Community Alert!!

The 3rd District Station wants to alert community members that since Friday, April 16th there have been ten residential burglaries to apartments in the Briggs Chaney Area. Most burglaries are occurring during the daytime hours, involve forced entry into the apartment and where known, laptop computers have been most frequently targeted.

Please be aware of these incidents and report all suspicious activity to the Police Non-Emergency Line at 301-279-8000.

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2010 Summer Computer Camps for Girls

A special computer camp program, designed for girls in grades 6-8, is offered by Montgomery College in partnership with the Montgomery County Commission for Women. The lucky girls who attend will explore information technology and learn how technology is being used in new and exciting ways.

Studies have found that fewer than 20% of the students taking computer programming courses are girls, and women are vastly under-represented in information technology careers. In fact, in our own school system, computer programming classes often have just one girl or even no girls enrolled. Yet, computer programming is one of the fastest growing fields and provides some of the best paying career opportunities.

Our hope is that through these camps, girls will see the importance of technology in their lives, and their interest in pursuing a technology career may be sparked. These camps are staffed with MCPS faculty, and are offered on all three of the college’s campuses (Takoma Park/Silver Spring, Germantown, and Rockville).

Girls interested in the camp, who do not need financial assistance, may apply directly to the college. Those seeking need-based scholarships should apply through the County’s Commission for Women. A limited number of full scholarships for these camps are available for girls who qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Meal (FARM) program.

Please share this information with the faculty and students in your school and we encourage you to identify eligible girls who might be interested. Copies of all materials and forms may be found at the Commission’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw or call (240) 777-8330. The materials and forms may be duplicated as needed.

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Montgomery to Implement Accessory Apartment Disclaimer Following Councilmember Nancy Navarro’s Request

Disclaimer Will Help Prevent Violation of HOA Covenants

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 16, 2010—Applications for special exceptions for accessory apartments in Montgomery County will now include disclaimers that Homeowners Association (HOA) covenants may not allow the apartments, following a request by County Councilmember Nancy Navarro (District 4) to clarify a situation that has been a source of problems for HOAs.

In a March 26 letter to Katherine Freeman, executive director of the County’s Board of Appeals, Councilmember Navarro outlined why the County needed to address the issue.

“It has come to my attention that applicants may receive special exceptions for accessory apartments even where their Homeowners Association (HOA) specifically prohibits them,” Councilmember Navarro wrote. “In these circumstances, HOAs are often forced to incur costly legal fees to defend their covenants in court. I believe that a simple disclaimer on the special exception application for accessory apartments, stating that a resident’s HOA covenant may prohibit accessory apartments even if a special exception is granted, would prevent many of the difficulties and expense HOAs and residents have encountered due to the confusion surrounding this issue.”

Councilmember Navarro then asked that the Board of Appeals include such a disclaimer on its accessory apartment applications.

“This modest and inexpensive change may go a long way toward preventing future problems,” she wrote.

Earlier this week, Ms. Freeman notified Councilmember Navarro that the members of the Board of Appeals concurred that adding a disclaimer would be a valuable addition to the applications.

The Board of Appeals approved the following language for the disclaimer: “Please note: Approval of a special exception is separate from Homeowner Association (HOA) and Condominium agreements and covenants, which may prohibit accessory apartments. Homeowners should consult their Condominium or HOA documents. The Board of Appeals cannot enforce HOA or Condominium covenants, which are private contractual agreements.”

Councilmember Navarro said today that the disclaimer could make a significant difference for HOAs and for applicants.
“Providing this information to applicants will go a long way toward preventing neighborhood conflicts,” said Councilmember Navarro. “I thank the Board of Appeals for listening to community concerns and acting upon my request.”

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Letter to the Board of Appeals

Montgomery County Board of Appeals Response to Councilmember Navarro's Letter

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Leggett Seeks Applicants for Commission for Women

Contact: Beth Gochrach, 240-777-2528
For Immediate Release: April 9, 2010

Leggett Seeks Applicants for Commission for Women

County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill five vacancies on the Montgomery County Commission for Women. Three of the vacancies are for applicants who have been nominated and recommended by organizations within the County whose interests relate to the status of women, and two of the vacancies are for individuals applying on their own behalf. Three of the current incumbents are eligible to seek reappointment, and one has indicated an intention of doing so.

The primary responsibility of the 15-member Commission is to advise and counsel the County government on issues of concern to women. While the commissioners work to ensure that women attain legal and economic equity, the office also administers programs for women, including a counseling and career center.

Members of the Commission for Women serve three year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Since members are active on committees and projects, it is required that they must be available for meetings every Wednesday evening. County law specifies attendance requirements for members of officially appointed boards, committees, and commissions. A member of this commission may miss no more than three meetings in a 12-month period.

County Executive Isiah Leggett is committed to representation on all of the County’s boards, committees, and commissions that is reflective of, and responsive to, our County’s residents. Public participation contributes to the work of County government and provides an important service to the community when a variety of issues, concerns, and viewpoints are presented. Currently, there is a valuable opportunity to serve on the Commission for Women.

The deadline for application is April 30, 2010.

Please share this notice with anyone who may be interested. Applicants of diverse backgrounds, professions, gender, geography, disability and ethnicity are encouraged to apply. An application, consisting of a brief cover letter and resume, should be sent by mail to County Executive Isiah Leggett, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850, or by email to countyexecutive.boards@montgomerycountymd.gov. Home and employment addresses, as well as contact phone numbers and email addresses should be included. Applicants should indicate the position for which they are applying.

Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time. Members of these boards are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for meetings attended. Leggett’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.

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In Remembrance: Officer Hector I. Ayala

The Montgomery County Police Department is deeply saddened to announce the death of one of our officers. Officer Hector Ismael Ayala died in the line of duty at 3:19 a.m. on Sunday, April 4. He was responding to a call to provide officer assistance for a fight in progress at a restaurant/bar at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Randolph Road in Wheaton. For reasons still under investigation, Officer Ayala’s police cruiser left the roadway and struck a tree in the 3000 block of Randolph Road. He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to the injuries he received in the crash.

In the department’s history, he is the 16th Montgomery County Police Officer, and first Hispanic officer to die in the line of duty.

Officer Ayala was a seven-year veteran of the Montgomery County Police Department and was assigned to the Montgomery County Police 4th District in Wheaton. He worked the midnight shift whose officers serve from 8:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. He was fluent in Spanish and frequently served as a translator for the department and the many Hispanic community members we serve, particularly in the greater Wheaton neighborhoods.

Officer Ayala was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in January of 1979. He attended Passaic County Community College in Paterson, New Jersey, and graduated with honors from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. There he majored in Political Science and Sociology and received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

He became a member of Police Officer Training Session 42 on February 3, 2003, and graduated from the Montgomery County Police Academy Entrance Level Training Program on July 27, 2003. He spent his entire career working in the Montgomery County Police 4th District. He attended a Basic Investigator School and served as a Field Training Officer to newly graduated officers. In his spare time he enjoyed working on cars and collecting tiny toy cars and trucks for his son. He was generous in offering his time to help baby sit for other officers’ children when they had a special need. He also enjoyed boxing and had taught many of his fellow recruits how to box. During his career he was nominated for several awards and commended for many examples of his excellent police work. Promoting traffic safety was very important to him. In one year he wrote 800 traffic citations, and only one person complained about receiving a ticket. He was always polite and explained what the driver had done wrong. In 2005, he was particularly instrumental in helping to save the life of a man who was attempting to commit suicide by jumping from the roof of the Glenmont Metro Station. It was Officer Ayala and two back-up officers who were able to physically subdue the victim and prevent him from jumping.

Officer Ayala was devoted to his wife Melissa, their 14-month-old son Hector, Jr., and was proudly looking forward to the birth of triplets this coming June. He is also survived by his parents, Hector and Luz, a 20-year-old brother Geovani, and a 12-year-old sister Jenny Marie.

His District Commander Nancy Demme said, “The department has lost a true asset. Officer Ayala was always helpful to his fellow officers and devoted to serving the Hispanic community. He will be deeply missed.” Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said, “Officer Ayala gave his life doing what he loved--being a police officer serving the people of Montgomery County. A select few raise their right hand and take the oath of service, an oath that puts their life second to those they protect. Officer Ayala took his oath and served proudly since his first day at the academy. I ask all of you to join me in praying for his family.”

Viewings for Officer Ayala will take place on Thursday, April 8 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church located at 2900 Olney-Sandy Spring Road in Olney, Maryland. The Funeral Mass for Officer Ayala will take place on Friday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Immediately following the service he will be laid to rest at the Delaney Valley Memorial Gardens located at 200 East Padomia Road in Timonium, Maryland. The viewing, funeral, and burial are only open to members of the family and the public safety family.

Donations to the Ayala Family may be made to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Officers Relief Fund (MCLEORF). Checks should be made payable to MCLEORF. Please list “Ayala Family” in the memo line of the check. Send to:

MCLEORF
c/o: FOP Lodge 35

18512 Office Park Drive

Montgomery Village, MD 20886

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION

2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294

240-773-5030

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Photo of the Week

Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro (front, third from left) attended the

Korean American Senior Citizens Association's 30th Anniversary celebration.

Reminder: Submit your photos to councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov for consideration. Names may be withheld upon request of the photographer. Please provide a brief description of the photo.

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ESOL for Building Trades Jobs Orientation

*Click on the image to zoom in.

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ESOL for Healthcare Jobs Orientation

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Customer Service Training for ESOL Learners

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Congressman Van Hollen's Service Academy Forum

Congressman
CHRIS VAN HOLLEN


Announces his
SERVICE ACADEMY FORUM
with representatives from the:


U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
U.S. COAST GUARD ACADEMY (New London, Connecticut)
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY (Kings Point, New York)
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY (West Point, New York)
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY (Annapolis, Maryland)


FOR CLASSES ENTERING JULY 2011

All interested 9th, 10th and 11th grade students and their parents are invited to attend to learn about the academies and their admission requirements.

April 15, 2010
7:30 – 9:00 pm

Montgomery County Executive Office Building
Auditorium
101 Monroe Street
Rockville, Maryland 20850


For information, please contact Representative Van Hollen’s district office at (301) 424-3501.

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