The Rodgers Forge board has received several emails about the removal of toys from the Tot Lot. Some of the messages accuse the board of being responsible for the removal of the toys.
The Tot Lot is Baltimore County property and the County is 100% responsible for the development and maintenance of the Tot Lot.
The Rodgers Forge board did not advocate for the removal of all the toys from the Tot Lot.
Over the years, the Rodgers Forge board has fielded residents' comments about many issues related to the Tot Lot: trash, dated or broken equipment, unleashed pets, pet excrement in the field, potential site enhancement, the addition of new equipment, etc.).
The Rodgers Forge board has always offered its support to improve the Tot Lot, but it is the County that has the final word in all matters relating to the Tot Lot.
If you are concerned about the situation with the Tot Lot, we encourage you to reach out to Baltimore County's Department of Parks and Recreation.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Reminder - Towson Area COP National Night Out Motorcade is coming through RF tonight!
From Mike Calwell, RF COP:
Please look out for the 2010 National Night Out motorcade. It will run right by you houses tonight soon after 6:30. We should have at least one Rodgers Forge C.O.P. vehicle in the motorcade. It will be led by a Baltimore County Fire Engine.
Thanks.
Mike Calwell
BCPD - Significant Events Report - Week ending 8/1/2010
Please click on the pages below for an enlarged view.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Towson Times Article on County Public Nuisance Bill
From the Towson Times:
Baltimore County Council bill: Landlords need to control unruly tenants
Towson University's Tigerfest sparked proposal from Gardina
By Bryan P. Searsbsears@patuxent.com
Posted 7/21/10
Incidents of disorderly conduct around Towson has prompted one County Council member to propose tougher laws relating to "public nuisance."
Some community leaders say measures proposed by 5th District County Council member Vince Gardina are a good start in addressing conduct issues, but don't go far enough because they would only impact properties listed under the county's rental registration law -- and wouldn't include apartment complexes.
Gardina said he decided to propose tougher public nuisance laws after hearing about drunken students wandering through neighborhoods near Towson University during its annual Tigerfest celebration on April 24.
"Landlords aren't watching their tenants like they're supposed to," he said.
Officials at Towson University did not return a call from a reporter this week seeking comment.
Current county nuisance laws are limited, mostly to issues such as domestic noise. Gardina's bill focuses specifically on problems arising from complaints about the occupants of rental housing.
Under a bill being proposed at the County Council, complaints of disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace -- as well as violations of animal control laws and drug or alcohol violations -- would all qualify as public nuisances.
The owner of a rental property would receive a written warning from the county after two such complaints regarding tenants in their properties.
If a third complaint occurs within six months of the warning, the county could seek to have the rental registration suspended or revoked, or reject an application for renewal of the license.
Gardina said he plans to also submit an amendment that would allow the county to suspend rental licenses for up to one year.
The bill is scheduled for a July 27 hearing, and tentatively receive a vote on Aug. 2.
Under the proposal, property owners would be able to protect their licenses if they show they took steps to correct nuisance issues, were not the owner of the property when it occurred, or didn't know the violations had occurred but took steps to fix the problem once they were notified by the county.
Trish Mayhugh, president of the Riderwood Hills Community Association, applauded the proposal as a starting point -- but said the bill could result in unruly students being funneled into area apartment complexes.
Riderwood Hills is home to several apartment complexes, including two housing a fair number of students who attend Towson University and other area colleges -- the Colony and the Kenilworth at Charles complexes.
The Kenilworth at Charles abuts a neighborhood of single family homes. Area neighbors have complained in the past of unruly students living in overcrowded apartments.
"When you live near an apartment complex, there's always someone holding a heavy metal vomit party in your backyard," Mayhugh said, adding that fireworks, intoxicated students and food thrown into yards have not been uncommon occurrences in her neighborhood.
Mayhugh said the owner of the complex has worked hard to keep up the property and work with the community when there have been problems with tenants.
Still, she said, she would like to see Gardina's bill amended to apply to apartment complexes -- and add limits to the number of people who can live in an apartment.
But Kathy Howard, an attorney for the Maryland Multi-housing Association, said an amendment specifically for apartments isn't needed because the county has mechanisms in place that oversee apartment operations.
She said, "enforcement mechanisms applicable to multifamily developments regarding myriad issues already exist and work well -- which is why the council did not include multifamily developments in the licensing law to begin with."
Baltimore County Council bill: Landlords need to control unruly tenants
Towson University's Tigerfest sparked proposal from Gardina
By Bryan P. Searsbsears@patuxent.com
Posted 7/21/10
Incidents of disorderly conduct around Towson has prompted one County Council member to propose tougher laws relating to "public nuisance."
Some community leaders say measures proposed by 5th District County Council member Vince Gardina are a good start in addressing conduct issues, but don't go far enough because they would only impact properties listed under the county's rental registration law -- and wouldn't include apartment complexes.
Gardina said he decided to propose tougher public nuisance laws after hearing about drunken students wandering through neighborhoods near Towson University during its annual Tigerfest celebration on April 24.
"Landlords aren't watching their tenants like they're supposed to," he said.
Officials at Towson University did not return a call from a reporter this week seeking comment.
Current county nuisance laws are limited, mostly to issues such as domestic noise. Gardina's bill focuses specifically on problems arising from complaints about the occupants of rental housing.
Under a bill being proposed at the County Council, complaints of disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace -- as well as violations of animal control laws and drug or alcohol violations -- would all qualify as public nuisances.
The owner of a rental property would receive a written warning from the county after two such complaints regarding tenants in their properties.
If a third complaint occurs within six months of the warning, the county could seek to have the rental registration suspended or revoked, or reject an application for renewal of the license.
Gardina said he plans to also submit an amendment that would allow the county to suspend rental licenses for up to one year.
The bill is scheduled for a July 27 hearing, and tentatively receive a vote on Aug. 2.
Under the proposal, property owners would be able to protect their licenses if they show they took steps to correct nuisance issues, were not the owner of the property when it occurred, or didn't know the violations had occurred but took steps to fix the problem once they were notified by the county.
Trish Mayhugh, president of the Riderwood Hills Community Association, applauded the proposal as a starting point -- but said the bill could result in unruly students being funneled into area apartment complexes.
Riderwood Hills is home to several apartment complexes, including two housing a fair number of students who attend Towson University and other area colleges -- the Colony and the Kenilworth at Charles complexes.
The Kenilworth at Charles abuts a neighborhood of single family homes. Area neighbors have complained in the past of unruly students living in overcrowded apartments.
"When you live near an apartment complex, there's always someone holding a heavy metal vomit party in your backyard," Mayhugh said, adding that fireworks, intoxicated students and food thrown into yards have not been uncommon occurrences in her neighborhood.
Mayhugh said the owner of the complex has worked hard to keep up the property and work with the community when there have been problems with tenants.
Still, she said, she would like to see Gardina's bill amended to apply to apartment complexes -- and add limits to the number of people who can live in an apartment.
But Kathy Howard, an attorney for the Maryland Multi-housing Association, said an amendment specifically for apartments isn't needed because the county has mechanisms in place that oversee apartment operations.
She said, "enforcement mechanisms applicable to multifamily developments regarding myriad issues already exist and work well -- which is why the council did not include multifamily developments in the licensing law to begin with."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Baltimore County Police Officer to be Honored on Friday, July 23 in Towson
From Karl Pfrommer, Towson Area Citizens On Patrol:
Flipper, a police officer's officer. The Towson Chamber of Commerce and all of us are honoring him Friday night, July 23, at Feet On The Street, Allegheny Ave. in Towson.
Read Loni's attached article, which was published in the Towson Times this week. The photograph was taken when Flipper was honored by Towson Area Citizens on Patrol last month as one of Towson's finest police officers.
Flipper is great and we will greatly miss him.
Karl
# # #
Below is the Towson Times article (click on the pages for an enlarged view):
Flipper, a police officer's officer. The Towson Chamber of Commerce and all of us are honoring him Friday night, July 23, at Feet On The Street, Allegheny Ave. in Towson.
Read Loni's attached article, which was published in the Towson Times this week. The photograph was taken when Flipper was honored by Towson Area Citizens on Patrol last month as one of Towson's finest police officers.
Flipper is great and we will greatly miss him.
Karl
# # #
Below is the Towson Times article (click on the pages for an enlarged view):
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
BCPD - Significant Events Report - Week Ending 7/18/2010
From the Baltimore County Police, Precinct Six (Towson):
Click on the images below for an enlarged view.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Towson Farmers Market - Saturday, July 17
The Saturday Towson Farmers Market will be held July 17 from 8 am until 1 pm at the Allegheny Avenue Parking Lot between Grillo's and Kent Fisher Furs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)