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DANCE CARD
Comedian Engvall takes break from competition to stop by Strathmore. B-5
The Gazette POTOMAC | NORTH POTOMAC
DAILY UPDATES ONLINE www.gazette.net
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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Federal agencies in county closed Hundreds likely furloughed in county in wake of government shutdown n
BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER AND KEVIN SHAY STAFF WRITERS
Thousands of federal jobs and employees call Montgomery County home, but many were not working Tuesday after Congress’ inability to compromise on the federal budget, shutting down most government operations. Exactly how many Montgomery County residents were forced to stay home was unclear, but most agencies in the county were slashing operations and mandating that most employees stay home. Employees who are furloughed are required to not work and will not receive pay. Montgomery is also home to many companies that contract with the government. Those
WILLIAM FOX
Paul Chod (left) of Potomac was awarded the William O. Douglas Award for Stewardship at the C&O Canal Trust’s annual Park After Dark fundraiser Sept. 28. Michael Nardolilli (right), president of the trust, presented the award. Chod shared the honor with his son, Andy Chod, and their family business, Minkoff Development Corporation.
Potomac man wins stewardship award William O. Douglas Award for Stewardship from the C&O Canal Trust awarded during Park After Dark event n
BY
PEGGY MCEWAN STAFF WRITER
Paul Chod considers the C&O Canal National Historical Park both a personal and a community asset. He rides his bike along the towpath many days for exercise. So when the park needs help, this Potomac resident is willing to pitch in. Chod, his son Andy Chod, of Rockville, and their family business Minkoff Development Corporation received the William O.
Douglas Award for Stewardship from the C&O Canal Trust at their Park After Dark fundraiser Sept. 28. ”They really were the go-to guys for both the Trust and the park whenever they needed help with stewardship activities: raising money, recruiting volunteers or donating services and supplies,” Mike Nardolilli, president of the C&O Canal Trust said. “They also have assisted us in getting the word out about the park and Trust.” Among other projects, the Chods spearheaded a fix-up, clean-up activity at Pennyfield Lock, located along the canal at mile 19.3, about five miles north of Great Falls Park. They are also a sponsor of Canal Pride Day, which encourages volunteerism along the length of the 184-mile park. “At Pennyfield Lock we cleaned up
trash and installed a fence,” Paul Chod said. “It was very nice, we had people [helping] from our company and some of our contractors.” Minkoff Development Corporation is a privately held real estate development corporation, according the their website. They specialize in industrial, flex and office properties in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. This was the third year the C&O Canal Trust, the official nonprofit partner of the C&O Canal National Historical Park, has presented the William O. Douglas Award. It is named in honor of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas who is credited with saving the canal and inspiring the ef-
See AWARD, Page A-13
companies could see employees furloughed and delays in contract bids and awards. Eighteen federal agencies and installations are in the county, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Institutes of Health. When Congress failed to pass legislation to fund the government Monday night in an impasse over the health care reform law, it triggered plans for agencies to halt all but essential operations. For the Silver Spring-based Food and Drug Administration, 45 percent of its 13,000-member work force was scheduled for furlough, spokesman Steven Immergut said. Most of those reporting to work Tuesday are paid with user fees, money outside the budget, he said. The last time the govern-
See CLOSED, Page A-13
Starr recommends later high school start time n
First bell would ring at 8:15 a.m.
BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
High school students in Montgomery County Public Schools may be one step closer to getting more time to sleep before they wake up for school. Superintendent Joshua P. Starr announced Tuesday his recommendation to move the start time for the school system’s high schools back 50 minutes, from 7:25 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Starr is also recommending adding 30 minutes to the elementary school day to match the length of the high school and
middle school days, and moving middle schools’ start time 10 minutes earlier to 7:45 a.m. Start and end times would not change until the 2015-16 school year at the earliest, Starr said. Starr said at a press conference Tuesday that the school system will study the feasibility and practicality of his recommendation, partially through engaging students, families, staff and the community and partially through estimating costs. “We’ve heard from some but not all of our community,” he said. He said there’s “a clear link” between sleep and students’
See START, Page A-13
New chapter looms in fight over required government ads in newspapers Sides disagree on most efficient ways Digital to get information to the public overnment n
The first in a two-part series
INSIDE n High-speed Internet access is available to more than nine of every 10 households in the county, making it one of the nation’s most connected communities. A-15
NEWS
OPENS FOR BUSINESS Downtown Crown has officially opened its doors to business with a new Starbucks open and more retailers soon to follow.
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BY
ANDREW SCHOTZ STAFF WRITER
Lawmakers and government groups are resuming a fight with media representatives over a requirement to buy newspaper advertisements. Known as “legal notices,” the ads are mandatory an-
nouncements of certain government proceedings, such as public hearings and zoning requests. They are a revenue source for newspapers and a longstanding way to inform the public. The main questions: Are these ads the best way to publicize government workings?
SPORTS
Should government bodies be forced to buy the ads? The Maryland Municipal League and the Maryland Association of Counties argue that the current legal-ad system is inefficient and wasteful; government bodies have better, cheaper ways to reach constituents. But the Maryland-DelawareD.C. Press Association, a media
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
Rockville High quarterback lacks traditional size, but is putting up impressive numbers.
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See ADS, Page A-15
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RECYCLE
DAN GROSS/THE GAZETTE
Garrett Park’s official town bulletin board inside the Garrett Park post office.
FALL HOME SERVICES INSIDE
FOCUS ON LAWN & TREE SERVICES LOCAL JOBS INSIDE ADVERTISING INSIDE B SECTION
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