Ficker blasts County Executive debate hosts for inviting only Democrats, charging $70 for tickets

Montgomery County Executive candidate
Robin Ficker is mobbed by supporters
after speaking at County Council building
earlier this year

Republican Montgomery County Executive candidate Robin Ficker strongly criticized news that he has been excluded from a November 15 debate hosted by the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and Bethesda Magazine. Only the three Democrats who have filed for the office so far - Roger Berliner, Marc Elrich and George Leventhal - are invited to participate. Ficker said that, in contrast, the Montgomery County Muslim Council has asked him to be part of their September 23 County Executive candidate forum at the Potomac Community Center on Falls Road at 10:30 AM.

Ficker and County Republican Party Chairman Dick Jurgena questioned the non-partisan status of the hosts in a statement released this morning by the Ficker campaign. "Is this just a dog and pony (or should I say circus animals) show to help the Democrat particpants to energize their base?" Jurgena asked. Ficker charged that the Chamber enjoys non-profit tax status, but is displaying favor toward one political party.

"Obviously there is a quid pro quo between the council member-county executive candidates and the Chamber," Ficker alleged.  "By promoting their candidacies, the Chamber is not only taking advantage of these public office positions to collect $70 a head, but the council members must have promised the Chamber something in return for holding this campaign forum. What is the quid pro quo?"

Both men also questioned the admission price of $70 for non-Chamber members. "If [County] residents want to hear only one side of the issues, they can go to the Montgomery County Council meetings and listen to the term-limited Democrats, and they can save the cost of the $70.00 ticket fee for admission," Jurgena said. Chamber President and CEO Ginanne Italiano said the high price is due to the debate's inclusion in the Chamber's annual legislative event, and that ticketholders would have access to an open bar cocktail reception afterward.

Ficker took a shot at the three Democrats invited, noting that all are barred from running for their current Council seats, due to voters overwhelmingly approving Ficker's term limits ballot question last November. "If these Term Limited County Executive candidates want to hold a forum hosted by a political party club, exclude me and charge party members $1,000 to attend, that is fine with me," he said. "But when a nonprofit Chamber of Commerce holds a County Executive forum, they should invite candidates of both parties and should accommodate Montgomery Countians to listen for free."

Prostitution bust at Rockville hotel

Montgomery County police responded to a report of prostitution at an unspecified hotel on Research Boulevard in Rockville on Friday, just after 1:00 PM. No further details are available at this time.

Hungry Howie's in Derwood becomes Favor & Flavor pizzeria

Hungry Howie's is gone at 17609 Redland Road in Derwood. Replacing Howie's flavored crusts is Favor & Flavor pizzeria, serving pizza, calzones, salads, wings, a variety of breads, and dipping sauces.

There is a website for Favor & Flavor with a menu, and you can also use it to place an order. The restaurant is located in Redland Plaza.

Twinbrook Library to close...again

After a $1 million dollar renovation, and a six-month closure, the Twinbrook Library will close again. Due to a major plumbing problem affecting the bathrooms, the library will close from September 2-6, 2017 for repairs - just as students will be returning to school and needing the library.

This is the second library in Montgomery County to develop serious plumbing problems after a "refresh" renovation. The Little Falls Library in Bethesda suffered extensive water damage after a pipe burst during its "refresh" closure late last year, severely delaying the reopening of that library.

Canopy by Hilton hotel at Pike & Rose accepting first reservations for April 2018

Canopy by Hilton, the future hotel at Pike & Rose, is now accepting its first reservations. Rooms can be reserved for dates beginning April 1, 2018 and later.  All rooms in the hotel will have free WiFi, a 55-inch TV, mini-refrigerator, Nespresso machine, plush robes, and beds custom-designed exclusively for Canopy. Canopy suites will feature separate living/dining areas, and there will be filtered spring water stations on every floor.

There will be free evening beer, wine and spirits tastings, free Canopy Bikes and a pedicab to get around Pike & Rose, and a 24-hour fitness center. Ground floor and second-floor retail tenants will include Taylor Gourmet, Nando's Peri-Peri and a Red Door Salon and Spa. The hotel is located at 940 Rose Avenue.

Public hearing on allowing breweries, distilleries in Rockville set for Sept. 11

The Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed zoning change that would allow breweries and distilleries to operate in the City of Rockville at their September 11 meeting at 7:00 PM. If approved, the change would allow full production of alcoholic beverages in light and heavy industrial zones, and in mixed-use employment zones.

Microbreweries and pub breweries with limited production would also be allowed to locate in mixed-use business, mixed-use transit district, mixed-use corridor district and mixed-use employment zones. To testify at the hearing, call (240) 314-8280 before 4:00 PM on September 11 to sign up.

Public meeting scheduled for Saul Centers project in Rockville

Saul Centers has scheduled an informational public meeting on its proposed Twinbrook Metro Place development project. The required Pre-Application Area meeting will be held on Thursday, September 14, at 6:30 PM at the Hilton Hotel located at 1750 Rockville Pike.

The meeting location is across Halpine Road from the site of the massive, 10-building project. That project will encompass properties assembled from 1500-1616 Rockville Pike.