July 24, 2010
DC to fire hundreds of teachers
WASHINGTON - The D.C. Public Schools are firing 241 teachers and warning more than 700 other employees that they could be fired in the next year if their performance doesn't improve. The firings announced Friday total 302 school system employees, including the 241 teachers. The firings come as a result of the first year of a new teacher evaluation system. The evaluation is based largely on five observations and measures of students' academic progress. Based on those evaluations, 729 additional employees are being put on notice that they will be fired after the upcoming school year if their performance doesn't improve. Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker has said grievances would "definitely" be filed for each fired teacher, based on what many teachers perceived as a botched process. SOURCE: FOX DC
July 23, 2010
Gansler unopposed in Maryland, plus 9 senators
ANNAPOLIS, MD. — Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler is officially running unopposed for re-election.
Although July 6 was the deadline for candidates to file their bids for office, Wednesday was the last day that central committees for political parties could nominate someone to run in a race in which no one had filed.
Nine out of Maryland's 47 state senators also are running unopposed. The unopposed Republicans are Sens. George Edwards of Garrett County and Barry Glassman of Harford County. The unopposed Democrats are Sens. Robert Zirkin of Baltimore County, Catherine Pugh and Lisa Gladden of Baltimore city, Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County, and Jim Rosapepe, Paul Pinsky and Ulysses Currie of Prince George's County. SOURCE: San Fran Exam
July 22, 2010
Colleague of Azin Naimi speaks
Tony Kurtz, friend and colleague of Azin Naimi, speaks to the media about the disappearance and death of his fiend. (Dan Morse/The Washington Post)
Council worried about $7 million; Leggett counters 48 hours off costs $0
A majority of Montgomery County Council members appear opposed to what they believe is $7 million in new spending on government employees. However, the cost of the paid leave included in newly negotiated employee contracts — and whether the council has authority over the provisions — is still undetermined. The council is awaiting an opinion from the County Attorney's Office, which is expected Thursday.
The council's own attorneys believe the council should vote on the provisions because they will cost $7 million, a report from the Office of Legislative Oversight states. The council has final fiscal authority. But County Executive Isiah Leggett's (D) office believes the unpaid leave — between two and three work days — will cost nothing. While awaiting a decision on whether they will vote on the contracts, council members opted Tuesday to introduce the renegotiated contracts for members of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, IAFF, Local 1664; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 35; and The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1994/Municipal and County Government Employees Organization.
Under the contracts, about 8,184 employees will share 236,632 hours of paid leave, with firefighters receiving 48 hours and other employees getting 26 hours. A council committee will take up the contracts, which also include $135,000 in tuition assistance money for police and the removal of a contract provision requiring random drug testing of firefighters.
Council Vice President Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring and council members Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At large) of North Bethesda, who sit on the council's Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, say they will vote against the contracts when the committee takes them up Monday. The committee was scheduled to address the issue last week, but it was postponed after Leggett's staff said the council did not have the authority to approve the contracts.
Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg also plans to vote against the contracts, which would affect worker productivity and result in additional costs, he said. The county's Office of Legislative Oversight found that the time away from work associated with the paid leave would equal about 117 work years, meaning the amount of work 117 full-time employees complete in one year.
County data show that 1,022 employees received 60 hours of paid time off in fiscal 2010, costing the county $2.8 million in salary and benefits. Council President Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park also expressed concerns over the spending and said Tuesday that the county cannot take on additional expenses.
"I have to hand it to the unions; they're in the ‘never say never' category in terms of pushing the limits," Floreen said last week of the contracts. "I'm sorry we have to revisit what the council has already done. I don't think that we're going to be able to assume additional cost."
Floreen said Tuesday that she was waiting to hear more from Leggett about the contracts. Employees gave up pay raises and were forced to take furloughs in fiscal 2011, which began July 1, meaning that their contracts had to be renegotiated to reflect the changes. During the renegotiations, Leggett agreed to grant employees two to three days of paid leave. Officials say they are unsure what will happen if the council votes against the contracts, especially if a difference of opinion remains regarding their authority over the agreements.
It could mean that employees and Leggett return to the bargaining table for a third time. SOURCE: Gazette
The council's own attorneys believe the council should vote on the provisions because they will cost $7 million, a report from the Office of Legislative Oversight states. The council has final fiscal authority. But County Executive Isiah Leggett's (D) office believes the unpaid leave — between two and three work days — will cost nothing. While awaiting a decision on whether they will vote on the contracts, council members opted Tuesday to introduce the renegotiated contracts for members of the Montgomery County Career Fire Fighters Association, IAFF, Local 1664; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 35; and The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1994/Municipal and County Government Employees Organization.
Under the contracts, about 8,184 employees will share 236,632 hours of paid leave, with firefighters receiving 48 hours and other employees getting 26 hours. A council committee will take up the contracts, which also include $135,000 in tuition assistance money for police and the removal of a contract provision requiring random drug testing of firefighters.
Council Vice President Valerie Ervin (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring and council members Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 4) of Silver Spring and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At large) of North Bethesda, who sit on the council's Management and Fiscal Policy Committee, say they will vote against the contracts when the committee takes them up Monday. The committee was scheduled to address the issue last week, but it was postponed after Leggett's staff said the council did not have the authority to approve the contracts.
Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg also plans to vote against the contracts, which would affect worker productivity and result in additional costs, he said. The county's Office of Legislative Oversight found that the time away from work associated with the paid leave would equal about 117 work years, meaning the amount of work 117 full-time employees complete in one year.
County data show that 1,022 employees received 60 hours of paid time off in fiscal 2010, costing the county $2.8 million in salary and benefits. Council President Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park also expressed concerns over the spending and said Tuesday that the county cannot take on additional expenses.
"I have to hand it to the unions; they're in the ‘never say never' category in terms of pushing the limits," Floreen said last week of the contracts. "I'm sorry we have to revisit what the council has already done. I don't think that we're going to be able to assume additional cost."
Floreen said Tuesday that she was waiting to hear more from Leggett about the contracts. Employees gave up pay raises and were forced to take furloughs in fiscal 2011, which began July 1, meaning that their contracts had to be renegotiated to reflect the changes. During the renegotiations, Leggett agreed to grant employees two to three days of paid leave. Officials say they are unsure what will happen if the council votes against the contracts, especially if a difference of opinion remains regarding their authority over the agreements.
It could mean that employees and Leggett return to the bargaining table for a third time. SOURCE: Gazette
Council advances the Purple Line
It's too much to copy and past, but Montgomery County council advances its support for THe Purple Line. Read a ton more here, though I included a background.
On April 20, 2010 the Montgomery County Planning Board transmitted to the County Executive and the County Council the Planning Board Draft for the Purple Line Functional Plan, a comprehensive amendment to the 1990 Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment.
On June 25, 2010 the Executive transmitted to the Council comments concerning the Planning Board Draft with a fiscal analysis.
On June 29, 2010 the Council held a public hearing regarding the Planning Board Draft. It was referred to the Transportation and Environment Committee for review and recommendation.
On July 15, 2010 the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee held a worksession to review the issues raised in connection with the Planning Board Draft. The Committee forwarded it to the Council with several revisions.
On July 20, 2010 the Council reviewed the Planning Board Draft and the recommendations of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee.
On April 20, 2010 the Montgomery County Planning Board transmitted to the County Executive and the County Council the Planning Board Draft for the Purple Line Functional Plan, a comprehensive amendment to the 1990 Georgetown Branch Master Plan Amendment.
On June 25, 2010 the Executive transmitted to the Council comments concerning the Planning Board Draft with a fiscal analysis.
On June 29, 2010 the Council held a public hearing regarding the Planning Board Draft. It was referred to the Transportation and Environment Committee for review and recommendation.
On July 15, 2010 the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee held a worksession to review the issues raised in connection with the Planning Board Draft. The Committee forwarded it to the Council with several revisions.
On July 20, 2010 the Council reviewed the Planning Board Draft and the recommendations of the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee.
Politicians appear at Crisfield annual clambake
"A must-attend event," Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) called it. "A political right of passage."
"A must-stop in an election year," said former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) .
With those similar assessments, coming a few minutes apart, Maryland's two major candidates for governor arrived at the 34th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, where both would spend the next couple of hours working the sprawling crowd outside the town's marina, their running mates in tow.
In many respects, Wednesday's sweat-drenched affair was a metaphor for this year's campaign: two very well-known candidates, occupying the same familiar territory but never actually engaging one another. The two hopefuls were so familiar, in fact, that many of the 5,000 or so in attendance seemed unmoved by their presence as they enjoyed the $40 all-you-can-eat-and-drink assortment of steamed crabs, fried fish, clams, corn on the cob, watermelon and beer. Perhaps the only surprise of the afternoon was the extent to which the O'Malley team out-organized the Ehrlich camp. As festival-goers arrived at the event site in the Eastern Shore community, they were greeted by far more neon-green O'Malley signs, of all sizes and assortments, than those advertising Ehrlich's comeback campaign. When the current governor arrived around 2 p.m., he was a greeted by a larger, more boisterous, more orchestrated group of supporters and volunteers than was the former governor -- who hung back in a parking lot until the Democratic incumbent moved on before making his entrance.
It's not clear that the contrast necessarily worked against Ehrlich. A large part of the Republican's appeal is his ability to relate to voters on their level. Minutes after a throng of reporters peppered O'Malley with questions about policy and campaign strategy, Ehrlich told the same group that he was there hoping "to just have fun today." Later asked by a reporter about the importance of the clambake to the campaign, Ehrlich responded with typical bluntness, saying: "It's not that important to the overall race."
The two running mates -- Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) and former secretary of state Mary D. Kane (R) -- both appeared to put a little more thought into their outfits than their principals. O'Malley and Ehrlich both donned polo shirts that they no doubt had received gratis for being governor. Ehrlich wore shorts.
As always, the event drew dozens of other politicians seeking statewide and local offices. Brian Murphy, a long-shot Republican candidate for governor, was on hand, with a merry band of supporters, as were some of the largely unknown GOP candidates with dreams of toppling Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) this year. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) stood out for his congeniality. As Ehrlich worked some of the tents sponsored by corporations and candidates, Franchot went out of his way to say hello and shake hands. In their long, overlapping political careers, the two have often had unkind things to say about one another. But at Tawes, it was all smiles. Ehrlich even said he looked forward to working again with Franchot.
At that point, a spokesman for the comptroller was quick to point out to a lurking reporter that Franchot had greeted the current governor as well. SOURCE: Washington Post
"A must-stop in an election year," said former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) .
With those similar assessments, coming a few minutes apart, Maryland's two major candidates for governor arrived at the 34th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake in Crisfield, where both would spend the next couple of hours working the sprawling crowd outside the town's marina, their running mates in tow.
In many respects, Wednesday's sweat-drenched affair was a metaphor for this year's campaign: two very well-known candidates, occupying the same familiar territory but never actually engaging one another. The two hopefuls were so familiar, in fact, that many of the 5,000 or so in attendance seemed unmoved by their presence as they enjoyed the $40 all-you-can-eat-and-drink assortment of steamed crabs, fried fish, clams, corn on the cob, watermelon and beer. Perhaps the only surprise of the afternoon was the extent to which the O'Malley team out-organized the Ehrlich camp. As festival-goers arrived at the event site in the Eastern Shore community, they were greeted by far more neon-green O'Malley signs, of all sizes and assortments, than those advertising Ehrlich's comeback campaign. When the current governor arrived around 2 p.m., he was a greeted by a larger, more boisterous, more orchestrated group of supporters and volunteers than was the former governor -- who hung back in a parking lot until the Democratic incumbent moved on before making his entrance.
It's not clear that the contrast necessarily worked against Ehrlich. A large part of the Republican's appeal is his ability to relate to voters on their level. Minutes after a throng of reporters peppered O'Malley with questions about policy and campaign strategy, Ehrlich told the same group that he was there hoping "to just have fun today." Later asked by a reporter about the importance of the clambake to the campaign, Ehrlich responded with typical bluntness, saying: "It's not that important to the overall race."
The two running mates -- Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D) and former secretary of state Mary D. Kane (R) -- both appeared to put a little more thought into their outfits than their principals. O'Malley and Ehrlich both donned polo shirts that they no doubt had received gratis for being governor. Ehrlich wore shorts.
As always, the event drew dozens of other politicians seeking statewide and local offices. Brian Murphy, a long-shot Republican candidate for governor, was on hand, with a merry band of supporters, as were some of the largely unknown GOP candidates with dreams of toppling Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) this year. Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) stood out for his congeniality. As Ehrlich worked some of the tents sponsored by corporations and candidates, Franchot went out of his way to say hello and shake hands. In their long, overlapping political careers, the two have often had unkind things to say about one another. But at Tawes, it was all smiles. Ehrlich even said he looked forward to working again with Franchot.
At that point, a spokesman for the comptroller was quick to point out to a lurking reporter that Franchot had greeted the current governor as well. SOURCE: Washington Post
July 21, 2010
Md. Prosecutors Drop Charges In Shooting Death
Montgomery County prosecutors have dropped murder charges against a Silver Spring man, saying the killing was legally justified because his victim was pointing a gun at another man's head. Assistant State's Attorney Peter Feeney told the judge Tuesday that the murder case was over, but Larry Lamont, 27, faces new gun charges. Under Maryland law, defendants charged with murder can offer a "defense of others" argument, similar to self-defense. Law enforcement officials say Marcus Duffin, 27, had fired six rounds and was standing within several feet of the third man. Lamont cooperated with authorities and after they heard from Lamont and the third man involved and learned of Duffin's background, investigators dropped the charges.
Missing woman in Rockville found dead
ROCKVILLE, Md. - Montgomery County Police say a missing Rockville woman has been found dead in Washington, and a suspect in the homicide is in custody. A relative had reported 45-year-old Azin Naimi missing early Monday. That afternoon, D.C. police found Naimi's body in the northwest part of the city. Although the circumstances of Naimi's death remain under investigation, the D.C. medical examiner ruled the manner of her death to be homicide. Montgomery County police say a suspect, who knew Naimi, is in custody and being questioned.
30 Hurt After Turbulence Rocks D.C.-to-L.A. Flight
A United Airlines jetliner hit severe turbulence while flying over Kansas, injuring 30 and jolting one woman out of her seat so forcefully that she left a crack when she hit the side of the cabin, authorities and a witness said. The Tuesday flight was the airline's third this year during which passengers were hurt because of turbulence. The flight originated at Dulles International Airport and was headed to Los Angeles. It was diverted to Denver International Airport, where it landed safely around 7:45 p.m. and was met by medical crews, Denver Fire Department spokesman Eric Tade said.
Twenty-six passengers and four crew members were injured, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor in Los Angeles said. He said one person was critically hurt, but he released no further details. Officials said many of the injured were taken to hospitals with only moderate injuries. At least 14 were released by Wednesday morning and at least two others were hospitalized overnight. The status of the others wasn't immediately available. Nine had neck and back injuries. Hospitals declined to release the nature of the other injuries.
"There are mostly walking injuries," Tade told The Denver Post. He said the injuries included bruises, whiplash, strains and sprains. Some passengers were placed on another flight to Los Angeles that arrived there just before midnight. Flight 967 was flying over Kansas at an altitude of about 34,000 feet when it hit the heavy turbulence, said FAA spokesman Mike
Fergus. It was carrying 255 passengers and 10 crew members. The turbulence was ``just a huge up and down,'' said passenger Kaoma Bechaz, a 19-year-old Australian in the United States visiting her boyfriend. Bechaz told the Post that the woman sitting next to her hit her head on the side of the cabin, leaving a crack above the window, and a girl across the aisle flew into the air and hit the ceiling. Bechaz said she wasn't thrown around because her seat belt was tight.
The crew decided land the Boeing 777 in Denver to tend to the injured, United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said. A 12-year-old was taken to Children's Hospital in Aurora, but a spokeswoman there didn't know the nature of the child's injury. The seven patients taken to Denver Health -- all women -- were being evaluated but likely would be treated and released Tuesday night, spokeswoman Dee Martinez said. Three people went to Swedish Hospital in Englewood with moderate injuries, spokeswoman Julie Lonborg said.
Two people were treated and released from the University of Colorado Hospital and two others were being evaluated, spokeswoman Erika Matich said. Tim Smith of Boulder was on United Flight 937, which also flew into Denver from Washington on Tuesday and landed after the diverted plane. He said his flight was delayed because of thunderstorms but didn't have any problems. SOURCE: NBC Washington
Twenty-six passengers and four crew members were injured, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor in Los Angeles said. He said one person was critically hurt, but he released no further details. Officials said many of the injured were taken to hospitals with only moderate injuries. At least 14 were released by Wednesday morning and at least two others were hospitalized overnight. The status of the others wasn't immediately available. Nine had neck and back injuries. Hospitals declined to release the nature of the other injuries.
"There are mostly walking injuries," Tade told The Denver Post. He said the injuries included bruises, whiplash, strains and sprains. Some passengers were placed on another flight to Los Angeles that arrived there just before midnight. Flight 967 was flying over Kansas at an altitude of about 34,000 feet when it hit the heavy turbulence, said FAA spokesman Mike
Fergus. It was carrying 255 passengers and 10 crew members. The turbulence was ``just a huge up and down,'' said passenger Kaoma Bechaz, a 19-year-old Australian in the United States visiting her boyfriend. Bechaz told the Post that the woman sitting next to her hit her head on the side of the cabin, leaving a crack above the window, and a girl across the aisle flew into the air and hit the ceiling. Bechaz said she wasn't thrown around because her seat belt was tight.
The crew decided land the Boeing 777 in Denver to tend to the injured, United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said. A 12-year-old was taken to Children's Hospital in Aurora, but a spokeswoman there didn't know the nature of the child's injury. The seven patients taken to Denver Health -- all women -- were being evaluated but likely would be treated and released Tuesday night, spokeswoman Dee Martinez said. Three people went to Swedish Hospital in Englewood with moderate injuries, spokeswoman Julie Lonborg said.
Two people were treated and released from the University of Colorado Hospital and two others were being evaluated, spokeswoman Erika Matich said. Tim Smith of Boulder was on United Flight 937, which also flew into Denver from Washington on Tuesday and landed after the diverted plane. He said his flight was delayed because of thunderstorms but didn't have any problems. SOURCE: NBC Washington
CASA de Maryland slips into politics
CASA de Maryland, the immigration advocacy group that collects millions of dollars in taxpayer money, has started a political organization to back pro-Hispanic candidates that critics contend blurs the line between nonprofit work and political activism.
Dubbed CASA in Action, the group sent out surveys to politicians in Montgomery and Prince George's counties and will endorse primary candidates who promote Hispanic causes. Among the questions: Whether candidates support giving driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, whether English should be the official state language, and whether office seekers would push for more funding for Hispanic nonprofits.
"It allows immigrants and low-income people in Maryland to come together and express their political priorities," said spokeswoman Eliza Leighton. But some say the group's foray into politics should preclude it from receiving taxpayer money.
"I think the era of CASA being a service entity is over," said Brad Botwin, director of Help Save Maryland, an anti-illegal-immigration group. "I think we need to stop giving them any funds. Other groups can do the same work without promoting lawlessness."
CASA will receive nearly $2.1 million this fiscal year from local governments, including $1.3 million from Montgomery County, and another $32,000 in federal money, according to Kim Propeack, the group's director of community organizing and political action. CASA in Action has raised $45,000 thus far from members paying $9 annual dues, she added. Botwin argues the group, for years, has raked in millions of taxpayer dollars despite ignoring -- and often embracing -- illegal immigration. CASA runs five day laborer sites in Maryland, offering services regardless of immigration status.
CASA officials responded that the new wing of the organization is funded entirely by member donations. CASA's top brass, including Executive Director Gustavo Torres, are running the political operation and have not hired new employees for the political team. Propeack says human-service organizations have made similar plunges into politics. She referenced the Tenants and Workers United, the largest member-based organization for low-income workers in Northern Virginia, as the local model for such a move. Like CASA, the group canvases against what it considers overly harsh raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and supports day laborers throughout the region.
Nonprofit legal analysts tell The Washington Examiner that CASA is not in violation of federal law if they don't use government money for political purposes and note the time spent between the two wings of the organization. However, some officials involved in recent immigration debates say the coziness between the group's two branches could make it difficult to track sources of political funding.
"They need to be transparent about how they raise their money," said Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe, R-Coles. "It'd be hard to know for sure they aren't raising money from illegitimate sources." CASA was previously barred from intervening in political campaigns, according to Internal Revenue Service code. But by obtaining 501(c)(4) status, CASA in Action is allowed to participate in political campaigns and elections. SOURCE: Washington Examiner
"It allows immigrants and low-income people in Maryland to come together and express their political priorities," said spokeswoman Eliza Leighton. But some say the group's foray into politics should preclude it from receiving taxpayer money.
"I think the era of CASA being a service entity is over," said Brad Botwin, director of Help Save Maryland, an anti-illegal-immigration group. "I think we need to stop giving them any funds. Other groups can do the same work without promoting lawlessness."
CASA will receive nearly $2.1 million this fiscal year from local governments, including $1.3 million from Montgomery County, and another $32,000 in federal money, according to Kim Propeack, the group's director of community organizing and political action. CASA in Action has raised $45,000 thus far from members paying $9 annual dues, she added. Botwin argues the group, for years, has raked in millions of taxpayer dollars despite ignoring -- and often embracing -- illegal immigration. CASA runs five day laborer sites in Maryland, offering services regardless of immigration status.
CASA officials responded that the new wing of the organization is funded entirely by member donations. CASA's top brass, including Executive Director Gustavo Torres, are running the political operation and have not hired new employees for the political team. Propeack says human-service organizations have made similar plunges into politics. She referenced the Tenants and Workers United, the largest member-based organization for low-income workers in Northern Virginia, as the local model for such a move. Like CASA, the group canvases against what it considers overly harsh raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and supports day laborers throughout the region.
Nonprofit legal analysts tell The Washington Examiner that CASA is not in violation of federal law if they don't use government money for political purposes and note the time spent between the two wings of the organization. However, some officials involved in recent immigration debates say the coziness between the group's two branches could make it difficult to track sources of political funding.
"They need to be transparent about how they raise their money," said Prince William County Supervisor Marty Nohe, R-Coles. "It'd be hard to know for sure they aren't raising money from illegitimate sources." CASA was previously barred from intervening in political campaigns, according to Internal Revenue Service code. But by obtaining 501(c)(4) status, CASA in Action is allowed to participate in political campaigns and elections. SOURCE: Washington Examiner
Disability pension granted to Montgomery police sergeant accused of theft
A Montgomery County police sergeant facing allegations that she stole more than $10,000 was granted a disability retirement pension this month, adding to questions about a program designed to compensate officers who suffer disabling injuries on the job. Jacqueline Davey, a 17-year department veteran, was a patrol supervisor when she was suspended in December because of a theft investigation, county officials said. A medical panel later ruled she could no longer perform all of the duties of an officer, officials said.
"These are the kind of cases that could potentially undermine the credibility of the whole system," said County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). "Obviously the panel made the decision. They awarded it."
Davey, 39, had not reached the normal retirement age. The disability package will pay her about 67 percent of her salary, tax free, county officials said. She faces trial in September on charges that she billed the county for hours she did not work. She could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Paul Stein, did not return phone calls seeking comment. Montgomery officials, citing confidentiality laws, would not say what Davey's injuries are.
Davey's retirement pension comes nearly two years after Leggett announced he was seeking to reform the program, which for years has awarded disability benefits at a higher rate than neighboring counties. SOURCE: Washington Post
"These are the kind of cases that could potentially undermine the credibility of the whole system," said County Executive Isiah Leggett (D). "Obviously the panel made the decision. They awarded it."
Davey, 39, had not reached the normal retirement age. The disability package will pay her about 67 percent of her salary, tax free, county officials said. She faces trial in September on charges that she billed the county for hours she did not work. She could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, Paul Stein, did not return phone calls seeking comment. Montgomery officials, citing confidentiality laws, would not say what Davey's injuries are.
Davey's retirement pension comes nearly two years after Leggett announced he was seeking to reform the program, which for years has awarded disability benefits at a higher rate than neighboring counties. SOURCE: Washington Post
F. Scott Fitzgerald event in Rockville on October 16
The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference is a full-day writing event in Rockville, where Fitzgerald summered and wrote some of his most famous works. The Conference, held every October, features small group discussions, workshops and seminars for writers of all genres. Pulling talent from the Washington DC area and beyond, the Conference offers writers one-on-one access to some of the premiere names in publishing today.
Every year the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference bestows an award for Outstanding Achievement to a writer of distinction. The award winning author participates fully in the Conference, meeting with attendees to offer advice and share experiences. The 15th Annual Conference is proud to honor distinguished author, Alice McDermott as the 2010 Award recipient.
This event is open to the public, accessible by Metro and bus. Online registration: www.fscottfitzgerald.wordpress.com or 301-309-9461. Saturday, October 16, 2010. Montgomery College, Rockville. 8:30-5:30
Every year the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference bestows an award for Outstanding Achievement to a writer of distinction. The award winning author participates fully in the Conference, meeting with attendees to offer advice and share experiences. The 15th Annual Conference is proud to honor distinguished author, Alice McDermott as the 2010 Award recipient.
This event is open to the public, accessible by Metro and bus. Online registration: www.fscottfitzgerald.wordpress.com or 301-309-9461. Saturday, October 16, 2010. Montgomery College, Rockville. 8:30-5:30
July 20, 2010
Helicopter cops in Montgomery County search for marijuana plants
Thought you were clever setting up your pot-growing operation in a Maryland public park? Wrong. Cops are on your tail and ready to bust you just like they take down murderers and other horrible human beings. We didn't believe it until we saw this NBC Washington report that convinces us pot growers are destroying the country, one pot plant at a time. They are up in our parks! Growing plants!
But it all seriousness, keep your pot plots on your own land, please. Apparently these growing operations often involve booby traps with fish hooks and explosives. Think of the children. We can already see little Jimmy skipping into the woods to grab his baseball only to be blown up in a cloud of marijuana leaves. So what are the pot-cops looking for? Straight lines and fencing marks the spot. Growers often use snow fencing and branches for camouflage. When police find the sites, they are usually equipped with systems to tip off the growers on their discovery.
“A lot of these grow sites are booby trapped because they want to tell if they’ve been discovered. They also want to give themselves warning and they want to keep other people away from them,” Smith said. "So this could be potentially dangerous to park patrons and their pets.”
Police said the fields are usually planted in groups of threes -- one for the planters to keep for their personal use, another that they want police to find and a third for street sale. What happens when they find the plants? These hard-working cops run stakeouts for days until the public planters are dumb enough to show up. SOURCE: Washington City Paper
But it all seriousness, keep your pot plots on your own land, please. Apparently these growing operations often involve booby traps with fish hooks and explosives. Think of the children. We can already see little Jimmy skipping into the woods to grab his baseball only to be blown up in a cloud of marijuana leaves. So what are the pot-cops looking for? Straight lines and fencing marks the spot. Growers often use snow fencing and branches for camouflage. When police find the sites, they are usually equipped with systems to tip off the growers on their discovery.
“A lot of these grow sites are booby trapped because they want to tell if they’ve been discovered. They also want to give themselves warning and they want to keep other people away from them,” Smith said. "So this could be potentially dangerous to park patrons and their pets.”
Police said the fields are usually planted in groups of threes -- one for the planters to keep for their personal use, another that they want police to find and a third for street sale. What happens when they find the plants? These hard-working cops run stakeouts for days until the public planters are dumb enough to show up. SOURCE: Washington City Paper
AFrame Digital, Inc. and LifeMatters Bring Non-Intrusive Technology for Senior Care to the Washington, D.C Region
Reston, VA, and Bethesda, MD (July 20, 2010) -- AFrame Digital, Inc. and LifeMatters announced today a partnership agreement for the AFrame Digital personal health monitor to be sold through LifeMatters to its clients, both individual consumers and residents served in independent living communities. LifeMatters’ strong market presence and excellent reputation for home senior care in the Washington, D.C. area, coupled with AFrame’s new, non-intrusive technology, make them ideal partners.
The AFrame Digital Personal Health Monitor is a non-intrusive wrist monitor, similar to a sports watch that represents the next generation in senior health care technology. The personal health monitor records a user’s activity, impacts and critical health data including weight, blood pressure, pulse and oxygenation levels. Changes in any one of these bodily functions can signal the need for immediate care. Additionally, concerned family members can be sent alerts and updates.
“We are excited to offer this leading-edge technology to our clients,” says Craig Goodman, President of LifeMatters’ Virginia Division. “The personal health monitor is a proactive and personalized approach to dignified health care in a space where time is critical. The non-intrusive nature of the equipment, ease of use, and discreet design are services that we care about as a company providing senior care.”
One of the greatest fears for seniors who live alone is the risk of falling down and not receiving help. The AFrame system removes that worry. If a senior falls, the system sends out an immediate signal to any loved one in the system. There is no need for a senior to press a button or pull an emergency cord that he or she may not have the ability to reach. “We know from working with clients that panic buttons are ineffective,” Goodman says. “Seniors feel self-conscious about asking for help and often underestimate their injuries. We also know that if the fall is serious, they may be unable to call for help.”
“LifeMatters will place the monitor with the seniors under the company’s care, and AFrame Digital will support them with its turnkey monitoring solution that will manage the data and deliver alerts,” says Dr. Amy Papadopoulos, AFrame Digital’s Senior Research Scientist. “Our home-installed telehealth system will provide LifeMatters with the ability to non-intrusively collect vital signs and have superior telehealth situational awareness between visits by the company’s staff. Seniors will experience improved safety and quality of life, allowing them to remain in their homes longer.”
The AFrame system also provides trending information and alerts to allow health care providers to properly treat seniors based on long-term data rather than one-time readings. The ability to alert on changes in a user’s health eliminates the need to sift through data and reports. This allows medical personnel to determine the root causes of those changes faster. LifeMatters now will offer this improved level of customer care to its clients in the metro Washington, D.C. market. “This system can improve the independent lives of our clients and their families,” Goodman says. “We see the system as a way to also differentiate our service from other health care providers. We look forward to a long-term relationship with AFrame Digital.”
AFrame Digital Inc., www.aframedigital.com, a Virginia small business, was founded in 2005 to research, design and manufacture non-intrusive, wireless sensor-based monitoring and situational awareness solutions for long-term care and occupational safety. AFrame has received support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Institutes of Health, and is working closely with two large military treatment facilities, Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), to develop models of injury and disease recovery for the bioinformatics analysis software portion of the system. The company's MobileCare MonitorTM system received FDA clearance in 2009 for in-patient, outpatient and home care settings.
LifeMatters, www.lifemattersusa.com, is a privately owned and operated home health care company that is based in Bethesda and has additional offices in Falls Church and Washington, D.C. The company offers a comprehensive range of personal, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care services tailored to each client’s individual needs. LifeMatters’ innovative, licensed and dedicated professionals are committed to providing the highest quality care to support comfort and independence.
The AFrame Digital Personal Health Monitor is a non-intrusive wrist monitor, similar to a sports watch that represents the next generation in senior health care technology. The personal health monitor records a user’s activity, impacts and critical health data including weight, blood pressure, pulse and oxygenation levels. Changes in any one of these bodily functions can signal the need for immediate care. Additionally, concerned family members can be sent alerts and updates.
“We are excited to offer this leading-edge technology to our clients,” says Craig Goodman, President of LifeMatters’ Virginia Division. “The personal health monitor is a proactive and personalized approach to dignified health care in a space where time is critical. The non-intrusive nature of the equipment, ease of use, and discreet design are services that we care about as a company providing senior care.”
One of the greatest fears for seniors who live alone is the risk of falling down and not receiving help. The AFrame system removes that worry. If a senior falls, the system sends out an immediate signal to any loved one in the system. There is no need for a senior to press a button or pull an emergency cord that he or she may not have the ability to reach. “We know from working with clients that panic buttons are ineffective,” Goodman says. “Seniors feel self-conscious about asking for help and often underestimate their injuries. We also know that if the fall is serious, they may be unable to call for help.”
“LifeMatters will place the monitor with the seniors under the company’s care, and AFrame Digital will support them with its turnkey monitoring solution that will manage the data and deliver alerts,” says Dr. Amy Papadopoulos, AFrame Digital’s Senior Research Scientist. “Our home-installed telehealth system will provide LifeMatters with the ability to non-intrusively collect vital signs and have superior telehealth situational awareness between visits by the company’s staff. Seniors will experience improved safety and quality of life, allowing them to remain in their homes longer.”
The AFrame system also provides trending information and alerts to allow health care providers to properly treat seniors based on long-term data rather than one-time readings. The ability to alert on changes in a user’s health eliminates the need to sift through data and reports. This allows medical personnel to determine the root causes of those changes faster. LifeMatters now will offer this improved level of customer care to its clients in the metro Washington, D.C. market. “This system can improve the independent lives of our clients and their families,” Goodman says. “We see the system as a way to also differentiate our service from other health care providers. We look forward to a long-term relationship with AFrame Digital.”
AFrame Digital Inc., www.aframedigital.com, a Virginia small business, was founded in 2005 to research, design and manufacture non-intrusive, wireless sensor-based monitoring and situational awareness solutions for long-term care and occupational safety. AFrame has received support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Institutes of Health, and is working closely with two large military treatment facilities, Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), to develop models of injury and disease recovery for the bioinformatics analysis software portion of the system. The company's MobileCare MonitorTM system received FDA clearance in 2009 for in-patient, outpatient and home care settings.
LifeMatters, www.lifemattersusa.com, is a privately owned and operated home health care company that is based in Bethesda and has additional offices in Falls Church and Washington, D.C. The company offers a comprehensive range of personal, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care services tailored to each client’s individual needs. LifeMatters’ innovative, licensed and dedicated professionals are committed to providing the highest quality care to support comfort and independence.
EDITORIAL: What should really inspire good budget policy
Metro's July 8 Local Digest ["Montgomery now off bond-watch list"] said that Montgomery County was taken off the Moody's bond-rating agency's watch list for a possible debt downgrade after County Executive Isiah Leggett and the County Council made budget cuts and strengthened policies on budget reserves.
These steps were long overdue, but Mr. Leggett and the council acted only because they feared losing the county's AAA rating, which would have raised the cost of borrowing, not because they were inclined to make common-sense budget cuts or policy changes and not because they feared the wrath of voters.
Voters must demand even more substantial changes and reductions to the county's bloated programs, employee benefits and spending habits. That will be a challenge, however, since the field of candidates is so tilted toward tax-and-spend Democrats that Republicans seeking office will be smothered by the sheer force of progressive persuasion and dominance.
John K. Lambert, Silver Spring
SOURCE: Washington Post
These steps were long overdue, but Mr. Leggett and the council acted only because they feared losing the county's AAA rating, which would have raised the cost of borrowing, not because they were inclined to make common-sense budget cuts or policy changes and not because they feared the wrath of voters.
Voters must demand even more substantial changes and reductions to the county's bloated programs, employee benefits and spending habits. That will be a challenge, however, since the field of candidates is so tilted toward tax-and-spend Democrats that Republicans seeking office will be smothered by the sheer force of progressive persuasion and dominance.
John K. Lambert, Silver Spring
SOURCE: Washington Post
2 Georgia Men Charged With Drug Offenses in Maryland
FREDERICK, Md. - Frederick police have charged two Georgia men with numerous drug offenses after they fled a traffic stop. Twenty-three-year-old Torey Howell and 26-year-old Gary Howell, both of Columbus, Ga., were arrested early Monday. Police said Gary Howell fled a vehicle driven by Torey Howell when an officer attempted to pull it over. After a short pursuit, both men were arrested. Officers say about 10 pounds of suspected marijuana and more than 380 grams of suspected powder cocaine were found in the vehicle. Police say more suspected drugs were found in a home that Gary Howell fled to. SOURCE: FOX DC
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