March 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 1 A Biweekly Newspaper March 16, 2007 Volume IV, Number 1. Johnson Resignation Triggers Special Election By Rande Davis cial election. Unlike in An unassuming home on West oy Johnson the general election, Willard, where the Mystery History submitted his this election will take begins. See Page 15. Rresignation place in the town hall from the town commis- at 19710-C Fisher Ave- sion on February 28 in nue. The polls will be a terse and inexplicable open from 7:00 a.m. to statement that was made 8:00 p.m. effective immediately. Candidates for The recently re-elected commissioner must: commissioner had be qualified regis- served for ten years tered voters in the and was the current Town of Poolesville vice president. As a (twenty-one years of result of Mr. Johnson’s age), have continu- resignation, the town is Roy Johnson ously resided in the required to hold a spe- missioner brought to the work of corporate town limits cial election within sixty days of the the town government. He pointed to for at least six months prior to the Jill Knudson of Calleva Outdoors resignation to determine his replace- Mr. Johnson’s career background in election, maintain residency within spoke to future entrepreneurs at John ment. expressing his regret over his decision the town limits during his or her term Poole Middle School’s Career Day. Speculation behind the reason to leave and his astute contribution, of office, and not have been convicted More on Page 3. for the resignation focused on two especially in financial issues. of a felony. possible areas: personal family issues Particular concern was expressed Candidates must file a candidacy or frustration with the direction of regarding possible replacements. In form available at town hall, obtain the current commission. At our press November’s general election, there supporting signatures of at least time, no further statement from Mr. were only three candidates for the twenty-five town residents who are Johnson was provided to the Mono- two open spots. The town requires a qualified registered voters, and pay cle. special election to replace Mr. Johnson a $10.00 filing fee. The town must Commissioner Link Hoewing within thirty days. In that regard, the receive the candidate filing forms no echoed common sentiments as to town has set April 26, 2007 for the spe- later than March 27, 2007. the outstanding work Mr. Johnson had done particularly in his work Hello Dolly the country. Composed by Jerry Her- in establishing the town’s budget- man and based on a book by Michael ary process. Commissioner Tom By Dominique Agnew Stewart which was based on a play by A bustling day at Jamaica Station, circa Yeatts reflected on the insight he had The Midnight Players will Thornton Wilder entitled The Match- 1964? Read all about it on Page 6. gained from Mr. Johnson starting be presenting the well-known and maker, Hello Dolly is full of delightful as early as Election Day when both well-loved comedy, Hello Dolly, one antics and comic misunderstandings stood together outside of the polls for of the standard musicals performed -Continued on Page 21. thirteen hours. Mr. Yeatts expressed on Broadway and in theaters around his regret that Johnson had decided to submit his resignation. President Ed Kuhlman stated his surprise at the resignation and echoed praise for Mr. Johnson for his work ethic and contribution to the budget process and to the town government overall. Commissioner Jerry Klobukowski was not in attendance due to a death Lost? Who needs a GPS System? Just in his family and was not available follow a horse. See page 8. for comment. Tom Kettler, an officer with the Poolesville Area Chamber of Com- merce, praised Mr. Johnson for the Ashley Gunsteens (playing Minnie Fay), Erin Toman (Irene Molloy), professionalism the former com- Scott Turner (Barnaby Tocker), Kevin McCarthy (Cornelius Tucker) Gracie Jones (Dolly), Andy Kotch (Vandergelder) March 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 2 Family Album Sponsored by: Selby’s Market Your IGA Hometown Food Store A sign that spring is coming is Girl Scouts (Troop 2505) selling the cookies. Brittany Ziner of Curves collecting food for the WUMCO Food Bank. Poolesville lacrosse players warm up on a Monocacy Elementary fourth graders sing songs about canal life in the American History- windy and cold March afternoon. themed spring concert. March 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page out of their daily routine to share with of another student who wrote about School News these students the career choices that “how different jobs could be – you they had made. need education if you want to get Guidance Counselor Peg Arnold where you want in life.” Career Day who coordinated the event broke Others came to a better under- By Rande Davis the students into small groups and standing as to the breadth of opportu- rotated them to different classrooms nity. “I learned that I shouldn’t com- to hear about various careers and mit to one career too early because The eighth graders at John Poole employment opportunities. different opportunities will always Middle School came face to face with At the end of the day, Mrs. Arnold come up.” Along with education the notion that childhood is not for- passed out a survey questionnaire to and appreciating the wide degree of ever. The event is designed to increase obtain information as to what the stu- opportunity, another positive theme the students’ awareness that their dents gained from the presentations. that resonated with the students was choices in the coming few years may Overwhelmingly, the students voiced choosing the right education and impact their aspirations for the future their agreement that career day was career based on something they really and choices. Over forty area business effective in informing them about new loved. people and professionals took time opportunities in the world of work, This kind of support to the stu- Geologist Kathy Mihm at dents came about by so many people Things to Do 3:00 p.m. Career Day. in the area willing to share their work experience and advice with them. March 25 and that this was a most positive Steve Kelly (Lawn Concepts), Terry Washington Balalaika Society Russian experience. Bacas (Wholesale Building Products), Orchestra In scanning the survey evaluation and Dave Johnson (Plumbing & Heat- March 17 Weinberg Center for the Arts forms, there were three things that 2:00 p.m. ing/Air Conditioning Co.) shared the St. Patrick’s Day Parade came up over and over again from ins and outs of the business world. Gaithersburg – Washingtonian Center the students themselves. The first was Commissioner Jerry Klobukowski, 10:00 a.m. to noon March 26 that they came to better understand Library Discussion Group States Attorney John McCarthy, and the importance of education as they HMAP St. Patrick’s Day Poetry Poolesville Public Library attorney Steve Seeger presented Jamboree The Tipping Point – How Little Things look to the future, “I learned that no careers in law and politics. Nurse Hyattstown Mill, 7:30 p.m. Can Make a Difference – Malcom matter what successful job you are in, Candace Hanrahan, along with dentist Darby O’Gill and the Little People Gladwell you got there from trying hard and Dr. Margaret Velega, and U.S. Army Weinberg Center for the Arts being successful in school.” Over and radiologist Gary Riley got them think- 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. March 27 over again, the presenters emphasized Deadline for filing Candidacy the importance of education. Good March 19 Poolesville Town Commission education seemed to be on the mind Public Hearings Close of business -Continued on Page 21. Poolesville Town Hall Revision of Water Rates Sounds of Spring Revision of Tax Rate Poolesville Public Library FY2008 Town Budget, 7:30 p.m. Frogs Can Sing 7:00 p.m. Seminar on Identity Theft Poolesville Public Library Personal Ponies Benefit What You Should Know Whole Foods in Kentlands Lisa Brennan 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. MC Off. of Consumer Protection The ponies will greet shoppers. 7:30 p.m. March 28 March 22 Kids Book Club Three to Six Quince Orchard Library Poolesville Public Library Grades 4 to 6 Stories, finger plays, music Room One by Andrew Clements 10:30 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Lunasa and Dervish March 22, 23, and 24 Weinberg Center for the Arts Hello Dolly 8:00 p.m. Poolesville High School 7:30 p.m. plus 2:00 p.m. on Saturday March 30 Students: $5.00, Adults: $8.00 Bingo Librarian’s Choice Book Discussion Carroll Manor Fire Department The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon 5:30 doors open Quince Orchard Library, 7:30 p.m. Games at 7:30 p.m. March 23 April 1 Hoosiers Animal Wellness Seminar Weinberg Center for the Arts 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m 8:00 p.m. Germantown Community Center March 24 Pizzarelli and New York All Star Big Band Weinberg Center for the Arts March 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page feeding the birds, or words to that Commentary effect. I suggested that it was par- tially entertainment and partially the satisfaction of doing something nice With Friends Like This, for some small wild animals. Pursu- ing the thought further (alone—my Who Needs Enemies? daughter had certainly lost interest By John Clayton by this point) I realized that this in turn makes me feel good, which is I was experiencing a profound ultimately the point of this expense of sense of déjà vu.