COUNCIL CONSIDERS FOREST CONSERVATION LAW
Montgomery County Councilmember Steven Silverman (D-At Large) proposed legislation Tuesday to impose stiffer penalties for violations of the County's forest conservation law.
Currently, the maximum penalty for removing trees is $1 per square foot. Residents may not remove more than 5,000 square feet of trees on properties of more than 1 acre without a county-issued permit.
"We need to put real teeth into our law to preserve our County's forests. The current $1 per square foot penalty is minuscule. It ought to be at least ten times that much," Silverman said in a statement.
The proposed legislation does not set a specific new penalty, but requires the Council to set a new, higher limit.
The proposal follows a settlement two weeks ago between the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder over the illegal cutting of 1.3 acres of mature trees on Snyder's River Road property last December.
Silverman's proposal is co-sponsored by Councilmembers Phil Andrews (D-3), Howard Denis (R-1), Nancy Floreen (D-At Large), Marilyn Praisner (D-4) and Michael Subin (D-At Large). A public hearing on the bill is tentatively scheduled for October 11 at 1:30 p.m. at the Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville.
POTOMAC DAY TO HELP KATRINA VICTIMS
The Potomac Chamber of Commerce will donate proceeds from Potomac Day 2005 to Hurricane Katrina relief.
"Every year we choose a charity and we try to get local charities, but this year with the catastrophic level of Katrina, we though our resources would best be used there," said Chamber president Andrea Alderdice.
A specific charity has not yet been selected, though Alderdice said the American Red Cross and Salvation Army were likely candidates.
Potomac Day is a free event for community members, but raises money through the business fair and registration fees for the 5K fun run. The Chamber uses that money to cover event costs and donates the rest to charity--usually $5,000 or more.
"I think it may be more this year," Alderdice said. "We've gotten bigger and better every year."
KATRINA FUND-RAISER AT NORMANDIE FARM
Normandie Farm will give a special afternoon tea Sept. 29 to support victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Patrons will be asked for a minimum donation of $18--the restaurant's normal tea price--to be made directly to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.
Checks should be made out directly to those organizations, and will be collected at the door. No credit cards will be accepted.
Normandie Farm owner Cary Prokos, who organized the tea, has also been named Grand Marshall of Potomac Day 2005 by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce.
The tea will take place 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Normandie Farm, 10710 Falls Road. Reservations are not required.
For more information call 301-983-8838 or visit www.popovers.com
NOMINATIONS STILL SOUGHT
The Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Potomac citizen, businessperson, and youth of the year awards it gives in association with Potomac Day, Saturday, Oct. 29.
Nominations for the annual awards are due Sept. 25. Youth nominees must be high school students who live in Potomac, who have exhibited scholarship, leadership and a spirit of community service.
Businessperson nominees must work or do business in Potomac, be a member of the Potomac Chamber of Commerce, and have made contributions to the welfare of the community.
Citizen nominees must be individuals or groups in Potomac that have made a contribution to the local, regional or national welfare.
Winners are selected by the Chamber of Commerce board and recognized at an awards banquet Nov. 17.
For nomination forms and more information, visit www.potomacchamber.org or call 301-299-2170.
To volunteer on Potomac Day, or for information about sponsorship, contact the Chamber by Oct. 1 at 301-299-2170 or pcc@potomacchamber.org.
Potomac Day will feature a 10:30 a.m. parade followed by a business fair, and outdoor celebration music, games, rides and food.
PAGE'S RUN BENEFITS CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION
Join the first annual Page’s Run 5K, a 5-kilometer race and quarter-mile fun run through the neighborhoods around Winston Churchill High School on Oct. 16. Page’s Run honors Kimberly “Page” Whetsell, who died of cystic fibrosis at the age of 22 on June 3, 2005. Proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Call race director Steven Bettis, Churchill’s cross country coach, at 301-343-5633, e-mail coachbettis@yahoo.com, or visit www.pagesrun.com.
PEER2PEER HOSTS FREE TUTORING DAY
Peer2Peer Tutors, an MCPS-approved student-to-student tutoring service, hosts its second Free Tutoring Day Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Potomac Community Center from 3-5:30 p.m. Bring homework, family and friends. Visit www.p2ptutors.com or call 240-744-2470.