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The Gazette OLNEY
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Wednesday, May 14, 2014
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Olney Days are here again
Stars and Stripes fly high in Olney
Lions, business owner work to replace town’s flags BY
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Olney Days, one of the most anticipated weekends of the year for many area residents, takes place Saturday and Sunday. While many of the favorite events return, including the fireworks and parade, this year features a new attraction with a grown-up flavor — a beer garden at the Rock the Lot block party on Sunday afternoon. The weekend offers two full days of family-friendly activities, coordinated by a committee led by Helene Rosenheim, who has spearheaded Olney Days for more than two decades. “It’s grown a lot over the years, and we continue to try
STAFF WRITER
See FLAGS, Page A-9
TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
TERRI HOGAN
Just in time for Olney Days and Memorial Day, brand new flags are flying high along Georgia Avenue (Md. 97) and Md. 108 in Olney. The flags were originally purchased by the county. Over the years, as they became worn and tattered, Bob Fletcher, the owner of Fletcher’s Service Center, replaced them as needed. Fletcher’s also erects, dismantles and stores the flags. “Seeing the flags makes you proud to live in America, and proud to live in Olney,” Fletcher said. The flags are displayed on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day and during Olney Days. An effort was launched in January to replace all 66 flags. The Olney Lions Club volunteered to coordinate this project with the support of the Sandy Spring Lions Club. Mike Fekete and Jay Garrett of the Olney Lions and Halsey Smith of the Sandy Spring Lions joined Bob Fletcher on a committee. The group received a proposal for 70 new flags and poles from an Olney-based company, International Flag Supply, at a cost of $2,400. Through a fundraising drive, local organizations, businesses and individuals, $2,700 was raised. The extra money was used to purchase spare flags and poles. “This was a real community effort with many groups/businesses/ individuals working together for the betterment of the community,” Fekete said. Fletcher agreed. “This project is a perfect example of how things can and should get done,” he said.
Civic fund provides money for event through donations
new events,” she said. “We are again hoping for good weather and good turnout.” Olney Days is coordinated by the Greater Olney Civic Association and the new Olney Civic Fund. “Olney days is a great way for residents and families to get out and enjoy the weekend, really build community spirit, and share in Olney’s history, traditions and identity,” said John Webster, GOCA’s president. “This weekend defines us as a community.” This year’s Olney Days is being funded through the Olney Civic Fund, a nonprofit organization. The fund was established last year, with the support of the GOCA, to raise public awareness of Olney charitable, educational, civic, and cultural activities. It also is meant to raise money to support Olney charitable projects and civic events through
See OLNEY DAYS, Page A-9
Change to school funding pondered Foundation, fundraising support suggested as ways to make private help fair n
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LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE
New flags are flying over Georgia Avenue in Olney thanks to the efforts of the Olney and Sandy Spring Lions clubs and a local business owner. Shown here are (from left) Bobby Fletcher, owner of Fletcher’s Service Center; Mike Fekete of the Olney Lions Club; Bill Lavely and Halsey Smith, both of the Sandy Spring Lions Club; and Jay Garrett, president of the Olney Lions Club.
Some Montgomery County schools community members say the playing field could be evened for private contributions that pay for facility improvements at local schools. Possible methods, they say, could include a central funding pool or guidance to schools with less fundraising experience and fewer resources.
Three public meetings in early May drew about 50 parentteacher association members, booster club leaders and other people from around the county. They discussed private contributions that pay for nonessential facility projects and items in Montgomery County Public Schools, such as playground equipment, scoreboards and butterfly gardens. The meetings are part of a larger effort to explore the possible need for school system policy changes. The goal is to see if board action is necessary to make the situation fairer for
See FUNDING, Page A-9
Planning continues for Georgia Avenue Bus Rapid Transit Workshop to be held at Kennedy High School n
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TERRI HOGAN STAFF WRITER
Last month, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett told the Greater Olney Civic Association that the Georgia Avenue line of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit System wouldn’t be built for “a long, long time, if ever.”
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Regardless, a planning study continues, and association President John Webster said GOCA and Olney area residents should continue to be informed and involved. “There are two parts to this — planning for the BRT, and funding/implementing it,” he said. “GOCA has a BRT task force to monitor and assess information, and they will report to us to help determine GOCA’s position.” A public workshop on al-
“GOCA was opposed to special taxing districts as a funding mechanism.” GOCA President John Webster ternatives to the proposed bus rapid transit’s Georgia Avenue route will take place Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at John F. Kennedy High School, 1910
Randolph Road, Silver Spring. The Maryland State Highway Administration, the Maryland Transit Administration, and the county’s Department of
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Transportation are coordinating the workshop, which will study the proposed route from the Wheaton Metro Station to MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney. The purpose of the study is to provide a new high-efficiency bus line along Georgia Avenue. The line is designed to enhance transit connectivity, improve bus mobility and travel times, address current and future bus ridership demands, integrate BRT service with rail and other
bus services, according to information provided by the State Highway Administration. It also is meant attract new riders, support the county’s plans to implement BRT, and support growth generated by development within the study limits and the county. Webster said the real question is how funding will make the project a reality. The idea of implementing special taxing
See TRANSIT, Page A-9
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