When it comes to taking time off or having more money in their wallets, cash is apparently king at Gaithersburg City Hall.

According to City Manager Angel Jones, 226 staffers or 96 percent of the eligible city work force of 236 employees opted to take monetary compensation over extra days off as part of the 2011 employee stipend program.

“No surprises here; I expected most to take it due to increasing costs and no pay raises for two years,” said Jones.

According to Jones, the employees not taking the cash are “employees needing additional leave.”

A stipend of $2,000 for every full-time employee was included in the 2011 fiscal year budget. Jones included a $2,000 stipend in the 2010 budget as well and reports the stats for electing monetary compensation this year were much the same as last year.

“Stipends, like leave, do not commit us to future costs,” said Jones.

According to the employee newsletter, the stipend checks were to be distributed with the July 16 payroll.

Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka is officially sworn in by Mayor Sidney Katz at City Hall on July 12. The new chief is joined by his wife and daughter.

Sroka Sworn In

With his wife and daughter by his side and new and former colleagues looking on, Mark Sroka was sworn in as Gaithersburg Police Chief on July 12 at City Hall.

Mayor Sidney Katz noted the number of Maryland state troopers who were in Gaithersburg that night specifically to watch Sroka take the oath of office, and Council member Michael Sesma joked after the meeting that he felt very safe during the special meeting.

Sroka comes to Gaithersburg from the Maryland State Police department where he carried a rank of major.

“Clearly there is a lot of respect inside and outside the city for our new chief,” noted City Council member Cathy Drzyzgula on a Town Courier Facebook posting.

After he took the oath of office, Sroka said he was “honored” and “humbled” and promised to give the job his all.

During his first week, he told The Town Courier things were going well and “everyone has been very supportive.”

Kentlands resident Sigrid McCutcheon is a member of the Police Chief’s Advisory Council (PCAC). She met with the chief at the PCAC meeting on July 14 and said he “emphasized openness and transparency of operations and a willingness to listen to the community’s concerns.”

“Chief Sroka seems like a good addition to the city,” McCutcheon said.

Police Patrols Increased Around Transit Center

Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark Sroka, not one week on the job, is directing more police patrols to the Lake Forest Transit Center following the city’s first murder of 2010.

“In reviewing the calls for service in the vicinity of the Lake Forest Transit Center, patrol officers have been directed to make increased patrol checks,” Sroka said. “I will continue to analyze current data and ensure that officers are deployed to those areas where they are most needed and can be most effective.”

Montgomery County police say Marlon Tinnon (23), of an unconfirmed address, was shot at least once at the Lake Forest Transit Center at approximately 10:45 p.m. on July 17. The victim was transported to Shady Grove Hospital where he died of his wounds, police said.

The preliminary investigation, according to police, reveals the suspect approached the victim and the men argued. Police said the suspect then fled the scene after the shooting.

On July 18, police charged 19-year old Travis Wright of Gaithersburg with first degree murder and the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Wright is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.

“In reviewing the calls for service in the vicinity of the Lake Forest Transit Center, patrol officers have been directed to make increased patrol checks,” Sroka said today. “I will continue to analyze current data and ensure that officers are deployed to those areas where they are most needed and can be most effective.”

Montgomery County police say Marlon Tinnon (23), of an unconfirmed address, was shot at least once at the Lake Forest Transit Center at approximately 10:45 p.m. on July 17. The victim was transported to Shady Grove Hospital where he died of his wounds, police said.

The preliminary investigation, according to police, reveals the suspect approached the victim and the men argued. Police said the suspect then fled the scene after the shooting.

On July 18, police charged 19-year old Travis Wright of Gaithersburg with first degree murder and the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. Wright is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Detention Center.