Overflow Crowd Hears from GOP Gubernatorial Candidates by Rande Davis Emily Higgins and Her Prize Winning the Poolesville Town Hall Twenty-Five Pound Catch
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May 16, 2014 A Biweekly Newspaper May 16, 2014 • Volume XI, Number 4 Overflow Crowd Hears from GOP Gubernatorial Candidates By Rande Davis Emily Higgins and her prize winning The Poolesville Town Hall twenty-five pound catch. Family was the venue of a Republican Album, page 2. Gubernatorial public forum that had an overflow attendance of in- terested citizens. The candidates at the May 12 event took questions from moderator Mike Phillips. All candidates were present except for Larry Hogan, a businessman, past member of the Ehrlich ad- ministration, and political activist (he started an organization called Change Maryland to address fis- American Legion Post 247’s Joe cal issues and government waste). Hardwick gives up a pint with a smile. Mr. Hogan’s lieutenant governor running mate, Boyd Rutherford, Participants in the GOP Candidates Public Forum were Boyd Rutherford stood in for him. Also joining those (candidate Larry Hogan’s running mate), David Craig, Ron George, running for governor was Con- Charles Luther, and Don Bongino. gressional candidate for District 6, Dan Bongino. keeping businesses or attract- There was unanimity among The Republican Party pri- ing new ones, creating economic them for the need to lower the orities were reflected in the ques- growth with jobs, controlling structural debt by reining in gov- tions raised at the meeting, which spending that has increased thirty ernment spending, lowering taxes included general taxation policy, percent in five years, and reducing the impact of current taxes on the debt and deficit. Continued on page 15. Poolesville Community Garden Grand Opening Kathleen Jamison was a big winner. Read all about it in Tidbits on page 11. By Emma Whitehouse came into being thanks Spring has sprung with the to a communal effort. Poolesville Community Garden Pastor David Williams opening on May 10 on the grounds commented that volun- of the Presbyterian Church at Elgin teers, businesses, and Road. The Poolesville Community nonprofits really helped Garden was just completed three along the way. On weeks ago, with its raised beds scheduled work days, primed and partly planted, but the people from the com- seed was planted years ago. munity came to help That idea of a community out. Businesses likewise garden came up about ten years helped. Calleva do- ago, and when the Presbyterian nated materials, Denise Church bought an adjacent lot Graybill-Donohoe of and tore down the existing house, Dancing Grass Designs it was the perfect opportunity to Hans Riemer, Julie Halstead, Denise helped to design the Graybill-Donohoe, Joyce Breiner, Nancy Floreen, The PHS Girls’ Lacrosse Team came build the garden. Construction garden, Matt Glover of Matt Glover, and Pastor David Williams cut oh, so close to beating Damascus. Read on the long-awaited garden be- the ribbon (it takes many scissors). about their great season on page 14. gan just over two years ago, and it Continued on page 17. Page 2 The Monocacy Monocle May 16, 2014 Family Album Top honors for the day’s event went to Patsy Dillingham for Best in Horticulture and to Joyce Davis, who won the Ella Atwood Award for her miniature flower arrangement. The winners in the 24th Annual Richard S. McKernon Poolesville Youth Fishing Tournament. Pat Sutherland reads a vision statement by Peg Coleman (second from left) which set in motion the annual flower show tradition. Also attending: Co-Chair Lisa Hilton and club president Missy Lankler. While at the Flower Show, State delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo and his wife visited the Pilgrim’s Rest Homestead booth as did Poolesville’s Jim Poole. The family venture is owned by Robert and Michelle Normoyle. Helping out is daughter PalJoy and son Tabor. Pat Sutherland (second from right) and Kerri Morningstar (far right) join twins Kathy Noble and Peggy Bjarno for a toast to the show (or is that Peggy Bjarno and Kathy Noble?). May 16, 2014 The Monocacy Monocle Page 3 Hearing on Proposed Budget Town of Draws Little Public Comment Poolesville Only three residents chose to Poolesville Town comment on the proposed FY15 draft budget. Robert Roit empha- Government sized his concern that financial sup- By Rande Davis port for the Poolesville Area Senior Commission is explained as startup expenditure rather than a one-time Commissioners Approve expense, leaving the door open for Funding for Senior Commission future town financial support. At the May 5 Poolesville town Conrad Potemra shared Mr. meeting, the commissioners voted Roit’s concern about the funding to approve a resolution (Resolu- for the PASC becoming an ongo- tion No. 002-14) to create a new ing expense. He also asked that the town commission entitled the town continue with its traditional Poolesville Area Seniors Commis- recapping of the budget by specifi- sion (PASC). This new organiza- cally listing the net results of town tion officially replaces Am Kolel taxing decisions particularly as Sanctuary’s Gathering Place, a it describes tax increases. He also private sector, nonprofit senior questioned the value of contin- organization that has provided so- ued membership in the Maryland cial, educational, and entertaining Municipal League. programs and services to seniors Regarding funding for the living in Poolesville and the sur- PASC, Commission President Jim rounding area. The purpose of the Brown stated that the mindset of commission as stated in the reso- the current group of commission- lution is to assist the town, resi- ers is that the expenditure is a dents, and members of the general one-time decision but allowed that community by creating programs if the program proves to be ben- and activities for seniors to “live eficial to the community but for a a healthy, safe, and active life, and variety of reasons has a financial to serve as a voice for the needs of shortfall next year, future fund- seniors in the community.” ing might be considered by the The town will provide startup commissioners at that time. Brice financial support for the group’s Halbrook reiterated that the town annual budget of approximately and the individuals of the PASC $30,000 for the first year. Funds for would seek enough public grant the program will come from the funds and private donations so town, outside donations, and con- that future town financial partici- tributions made by participants for pation becomes unnecessary. events and programs. The goal of As to the complaint of mem- the partnership is to replace much bership in the MML, the commis- or all of the town financial commit- sioners defended town member- ment with grants from the state, ship on various fronts. Brown county, or other public or private stated, as one example, that at last organizations and individuals that year’s convention, the commis- make funds available for senior sioners were able to meet face to programming. face with various website develop- The resolution provides for ment vendors and gained insight the commissioners to appoint nine that ultimately saved the town up members of the commission of to $15,000 in its new website de- which five must be residents of the velopment. Klobukowski pointed town. The term of service will be to research information available only one year. The PASC will op- through the groups as well as erate in the same fashion as any MML’s role in lobbying on behalf other town committee with regu- of town interests in Annapolis as lar, open, and public meetings. beneficial aspects of town mem- Commissioner Jerry Klobu- bership. Commissioner Dickerson kowski voted against the reso- remarked that the MML provided lution, as he did not support a number of seminars in the area of this program as positive use of taxpayer money. Continued on page 6. Page 4 The Monocacy Monocle May 16, 2014 birth in 2005 to 2010, the Nationals Commentary were beneath the contempt of all but the hometown loyalists. If one watched the national baseball me- Rising Up to dia, like ESPN or MLB Network, Get Noticed you were lucky if they even men- tioned a Nats game or Nats news. By John Clayton Perhaps if we played a New York Just when I thought it was over team, we might get a mention, but for the Washington Wizards and I a garden-variety Nats loss or even wouldn’t have to write about them a rarer win passed with minimal again (not that anyone is forc- notice. This has been the case with ing me to, or even asking me to), the Wizards recently. The greatest they rise from the dead and extend joy is, of course, watching them their best-of-seven series with the play competitively and even win Indian Pacers to a sixth game. The with some regularity, but it is still Wiz are down, three games to two, gratifying to see the national me- but are still alive, coming back for dia bigwigs talk seriously about a home game. the team and its players, at long For those who came in late, the last. They even seem to know their Wizards, nés the Bullets before be- names, and since they’re winning, ing renamed have been a pathetic it’s all in a positive light. and boring professional basketball Someday the Wizards may be team for some time. This year they an enterprise with sustained suc- started winning on a regular basis cess, and we will get spoiled, and in time to qualify for the playoffs. begin to expect to win year after They eliminated one team with a year. That would be fun, for a while, better record, the Chicago Bulls, although I suspect we would get and now face the Pacers, a team jaded in time, and it would never with an even better record, albeit be as exciting as that first glimmer with a Jekyll and Hyde personali- of success and recognition.