Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Council members opposed amendments to the definition of a political action committee and the addition of slates to city election code.
Gaithersburg officials voted in favor of adding a fifth campaign finance report for the 2013 city elections, but unanimously opposed making changes to the city's election code defining political action committees and the addition of slates. The fifth finance report will be due 14 days after city elections. Other options for the proposed ordinance included: The Board of Supervisors of Elections recommended the city revise the definition of a political committee from a group of two or more to a group of three or more that collects or spends $1,000 or more "to assist in the promotion of the success or defeat of any candidate or slate of candidates for city elective office." The current committee collection and spending threshhold is $250. A …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Gaithersburg City Council member Henry Marraffa said he felt he was passed over in favor of 2013 City Council vice president, Mike Sesma.
The Gaithersburg City Council has elected Mike Sesma its vice president for 2013, but one council member says he was passed over and the position should have been his. Sesma, a City Council Member since 2005 and 2008's Council Vice President, was nominated and elected at Monday evening's mayor and City Council meeting by a 4-1 vote. But council member Henry Marraffa said he believes 2013 was his year in the rotation to serve as council vice president — a role he said is honorary, with no additional money or responsibility except when the mayor is unavailable. Marraffa said a new system was put in place by other council members this year without himself being involved in the discussion. "For the over 20 years that I have been associated …
Friday, May 27, 2011
The modernization is set to officially begin this summer, but work actually began back in April.
A host of officials from all levels of government in the Gaithersburg area helped Gaithersburg High School principal Dr. Christine Handy-Collins break ground Thursday afternoon for the school's new building, construction of which will begin immediately after the current school year ends. Among the many guests for the ceremony were Mayor Sidney Katz and City Council members Jud Ashman, Mike Sesma, Cathy Drzyzgula, Ryan Spiegel and Henry Marraffa; Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and County Council members Phil Andrews, Craig Rice and Marc Elrich; Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jerry Weast; Maryland Senators Nancy J. King and Jennie Forehand; Maryland Delegates James Gilchrist, Luiz Simmons, Charles E. Barkley, …
39.137737
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Gaithersburg High School
314 S Frederick Ave, Gaithersburg, MD
/articles/officials-break-ground-on-new-high-school
391850
/locations/6337751
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Increased school load divides the Council on whether to allow Habitat for Humanity to build up to 19 new town homes.
The Gaithersburg City Council voted 3-2 to annex a 2.9-acre parcel of land, popularly known as the Jackson Property, at the end of a meeting that ran for nearly four hours Monday night. The meeting was the most attended City Council session this year, with standing room only on the first floor and Mayor Sidney Katz advising attendees that there were seats upstairs. The Jackson Property vote attracted a number of residents neighboring the property, including a mother and her nine-year-old daughter who spoke during the time allotted for public appearances. Speakers urged the council to vote against annexation in the face of an overcrowded Strawberry Knoll Elementary School, which lies north of the property. Habitat for Humanity in Montgomery…
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Gaithersburg City Hall
31 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD
/articles/in-a-split-vote-council-approves-annexation
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Tom Rowse
9:51 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The city election code is a farce. As they have repeatedly shown since attaining office, the election code in Gaithersburg is being manipulated and used as a tool by the incumbents to maintain office. They have and will freely circumvent the code while holding all challengers accountable. more ›