ON THE BUS Sillver Spring extends downtown service. A-3
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The Gazette
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SILVER SPRING | TAKOMA PARK | WHEATON | BURTONSVILLE DA I LY U P DAT E S AT G A Z E T T E . N E T
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Aspen Hill site up for debate n
25 cents
Hogan’s budget includes money for Purple Line
An eye for the big picture
But administration says project is under review
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Some residents oppose big-box store there BY
SPORTS: Following difficult season, Wheaton wrestlers hope winter ends on high note. B-1
BY
KATE S. ALEXANDER STAFF WRITER
KEVIN JAMES SHAY
Gov. Larry Hogan has proposed to continue funding the Purple Line, but his administration has warned that the $2.5 billion project is under review. When he campaigned for governor, Hogan (R) made clear his concerns with the project’s price tag and emphasized his preference for road projects. Yet Hogan’s proposed capital budget, which was released on Friday, keeps a planned $312.7 million in the Consolidated Transportation Program — the state’s six-year capital plan for transportation — for the
STAFF WRITER
Residents in Aspen Hill living near the site of a vacant 263,000-square-foot building and the developer of the property are gearing up for a public hearing Tuesday before the Montgomery County Council about the future zoning of that property. The highly visible, 10-acre property on Connecticut Avenue near Aspen Hill Road has had a vacant building since 2010, when military and aerospace contractor BAE Systems moved out. The site comprises most of the 14 acres being reviewed by county officials through an amendment process to Aspen Hill’s master plan. In December, the Montgomery County Planning Board approved a plan that recommended that the former BAE property be rezoned to neighborhood retail from its present office designation. Some residents fear that will lead to a big-box store, even after Wal-Mart pulled plans for a 118,000-square-foot store there last year. The issue now goes before the County Council, which scheduled the hearing for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Sam Nasios, who lives near the site, said he’d like to see smaller employers, such as cafes, pharmacies and medical offices, rather than a big-box store that could add significantly to his neighborhood’s traffic congestion and noise. “We know the developer has to do something with that site,” said Nasios, a steering commit-
project in fiscal 2016, according to the final 2015 program. The CTP also assumes about $923 million will come from the federal government over the course of the project. However, Budget Secretary David R. Brinkley said both the Purple Line and the $2.9 billion Red Line proposed in Baltimore are under “review and re-evaluation.” Montgomery County Council President George L. Leventhal said the governor can reject federal funds for the project. Maryland Transit officials have said construction on the 16-mile light rail line to connect Bethesda and New Carrollton could begin as early as this fall if it stays on schedule.
See HOGAN, Page A-9
Appeals made for later Montgomery Blake freshman gets early start school bell times on filmmaking career PHOTO FROM BABYHEAD PRODUCTIONS
Freshman Jack O’Grady will show his film “All We Have” on Feb. 26 at Blake High School.
Parents, doctors, educational staff describe effects from lack of sleep n
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Next screening will raise money for after-prom event BY
KEVIN JAMES SHAY STAFF WRITER
J
ack O’Grady wants to be a filmmaker — and has a good head start. Just a freshman at Blake High School in Silver Spring, he has submitted his first three short films to festivals, including the Austin Film Festival and Pendragwn Youth Film Festival in Washington, D.C. In December, he premiered his longest work to date at the Blake auditorium — a 55-minute film about a post-apocalyptic world, called “All We Have.”
See DEBATE, Page A-9
There will be a second showing at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Blake to help raise money for the school’s after-prom event. Tickets are $5. “It went very well,” O’Grady said of the December premiere. “It was great seeing the whole cast and crew together. Everyone enjoyed the film.” O’Grady developed an interest in filmmaking while in the Humanities and Communication Magnet Program at Eastern Middle School. After doing the short films, he created a fundraising platform on the Indiegogo website last year, raising about $1,200. “That got me the equipment I needed,” O’Grady said. “I have some basic equipment and did the editing on my laptop.”
See FILMMAKING, Page A-9
BY
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Parent Myron Marlin read a poem Thursday evening to share his thoughts on school bell times with the Montgomery County Board of Education. “If we were each farmers plowing our fields, not city folks mowing our lawn, then it might make more sense to have our kids rise, one hour sooner than dawn,” Marlin said, reciting
“Please Let Our Kids Get More Sleep.” Marlin was one of many parents, doctors, students and school staff on Thursday urging the school district to start high school later. The district held two public hearings that day on possible changes. Some speakers asked for a later middle school start time. Superintendent Joshua P. Starr recently released a series of options to consider new bell times, so high school students would get more sleep. Starr said at the time that
See BELL, Page A-9
Community makes strides to honor Leo LEO’S RUN, A 5K RUN/WALK FOR LEO’S GARDEN n When: 9 a.m. Sunday
n More information: www. leosrun.org/registration
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Silver Spring couple hosts first-time run to honor son, support families BY
KEVIN JAMES SHAY STAFF WRITER
n Where: East Silver Spring Elementary School, 631 Silver Spring Ave.
Automotive Business Calendar Classified Entertainment Obituaries Opinion Sports
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About a year ago, Silver Spring residents Caroline Joyce and Mike Mowery suffered through the tragedy of losing their stillborn son, Leo. In the aftermath, the couple formed Leo’s Garden, an organization that seeks to provide support for families who have experienced prenatal loss.
On Sunday morning, for the first time, they will host Leo’s Run, a 5K run/walk in Silver Spring. “This year has been an incredibly tough one for us,” Mowery said. “Thankfully, we have had tremendous support from our families, our neighbors and the Silver Spring community.” The event has close to 150 participants, said Mowery, an avid runner. The run will begin and end at East Silver Spring Elementary School, at 631 Silver Spring Ave. The route winds down Sligo Creek Parkway, passing the site of Leo’s memorial
See LEO, Page A-9
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NEWS
PURPLE LINE SUIT STAYS Battle over amphipods remains in litigation.
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PHOTO BY MIKE MOWERY
After losing their stillborn son, Leo, a year ago, Silver Spring residents Caroline Joyce and Mike Mowery, with the help of others, built a memorial garden in their backyard. In his memory, they organized a 5K run/walk that will be held Sunday.
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