Morning Notes
Lockheed Martin Hotel Tax Break Likely Up For Final Vote on Monday — The controversial measure that would exempt the Bethesda-based defense contractor from paying the county’s hotel tax on its Bethesda hotel and training center could go to a full Maryland Senate vote on Monday. On Wednesday, a provision that would have forced Montgomery County to refund the $1.4 million in collected taxes since 2010 was taken out of the bill. [The Gazette]
Federal Government Budget Cuts Mean $8 Million Less For Metro — The transit system will see $8 million less in federal funding for capital projects because of the cuts, which it says could delay bus purchases, station improvements and plans to replace the fare card system with one that would let riders pay for rides with credit cards. Metro typically receives $150 million in federal funding for capital projects a year. [Washington Post]
Transportation Bill Heads To Committee — The Gov. Martin O’Malley (D)-backed gas tax plan and transportation bill heads to the House of Delegates’ Ways and Means Committee for a 1 p.m. hearing today. [Maryland General Assembly]
Chevy Chase Village Again Denied Exemption From Ethics Rules — The Maryland State Ethics Commission on Thursday voted down Chevy Chase Village’s second exemption request from rules it says are too stringent for a municipality of its relatively small size. Two Village Board Members resigned last year rather than divulge information required by the rules, and remaining ones say other resignations are possible. [The Gazette]
Senior Spelling Bee Coming To Chevy Chase Libary — The Friends of the Library is hosting a Senior Spelling Bee for contestants 55 or over on April 27 at the Chevy Chase Library. [Friends of the Library]
Chevy Chase Library Reopens As Scheduled
The Chevy Chase Library reopened today after nearly a month because of a broken heating system.
The Montgomery County Public Library branch (8005 Connecticut Ave.) was closed on Dec. 10 to allow for county facility and maintenance workers to replace a deteriorated piping system that meant a non-functioning HVAC system.
THe Library, built in the 1960′s, did not have heat or cold air since the summer. MCPL and the county’s Department of General Services decided in November that Dec. 10 to Jan. 2 was the best time to close the branch.
Photo via MCPL
County: Poor Design Led To Broken Heating System At Chevy Chase Library
Montgomery County officials will close the Chevy Chase Library on Dec. 10 to replace a broken-down piping system that has left part of the building without air conditioning since the summer.
Richard Jackson and Bill Herrmann, with the facility management division of the county’s Department of General Services, said part of the piping system in the library’s HVAC system deteriorated because it was built into concrete when the library was built in the late 1960′s.
“Metal poured into concrete is not a good mix and will deteriorate in time,” Jackson said. “We’re going to say this is partly due to poor application back when this building was designed.”
Jackson did not know the cost of the project, but said the library (8005 Connecticut Ave.) was able to get by in the summer by using temporary window air conditioning units.
The Department of General Services coordinated with Montgomery County Public Libraries to determine the Dec. 10 to Jan. 2 period was the best time to replace the piping system.
That decision was made about three weeks ago, Herrmann said. The Chevy Chase Library calendar still lists events for after Dec. 10. News of the closing came Monday in an email from the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter.
Photo via Montgomery County Public Libraries
Chevy Chase Library To Close For Repairs
The Chevy Chase branch of Montgomery County Public Libraries will close on Dec. 10 until January for repairs to the heating system.
The news came via a monthly events announcement from the Friends of the Library, Chevy Chase Chapter. The library, at 8005 Connecticut Ave., last went through a similar mini-renovation in 2009, when it was closed for three weeks for the installation of new service desks, relocation of shelves, painting and re-carpeting.
Chevy Chase Library customers can use the county’s three Bethesda branches, at 7400 Arlington Rd., 6400 Democracy Blvd. or 5501 Massachusetts Ave.
An employee said the branch should reopen in the first week of January, possibly Jan. 2 or Jan. 3.
The county’s calendar for the branch still lists events originally scheduled for after Dec. 10.
Photo via Montgomery County Public Libraries
Morning Notes
Bethesda Library Hosts Meet the Author Event — Mark Shriver will speak about his book, “A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Bethesda branch of the Montgomery County Public Library (7400 Arlington Rd.). Sargent Shriver was the architect of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and is known as the creator of the Peace Corps. [Montgomery County Public Libraries]
Sangamore Road Intelligence Campus Gets Approval — The National Capital Planning Commission has signed off on the final portion of plans for development to house various Intelligence agencies at the former home of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. [Washington Business Journal]
Timmerman Not Getting Much Attention in Downcounty Areas — Ken Timmerman, the Kensington investigative reporter and Republican challenger to Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D), has made many trips to traditionally conservative areas in Frederick and Carroll Counties. But in heavily liberal areas of the new 8th district, some say his message doesn’t get through. [MarylandReporter.com]
Flickr pool photo by AmyMarieMoore
Most County Government Open On Columbus Day
Most Montgomery County-operated facilities will be open on Monday, Columbus day, with the exception of county libraries.
Recycling and trash collections will proceed on normal schedules, same with Ride On buses and waste collection at the Shady Grove transfer station.
The Bethesda Library (7400 Arlington Rd.) and all other county library branches will be closed. Montgomery County Public Libraries traditionally holds its annual Staff Development and Training Day on the date.
People who park in county operated garages and metered spaces will have to pay regular parking fees.
Morning Notes
Friday Hit-and-Run Victim Speaks — Bethesda resident Jodi Grant was riding her bicycle on Massachusetts Avenue near Cromwell Drive when the driver of a blue minivan swerved into her lane and hit her. She is asking for help in finding the driver. [FOX5]
Drivers Complain About Aggressive Red Light Cameras — Montgomery County drivers are not too happy with red light cameras that flash when they don’t run red lights. A police spokesman said those are warning flashes, either to drivers approaching an intersection too fast or as a way to acclimate drivers to new cameras. [WTOP]
Air Rights Center For Sale — The Air Rights Center, one of the largest office complexes in Bethesda, is on the market for $257 million. The three towers along Wisconsin and Montgomery Avenues are 83 percent leased. [The Gazette]
County Extends Hours For Bethesda Library — Beginning Sunday, Sept. 16, the Bethesda library will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The Friday and Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will remain. The library will open one hour earlier on Sunday, at 12 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. [Montgomery County]
Flickr photo by Ryan Biller
