Members sought for Town Center advisory committee

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005

by Terri Hogan

Staff Writer

Community Planner Khalid Afzal reported last week that the county Department of Park and Planning is putting together an advisory committee for the Olney Town Center, which will help implement the goals and objectives of the recently approved Olney Master Plan.

The group will assist Park and Planning staff in facilitating and expediting the redevelopment of the Olney Town Center, including the creation of a new civic center.

Membership will be limited to individuals who will represent a homeowner’s association, a civic association, a property owner in the Olney Town Center or a business group in the Olney area. To join the advisory group or for more information, contact him at 301-495-4650 or by e-mail to Khalid.Afzal@mncppc-mc.org.

Police update

Fourth District police officers told members of GOCA last week that crime is not occurring in large, measurable numbers in Olney, according to police crime analysts.

The officers, Lt. Willie Parker-Loan and Sgt. Chris Sakala, were filling in for Fourth District Commander Capt. Patricia Walker, who was unable to attend the GOCA meeting as scheduled.

Several GOCA members discussed recent acts of vandalism and stated that the ‘‘nuisance crimes” affected their quality of life and cause uneasiness.

The recent redeployment of the Fourth District has not reduced response time, they said, but has created a dedicated team of officers assigned to the Olney beat. They said they believe it seems to be working.

The officers reported that the expansion of the Olney satellite station is well under way. While it won’t be staffed on a regular basis, roll call will be held there once each week when the shifts overlap.

Residents are encouraged to stop at the substation if there is a cruiser outside. Volunteers will likely staff the facility during early afternoon hours Monday through Friday.

The officers also remarked on the stabbing that occurred at the Blake-Sherwood football game last month, and said that security was adequate. They added that since the incident had nothing to do with football, it could have occurred anywhere.

Visit from Floreen

County Councilwoman Nancy M. Floreen (D-At large) of Garrett Park also attended the October GOCA meeting to discuss the development problems revealed in Clarksburg, and answered questions and listened to comments made by GOCA members, who are concerned as to how recent revelations could impact future development in Olney.

GOCA to sponsor debates

GOCA passed a resolution to sponsor or co-sponsor four non-partisan debates for the upcoming 2006 elections for county executive and the County Council districts 2 and 4 and at-large seats in the spring or early summer.

The debates would be held in different parts of Olney.