The Wells/Robertson House is a uniquely Gaithersburg program offering transitional housing for people who are homeless and in recovery from chemical addiction. It has become a model in the field.

People who know it say its success derives from the singular partnership of business, government and community that together identified a problem, studied solutions and took action.

Jimmy Frazier Bey, Gaithersburg's homeless advocate

Mary Wells Robertson was the last owner of the house, which sits on land adjoining City Hall. The city purchased the house in 1987, and it was restored in 1988.

According to Katz, who served on the City Council at the time, Gaithersburg purchased the property “because of its proximity to City Hall.”

At the same time, the city was struggling to deal with the problems of itinerant individuals hanging around Olde Towne.

“The merchants of Olde Towne were angered by the presence of people who appeared homeless, who were drinking and hanging around [the business district],” said Katz. “Police were involved, but unless there was a crime, little could be done.

“The city had always contributed funds to local county shelters and to the Lord’s Table food kitchen [at St. Martin’s Church], but there was still a problem. Ed Bohrer was the mayor at the time. He got a group together — of course, merchants — and many other people, too.”

According to Katz, when the group met for the first time or two, people were “all over the place” with different ideas to solve the problems caused by the itinerant folks, and emotions were raw. Then — a shift.

“Once people started listening to each other, they realized the problem had many aspects to consider,” he said. “They decided to do a survey to learn more and understand why people [abused alcohol and other substances] even after undergoing treatment.”

They learned a lot about the problem, Katz explained — including the fact that once out of treatment and clean, some addicted people had nowhere to go but back to the same friends and environment. They discovered that some people needed a safe place to learn how to live.

This core group, led by merchants, decided to put the Wells/Robertson program in that house. The goal of the program is to break the cycle of relapse, homelessness and treatment. The method is to provide people with a clean, safe, sober, long-term environment in which to pull their lives back together, to become committed to a program of recovery and learn the skills necessary to allow them to become sober, independent, contributing members of the community.

In 1988, there was a lot to do to get the house ready for such a program.

“They went to the community for assistance,” Katz said. “The outpouring was unbelievable.”

Katz recalls with some emotion that a basement wall of the old Victorian was painted with the words, “Restored with loving care.”

Today the house accommodates four female and 10 male residents, and one live-in member. Each resident shares a room. Staff is on duty 24-hours each day.

Alcoholics and addicts living on the streets of Gaithersburg complete alcohol and/or drug treatment before admission. Other treatment facilities make referrals as well.

Between 1988 and 2010, Wells/Robertson had 547 residents in the program. Many more individuals were given other services such as food, shelter, clothing and basic needs, or placed into treatment to aid a transition back into community life.

Residents are required to have full-time employment or be in job training/school; pay rent; work to pay off debts and eventually open a savings account in their own names; do chores to maintain the House; attend a 12-step meeting daily; obtain a sponsor and do 12-step service work; and learn whatever daily living skills are necessary.

Statistics gathered since the program’s inception show it to be a remarkable success story in addressing homelessness and addiction.

Gaithersburg’s Homeless Assistance Program is overseen by Frazier Bey. His office is in the Wells/Robertson House, located at 1 Wells Avenue, and it is also his responsibility to oversee the Wells/Robertson House.

Today, he says it is not unusual for homeless persons to come into Wells/Robertson House from the street to talk about available treatment and housing.

Is there a waiting list? At any given time, “at least 20 or 30,” said Frazier Bey.

There is a need for more places like Wells/Robertson, he said, but duplicating the effort would require building on the same strong bond to community groups, including business, that is the backbone of the program today.

Frazier Bey recalled that William Schlossenburg, [then of the Gazette Newspapers and now] director of development and community partnerships at The Universities at Shady Grove once said they had made a mistake naming Wells/Robertson.

“It should have been called Well/Robertson Home.”

In addition to inclusion in the city annual budget, funding support for the house is available each year from the county, state and federal sources. The house is also supported by the nonprofit Friends of Wells/Robertson House, Inc. (FWRH), which was established to provide broader opportunities for furthering the financial support of the program.

According to both Katz and Frazier Bey, a key to the home’s success is that many members of the original committee that spearheaded the Wells/Robertson House, then served as board members of FWRH, and the bond between Gaithersburg’s business and other communities and Wells/Robertson has continued to flourish since.

“[Gaithersburg City Manager] Angel Jones sometimes stops in just to say, ‘You’re doing a great job,’” says Frazier Bey. “The residents know she is the city manager and that she has taken the time to come over just to see them.

“The residents sense this bond to the community and benefit from it.”

So what is the secret to success at Wells/Robertson?

Maybe it is not just one thing, but key is this, says Frazier Bey. “This is a city so founded on values — the people who are here adapt, get involved and share those values.”

For more information about the Wells/Robertson house, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=31&TOC=107;1715;129;31.

Structural engineers are being called in to determine the building’s integrity, officials said.

“Montgomery County Public Schools are contracting to have independent structural engineers inspect the Gaithersburg Aquatic Center,” said Michele Potter, parks and recreation and culture director. “We’ll have more detail once that evaluation is concluded. MCPS has initially indicated this report may be available in approximately a week or two.”

It was on Jan. 25 when the city’s planning and code staff and a contracted structural engineer met on site and agreed the building, which was constructed in 1976, needed to be closed to the public until more information could be obtained.

Two days later, city officials said the pool would remain closed thru Feb. 19 to allow for a complete assessment and officials announced all lessons during that period are canceled.

“Cancelations … include swim lessons, lifeguard training, swim teams and meet, water exercise and a swim clinic,” said Potter.

According to Potter, the current membership at the pool is 100 with a weekly attendance of 215 swimmers.

She said the city of Gaithersburg is notifying the public of the closing by posting information on its website, Facebook page and email lists.

“Customers who have signed up to receive the Aquatics Division Email Newsletter (enroll by emailing aquatics@gaithersburgmd.gov) will receive updates via email as more information becomes available,” Potter said. “City staff members are making phone calls to inform customers registered in programs about schedule alterations and make-up dates. Additionally, a bulletin is posted on the door of the Aquatic Center for walk-up customers and a voicemail greeting has been placed on the Aquatic Center phone line.”

According to Potter, staff members are now reporting to work at the city’s Water Park facility.

According to the city’s website, the Aquatic Center consists of a six-lane, 25-yard main pool with a one-meter diving board as well as an adjacent shallow water “teach pool” area. In addition to lessons and classes, the indoor facility, located next to Gaithersburg Middle School, features open family recreational swimming, five days a week.

For more information, visit the city’s website at at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/aquatics or call 301.258.6350.

Emily McFadden introduces her baby brother Bear to his first snow day in Kentlands.

Until today, the mild winter has been something to talk about in the Gaithersburg area. Although flakes rained down on Jan. 3 and Jan. 9 there was no accumulation and the white specks quickly disappeared as temperatures stayed over the freezing mark. There were no school delays or closures before today either.

On the morning of Jan. 21, Montgomery County Public Schools officials announced closures at its facilities for Saturday School and interscholastic sports. The facilities remain open for other community activities. Quince Orchard Swim and Tennis canceled swim lessons at its indoor facility too. There were no closures or delays at city of Gaithersburg facilities.

Another bright note: Gaithersburg’s Public Works crews worked through the night to ensure the streets were clear of snow and ice Saturday morning too.

“It’s our signature service,” said James Arnoult, Gaithersburg’s public works director, before the snow arrived.

Over eight city and county police units responded to the call at 424 Main Street.

According to police, the suspect pulled out a handgun and demanded money from a female employee before fleeing the scene. No one was injured, police said, and the suspect, described as a light-skinned black male, 6-foot tall and wearing a black ski mask, jacket and jeans, remains at large.

The Montgomery County Police Department is in charge of the investigation.

Officer Howard Hersh said police have increased patrols in the area and he is reminding residents and employees to call the police if they see someone or something suspicious.

“Kentlands is a tight-knit community,” Hersh said. “You don’t have to be an employee of a business to contact police if you see something suspicious.”

“It is always good to call police, and it may thwart an attack or robbery,” he said. “Citizens are our eyes and ears.”

According to Hersh, Kentlands is not a high crime area. Still, if you are ever a victim of an armed robbery he has some advice.

“Comply with the assailant’s request,” he said. “If at all possible, try to be a good witness. Do what is instructed [and] when safe call the police,” he said.

Despite a recent rash of robberies at late-night businesses countywide, Hersh said, the Kentlands armed robbery appears to be an isolated incident.

“An assailant saw an opportunity to initiate this crime,” he said. “This is an unusual occurrence for the Kentlands.”

Domenic Cicala has owned O’Hair Salon and Spa for 31 years and he said his salon has never been robbed before.

While the robbery was in progress on the street-level floor, he said none of the salon’s clients or employees on the second floor were aware of it.

Not surprisingly, Cicala said his front desk employee was shaken up by the incident. After locking the doors, the employee called Cicala and went upstairs to tell her co-workers what happened.

Cicala said police interviewed the victim to get a suspect description and dusted the business for fingerprints.

Police said they are also hoping to find some surveillance video from nearby businesses.

According to Cicala, the night before the robbery one of his employees reported seeing a suspicious man across the street near a dumpster.

He also noted that the street lamp in front of his Main Street business is not working and he can’t help but wonder if the incident would have ever happened if the Main Street businesses were more robust and viable at night. He noted how few businesses are open after dark and how few people are out and about on the downtown street.

The morning after the robbery, Cicala held a staff meeting to reassure his staff they are in a safe neighborhood and to make sure they realize the chances of something happening like this again are slim. He went over the salon’s “common sense” approach to safety and security issues noting it was a fluke that only one employee happened to be on the first floor when the robbery occurred because two employees are always assigned. The other employee, Cicala said, had just run upstairs to take care of an issue that unexpectedly came up.

Although he already has a closed-circuit camera, Cicala said he now plans to install a surveillance camera.

Police think that is a good idea.

“A surveillance camera is always a good deterrent,” said Hersh. “[The video] assists detectives in solving crimes,” he noted.

With or without surveillance video, Cicala hopes detectives solve this crime too. He said the bottom line is that he wants police to find the suspect and make an arrest.

Lakelands resident Paula Ross has stepped down from the KDP's executive board.

Previously, Ross served as president of the board and most recently she ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat on the Gaithersburg City Council.

“Paula has been with the KDP since before it was the KDP. We will miss her drive, skill and passion for the Kentlands businesses as well as the greater Kentlands/Lakelands residential community on behalf of the KDP,” said KDP President Joe Pritchard.

A Lakelands resident, Ross said her family business (Andy’s Parties/Great Kids Events) will continue to be a member of the KDP.

“I’m proud of KDP’s accomplishments and proud of how far we’ve come in just a few years to raise awareness and branding of Kentlands Downtown and to advocate on behalf of our small business community,” she said. “I’m confident that the current board will continue to move the organization forward.”

Current board members include: President Joe Pritchard of Pritchard Music Academy, Secretary Ann Derryberry of Chyten Premier Tutoring & Test Preparation, Treasurer Will Corbin of Corbin Creative Databases and Joe Allen, member at large. The board is now looking to fill the opening on the executive board following Ross’ departure.

The KDP meets next on Jan. 25 at Pinky and Pepe’s Grape Escape. The 7:30 p.m. meeting/event will include a free wine tasting and a short presentation of interest to Kentlands businesses, according to Pritchard.

For more information about getting involved with the KDP, visit www.kentlandsdowntown.com.

Leggett is encouraging residents to attend the forums to provide input in light of budget shortfalls predicted in the coming fiscal year.

“These public forums give our residents an opportunity to tell me what’s important to them as I prepare next year’s operating budget for submission to the County Council on March 15,” said Leggett. “In light of the shortfalls that we are facing, input from residents for the FY 13 budget is crucial in helping us determine priorities.”

All of the forums are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., on the following dates:

• Jan. 9, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda.
• Jan. 12, Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring
• January 17, Mid-County Community Recreation Center, 2004 Queensguard Road, Silver Spring
• Jan. 23, Upcounty at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown
• Jan. 31, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no less than 72 hours prior to the event. If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, please call 240.777.6507, TTY 240.777.6505 or email a request to karen.falcon@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Leggett is scheduled to announce his recommended fiscal year 2013 Operating Budget on March 15. The Montgomery County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May.

Whole Foods Market shoppers received free reusable bags on Jan. 1 and 2 in Kentlands.

Although the tax was voted on and passed 8-1 by the Montgomery County Council last May, the idea is still new for many consumers.

“I know of the bag tax because I’ve seen the signs, but I don’t know where the money is going from the tax or any of the details,” said Lakelands resident Chris Neal.

County leaders approved the legislation with the intent of reducing the pollution and environmental issues the plastic bags can create. However, the projected revenue is hard to ignore with estimates as high as $1.5 million a year. All monies will be used to bolster the county’s Water Quality Protection Fund that pays for such things as litter cleanup and storm water management. Annually, the county spends approximately $3 million annually for litter prevention and cleanup programs.

Plastic bags are consistently one of the top items found in county streams and storm water controls, according to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Chris Toffolo, a senior buyer with a local company that supplies plastic bags to big box retailers, sums up the proliferation of these bags.

“We supply the big box stores in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area with plastic ‘t-sacks,’ and one chain can go through as many as 96,000 bags a month. And that is just one size. They offer other sizes as well. Now multiply that on a national level, and you get an idea of how many plastic bags are out there.”

A similar program has been in effect in Washington, D.C., for the past 18 months and has already reduced plastic bag litter in river and streams by an estimated 65 percent.

Retailers receive a nominal rebate, which will cover the administrative costs of reporting tax revenue each month to the county’s Finance Department. Consumers are left to purchase recyclable bags in order to avoid the tax.

Toffolo said, “The bags are a problem. Our customers know it. Industry knows it all too well. Everyone wants change, but no one wants to pay for it.”

Neal supports the new law.

“I always carry in my own bags, but anything that helps people clean up the environment is a good idea,” Neal said.

Before the fee went into effect on Jan. 1, Quince Orchard Park resident Suzanne Scharf said she was already a convert and was carrying her own “stylish” reusable bags.

Kristin Gross of Whole Foods Market said her company was not reporting any issues with the law.

“We have promoted the bag fee in stores and online for the last several weeks so I think our shoppers were mostly in the know and not unaware,” Gross said. “Since we stopped using plastic bags in 2008, usage of reusable bags has increased so our shoppers are quite used to bringing bags in. In addition, we offer a 5-cent bag refund for bringing your own bags in which you can accept as a refund or donate to a select organization chosen by the store.”

In order to help residents who were not as prepared for the new law, Whole Foods Market stores handed out out free reusable bags on Jan. 1 and 2 to customers before they ran out around 2 p.m. on Jan. 2 at the Kentlands store.

“We are well stocked on reusable bags for those that opt to buy at time of checkout if they want,” said Gross.

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett handed out hundreds of reusable bags in Silver Spring on Jan. 3, and other giveaways were held at various other locations throughout the county.

A number of businesses, including Safeway, Shoppers Food Warehouse, Whole Foods, Roots, Giant, Walmart and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission have donated reusable bags for free distribution by the county.

For more information about the bag law, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/BAG.

Sonya Burke contributed to this report.

Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones

The process included hours of private Mayor and Council deliberations, anonymous letters, a report by the city attorney, calls and e-mails to the mayor from city residents and/or former employees who wanted to give their input, and even off-site testimony by several high-level city employees at a local hotel.

When asked if any serious issues were raised during the lengthy performance review, Gaithersburg City Council member Jud Ashman said, “I can’t discuss the details of what is essentially a personnel matter. I can’t say if any serious issues were raised.”

Gaithersburg City Council member Henry Marraffa answered the same question a bit differently. “Yes,” he said, noting that’s his opinion.

In another twist, The Town Courier has learned that the elected leaders plan to meet again in three months to review the city manager’s progress in areas identified for improvement.

“This is the beginning of the discussion,” said Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz explaining that everyone should be given a chance to work on areas that have been identified for improvement. “I don’t want to give the impression that this is the end of the discussion.”

For now, the leaders have publicly identified three areas that need attention from Jones: employee morale, a thorough review of the Kronos timekeeping system, and a focus on both internal and external communication.

As for details about the state of employee morale, Katz was vague.

“We need to make sure employee morale is good,” he simply said.

Marraffa said, in his opinion, employee morale is “very low.”

Could the new Kronos attendance and timekeeping system be a contributor to the morale issue for some employees?

“I think there is some real concern on the timekeeping system itself,” said Katz, who added a clearer interpretation is needed of how the system is being used by all employees.

One city official told The Town Courier that some staffers have to clock in and out to make a quick trip to their car while there are questions about how employees who are often on call or on the road are using the system.

In an earlier interview, Jones told The Town Courier she might be the only city manager in the country who clocks in and out for work.

As for the need for better communication, Katz said internal and external communication need to be enhanced, and he pointed to a new website as an improvement in the works.

During this year’s annual review, the elected leaders sought more input than in the past from a wider pool of employees about the city manager’s performance. The leaders said that’s why the entire process took longer than usual.

“We wanted to conduct a more comprehensive review with regards to operations, soliciting a broader range of feedback from city employees at all levels,” said the elected officials in a joint press release issued.

In order to get more feedback, a questionnaire was sent to Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members, management level employees who report directly to department heads, and 20 randomly selected full-time employees.

Employees were asked to rate the city manager in several areas including organization and planning, administration, management and policy execution, fiscal management, personnel management, training and employee relations, public and intergovernmental relations and Mayor and Council support. In an earlier interview, Katz said all responses would be kept confidential, and he said the officials appreciated the information they received from staff.

“The City Council and I appreciate the candid and thoughtful feedback that we received from all staff involved in the review process,” said Katz in the joint statement. “I look forward to Angel’s efforts to implement the initiatives discussed and to take the city to even greater heights.”

The leaders began preparing for the review back in August 2011, and the process included at least nine closed-door meetings. In addition to hours of discussion, there were also e-mail exchanges shared between the leaders about Jones’ performance that included the drafting of the before-mentioned public statement that was read by Katz at the Dec. 19 City Council meeting and published on the city’s website on Dec. 20.

“It is our assessment that the city of Gaithersburg, under City Manager Jones’ leadership, is poised to go from good to great,” said the elected leaders in the joint public statement. “We support many of the steps that the city manager has taken during her tenure, but are always looking at ways to improve our operations. During this review process we worked collaboratively with her to implement changes and to identify operational initiatives that will improve the workings of city government. … The city manager will begin unveiling new programs and initiatives to address these issues early in 2012.”

Following her annual performance review last month, Jones did not receive a base salary raise or a bonus.

When asked if the press release accurately portrays what went on behind closed doors, Ashman noted the press release is not meant to capture every aspect of the review.

City Council member Ryan Spiegel said he stands behind the city-issued release.

According to City Council member Cathy Drzyzgula, the press release said what they wanted it to say.

“I welcome the feedback,” said Jones in the joint statement posted online. “I look forward to addressing a number of internal priorities to allow our employees to achieve even greater success. The support of the Mayor and City Council means a great deal to me, and I am proud to be part of this team.”

Jones has been Gaithersburg’s top manager for three years now and earns an annual salary of $167,640.

These Kentlands residents pioneered the nine garden plots and harvested two successful growing seasons.

Only Kentlands residents are eligible to compete for the community garden spots.

In March 2010, the Kentlands Citzens Assembly approved a three-year pilot program for a community garden. The garden is located behind the Gaithersburg Arts Barn and adjacent to the Kentlands Mansion.

Organizers said the first two growing seasons harvested a bounty for local growers and the Kentlands garden has also expanded. The community garden now boasts benches and rain barrels. A compost system was implemented as well.

For more information about getting your name into the upcoming lottery, contact the KCF at 301.926.6636 or visit www.kentlands.org.

David Dise, director of Montgomery County's Department of General Services, announces the Gaithersburg Library renovation start-up.

The renovation is expected to be complete in 18 months and the library is planned to reopen in spring 2013.

David Dise, director of Montgomery County’s Department of General Services (real estate and management services, procurement, building design and construction, fleet management, and facilities management) was enthusiastic about the design that will “enhance the library experience,” and help make it “a community amenity.”

He was even more enthusiastic about the support of county residents for the project.

Citing years of experience in county services in Montgomery County and elsewhere, Dise told an appreciative audience, “No county I have ever been in, loves its libraries more than Montgomery County.”

The original Gaithersburg Library is more than 25 years old. Gaithersburg-based construction firm, Henley Construction Company built the original library and is contractor for the renovation. The library website states that the major renovation project will expand the 33,700 square-foot structure by adding 22,200 square feet on the main level along the front, back, and sides and 7,900 square feet on a partial second floor that will hold the meeting rooms, mechanical rooms, storage and a satellite office of the Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity.

County Council member Phil Andrews (Dist. 3) noted that the current project is a big improvement on an original proposal to add 1,500-square-feet to the Gaithersburg Library. The redesign “almost doubles the space of the library.”

Acknowledging that the library expansion has been some time in coming, Andrews told listeners, “It was worth the wait to get it right.”

Judging from the applause, the crowd agreed.

Prior to closing, the overcrowded Gaithersburg Library had the busiest children’s circulation and was the second busiest library overall in the county system.

Parker Hamilton, director, Montgomery County Public Libraries, said she was “thrilled” and “giddy” knowing that the following day that one (or more) of the Bobcat bulldozers on the property would be put to use.

Hamilton credited the “community’s tenacity in reminding everyone” of the project’s importance with getting the project moving.

“Libraries are transforming lives in this county,” she said.

Catherine Matthews, Director of the Upcounty Regional Services Center, thanked the owners of Lake Forest Mall where the Interim Gaithersburg Library was the next day to celebrate a year in operation. “The opening circulation was 12,000 and is now 20,000,” she noted.

A few minutes later, the crowd dispersed. Tugging on their caps and turning up their coat collars, many in the upbeat group were smiling, perhaps remembering some words of Dise and turning their thoughts to a time 18 months down the road.

“Groundbreaking is nice, but ribbon-cutting is better.”