich participants will see whatthe next steps should be.The topic will be broader

than just schools, but schoolsare at the forefront of conversa-tion in the county, he said.Berliner said he’s not going

into the meeting with any pre-conceptions on the school issue

or any other topic.Newton called the letter the

beginning of a conversation in-volving the whole county, whileMoore argued that there is noindication that the county is ac-tually engaging in a reconsidera-tion of its standards.Moore has argued that

the city’s standards should bechanged,because it’s thecounty,not the city, that decides whenandwherenewschools arebuilt,and Rockville’s lower thresholdis only impeding development,not easing crowded schools.Feinberg said the city

doesn’t know what suggestionsand items may come out ofthe county meeting, and somemovement toward changingcounty standardsmay emerge.Onley said she thinks it

would be a mistake to miss a“golden opportunity” for Rock-ville to get together with thecounty to address the issue.Moore expressed concern

about waiting, but offered towithdraw his motion to pro-ceed if the council could agreeon a date to bring the topic backon the agenda after the countymeeting.Themayorandcouncil don’t

evenknowhow longanyprocessthat is startedbyBerliner’smeet-ingwill take, he said.Newton said she thinks the

County Council is aware thatschoolovercrowding is acounty-wide issue, andshedoesn’t thinkit will draw out the process.

[email protected]

VOTEContinued from Page A-1

153608G


part of the park worried that in-creasing fees would deter tour-ists.

Currently, theonly site alongthe park’s 184.5-mile length thatcollects fees is the Great FallsVisitor Center in Potomac. Thenewproposal announcedFridaywould raise those andother cur-rent fees, but not charge themat other sites, as was originallyproposed.

Some frequent users of thepark at Thursday’s meetingagreed with park officials thattrails,waterways andotherpartsof the park are in grave need ofrepair andmaintenance.

NormanLiebowof Rockvillehas been a bike patrol volunteerat the park since 1999. He saidthe park has been threatenedby natural disasters in the past,and the only way to protect it in

the future is for parkusers topayentry fees, rather than depend-ing on Congress for funds.

“Theparkneedsmoneydes-perately ...,” Liebow said. “It’snothing short of a miracle thatthis is still here.”

Elizabeth Miller of CabinJohn said she was concernedabout ecological damage to theparkbecauseof overuse. She en-couraged park staff to use someof the money they planned tocollect to restore and maintaindamaged areas. Miller said anentry fee far above the proposed$30 annual pass cost would bewell worth it for her.

“I will gladly pay $100 for anannual pass ... as a four- or five-day-a-week user of the park,”Miller said.

But others at the meetingworried that raising fees woulddeter visitors, especially peoplemaking short visits who mightnot think the proposed $15-per-vehicle fee was worth it.

Kenneth Kline of Potomacsaid that for many people in thedowncounty area, a $10 fee in-creasewouldn’tmakemuchdif-ference. But people in WesternMaryland or the average parkworker probably don’t make asmuch money, and raising feescould put the park out of reachfor the average user, he said.

“I think youneed topreserve[the park] for the common per-son,” he said.

Kline asked people in theroom to seek funding fromCon-gress and show their lawmakersthat getting money to maintainthe park is important to thecommunity.

More information is at park-planning.nps.gov/cocanalfees.Comments can be sent there,too.

Staff Writer Robert Randcontributed to this report.

[email protected]

FEESContinued from Page A-1

fers free guided tours to learnabout Henson and his escapeto Canada. The tours run fromnoon to 4 p.m., with the lasttour starting at 4 p.m.

Showings of a documen-

tary, “The Search for JosiahHenson,” are scheduled fornoon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The doc-umentary was shot by PBS’sTime Team America and fol-lows archaeologists research-ing the site. The documentarywas filmed in 2012 and airedin 2013, TheGazette previously

reported.All the events are free.

Visitors can park at the Ken-nedy Shriver Aquatic Center,5900 Executive Blvd., NorthBethesda, andwalk a short dis-tance to theHenson park.

[email protected]

HISTORYContinued from Page A-1

abused by her adult children andher husbandwasunable to inter-vene; but the victimwasn’t readyto leavethesituation,Kasdinsaid.

That’s one of the ongoingobstacles to stopping seniorabuse: a person who is vulner-able because they have physicalor cognitive challenges may bereluctant to leaveanabusive situ-ation, particularly because theabuser is also the victim’s care-giver, Kasdin said.

Such abuse often goes unre-ported, and general awareness oftheproblemis too low, saidMari-lynFeldman,directorof commu-nications for theCharlesE. SmithLife Communities. As many asone in 10 adults over the age of60 may be victims of abuse andstudiessuggest that foreverycasethat is reported,upto23casesarenot reported, Feldman said.

“I think awareness of elderabuse is probably about 40 yearsbehindwhere awareness of childabuse or marital abuse is,” Feld-man said.

Part of the center’s effort tochange the statistics is its part-nership with other organizationsin the area that can refer seniors

in need to the shelter, accordingto Feldman.

Those partners include theCatholic Charities Legal Networkof the Archdiocese of Washing-ton, the Jewish Council for theAging, the Jewish Social ServiceAgency, the Jewish CoalitionAgainst Domestic Abuse, HolyCross Hospital and the Mont-gomeryCountyhealthandpolicedepartments, Adult ProtectiveServices department and state’sattorney’s office.

“Only four percent of re-ported elder abuse cases comefrom the elder person; 96 per-cent of the reports come fromsomewhere else,” Debbie Fein-stein, a prosecutor who is chiefof the Family Violence Divisionof the Montgomery CountyState’s Attorney’s Office, said ina statement. “That makes us —physicians, law enforcement,care providers — so important.We need to recognize the redflags of elder abuse, act as am-bassadors, and educate the com-munity.”

Kasdin said that since Sep-tember, she has received morethan 30 phone calls about thecenter, some of which were gen-eral inquiries but others were re-ferrals fromcommunitypartners.But the center also offers what

Kasdin calls non-shelter advo-cacy—fielding calls frompeoplewho may need help but aren’tthe victims of abuse. Many callsdeal with cases of self-neglect,where seniors can’t take care ofthemselves anymore, andKasdinsaidsheoftentries toalignpeoplewith resources in the county thatcanhelp them.

The Charles E. Smith LifeCommunities operates a six-building campus in Rockville,which includes independent-liv-ing facilities for seniors, assistedliving facilities, long-termnursingcare,aspecialassisted-livingresi-dence for peoplewith conditionsaffecting their memories such asAlzheimer’s and dementia, and apost-acutecarecenterwhichpro-vides rehabilitation and recoveryservices. There is also an outpa-tientmedical practice.

TheElderSAFECenter isnotaseparate facility, but those need-ing shelter can be housed withinthe nursing-care facilities, Feld-man said.

Those buildings have round-the-clock receptiondesksandse-curity protocols in place to keepabuse victims safe and barringunauthorized visitors, Kasdinsaid.

[email protected]

SENIORSContinued from Page A-1

climate,” she said.Board members Christo-

pher Barclay, Judith Docca andMichaelDursovotedagainst thechange.

Docca said she didn’t sup-port any of the options. Shepointed to several concerns,sayingsomefamiliescan’taffordchild care if altered bell timeswere to change when their chil-dren needed supervision out-side school. Some students helppay for foodandrentbyworkinganafter-school job thatcouldbeaffected, she said.

“I think that we need theextra money for doing this therightway,” she said.

The approved bell timeshifts won’t cost the school sys-tem, according to officials. Theextra 10 minutes at elementaryschools will require the schoolsystem to add lunch hour aides.That expense, however, will becovered by savings from theshift in elementary start timesand how it narrows the windowfor bus operations.

Dahlia Huh, the board’sstudent member, said sleep de-privation is an issue and affectsstudent’s health and grades.Huh,asenioratClarksburgHighSchool, saida20-minutechangeisn’t ideal, but will help teenag-ers.

BoardmemberPhilipKauff-man suggested starting elemen-tary schools ahead of middleand high schools, but not mak-ing the changes until 2016-17.The proposal was rejected,with five opposing votes. Thatchange would have cost about$5 million, according to LarryBowers, thedistrict’s chief oper-ating officer.

“I think there is fairly com-pelling evidence that we should

bedoing something,”Kauffmansaid.

Arguing against Kauffman’splan, board member RebeccaSmondrowski said she wasconcerned that if elementaryschools started first, that wouldmean their first lunch periodwould shift to an even earliermorning slot.

Regarding the 20-minuteshift, she said that “somethingis better than nothing” and thesystem needs to be fiscally re-sponsible.

Durso said he opposedstarting elementary schoolsfirst because some families relyon their older children to behome first and take care of theiryoungersiblingsafterschool.Healso was concerned that someteachers would not be able towork in county schools if thesystem makes a change to belltimes.

At two public hearings onpossible changes, many speak-ers supported a later start forschools, citing improved healthfor students who would getmore sleep, fewer car accidentscaused by sleepy teens and bet-ter academicperformance.

Somewho opposedmovingbell times said a change wouldmake itdifficult forparents,par-ticularly those with elementaryschool students, to get to workon time or would force them touse child care.

From Jan. 1 through Feb.2, the district got 2,354 emailsabout the issue, about 64 per-cent of which voiced supportfor a change.Manywanted starttimes after 8:30 for middle andhigh school students, accordingto a Feb. 6 district summary.

Two school employee as-sociations surveyed theirmembers. About 70 percent ofprincipals didn’twant a change,according to a survey by theMontgomery County Associa-

tion of Administrators and Prin-cipals.

Based on a MontgomeryCounty Education Associationsurvey, larger percentages ofteachers opposed options be-fore the board than supportedthem.

Asked if a later high schoolstart time would improve aca-demic achievement, 45 percentsaid the shift “won’t make a dif-ference,”while32percent said itwould.

Sixty-five percent thoughta later high school time would“create problems” for studentsin sports and with other after-school activities and responsi-bilities.

The day before the vote, theorganization Save Our Sleepprotestedoutside theCarverEd-ucationalServicesCenter,wheretheschoolboardmeets.Protest-ers whowanted later start timesincluded students in pajamas,slippers and sleepingbags.

“I’mtirednowwhenIgetupand go to school, but I know inhigh school, I’m going to haveto wake up between 5:15 and5:30 and walk to the bus stopin the freezing cold and dark,”said protester Sophie Bresnicky,a seventh-grader at WestlandMiddle School inBethesda.

At the board’s Tuesdaymeeting, several people spokein support of a change to let stu-dents getmore sleep.

Diego Uriburu, execu-tive director of Identity Inc.,said any changes to bell timeswould be “extremely harmful”to the county’s Latino commu-nity. Some students work afterschool to provide critical sup-port for their families, he said,and changing the school sched-ule could cause them to losetheir jobs.

[email protected]

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OUROPINIONS LET TERS TOTHEEDITOR

As the parent of a MontgomeryCounty public school sixth-graderand an active advocate for schools,teachers, and students, I’m deeplydisturbed by the school board’s ac-tions resulting in the resignation ofSuperintendent Joshua Starr.

In a county that places the high-est priority on quality education, fewtasks facing the board are as impor-tant as choosing and evaluating asuperintendent. Residents expect arespectful, transparent, fair, andsub-stantive process.

However, there was no transpar-ency, and nothing to reassure thepublic that the board’s review of Dr.Starr’s tenure was respectful, fair orsubstantive. Numerous press stories,fed by multiple leaks, created an ad-versarial, hostile and inappropriatelypersonal tone.

In assessing Dr. Starr’s leader-ship, the board owed him and thecounty a fair, comprehensive evalu-ation of the accomplishments of thepast 3½ years. Instead, all reviewoc-curred behind closed doors, leavingthe impression that therewasno realprocess and that personal conflicts,not the best interests of students andschools, ruled the day. Leaving ourschool system without a superinten-dent during a very difficult time is

disrespectful of everyone.I worked with Dr. Starr on many

issues. In the fall of 2013, I was a par-ent representative inMCPSoperatingbudgetmeetings.Dr.Starr impressedme with his knowledge, concern,and deep engagement. His budgetdecisions were not predetermined;thoughtful input from every depart-ment and active parent participation

were the rule.I was grateful for Dr. Starr’s data-

driven approach. Making good deci-sions about 150,000+ students whilebeing told the money isn’t there re-quires investment in things thatwork— not what someone somewherethinks is good.Dr. Starr analyzedanddeveloped an evidence base for edu-cational programming, and insisted

on meaningful program evaluationto ensure that taxpayers’ money andthe time and talents of teachers, stu-dents and staff were spentwisely.

Dr. Starr’s pragmatic budgetperspective was refreshing and reas-suring. He insisted on a strongly fo-cused, multiyear budget approach,acknowledging that some thingsneed fixing but can’t be fixed now.He didn’t just tell people what theywanted to hear, but answered ques-tions honestly.

Dr. Starr was accessible, an-sweredhardquestions, tookcriticismandacknowledgedproblems.Hewasthe public face of 20,000+ employeesand answerable for all of them.

MCPS has many challenges. Ina system this large, there’s no way tofixor focusoneverythingquickly.Butduring Dr. Starr’s tenure, I’ve seenreal, positive,measurable changes inour schools.

While some judged Dr. Starrbased on pet issues, the only validmeasure is the overall progress andsuccess of our schools and students.From that perspective, he has servedour schools well. The board, with itsactions leading toDr. Starr’s resigna-tion, has served our schools poorly.

Lynne Harris, Silver Spring

Starr’s performance was sound, data-driven

2013 FILE PHOTO

Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Joshua P. Starr is scheduled toleave his position Monday, more than four months before his four-year contract wouldhave expired.

This letter is in response to thestory “Starr steps down as head ofcounty schools” on Feb. 4.

In theRepublicofMontgomeryCounty, it is always the approachto find out what others have donewrong rather than focus on innerreflection. The history of Mont-gomery County Public Schools hasbeen a decades-old spiral down-ward in educational performancedue to its failure to let our educa-tors do their jobs.

We have been plagued withbean-counting social engineerswho have suffered us with super-intendents who either reveled innepotism and cronyism, had theireyes set on a higher federal gov-ernment position, or just plainlydidn’t have the experience, back-ground and qualifications to stepinto a position 10 times more ex-acting than the one from which

they came.Fault should not be placed on

Mr. Starr for doing what each of uswould have done— that is, to takea high profile $200,000 job pre-sented tome on a silver platter.

The board of education, for allof its self aggrandizement andbackslapping, has providedour citizenswith a school system that appearsto be either day care centers orholding cells. The board speaks ofracial and educational equality,yet all we get is a dumbed-downcurriculum; AP and honors classesthat are mere shells of what theyused to be; teachers and educa-tors who are more paper-shufflingdrones, for county office bureau-crats, than experienced and moti-vated teachers.

If you desire racial and educa-tional equality, then the standardsmust behigher for all, not lower for

all. Get the special interest groupsout of the equation.

Personally, I would take lessthan $200,000 to do a better jobthan the three previous super-intendents of public education.Of course, we would have higherstandards, far fewer Marxist beancounters and special interest hang-ers on, more power and control toour in-class educators and admin-istrators, anda grading system thatwould challenge students and par-ents to either put up or shut up.

No student has the right tograduate if he or she does notmeet standards of attendance andsubject proficiency. MCPS needsa house cleaning from top to bot-tom.MCPS needs to finally under-stand that their only job is publiceducationandnotpublic relations.

Wilson Faris, Gaithersburg

Time for a housecleaning atMCPS

I must express my alarm at theunexpected resignation of Mont-gomery Schools SuperintendentJoshua Starr on Feb. 3.

Mr. Starr is leaving his postbefore finishing his contract afterhis hiring in 2011. Surely, if thecontracts of the past two superin-tendents merited renewal, some-thing must have seriously gonewrong under his administration.Yet, I have searched in vain for anexplanationofwhyMr. Starr “lackssupport from a majority of theeight-member board,” accordingto a Jan. 27 editorial in The Wash-ington Post, which apparentlyprompted him to resign.

Hiring a schools superinten-dent is a paramount duty of theboard and great care and consid-

eration must be taken in makingthis decision. If an error in judg-ment has been made and thesuperintendent is released fromhis position, the board must beforthcoming to the public for thereasons why. The board is elected— not appointed — and is there-fore directly accountable to thepublic.

Not one candidate in lastyear’s election, however,made theretention ofMr. Starr an issue dur-ing their campaign. Not one of theeight candidates — incumbentsand challengers — mentionedhis leadership as a pressing issueor “priority” in any of the state-ments printed in the MontgomeryCounty League of Women Voters’Guide.

Was there an emergency issuethat occurred between ElectionDay 2014 and Feb. 3? If so, whydidn’twe, thepublic, hear about it?

A reviewof recent news report-ing on the board’s activities alsoraises questions over its transpar-ency and how it might be a stum-bling block for the board.

Recently, there have been sev-eral moves in the right direction atthe county level. I hope this newculture of openness filters downinto the current board’s conduct.

I urge you to improve uponyour record of transparency andaccountability, starting with a de-tailed explanation of why a plural-ity of the board refused to offer anew contract toMr. Starr.

Kendall Watson, Kensington

Board can’t stay silent on departure

One of the elements of the dis-missalcontractofSuperintendentStarris that he and the board of educationwill not speakbadly of eachother.

Since when should taxpayermoneybeused—I’mtalkingabout the$100,000pay fornowork,whichthesu-perintendentwillget—topreventcriti-cismof elected public officials, namelythe school boardmembers.Why is thiseven legal?

Zachary Levine, Rockville

Pay agreement isquestionable

I don’t yet have school-age chil-dren, so I haven’t followed JoshuaStarr’s career closely enough to havean opinion on whether he should stayor go.

But I find the school board’s lackof transparency about Starr’s abruptdismissal tobequitedisturbing. Schoolboard members are our elected rep-resentatives, and the school superin-tendent is one of the highest-rankingofficials in the county.

We the voters and taxpayers havetheright toknowwhat theschoolboardfound problematic about Starr’s ten-ure. Thatwould tell us, farmore clearlythan campaign boilerplate, what theirpositions andpriorities are.

Yet based on the statements by Pa-triciaO’Neill andMichaelDurso, as re-ported inyourFeb.4edition, theschoolboard seems intent on papering overconflicts and avoiding accountabilityfor thedecision.

I urge The Gazette to follow up onthis issue.

Marc Goldstein, Kensington

Wedeserveanswers, notboilerplate

Not too long ago, I read that my superinten-dent, Joshua Starr, called for a three-year morato-riumon standardized testing.

When I learned of Dr. Starr’s proposal, I hadwished itwere inplacealready.By the time Igradu-ate thisMay fromThomasS.WoottonHighSchool,I will have sat through seven Maryland State As-sessments, six MAP-R Reading Tests, three Mary-landHigh School Assessments, two SATReasoningTests, three SAT II Subject Tests, one ACT, and 13AdvancedPlacement exams.

Montgomery Countymay rank among the na-tion’s highest-performing school systems, but Dr.

Starr clearly understands that such rankings areaggregations, often based on flawedmeasures likestandardized tests.

Dr. Starr’s willingness to speak out against ourcultural and institutional deification of standard-ized tests clearly reflects an understanding thatforcing teachers to teach to standardized tests willdo nothing to narrow any achievement gap, eth-nic or economic (Maryland has one of the largestwealth-based achievement gaps in thenation).

The board of education has criticized Dr. Starrfor failing to articulate a vision to narrow Mont-gomery County’s achievement gap (even as under

his tenure,Montgomery County hasmade notableprogress in narrowing that). But his courage tospeak truth to power on matters such as these re-flectsacomprehensivevision,onethat isapplicabletoMontgomeryCounty,Maryland and thenation.

Dr. Starr has stoodup to the lunacyofNoChildLeft Behind, to Common Core’s failure in Partner-ship for Assessment of Readiness for College andCareers assessments, to bring anything better, andtothosewhoprioritizepoliticalexpediencyoverdo-ing the right thing.Hewill be sorelymissed.

Ben Feshbach, North Potomac

Starr spoke up for the right educational causes

Superintendent’s resignation

Superintendent Joshua P. Starr ispreparing to leaveMontgomery CountyPublic Schools onMonday.

As he goes, the school boardmustexplain the reasons for his departure interms that don’t violate its separationagreement with him, but give the publicthe answers it needs.

Nearing the end of a four-year term incharge ofMaryland’s largest school sys-tem, Starr told Gazette reporter Lindsay

A. Powers inmid-January that he wasready and willingfor a second term,declaring himself“in it for the longhaul.”

Starr had untilFeb. 1 to formallyrequest a new con-tract. The boardhad until March 1

to say yes or no.In a Jan. 21 Gazette story polling the

board for its thoughts on another termfor Starr, two boardmembers were firmlyin favor of keeping him; he needed fiveout of eight board votes. Othermembersspoke in hazy terms of their concerns andconsiderations.

Then, the grapevine lit up. In severalstories and an editorial in late Januaryand early February, TheWashington Postanonymously quoted “county officials”who purported to know the thinking ofunnamed dissatisfied school boardmem-bers, concluding that a second Starr termwas unlikely. Othermedia joined in, andthe speculation becamewidely acceptedas truth.

When the Feb. 1 contract deadlinepassed, school officials wouldn’t say ifStarr made an official request to con-tinue. On Feb. 3, the board and Starrannounced that his time inMontgomeryCounty was ending. Not only would henot serve a second term, he wasn’t fin-ishing the first. Starr plans to stay untilMonday, more than fourmonths beforehis contract ends.

The separation agreement includes awealth of pay and benefit arrangements.He’ll get nearly $100,000 in salary hewould have earned if he worked throughJune 30, as originally planned. The schoolsystemwill provide health insurancecoverage until Dec. 31 or until he getsanother job.

The agreement also says this: “Boardmembers and the Superintendent shallrefrain frommaking disparaging remarksregarding the other. This provision shallnot be construed to prohibit the Board orthe Superintendent from discussing theschool systems (sic) objectives, policies,practices, programs, operations and thelike.”

When Starr and the board announcedtheir separation, Starr said he’d haveliked to have continued in his job. Presi-dent Patricia O’Neill, speaking for theboard on Feb. 3, is on record saying thesame thing.

Other boardmembers gathered forthe announcement, but none com-mented—notably, opponents who, pre-sumably, expressed grievances throughoff-the-record channels.

A puzzled public is left to ponder,“Why?” There have been few clues. Can-didates elected to new terms in Novem-ber didn’t campaign on getting a newsuperintendent.

Webster’s NewWorld College Dic-tionary says “disparage” is “1. to lower inesteem; discredit. 2. to speak slightinglyof; show disrespect for; belittle.”

These definitions and the rest of theseparation clause leave a wide berth fordiscussion and explanation. Boardmem-bers who didn’t want Starr to stay shouldtell students, parents and others whathappened and why, as best as they can.We’re confident that can be done without“disparaging.”

We gladly offer space on these pagesfor those answers and for Starr to re-spond, if he chooses. Silence will notsuffice.

Speak upabout super

PUBLICENTITLED

TO BOARD’SREASONING

FOR NOTRETAINING

STARR

9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 | Phone: 301-948-3120 | Fax: 301-670-7183 | Email: [email protected] letters appear online at www.gazette.net/opinionTheGazette

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Karen Acton,President/Publisher

ForumForumThe GazetteWednesday, February 11, 2015 | Page A-16


Montgomery Countyschools are banning plas-tic foam. I do agree that theyshould ban plastic foam andothermaterials like that.

The article that we readsaid that they do not recycleplastic foam and that is notgood for the environment be-cause if there is always trashand plastic around, thatwouldbe bad for the Earth and if thetrash gets into the ocean, thatwould affect the sea animals.

The article also says thatgetting plastic foam is ex-pensive and I already know

that most parents do not likespending too much money onsomething that they probablydon’t really need while theycan spend it on something thatthey do need.

Since the plastic foamcan-not be recycled, the CountyCouncil wanted food servicecompanies to use composta-ble trays that you can recycle.

Alexis Thornton, 10,Germantown

Thewriter is a Girl ScoutJunior in Troop 4045 in Ger-mantown.

Foam is bad for environment

I think that it is great thatyou are banning plastic foamfrom Montgomery County.Since you are banning plas-tic foam from MontgomeryCounty, people will probablystop the habit of biting thestyrofoam.

I think lots more peoplebesides me think that is agreat idea to ban styrofoam.

A reason why I think it is agreat idea tobanplastic foamis because styrofoam cannotbe reused. Often, glass andplastic can be reused.

Riya Malhotra, 10,Germantown


Banning foam is a great idea

Montgomery County isgoing to stop the use of plas-tic foam. The Montgomeryschools have started to re-place their foam trays withcardboardones.

[Montgomery CountyPublic Schools Food andNutrition Services Direc-tor] Marla Caplon says thechange did not come with-out a cost. The district paysabout $150,000 more a yearfor nonfoam trays. But it’s thecost thathaspreventedMCPSfromcompletelymovingaway[to] nonfoam trays.

The first phase of the billrequires food service busi-nesses to eliminate use ofplastic foam products. Thebill also requires county gov-ernment and its contractorstomove tocompostableor re-cyclable containers [and bansthe] sale of products, includ-ing foam packing peanuts,starting in January 2016.

Madeline Moore, 10,Germantown

Thewriter is aGirl ScoutJunior inTroop 4045 inGer-mantown.

County will move awayfrom foam products

I have read your articleabout Montgomery banningplastic foam. I think that this isa problem that you have takenverywell.

As a kid, I have realized thatIhavebeenseeingtheseactionsaround me. For example, myschool has stopped using plas-tic foam trays and startedusingcardboard ones. I do agree thatthis is a topic that should bediscussed and I also agree thatthey should banplastic foam.

As a Girl Scout, our troopis always trying to make theworld a better place and be apartof society.And I thinkban-ningplastic foamwill helpwiththis matter. Thank for your co-operation and listening to myletter.

Brenna Pagliarulo, 11,Germantown

Thewriter is aGirl ScoutJunior in Troop 4045 inGer-mantown.

Girl Scouts support actiontomake the world better

Montgomery County, Iagree with you that styrofoamcups should be banned.

One of the reasons is kidscan choke on it. Another isthat styrofoam can harm theanimals. Another is that styro-foam factories use chemicalstomake styrofoam.

Some other reasons arethat the styrofoam can break

easily. Some ofmy reasons arethat the styrofoamcanbecomeall over the ground becausepeople litter.

Pariss Whitehead, 10,Germantown

Thewriter is aGirl ScoutJunior inTroop 4045 inGer-mantown.

There aremany reasonsfor outlawing foam

I read your article aboutwhy Montgomery County isgoing to ban plastic foam. Itotally agree with your infor-mation provided. I think thatMontgomery County shouldban plastic foam. It makessense that the little pieces ofstyrofoam are hard to detect.

I live in Germantown andlitter is a huge problem in myneighborhood. I see styrofoama lot and I think that banning itwould help litter a lot.

Also, if you didn’t hear, inmy neighborhood, the play-ground got burnt and the newone got put up! So if you knowanyone who helped with that,tell them I said thank you!Thank you for reading my let-ter!

Lauren Seib, 10,Germantown


Foam pieces add to the litter

LET TERS TOTHEEDITOR

Scouts weigh in on plastic foam ban

It is hard to keep up with themounting evidence that electroniccigarettes pose more risks than theirmarketerswould like us to believe, es-pecially for children and teens.

Although electronic cigarettes donot produce tobacco smoke, they docontain nicotine and other dangerouschemicals. That’s why I introduced abill in theMontgomeryCountyCoun-cil to prohibit the use of electroniccigarettes in public spaces where tra-ditional cigarette smoking is banned,including in public buildings and res-taurants. The bill also would prohibituse of electronic cigarettes by minorsand would require child-resistantpackaging for them.

The use of electronic cigarettes,commonlycalled“vaping,”hasgrowndramatically since the product’s in-troduction in 2007. The practice hasbecome so commonplace that theOxford Dictionary selected the word“vape” as its 2014 “Wordof the Year.”

Perhaps swayed by the belief thatelectronic cigarettes are safe, or em-boldened by the fact that e-cigs havelittle odor that parents could detect,teenswhohave never tried traditionalcigarettes are using e-cigs. In fact,the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention report that e-cig use hastripled among teens in just two years.These young people are unwittinglyputting themselves at risk for nicotine

addiction and nicotine poisoning, aswellaspotentiallygraduatingtoharm-ful tobaccoproducts.

What exactly is in an electroniccigarette? It is hard to say. In addi-tion to themost common ingredients— propylene glycol, nicotine and fla-vorings — studies have revealed a lotof unsavory things, like carcinogens,heavy metals and even silicon fibersin some e-cigs. But with 90 percentof electronic cigarettes being manu-factured in China, where productionlacks even the most basic of regula-tions, they could contain just aboutanything.

Many states, including Maryland,prohibit the sale of electronic ciga-

rettes to minors. Municipalities in-cluding New York City, Los Angeles,Boston and Chicago, also have en-acted restrictions on their use.

While the Food and Drug Ad-ministration is currently consideringregulations to address electronic ciga-rettes, it isnotclearwhenthoseregula-tionswould be finalized or take effect.In the meantime, I’m not willing togamble with the health of our currentgeneration of young people. Wemustput someprotections inplace, andwemust do it now.

Nancy Floreen, Garrett ParkThewriter is vice president of the

MontgomeryCountyCouncil.

Use of electronic cigarettes must be restrictedThis is a recommendation letter for Nev-

ille Levi as a candidate forMontgomery VillageBoardofDirectors.

Mr. Levi has experience as a former Mont-gomery Village Foundation Board member,serving two terms, and participated on severalsubcommittees over the years. As a resident ofMontgomery Village for 16 years, he has beenengagedwith the community and is enthusias-tic to work with the board to continue to helpimprove thequality of life for the community.

Craig L. Rice, GermantownThewriter is aMontgomeryCounty coun-

cilman.

Levi is good forMontgomery Village

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ROCKVILLE | ASPEN HILL | POTOMAC | OLNEY

www.gazette.net | Wednesday, February 11, 2015 | Page B-1

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GIRLS BASKETBALL: QO at Watkins Mill, 7 pm Friday.

TRACK: State championships, Monday & Tuesday.

I’m goingto date myselfhere: On Sat-urday, I cov-ered my 11thWashingtonMetropolitanInterscholasticSwimming andDiving Champi-onships. Need-less to say, I’mno stranger tohow the meet works, I’ve even pickedout my favorite viewing spot. But Sat-urday, after I flashed my press passin return for one of those “official”orange vests and was told multipletimes in a rather stern manner not todare try and speak to Stone Ridge se-nior and 2012 Olympic gold medalistKatie Ledecky while on the pool deck— a formal press conference was tofollow the conclusion of the meet— I was denied access to “my spot.”There were barricades everywhereand, to go along with the biggestcrowd I’ve ever seen at a high schoolswimming competition, security wasthe tightest it’s ever been at Metros.

I’ll admit I was annoyed by theinconvenience at first but quicklyrealized how completely necessary itwas. At last winter’s championship,it seemed Ledecky couldn’t go any-where on deck without being askedfor an autograph or picture — I’mtalking about during the competition.As in, she was minutes away fromgetting up on the starting blocks toswim a race and go for an Americanrecord and young kids, understand-ably, were holding out pieces ofpaper for her to sign and snappingpictures with their phones. And ofcourse, Ledecky, a sweet and incred-ibly grounded person, was lettingthem. I’m half convinced she mighthave stayed there andmissed herevent had her coach not come over toregulate.

I can’t imagine Ledecky deny-ing anyone an autograph or photo,no matter how bright her star shines— and it’s already pretty bright. I’veseen her hang aroundmeets long af-ter everyone else has left to make sureshe’s talked to every little kid, to fansof all ages who approach her, no mat-ter how tired she might be.

“It’s always good to give back,I felt great support from this com-munity during the Olympics and atworlds and swimming at the inter-national level, I’ve definitely reallyappreciated all the support,” Ledeckysaid. “It’s fun to see andmeet some ofthe younger swimmers and the littlekids that are aspiring to be really goodswimmers when they grow up. ...

“I remember being a 6-year-oldand watching my brother swim. Hewas 9 and I would look up to all thekids who were juniors and seniors inhigh school and be in awe of them.And from there to getting autographsfrom Olympians when I was little. Iknow howmuch that impacted me soit’s something that it’s a good feelingwhen you can give back like that.”

We have all been extremelyprivileged to be a part of this Ledeckyhigh school era. While this area hasproduced its share of Olympians—when I first started working at TheGazette, Kate Ziegler was a junior atBishop O’Connell, breaking Americanrecords— these last three-plus yearshave been something truly special,a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for

Ledecky stillgiving backto the fans

SPORTS WRITERJENNIFER BEEKMAN

n Ledecky lowers her ownrecord in 500-yard freestyle in

final high school event

BY JENNIFER BEEKMANSTAFF WRITER

First-year Churchill High Schoolswimming and diving coach ChrisTappis is no stranger to the presti-gious Washington Metropolitan In-terscholastic Swimming and DivingChampionships. A 2003 Sherwoodgraduate, he was among the meet’stop 5 individual scorers as a juniorand senior but even he admittedthe electric atmosphere of Saturdaynight’s 51st Metros, held at the Ger-mantown Indoor Swim Center, wasbeyond anything he’d experienced.

Thehistoricmeet, whichwaswonSaturday by the defending championChurchill girls and Georgetown Prepboys, is perennially one of the fastesthigh school meets in the country butthis particular installment marked

the final high school competition forStone Ridge senior and 2012 Olym-pic gold medalist Katie Ledecky.

It was standing room only in theviewing area and once that reachedcapacity nearly 100 fans lined thewindows peering down over the poolin the hopes of catching a glimpse ofthe action.

“Just the energy you got from be-ing down on the deck, it was special,not just for the kids but for every-one,” Tappis said. “It’s much big-ger now than even when I swam. ...It is awesome to get to be around[Ledecky], it’s great for our sport.”

A total of 10 meet records werebroken, four of them by GeorgetownPrep. Ledecky and Holton-Arms se-nior CarolineMcTaggart set two newmeet marks apiece.

The Little Hoyas set the tonefor a spectacular meet by winningthe opening 200-yard medley relayin meet-record fashion (1 minute,31.90 seconds). They won sevenof nine individual events and all

three relays — worth twice as manypoints — to finish in first place with478 points. Gonzaga, the championfrom 2011-13, placed with 439 pointsand Walter Johnson backed up lastweek’s Division I championshipwin over preseason favorite RichardMontgomery by finishing third (297points). The Rockets and resurgentWhitman rounded out the top 5 with262 and 200 points, respectively.

Churchill’s girls took a stepcloser to sweeping championshipseason by dominating the field Sat-urday with a 412.50-245 advantageover runner-up Holton-Arms. ThePanthers made a major move fromoutside the top 5 a year ago. Blair(236.50), Sherwood (221) and WalterJohnson (216) finished third throughfifth.

“I don’t know if it was [expectedthat we win] but it was definitelyearned and wanted,” Prep coachMatt Mongelli said. “We went backand forth [with Gonzaga], it just de-pended on what style of meet [we

swam]. They had some guys swimsome amazing swims and so did we.We’re probably most excited aboutthe 200 freestyle relay record, we’vewon that event before but we’venever held the record.”

Prep senior Carsten Visseringhad a hand in three meet recordsSaturday. After joining with Bran-don Goldstein, Kevin Berry and An-drew Omenitsch in the 200 medleyrelay, he broke his own meet markin the 100 breaststroke (53.22) andswam the second leg of the record-breaking 400 freestyle relay that alsoincluded classmates Grant Goddard,Goldstein and Adrian Lin. God-dard, Lin and sophomores MatthewHirschberger and Samuel Tarter setthe 200 freestyle record (1:24.34).

To roaring cheers Ledecky low-ered her own American record inthe 500 freestyle to 4:26.58. She nowholds the top 4 times in USA Swim-ming history. The Stanford Univer-

Georgetown Prep, Churchill girls defendMetros titles

n Falcons junior finishedsecond a year ago; ready to

win it all

BY PRINCE J. GRIMES

STAFF WRITER

The Good Counsel High Schoolwrestling teamwon its third consecu-tive Washington Catholic AthleticConference title on Saturday, edgingout St. John’s College High, 226-199.Synonymouswith each of the school’stitles has been the success of junior145-pounder Kevin Budock, who haswon individual titles each time.

Budock pinned Gonzaga’s DenisWhitcomb to earn his latest WCACvictory. Budock was non-theatricalin collecting his medal. He humblyaccepted it with the look of someonewith bigger goals.

Budock’s match appeared to beover just moments into the actionas he scored a near fall early on. His

opponent was able to slip out onlyto finally succumb to Budock’s unre-lenting squeeze. Had Budock not wonby fall, he surely would have won bytechnical fall. The match was never indoubt.

He said the tournament wasn’tabout him. It was all about getting itdone for the team.

“It’s a big team thing. Every pointcounts,” Budock said after receivinghis medal. “[We] gotta rely on eachother. So just because I won thisdoesn’t mean that the team will win.[You] got to think about everyoneelse.”

That being said, Budock is one ofthe best wrestlers in the nation. Out-side of any success his team does ordoesn’t achieve, he’ll be sure to gar-ner individual accolades.

Last year, Budock was the Na-tional Preps runner-up at 132 pounds,losing a 2-1 decision to the same per-son he defeated to win the MarylandIndependent State championship.The previous year, Budock was the

national runner-up at 120 pounds.He won the MIS title that year as well.With the MIS tournament scheduledfor Feb. 20, he’ll be looking to matchhis WCAC performance with a thirdstraight win.

Many wrestlers express the pref-erence to peak during this time ofthe season. They hope all of the workleading up to championship seasonprepares them to make deep cham-pionship runs. Budock said he alwayswants to be a the top of his game.

“I just got to keep on prepar-ing the way I prepare,” Budock said.“Practices have certainly got moreintense, but shorter. I’ll just listen towhat the coaches say do, and I’ll begood.”

When he came in as a freshman,Good Counsel won the MIS team titleand placed third at National Preps.Last year, they took fourth at nationalsand second in the state. Prior to Bu-dock’s arrival, in 2012, Good Counsel

Chasing a national titleGREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Good Counsel wrestler Kevin Budock (left) practices with teammate Dale Tiongson at the school in Olney on Dec. 24.

See WRESTLER, Page B-2

See LEDECKY, Page B-2See SWIMMING, Page B-2

n Top high schoolathletes changetheir minds

BY ERIC GOLDWEINSTAFF WRITER

Last week’s national sign-ing day was a formality formany high school athleteswho’d already reached non-binding verbal commitmentsto play football with their re-spective schools.

But with a perceived in-crease of flipped recruits —athletes who make a verbalcommitment to one school,and then end up signing withanother — means highly-touted prospects are sur-rounded by skepticism untilthey put pen to paper.

It’s unclear whether playersare decommitting more nowthan they did five or 10 yearsago. But if flipping isn’t moreprevalent, it’s certainly morevisible. With media expand-ing its recruiting coverage andsocial media usage becomingmore widespread, the top highschool talent is being trackedclosely well before signing day.

Tom Luginbill, ESPN’s na-tional recruiting director, saidthat athletes have started usingthat attention to their advan-tage by creating an environ-ment where they’re in higherdemand. Whereas before somerecruiting was done with, ath-letes now have an outlet tomarket themselves.

“Kids are savvy ... They un-derstand that throughout theprocess, they hold all the cards.By and large, they have all theleverage,” Luginbill said.

Though decommittingremains the exception tothe rule, there were severalinstances in MontgomeryCounty and Prince George’sCounty. Tyler Green, a seniorfrom DeMatha in Hyattsville,

Recruitsflip a lot onsigning day

See VERBAL, Page B-2

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Bullis High School senior Devonte Williams verbally committed to Marshallbefore changing to Indiana.

THE GAZETTEPage B-2 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 r

sity recruit also broke her ownhigh school national record inthe 200 freestyle (1:41.55).

McTaggart, who anchoredwinning 200 and 400 freestylerelays, set new meet marks in

the 50 and 100 freestyle races.Gonzaga’s Ryan Murphy andMadeira’s Kylie Jordan set re-cords in the 100 freestyle and100 butterfly, respectively.

In addition to Ledeckyand McTaggart, other mul-tiple individual event winnersincluded Vissering (200 indi-vidual medley, breaststroke),

Hirschberger (200 freestyle,500 freestyle), Jordan (200individual medley, 100 but-terfly), Goddard (50 freestyle,100 butterfly), and Baker (100freestyle, 100 backstroke).

“I watched my brotherswim at Metros, he is threeyears older than me, I cameto every Metros and I always

wanted to be down [on thedeck],” Ledecky said. “I reallyam going to miss [high schoolswimming] and swimmingwithmy teammates and someof my best friends.”

Note: For full results checkpvswim.org.

[email protected]

SWIMMINGContinued from Page B-1

was far from a bottom-feeder— but failed to notch top-fivefinishes at either tournament.

The team’s latest successhas been parallel with his as-cent, and while it’s certainlydue to more than one person,Budock’s impact can’t be un-derstated.

“He’s a hammer,” Good

Counsel coach Skylar Saarsaid. “It’s nice to have a kidthat’s one of the best in thecountry in your lineup. Youcan rely on him to get the jobdone. It makes it easier as acoach to sit back and watch

and not have to hang on everylittle position. Knowing youhave that in the lineup reallyhelps.”

[email protected]

WRESTLERContinued from Page B-1

swimmers to get to train andcompete against an Olympicchampion andmultiple worldrecord holder and for youngchildren to watch one. Thenext great American swimmercould be one of these 11-year-olds who begged their parentsto drive 2 1/2 hours to seeLedecky swim in person— Italked to one of them Satur-day.

Ledecky’s success— four-time world champion, five-time Pan Pacific goldmedalist,a plethora of other awardsand accolades— has alsobrought consistent attentionto a sport the general publictypically only cares about onceevery four years. One of mybest friends, who I’m prettysure has never seen a swimmeet but lives down the streetfrom Stone Ridge, called afterworlds in the summer of 2013to ask if I’d ever heard of KatieLedecky and then proceededto list her accomplishments.

Whenever I hint toLedecky at how easily she winsher high school races, her re-sponse is always kind wordsabout her fellow competitors.When I’ve asked what it’s liketo be 16, now 17, with 25,000-plus Twitter followers and fansfrom all over the world call-ing her their idol, she smilesbut downplays her fame. Andshe has a ton of charitableinvolvements. These are theadmirable qualities I thinkmake hermost worthy of herrolemodel status, possiblyevenmore than her accom-

plishments. This is a personwho has rewritten swimminghistory before she’s graduatedhigh school. She has everyright to be arrogant and expectpreferential treatment, but asStone Ridge coach BobWalkertoldme earlier this season,she’s still just Katie, a regularteenage girl and the friend hercronies have grown upwith.

Here’s to hoping I get towrite a similar column in 10years.

[email protected]

LEDECKYContinued from Page B-1

from DeMatha in Hyattsville,verbally committed to OhioState in June — calling it his“dream school” — before de-committing in December andlanding with Indiana (Big Ten)five days later.

Bullis senior Devonte Wil-liams had committed to Mar-shall (Conference USA) inNovember but backed out atthe last second to sign with In-diana.

Adam McLean, a seniorfrom Quince Orchard, ac-cepted a verbal offer fromPenn State in April, only todecommit in November andthen commit to Maryland inDecember. The star defensivelineman, who had offers fromboth schools in 2013, said hehad a change of heart after suf-fering a right knee injury thispast season. He announcedhis decision on Twitter afternotifying Penn State, and wasgreeted by a harsh online re-sponse.

“I thought some peoplewould have a little bit more re-spect ... a lot of people thoughtI was kind of a traitor,”McLeansaid.

Coaches and recruitingexperts said the acceleratedrecruiting process can resultin athletes making decisionsbefore they’re ready. Some aregiven ultimatums, and toldtheir scholarship spots will betaken if they don’t accept theverbal offers.

Isaiah Prince, a heavily re-cruited lineman from EleanorRoosevelt (Greenbelt), ver-bally committed to Alabamaon Jan. 22 before committingto Ohio State on signing day.Raiders coach Tom Green saidthat Prince had accepted theoriginal offer to Alabama afterhe was pressured by the SECpowerhouse.

“In somany words they tellyou if you don’t take it [they]don’t have a spot for you,”Green said.

The accelerated recruit-ing has presented challengesto the college teams too. Oc-casionally, in their quest tolock down the top talent, someschools have ended up offer-ing scholarships they couldn’tprovide. That was the case atLouisville, where one of therecruits, Matt Colburn, had hisscholarship offer pulled twodays before signing day andwas suggested to greyshirt —come to school in January.

But while both sides areplaying cat and mouse, eyesremain on the athletes. Themore talented they are, theharder they’re being recruited.And the harder they’re beingrecruited, the softer their com-mitments may get.

“What’s happening is thateverything is such a rat race,that kids jump on somethingand they have 18 months leftin the process,” Luginbill said.“They’re young people andthey can be easily influenced.”

[email protected]

VERBALContinued from Page B-1

Bethesda-ChevyChasecoachSeanTracyknewhehadacoreof talentedplayers comingbackfor this season’s group,whichhasposteda12-5 record throughFeb. 9.

But it’sbeen twobigadditions—one transfer andonepromo-tion fromjunior varsity—thathaveaddedanewdimension toanalreadydangerousBarons’ lineup.IvanTores, a6-foot-4 junior fromSanAntonio,TexashasgivenTracyaquick, athleticoptiononoffensethat canplayabove the rimor stepouton theperimeter.

“Hewasapleasant surprise,” asTracyput it. TyhjaiByer, a6-foot-7junior thatplayed junior varsity lastseason,hasevolved intoadefensivestopper for theBaronson theirbackline.

InB-CC’s Jan. 30winoverBlair,Byer recorded11blocks, swattingawayshotafter shotwhen theBlazersmanaged towork theirwaythrough theBaron’spress.

“They’reabigpieceofwhatwedo,”Tracy saidofhisbigmen.

QO looking to benchForawhile, it seemed the

QuinceOrchardHighSchool

boysbasketball teamwasgoing tocontend for4Asupremacy, asPaulForinger’s grouprodea9-0 startinto thecounty’s top10.Butafterlosing threeof theirpastfivegames,theCougarsareat a turningpointheading into thefinalphaseof theregular season—astretch theircoachsaidwill be largelydeter-minedby theplayof theirbench.

“Wehavefive real goodstartersand if eachgamewas10minuteslong,we’dbepretty good,”Foringersaid. “Butgamesare32minutesandfivekids can’tplay thewholegame.”

Onlyonebenchplayer, seniorEliMaynard (10.1ppg), haspro-videdasubstantial scoringchunkforForinger’s groupof late.Threeof the starters,MattKelly (10.3ppg),SamLing (10.9ppg)and JohnFi-erstein (11.6ppg)have shoulderedmuchof the scoring load thus far,something their veterancoachsaidis going tohave tochange for theteamtogetbackon trackheadinginto theplayoffs.

“Guyscomingoff thebencharethekey forwinning toour team,”Foringer said.

Blair still feeling injury impactDamonPigrom’sBlairHigh

Schoolboysbasketball teamdidn’texactly kick the seasonoff on theright foot this year, as injuriesravished theBlazerspreseasonprogression.

Now,months later, theeffectsof a rashof injuryand illness isstill havingeffectsof aBlair teamthatPigromsaid is, “ashealthyasthey’regoing tobe.” JuniorTuckerNosalwas ruledout for the seasonwith the lingeringeffectsof akneeprocedureandsenior forwardYosefYishakhasbeenhamperedbyanaggingback injury.

Atonepointover theholidays,Pigromnoted, therewereonlyninehealthyplayers atpractice.

“It’sbeen tough—we’vehadnagging injurieswherepeoplemissapracticehereoragamehere,”Pigromsaid. “But I keep tellingthem, there’sno teamout there thatreally scaresus.Our thing is tokeepanopenmind, keepworkinghardandhopefullywe’ll put this together

andmakea run.”

Damascus’ inexperiencewearing away

Most3A/2A teams in thecountyschedule their contestswith4Aop-ponentsat the start of the seasonortofinishoff, usually inaneffort toeithermake the leagueplay seemeasier in thebeginningof the sea-sonor to face the toughest competi-tionheading into theplayoffs.

But forButchMarshall’sDa-mascusHighSchoolboysbasket-ball team, their schedulehasbeeninterspersedwith4Aopponentsallseasonasa result of thegirlsbas-ketball teamattempt to scheduleatougher slate thanusual.And forateamthat started theyearwithnotoneplayerwhohadever startedavarsitybasketball team, theHornetsareholdingup justfine.

Marshall’s groupscoredwinsagainstPaintBranchandWalterJohnsonandcarries a three-gamewinstreak into theweekofFeb. 8.

[email protected]

Big additions boost Bethesda-Chevy ChaseBOYS BASKETBALL

NOTEBOOK

B Y A D A M G U T E K U N S T

THE GAZETTEWednesday, February 11, 2015 r Page B-3

BEST BETn Quince Orchard at Watkins Mill, 7 p.m. Friday:Up-and-coming QO take on a senior-led WatkinsMill team in matchup of two top teams whohappen to be neighbors.

BEST BETn Georgetown Prep at Bullis, 7:30 p.m. Friday:IAC foes clash in the regular season finale asteams try to lock down their seeds for theupcoming tournament.

BASKETBALL HOW THEY RANK

Also receiving votes: Georgetown Prep(15-8), 1.

The Gazette sports staff ranks the top 10 high school basketball teams in Montgomery County.

Boys

Rank School Record Points

1. Montrose Christian 16-3 602. Springbrook 15-2 543. Magruder 14-4 453. Richard Montgomery 16-1 455. St. Andrew’s Episcopal 17-3 336. Takoma Academy 22-5 307. Gaithersburg 13-4 258. Bullis 17-6 189. Bethesda-Chevy Chase 12-5 1310. Charles E. Smith Jewish Day 14-1 6

Girls

Rank School Record Points

1. Whitman 15-0 602. Paint Branch 17-1 543. Holy Child 17-3 484. Wootton 15-3 395. Good Counsel 14-9 386. Churchill 13-4 317. Walter Johnson 13-4 248. Damascus 11-6 169. Covenant Life 14-2 1010. Poolesville 11-6 5

Also receiving votes: Jewish Day (13-1), 3;Sherwood (11-6), 2.

LEADING SCORERSPlayer, school Games Points Avg.Anthony Tarke, Gaithersburg 17 437 25.7Walter English, McLean 14 330 23.6Aaron Byrd, Landon 20 435 21.8Jonathan Mustamu, Kennedy 13 274 21.1Jauvenel Leveill Jr., Northwood 15 300 20.0David Levieddin, Hebrew 14 260 18.6Bryan Knapp, Jewish Day 15 278 18.5Alani Moore, Montrose Christian 19 332 17.5Xavier McCants, Sherwood 15 257 17.1Bobby Arthur-Williams, Covenant Life 14 238 17.0

LEADING SCORERSPlayer, school Games Points Avg.Dominique Walker, Watkins Mill 15 330 22.0Danielle Durjan, Watkins Mill 15 316 21.1Daisa Harris, Paint Branch 18 363 20.2Hope Randolph, Magruder 16 286 17.9Sheri Addison, Wootton 18 314 17.4Daphne Lerner, Jewish Day 14 239 17.1Khadijah Pearson, Kennedy 14 232 16.6Abby Meyers, Whitman 15 247 16.5Japria Karim-DuVall, Churchill 17 270 15.9Dalina Julien, Einstein 120 190 15.8

Coaches and team statisticians may email season team statistics to [email protected] beforenoon on Mondays to be included.

n Little Hoyas boys basketballcoach is 0-13 against longtime

friend’s Bulldogs

BY ADAM GUTEKUNST

STAFF WRITER

Georgetown Prep’s boys basketballteam had finally exercised its demons,or so it seemed. The Little Hoyas heldthe ball, up eight points against Inter-state Athletic Conference foe Bullis, withjust four minutes remaining in a Jan.27 matchup. Prep coach Herb Krusenwas set to win his first game in 13 triesagainst the Bulldogs and longtime coachand friend, Bruce Kelley.

“If you tell me you’re up eight withthe ball at home, I’ll take that everynight,” Krusen said. “We had them.”

But just as they had twelve timesbefore, the Bulldogs executed down thestretch, pulling a win away from underthe Hoyas. A year before, it was the samestory, as top-ranked Bullis hung on totake a one-point victory over the visitingHoyas. Then there was the IAC champi-onship game a few years back where adesperation 3-pointer with two secondsremaining erased Prep’s three-pointlead and sent the game into overtime,where Kelley and company ultimatelyprevailed yet again.

“He’s got our number,” Krusen saidof the Bulldogs’ coach.

Friday evening, the two old friendswill pit their teams against each otherfor the 14th time, as Krusen’s Hoyas lookto finally open the door they have beenknocking at for five years. But the con-nection Kelley and Krusen share goesway beyond 2010, when Krusen arrived

at the North Bethesda school.“Herbie”, as Kelley calls him,

coached at George Mason Universitywhen Kelley was at American University.The two have known each other sincethe mid-1980s, and have combined formore than 60 years of coaching experi-ence. But when their teams square off atBullis Friday night, experience will be ata premium.

Bullis, the three-time defendingIAC champion, featured six seniors ona 2013-14 that was top-ranked in thecounty for much of the season and sentmultiple players to play at the next level.The biggest factor in their string of suc-cess, Kelley said, was their continuity.

“Last year’s team there was a lotof continuity,” the veteran coach said.“There were boys that were with me forfour or five years. We were on top of it.We had seen and done it all together.”

This season was a different story.One senior returned in a prominentrole and Kelley went from directing aveteran group of experienced pieces,to a talented group unaccustomed tothe varsity game. Of the Bulldogs’ topfive scorers, four are juniors and one isa sophomore.

But as the season has progressed,the Bulldogs have responded, rattlingoff win streaks of as many as five games,and recently beginning to execute inlate game situations like Kelley’s teamsof years past were so proficient at. Thegrowing process, while unfamiliar in re-cent years, has been a refreshing changeand challenge for Kelley.

“The growing and working togetherand then [getting] there,” Kelley said.“That’s joy there.”

You’ll be hard pressed to find muchmore experience on the other side of the

court Friday night. Guard Travis Valmonis the only senior contributor on a Hoyasteam that starts freshman Jared Bynumat point guard and three other juniors.But for as young as Prep is, there’s onething they do better than any team in theleague: shoot.

Led by hot-handed junior TrystanPratapas (13.7 ppg), who has sank 643-pointers through 23 games, Prep hasthe ability to light up the scoreboardwith their run-and-gun style of play. Fivetimes this year, the Hoyas have put up 80ormorepoints, includinga95-pointper-formance in a Jan. 30 win over Landon.

“We’re one of the better shootingteams in the league as well as the D.C.area,” Krusen said. “We want to play fast,we want to play up tempo. That’s kind ofus in a nutshell.”

[email protected]

Georgetown Prep tries to end recent domination by Bullis

Churchill hires football coachChurchill High School has hired Albert Song as

its next football coach, the school’s Athletic DirectorScott Rivinius said.

Song is a 1996 graduate of the Potomac school andwas a Bulldogs assistant from 2006 to 2008. Riviniussaid Song’s ties to the school played a factor in himbeing a strong candidate.

“The strongest [factor] is his passion for Churchilland the Churchill program,” Rivinius said. “[He] hasa lot of passion for the program as a former player,former coach, and that really got us excited. He hasstrong experience too.”

Song spent the past six years as an assistant coachat Seneca Valley where he also teaches English. Hewas the offensive coordinator the past two years. Ri-vinius said Churchill will try to get Song in the build-ing as a teacher as well.

Song replaces Joe Allen who stepped down inJanuary and recently accepted the coaching positionat Northwood.

— PRINCE J. GRIMES

Kennedy hires ex-Damascuscoach to lead football program

Kennedy High School hired Dan Makosy as itsnew football coach, the school’s Principal Joe Rubenssaid Tuesday. Makosy, who coached Damascus for10 seasons from 1998-2007, returns to MontgomeryCounty after last coaching at Howard County’s Ham-mond in 2012. Makosy is known as one of the state’smost successful coaches, winning three state titleswith the Swarmin’ Hornets in 2003, 2005, and 2007.The 2005 team went 14-0. He was replaced at Damas-cus because of personal finance issues, according tonews reports.

“I’m really big on ensuring all of our adults are rolemodels and we did talk about things that transpired atDamascus and he was able to demonstrate and satisfythat had been resolved some years ago,” Rubens said.

In his four season’s at Hammond, Makosy helped

turn a struggling program around. He led the Bearsto their first playoff appearance in 2010 with a 10-2record. He’ll be faced with a similar situation at Ken-nedy, which hasn’t had a winning record since 2007.The Cavaliers were 1-8 last season under CarlosSmith, who resigned in November. Kennedy plans ameet the coach event for players and parents at 5:30p.m. Wednesday.


Former Montrose starsidelined with injury

Montrose Christian graduate Justin Anderson,a junior guard for the University of Virginia’s menbasketball team, will miss four to six weeks with afractured finger on his left (shooting) hand, accordingto an ESPN report. The school announced Saturdaythat Anderson, who leads the Cavaliers in scoring,would be undergoing surgery. Anderson led MontroseChristian to the 2011 ESPN High School National Invi-tational title and was the Gazette Player of the Year in2012. “Thanks for the concerns and [prayers],” Ander-son wrote in a tweet on Sunday. “All went well. I’ll beback soon #GoHoos.”

— ADAM GUTEKUNST

County football starscompete for Team USA

Several county football players were membersof the United States Under-18 national team, whichplayed Canada on Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium in Arling-ton, Texas. Team USA lost to Team Canada 25-9, butAvalon School’s Trevon Diggs helped to set up theU.S.’ only touchdown of the game. Diggs took a shortpass 75 yards to the Canada 3 before Robert Washing-ton of Charlotte, N.C. capped the drive with a 1-yardrun. Diggs’ Avalon teammate, linebacker Izayah Tay-lor, was also on the team. Bullis quarterback DwayneHaskins was named a team captain.


The Churchill High Schoolgirls basketball team was headedfor a perfect 2015 — that was,until Whitman got in the way. TheBulldogs (13-5) had victories overseveral of the top MontgomeryCounty teams, including Pooles-ville, Walter Johnson, Damascus

and Magruder, but dropped theirFeb. 2 game against the No. 1 Vi-kings, 49-26.

Churchill has lost to Whitmantwice this season, and for the Po-tomac school to make a run at theregion, it might have to beat theBethesda opponent.

“Things are lining up well but Ithink Whitman is a very good teamand you can’t have anything off ona night against them,” Churchillcoach Kate McMahon said.

Holy Child still winningThe Holy Child girls basketball

team (17-3) has won 13 of its past14 games through Monday andare on a five-game win streak thatincludes a 56-52 win over NationalCathedral.

Its 3-point shooting is a largelyresponsible for that success. ThePotomac school has hit a combined121 3-pointers, which account fora third of its scoring. Junior guardLilly Paro has hit a MontgomeryCounty leading 50 from beyondthe arc, while sophomore MarleyBurgess has 30 and junior CarolineRowe has 22.

“We have to make our outsideshots. I just think that’s the type ofteam we are,” coach Jamie Readysaid.

Watkins Mill seniorsreach 1,000 points

The Watkins Mill High Schoolgirls basketball team had two play-ers hit the 1,000-point milestoneover the past two weeks — Domi-nique Walker in the Feb. 3 winagainst Einstein, and Danielle Dur-jan in the Jan. 29 win over SenecaValley.

But it’s the supporting cast, notthe senior scoring duo, that’s been

stepping up or the Gaithersburgschool, coach Ivan Hicks said.Shawna McDougall has upped herscoring average to 4.8 points pergame to give the Wolverines (11-5)a third option while other playershave started contributing as teamheads into the postseason.

“Our young new varsity play-ers are playing their roles well,”Watkins Mill coach Ivan Hicks said.“They’re coming along and they’rescoring a bit more. As a team atthis point, we’re coming togethernicely.”

Damascus in controlIt’s been a season of streaks for

the Damascus High School girlsbasketball team. After winning sixconsecutive games early in the sea-son, the Swarmin’ Hornets droppedfour straight during what would betheir toughest stretch of the season,and followed that up with two morevictories. It has added up to an11-6 record, which puts the youngDamascus squad — with five first-year starters — right where it’s beenat this point the past few seasons:in control of its own destiny in theMontgomery 3A/2A Division.

“That’s one of our goals,” Da-mascus coach Steve Pisarski said.“We can win our division if we winout.”

Kennedy getting healthyKennedy High School girls

basketball’s Jordan Melbourne hasbeen sidelined with a concussionsince late December, and still hasto clear a few more hurdles beforeshe returns to the court, coachKevin Thompson said. The Cava-liers sophomore suffered the in-jury when her head hit the floor ina Dec. 22 game against Sherwood,resulting in her getting carried offin a stretcher, Thompson said.

The recovery process isn’t whatit used to be.

“The paperwork is a lot now,”Thompson said. Melbourne notonly missed school, but she wasexempt from exams. For severalweeks, she wasn’t even allowedback in the gym, Thompson said.As of Monday, she was in stagethree — no contact practice — ofa six-stage process. But Thomp-son said that the second-leadingscorer for Kennedy (4-11) couldget back on the court by the end ofthe season,.

“That made a real big differ-ence with a team that was very in-experienced to start,” Thompsonsaid. “That was kind of a majorblow.”

[email protected]

Churchill streak comes to an end


Damascus High School’s Claire Hanlon dribbles against Seneca Valley duringa Jan. 9 game in Germantown.

GIRLS BASKETBALLNOTEBOOK

B Y E R I C G O L D W E I N

KEEPING IT BRIEF

n Coyotes and Jaguars dominateto claim 4A West Region

championships in indoor track

BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN

STAFF WRITER

Northwest High School senior Di-ego Zarate had about 18 minutes afterseemingly dipping into the last of hisenergy reserves for a sprint finish in acome-from-behind victory in the 800meters in Thursday’s Class 4A West Re-gion track championship before he hadto reappear at the starting line for themeet-finale 1,600 relay that followed.The relay was his fourth event of thenight but Zarate showed no signs ofweakness during his leg and the Jaguarsfinished second, barely.

“[The meet] was way too fast, it wasa joke, it hurts the athletes,” Northwestcoach Robert Youngblood said. “Youneed to slow it down. ...[The rest of theteam] was there to make sure Diego wasable to recover. I got it in his head thathe is mentally stronger [than anyoneout there].”

Thursday’s competition held at thePrince George’s Sports and LearningComplex, which was won by this year’sMontgomery County champion North-west boys and Clarksburg girls, movedat an extremely rapid clip. Most cham-pionship track meets last upwards of

six hours but Thursday’s was finished injust over three, due in large part to thelimited field.

Each team was permitted three en-tries per event in Thursday’s all-Mont-gomery County competition but onlythe top 24 times, heights and distanceswere accepted. Despite the fewer num-

ber of heats needed per event, Young-blood said it would do athletes better toprovide more rest between events.

“You train for it but no matter howhard you train, running four events intwo hours [is a lot],” Blake coach Bran-don Tynes said.

But runners are used to pushing

themselves through pain and fatigue,especially in a championship atmo-sphere such as Thursday’s. And thatis exactly what Montgomery County’sbest did and the result was some fan-tastic races.

The region meets set the tone forthe state meet scheduled for Feb. 17 atthe Prince George’s Sports and Learn-ing Complex. The top 4 finishers in eachevent automatically advance to the sea-son-ending championship. Other ath-letes can reach the state competition byachieving certain pre-determined stan-dards that can be found on the Mary-land Public Secondary Schools AthleticAssociation website.

“Honestly, I didn’t even have timeto think of how short the breaks were,”said Clarksburg senior Lucie Noall, whoran the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 events intwo hour’s time. “Our goal was to justwin the region, we won it last year so it’sspecial to us to be able to do it twice in arow. And we just wanted to get as manypeople to states as we could. Clarksburghasn’t always been the strongest girlsteam so [Thursday] was a good day forus.”

The defending state runner-upCoyote girls finished with 84 pointsThursday, ahead of Northwest in sec-ond place with 65. Paint Branch (55points), Walter Johnson (47) and Blake(44) rounded out the top 5. Northwest’sboys collected 116 points for the winwhile Paint Branch (74), Quince Or-

chard (38), Clarksburg (31.5) and Rich-ard Montgomery (31) finished secondthrough fifth.

Thursday featured four double in-dividual event winners: Zarate (800,1,600), Northwest junior ShyheimWright (high jump, hurdles), Blake se-nior Martha Sam (300, 500) and Clarks-burg junior Alexus Pyles (hurdles, highjump).

Other individual event winnersincluded, Wootton’s Jaron Woodyard(55 meters), Northwest’s Jalen Walker(300), Paint Branch’s Oliver Lloyd (500),Whitman’s Amir Khaghani (3,200) andClare Severe (800), Quince Orchard’sNoah Vernick (shotput), Clarksburg’sChris Spiess (pole vault) and JustinaAbabio (shot put), Magruder’s Stepha-nie Davis (55 dash), Paint Branch’sBethlehem Taye (3,200) and WalterJohnson’s Kiernan Keller (1,600) andVictoria Holton (pole vault).

“The idea is to put everything inplace for states,” Youngblood said.“We’ve got nine boys and nine girlsgoing to states. The boys are on a mis-sion, last year everyone said it was afluke that we won. The girls, they mightnot beat Clarksburg, and they mightnot beat Bowie, but if you put enoughpieces there, you see what happens.”

Note: For complete results checkthe Maryland Public Secondary SchoolsAthletic Association website.

[email protected]

Clarksburg girls, Northwest boys win region titlesTHE GAZETTEPage B-4 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 r

BASEBALLn Matt Ainesworth, Wootton, Gettysburg

CollegeSam Goldberg, Wootton, McAllister

FIELD HOCKEYn Jessica Zhang, Quince Orchard, St. Mary’s

College

FOOTBALLn Adam McLean, Quince Orchard, University

of MarylandDorian Jones, Quince Orchard, GannonUniversityJonathan Holland, Bullis, PennsylvaniaState UniversityDevonte Williams, Bullis, Indiana UniversityDamola Orimolade, Bullis, Marist CollegeJalen Christian, Damascus, South CarolinaUniversityJesse Locke, Churchill, Gannon UniversityNeven Sussman, Sherwood High School,Univeristy of AlbanyKamonte Carter, Gaithersburg High School,Pennsylvania State UniversityCalvin Bacon, Sherwood High School,Cheyney University

Tyler Jones, Sherwood High School, NotreDame College (Ohio)Barrington Davis, Clarksburg High School,Nassau Community CollegeBrendan Thompson, Northwest, MillersvilleUniversityBrandon Williams, Northwest, GeorgetownUniversity

GOLFn Justin Feldman, Wootton, University of

Maryland

BOYS LACROSSEn Jake Christensen, Quince Orchard, Colgate

UniversityJared Feuer, Quince Orchard, DelawareValley CollegeTyler Milwit, Quince Orchard, RhodesCollegeCole Abid, Wootton, Washington CollegePatrick Cornelius, Wootton, Lynchburg

GIRLS LACROSSEn Delaney Muldoon, Holy Cross, Penn State

UniversityJackie Branthover, Holy Cross, CentralConnecticut State University

Logan Smet, Holy Cross, MonmouthUniversityBethany Scott, Gaithersburg High School,Longwood University

BOYS SOCCERn Greg Burnham, Quince Orchard, Coast

Guard AcademyPhillip Grossman, Northwest, Old DominionUniversityKevin Hwang, Quince Orchard, GeorgeWashingtonWielfried Zouantcha, Northwest, LoyolaUniversityDevin Weiner, Wootton, York College

GIRLS SOCCERn Annabelle Phillips, Churchill, University of

HartfordClare Severe, Whitman, Lehigh UniversityCourtney Kwaloff, Damascus, GoucherCollegeEmma Anderson, Whitman, ColumbiaUniversityGabby Kase, Quince Orchard, GettysburgCollegeJamie Montgomery, Gaithersburg HighSchool, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Kali Amoah, Good Counsel, Old DominionUniversityKate Reese, Churchill, Loyola University(MD)Keaira Clark, Churchill, University ofRichmondLexy Andrews, Good Counsel, LoyolaUniversity (MD)Maddie Pack, Good Counsel, SyracuseUniversitySam Sullenger, Quince Orchard, WestPointSarah Gutch, Quince Orchard, BatesCollegeStephi Shin, Quince Orchard, ColumbiaUniversityAlyssa Kopsidas, Wootton, Lynchburg

SOFTBALLn Lindsey Kelly, Damascus, Marion Military

InstituteNicole Stockinger, Sherwood High School,Towson

SWIMMINGn Ali Holm, Whitman, Towson University

Kevin Johnson, Whitman, WashingtonUniversity

Matt Giroux, Damascus, SusquehannaUniversityStephen Pastoriza, Whitman, BowdoinCollegeMichael Sullivan, Whitman, University ofWisconsinEmily Zhang, Wootton, George WashingtonUniversity

CROSS COUNTRYn Diego Zarate, Northwest, Virginia Tech

TRACK AND FIELDn Evan Woods, Whitman, William & Mary

Lela Walter, Whitman, Amherst

VOLLEYBALLn Ellie Goodwin, Holy Cross, Towson

UniversityJessica Wang, Wootton, University ofChicagoLauren Martin, Wootton, St. LouisUniversity

WRESTLINGn Garrett Ruderman, Wootton, Case Western

SIGNING DAY

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

Clarksburg High School’s Alexus Pyles won the 55 hurdles during Thursday’s Class 4A WestRegion indoor track meet at Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover.

DAN GROSS/THE GAZETTE

Gaithersburg High School wrestler Chris Moorman (top) works out during practice last month.

n Trojans senior is finally feelinggood entering postseason

BY PRINCE J. GRIMESSTAFF WRITER

Senior 195-pound wrestler Chris Moor-man said he remembers when he firstpicked up the sport. He was a freshman atGaithersburg High School, and his inexpe-rience led to a losing season.

Despite that, Moorman kept at it. Bythe time he was a sophomore, Moormansaid he knew he had the potential to be re-ally good.

Moorman said he kept wrestling afterhis first year because the losing made himwant to win more. Each loss left him with aburning desire to come back better, stron-ger, and more prepared.

“My first year was pretty rough. I wasgetting losses, but I wasn’t giving up. I waspersistent,” Moorman said. “I had to growon [the sport of wrestling]. It made me wantto win more.”

He said he soaked up knowledgewherever he could get it, especially fromformer teammate and 2014 graduate Max

Anderson, a fifth-place medalist at lastyear’s state tournament. Moorman said helearned more from Anderson than anyoneelse and still trains with him to this day.

But after last season, the 195-pounderexperienced his lowest point as a wrestler.He lost two matches at regionals and fin-ished sixth, two places shy of qualifying forstates.

While his entire junior year was his bestseason to that point and the highlight of hiswrestling tenure, Moorman said, the regionlosses also happened to be the low point.

“It dwells on you. It haunts you,” Moor-man said. “But also gives you gas for thefire. Makes you want to get hungrier.”

Moorman has bounced back with anoutstanding senior season, going 21-4. Theregular season wrapped up on Saturdayand Moorman fought off a number of ill-nesses to make it a memorable one. At lessthan 100 percent, he went 3-1 and placedthird at Magruder’s Mad Mats tournamentin December and went 8-0 at Walter John-son’s Big Train Duals in January. Moormansaid his undefeated Big Train performance,in which he had to wrestle up at times at220, was the highlight of this season so far.

“He’s doing well. He’s only got a couple

losses ... but he’s just had a rougher go,”Trojans coach Eric Britton said. “He’s beensick a couple times. He’s been hurt a fewtimes.”

But down the stretch, Moorman, whosaid hes dealt with more illness than he hassince his freshman year, said he’s feeling“really good” physically.

The county tournament is scheduledfor Feb. 20 at Gaithersburg. In his ownschool, Moorman is looking for a perfor-mance to eclipse the previous ones. He hasyet to place at a county tournament.

In the past, Moorman has always hadanother match or another season to comeback better. These final matches will be thelast ones for the senior to leave a mark, andhe knows it.

“It’s the final chapter, so I want to goout on top. ... It’s now or never,” Moormansaid. “I look back at this one wrestler. ... Isaw how he picked up wrestling like he didninth grade — wasn’t too good and madehis way to be one of the best in the countyhis last year. And I always think about thatand he paved the way for my mentality.”

[email protected]

Wrestler eager to go out on top

n Panther girls postingbest postseason results in

seven years

BY JENNIFER BEEKMANSTAFF WRITER

For just over 11 minutes inThursday’s Class 4A West Re-gion meet’s 3,200-meter run,Paint Branch High School ju-nior Bethlehem Taye circledthe indoor track at the PrinceGeorge’s Sports and LearningComplex with Bethesda-ChevyChase’s Nora McUmber, nip-ping at her heels. At some point,it seemed, the defending outdoorstate champion in the event,one month removed from beingnamed the 2014 Gatorade Mary-land Girls Cross Country Run-ner of the Year, would inevitablymake her move. But Taye, thisyear’s Montgomery County 3,200champion — McUmber was onan official college visit — neverbacked off.

“[Taye] has really committedtoher trainingregimentandshe’sgetting better and better,” PaintBranch coach Dessalyn Dillardsaid. “She was plagued a little bitwith injuries during cross coun-try season, it took her a while tocome back, now she’s runningwith more confidence and morerace experience. She has morefaith her in abilities and she’s notafraid to take risks [in races].”

While Taye was quick to dis-miss any assumption that shemight be of McUmber’s status— Dillard said the Panthers’ topdistance runner’s humility is partof what makes her such a greatathlete — her ascent into theupper echelon of state track haspropelled Paint Branch back intotitle contention for the first timein seven years.

Taye’s best time of the sea-son, 11 minutes, 16.75 at VirginiaTech, is the state’s sixth-fastest.Paint Branch’s third-place finishat the Montgomery County meetlast month was its best since its2009 runner-up performance —the Panthers also placed third inThursday’s region competition.

Paint Branch has posted a

slew of top results this champi-onship season: senior AdassaPhillips and junior Precious Ig-webuike both finished in the top5 of the 55 meters Thursday, se-nior Yusrah Addebayo was fourthin the 500 run and the threeteamed with sophomores NicoleOafo-dedey and Kyra Badrian forwins in the 800 and 1,600 relays,respectively. But Taye’s strengthin the distance events has addeda new dimension to the Pantherslineup.

A year ago it was the PaintBranch boys who made thesurprising jump to No. 1 in thecounty backed by a newly-builtmiddle-distance and distancecorps. Despite losing 50 percentof its state runner-up 1,600 relay,the Panther boys won the eventat Virginia Tech while postingthe state’s top time (8:00.27) byfive seconds — the performanceranksNo.13 inthecountry.WhileDillard said she knew this year’sdistance relay, which consists ofseniors Taiwo Adekoya, LorenzoNeil, Ryun Anderson and OliverLloyd (500 run county, regionchampion), could be good, shewas pleasantly surprised by that“magical” performance.

In fact, both girls and boysteams lost substantial scoringfrom last year but the sign of alegitimate program is the abilityto reload and that’s exactly whatthe Panthers did and are shap-ing up to be. Since 2014, 11 totalprogram records have fallen.Taye has broken and rebrokenthe 1,600 (5:16.15) abd 3,200(11:16.75) several times this win-ter.Lloydholds records in the500(1:06.33) and 800 (1:55.87).

“Any program can introduceone-hit wonders, the goal is to tryand remain consistent so we cancreate some type of longevity,”Dillard said. “I think what helpedusout is theguyswhowere“alter-nates” last year kind of took prideand ownership in the programand they were willing to stop upwhen it was their turn. And wedid get some hidden talent.”

[email protected]

Paint Branch shows offits diversity in track

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Arts & Entertainmentwww.gazette.net | Wednesday, February 11, 2015 | Page B-5

n First non-medical workby doctor turns cathartic

The doctor is in, andhe isdoingwhat hewants.

Lifewas not always thatway forDavid J. Sherer,M.D.His story is one of those not-uncommon situations inwhichabiding by the dictates of familyand culture eventually facilitatethe freedom topursue one’sowndreams.

Although youngDavid as-pired first to be a professionalfootball player—and after giv-ing that up, an actor, comedianormusician (hemajored inmusicwith a concentration inpiano at EmoryUniversity), heabandoned those dreams afterrealizing “along theway… thatall of those careers bore littlechance of real success.”

Sherer’s parents expectedtheir son, an alumnus ofWaltWhitmanHigh School inBethesda, to follow their leaddespite his interest in sports andthe arts. “My fatherwas a greatdoctor: compassionate, knowl-edgeable, scientific in his think-ing and approach.He cameto theNIH in 1953 to dohisendocrinology fellowship…,”said the now57-year-old clinicalanesthesiologist. “Mymomusedher nursing degree—no lie—so she couldmarry a doctor.Not as uncommonas you think.She did play the piano since herchildhood andbecame, as anadult, an almost concert levelperformer.”

And so, he recalled, “beinga firstborn Jewishmale, it wasCalvinistic-ally predeterminedforme to go tomed school.” Af-ter graduating from theBostonUniversity School ofMedicine,

and an internalmedicine intern-ship in Baltimore, Sherer earneda residency certificate in anes-thesiology at theUniversity ofMiami/JacksonMemorialHos-pital program. A specialty in an-esthesiology “was the ‘it girl’ ofthe time, a very popular choice:no office needed, portable, [and]intellectually challenging.” Thedecision hadmixed long-termresults in the sense that theBethesda-based physician has“found it, at times, satisfying,but on thewhole, notworth thestress and frustration of caringformanywhodon’t take care ofthemselves.”

In late 2011, “during amidlife crisis of sorts,” Shererdid something for himself. Heset out to find Louise JohnsonMorris, the AfricanAmericanmaidwhoworked for his fam-ily in their townof Somerset,MontgomeryCounty home.Heconsidered “Weezy,” asMor-ris was affectionately known, amajor influence onwhohe be-came.Hismemoir, “TheHouseof Black&White,” is the storyof their time together andhissearch for her, some three de-cades after she left his family.

Sherer hadmultiple pur-poses inwriting the book.Henot only sought to honorMorris“andpeople like her,” but alsosaw the project as “a challengeand a gift tomyself… [an oppor-tunity] to exploremyself andmymotivations. Plain and simple. Itwas a catharsis.”

The processwas lengthy.“The book hadbeen kicking

Not as simple asblack and white

BOOKSB Y E L L Y N W E X L E R

n “Young” actors grow upfast during traumatically

funny show

BY KIRSTY GROFF

STAFFWRITER

Audiences will be trans-ported back to school and fearsofgettingcalledon inclasswhenentering Kensington Arts The-atre’s production of “The 25thAnnual PutnamCountySpellingBee,”whichopens Friday.

The musical focuses on sixadolescents participating in aspelling bee, with the help offour volunteers pulled from theaudience as additional competi-tors.Themixof scriptedcomedyand improvisation make for anentertaining show that changesevery night.

Becauseof theneed tocomeup with dialogue and reactionson the spot, director BobbyLibby looked for actors with afunnyboneduring the audition-ingprocess.

“There’s going to be an ele-mentof improvnomatterwhat,”hesaid, “so Iwantedpeoplewhocould reacton thefly towhat theaudiencewasdoing.That’swhatI was sniffing out during audi-tions, getting people with thecomedic chops to handle thematerial.”

The production was alreadyplanned for the season beforeLibby came on board; this is hisfirst directing gig with Kensing-ton Arts Theatre as well as hisfirst in charge of amusical.

Ultimately, he thought theKensington Armory where KATholds its productions wouldlend itself to a spelling bee feel,andthestyleof theshowseemeduphis alley.

“It’s consistently veryclever,” he said, “and also I just

can’t sayenoughabout theemo-tional journeys thecharactersgoon. It surprisesyouhowmuchofan emotional wallop it can packout of nowhere. I think peoplewill remember it for a long timeafter seeing it.”

Dylan Echter plays one ofthe contestants, Chip, return-ing champion of the PutnamCounty Spelling Bee. He’s seenas an all-American boy with abit of an ego who gets knockeddownapegdue toeventsduring

the competition.“His need to do well in this

competition comes more fromthe pressure he puts on himselfrather thanother people puttingpressure on him,” Echter said.“That especially is something Irelate to with him, piling on thepressure to make everything in-credibly perfect.”

Each of the contestants hasa different story sure to reso-nate with at least one person,on-stage or in the audience. No

matter the age or backgroundof someone watching the musi-cal, someone on stage will feelfamiliar.

“These characters, eventhough theyarechildrenandareall very weird, they’re also justvery relatable,” saidEmmaLord,who plays Olive. “I think everyaudience member will be ableto lookatoneof thesecharactersand see something very true tothemselves in them.”

“Youhavesixcoming-of-agestorieshappeningonstageat thesame time, so there’s someonefor everyone to root for,” Echteradded. “They’re going throughchallenging points in life, andtherearepartsofeverycharacterI definitely seemyself in. I’ve al-ways held onto the show as oneofmy favorites for that reason.”

Libby has worked with the

Performance a-n-x-i-e-t-y

PHOTO BY JOHN NUNEMAKER

The cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” gathers inrehearsal before opening night Feb. 13.

See BEE, Page B-6 See BOOKS, Page B-6

25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEEn When: Feb. 13 through March 1

n Where: Kensington Town Hall/Armory, 3710 Mitchell St.,Kensington

n Tickets: $17-$25

n More information: katonline.org; 206-888-6642


IN THE ARTSFor a free listing, please submit com-plete information to wfranklin@gazette.

net at least 10 days in advance ofdesired publication date. High-resolutioncolor images (500KB minimum) in jpgformat should be submitted when avail-

able.

DANCESSocial Ballroom Dance, 2126 Industrial

Highway, Silver Spring, 301-326-1181, hol-lywoodballroomdc.com.

Scottish Country Dancing, 8 to 10 p.m.Mondays, steps and formations taught. Noexperience, partner necessary, T-39 Build-ing onNIH campus,Wisconsin Avenue andSouthDrive, Bethesda, 240-505-0339.

Glen Echo Park is at 7300 MacArthurBlvd.

Blues, Capital Blues: Thursdays, 8:15 p.m.beginner lesson, 9 to 11:30 p.m. dancing toDJs, Glen Echo Park’s Spanish BallroomAn-nex, $8, capitalblues.org.

Contra, Feb. 13, RachelMcCandliss callsto the fabulous Glen EchoOpenBand, 7:30p.m., $10, fridaynightdance.org.

English Country, Feb. 11, Susan Taylorcaller, 8 p.m., Glen Echo TownHall (up-stairs), fsgw.org.

Swing and Lindy, Feb. 14, RedDress Ballwith the Eric Felten JazzOrchestra, $18, $12,17 and younger. Glen Echo Park SpanishBallroom, flyingfeet.org.

Waltz, Feb. 15, Audacious with Larry Un-ger (guitar & banjo), Audrey Knuth (fiddle),Paul Oorts (mandolin & accordion) &more;waltztimedances.org.

Ring of Kerry Irish Dance class, groupmeets on Tuesday’s until lateMay at Rid-geviewMiddle School. Beginning class startsat 7 p.m., followed by the experienced classat 8:05 p.m. The cost is $50. Ceili and setdances are performed, and no partner isrequired for the lessons. For information,email Jean at [email protected] or visitringofkerrydancers.org. Dancersmust be atleast 8 years old to senior. Anyone youngerthan 16must be accompanied by an adult.

Silver Spring Contradance, Civic Build-ing, Great Hall, Feb. 12, 7 to 10 p.m., OneVeterans Plaza at Fenton & Ellsworth, Freeparking at 801 Ellsworth. Paul Oorts, guitar,mandolin, banjos, cittern,musette accor-dion.

Alexander Mitchell, fiddle, RalphGordon,bass. Caller: Janine Smith, Refreshmentsduring social break 7 to 7:30 p.m. BeginnerDanceWorkshop, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Free tofirst-timers; $5 students; $8 FSGW, BFMSmembers/revels; $10 general admission.

MUSICArts Barn, Caitlin Canty, workshop and

concert, Feb. 19, $45 for both, $25 concertonly; 311 Kent Square Road, 301-258-6394.

Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club,Duke EllingtonOrchestra, Feb. 14; Duke El-lingtonOrchestra, Feb. 15; Billy Ocean, Feb.17; Bethesda Blues & JazzOrchestra, Feb. 18;SoundConnection, Feb. 20; call for prices,times, 7719Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda. 240-330-4500, bethesdabluesjazz.com.

BlackRock Center for the Arts, SwingDance Party, Feb. 13; District Comedy, Feb.14; 12901 TownCommonsDrive, German-town. 301-528-2260, blackrockcenter.org.

Fillmore Silver Spring, 50 Cent w/GUnit,Feb. 12; Periphery, Feb. 13; BiancaDel Rio,Feb. 19; Jencarlos Canela, Feb. 20; The Ex-pendables, Feb. 21; JoeNichols, Feb. 26; RaTheMC, Feb. 27; 8656 Colesville Road, SilverSpring. fillmoresilverspring.com.

Strathmore, Cristian Perez, Feb. 11;Spektral Quartet, Feb. 12; BSO: All-Bach,Feb. 12; BSOOff the Cuff: The Bach Family,Feb. 13; John Pizzarelli and JaneMonheit,Feb. 14; ChineseNewYear Gala, Feb. 16;AIRWorkshopwith Cristian Perez, Feb. 18;IrvinMayfield and theNewOrleans JazzOr-chestra, Feb. 18; call for venue, times. Loca-tions:Mansion, 10701 Rockville Pike, NorthBethesda;Music Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, 301-581-5100, strathmore.org.

Latvian Center, RIX PianoQuartet andDita Krenberga, flute, Feb. 13, free.Mail Hallof the Latvian Center, 400Hurley Ave., Rock-ville. 301-814-1080.

ON STAGEArts Barn, “Boeing, Boeing,” Feb. 13

throughMarch 1, $20; “Honest Abe: TheWit&Wisdomof AbrahamLincoln,” Feb. 18,$20; 311 Kent Square Road, 301-258-6394

Adventure Theatre-MTC, “Petite Rouge—ACajun Red RidingHood,” throughMarch8, call for prices, times, Adventure TheatreMTC, 7300MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, 301-634-2270, adventuretheatre-mtc.org.

Imagination Stage, “Wiley and theHairyMan,” Feb. 11 throughMarch 15, call forprices, times, Imagination Stage, 4908 Au-burn Ave., Bethesda, imaginationstage.org.

Highwood Theatre, “OtherDesert Cities,”through Feb. 15, 914 Silver Spring Ave., the-highwoodtheatre.org, 301-587-0697.

Olney Theatre Center, “Godspell,”throughMarch 1, call for prices, times, 2001Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, 301-924-3400, olneytheatre.org.

The Puppet Co., “Circus!,” through Feb.15; Tiny Tots@ 10, selectWednesdays, Sat-urdays and Sundays, call for shows and showtimes, Puppet Co. Playhouse, Glen EchoPark’s North Arcade Building, 7300MacAr-thur Blvd., $5, 301-634-5380, thepuppetco.org.

Round House Theatre, “Rapture, Blister,Burn,” through Feb. 22, call for show times,4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Ticketsrange in price from$10 to $45 and seating is

reserved. 240-644-1100, roundhousetheatre.org.

Randolph Road Theater, “SnowMaiden,”Feb. 13 and 15, 4010 Randolph Road, SilverSpring, belcantanti.com.

VISUAL ARTAdah Rose Gallery, “YourMemories,

Your Sentiments, YourWishes, Your Se-crets,” JimCondron andKristen Liu, throughFeb. 28, 3766Howard Ave., Kensington, 301-922-0162, adahrosegallery.com

Glenview Mansion, F/1.4 PhotographyGroup exhibit, “Richly Black andWhite,” fea-turing JareeDonnelly, CraigHiggins, Timo-thy Lynch, andMargeWasson. RockvilleCivic Center Park, 503 EdmonstonDrive,Rockville. rockvillemd.gov.

Marin-Price Galleries, Gallery Exhibit,through Feb. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.Mondaythrough Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday,7022Wisconsin Ave., 301-718-0622,marin-price.com.

Montgomery Art Association, GalleryShow, throughMarch 2,WestfieldWheatonMall, 11160 ViersMill Road,Wheaton,mont-gomeryart.org.

VisArts, Suspension, throughMarch 1;NancyDaly, through Feb. 22; Laini Nemett,throughMarch 1; Gibbs Street Gallery, 155Gibbs St., Rockville, 301-315-8200, visart-satrockville.org.

Washington Printmakers Gallery, Pyra-mid Atlantic Art Center, second floor, 8230Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, washingtonprint-makers.com.

Kentlands Mansion, Bridal GownRet-rospective, through Feb. 26; Artwork of theArt League of Germantown, Feb. 6 throughMarch 27, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithers-burg, 301-258-6425.

Arts Barn, Howard Cohen – Seventy Yearsan Artist, throughMarch 8, 311 Kent SquareRoad, Gaithersburg, 301-258-6394

Rough Around the Edges: Inspirations inPaper by Ronni Jolles, throughMarch 15;reception 2 to 4 p.m.March 8; GoldmanArtGallery, 6125Montrose Road, Rockville. 301-348-3770; jccgw.org. Openwhen JCCGW isopen; free admission.

Village of Friendship Heights Gallery,“The Influence of Our Elders,” the exhibitinclude sculpture, collages, paintings, wa-tercolors, and photography. On exhibit untilMarch 1. FriendshipHeights Village Center,4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase. 301-656-2797

Gallery B, “Coaxing the Elements,”featuring sculptor Lynda Smith-Bügge andjewelry artist Katja Toporski, through Feb.28. 7700Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda,bethesda.org.

ET CETERAThe Writer’s Center, 4508Walsh Street,

Bethesda, 301-654-8664, writer.org.

cast tomake sureeveryonehas theirroles down pat; that way, when itcomes time to improvise with theaudience, the characters can havegenuine interactions inkeepingwiththeir back story andpersonality.Hismethods of working with everyoneinvolved in the crewandhis choicesin putting on themusical have beenwell-receivedwithintheproduction.

“He really knows just what tosay to you so you understand ex-actly what he means,” Lord said.“I’ve never been confused about anote, and he has these really goodout-of-the-box, fun ideas. I get theimpression that some of the stagingchoices are kind of unconventional,but he makes it work in these funandunexpectedways.”

Libby and the rest of the casthave created a fun environmentthat doesn’t feel like work leading

intotheopeningdaysof themusical.“I come fromD.C. so it’s a bit of

away to get there,” Echter said, “butI always look forward to it.Whenwehave snow preventing rehearsal, Iactuallyhatethat Idon’tget tospendmyeveningwith thesepeople.”

The others seem to agree, hop-ing that the fun they share duringrehearsal rings true on stage.

“I think every single person hasat least one moment in the showthat’s so gut-bustingly funny I stillhaven’t gotten control of myself,”said Lord. “I’ve never been in a castwithpeoplewhoaresofunny,every-body does this great job of embody-ing their characters.”

“I couldn’t be happier with thetalent that we’ve got together here,and I just have the best timewatch-ing themat rehearsal,” Libbyadded.“At this point it’s mostly just fun forme, so I hope the audience has fun,aswell.”

[email protected]

BEEContinued from Page B-5

[around] inmyhead for over fiveyears, but I finally started to jotsomenotes, and from soup tonuts, it tookme about 2¾yearstowrite,” he said. A gooddeal ofpersistencewas essential to fittinginto his schedule. “Since Iworkfull-time, I had towrite onweek-ends, earlymornings, nights andeven on vacation. I got discouragedmany times, but swore Iwould seeit through.”

“Searching for Louise”wastheworking title, “but in a sort ofepiphany, the present title cametome andmost people, includ-ingmyself, seem to like it. It is notonly a reference to black andwhitepeople, but also an allegory forcontrasts: doctor or no doctor, free-domor no freedom (art versus aprofession thatmakesmoney) andalso howmymother saw theworld—mostly in extremes.”

The format, Sherer said, waseasy to configure. “Other than theflashback of the opening chapter,I basically told a story chrono-logically in the traditional andbestway: a beginning, amiddle and anend.” As an amateur— inmostpeople’s eyes althoughnot in hisown—he subscribed to “keep it

simple, try nothing fancy andbe agoodboy.”

Sherer is not new towriting.Among the publications that haveprinted his letters and op-ed piecesare theWashington Post, Esquire,U.S. News andWorld Report, andAnesthesiologyNews.He also pub-lished the 2003 book “Dr.DavidSherer’sHospital Survival Guide.”

Writing credentials aside,Sherer chose to “joint venture”publish his first non-medical bookwith Strategic Publishing “becauseas an unknownand virtual nobodyin thewriting field, nomainstreamhousewould touchpeople likeme,unless luck and skill would haveconspired (mostly luck) to givemea shotwith a traditional publisher.”

A sense of accomplishmentfuels Sherer’s desire to continuewriting in various formats. He hasentered a piece titled “Dream-walker” in BethesdaMagazine’sshort story contest, and isworkingon somebook ideas—“somewithCivilWar themes, othersmoremodern ones, but all of themfic-tion. I amhoping to produce anovel in the next year.”

David Sherer’s “The House ofBlack & White” is available at sb-prabooks.com as well as online atamazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

BOOKSContinued from Page B-5

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153966G

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1931966

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NationalString

SymphoniaROMERO:

SUITE PARACUERDASSaturday, Feb. 21

at 8 p.m.Tickets: $10 -$37.50

F. ScottFitzgeraldTheatre

603 Edmonston Dr.Rockville, MD 20851

240-314-8690www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre

1934

088

T H E G A Z E T T EWednesday, February 11, 2015 r Page B-7

Family drama is in the airat the Highwood Theatre asYour Theatre, a division of theproduction company, presentsJon Robin Baitz’s “Other DesertCities.”

The show, which closesthis weekend, was nominatedin 2012 for five Tony Awardsincluding Best Play and a 2012finalist for the Pulitzer Prize forDrama. “Other Desert Cities” isa gripping story about a familywith differing political views,emotional baggage and a darksecret.

When theWyeth familygather for their first Christmastogether in six years, theirdaughter Brooke announcesshe is writing amemoir, open-ing deepwounds that are noteasily healed. The familymustsuffer through uncomfortable

conversations, heated politicalarguments, and painfulmemo-ries to come out on the otherside, while Brooke has to decidewhether to stay loyal to her

family or true to herself.Tickets for the show are $20

to $25. Formore information,visit thehighwoodtheatre.org orcall 301-587-0697.

Digging up skeletons

THE HIGHWOOD THEATRE

Things begin to heat up for the cast of “Other Desert Cities,” now playing atthe Highland Theatre in Silver Spring.

Suddenly, life has newmeaning for Billy Ocean,the award-winning singer/songwriter from the 1970sand 1980s who brought ussuch songs as “Get Out ofMyDreams (And IntoMyCar),” “CaribbeanQueen,”and “There’ll Be Sad Song(ToMake You Cry).”

The Britain, by way ofTrinidad and Tobago, willbemaking a stop at theBethesda Blues and JazzSupper Club on Tuesday,just in time forMardi Gras.

Ocean took somemuchneeded time off to be with

his family. He decided in2007, after his children hadall grown up, that it was timeto hit the road again. Thistime, he’d have some famil-iar company lending theirbackup vocals—his daugh-ter, Cherie. Since then,Ocean has been performingand recording newmusic,which hewill bring with himto Bethesda.

Tickets for the shows—one at 7 p.m., the otherat 10 p.m.— are $50 to $90.Formore information, visitbethesdabluesjazz.com orcall 240-330-4500.

Now we’re sharingthe same dream

21ST CENTURY ARTISTS INC.

Billy Ocean is set to perform at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club. Defying all labels, Argentineguitarist/composer CristianPerez brings together SouthAmericanmusic, classical, jazzand folk styles from around theworld.

The talentedmusician ispart of Strathmore’s 2014-2015Artists in Residence seriesandwill perform two shows,oneWednesday and the otheron Feb. 25, at theMansionat Strathmore. In between,on Feb. 18, he will conduct a“Beyond Tango” workshop,where people can learn aboutChacarera folkmusic, the afro-indigenous rhythms of Zamba,themelodies ofMilonga, andthe beat of Candombe.

Tickets for the two per-formances are $17, while theworkshop is free. Tickets for theworkshopmust be reserved inadvance, however.

Formore information, visitstrathmore.org or call 301-581-5100.

The AIRwe breathe

JONATHAN TIMMES

Strathmore AIR alum Cristian Perezwill perform at the Mansion atStrathmore on Wednesday.

Eastern andWestern tra-ditions aremerged and newdirections in Asian brush art areexplored in “Transformations ofBrush and Paper,” currently ondisplay at BlackRock Center forthe Arts in Germantown.

In the exhibit, Kit-KeungKan animates suspended scrollswith large-scale calligraphybased on ancient Chinesescripts, Freda Lee-McCannapplies layers of rice paper totransformbrushwork influ-enced by traditional Chineselandscape painting, and In-soonShin usesHanjimulberry paperpulp to cast sculptural formsand impressions of ancient Ko-rean tomb reliefs.

The exhibitionwill be onview in theMainGallery nowthrough Feb. 28. BlackRockwillalso host a Free Family Fun: Lu-narNewYear Celebration from10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 21whichwill feature child-friendly toursof the exhibition, drop-in artmaking activities with a LunarNewYear theme, and perfor-mances of traditional Asianmu-sic and folk dance to celebrate2015, the Year of theGoat. Theartist demonstrations, recep-tion, exhibition and Family Lu-narNewYear Celebration are allfree and open to the public.

Formore information, visitblackrockcenter.org or call 301-528-2260.

Mutual transformations

BLACKROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Kit-Keung Kanís ìEver Flowing,î iscurrently on display at the Black-Rock Center for the Arts.

1933034


THE GAZETTEWednesday, February 11, 2015 r Page B-9

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DIRECTTV - 2YEAR SAVINGSEVENT! Over 140channels only $29.99a month. OnlyDirecTV gives you 2YEARS of savings anda FREE Genie up-grade! Call 1-800-279-3018

Analysts, Senior Analysts, ConsultantsMEBC, Inc., a growing professional services consulting firm headquartered inWyomissing, PA, has multiple positions available for IT, Business Analysts andBusiness Process Consultants. A B.S. Degree is required and 1-3 yrs of businessexperience is preferred; but we would consider the right entry level candidate.Comprehensive training program provided. Travel required, and US Citizenship.MEBC offers a comprehensive benefits package. Reply with resume to:[email protected].

GC3420

Certified Medical Assistants(Clinical and Administrative)

Part- Time & Full Time Certified Medical Assistants(Clinical and Administrative) needed for a medical officelocated in Urbana, Maryland.Must have at least 1 year ofmedical assistant experience. GI experience preferred butnot required. Salary will commensurate with experience.Please send resume to [email protected] orvisit our website at www.capitaldigestivecare.com formore information and to complete an online application.

DISH TV STARTINGAT $19.99/MONTH(for 12 mos.) SAVE!Regular Price $32.99Call Today and AskAbout FREE SAMEDAY Installation! CALLNow! 844-334-8858

SNOWTHROWER:24" MTD ProductsInc. Model #310-600A, Gas +110V starter $300,[email protected]

FIREWOOD FORSALE

$250/cord$150 per 1/2 cordµ Includes Deliveryµ Stacking Extra

ChargeAsk for Jose301-417-0753301-370-7008

GP2159

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AVON BAZAARS:2/13, 5-8pm & 2/14,12:30 4pm at 9410Annapolis Rd, #110,Lanham, MD. Just $15starts your own AVONbusiness, Call 301-218-2515.

AVON - Earn extraincome with a newcareer! Sell fromhome, work online.$15 startup. For infor-mation call: 888-423-1792 (M-F 9-7 & Sat9-1 Central)

MEDICAL BILLINGTRAININGPROGRAM! Train toprocess insurance andMedical Billing fromhome! NO EXPERI-ENCE NEEDED! On-line training at CTIgets you job ready! HSDiploma/Ged &Computer / In te rne tneeded. 1-877-649-2671.

AVIATION GRADSWORK WITHJETBLUE , Boeing,Delta and others- starthere with hands ontraining for FAA certifi-cation. Financial aid ifqualified. Call AviationInstitute of Mainte-nance 866-823-6729

NOTICE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC HEARINGMontgomery County Government hereby notifies the general pub-lic and other interested parties that a three-week period has beenestablished during which they may request a public hearing onthe FY2016 Annual Transportation Plan grant application. The ap-plication requests up to $14,000,000 for buses, up to $5,000,000for preventative maintenance, $309,958 to fund Ride On routes76 and 90 peak-hour service, $379,107 to continue the Call-N-Ride program under the Statewide Special Transportation Assis-tance Program and $582,948 to fund the Large Urban OperatingAssistance project from the Maryland Transit Administration andFederal Transit Administration.

This three-week period will commence on February 11, 2015 andend March 4, 2015 at 5 PM. If requested, the public hearing onthe above mentioned programs will be held on March 10, 2015 at2:00 p.m. in the Auditorium, Executive Office Building, 101 Mon-roe Street, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

The request for a public hearing must be submitted in writing andreceived by the Division of Transit Services no later than 5 PMWednesday March 4, 2015. Request received after March 4,2015 will be returned to sender.

Request for this public hearing must include your name and ad-dress, and if any, organization or business name, reason(s) or is-sues of your request, and send to:

Carolyn G. Biggins, ChiefDivision of Transit Services101 Monroe Street, 5th FloorRockville, Maryland 20850 (2-11-15)

NOTICEPursuant to the procedure authorized by Ti-tle 5, Subtitle 2, of the Corporations andAssociations Article of the Annotated Codeof Maryland. The council of Unit Ownersfor the Bethesda Overlook TownhousesCondominiums shall hold an annual meet-ing on Tuesday, February 24th, 2015, at7:00PM at the Davis Library, located at6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD20817. At this meeting the members pres-ent in person or by proxy constitute a quo-rum. A majority of the members present inperson or by proxy may approve or author-ize the proposed action at the additionalmeeting and may take any other actionwhich could have been taken at the originalmeeting if a sufficient number of membershad been present.

(2-11-15)

Customer Service

Registration/Front DeskBusy Orthopaedic practice in Kensingtonhas an immediate full time opening for aregistration/insurance specialist. We are lookingfor a customer service driven and enthusiasticindividual to join our team. We offer competitivesalary and benefits package. 1 to 2 yrs. exppreferred. Please email [email protected] fax resume to: 301-962-7450.

Residential CustomerService Rep.

5+ years office experienceSend resume to [email protected]

Now Hiring Line & PrepCooks!

FT & PT, Evenings, Busy RestaurantGaithersburg, Maryland

301-963-7778

SON DONATESKIDNEY to His Momwith Rare Kidney Dis-ease. GoFund-Me.w w w . g o f u n d m e .com/kidneytransplant1

DONATE AUTOS,TRUCKS, RV’S.LUTHERAN MIS-SION SOCIETY.Your donation helpslocal families withfood, clothing, shelter,counseling. Tax de-ductible. MVA License#W1044.410-636-0123 orwww.LutheranMission-Society.org

Dental/MedicalAssistantTrainees

Needed NowDental/Medical

Offices now hiring.No experience?Job Training& Placement

Assistance Available1-888-818-7802

CTO SCHEV

ALL THINGSBASEMENTY!Basement SystemsInc. Call us for all ofyour basement needs!Waterproofing? Finish-ing? Structural Re-pairs? Humidity andMold Control FREEESTIMATES! Call 1-800-998-5574

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GET CABLE TV,INTERNET &PHONE with FREEHD Equipment and in-stall for under $3 aday! Call Now! 855-752-8550

Daycare DirectoryDamascus Licensed Family Daycare Lic#: 139094 301-253-4753 20872Children’s Center Of Damascus Lic#: 31453 301-253-6864 20872My Little Lamb Daycare Lic#: 51328 240-498-4599 20877GG’s Little Angel Daycare Lic#: 152997 301-926-6062 20879My Little Place Home Daycare Lic#: 131042 301-947-8477 20886Emmanuel Learning Child Development Center Lic#: 200019 301-622-0777 20904Starburst Child Care Lic#: 159882 301-674-4173 20855Learn And Play Daycare Lic#: 250177 240-408-6532 20876Happy Tots Family Daycare Lic#: 250166 301-365-5618 20852

DEADLINE: MARCH 2nd, 2015 GGPP22119977AAGP2197A

Web EditorThe Gazette, a chain of weekly community newspapers inMaryland, is seeking an Web Editor to build our digital audience andoversee our digital content and presentation.

Responsibilities include editing stories and related items for optimalweb display, determining how information is displayed, formulatingstrategies for niche publications and special online features,promoting a web-first mentality in the newsroom, andtroubleshooting problems on the website and with our contentmanagement system.

Candidates must have solid print and digital media skills, and strongknowledge of SEO, social media and other digital tools. Dutiesinclude supervising a small staff, working with multiple departmentson digital projects, tracking analytics, and some editing for theprinted publications. Experience dealing with vendors and workingwith our content management system, Saxotech, is a plus. Thisposition requires working at both our Laurel and Gaithersburglocations.

We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefitspackage including medical, dental, tuition reimbursement and401(k).

Send resume, cover letter and salary requirements to VanessaHarrington: [email protected]. No phone calls. EOE

GC3450

(Full and Part Time)

Childtime Learning Center in Bethesda, MD is looking forLead Teachers. We are seeking candidates who are passionateabout the growth and development of children and whopossess the following requirements: 45 Hour Infant/Toddlerand 90 Hour School Aged Child Certifications and 1 yearexperience working in a Licensed Child Care Facility or whopossess a CDA and qualify as a Senior Staff per Maryland StateDepartment of Education. All applicants must be 18 years ofage or over. Please apply at www.learningcaregroup.com/careers. EOE

Lead Teacher Opportunities

WHEELCHAIR ANDSCOOTER RE-PAIR. Medicare Ac-cepted. Fast FriendlyService. BBB Rated.Loaners Available.CALL 1-800-450-7709

MEDICAL BILLINGTRAINING PRO-GRAM ! Train toprocess insuranceand Medical Billingfrom home! NO EX-PERIENCE NEED-ED! Online trainingat CTI gets you jobready! HSDiploma/Ged &Computer/Internetneeded. 1-877-649-2671

GUARANTEEDINCOME FORYOUR RETIRE-MENT. Avoid marketrisk & get guaranteedincome in retirement!CALL for FREE copyof our SAFE MONEYGUIDE. Plus Annuity.Quotes from A-Ratedcompaines! 800-669-5471

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GET CASH NOWFOR YOUR ANNU-ITY OR STRUC-TURED SETTLE-MENT. Top DollarsPaid. Fast. No HassleService! 877-693-0934(M-F 9:35 am - 7 pmET)

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NANNY/ELD CAREI AM LOOKING FOR

WORK FT

Avl Live-in /live-out toassist w/kids & elderly10 yrs Exp & Exc Ref

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CAREGIVER- PrivateHome Care Agency islooking for all care-givers for Rockville/Kensington area. Call301-693-7131

CAREGIVER w/experfor 90 yrs old man inBethesda. Monday-Friday Bkgrd chk Req.Linda 301-520-6937

LIVE-IN CARE GIV-ER Needed for grouphome for Seniors inPotomac, MD. WillTrain. 240-506-7719

Page B-12 Wednesday, February 11, 2015 r

Part TimeHelp Wanted

Part TimeHelp Wanted

to advertisecall

301.670.7100or email

[email protected]

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GazetteCareers

Career TrainingNeed to re-start your career?

JOB FAIRCHAUFFEURS/CSR STAFF

If you have a good driving record, know your way around, enjoytalking to people and making people happy then we want to talk toyou. Wednesday, February 18, 2015 from 11am to 5pm. 401K,benefits package, and bonuses provided! Chauffeur applicantsmust be at least 25.

RMA WORLDWIDE CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATIONHilton Rockville (Democracy Room)

1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

Real Estate Silver Spring

Work with the BEST!Be trained individually by one of the area’s top offices & one of the area’s bestsalesman with over 34 years. New & experienced salespeople welcomed.

Must R.S.V.P.Call Bill Hennessy

330011--338888--22662266330011--338888--22662266301-388-2626bill.hennessy@longfoster.com • Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

EOE

GC3418

ManufacturingWabtec Railway Electronics in Germantown has the following openings:µ Wiring& Mechanical Assemblers µ Stockroom µ Truck Driver

µ QA TechniciansFor immediate consideration go to https://careers-wabtec.icims.com or

send resume & salary history to: [email protected] fax (301) 515-2139

Maryland Judiciary

Procurement AssociateThe District Court for Montgomery County is seeking aProcurement Associate to maintain the materials, supplies andequipment for District 6. Responsibilities include, but are not limitedto: overseeing and coordinating the procurement, stocking, andordering of materials, supplies, and equipment; record keeping of allinventory functions; distributing materials, supplies and equipment;responding to inquiries from court personnel; working with vendorsfor quotes and bids for projects; troubleshooting basic computerissues and movement of electronic equipment; serving as backup tomail clerk and performing all other duties as assigned. Req: HSdip/GED. 2 years of general clerical exp., to include one year ofexp. performing work involving the preparation, assembly andprocessing of procurement related documents necessary indeveloping procurement contracts. Note: Applicants may substituteeducation at an accredited college or university for the requiredexperience at a rate of 30 credits hours for each year of experience.For full details and instructions on how to apply, please visit thecourt’s website http://mdcourts.gov/jobs/pdfs/0000833.pdf. EOE

MEDICAL RECEPTIONISTFT, Exp. Preferred. Rockville/Gaithersburg.

Great Benefits! Email resume to:[email protected]

MEDICAL RECEPTIONISTWe are looking for a medical receptionist who has more than 2years experience in a large medical practice. The ideal candidatemust have knowledge of Electronic Medical Record and must haveexcellent communication as well as customer service skill. Pleasesend your resume to [email protected]

PRN/On Call, GNA’s, LPN’s, RN’sNational Lutheran Communities & Services (NLCS) has beenblessed with a long tradition of service to people of all faiths. Since1890, we’ve helped people find wonderful choices for retirementliving, new options for financial security and expert services for healthcare and wellness. While staying rooted in our heritage, we havecontinued to plan for the needs of future generations we will serve.

The Village at Rockville is hiring for PRN/On-Call Staff forGNA’s, LPN’s, and RN’s (day and night shift). If you are looking for achange with competitive salary, and excellent benefits, please submityour resume at: http://www.nationallutheran.org/careers.National Lutheran Communities & Services is an EEO Employer.

Maintenance EngineerArc Developers is offering an excellent career

opportunity for a enthusiastic Maintenance Engineerto join our Maintenance Team in Gaithersburg,MD. Full-time work all year. Candidate should haveprior exp working as a maintenance engineer in aapt community. Must possess knowledge in HVAC,electrical, plumbing, gas furnace and boilers, must bea HVAC certified. Live on position avail. Position

also req 24 hours Emergency On Call, rotating basis.Call: 301-948-1908 OR

Email: [email protected]

RESIDENTIAL HVACINSTALLATION TECHSImmediate openings, 5+ years experience

Send resume to [email protected]

Research AssociateIntegrated Biotherapeutics, Inc. seeking researcherfor its Gaithersburg, MD location to plan andconduct projects aimed at detection of bacterialpathogens, explore LAMP for virus detection;isolate and maintain cultures; identify and classifymicroorganisms, prepare reports; presentfindings. Resume to: 21 Firstfield Rd, Suite 100,Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Fleet MechanicWe are looking for a mechanic that has 2 plusyrs. experience working with heavy dieselequipment including experience in repairing manlifts, cranes, tractors trailers & light/heavy dumptrucks. We operate 5/6 days a week. Theposition would require a flexible schedule. Weoffer competitive pay, based on experience, withbenefits & a good working environment. Pleaseemail resumes to [email protected]

Orndorff & Spaid Inc.301-937-5911

EEO

BOOKKEEPERNeeded for a busy commercial real estatecompany. Part-Time, 25 hours a wk. Musthave experience with processing payroll,accounts payable and good excel skills.

Pay $18-$20 an hour.Email resume to

[email protected]

RECEPTIONISTFT permanent.

Stephen Anthony Salonon Rockville Pike.For interview call301-468-0777

CommunicationsAssistant

Needed for a small company inSilver Spring, 15-20 hrs/week.Write/design charts, flyers, etc.for small co. Must be prof onMac, Excel, Publisher.

Please send resumes to:[email protected].

RECEPTIONISTPotomac Tennis FITNESS Club

Seeks a friendly, articulate,service minded person for PTwork. Candidate should havecomputer knowledge, performmulti tasks & must speak fluent

English. Shift availableThursday-Friday 12pm - 4pm ;Saturday 7am-1pm. Tennis &fitness benefits included.

Call Jeff at: 301-983-1450between 7am - 2pm


CarsWanted

DomesticVans

CarsWanted

AutoInsurance

CarsWanted

CarsWanted

CarsWanted

AAUUTTOOMMOOTTIIVVEEAAUUTTOOMMOOTTIIVVEEAUTOMOTIVE Call 301-670-7100 oremail [email protected]

Shop24/7•Gazette.Net/Autos

Log on toGazette.Net/Autosto upload photosof your car for sale

Selling that convertible...be sure to share a picture!

AUTO INSURANCESTARTING AT $25/MONTH!Call 877-929-9397

1993 FORDECONOLINE: 81KMILES. HANDICAPPVAN. GOOD CONDI-TION. $4,000. CALL301-525-1885

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SELL YOUR CAR TODAY!CALL NOW FOR AN

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CA HFOR CAR !

G557453

OURISMAN SUV’s2012 Kia Sportage, Winter Ready 4WD! Only 12,77 Mi.! Leathr,Allow Wheels, Auto, 1-Owner, PRICED TO SELL! $17,9922014 Jeep Patriot, 4WD, Only 9,359 Mi.,Black, Super Clean!Sport Roof Rack, PRICED TO SELL TODAY! Remainder 3yr. Fac.Warr. $16,9642010 Jeep Wrangler Islander, 4WD, 1-Owner, Well Maintained,Hard Top & Soft Top, JUST REDUCED $1000, Alloy Wheels,Man. Trans., READY TO OFF ROAD $15,3932012 VW Tiguan 2.0 Tsi,1-Owner, Super Clean,All Services Upto Date, Nav,Auto,2WD, Black w/tan int. LOWMILES $16,176

Ourisman VW of Laurel3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel

1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.comOnline Chat Available...24 Hour Website

Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm G557464

www.CapitalAutoAuction.comSince 1989

BUY BELOW KBB VALUE

RAIN OR SHINE!

WE HAVE VEHICLES FOR EVERY BUDGET AND NEED!

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AUCTIONS EVERY SATURDAY

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G557454

PRESIDENT’S DAY SALE2014 VW Jetta 1.8 SE, Super Low Miles 6,705, Executive/Demo Loaner, Auto., Leatherette w/CD AM/FM, Remainder36K Mi. Factory Warranty $16,5552012 Mazda 3i Sport, 1-Owner, Black, Auto., Services Up ToDate, SUPER LOWMILES 31,363, Gold Seal Warranty$11,6372009 Mini Cooper Clubman, White w/Black stripes, WellMaintained,MANAGERS SPECIAL THIS WEEK ONLYADDITIONAL $250 DISCOUNT $10,9952005 Scion XB, LOWMILES,1 Owner, Well Maintained &Super Clean, Bargain Car, JUST REDUCED $500 to $6593

Ourisman VW of Laurel3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel

1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.comOnline Chat Available...24 Hour Website

Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm G557465

2012 Honda Accord EX-L

#G0055, Leather,Sunroof,Alloys $16,995

DARCARS VOLVO15401 Frederick Rd, Rockville, MDwww.darcarsvolvo.com

1.888.824.9165

DARCARS VOLVO OF ROCKVILLE

YOUR GOOD CREDITRESTORED HEREDARCARS

See what it’s liketo love car buying.

2012 Subaru Outback Ltd.

#427002A,3.6,AWD,leather, 38k Miles $22,950

2011 Nissan Versa

#G0054, Automatic,1.8S Sedan, 1-Owner,27k Miles

$11,590

G558208

#P9242, 6 cycl, 3rd RowSeat, 20K miles, 100Kwarranty

$26,950

2011 Volvo XC 902012 Toyota Sienna XLE

#P9173A, V6, 8-seater,Dual Sliding doors, 1owner, 34K Miles

$25,950

#526565B, Automatic,66K Miles, 3.6L V6 $16,995

2010 Chevrolet Traverse LT

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ

#526585A, Immaculate! Only 16KMiles. Nav, DVD, Rear Camera,Captain’s Chairs, Well Maintained

$44,9502012 Hyundai Sante Fe............................................... $22,750#P9247, ONLY 7k MILES!!!, Serrano Red

2011 Volvo XC70 AWD................................................... $22,950# 526603A, Super Clean, Sunroof, Power Tailgate

2011 BMW 335i AWDTwin Turbo....................$25,950#P9214, Nav, Leather, Sunroof,31K Miles

2014 Lexus ES............................................................................ $37,950#329044A, ONLY 4K MILES!!!, V6, NAV, DVD, SUNROOF

#526583B, Turbo-Diesel,21K Miles!! Sunroof,Fender Sound, Bluetooth

$18,995

2013 VW Jetta TDI Premium

2007 Volvo S80............................................................................. $12,995#526135A, 6 Cyl, Front Wheel Drive, Leather, Premium Sound, 63k Miles

2011 Volvo C30Turbo....................................................... $16,996#P9235,Clean, New tires

2012 Volvo S60........................................................................... $20,950#526559A, Certified, Turbo, 100k Warr., 46k Miles

2011 BMW 328i X-Drive.............................................. $21,950#P9156, AWD, Premium Package, 1-Owner, Only 21k Mile!

2008 Mercedes ML350

#526113A, 4WD,Leather, 59k Miles $18,995

#P9212A, Immaculateinside & out! $9,995

2004 BMW 325i2004 Honda Accord LX

#E0542A, Automatic, 81KMiles,Great Condition! $9,995

2005 Ford Taurus

#526035B,Automatic, SE Sedan,3.0L V6

$7,995


3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.com

Ourisman VW of LaurelAll prices & payments exclude tax, tags, title, freight and $300 processing fee. Cannot be combined with any previous advertised or internet special. Pictures are for illustrativepurposes only. Special APR financing cannot be combined with sale prices. Ends 02/28/15.

OURISMAN VW WORLD AUTO CERTIFIED PRE OWNED29 Available...Rates Starting at 1.64% up to 72 months

Online Chat Available...24 Hour Website •Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm G55

8075

OURISMAN VWYOU ALWAYS GET YOUR WAYAT OURISMAN EVERYDAY

2005 Toyota Scion..............V608066A, Gray, 90,560 Miles......................$6,5932012 Jetta Sedan.................V352249A,White,49,776 Miles........................$10,2922009 Mini Cooper...............V008158A,White, 72,319 Miles, Clubman.......$10,9952012 Mazda3......................VP0117,Black,31,363 Miles.......................$11,6372012 Jetta Sedan...............LP0118,Silver,33,694 Miles.......................$11,9952010 Golf TDI.......................V0329015A, Black, 96,203 Miles...................$12,9912012 Jetta SEL PREM PZEV.VLP0123, Grey, 55,979 Miles.........................$13,9912009 Honda Accord EX-L...V035244A, Gold, 58,695 Miles......................$14,9512010 Jeep Wrangler..........V051155A, Silver, 94,301 Miles.................$15,3932013 Kia Optima LX............VP0119, Red, 39,215 Miles...........................$15,9932012 Tiguan SE...................V511462A,Black,37,637 Miles....................$16,1762014 Jetta Sedan...............VPR0113,Silver,5,825 Miles.......................$16,2952014 Jetta Sedan...............VPR0112,Black,6,921 Miles.......................$16,355

2014 Jetta Sedan...............VPR0114,Platinum,6,705 Miles..................$16,5552014 Jeep Patriot................VP0102A,Black,9359 Miles..............................$16,9642012 Golf TDI.......................V406892A, Red, 51,111 Miles.......................$16,9932012 Kia Sportage LX........VP0121,Silver,12,277 Miles.........................$17,9922014 Passat.........................VPR0110,Silver,7,578 Miles.......................$18,5952014 Passat.........................VPR0109,White,5,375 Miles......................$18,5952013 Jetta TDI.....................V275938A, Gray, Nav, 30,575 Miles................$19,7922014 Passat.........................V044301A,Gray,15,182 Miles....................$21,7352015 Jetta SEI.....................V254216A, Silver, 1,652 Miles.......................$22,8212014 GTI Wolfsburg............V039591A, Black, 7,854 Miles.......................$24,7502013 Camaro RS.................V040109B,Black,30,660 Miles....................$27,5922013 Dodge Challenger HEMI..V060204A, Red, 13,157 Miles.......................$28,921

2014 PASSAT S

#9061840, Automatic, PowerWindows,Power Locks, Keyless Entry

BUY FOR$17,999

OR $249/MO for 72 MONTHS

MSRP $23,495

2015 TIGUAN S 2WD

#13510753, Automatic, Power Windows,Power Locks, Keyless Entry

BUY FOR$24,999


MSRP $27,180

2014 TOUAREG TDI R-LINE V6

#14012689, Navigation, SunroofPower Windows/Locks, Loaded

BUY FOR$46,994


MSRP $55,835

2014 JETTA SEDAN TDI

#7283821, Automatic Power Windows,Power Locks, Bluetooth

BUY FOR$18,699


MSRP $23,495

#7280305, Power Windows,Power Locks, Keyless Entry, Auto

MSRP $19,245

2015 JETTA S

BUY FOR$16,995


2015 BEETLE 1.8L

#163411, Power Windows/Power Locks,Keyless Entry, AutoMSRP $22,615

BUY FOR$19,999


2014 JETTA 4D SPORTWAGEN TDI

#5606905, Automactic. PowerWindows,Power Locks, Keyless Entry, SunRoof

MSRP $30,320

BUY FOR$24,499


2015 GOLF GTI 2D HB S

#4036792, Manual, Power Windows,Power Locks, Keyless Entry

BUY FOR$22,999


MSRP $25,535

2015 GOLF 4D HBLAUNCH EDITION

#3022537, Power Windows, Power Locks,Auto, Keyless Entry, Sunroof

MSRP $18,815

BUY FOR$16,599



DARCARS See what it’s like tolove car buying

15625 Frederick Rd (Rte 355) • Rockville,MDn OPEN SUNDAY n VISIT US ON THEWEB ATwww.355Toyota.com

PRICES AND PAYMENTS INCLUDE ANY APPLICABLE MANUFACTURE’S REBATES AND EXCLUDE MILITARY ($500) AND COLLEGE GRAD ($500) REBATES, TAX, TAGS, DEALER PROCESSING CHARGE ($300) AND FREIGHT: CARS $795 OR $810, TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY AND SIENNAS $810, $845 AND $995. *0.0% APR & 0% APR FINANCING UP TO 60 MONTHS TO QUALIFIED BUYERS THRU TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. TOTALFINANCED CANNOT EXCEED MSRP PLUS OPTIONS, TAX, AND LICENSE FEES. 0% APR MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $16.67 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. 0.9% APR 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $17.05 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. APR OFFERS ARE NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER CASH BACK LEASE OFFER. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY.**LEASE PAYMENTS BASED ON 36 MONTHS, 12,000 MILES PER YEAR WITH $995 DOWNPLUS $650 ACQUISITION FEE, NO SECURITY DEPOSIT REQUIRED. LEASES FOR COROLLA AND CAMRY ARE 24 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN PLUS TAX, TAGS, FREIGHT, PROCESSING AND $650 ACQUISITION FEE. SEE DEALER FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. EXPIRES 2/17/2015.

1-888-831-9671

G557458

0% FOR60 MONTHS+On 10 Toyota Models

4 DR., AUTO,4 CYL., INCL.

2 AVAILABLE: #570508, 570545NEW 2015 COROLLA L

2 AVAILABLE: #564214, 564223NEW 2015 RAV4 4X2 LE

4 CYL.,AUTOMATIC

2 AVAILABLE: #572068, 572042NEW 2015 CAMRY LE

AUTO,4 CYL., 4 DR

4 DR., AUTO, 6 CYL.

NEW 2015 SIENNA L2 AVAILABLE: #560081, 560075

$24,690

AUTO, 4 CYL

2 AVAILABLE: #567123, 567085NEW 2015 TACOMA 4X2 XTRACAB

362 AVAILABLE: #570288, 570286

4 DR., AUTO,4 CYL

2015 COROLLA LE

$139/2 AVAILABLE: #453030, 453038

NEW 2014 SCION XD

4 CYL.,4 DR., AUTO

$14,990

MO**

3 AVAILABLE: #572071, 572073, 572081NEW 2015 CAMRY LE

4 CYL.,AUTO

$14,590

AFTER TOYOTA $1,000 REBATE

AFTER $750 REBATE

$19,390

$179/MO**

AFTER $750 REBATE

$20,890

$0DOWN

$0DOWN

$0DOWN

$0DOWN

$18,590

ASK AASK AFRIENDFRIEND

WHO DRIVES A TOYOTAWHO DRIVES A TOYOTA

AFTER TOYOTA $750 REBATE

PRESIDENTIALPRESIDENTIALSAVINGS EVENTSAVINGS EVENT

G557466

Prices include all rebates and incentives. DARCARS Nissan DOES NOT Include college grad or military rebates in price! NMAC Bonus Cash require financing through NMAC with approved credit. Prices exclude tax,tags, freight (Cars $825, SUVs and Trucks $885-$1000) and $300 processing charge, Lease payments are calculated with tax, tags, freight, $300 processing charge and first payment due at signing, and are valid with

tier one approval through NMAC. Prices and payments valid only at listed VINS. See dealer for details. Offer expires 02/16/2015.

DARCARS NISSANTWO LOCATIONS

Rockville15911 Indianola DriveRockville, MD 20855

888-797-1831

College Park9330 Baltimore Ave

College Park, MD 20740888-693-8037

SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LOVE CAR BUYING

DARCARS NISSAN OF ROCKVILLE

www.DARCARSnissan.com

DARCARS NISSAN OF COLLEGE PARK

www.DARCARSnissanofcollegepark.com

2015 NISSANVERSA NOTE SV MSRP: $17,320

Sale Price: $14,995Nissan Rebate: -$500

NMAC Bonus Cash: -$500

$13,995w/automatictransmission

MODEL #11615

4AT THISPRICE $0 DOWN

$149/MO36 MO LEASE12K MILES/YR

OR

2015 NISSANALTIMA 2.5 S

MSRP: $23,935Sale Price: $19,745

Nissan Rebate: -$1,250NMAC Bonus Cash: -$1,000

Nissan Holiday Bonus Cash: -$500

$16,995

MODEL #13115



OR

2014 NISSANSENTRA SR


Nissan Rebate: -$1,000NMAC Bonus Cash: -$500

Nissan Holiday Bonus Cash: -$500

$14,495w/bluetooth,Alloy Wheels

MODEL #12214$0 DOWN


OR4AT THISPRICE

2014 NISSANMAXIMA 3.5 SV MSRP: $35,815

Sale Price: $30,995Nissan Rebate: $4,500

NMAC Bonus Cash: $500

$25,995Leather, HeatedSeats, moonroofMODEL #16214



OR

MODEL #17015 $0 DOWN


NMAC Bonus Cash: $3,500

$24,995$239/MO39 MO LEASE12K MILES/YR

OR

2015 NISSANLEAF S

4AT THISPRICE

w/Charger Pkg

2015 NISSANROGUE SV AWD


Nissan Rebate: -$750NMAC Bonus Cash: -$250

$22,495

MODEL #22415



OR

2015 MURANOSIN STOCK,AVAILABLE

FORIMMEDIATEDELIVERY!

2015 NISSANVERSA S+ CVT MSRP: $14,995

Sale Price: $12,995Nissan Rebate: -$500

$12,495w/automatictransmission

MODEL #11125



OR

2015 NISSANPATHFINDER 4X4 S


Nissan Rebate: $1,000Nissan Bonus Rebate: -$1,000

NMAC Bonus Cash: $500

$24,995

MODEL #25015



OR


Rockville 021115

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