“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. .” Margaret Mead (1901-1978) Published by the City of Takoma Park www.takomaparkmd.gov April 2006 VFW Landmark Goes On the Market Photos by Rick Henry “Anyone who came in and wanted to By Rick Henry put in a business would have to petition One of Takoma Park’s most notable to have it rezoned,” she says. properties is on the market. The property is zoned R-60, which The VFW Post 350 property, located at means that any new lot on the property the intersection of Fourth and Orchard would have to be a minimum of 6,000 Avenues in the Pinecrest area of the city, is square feet. Given that the property’s for sale, with the current asking price set at total square footage is 33, 846, the maxi- $2.9 million, according to city listing records. mum number of lots on the property While on the surface this might ap- would be five. Across the street, besides pear to be another case of an established a row of relatively new townhomes, a property owner chasing the real estate new commercial development is under- boom, the reality is much different, says way, and city council is considering de- Post Commander Richard Fales. In this velopment along New Hampshire Av- case, the VFW (Veterans of Foreign enue just a block away. The old VFW building, currently up for sale, Wars) club would prefer to stay right The zoning restrictions make a strong could be replaced by new development. where it is. candidate to purchase the VFW property But faced with an ever-decreasing a church, nonprofit or another commu- bluegrass to blues to soul. membership base and revenue stream, nity organization. “It’s a relic and a resource and it’s got the post simply has few other options, The latter would make the most fitting a lot of past,” Moxley says. Fales says. replacement given the VFW's history, ac- Barring unexpected events, it’s “The veterans aren’t getting any cording to Nellie Moxley, longtime resi- unlikely the VFW will be able to remain younger. Many of them are dying off or dent and president of the Pinecrest Com- in the location it has called home since Post Commander Richard Fales relaxes at the VFW, a gathering place for veterans. becoming unable to make it out and we munity Association. 1966. Selling and purchasing a less ex- are not getting any new members in,” he “How could anyone think about it be- pensive building somewhere else seems didn’t generate any interest,” he says. says. “We’ve been operating at a deficit ing anything but a nonprofit or commu- like the only option at this point. Resigned to selling, Fales has an ideal for a while.” nity resource?” she asks, noting that the “If we could get a lot of new mem- buyer in mind. Fales says the members had been talk- VFW was always willing to help the neigh- bers, we could generate enough revenue “If the city wanted to buy it that would ing about the sale for more than a year borhood and the city. to stay,” Fales says. But he isn’t counting be great. We’d love to sell it to them.” before deciding to list the property. Moxley has worked in tandem with the on it. Stay tuned. The property was originally put on VFW in many configurations over the “We sent out hundreds of letters to the market in January. It was listed with years. For many years, the Post has served eligible members, including Korean War Editor’s note: Author Rick Henry lives Weichert Realtors at an asking price of as the site for the monthly meetings of the veterans who are now eligible, and we across the street from the VFW. $3.5 million. However only one offer, for Pincerest Community Association and has approximately $2 million, was made on been actively involved with other com- the property -- an offer the Post’s leaders munity organizations, as well. quickly rejected. “They have been instrumental in the Keeping Mercury Out of “We received that [$2 million] offer Takoma Branch cleanups, neighborhood from a church,” says Fales. activities, [community] awards. They Fales says the property is worth sub- have represented us and marched in the The Environment stantially more than that offer and that parades,” Moxley says. the leaders gave the church the option of Fales echoes Moxley’s theme. By Tim Male cury: automobile switches in lights and presenting another, more substantive of- “We used to present the Firefighter of braking systems. Although seemingly fer, which the church declined to do. the Year, gave awards to police officers, Takoma Park Committee on the Environment far from the food chain, these items, When no additional offers came lots of things. We have always been very when discarded, leak mercury into air through, the Post decided to solicit an- active in the community,” he says. Just about anyone in Takoma Park and water, which then contaminate fish other realtor to take on the project, a That activity extended beyond finan- who has rented, bought or sold a house destined for human consumption. process that was still ongoing at the time cial assistance. The building itself has is familiar with Montgomery County’s Council is supporting House Bill 1597, of publication. served as kind of a community center lead paint regulations, which are and Senate Bill 1006 provididing for re- One of the issues that could make over the years. In addition to the monthly meant to reduce exposure to this moval of mercury-containing light and selling the property difficult is zoning. community association meetings, the first dangerous ingredient of old paint. brake switches from vehicles being According to Ilona Blanchard, associ- Monday of each month the building turns However, another well-known neuro- scrapped. toxin — mercury — gets less attention ate planner with the City, the property into a concert hall, hosting the monthly Although some mercury occurs natu- than it should. is zoned for residential use. jam session of the DC Bluegrass Union. rally in the environment, about two-thirds In fact, music at the venue has been one Mercury’s potential risks to children 20912 Takoma Park, MD Park, Takoma 7500 Maple Ave. Maple 7500 of mercury results from human activity. Mayor Mayor & Council and pregnant women are just as worri- of its greatest contributions. Over the years, It is released by coal-burning power plants the Post has hosted many barbecues, some, and now City Council has passed and industrial incinerators and is used in crabfeasts, Fourth of July events and the a resolution to help protect the popula- POSTALCUSTOMER thermometers, dental fillings, fluorescent like, almost all featuring live music- from tion from at least one source of mer- light bulbs, and batteries. In Maryland, approximately 2,300 pounds of mercury ECRWSS were emitted into the air in 2002. Coal- Inside this Issue fired power plants in Maryland are the state’s top source of mercury pollution. PRE-SORT STANDARDPRE-SORT Tax Assessments Due Page 3 TAKOMA PARK, MD PERMIT NO. The Maryland Conservation Council U.S.POSTAGE Routing Rats from the City Page 5 states that just by installing the best avail- PAID able control technology, Maryland could Sligo Creek Tiles Page 5 reduce mercury emissions from power 4422 Trash Collection Schedule Page 10 plants by 90 percent. continued on page 4 Page 2 April 2 0 0 6 Takoma Park Newsletter CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR February 21 - Special Session (Please note that due to construction in the Community Center, meeting schedules may Resolution 2006-10 was adopted, award- change during April and early May. Call the City Clerk at 301-891-7267 for information.) ing a contract for the sale of City-owned property known as 8425 Piney Branch Monday, April 3 - Interviews and Tuesday, April 18 - Meeting of the Arts Road, Takoma Park, Maryland (VOT- Worksession of the City Council, 7:30 and Humanities Commission, 7:30 p.m. ING FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, p.m. (Community Center Auditorium) (Location TBA) Clay, Elrich, Williams; ABSENT: Monday, April 10 - Presentation, Seamens). Thursday, April 20 - Meeting of the Noise Regular Meeting and Worksession of For further information, or to receive Resolution 2006-11 was adopted, awarding the City Council, 7:30 p.m. (Commu- Control Board, 7:30 p.m. (Location TBA) a copy of the legislation, contact the a contract for the sale of City-owned prop- nity Center Auditorium) Monday, April 24 - Regular Meeting City Clerk’s office, 301-891-7267 erty known as 8435 Piney Branch Road, Tuesday, April 11 - Meeting of the and Worksession of the City Council, or e-mail [email protected]. Takoma Park, Maryland (VOTING FOR: Facade Advisory Board, 7 p.m. (Loca- 7:30 p.m. (Takoma Park Middle School) Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Clay, Elrich, tion TBA) February 13 - Regular Meeting Williams; ABSENT: Seamens). Wednesday, April 26 - Meeting of the Ordinance 2006-4 was adopted, autho- February 27 - Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 11 - Meeting of the Tree Public Safety Citizens Advisory Commit- Commission, 6:30 p.m. (Room TBA) rizing the City Manager to execute an tee, 6:30 p.m. (Location TBA) Ordinance 2006-9 was accepted at first Monday, April 17 - Worksession of indefinite quantities contract for street reading, authorizing a transfer of land the City Council, 7:30 p.m. (Takoma Thursday, April 27 - Meeting of the repairs and improvements (VOTING to Montgomery County for the Fire Park Middle School) Emergency Preparedness Committee, FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, Station rear parking area (VOTING Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Clay).