Suburban Scene's Community Conversations

Scary Daytime Attack

2010-04-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

First, my apologies for not blogging lately. There have been some personal issues that I needed to take care of that have taken up a lot of my time. Hopefully, things will settle down soon.

Now, for the blog entry. Earlier this week, a woman in a nice neighborhood close to this area opened her door after a magazine salesman knocked. He had a special request to use the bathroom before leaving. Turns out, he had other motives. She was sexually assaulted, but luckily was able to call the police and they caught him a short time later.

For those of us who work at home during the daytime, we should never forget to be on our guard. Don't answer the door if someone knocks. Go somewhere where you can identify a vehicle of the person knocking.

You may miss a friend's or neighbor's visit, but in this day and age, safety trumps friendliness.

Jones Death Lawsuit

2010-04-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

The parents of Christopher Jones filed a lawsuit today against the families of those involved with his death, as well as the county school system that they believe did nothing to prevent the intense, and alas fatal bullying of their son.

Though they don't expect to see a lot of money (and are donating it to a church youth center) it is really the intent that counts. They want parents of kids who are allowed to roam neighborhoods unsupervised and who post their exploits on the Internet to be held accountable.

They want a school system who knew about the trouble and did not adequately address the situation to be held accountable. They are limited by law to only sue the county schools for $200,000.

It is such a shame and loss that it had to come to this. But maybe, just maybe, someone is changing to make sure that another incident doesn't happen again. Changing their attitude about parenting, about listening to family concerns about bullying, about how the actions of today can change your whole future.

Here is the story:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/04/13-26/Suit-to-be-filed-in-Crofton-teens-death.html

Happy D.E.A.R. Day!

2010-04-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today, students across the country are celebrating "Drop Everything and Read" Day, the one day where, for a short period of time, the craziness of the school schedule is put aside and kids get to relax and read for enjoyment.

Let's face it. The family lifestyle just isn't conducive to this activity. From piano lessons, to soccer practice, to tae-kwon-do workouts, we parents are all rushing to the next activity of the day. Even you single readers have a schedule that is often times overbooked.

Whenever I have one second to think during my day, I often dream of just going up to my bed, taking out the book I am trying to keep up with at the time, and just simply reading - for pleasure. But then I feel guilty - I could be cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry, addressing the weeds in the yard.

But today, let us all celebrate DEAR day and set aside just a few minutes to really enjoy the pleasure of reading a good book. Who knows? It might just make us more productive the rest of the day!

Superintendent's Raise

2010-04-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

Just heard that the Board of Education has granted Superintendent Maxwell a 7.7% raise.

At a time when the county and state are facing record deficits, I just don't get it. The arguments are that the school system under his leadership has made achievements and this is a reward, similar to what other systems do. There is also the argument that we have to pay what similar counties do to attract good candidates.

I usually agree, but the economic situation in our country has everybody getting by with less. Other county employees are looking at massive cuts, either a reduction of their time or a job layoff. The school system is also having to cut programs and critical building maitenance funds.What does it say about the board and about the superintendent to agree to something like this?

Neither the County Executive nor the County Council has any say over this decision. It is the Board of Education's decision, but I believe, in this current economic climate, it appears to be irresponsible and reflects poorly on their judgment.

Another Shot for Those Opposing New Waugh Chapel South

2010-04-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently the lack of advertising for a hearing on the new development of the Village at Waugh Chapel South means that the County Council will repeal their support for the project and vote on it again after an advertised hearing is held.

The requirement for advertising the hearing is in the Maryland Constitution.

The developer says without the development deal with the county, the new center - including the Wegman's - is in serious question.

Opposition forces to the new deal -whether it is to protest tax breaks for a developer rather than local small businesses or environmental or traffic concerns - now have a second chance to make their case. The hearing is scheduled for May 3rd, 7pm, at the Arundel Center in Annapolis.

I'm Baaaa...aaaackk...Now Register!

2010-04-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

I can't think of anything harder than coming back to life's normal routine after being away on a nice vacation. I have to admit, I am struggling today. Bear with me.

My post today is just to remind our community how important it is for parents of incoming Kindergartners to register for school THIS WEEK. That's right - for those of you new to the whole public school process, you should know that the school system will be making initial decisions about staffing and student to teacher ratios for your child's school with the registration numbers they collect this week.

Some things you need to know --

Children must be five-years-old by September 1, 2010 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year.

Contact your local school for information about specific registration hours.

All kindergarten programs are full-day

You will need to bring the following documents with you when you register your child:
*Child’s birth certificate
* A copy of your child’s immunization record
* To check immunization requirements at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
* Proofs of residency
* A Lease or mortgage document along with one additional document with the same address such as a current utility or phone bill; Income tax of property tax notice; or a notarized Tenant Verification Form that is available at school offices.

Why is this important? I know some schools that have lost some terrific teachers because they weren't sure whether they would have enough students for a full time position. (Most found out after the loss that they did have the numbers, but parents just weren't registered in time for the decision making.)

So if you are a parent and you know someone who should be registering their youngster for next year's Kindergarten, please make sure they know they need to be doing this. It really matters to all local schools.

Road Ragers with Kids

2010-03-26T06:23:00.000-07:00

It cracks my son up that I talk to other drivers when traveling in my car. He just doesn't get why I am talking to someone who can't hear me. I try to explain that it just makes me feel better.

Months ago, Saturday Night Live did a skit with Taylor Swift who posed as a teen forming a group to protect kids from their parents who drive them around. From trying to find a tissue while driving to spilling hot coffee in their lap, the parents were made to look like lunatics. My daughter had a great laugh with that one!

So yes, I admit, sometimes bad drivers get to me in front of my kids. It is certainly not hard in this area. Courtesy is out the window once you get on Route 3.

The Baltimore Sun had a recent blog that talked about parents who actually lose control at a much higher level with their kids in the car. In Virginia, a man actually took out a gun and fired it at another driver, with his 2 year old in the car.

Have you witnessed road ragers with children in tow? Have you been a part of something like that?

For spring break, my husband and I are taking the kids to New York City, and my husband has decided we will drive it for the first time instead of taking the train. Considering the boiling point that many NYC drivers seem to reach, I hope we make it back with everyone safe and sound.

No Mail on Saturday?

2010-03-25T05:52:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt that the emergence of email communication, UPS, and Federal Express over the years has meant a significant reduction of revenue for the US Post Office. They have raised rates often over the last few years, but nothing seems to be working to stop money from bleeding away at USPS.

Now there is a proposal to eliminate mail service on Saturdays. So my question to you is...will Saturday mail delivery affect you in a large negative way? The only drawback I can see is when you need to visit the post office to pick up or drop off packages - Saturday is the only viable option if you commute far distances. I mean some people are away from their home community for 12 hours a workday. Tax time, holiday gift shipping, etc. could also be a problem.

Should the USPS shut down on Saturdays? It seems like an option that is necessary to keep our mail system afloat.

Goodbye, Miss Sue!

2010-03-24T06:08:00.001-07:00

Many of you know Sue Bents, an administrator at Crofton Town Hall for many, many years. What you may not know is that Miss Sue is hanging up her hat, retiring as of tomorrow.

Some of you may not know her name, but you probably have seen her at various Crofton events throughout the years -- the Easter Egg hunt at Crofton Elementary, the summer Sunday evening concerts at the Village Green, the summer ice cream social, or the lighting of the Country Club Christmas tree. She also organizes the annual Crofton Community Awards banquet every November with Judy Wilson. She is always there.

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a community banquet one Saturday evening, and I learned that Miss Sue doesn't even live in Crofton. She lives in Pasadena! But if there was ever anyone who really knew our community, who knew our history, who knew our achievements and our challenges it is Sue.

She will be at Town Hall, on the Parkway, through Thursday, the 25th. If you have time, please stop by and give her a thanks and a hug. She deserves that from so many of us!

Heads up for Parents!

2010-03-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

The public school system is about to give a big gift to local parents. The ParentConnectXP system will allow you to log in to an acutal grade reporting system to monitor how well students are doing in their courses. A registered parent user to the system can see what grades their child is making on each assignment (and whether that assignment was turned in at all).

Ahh...the sound you hear of parents everywhere rejoicing. I guess this is in response to parents like me who get a little shock when they get the interim report. Missed assignments, poor test grades, etc. can now be monitored before students receive a permanent bad grade. This is heaven for those of us who are parents of high school students. Sometimes not a lot of communication going on for whatever reason. I hope it will save a lot of time and heartbreak discussing a solution with teachers.

For more info, look on your student's school website.

Why a Home Show?

2010-03-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Suburban Scene and the Chesapeake Homeowners Network will sponsor a Home Show at the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department. All proceeds go toward the AVFD.

I am so impressed with how many local businesses have signed up to help with the cause. From irrigation and lighting, to painting, remodeling, and insurance agencies, local businesses haved believed in the cause. AVFD has seen its funding shrink and its expenses grow. They needed this help from local businesses and they have received it.

Now it is the turn of our local community to thank these businesses, make it worth their effort to show up on a Saturday. Just stop by, listen to the awesome services these businesses provide. For those with kids, it is always fun to stop by the firehouse, meet the emergency personnel, and tour the equipment.

For those interested in topics like color trends, deck maintenance, and eco-friendly products, demonstration classes will be held throughout the day. Dr. Tom Lo will be there as well, telling folks how not to hurt themselves when tackling a home improvement project. And Mike from My Butcher & More will make a special visit back to our community to provide attendees with new offerings that he has been working on in his new Annapolis store.

With door prizes and a 50/50 drawing, there will be something for everyone there. So drop by on a gorgeous day and enjoy this true collaborative effort!

State Alert Signs

2010-03-18T07:14:00.000-07:00

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley says he is against the twenty-three real time travel signs in the state and says that they should only be used for emergencies. At the beginning of the month, the Maryland State Highway Administration expanded its real-time travel program in places like the eastern section of the Capital Beltway and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
Commuters have been complaining about the messages, saying the signs cause drivers to slow down to read the information. Once traffic gets beyond the sign, the pace picks back up -- until the next sign, when it slows down again.

We have all seen the digital signs as we travel on Route 50 or 97. Amber alerts are posted. Wind warnings for bridges (which most already instinctively know) and stadium traffic info are also posted.

The real problem has been that people really want to know how long it is going to take to get to a destination, and traffic controllers are seeing real slowdowns where there weren't any before.

Have you seen an example of this in your travels? Do you think the Governor is right?

Village at Waugh Chapel South?

2010-03-16T06:25:00.000-07:00

Read in the paper yesterday a story about what is happening with the long awaited Village at Waugh Chapel South.

Here is the link:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/03/15-10/Residents-split-on-shopping-center-plan.html

Basically, because of the economic downturn and the frozen conditions of the lending market, Greenberg Gibbons (who brought us the Village at Waugh Chapel and then sold it this year) is asking for assistance from the county to pull this next deal off.

Here is some text from the above story:

The nationwide recession has frozen credit markets, forcing Greenberg Gibbons to turn from its normal private investment partners to public financing for the first time.

If approved by the council, the TIF deal would allow the county to issue nearly $16 million worth of bonds on the private market to pay for road, traffic and other infrastructure needs, including the capping and sealing of a fly-ash landfill at the site.

The county would sell the bonds on behalf of the company, and the county would not be responsible for the debt. Greenberg Gibbons would basically receive lower property tax bills to free up cash to repay the bonds. The remaining portion would then go to the county as tax revenue.

The Greater Crofton Council voted to not support moving forward with this "deal." Some have suggested it is because the proposed Wegman's store is non-union. But I don't think so.

There are many small businesses in our area that could use a big tax break. There are many buildings already built in this area that have no tenants. Why do we need this new center that will add to more traffic? Why can't our local small businesses get these kinds of deals?

Yes, the new area will bring jobs (and a Wegman's) but at what expense to our way of life?

Skills for Life

2010-03-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege to cover West County Chamber's Life Skills conference for high school students last week.

The event was an all school day conference to emphasize the importance of appropriate behavior in the workplace and during job interviews.

I have to say, I felt pretty old when listening to what guest speakers were discussing. I am not sure whether it was the times in which I grew up or because I grew up in a household with high expectations, but I didn't have to be told you must dress nicely for interviews or you must not conduct private business during work time.

The teens who were participating, for the most part, acted interested and alert. And many of them told me that they were learning valuable lessons for the future.

I find it kind of sad that the Chamber believed there was enough of a problem with the quality of the younger workforce that they should sponsor this type of event. I don't doubt they were correct in their assessment - that is the part I am sad about.

Whose responsibility is it to educate kids about the etiquette of the workplace environment, about expectations of performance, or about work ethic? Is it the schools' or the parents'? How do we lose the excitement kids have for learning and doing their best in elementary school? Has life already beaten high school age children down that they have lost all sense of accomplishing goals and living a better life? Have you seen evidence of the downward turn of the quality of employees in the workplace?

Whatever the case, thanks to the West County Chamber and particularly Dave Magayna for recognizing the problem and doing something concrete to address the issue.

Hello, Dolly!

2010-03-12T06:36:00.000-08:00

After many, many hours of rehearsals, practices, and preparations, this year's Crofton Middle School musical is finally upon us.

I was not a mom of a child who participated because my daughter had already committed to playing soccer and, after covering the musical for a number of years, I knew the time commitment required. With all of the activities that kids are participating in these days, it is absolutely remarkable that so many of them are able and WILLING to spend their free time working so hard for so long.

And it is not just a time commitment for students - parents are required to pony up hours as well. Whether it is ticket orders, publicity, program preparation, set building, sewing costumes, or concession planning, parents commit to putting in an amazing amout of time and energy to make this happen for their kids.

The reward? An outstanding show that their kids can be truly proud of. It provides lessons in work ethic, team building, cooperation, musicality, and many more.

Thank you to all volunteers who continue to provide this opportunity for kids. You are all exceptional and we send special "break a leg" wishes to all for opening night!

Bikers Beware!

2010-03-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

With the dawn of spring comes some new dangers on the road. Those who love to take to the road on their bikes in nicer weather are dusting them off and heading on out.

Now, I am as guilty as anyone about my wanting the entire road when I am traveling around town. I don't like it when bikers on the side merge into some of "my lane" or when they actually ride in the street and I have to wait to pass around them. It slows me down. It annoys me.

But over the years, I am starting to chill out. My husband is one of those bikers. He loves to ride the Crofton Parkway. The other night, Crofton Police Chief Bill Booth told him to be careful - that more drivers are speeding than every before.

It is scary to watch him riding off. I worry that he will be hurt by some driver who wants to save a few seconds and doesn't care whether my hubby is safe or not.

Can we all just get along? Drivers - how about slowing down a little when you see a biker, allowing them room to continue their route? And, Bikers - how about getting way over so that you are out of the way of cars who just want to pass on by?

If it were only that simple...Where is common courtesy these days?

Dangerous Driving Can Be Deadly

2010-03-10T06:24:00.000-08:00

As I was bringing my kids home from an activity in Annapolis last night, I was horrified to come upon a ghastly wreck on Route 50 East. The wreck included multiple cars, and ambulances were there responding on the scene.

As we were traveling there earlier, I, too, was almost in a wreck. Drivers seem to believe that Route 50 is like a racetrack for NASCAR. Now, I have to admit, I do travel the speed limit, and maybe a little bit over. But people were passing me going at least 80, if not faster. As I was moving over to the right, a person honked at me because they were already trying to pass me on the right, not waiting for me to get over. It was like they were astonished that I had the nerve to get into their crazy in and out driving strategy.

I also hate driving along Route 3 for the same reason. I prefer to travel the Parkway. It just seems calmer, though there are crazy people every once in a while there too.

My daughter will soon be getting her learner's permit, and I am terrified about putting her on these roads. What makes people act so irrationally, putting themselves and others in danger? There can be serious consequences like last night.

The Loveliness of Village Green

2010-03-09T05:47:00.000-08:00

As I dropped my daughter off at The Crofton School of Music last night for her lesson, I, once again, admired the beauty and serenity of Crofton's Village Green.

Once hoped to be the center hub of activity in the new Crofton community 40 years ago, the various landlords have struggled to keep tenants, and vacanies continue to plague the locale. Businesses prefer more visible locations along the very busy Route 3.

Yet, the Village Green has such potential. The quaint buildings, made to resemble colonial villages, have a touch of beauty and class that new, big-box centers just can't create. The large trees and the tolling bells of nearby First Baptist Church on the Crofton Parkway create a place where all of the hectic rush of life is forgotten, if for only a second.

A prominent activist in our community is working hard to create a plan to bring more service-oriented businesses to the location so that Crofton residents would be able to walk while errand running instead of burning up gas and fighting traffic along the main drag. I see his vision. It would almost be the way life used to be many years ago, when kids could ride a bike to get an ice cream cone and residents could take a casual stroll to purchase a book or pick up an item at a local market.

Too much to ask in this day and age?

Smiling Brings Success

2010-03-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

There was an article in this weekend's Capital about how smiling can bring about success. An employee at Costco was recognized for always being a friendly face for customers and how much customers appreciated such a simple gesture.

Real smiles, not fake ones that are easily given out and recognizable instantly, does tell an awful lot about a person. And, in my opinion, it is a gesture that is slowly going by the wayside.

We are all busy, rushing to the next activity of our hectic day, and it is hard to stop and have the energy to produce a positive interaction - especially a smile. But research says time and time again that it is not only good for the person you are greeting, smiling is also good for the soul.

There are some folks right here in our community that I run into every now and then that always have a ready smile. And there are some who don't. A few months ago, I ran into the father of one of my daughter's friends. He had a smile as big as a billboard. I found out later he was very ill, and he died only a short time later. But his smile is what I remember about him. Not his career achievements, but the way he could light up a room without saying a word.

Today, I am going to try brightening my day as well as others simply by putting a smile on my face. I hope other residents try it too!

Yield Already!

2010-03-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has been many years since I took driver's ed in high school. (I am certainly not going to get specific about how many!) But there is one part of the rules of the road that is just not being followed in this area, and I wanted to use this blog as a way to share my concerns about it!

Yield signs - do they mean even though there is oncoming traffic that may need that merging lane, just proceed on at full speed?

An example - Merging on to Route 3 North from Defense Highway, by Jasper's. Most cars turning on to Route 3 never stop to assess the oncoming traffic. They just go like it is a green light - like they have the right of way.

Since I live in that immediate area and travel that location every day, I can tell you I have seen near misses very often. You see - oncoming traffic may need to make a right and pull into Jasper's or in to the shopping center next to it. It is their right to use that lane before it is the right of the folks merging on to Route 3.

Will it cause backups on Route 450 if everyone waited like they should? Yes. Will it delay you if you are in a hurry to get on Route 3? Yes. But that is just the rule of the road, and the rules are made because it is the safest way to handle that situation.

Other examples? Merging on to Route 424 toward Crofton off of Route 50. For folks coming over the 424 bridge who need to turn off on Rutland Road, they are in danger when merging traffice ignores the yield sign.

Another one? Merging on to Route 3 North from Route 424 by the Giant shopping center. For those traveling on Route 3 who want to turn into the center, it is hazardous because folks are not yielding so they can safely make that turn.

I am sure there are other examples in the Odenton area as well (but I don't get over there as much). Anyone from there have a story from your neck of the woods?

The recent change to the turn from Route 3 to Defense Highway in Crofton is an example of what the state must do when people do not follow yield signs. Perhaps there will be more soon.

Anyway, just some thoughts on the dangers of disregarding safety signs. They are put there for a reason. I wish more people thought about safety first and convenience second.

Private and Public Education

2010-03-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

I find that when I was younger everything seemed more black and white. There was a right view and a wrong view and no in-between. But as I age, the gray area is really starting to grow.

I earned some graduate school hours in education policy at the University of Maryland when my kids were very little. It was long enough ago that the black and white view of the world was still around, though shrinking.

One of my professors had our class, full of teachers and administrators, discuss whether or not private schools should receive public funding. As a former public school teacher and the wife of another, I was adamant that the separation of church and state had to be followed.

But then the professor brought up the fact that private schools give the public schools a break in both numbers and money. Though the private school parents pay their taxes, they choose to pay once again for the privilege of attending a school of their choice. So the public school system receives a portion of their taxes, and does not have to support that student. Therefore, class sizes are smaller than they could be and tax money is still received.

Now, what would happen if the private schools closed? Class sizes would rise, and the public school system would have the same money, but more students to teach. Would current schools be able to host more students? How many new teachers and administrators would need to be hired?

That scenario is now happening in our area and across the country. Catholic schools are losing families who can no longer financially support sending their children there. And public schools are seeing a great influx of new students and funding is being cut.

Today several Baltimore area schoools will be closed by the Baltimore Archdiocese. What does this mean for local public schools? Larger class sizes? Redistricting for new space?

Are you black and white on this issue, or more on the gray side?

Tea vs. Coffee

2010-03-03T06:14:00.000-08:00

There was a story last week in the Washington Post about a local woman who was so completely fed up with the yelling and the rudeness of some in the Tea Party and their rallies that she formed her own organization - the Coffee Party.

The thought was that this effort would sponsor community conversation among all different viewpoints in a public place that was done in a civil and engaging manner - not one filled with yelling and name calling. A conversation in a relaxed environment where everyone gets a turn to speak and share ideas and viewpoints without the chance that someone else will shout them down.

Here is a link to a video about the group's Atlanta chapter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2otKEt0nJGY&feature=channel

What do you think of the idea? How could anyone be against letting both sides be heard?

Should we do something like that here?

Reading - Across America

2010-03-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Today I am going to be a guest reader as a representative of the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce at Crofton Elementary's Read Across America event.

It is not the first time I have done so. I absolutely love doing it. And my favorite "gigs" to cover for Suburban Scene are those at schools.

There is something about elementary schools that make me feel happy and safe. Yes, not everything is perfect. My kids have their ups and downs for sure. But for the most part, our schools are filled with folks who love our kids.

Reading has been a love of mine all my life. My husband and I still read books with our kids - now in high school and middle school - every night. That sends a message to them that reading is quality time.

So, to celebrate the National Education Association's Read Across America, read a good book, or, better yet, read a good book to your kids (if you have them).

Snow Days - What to do?

2010-03-01T09:11:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the first edition of our new Community Conversations blog! I hope to bring up interesting topics of the day and eventually get real conversations going on in our community about various issues that are of concern to local residents. Please remember to log on daily and voice your opinion about our daily topic!

The first topic affects many in our community: What is the public school system going to do about snow days and our current school calendar?

I have to say - any direction they have to take directly impacts my family. First, my family has unrefundable deposits for events we were supposed to attend during our spring break family trip. I am talking hundreds of dollars! We absolutely must go, yet my husband is a teacher, and for them to get off during makeup days is tricky.

Second, my daughter has a summer camp that begins the week of the 13th of June. If the school board chooses to add days to the end of the calendar, what are folks going to do about cancelling their summer plans. Many, like our spring trip, have nonrefundable reservations and tickets.

It is a real catch-22 and I don't envy the school board members as they decide the matter this week. What do you think they should do? Will you be directly impacted as well?