KMCA News

New Library and Recreation Center facility coming to Wheaton

On October 14th, some of County's senior officials, including the heads of the Recreation (Gabriel Albornoz), General Services Office of Procurement (David Dise), Parks (Mary Bradford), and Libraries (Ms. Parker) presented an exciting new plan to redo and expand the Wheaton Library to include a full-service Recreation Center. The Wheaton Rec Center (that little building on Georgia) and the Wheaton Library will be closed for 2 years, while the County closes and reroutes the through street that separates them (Hermitage), creating a single, new full-size recreation center and library, complete with athletic fields. This plan came about quickly and, apparently, in response to pressure from the community and community groups. The Board has written a letter in support of this very promising proposal. (click here to view letter) Natalie Cantor, the director of the County's Mid-County Services Center, will discuss more details of this plan at the upcoming meeting on December 14th.




County approves sale of property to Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy

On November 30th, the County Council voted to approve the sale of the old Peary High School property to the Hebrew Academy, which has been leasing the facility since 1999. The KMCA provided testimony in support of the sale (click here to view letter), as the Hebrew Academy serves more than 450 children and 200 households in Kemp Mill. If it were forced to move, many of our neighbors might be forced to move as well, which would be deleterious for our community."




Community Policing meeting wtih Montgomery County Police

Adrian Black of the KMCA attended a meeting with the MCPD along with representatives of several other community associations from this area. Lieutenant Laura Lanham is the KMCA community policing contact, was introduced. Her number is (240) 773–5500. Commander Damskey, head of our MCPD District, emphasized the importance of reporting incidents–even those that may be considered minor to make sure that our neighborhood is allocated sufficient resources. Crimes such as theft, vandalism, identity theft, and lost property can be reported through a Website (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/poltmpl.asp?url=/content/pol/coplogic/cologic.asp)).

Other highlights:




February 5, 2010

Library to stay in current location!

As reported in this week’s Wheaton Gazette, County Executive Isiah Leggett has now stated that he too, like five of the County Councilmembers, opposes the move of the Wheaton Library . In a memo, according to the Gazette article, he stated that "Having received a wealth of feedback — pro and con — and having reviewed the factors above, I believe the County and the community will be best served by leaving the Wheaton library right where it is…" (
Gazette Article). We owe a debt of gratitude to Henry Davis and Library Committee for successfully articulating the position of the KMCA and many Kemp Mill residents.


Snow plowing – Let us know your thoughts. Here’s the response to our letter complaining about uneven plowing in the last storm. Councilmember Berliner also wrote back with information about hearings that the County Council held about uneven plowing and that response is here.

With more storms this winter, the KMCA wants to know about your experiences. Is the County getting to your street in a timely fashion, at least for a first pass?

Letter from head of plowing operations in the County

Letter from Councilmember Berliner





November 18, 2009

Recent Meeting of KMCA Features Three Local Elected Officials
Maryland House of Delegates members Ben Kramer and Roger Manno, along with County Council member Nancy Navarro, attended the KMCA October meeting and discussed various issues. Of particular note, Councilmember Navarro indicated that she supports keeping Wheaton Library in its current location. In addition, the audience learned about a “greening Wheaton” project from the University of Maryland, ongoing plans for the park on Arcola, and a Boy Scout project to increase awareness about the importance of keeping the Chesapeake Bay clean. For more information, read the minutes at: http://kempmill.org/2009-10-14minutes.html

Water system improvements nearly done!
WSSC Project Manager Vincent Jones tells the KMCA that all the sewer repair work on Lamberton is now complete, along with repaving. The water pipe replacement project in the area of Lovejoy, Hermleigh and Stonington Place will wrap up by the end of November, and repaving is scheduled to take place before winter sets in.

Build a new trail in the Kemp Mill Area Sunday November 22nd
Join the Northwood High School community and Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for a clean-up event from 1-4 PM. Meet at the entrance to Northwood’s Kaplan Stadium. Volunteers will help clean up the property near Northwood in preparation for constructing the new Northwood Chesapeake Bay Trail. For more information, contact Erol Miller (erol_k_miller@mcpsmd.org) or Jennifer Chambers (jennifer@hikingalong.com).

September 27, 2009

New library committee

The KMCA’s new library committee, headed by Board member Henry Davis, is closely monitoring developments in the Wheaton Library renovation/relocation discussion. The KMCA’s official position is that we oppose relocating it to downtown Wheaton at this time. Henry welcomes volunteers and input.

KMCA Goes Green

In an effort to save our environment, the KMCA has suspended its print newsletter. Instead, the Web site is being updated with short news items on a regular basis. We’re announcing meetings with a postcard. Look for your postcard this week announcing the October 14 meeting! And keep checking this site for items of interest to KMCA members and Kemp Mill residents.

September 22, 2009

As a courtesy to your neighbors, please clean up after your dog. Failing to do so is a violation of Montgomery County Code Section 5-203 (a) (2). That code states, “An owner must not allow an animal to damage or defecate on property outside of the owner’s property. An animal may defecate on public property or on the common area of property in which the owner shares an interest if the owner immediately removes and disposes of the feces by sanitary method …” A fine of $100 can be imposed for each offense.


Newsletter Archives:    

 

 

 

(c) Copyright 2008, Kemp Mill Civic Association.  All rights reserved