A new Leland St. perk at taxpayer expense: deceptive Do Not Enter signs

Montgomery County government continues, for dark and mysterious reasons, to bend over backwards to please its wealthy patron(s) on Leland Street in Bethesda. Take these two new signs with false messages, for example. When making the right turn from Woodmont Avenue onto Leland, a driver is now confronted with two signs stating, "Do Not Enter." In much smaller type, the hours during which turns are prohibited are detailed, but that information is overshadowed by the universally-familiar "Do Not Enter" symbol and words. This is a violation of signage best practices, and could potentially cause an accident.

I watched several drivers making the turn slam on their brakes upon seeing the Do Not Enter signs. Even I instinctively braked for a second the first time I encountered them. The signs give you the impression that you are going the wrong way, sure to create confusion. In truth, you are going the right way, on a public street whose residents and the County would like to make private - at taxpayer expense. It appears that the County is trying to yet again unofficially close the street by fooling a percentage of drivers into thinking they are going into a one-way street.

The resulting confusion could cause accidents. In fact, the first car I observed encountering the signs immediately braked, and ultimately backed up and turned back onto Woodmont - even though he was making the turn during the legal hours! This is an abuse of the system and taxpayer money for political and patronage reasons. It is not a Do Not Enter at all; it is a restricted turn, and a Do Not Enter symbol should not be used for another purpose.

According to the United States Sign Council Best Practices Manual, a sign of this type requires 4-5 seconds of reaction time on a driver's part. During that time, he or she might be distracted from a pedestrian trying to cross here, for example.

Once again, the rules are being bent by the County, in order to honor an apparently-secret agreement between County politicians and one or more residents of Leland Street. The scandal began when it was exposed that the County had closed the street without the required public notice and public meeting. Caught in a firestorm of backlash from taxpaying drivers, road-closure advocates on the County Council Roger Berliner and Hans Riemer quickly backpedaled, portraying themselves as unwitting tools in the closure.

After the street was reopened to traffic, an electronic sign and personal police trap were dispatched rapidly and at taxpayer expense. Other streets and neighborhoods in the County have sought many of these same solutions, but have had to wait weeks, months or years for action.

Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 12, according to crime data:

Shoplifting. Restaurant on Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda.

Theft from vehicle. School parking lot on Hunters Lane.

Liquor violation. Norfolk Avenue.

DUI. Montgomery Avenue.

Theft. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Theft from vehicle. Parking lot on MacArthur Boulevard.

Theft. School on Whittier Boulevard.

Shoplifting. Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Disorderly conduct. Alley on Cordell Avenue.

BCC Rescue Squad gearing up for October events

October is a busy month for the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, when two of their major annual events are held. On Saturday, October 7, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the squad hosts Rescue Day 2017, designed to coincide with the large crowds from the nearby Taste of Bethesda event the same day and time. Visitors of all ages can tour the squad, watch fire and rescue demonstrations, look at vehicle and equipment, and enjoy a moon bounce and free firefighter hats for kids. Admission will be free.

On October 22, the squad's Alumni Association will host an All You Can Eat Crab Feast fundraiser from 1:00 to 5:00 PM in the squad's Anastasi Room. The menu will include steamed crabs, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, applesauce, and rolls, along with beer and soda. Tickets cost $45 per person in advance (or $50 at the door).

For tickets or further information, call 301-442-4136 or visit www.bccrs.org. Proceeds will benefit the B-CC Rescue Squad.

The squad is located at 5020 Battery Lane.

Own a piece of now-closed Sears Auto Center in Bethesda

The demise of Sears Auto Center in Bethesda could be a boon to mechanics and shop owners looking for used equipment. Much of the contents of the business have now been put up for sale on Craigslist, although it's unknown which items are still available. The Craiglist ad says interested buyers can stop by between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday at the auto center's "open garage." Items listed range from breakroom tables and a hydraulic press to a refrigerator (Kenmore, of course).

Car stolen on Cedar Lane, trespassing at Walter Johnson HS + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 11, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle. Parking lot on Battery Lane.

Theft. Pharmacy on Friendship Boulevard.

Assault. Parking lot on Willard Avenue.

Trespassing. Walter Johnson High School at 10:51 AM.

Trespassing. Walter Johnson High School at 7:15 AM.

Theft from vehicle. Brandt Place.

Stolen car. From driveway of home on Cedar Lane.

Theft from vehicle. Manning Drive.

Theft from vehicle. Howell Road.

Theft from building. Apartment/condo on Old Georgetown Road (Pike District).

Theft from vehicle. River Road 20817.

Why has an entrance at Sumner Place been closed for weeks? (Photo)

Many people have asked me what is going on at the south entrance to the Shops at Sumner Place on Sangamore Road in Bethesda. The driveway has been blocked off and screened from view for many weeks with no explanation. Some have speculated that the property owner was installing gates for a paid parking system, ahead of the arrival of 3000 new employees at the new intelligence campus across the street.

According to Scott McLellan of property management firm Avison Young, the shopping center is simply replacing an expansion joint in the roadway. It has taken a long time because they did not want to disturb neighbors by getting a noise waiver for nighttime work. And it requires time to cure properly.

McLellan said patrons can expect the entrance to reopen "by late next week."

Consensus on MoCo Council burial sites bill: Too little, too late

Speakers testifying yesterday on a proposed Montgomery County Council bill to better inventory burial sites almost uniformly agreed the weak measure is merely a starting point. Bill 24-17, Land Use Information - Burial Sites, would not have prevented the horrific desecration of the African-American cemetery behind Westwood Tower in Bethesda nor the current controversy over a proposal to build a parking garage atop its graves, will not resolve that issue, nor would it prevent a case like it from occurring in the future.

Even one of the bill's lead sponsors, Councilmember Craig Rice (D - District 2) acknowledged that reality in remarks that followed citizen testimony. "We're starting from zero," Rice said. "This bill was never intended to address the Westbard cemetery." The problem is, the Council's PR office made the Westbard cemetery the dominant talking point when the bill was introduced, giving a false impression to residents who might not be following the drama closely that the Council was rushing to the rescue of the hidden black cemetery.

Resident David Kathan, part of a group of researchers who will soon publish a report on the history of the Westbard cemetery, said the bill needed many revisions and improvements to be effective. He noted that his team had identified several cemeteries currently not on the County's inventory. Kathan said cemetery inventories should be taken at all stages of development, not simply annually or at the point of subdivision.

Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Social Justice Director for Macedonia Baptist Church (whose past members are among those buried in the Westbard cemetery), criticized the provision in the accompanying Subdivision Regulation Amendment that would give the Montgomery County Planning Board the sole power to decide whether graves should be moved to benefit a private developer. She said a citizen board would need to oversee such a decision, due to the "long history of the Planning Board favoring development over community interests."

Coleman-Adebayo also called for the County to purchase the cemetery land from development partners Regency Centers and the County Housing Opportunities Commission, to allow for construction of a museum and memorial on it. Rice said he would support a "monument, grounds and a structure," without specifying a museum. She also advised that protection be given to whistieblowers in the County.

In my own testimony, I suggested that regulations and penalties are needed to protect cemeteries from development and desecration. Cemetery disclosures during land sales need to be examined, as well. "Changes are needed," I said, "because our community is horrified that the first free generation of Africans - whose bodies were bought and sold at slave markets - could 140 years later be bought again by a $4 billion corporation."

At a later point in the hearing, advocates for the Waters family cemetery in Germantown squared off against the developer who owns it. The developer, who owns a site between I-270 and Century Boulevard, said that a proposed bridge retaining wall near the cemetery would impact her ability to develop the northern portion of the site, which is where the Corridor Cities Transitway stop will be. The current location of the Waters cemetery also precludes north-south road access through the site, she said.

The landowner said she would have no problem relocating the cemetery to a park or public plaza in her future development, "just not where it currently is." A Maryland burial sites advocate disagreed with that sentiment. "A final resting place is exactly what it should be: final."

A Council worksession on the bill and amendment is tentatively scheduled for early October. Cemetery advocates have launched a petition demanding HOC scrap its plan to build the garage on the cemetery, and allow an archaeological survey of the cemetery site.

Bethesda remembers 9/11 (Photos)

Flags at half-staff

Flags were at half-staff yesterday in downtown Bethesda, on the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, as well as of the related crash of a passenger plane in Pennsylvania, which was said to be under the control of hijackers who were aiming to hit the U.S. Capitol. Another large flag was draped from a building at the Bethesda Metro Center.

Bethesda demolition update: 7900 Wisconsin Avenue (Photos)

JBG Smith's demolition of 7900 Wisconsin Avenue is proceeding much faster than the one on Bethesda Avenue did, and the firm seems determined so far to avoid the kind of over-the-top sidewalk and lane closures found down the road at the Apex Building demolition. The sidewalk has reopened for now, and the structure itself is pretty much down to the frame and floors at this point, with the exception of the ground level.

Utility repair work continues in 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue (Video + Photos)

Lane closures continue in the 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, after a contractor working on demolition of the Apex Building struck an underground utility line last Friday. Two lanes were blocked last night. Somebody forgot to call Miss Utility.

My Eye Dr. moving from Bethesda Row to Shoppes of Bethesda

My Eye Dr., a vision care and eyewear retailer, will open soon at the Shoppes of Bethesda. They currently are located at Bethesda Row at 7254 Woodmont Avenue. But a sign posted at Shoppes of Bethesda says My Eye Dr. will soon relocate to the Elm Street level of their shopping center.

My Eye Dr.'s current
location at Bethesda Row

Cryotherapy studio coming to Shoppes of Bethesda (Photos)

Capital Cryo, a cryotherapy studio, will open soon at 4912 Hampden Lane in the Shoppes of Bethesda. Formerly home to a condo sales office, the space is currently being renovated for the new tenant.

Capital Cryo claims to be different from other cryotherapy businesses. It not making some of the health benefit claims that have raised questions among government regulators and skeptics. Instead, the owners say, the brief exposure to ultra-low temperatures has been utilized by athletes and teams in nearly every professional sport to speed recovery, and reduce pain and inflammation.

Pines of Rome gearing up for next chapter in Bethesda (Photos)

Pines of Rome is preparing its new home on Cordell Avenue, after decades at its venerable location on Hampden Lane. Work is underway at 4918 Cordell Avenue, including new paint and the removal of former tenant Matuba's external sign.

A Bethesda institution since 1972, Pines of Rome last week sought a transfer of its liquor license to the new location from Montgomery County. As of last night, the current Pines of Rome location at 4709 Hampden Lane was still fully open and serving white pizza, fresh seafood and other favorites. I will of course let you know when the actual move happens.

Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 9, according to crime data:

Marijuana possession. Parking garage on Woodmont Avenue.

Trespassing. N. Park Avenue.

Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too returns to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

A seasonal retail fixture has returned at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Sheepskin Gifts and Alpaca Too has opened on Level 1. Look for the pink sheep in the window for warm clothes and accessories as the weather turns cold.

Sears Auto Center closes in Bethesda...is Sears next? (Photos)

Sears Auto Center has closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Signage has been stripped from the building facade, although some of the lettering has left behind a ghostly image. Now only the White Oak Sears Auto Center remains in Montgomery County.

Handwritten sign
announcing the closure

The closure has added urgency to the debate over when the Sears store at the mall might close. Westfield has already purchased the store building from Sears. But this auto center closure comes as a knowledgeable source tells me Sears is planning a new round of store closures in the coming days or weeks. Notably, this set of closures will now include some profitable Sears locations.

Sign that directs loyal
Sears Auto customers to their
White Oak location

Assault at doctor's office, damage inside Bradley Blvd. apartment + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 8, according to crime data:

DUI. Capital Beltway in Bethesda.

Theft from vehicle. Kentucky Avenue.

Shoplifting. Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda.

Theft from vehicle. Parking lot on Wisconsin Avenue.

Theft. Restaurant on Bethesda Avenue.

Assault. "Doctor/Dentist/Vet office" on Auburn Avenue at 2:57 PM.

Property damage. "Apartment/condo" on Bradley Boulevard.

Forgery. Convenience store on Wisconsin Circle.

Identity theft. Scotland Drive.

Suma Restaurant + Bar closes temporarily "due to renovations"

Suma Restaurant + Bar at 4921 Bethesda Avenue has been closed for several days. A sign posted on the door says the closure is "due to renovations," and that the restaurant will re-open "next month." Suma opened in May 2016.

Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 7, according to crime data:

Theft from vehicle.. Old Georgetown Road.

Fraud/confidence game. Mountain Gate Drive.

Liquor law violation. Democracy Boulevard.

Liquor law violation. Democracy Boulevard.

Liquor law violation. Democracy Boulevard.

Liquor law violation. Democracy Boulevard.

KicksUSA opens in Bethesda (Photo)

KicksUSA, an urban footwear retailer carrying Nike, Adidas, Puma, Reebok and more, has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. They carry the latest basketball shoe releases collectors are looking for. Just yesterday, they debuted the Nike Island Green Air Foamposite Pros. The store is located on Level 2.

Double lane closure wreaks havoc on Wisconsin Ave. commuters in downtown Bethesda during morning rush (Photos)

Two out of three southbound lanes of Wisconsin Avenue were closed at Bethesda Avenue, at the peak of rush hour this morning, The Maryland State Highway Administration said the cause is emergency road work. Cars were backed up as far as Battery Lane, and traffic spilled over onto side streets. Avoid the area.

Sign installed at Joe & the Juice at Bethesda Row (Photos)

The permanent sign was installed on the storefront of Joe & the Juice at 7263 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda. This Copenhagen-based juice chain promises fresh-pressed juice, coffee, sandwiches, and a staff of "cool, hunky guys."

Pot busts on Bradley Blvd., Beach Dr.; auto parts stolen in Pike District + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on September 4, according to crime data:

Marijuana possession. Bradley Boulevard 20814.

Theft from restaurant. Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda.

Property damage. Driveway on Kirby Road.

Marijuana possession. Beach Drive.

Fraud/confidence game. Apartment/condo on Rockville Pike.

Theft of auto parts. Old Georgetown Road (Pike District).

* Note: Montgomery County has intentionally removed block numbers from crime incident data for unknown reasons

Bethesda's craziest driveway finally getting fixed (Photos)

Remember the driveway at the Bainbridge Bethesda apartment tower loading dock, which resembled a curb more than a graded driveway? They must have finally found enough coins in the sofa cushions to get it fixed. The transformation is now underway on Fairmont Avenue. A crazy driveway was just one of several errors in construction that resulted from the building level being 5-6" higher than the existing sidewalk.

Westbard cemetery protesters get another rude reception from MoCo HOC

"Your building sits on

top of my ancestors"

Representatives of Macedonia Baptist Church and their supporters in the community got another rude reception at yesterday's meeting of the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission. There to protest the HOC's plan to construct a parking garage on top of a historic African-American cemetery behind Westwood Tower in Bethesda, they found that HOC continues to aggressively defend its plans to build atop the cemetery, and avoid the mediation sessions with the church arranged for by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. The continued impasse - and the growing realization that HOC is a primary actor in the conspiracy to cover-up the cemetery's existence - inspired yesterday's protest, which was organized by Showing Up for Racial Justice - Montgomery County.

"Those bodies matter

more than a

parking garage"

Laurel Hoa, an organizer with SURJ, testified during the community comment portion of the meeting, and requested the cemetery issue be added to the meeting agenda. Noting there are human remains of the first generation of free African-Americans in Maryland under the existing parking lot, she added, "I would like the commission to vote to confirm that those bodies matter more than a parking garage. This matter has been dragging on for months, and HOC has been sticking to its plans to build a parking garage on top of these bodies, and the community is saying, 'No, this is a desecration of this cemetery.'"

"Do I have to ask

you to leave?"

"Just so people understand," HOC Chair Jackie Simon announced, "we don't add items to our agenda that have not been discussed by our commissioners and staff." "This has been going on for months," Hoa interjected. "Excuse me," Simon interrupted. "Because we're in litigation, we certainly are not prepared to offer any thoughts." In reality, Macedonia Baptist Church is not a party in the litigation Simon referred to.

"You gotta leave"

Macedonia Baptist Church social justice director Marsha Coleman-Adebayo spoke next. "Your building sits on top of my ancestors," she said, "and I, as well as other people here, do not want to see a parking garage situated in that area." She then pointed out that HOC Executive Director Stacy Spann has dragged out the mediation process by repeatedly claiming he is unavailable for the next session.

Coleman-Adebayo said the church has informed Spann in writing that it will make any accommodation for his schedule, including holding sessions on weekends or holidays, if necessary, in an attempt to bring a rapid closure to the cemetery dispute. Spann has refused to respond to the church's offer, she said. "In fact, he's ducking from us, and he's hiding behind..." "Let's not have characterizations," Simon interrupted. "Whatever you want to call it, he is not available," Coleman-Adebayo replied, "I call it ducking and hiding."

"I call it ducking

and hiding"

"I'm sorry, but we'll have no discussion of this issue as long as litigation is pending," Simon said. She could not explain why Spann is avoiding mediation sessions with the church, nor why HOC is falsely claiming the church has something to do with a completely-separate lawsuit. When Coleman-Adebayo persisted on those two points, Simon banged her gavel. "Do I have to ask you to leave?" Simon asked. "You can do that if you like," Coleman-Adebayo replied. "I've asked you to either leave, or at least leave the microphone," Simon commanded.

A classic government

official cop-out

Macedonia trustee Harvey Matthews then attempted to speak, but was rebuffed by the commission. "Let him speak! Let him speak!" cemetery protesters chanted in response. Simon said she had offered Matthews the opportunity to submit comments in writing rather than allow him to address the commission - a classic government official cop-out, because direct written communications do not sway public opinion or embarrass public officials. "We do not intend to have a prolonged discussion on this while we are in mediation." Director Stacy Spann offered Matthews the options of contacting him in writing via email or snail mail.

"We're moving on"

As Matthews stepped away from the speakers' table, Kevin Berends took his place, attempting to ask the commission to vote on allowing Macedonia Baptist Church to conduct an archaeological study of the cemetery. He was interrupted by Spann.

"We're moving on. We're moving on, sir," Spann said. "The chair has been very clear. We've heard the last item on this." "All I'd like to say is," Berends replied, "how about granting permission to Macedonia to investigate the cemetery delineation, because HOC, and HOC alone, has the control over whether that can be granted. So, all we're asking is, would you please vote on that as to whether or not..."

"You'll have to go

outside"

"We are not voting on that," Simon asserted. "I've been as clear as I can be." "It would be a lot clearer if you said, 'yes,"" Berends answered to laughter from the audience. "Thank you, thank you," Spann interjected. "We're moving on."

"Let him speak!" protesters chanted from the audience. "You gotta leave if you're going to make noise," Spann warned. "This is a public meeting. You'll have to go outside''

"You can't disrupt our meeting," Simon echoed.

"You don't 

represent us"

"You said you wanted to have community comments," Coleman-Adebayo said, "and when the community went to the microphone, you told us we couldn't speak. You don't represent us. You do not represent us."