Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Rockville won't reduce work-related injury paid leave benefits for City employees


Rockville's Mayor and Council voted against adopting a reduction in work-related injury paid leave benefits for City employees last night. City Manager Robert DiSpirito had recommended against adopting the policy change at this time, after getting negative feedback from employee unions. DiSpirito said the concern over the loss of benefits was particularly strong among those employees most likely to be hurt on the job, such as police officers, trash collectors and other public works personnel.

Given the pandemic and economic situation of the moment, "we feel that the timing of this is not optimal," DiSpirito told the Mayor and Council. He said there is no evidence of any abuse of the current policy, and that it has rarely even been used by employees, making the potential cost savings of a change negligible to non-existent. 

DiSpirito did acknowledge that the city's 2-year work-related injury paid leave exceeds the benefit provided by most jurisdictions. The City of Gaithersburg and Frederick County offer a maximum of 90 days paid leave for work-related injuries; Montgomery County offers 12-18 months, depending on whether the County's network of physicians is utilized by the employee; Westminster, Hagerstown and Bowie offer no work-related injury paid leave beyond statuatory limits.

Councilmembers Beryl Feinberg and Mark Pierzchala argued that Rockville should begin adjusting its policy to be more in line with other jurisdictions. Feinberg proposed capping paid leave at 18 months. She said employees have other options, such as short-term or long-term disability. Employees have little incentive to urgently seek medical treatment with such generous paid leave, Feinberg suggested.

"Did you talk to every employee," or just union leaders, Feinberg asked DiSpirito. The City Manager later mentioned it was his understanding that the unions discussed the issue extensively with their memberships, before offering their responses to the proposed benefit cut. 

Pierzchala said he agreed with everything Feinberg said, except that he felt the cap on paid leave should be 12 months, not 18. In his own experience and observation working with the federal government, Pierzchala said, employees out on paid leave force the remaining employees to cover their work in addition to their own duties. He dismissed negative union feedback as a reason to vote against the policy change. "What do you expect" they're going to say in response to a reduction of an existing benefit Pierzchala asked. 

But there was no further support on the body for adoption of the new policy. Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton said that it was the City employees who are "doing the heavy lifting" who would be hurt most by the change. The reduction is not justified, she argued. "There is no history of abuse in the city," Newton said. She noted that department directors continued to collect a $5400 car allowance benefit during the more than two years that City Hall was closed for the pandemic. Nobody said a word about that, she recalled.

Councilmember Dr. David Myles also indicated he would oppose the reduction, particularly given the current health and economic environment. "You're just kicking somebody who is already down," he said. Councilmember Monique Ashton pointed to the fact that workers hurt on the job are "injured doing the jobs we ask them to do." Municipal employees "do a risky job and serve our city," she said. Concurring with the arguments regarding the pandemic, economic concerns and the absence of abuse of the policy, "I don't think this is the time" to slash the benefit, Ashton said.

Ashton then moved to deny adoption of the policy change. Myles seconded her motion. The motion passed 3-2, with Feinberg and Pierzchala opposed.

Maryland gubernatorial candidates react to Supreme Court leak suggesting Roe v. Wade will be overturned


An unprecedented leak of a purported U.S. Supreme Court draft majority opinion striking down Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey published Monday night by Politico has dominated political discussion in the hours since. Maryland candidates for governor weighed in on the document, which Politico claims it has confirmed was authored by Justice Samuel Alito. Voters in Maryland approved a ballot measure in 1992 that preserved abortion on-demand up until the point of viability if Roe were to be overturned. Democrats in Annapolis widely expanded the number of healthcare professionals who could perform abortions in the General Assembly's 2022 session, over the objections and veto of Maryland's Republican Governor Larry Hogan.

Despite those legal precedents, Democrats running for Hogan's job aggressively responded to the potential SCOTUS decision. Wes Moore called it "deeply disturbing and dangerous," in a statement. "It cannot be overstated how many people will die as a result of this decision," Moore added, promising he would press for an amendment to Maryland's constitution, among other efforts.

"It will be the duty of Maryland's next Democratic governor to unapologetically protect and expand a pregnant person's right to an abortion," John King tweeted. "This assault on women, on a woman’s right to abortion care, is absolutely abhorrent," King wrote.

Candidate and current Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot called on lawmakers to "enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution" in a tweet. "But we must not stop there. It is not enough to preserve the status quo in the face of attacks on reproductive healthcare. So much more must be done to expand the accessibility of abortion care services."

Rushern Baker, former Prince George's County Executive now running for governor, considered the nationwide impacts of the possible Supreme Court decision. In a tweet, he exhorted state lawmakers to "prepare NOW for the many who may soon have to travel here for care."

Jon Baron also called for amending the state constitution. "This ruling, if made official, would cause immeasurable harm to millions around the country. It’s appalling — and a reminder of the imperative of state-level leadership on abortion rights," Baron tweeted.

"Guns have more rights than women in America," former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler tweeted this morning. He promised to be a "brick wall" against any reduction of abortion rights. Like Baker, he forsaw Maryland becoming a destination for women in other states seeking abortions if such a ruling passed.

Ashwani Jain joined Baker and Gansler in seeking to position Maryland as an "abortion sanctuary." He tweeted that "There’s no such thing as 'Pro-Life.' You’re either FOR safe abortions or AGAINST healthcare access."

"I'm disgusted. And infuriated," former Montgomery County Councilmember and U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez tweeted. "This is another step toward the Court forfeiting legitimacy. Make no mistake: people will lose their lives. Abortion and reproductive freedoms are fundamental freedoms—and always will be. We're going to fight like hell."

The only Republican ticket to speak on the leak so far was that of Delegate Dan Cox and his running mate Gordana Schifanelli. " I pray God it’s true," Cox posted on Facebook. "And because of the three SCOTUS seats appointed by President Trump, Roe v. Wade and abortion on demand are no more. May it ever be forgiven our land and may the blood of the innocent be part of the cloud of witnesses that triumphantly proclaim with all Americans 'we are endowed by our Creator with unalienable rights…of Life…!' And may the healing of women who’ve been lied to or overwhelmed by their decision, overflow with grace."

"Leaking draft opinion from the Supreme Court is another example of destructive behavior of the radical left - the fascists and haters of our country," Schifanelli tweeted. 

Republicans Robin Ficker and Kelly Schulz have yet to publicly comment on the potential SCOTUS decision. 

Unaffliated candidate Kyle Sefcik tweeted his support for the "weakening and overturning of Roe v. Wade."

Car stolen from home in Rockville


Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car at a home in Rockville  early yesterday morning. The vehicle was taken from the driveway of a house in the 5300 block of Trailway Drive. It is believed that the vehicle was stolen sometime between 10:00 PM Sunday night and 7:00 AM Monday morning.

Monday, May 2, 2022

Strong-arm carjacking in Rockville


Rockville City police responded to a strong-arm carjacking in broad daylight Saturday afternoon, April 30, 2022 at 2:45 PM. A black male in his 40s with a slim build jumped into a red, 2016 Nissan Altima (MD Tag 6DH0170) in the 800 block of Hungerford Drive, police say. The suspect was last seen driving the car north on Hungerford (MD 355).

Montgomery County police detectives have now taken over the investigation of the case. If you spot the vehicle, call police at 301-279-8000. If the situation appears to be an emergency, call 911.

Photo courtesy Nissan

Another assault at Rockville Metro station


Less than a week after an individual was assaulted in a parking area at the Rockville Metro station, Rockville City police were investigating a second assault reported there Saturday afternoon. A 2nd-degree assault was reported in a surface parking lot at the station at 4:45 PM on Saturday, according to crime data. If you are parking at this station, I recommend remaining aware of your surroundings at all times.

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Truck crashes over wall at Fireside Park Apartments in Rockville


A Chevrolet SUV crashed over a retaining wall at the Fireside Park Apartments at 735 Monroe Street in Rockville yesterday. Rockville City police responded to the incident. Officers determined there were no injuries, and called a tow truck in to remove the vehicle from the wall. Police did not say what caused the collision.

Photo courtesy Rockville City Police Department

Strong-arm robbery reported at Rockville hotel


Rockville City police were called to a hotel on Shady Grove Road Friday night, after an individual reported having been the victim of a strong-arm robbery there. The robbery was reported at a hotel in the 16000 block of Shady Grove Road at 11:30 PM, according to crime data. A Red Roof Inn is located on that block.