West Bradley Citizens' Association

In response to requests from residents, we are announcing the opportunity for two new services:

 ANNUAL LEAF COLLECTION. The West Bradley neighborhood is adjacent to the County Leaf Vacuuming District and thus qualifies for inclusion in that service if 80 percent of its residents petition for this service. There is an annual fee for the service which will appear in the “solid waste charge” line of your property tax bill. For the service year 2008, the charge was $93.04. That charge may increase slightly each year. If the neighborhood becomes part of the Leaf Vacuuming District, all you will need to do to dispose of your fallen leaves is make sure that they are gathered in piles at the edge of your street. Pick-up occurs twice during the Fall. Greg Barr and J.J. MacNab, residents in West Bradley, have volunteered to lead this petition drive. They are looking to Street Captains in our Neighborhood Network and others to help distribute the petition over the next month or so. See our website (www.westbradley.org) for names of Street Captains for your block or nearby blocks. For questions on the Leaf Collection, contact Greg Barr (gpbarr@verizon.net).

 BABYSITTING. Since more families with young children are moving into the neighborhood, there has been the request for a list of local babysitters that could be distributed only to people who live in the West Bradley area. If you would like to add a name to the babysitter list, send a private email to J.J. MacNab (jj@deathandtaxes.com) and include the sitter’s name, age, telephone number, email address, street address, and any special information that you want to provide (experience, good with infants, allergic to pets, etc.) If you want to receive the babysitter list once it is set up with periodic updates as appropriate, also send J.J. a private email saying that you want to receive the list. Please include your name and street address in your email.

 OTHER ITEMS. Let us know if there are other services that might be helpful – Help with pets while you are away? Access to County services for aging in place? Also stay tuned for notices of social events that some blocks are organizing to help bring our community together during this time of year. And, to one and all, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

December 9: We just received the report below from the Bethesda Police regarding an armed robbery at a home near the West Bradley area. The location is just east of the intersection of Seven Locks Road and River Road (south of River Road). Remember to report any/any suspicious behavior by calling either 911 or the general crime number (301-279-8000). Also do let your West Bradley street captain or WBCA president Sandy Vogelgesang (contact information on our website—just click on www.westbradley.org) know of any incident so that we can keep the community apprised.

12/07/08 8:57 pm, Armed Robbery, Royal Dominion Ct, Bethesda, Md., The two victims (mother and daughter) pulled into the garage at their residence and were removing items from the vehicle trunk when they were approached by a B/M suspect wearing a mask and armed with a handgun. The suspect demanded property at which time both victims turned over their purses and the suspect fled on foot towards Royal Dominion Rd. Responding officers established a perimeter and 9K25 tracked without success. 2D Investigative Section was notified and will conduct follow up.

Help Support and Design Your Community School! You will have one last chance to voice your views about the new school in our community. The Montgomery County Public School staff and architects will present draft designs this week for the new school that will be built on the site of the current Seven Locks Elementary School. If you have young children, you will want to see and influence what is planned. Even if you do not have school-age children, this is your opportunity to help shape the building that will stand at the intersection of Seven Locks and Bradley. Many of you fought hard to preserve this neighborhood school. Attending this meeting will help underscore the importance which our community attaches to the Seven Locks school and recreation area. Do come! Date: Tuesday, December 9. Time: 7:00 PM Place: Seven Locks Elementary School Multi-purpose Room.

Crime Alert. Remember to remain alert to crime, since it tends to increase at this time of year and since we continue to have reported incidents in our neighborhood. Some of the break-ins of cars have been quite professional – with alarm systems deactivated before thieves took lap-tops and air-bags. Note also that crime is on the increase at our local malls. So take special precautions for your personal safety and lock your car at Cabin John Mall and Montgomery Mall.

Holiday Greetings! This community has really come together this year – with a new website (www.westbradley.org), expanded email listserv and Neighborhood Network. Keep up the great work as we proceed with more programs (from leaf collection and references for baby-sitting and repair service) to more social gatherings and initiatives to help some age in place. And, to all of you, Warm Holiday Greetings!