| March 2024
Newsletter of the Kensington Heights Civic Association
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In Memoriam: KAREN CORDRY (1952-2023)
On November 20, 2023, our community mourned the passing of Karen Cordry. She was a cherished community member, dedicated advocate, and President of the Kensington Heights Civic Association (KHCA). Karen's profound impact on our community over the nearly 10 years she served as KHCA President has left an indelible mark on Montgomery County. She is survived by her partner, Stuart, as well as her brother and sister.
Known for her unwavering commitment to neighborhood issues, Karen's advocacy extended beyond Kensington Heights. Her dedication to the community was highlighted by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who praised her pivotal role in empowering local communities. Montgomery County is mourning the loss of a remarkable, intelligent, kind, and generous individual. He remembered her as a dear friend and expressed deep condolences to all who had the pleasure of knowing and working with her. Karen's legacy of tireless advocacy and leadership will continue to guide our community forward. Karen played a crucial part in successfully thwarting plans for a mega-gas station at Wheaton Mall, showcasing her commitment to the well-being of nearby neighborhoods, schools, and the environment. In addition to her role as KHCA President, she served as vice chair of the County’s Charter Review Commission.
Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee (WUDAC) Chair Jim Epstein shared his sentiments, recognizing Karen's invaluable contributions to the Wheaton community. Her impact will be felt for generations, and WUDAC will miss her advocacy for Wheaton and the broader Montgomery County community.
Tributes from MoCoShow can be found here and Montgomery County Civic Federation here.
As we come together to remember and celebrate Karen Cordry's life, let us honor her memory by continuing her legacy of kindness, service, and dedication to community welfare.
SAVE THE DATE! On Sunday, April 21, 1-4 PM, we will host a Celebration of Life of Karen Cordry. It will be held at the Rock Creek Mansion, 5417 W Cedar Ln, Bethesda. Light lunch provided by Provisions Catering of Rockville. Good food and cash bar (cash only). Bring your memories of Karen, including pictures, stories to share, etc. Questions should be directed to Peggy Alpert at elefinch93@gmail.com or Donna R. Savage at intfingers@aol.com. See you there!
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KHCA ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS
Kensington Heights Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
Date: April 24th at 7pm
Location: Kenmont Swim and Tennis Club on Faulkner Place
After the death of KHCA President Karen Cordry in November 2023, KHCA delayed the Annual Meeting and elections until the spring. The Nominating Committee consisting of Laura Henderson (Chair), Donna Savage and Danila Sheveiko has worked over the past 6 months to fill the vacant Executive Committee positions (President, Vice President and Secretary) with Kensington Heights residents who are excellent fits for the respective positions and who bring a great deal of interest in and passion for strengthening KHCA.
Additional programming for the Annual Meeting to follow next month.
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KHCA NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
The Nominating Committee is excited to present the following slate of officers at the Annual Meeting on April 24th at 7pm at Kenmont Swim and Tennis Club:
President: Laura Yee (Jennings Rd)
Secretary: Sophie Shubow (Eugene St)
Treasurer: Peggy Alpert (Plyers Mill Rd)
KHCA Nominating Committee seeks candidates for Vice President
KHCA is seeking candidates for a Vice President to work closely with the President and other KHCA members. The primary purpose of the entire KHCA is to support the quality of life in Kensington Heights by promoting the highest level of community responsibility. This VP role can be shaped by you and the President and is one that can use your innovative ideas and community spirit.
The VP would work with and get to know a wonderful group of fellow volunteers and neighbors who make up the KHCA Executive Committee. If interested in learning more about the role, please e-mail the Nominating Committee Chair - Laura Henderson at hender1@verizon.net, as soon as possible expressing your interest.
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KHCA HISTORY PROJECT - "AMERICAN SPIRIT AT 250"KHCA Immediate Past President and History Committee Chair Danila Sheveiko has written an article on the history of Claridge Farm and part of Montgomery County titled "American Spirit at 250." Danila has dedicated the article to the memory of fallen KHCA Presidents: Wayne Goldstein, Mark Adelman, and Karen Cordry. "Would they want us to celebrate their dreams or live them?" Read the article here. And to learn more about our local history or to help preserve it, please contact Danila at dsheveiko@hotmail.com.
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McCOMAS & DRUMM AVE GREENWAY PROJECT
Information and updates on the McComas + Drumm Ave Greenway Project can be found here.
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LOOKING AHEAD
Want to learn more about upcoming events? County plans that might affect traffic on your street? Ways to connect with neighbors around shared interests?
We want to provide you with the information you want and need to enhance the quality of life and community you envision. Spread the word, keep an eye out and participate in our survey coming to you in next month’s newsletter.
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| Montgomery County Civic Federation Meeting
March 11, 2024, 7:30 PM (ZOOM Only)
Topic: Montgomery County Budget
Click here for more information. Click here for the latest MCCF Newsletter.
This session will be held in conjunction with the Montgomery County Taxpayers League. Details, along with the speakers, will be presented before the meeting.
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Legislative Update
The County Council’s PHP Committee worksession on Zoning Text Amendment 23-11 was held on Feb. 5th – video here (about 1:18:00 to 1:50:00). Concurrent review was barely mentioned once all the way at the end with no analysis to speak of. None of the community concerns were acknowledged or addressed. Both ZTA 23-11 and the companion bill SRA 23-02 made it out of the PHP Committee with 3:0 votes. Our District Councilmember Fani-Gonzalez just went along with it and voted aye on both counts. No opposition, no dissent, no discussion. ZTA 23-11 became law on February 13th with a full County Council vote of 10:0... No discussion, no debate. Video here.
Office of the People's Counsel bill PG/MC 112-24 is in trouble, as County Council President Friedson has actively lobbied against it. The County Executive had it in his proposed budget for the last two years to comply with County Code, but the County Council shot it down both times. The Council President fought against this State level bill to re-establish the People's Counsel in Montgomery County – see his video statement to the County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly here along with a statement from our own District 18 Delegate Jared Solomon who also opposed this bill despite valiant and vociferous pushback from the bill's sponsor Sen. Ben Kramer. The entire House Delegation was going to vote on PG/MC 112-24 on Feb. 15th, but it was pulled from the agenda.
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Wheaton Gateway, LLC to Host Pre-Submission Public Meeting
PS Ventures, LLC will host a meeting on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 7pm to share plans for the redevelopment of the 5 acres of land near the intersection of University Boulevard and Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton, Maryland. Interested in learning more about this project and/or asking questions, please visit this link for information on the meeting which has an in-person and virtual option. To learn more, visit their Website here.
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Want to Learn How You Can Help Your Kensington Neighbors?
The Villages of Kensington (VoK) is an all-volunteer, non-profit neighborhood organization whose mission is to build a supportive, diverse, intergenerational network of neighbors helping neighbors to remain in their homes as they age and to stay engaged in the Kensington community. Established in 2016, VoK has more than 115 members and dozens of volunteers. VoK is dedicated to its members' well-being, functioning as a provider of services (such as rides to medical appointments) and as a social meeting hub (including monthly lunches in and around Kensington and a new Book Club). The VoK website is https://www.villagesofkensingtonmd.org/.
VoK’s all-volunteer Board meets once a month. We are looking for individuals who might be interested in serving as Board members or in other leadership positions. VoK is hosting an organizational meet-and-greet, Thursday, March 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave, Kensington. Learn about VoK’s members and services and how you can volunteer with us. Meet current Board members and a few members who will speak about their experiences with VoK.
If you’d like to attend or if you have any questions about VoK generally, please free to email Jeff Steger (VoK Treasurer) at jeffreysteger@yahoo.com. See you there!
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Vice President: Vacant
Land Use Chair Vacant
Traffic Chair: TBA
**Elections were held in October 2021. Upcoming elections: April 2024
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| KHCA is a non-partisan neighborhood organization dedicated to representing the interests of all homeowners and residents of the Kensington Heights neighborhood in maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in our community.
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| Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsors
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Kensington Heights Civic Association
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