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Vol. 163, No. 33 • 50¢ SINCE 1855 February 8 - February 14, 2018 TODAY’S GAS PRICE “Disappointed” $2.65 per gallon Federation confronts school system over sex abuse cases Last Week “I am extremely disappointed According to Johnson, Smith’s members demanding he comment $2.65 per gallon By Suzanne Pollak @suzannepollak that Dr. Smith was treated disre- attendance at the Jan. 8 meeting – on a resolution the Federation A month ago spectfully by audience participants, which had an announced topic of passed late last year relating to child $2.57 per gallon Montgomery County Public who were misguided about the ap- “What’s in the MCPS Fiscal Year abuse and neglect and concerns of Schools officials are up in arms fol- proved agenda for the meeting,” 2019 Operating Budget?” – was se- how much money the District was A year ago lowing a contentious meeting of the MCPS Chief of Staff Henry Johnson cured in August of last year after spending on legal settlements. $2.34 per gallon Montgomery County Civic Federa- wrote in a letter to MCCF president Smith was invited to discuss the “We were aware of the resolu- tion last month, during which audi- AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON OF Jim Zepp. “In fairness to the super- MCPS budget around the time it tion,” but not that it would be a top- UNLEADED REGULAR GAS IN ence members angrily confronted intendent, the MCCF leadership would be considered by the County ic of discussion for the Superinten- MARYLAND/D.C. METRO AREA ACCORDING TO AAA Superintendent Jack Smith over should have interceded and accept- Council. dent to address at the Civic Federa- MCPS’ handling of lawsuits related ed responsibility for not informing While Smith did deliver re- tion’s Jan. 8 meeting, Johnson said. INSIDE to child sex abuse in County the superintendent of the alternative marks on the budget, as planned, he schools. agenda.” was later accosted by audience See “Federation,” page 8 Editor’s First flu death in state derly have been hit hardest by the Notebook By Neal Earley @neal_earley more severe h3n2 strain of the in- by Brian J. Karem fluenza virus. County health offi- A Maryland child became the cials’ response to this year’s more 54th pediatric fatality of the 2018 flu hard-hitting strains has included season as the number of flu-related working with hospitals to monitor hospitalizations in both the state and local cases and renewing a public re- Gang Violence county continue to increase signifi- lations campaign to remind people cantly, the Maryland Department of of the importance of hand washing President Trump misses Health announced Tuesday. and encourage them to be mindful of the point when it comes to Maryland Department of Health symptoms. gang violence. and Mental Hygiene statistics show State observers consider flu ac- Page 4 this year’s flu season – which typi- tivity high and widespread through- cally runs from October to March – out Maryland. Since mid-January, has seen 6.8 percent of visits to “sen- some hospitals in Montgomery tinel providers” come from influen- County have implemented restric- za-like illnesses, which is well above tions on visitors in order to curb the the 2 percent average usually seen spread of the virus. during the week of Jan. 24 in a typi- Starting Jan. 18, Adventist cal year. HealthCare began prohibiting per- “This year we know there has sons with flu-like symptoms, includ- been a higher-than-average h3n2 ing fever, cough, sore throat, rhinor- cases which is a more severe strain rhea and muscle aches from visiting of the influenza virus,” said Dr. patients at hospitals the company op- Travis Gayles, the County’s Health PHOTO BY DAVID WOLFE Officer and Chief of Public Health. Amele Ngwafang drives the lane for Paint Branch against Clarksburg. See Cardin Gayles said children and the el- See “Flu,” page 8 story on page 20. Challenge One local businessman Metro Inspector General wants independence is avoiding both political solidify its independence from the rest that supports an independent OIG.” sent his proposed amendments to the parties as he takes on Ben By Kathleen Stubbs of WMATA Cherrington said he and his staff Metro Board in the form of a resolu- Cardin. @kathleenstubbs3 “I can’t say this strong enough, are currently reading through multiple tion, although he does not have a date WASHINGTON – Metro’s In- Page 9 because I don’t want this to be twist- Metro policies, to see where he might set. spector General Geoffrey Cherrington ed. I’m not arguing with the way want Office of Inspector General em- “It would be human resource wants to take steps to ensure his of- Metro has its policy instructions,” ployees to be exempt. policies, all of the financial policies,” fice’s independence from Washington Cherrington said. "Government agen- As Inspector General, Cherring- he said, describing his policy review. Metropolitan Area Transit Authority cies and quasi- government agencies ton – who was hired in March of last In his September letter to U.S. management, and he has some ideas need policy instructions, they need year – reports directly to the Metro Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) and as to what those steps should be. regulations, so people know what Board of Directors, and his office re- Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) of the Sen- Cherrington said he plans to pro- they can and cannot do. It’s just some ceives funding from the Washington ate Committee on Homeland Security pose amendments to the resolution of that policy instruction can’t apply Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that governs the Office of Inspector to this office because we need more Metro budget. See “Metro,” General and its employees that would tools and we need a business model Cherrington said he plans to pre- page 8 2THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENTINEL FEBRUARY 8, 2018 EFLECTIONS The Montgomery County Sentinel, published weekly by Berlyn Inc. Publish- R ing, is a community newspaper covering Montgomery County, Maryland. Our of- fices are located at 22 W. Jefferson January 12, 1989 Street, Suite 309, Rockville, MD 20850. Founded in 1855 by Matthew Fields. All mail to: P.O. Box 1272, Rockville, MD 20849-1272. Subscription Rates for The Racial slur alleged in Hyattstown complaint Montgomery County Sentinel – Weekly by mail: $40.00 per year & $26.50 for Se- Each week the Sentinel visits a teer. “I didn’t say it,” Dodson said, gomery County last Thursday to nior Citizens. (USPS) 361-100. memorable story from its archives. On Monday, the county’sd top laughing, in a telephone interview assist the department. Bernard Kapiloff fire official confirmed that a for- Monday night about his alleged In his complaint, Bird also al- PUBLISHER E MERITUS Allegations of racial insensi- mal complaint alleges Dodson re- comment to the career firefighter, leged that Dodson followed the Lynn G. Kapiloff tivity reemerged this week at the sponded to a career firefighter’s Lt. Mark Bird. “nigger work” comment by telling CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER/ Hyattstown Volunteer Fire Depart- request for assistance in washing a “To me, if it’s done [racial re- Bird, “You have enough brains to PUBLISHER ment, promoting county fire offi- fire truck last Thursday by saying, marks], it’s done jokingly,” Dod- put in the head of my [expletive].” [email protected] cials to investigate whether a sec- “We’re not here to do your nigger son added. I just think someone’s The matter has been referred Mark Kapiloff ond departmental leader has made work.” joking and hoping somebody [in to the Fire and Rescue Commis- ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER a racist remark. ‘What you’ve heard is pretty the media] picks up on it,” he said, sion for investigation. The com- [email protected] Just as volunteer firefighter accurate,” county Fire and Rescue referring the complaint. mission, scheduled to meet EDITORIAL Michael A. May regained the Hy- Director Ramone F. Granados The Hyattstown department tonight, will ultimately determine attstown chief’s post following his said, when asked about the com- has four black firefighters; three what action to take, Granados Brian J. Karem EXECUTIVE EDITOR forced resignation May 10 for al- plaint. “At this point, we have to are volunteers and one is paid, said. [email protected] legedly calling a black firefighter say he allegedly said these things.” Dodson said. Norman C. Conway, presi- “nigger boy,” Hyattstown depart- But Dodson, who voluntarily Bird, a white officer in the dent of the Montgomery County Brandy L. Simms SPORTS EDITOR ment Kevin Dodson came under relinquished his duties as depart- Germantown fire district, filed a Career Firefighters’ association, [email protected] investigation for the alleged dis- ment president Monday pending complaint against Dodson after he said he plans to lodge a separate paraging use of the word “nigger” an investigation, called any such was assigned to the Hyattstown complaint against Dodson on be- MARK ROBINSON in the presence of a black volun- allegation a “rumor.” station in northernmost Mont- half of the union. [email protected] CITY EDITOR ANDREW FEINBERG COPY EDITOR NEAL EARLEY [email protected] NEWS Write us REPORTER G-burg’s Spiegel calls for highway funds restoration David Wolfe PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR way user revenues, or HURs, which hand to receive the certificates. By Peter Rouleau The Montgomery County Sentinel TAZEEN AHMAD @PeterSRouleau is largely funded by state gasoline “Every Friday night in late CALENDAR EDITOR taxes. summer and fall, a large section of welcomes letters. [email protected] GAITHERSBURG — At Mon- “We need your help to get your our community gets together to CALL 301-838-0788 day night’s meeting of Gaithers- money back so that we can maintain share something truly special,” said All letters must be original, FAX 301- 838 - 3458 burg’s Mayor and City Council, roads and build these infrastructure Ashman, who has been a regular at- NEWSROOM AND LEGAL ADVERTISING Council Vice President Ryan projects that have been on the books tendee of Quince Orchard football signed by the author Spiegel identified what he called the for years but that we’ve had to de- games ever since his son played on ADVERTISING top priority for Gaithersburg and all fer.” the team.