Old Takoma Business Association
General Meeting
* Minutes *
October 12, 2004
Present: Bob Atwood, Sue Collings, Jude Garrett,
John Hume, Paul MacLardy, Jeff McCandless, Pennye Jones-Napier,
Dan Robinson, Jan Schwartz, Mary Stover, Faith Wheeler
Guests: Carol Bannerman, Police Affairs Specialist,
TP Police; Detective Andrew John, TP Police; Andrew Kelemen, Chair,
TP Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee; Gary Skulnik, The
Clean Energy Partnership; Tina Smith, Community Policing Specialist,
TP Police
Bob Atwood called the meeting to order at approximately
7:20.
Paul MacLardy reported on Marketing: About 20
businesses are currently participating in the coupon book. Others
can still participate by contacting Bobbi at bobbi@kittner.com
or dropping payment and form to 7056 Carroll Ave. The coupons
are free for OTBA members and $40 for others.
This year’s Holiday Open House will be Dec. 2 – 3.
Gary Skulnik of The Clean Energy Partnership
talked about the group’s legislative advocacy and membership
benefits. Info is available at www.cleanenergypartnership.org.
Detective Andrew John of the Takoma Park Police discussed
recent commercial robberies in the Old Town area including:
8/27 armed robbery at Park Florist, 9/? Robbery at CVS, 9/14 armored
car robbery at Sun Trust, 9/23 robbery at Subway and 9/29 robbery
at Moon Shadow. A suspect was apprehended for Subway, CVS and
a Hampshire Inn robberies. He noted that the Takoma area is not
particularly targeted and that a similar pattern of robberies
has occurred in NW DC, Bethesda and PG County.
Detective John also discussed business safety and crime prevention
including notifying the police of suspicious individuals/behavior
and use of quality video surveillance.
Detective John, Officer Tina Smith and Public Safety Citizens
Advisory Committee Chair Andy Kelemen discussed inter-jurisdictional
police efforts for Victor Sector (including Old Town) and noted
that there are plans to re institute ride-alongs with the DC police
and that the department is looking into developing a C-SAFE program
for the Old Town area similar to the program in the MD International
Corridor.
Jan Schwartz suggested that Greg Moorin be asked to serve as
OTBA’s public safety contact with the police and the Takoma
Park Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee.
Bob Atwood announced that the annual meeting,
including board elections, will be the second Tuesday in December
followed by a party at Jan’s house.
Mary Stover announced the up-coming Main Street
visioning/work plan development session October 20, from 4:00
to 9:00 p.m. and noted that the Street Festival went well with
13 sponsors providing $11,500 in revenue. Mary also noted the
expectation that next year’s festival will be run by the
Main Street promotions committee and require extensive volunteer
support.
Pennye Jones-Napier reported on memberships.
This is a slow time for new memberships and that it will soon
be time to work on renewals for 2005. Enid Romanek has joined
as new member for the remainder of 2004. OTBA’s membership
now includes more businesses that provide services than merchants.
Pennye also discussed the survey that was started at
the street festival. OTBA needs members/volunteers to
continue to administer the survey at the farmers market. If you
are interested in helping with the survey or a focus group please
contact Bobbi Kittner or Mary Stover.
Mary relayed a message from Bobbi regarding OTBA’s success
at delaying the Laurel Ave streetscape project until early spring
and the need to do proactive marketing and planning in order to
lessen the impact when the project does happen.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:35.
Mission Statement: The Old Takoma Business Association brings
together businesses and community organizations dedicated to developing
a vibrant market center, from Takoma Junction Maryland to the
Takoma Theatre DC, to enhance our unique and historic town setting.
Post Office address: Old Takoma Business Association, Post Office
Box 5440, Takoma Park, Maryland 20913.
