The artificial turf surface at Blair High School failed while under warranty from FieldTurf.
But, Montgomery County Parks did not replace the field under the warranty. Instead, they bought a new field from a different company.
Where did Montgomery County Parks get the $725,117 from to pay for this new artificial turf football field?
Everyone must already know the answer to this question because we live in award winning, transparent Montgomery County, right?
For those that do not already know how this replacement plastic field on top of stone was funded, here is the list of Montgomery County Park projects that were deemed "not politically sensitive" and the funding for these projects was deferred by Montgomery County Parks to pay for the new Blair High School plastic football field.
Was there any public notice or opportunity to comment for these communities?
Infield renovations at South Germantown and Ridge Road, Germantown
Fencing replacement at Sundown Road Local Park fields 1 and 2, Laytonsville
and Johnsons Local Park, Gaithersburg
6 rectangular field renovations (unknown locations)
Ridge Road Recreational Park: Bleacher and access improvement construction, Germantown
Northwest Branch Recreational Park - irrigation, Aspen Hill
Thanks to all those "not politically sensitive" communities, Blair High School has a brand new plastic football field! You are welcome to use it anytime! That is, anytime you pay the rental fee.
Even worse that Blair Field has been dangerously frozen solid and unplayable! Also the MD Soccer Plex (which is public) is installing a Zeolite infill on 3 fields which violates the Montgomery county infill resolution passed by the County Council. I saw all the bags there and it is basically kitty litter the kids will be playing on and breathing. They just keep breaking their own rules!!
ReplyDeleteThe SPCA should get involved as well.
DeleteHow long as the Blair field been unusalbe? What has the response from Montgomery Parks been? This is an entirely predictable situation. Infill that is not rubber (ground up tires) can and does freeze.
DeleteSPCA stands for?
DeleteIs a 'resolution' a rule or the law? We already know the Board of Education breaks the law regularly. Thanks to county voters, there is no oversight.
DeleteSociety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(SPCA)
DeleteThis is up to the voters. Don't blame the Parks Department. As we are just seeing in Pennsylvania, when voters step up things happen. Still waiting here in sleepy Montgomery County. Yawn.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to 'Rip Van Winkle' territory.
DeleteThank you for this information. What is the source and can we find out the 6 fields that were not attended to to pay for the early replacement of the Montgomery Blair Field?
ReplyDeleteYou can find out which were the 6 fields by filing a Maryland Public Information Act request to the Parks Department for any documents related to this decision. It is very easy, make sure your letter is short and to the point. Let us know what you find out! Here is a template to use: http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/OpenGov%20Documents/Appendix_A.pdf
Delete