ICC DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS DENOUNCED
County Councilmember Phil Andrews (D-3) announced in a press conference Tuesday the release of a study documenting more than $129,000 in political contributions from pro-ICC developers to Maryland state and local politicians.
The study found that developer Kingdon Gould and related interests gave $52,500 to the campaigns of then-gubernatorial candidates Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele between December 2001 and October 2004.
Gould's Konterra is a proposed 2,200-acre development that would include a regional mall located off an intersection of the proposed Intercounty Connector (ICC) and I-95 near Laurel. Konterra touts its proximity to the ICC on its web site.
"Governor Ehrlich has denounced the culture of corruption in Annapolis," Andrews said, but, "he and Lt. Governor Steele are part of the problem."
The study showed that a number of other elected officials who favor the ICC also received substantial campaign contributions from Gould and Konterra interests between December 1999 and January 2005. Among them were Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, who received $4,050 and Duncan's opponent for the 2006 Democratic nomination for governor, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who received $4,250.
Building the ICC is supposed to relieve gridlock region-wide. However, according to the State Highway Administration's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the ICC, building the highway would increase traffic on the Beltway, in part due to the increased development it would spur in surrounding areas.
FINAL LEAD RESULTS RELEASED
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) released lead testing results for five more school buildings, including Thomas Wootton High School. The water in all five buildings had elevated levels of lead.
The results are the last to be released from a batch of results representing 192 school buildings and educational facilities delivered to MCPS Sept. 15. MCPS officials said they released the results in batches so as not to be overwhelmed by phone calls.
At Wootton, 18 percent of water sources had lead levels above safe limits. The highest reading was 2600 parts per billion — 130 times the EPA-established action level of 20 parts per billion. The highest lead level in a sample taken from a water cooler was 26 parts per billion.
All testing and analysis has been done in accordance with EPA protocols.
All but nine MCPS facilities have implemented county mandated-flushing procedures pending the proposal of a permanent solution to the lead problems.
COUNTIES GAIN TRANSPORTATION GRANT
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen announced Feb. 28 that Montgomery and Prince George's counties will receive more than $5.8 million from the Federal Transit Administration of the Department of Transportation. The money will be used to buy 30 replacement transit buses in Montgomery County and five in Prince George's.
"This grant will allow Montgomery and Prince George's counties to upgrade their bus systems to keep pace with the growing transportation needs of our area," Van Hollen. "These funds are necessary to help ease the gridlock on our roads, which has negatively affected the quality of life for our residents, by providing alternate forms of transportation."
SCHOOLS TV TO AIR TEEN DRIVING SHOW
Montgomery County Public Schools Television will broadcast “Teen Driving & Taking Control” on cable channel 34 on Monday, March 7, from 7-8 p.m. The live talk show will discuss the rise in teen driving fatalities and what steps and strategies parents can take to reduce the risks with their children.
Hosted by Wall Street journalist John Harwood, the program will feature three panelists: Joan Goodman, a clinical social worker and adolescent specialist; Captain Tom Didone of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Arturo Betancourt, father of Alicia Betancourt, a 16-year-old Blake High School student who was killed in a car accident in September.
Viewers can call into the program with questions and comments by dialing 301-279-3234 during the taping of the program.
The program will replay on Channel 34 throughout March and April, and will be webcast on the MCPS web site.
FALLS OVERLOOK CLOSED FOR WORK
The Olmsted Island Overlook and boardwalk at the C&O Canal National Historical Park will be closed for three days starting March 1 while workers remove a log jam under the bridge. Kayakers are advised to avoid the area below Olmsted Island and Great Falls until this work is complete.
COMMUNITY CENTER SEEKS STUDENTS
The Potomac Community Center Advisory Board is recruiting two student board members. The board is looking for either a current freshman or sophomore willing to serve two years. Submit a letter of interest to Larry Chloupek, Chair, PCC Advisory Board, 11315 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD 20854 no later than March 31. For more information, contact Larry Chloupek at 301-469-6514.
POTOMAC THEATER COMPANY PLAY
The Potomac Theater Company performs "What’s a Wolf to Do? The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks & The Three Little Pigs" March 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. at the Bullis School, Blair Family Center for the Arts, 10601 Falls Road, Potomac. Tickets are $10. For reservations call 301-299-8571 and leave a message.
DINE OUT FOR WHITMAN POST-PROM
Local restaurants will donate part of their proceeds to Walt Whitman High School's alcohol-free post-prom celebration. Ten percent of proceeds on Tuesday, March 8 will go to the school. Participating restaurants are California Tortilla, Hard Times Cafe, Hinode, Ledo Pizza, Louisiana Express, Mamma Lucia, Parkers, and Tara Thai in Bethesda and Picasso Grille and Potomac Pizza in Potomac Village.