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Document Sample
e-Bugle Garrett Bugle Internet Edition
Volume 57 March 2010 No. 3
Calendar
Fri., Feb. 19 Pick up March Bugle from box at Tues., Mar. 9 Lunch Bunch, Town Hall, 12:30
Penn Place pm; Bugle deadline, 4 pm
Sat., Feb. 20 Rescheduled community coffee- Sun., Mar. 14 Daylight Savings time begins;
house, Town Hall, 7:30–10 pm reset clocks
Wed., Feb. 24 Citizens Assoc. Mtg., Town Hall, Fri., Mar. 19 Film Society, The Commitments;
8 pm: “The Works of Constan- dinner 7 pm, film 8 pm (see p 8);
tine Seferlis” (see p 4) April Bugle out
Thurs., Feb. 25 Senior Games and Tea, Town Wed., Mar. 24 Citizens Assoc. Mtg., Town Hall,
Hall, 1:30–3:30 pm; Land Use 8 pm: Nominations for Town
Task Force Mtg., Town Hall, Council Election
8 pm
Thurs., Mar. 25 Senior Games and Tea, Town
Mon., Mar. 1 Weekly yard waste collection Hall, 1:30–3:30 pm; Land Use
begins Task Force Mtg., Town Hall, 8 pm
Sat., Mar. 6 Jam Session, Town Hall, 8 pm; Sat., Mar. 27 Farmer’s Market, Penn Place,
GIVES collection, Penn Place, 9 am–1 pm
9 am–1 pm
Mon., Mar. 29 Art at Penn Place: watercolors by
Mon., Mar. 8 Town Council Mtg., Town Hall, Carol Vorosmarti (see p 2)
8 pm
Sat., Apr. 10 Large item pickup
Council Plows through Business
The Council meeting on February 8 took Councilmember Mandel wondered about the cost
place as the town was reeling from the weekend’s of doing our own snow work compared to hiring
record-breaking snow and preparing for further a contractor, as the town did formerly. The Mayor
snow to come. Not surprisingly, the meeting was pointed out that comparisons would be diffi-
notable for the recurrence of the snow theme cult, since a contractor would probably not have
throughout. been able to provide the same level of service.
The nearest comparison might be the big snow
The meeting time was moved up earlier than
of 1996, which was actually a bit less severe than
usual to allow Town Administrator Ted Pratt to
this year’s; that ended up costing the town over
complete his presentations and depart early for
$30,000 in contract snow removal fees (about half
home. The meeting came to order at 6:45 with the
of which was eventually reimbursed from fed-
Mayor, four Councilmembers (Councilmember
eral or state disaster money). He considered that
Petito was out of town), the Town Administrator,
the town was getting a very good return on its
and a small audience of residents in attendance
investment in snow removal capability. Council-
(initially two, increasing as the evening wore on
member Irons remarked that she had been stay-
and including refugees from powerless houses).
ing in another independent municipality when
The monthly financial report held no sur- the snow hit, and our streets were in much better
prises, said Ted. In response to a question about shape. All in all, the Council was full of praise for
the overtime costs incurred for snow removal, our dedicated crew (this was a major motif of the
Ted was not able to give a precise figure, but snow theme).
estimated that by the end of the fiscal year, total
(At one point during all this, the proceedings
overtime costs might amount to $10,000. How-
were interrupted when a town resident arrived
ever, he said there was no need yet to adjust the
budget, as it could be done at the end of the year. (continued next page)
(continued from previous page) or other public emergencies. The Council agreed
asking for advice on getting a plumber to deal to consider this idea, and Councilmember Schulp
with a burst pipe. Much good advice and sympa- will investigate options regarding an emergency
thy were forthcoming.) generator for the Town Hall and bring the results
to the budget work session.
The next business on the agenda was Town
Ordinance 2010-01: FY 2010 Amended Budget. The Mayor then discussed the ongoing nego-
The Council voted unanimously in favor of intro- tiations on the town’s acquisition of the Commu-
ducing this ordinance, which will be voted on nity Center/Nursery School site. The latest wrin-
at the next Council meeting. The proposed ordi- kles concern the size of the easements required
nance had been the subject of the Council’s Janu- to make this happen, two mature town trees that
ary work session. Further minor adjustments can would have to be taken out, and the proposed
be made at the March Council meeting, at which treatment of two problematic covenants. Suffice it
the proposed ordinance is to be adopted. A short to say that negotiations continue as these details
discussion touched on the proposed increase of are sorted out. The latest proposal from the Board
the contingency fund, typical levels of reserve of Education will be discussed further at the next
and contingency funds, and proposed salary Council meeting.
increases for staff.
In Councilmember reports, Councilmember
Councilmember Irons then presented a Schulp reported that another meeting is sched-
request from the Land Use Task Force. The Coun- uled to work out the language for the lease on the
cil was asked to ratify in a public meeting its Community Center/Nursery School building, and
direction to the Setback Advisory Committee on Councilmember Irons reported that the Land Use
how to treat exemptions for projections into set- Task Force is making good progress and had had
backs: namely, to treat them in accordance with a respectable response to its survey.
Montgomery County’s zoning ordinances—that
Before the meeting broke up around 8, the
is, until the Land Use Task Force makes its recom-
snow theme recurred (with power line variation).
mendations and the Council acts on those recom-
The discussion moved rapidly from the attraction
mendations. (The Setback Advisory Committee
of installing underground power lines to their
advises the Council on the approval of building
extraordinary costliness. For example, under-
permits and applications for variances.) This
grounding was not done on Strathmore when the
interim measure would allow more intrusion into
road was renovated because it would have cost $4
setbacks than has been the practice. After some
million. Also mentioned was a 15-year-old figure
discussion about the desirability of setting forth
for undergrounding residential cables: $1000 per
clearly what impact this would have on the town,
front foot. These figures provided the closing
the Council agreed to the request, with the under-
chords for the meeting, as impressive in their way
standing that the task force would be asked to
as the ever higher heaps of snow.
look at each of the exemptions and its impact.
Barbara Collier
The Council next set a date for the FY11
budget work session (February 20) and approved
Art at Penn Place
the previous meeting’s minutes so that Ted was Beginning March 29, the Penn Place gallery
free to go. In the brief disruption of Ted’s depar- will feature the watercolor paintings of Carol
ture, talk broke out first on the fund-raising Vorosmarti. Carol writes: “I consider myself a
potential of a lottery on when the snow pile by painter of nature and find my inspiration both in
Penn Place will disappear, turned to the challenge exploring new locations and the intimacy of my
of finding places to put the predicted new snow, garden. I am fascinated by the light, texture, and
and ended up with another song of praise to the color of the outdoors and try to express that in my
town’s hard-working staff. watercolors.” Carol is a member of the Potomac
Valley Watercolorists.
Mayor Keller reported that at least one resi-
dent of Argyle was anxious to encourage clear- Bert Zbar
ing the sledding hill (on the grounds that no one
The Garrett Bugle is a publication of the Citizens Association of Garrett
was sledding on it). The Mayor suggested that Park, published 10 times a year. Publication of the Bugle is supported
although it might not prove feasible to remove by member dues. All residents of Garrett Park are members of the
Citizens Association. Yearly dues ($20 per family or $10 per individual
the snow at this late date, he could consult Main- per address) can be sent to Citizens Association, Box 456, Garrett
tenance Superintendent Butch Frost on a com- Park, MD 20896.
Citizens Association Officers:
promise: plowing on one side of Argyle from the President: Chris Strong (Chris.s.strong@gmail.com)
lower end of Montrose to Rokeby—the snow there Co-Vice-Presidents: Todd Harris and Mario Grande
Treasurer: Lara Hines
already had tracks from a few vehicles that had Secretary: Leslie Bethke-Pope
seen fit to drive around the Do Not Enter sign. Members at large: Cathy Rinzel, Mike Grieb, Kathryn Mitchell
Bugle staff:
A propos, the Mayor wondered if it would be Editor: Barbara Collier (Box 191, 942-3526, bscollier@earthlink.net)
Reporters: Margaret Soltan (Box 518, 929-8328, margaret.soltan@
advisable to reinstitute a “snow portfolio” for a gmail.com), Mary Moyer (Box 98, 933-5764, MoyOrgnmstr@aol.com)
Councilmember to deal with such issues (a port-
Ads: Mary Moyer (Box 98, 933-5764) Graphic design: Linda Paine
Subscriptions: Jane Salomon (Box 227) Distribution: Peggy Pratt
folio that lapsed when we stopped hiring plowing First-class subscriptions cost $15 (bulk mail subscriptions are no longer avail-
able). Letters to the editor can be submitted by mail or hand to Bugle staff
contractors). Councilmember Mandel suggested or by e-mail through the town Web site: www.garrettpark-md.gov/submit-
BugleArticle.php. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions for length
that such a portfolio could include any weather and clarity. Unsigned letters will not be printed.
2
Town Administrator Notes
Blizzard of 2010: I hope that by the time you announced at a reception in the Town Hall, with
read this the snow will have melted from our luck by 9:30 pm.
historic February storms. I would like to thank
If you have not voted in the last five years,
residents for their extensive cooperation in park-
your name will have been withdrawn from the
ing off the street, or on the even-numbered side
active file by Montgomery County and you will
of the street. It makes the job of clearing heavy
need to reregister. You may register at any time
snowfall so much easier. Also, the cooperative
by calling the Town Office for the necessary
and neighborly spirit of helping others has made
forms (or for address change forms). You may also
a significant difference for many residents faced
register in the Town Office during normal office
with extended power loss or other storm-related
hours. Special registration hours will also be
difficulties—a true credit to this town!
held on Saturday, March 27, and Saturday, April
Town Budget: The Council is currently work- 3, from 8 am until 12 noon at the Town Office.
ing on the budget for the next fiscal year (FY Please call the Town Office with any questions
2011, running from July 2010 through June 2011), regarding registration, qualification of voters,
which will be introduced at the regular meeting nominations, etc.
on March 8. If any residents have comments or
Ted Pratt, Town Administrator
suggestions regarding next year’s budget, they
should contact the Mayor, a Councilmember, or
the Town Office.
Green Again
Thanks to the donations of Citizens Associa-
Yard Waste Collection: Weekly yard waste
tion president Chris Strong and an ex-Garrett
collection begins on Monday, March 1. Please
Parker (whose heart is still here), we have the
remember to bundle sticks in lengths of no more
green again with us for this month. We are still
than 4 feet, and place clippings, leaves, etc., in
doubling up the donations already given, which
paper leaf bags. No plastic bags, please.
will cover us until May 2010. Anyone else like to
Large Item Pickup: The next large item get on the list? Please send your contribution to
pickup is scheduled for Saturday, April 10. Mary Moyer, Box 98, with a check made out to
the Citizens Association. The sponsorship of the
State Tax Form Reminder: Please remember
green banner now costs $60, unless you would
to write “Garrett Park” in the box labeled “City,
like to share the honor with a neighbor or two.
town or taxing area” when filling out your state
Many thanks.
income tax forms. This ensures that our commu-
nity receives its fair share of the income tax rev- Did you pick up your Bugle from the box
enues that the state distributes to the 23 counties on the table in the P.O.? There was an envelope
and 157 incorporated cities and towns throughout inside that you could use to pay your Citizens
Maryland. This revenue supports many of the Association dues. Did you mail in that envelope
services the town provides to residents. Also, with your dues enclosed? Remember, it’s $20 per
the Town Office can provide copies of most IRS household, or $10 per individual at an address,
forms, so stop by if you need any. and you are a member of the association if you
live in town. It would be nice to collect enough to
Town Elections 2009: Election Day in Garrett
cover the cost of printing this paper, the Spooky
Park will be Monday, May 3. Polls are open from
Woods at Halloween, and the Fourth of July
7 am to 7:30 pm in the public lobby of the Post
hoopla. If you did pay, thank you.
Office at Penn Place. The terms of office for Mayor
Chris Keller and Councilmembers Beth Irons and Mary Moyer
Hans Wegner are up this year. Candidate nomi-
nations will take place during the Citizens Asso- Visit Garrett Park’s Web site:
ciation meeting on Wednesday, March 24, with
www.garrettpark-md.gov
the Candidates Forum currently set for Wednes-
day, April 28. Additional nominations may be
made by written petition signed by 10 registered
voters and filed with the Town Office by 12 noon 9am-9pm
on Monday, April 12. The last day to register to Mon - Sat
vote in this election is Saturday, April 3. (To be 9am-7pm
eligible to vote in a town election, you need to be Sunday
registered with Montgomery County at your Gar-
rett Park address, or on the list of qualified, nonciti- (301) 493 6217
zen Garrett Park residents.) Absentee ballots will
be available Wednesday, April 14, through Friday,
Strathmore
Grosvenor Metro
April 23, and may be mailed to you or picked up
at the Town Office. Emergency absentee ballots
Rockville Pike
Tuckerman
may be requested after April 23. If some unan- 10401
ticipated situation prevents you from being able Market
to come to the polls, please call the Town Office Grosvenor Place
for an emergency absentee ballot. Results will be
3
Citizens Association News
The snow didn’t stop about 65 of us from Annual dues. The Citizens Association 2010
attending another successful town dinner on Sat- annual dues are being collected. The annual dues
urday, January 30, at the Town Hall. The evening are $10 for individuals and $20 per family. Thank
was festive as neighbors shared wine, ate fine you to all of those who have already paid. For
food, and enjoyed great company. All laughed at those who have not, please submit dues by mail-
the stories of what neighbors found in their junk ing them to the Citizens Association at Box 456.
drawers, especially those who brought show-
Garrett Park listserv. To join this electronic
and-tell. The most common item was a woman’s
forum, which allows neighbors to communicate
garter, although the Mayor’s junk drawer at Penn
information about town concerns, safety issues,
Place proved particularly interesting and comical.
upcoming events, and recommended services,
Nominations for the Board of Officers e-mail Todd Harris or sign in at groups.yahoo.
were presented by President Chris Strong and com/group/GarrettParkneighbors/join.
approved by the town. The new officers consist of
Questions or comments for the Citizens Associa-
President Chris Strong, Co-Vice-Presidents Todd
tion? If so, please send a note to P.O. Box 456 or
Harris and Mario Grande, Treasurer Lara Hines,
e-mail Chris Strong (Chris.s.strong@gmail.com).
and Secretary Leslie Bethke-Pope.
Upcoming meetings. The Citizens Association
has several exciting guests lined up for the Febru-
ary and March meetings. Mark your calendars!
GPES
On February 24, join us as Andy Seferlis pro-
Garrett Park Elementary is looking for Career
vides us with a pictorial and informative look
Day speakers. If you have a job that you would be
at the works that his father, master stone carver
willing to explain to elementary school students,
Constantine Seferlis, made in his Garrett Park
please consider volunteering. This year Career
studio. Mr. Seferlis’ sculptures, gargoyles, and
Day will be held on May 21 in the afternoon. If
other stonework are showcased around Wash-
interested, contact Counselor Shana Schnaue at
ington, and he made countless contributions to
school (301-929-2170).
buildings, such as the National Cathedral, for
which he produced more than 200 works of art. If you have a child who will be 5 years old on
Learn which of Mr. Seferlis’ works, started right or before September 1, 2010, contact the school
here in Garrett Park, are now a part of the land- as soon as possible to sign up for Kindergarten
marks that make Washington famous. Orientation, which will be held on April 15 and
16. Current kindergartners will have the day off.
On March 24, our guest speaker will be
If your child is eligible, but you do not wish your
Pamela Rowe from the county’s program “Rain-
child to attend kindergarten, you must complete
Scapes for Healthy Watersheds—Reducing Pol-
an enrollment waiver form, available from the
lution One Yard at a Time.” Learn about the
office.
RainScapes program that assists county property
owners to install projects that reduce storm water Since the school building is slated for demoli-
runoff from their land with attractive landscap- tion in mid-June, and all teacher supplies must
ing solutions. Hear about how the county pro- be packed up in boxes for the move to Grosvenor
vides financial and technical assistance with Elementary (our holding school for a year and a
rain garden projects, conservation landscapes, half), the office would like to know if you have
permeable paver retrofits, tree planting projects, any holders for strapping tape (red, plastic, wide)
and more. We will discuss the RainScapes rebate you could donate. MCPS will supply the tape,
program, as well as work being undertaken in but no holders. Send them in to the office with
specific neighborhoods, including the area of a neighborhood student or drop them off while
Garret Park south of Strathmore. Questions can doing errands. It would be nice for each staff
be directed to Pamela Rowe at pamela.rowe@ member (60 in number) to have one to work with.
montgomerycountymd.gov. Also, if you could spend some time taping those
boxes, please call the office after Spring Break,
At the March 24 meeting, the Citizens Asso-
and leave your name on a taping list. As your tal-
ciation will accept nominations for the upcom-
ents are needed, you will be called.
ing town elections on May 3. Three seats are up
for election this year: the Mayor and two Town And finally, the school archives needs a home
Council seats. Please consider running for one until we move into our new building. If you have
of these important positions. If interested, please room to store 8 cartons (the size that holds 5000
have someone submit your nomination at this sheets of photocopy paper), a portfolio, and a tube
meeting. of school plans, may we borrow it? The two time
capsules have already been spoken for. Please get
On April 28, the Citizens Association will
in touch with me. I’d store them but we’re up to
hold the annual Candidates Forum. Candidates
our eyeballs with Legos and a boomerang kid.
for Mayor and the two Town Council seats up for
Thank you, thank you.
election will be on hand to discuss their views on
issues important to the citizens of Garrett Park. Mary Moyer
4
Responding to Power Outages Seniors’ Corner
Thanks to several wonderful volunteers who The last Games and Tea afternoon on Janu-
helped distribute flyers with emergency informa- ary 28 was well attended, with two new attend-
tion during the recent power outages and snow- ees—Rose Masucci and Mary Jane Gill. Everyone
storms. played the newly popular Bananagrams. Many
different games are available at the Town Hall
Dan Marsh Hannah Marsh Ginger Mayhew
during these afternoons. Come to the next one on
Sarah Perry Sumaccha Duyn Morgan Mayer
Thursday, February 25, and see for yourself! It’s
Glenda Ingham
1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Town Hall. All are welcome.
These volunteers distributed flyers door to And when the snow finally melts and spring
door to folks who were at home (apologies if we weather invites, we can take advantage of the
forgot to mention anyone). Town Hall’s lovely back yard to play croquet.
We specifically chose to hand flyers to resi- The most recent Senior Citizens Committee
dents rather than leave them in doorways, to help was scheduled for Thursday, February 18, at 10:30
get an idea of who had remained at home and am in the Town Office. If you have suggestions
might need assistance. (Also, we did not want to or would like to participate in future meetings,
produce wet litter.) please call Elizabeth Henley at 301-933-7488.
Elizabeth is the town’s Senior Citizens Committee
Keep these notes handy in case your power
Coordinator.
goes out in winter: It’s important that you stay
warm and dry. If you are uncomfortable or if Members of the Senior Citizens Committee
the temperature in your home is below 55°F, get are as follows:
to a warmer location: a friend’s, neighbor’s, or
Anne Atlee 10938 Montrose
a shelter, such as our Town Hall. (In the recent
Florence Gootenberg 10805 Clermont Ave
emergency, we opened the Town Hall and made
Ulla Lustig 4605 Oxford
it available for those who wished to warm up,
Millie Mader 10704 Keswick
charge cell phones, etc.)
Rita Pittillo 10696 Montrose
Before you leave home: Bonnie Tyler 10915 Kenilworth
• Leave all faucets (including showers and Don’t hesitate to contact us if we can help!
baths) on a slow drip to prevent pipes from
Rita Pittillo, Garrett Park
freezing.
Senior Citizens Committee
• Flush toilets, place a pencil under the flapper
to prevent tank refill, turn off water beneath
toilet, and turn back on slightly to keep a
the reason we changed
trickle.
our name from SAIL to
• Turn off all electrical appliances, including
stove, oven, heaters. GREENSAIL
• Open cupboard and pantry doors to help cir- has nothing to do with boats
culate warmer air. and everything to do with
• If you have pets: leave plenty of dry food and
bowls of water for cats. Ask a nearby neighbor
GREENER HOMES
to walk/check on dogs. (See list of pet-friendly
motels below.)
Take with you—
Beth Irons, GRI
• All medications in their original containers; 301.942.4849 www.GreenSailRealty.com
remember any that need refrigeration (and
should not freeze).
Bob Reinhardt, AIA | Garrett Park, MD
• Cell phones and rechargers. Green Advantage Certified Residential Architect
• Toiletries, a change of clothes, any essential
personal items.
Pets are not permitted in shelters. However,
the following are pet-friendly motels in our area:
Sleep Inn, Rockville; 301-948-8000
Holiday Inn, Lake Forrest; 301-948-8900
Best Western, Rockville; 301-424-4940
Custom Architecture
Residence Inn, Silver Spring; 301-572-2322 for New and Existing Homes
Red Roof Inn, Rockville; 301-987-0965
Homestead Hotel, Gaithersburg; 301-987-9100
ReinhaRdt aRchitects
301/949-7554 | www.reinhardt-architect.com
Elizabeth Henley
5
Bugle Notes . . . Sweet and Sour
e Dig those new lights in the Penn Place eleva- erally restored in time for the next storm on
tor. Thanks to the town for making our ride a Tuesday.
little bit less scary.
e Listserv subscribers also know that the Citi-
e We counted 64 diners at the Town Dinner, zens Association has agreed to act as a central
and 30 bottles of wine on the tables. Not even collection point for contributions from a grate-
considering those who drank beer (a six-pack) ful citizenry to our heroic town staff—Butch,
and soda or water (about 10 people), there was Frank, and José—for the remarkable work
plenty of wine to go around. (No word on how they have done in keeping our town streets,
many wine bottles were empty by the end of fire hydrants, and drains cleared during
the evening.) the snowstorms. If you wish to participate,
drop contributions off at the Strongs’ house,
e From the PO: six boxes are in the throes of
11111 Rokeby (right next to Wells Park), mail
being re-rented, since the current owners did
something to PO Box 248, or hand it off to
not pay their box rents in a timely manner.
any officer of the Citizens Association (listed
You can now pay online at poboxes.usps.com
conveniently in the box on p 2). According to
if you so desire.
Chris, “If we can get the guys to attend, we
e The Forum Opera Ensemble (three-quarters will present them their well-earned bonus at
of whom are Garrett Parkers—Sue Petito, Bar- the next Citizens Association meeting [Febru-
bara Collier, and Jonathan Paul) will be per- ary 24, Town Hall, 8 pm], along with a much
forming at the Holiday Park Senior Center on deserved round of applause.”
Monday, March 8, at 1:15 pm.
e Did you see Rob Pearlman’s car after snow
e The tree gods hit again: a couple of weeks number three? Ever see a Mohawk made of
ago, a tulip poplar came down, taking wires snow? Rob’s car sported the lovingly sculpted
with it, in the front yard of the Folkers/Mullen hairstyle after being dug out of the driveway.
house on Kenilworth. Apparently it made
e Have any comments or stories about the
a goodly racket at 5 in the morning, which
snows of February? Send them to Box 98 or
shook the nearby residents. It took 19 hours to
call Mary Moyer for inclusion in the next
come back on line.
Bugle.
e If you are on either of the two Garrett Park
listservs (GarrettParkneighbors@yahoogroups.
com and GPML@googlegroups.com), you
already know that the weekend snowstorm
Put the #1 to work for you
caused multiple outages for various lengths It’s official. Jeremy Lichtenstein is
of time in houses all over town. Near the split Maryland’s number one RE/MAX® agent in
2007, 2006, 2004 and 2003.
at Kenilworth and Waverly, a utility pole that
Pepco had marked for replacement in the In real estate, experience counts.
Jeremy brings together satisfied buyers and sellers
spring was snapped by a falling branch, which in your neighborhood—and has for over 20 years.
devastated the transformer. With outages on There is just One Name in Real Estate.
Kenilworth, Argyle, Albemarle, Rokeby, and
Clyde, some houses were 58 hours without
electricity. Also, a dead limb broke off a tree
in a yard at Shelley Court and Oxford and
took some wires down. Lower Cambria by the Jeremy Lichtenstein • RE/MAX Realty Services
pool was out for a while, too. Power was gen-
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ElderCare_3.625x3_AD.indd 1 8/30/09 9:48 PM
Process Black
Letter from the Mayor
It’s been said many times in the last few weeks Garrett Park station; but equally true, according to
but bears repeating here: the town of Garrett Park MARC, is that if a station were to open at any loca-
and its residents are extraordinarily fortunate to tion within the White Flint Sector, it would mean
have the services of our dedicated, expert mainte- either closure of the Garrett Park station or drasti-
nance staff; events such as the series of snowfalls cally curtailed service. Given that information, it
we’ve experienced this season make us particu- appeared that the best course would be to pursue,
larly aware of (and grateful for) the skill and hard starting now, a variety of avenues to assure con-
work of Butch, Frank, and José. The town will of tinued viability of the Garrett Park stop, and also
course arrange for bonuses commensurate with endorse a location that, in the event the Garrett
their exceptional efforts, but tempered by the Park station is closed or has curtailed service, will
realities of budget constraints. If you wish to par- at least be within walking distance of a number of
ticipate more directly in recognizing Butch and the town’s MARC commuters. As we considered
the crew, the Citizens Association has initiated an the station issue, the question of noise (primarily
effort in that connection (see p 6). Thank you also from train whistles) was also discussed. Because
to my fellow residents for your good spirit, neigh- whistle noise within Garrett Park is chiefly due to
borliness, concern, and even good humor in the the grade crossing (rather than the MARC stop),
face of power outages and other challenges posed we will work cooperatively with our neighbors in
by the record-breaking storms. Randolph Hills to pursue the possibility of allevi-
ating that noise.
Work on the town’s 2011 fiscal year budget
will begin at the Council work session on Sat- Mayor’s “Onset of Spring” contest. Do you listen
urday, February 20. Please let us know—by con- to “Prairie Home Companion” and/or “Car Talk”?
tacting any Councilmember, the Town Office, or Borrowing from the annual harbinger-of-spring
me—of thoughts or suggestions you have on the contest (to guess the date on which a truck parked
budget. We will post the planned FY11 budget on the frozen ice of Lake Woebegone falls into
on the town Web site when it is prepared in the the water) and Tom and Ray’s preferred method
form of a proposed ordinance, before the March 8 for submitting answers to the weekly “Puzzler”
regular Council meeting. (on large-denomination currency), I have devised
the following contest: You may have noted the
We are looking into revamping the town
large pile of snow immediately adjacent to the
Web site—to make it more attractive (less clut-
Penn Place driveway—on the Penn Place side, it
tered) and user-friendly. Please let us know your
is about 6 to 8 feet tall, and on the park side, per-
thoughts and suggestions.
haps 10 to 12 feet in height. Guess the date that
On February 1, the town filed a brief letter the last vestige of snow from that pile will disap-
with the Montgomery County Council endorsing pear; note your entry (one per resident, please) on
the Nicholson Court location within the White the memo line of a donation check in any amount pay-
Flint Sector Plan as the preferred location for a able to the Betsy White Emergency Loan Fund; send
potential future MARC station. The chief desire to the Town Office, P.O. Box 84, by February 22. In
of the town is of course to preserve the contin- case of a tie, the earliest postmark wins. Prize will
ued operation of the Garrett Park MARC stop, be a set of signed, uniquely Garrett Park scenes
which has great historic and practical value to the on note cards donated by town photographer
town. My letter, drafted in some haste because of Vickie Baily, personalized for the winner. Entries
the accelerated consideration of the issue at the accompanied by a donation of $100 or more
County Council, should have made that point receive a signed, limited-edition print of Donal
more forcefully. The location question was raised McLaughlin and Dave Almy’s painting of Penn
in the limited context of the White Flint Sector Place. Let the thaw begin!
Plan, a planning document for a 30-year build-
Chris Keller
out period. Garrett Park is not within the sector
boundaries, but will be affected by much of what
is permitted within the area. Accordingly, we
Jobs List
have commented on such issues as traffic and In view of the possibly increased interest in
density. The decision to endorse a specific location snow shoveling services, note that you can get a
for a potential MARC stop within White Flint was list of young people offering snow shoveling and
difficult. We heard unequivocally from a MARC other services by calling Elizabeth in the Town
representative that MARC has no plan to close the Office: 301-933-7488.
7
GPFS St. Patrick’s Day Film: The Commitments
The Commitments (1991, R-rated for profanity) Dinner will feature Irish food and homemade
is the next film in the Garrett Park Film Society’s soda bread—hearty fare—so come hungry. Any
2010 series. It is a rollicking crowd-pleaser of a Irish-Americans who want to help make the
movie and the best film to show for St. Patrick’s cooking more authentic are asked to share their
Day, according to the New York Times last year. recipes (contact Suzanne Grefsheim before March
Think Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney want- 10). If you’d like to volunteer to cook, let Suzanne
ing “to put on a show,” and switch the setting know that as well.
to working class Dublin. Fueled by great 1960’s
The film will be shown at 8 pm. Admission
music, this film about white working class kids,
is free to GPFS members. Nonmembers pay $5
who want to be black and bring soul music to
per person or $10 per family. Dinner, served at 7
Ireland, will make you cheer, clap, and maybe
pm, is under $10 per person. Drinks range from
even get up and dance. The Commitments is “high
$1 to $5 and include wine, beer, soda, and bottled
energy fun” and “a great night at the movies,” so
water.
join your friends and neighbors at the Town Hall
and be part of it on Friday, March 19. Be there!
The snows of Garrett Park, February 11, 2010.
8
