In November 1995, after much lobbying, a State-sponsored referendum was placed on the ballot with a majority of votes in favor of unification of Takoma Park in Montgomery County. Until 1997, the City straddled two counties with the eastern portion of Takoma Park located in Prince George’s County and the western portion in Montgomery County. This controversy raised the profile of Takoma Park as it was becoming noted for political activism, with newspaper commentators describing it as “The People’s Republic of Takoma Park” and “The Berkeley of the East.” In the 1960s, future Mayor and civil rights activist, Sam Abbott, led a campaign to halt construction of a federal highway through the community’s historic north Takoma neighborhood and replace it with a Metrorail line. Many of his hybrid azaleas can be found across the community, thus Takoma Park’s reputation as “Azalea City.” A scientist, landscape architect, plant explorer, author, and lecturer, Morrison is known for his development of the Glen Dale Azaleas. Morrison (1891–1966), a pioneer in horticulture and the first director of the U.S. The church relocated its headquarters to Silver Spring, Maryland in 1989.Įarly residents included Benjamin Y. In 1904, Takoma Park became home to the world headquarters of the Seventh Day Adventist Church which maintains a regional hospital, college and several churches and other local facilities in the city. Takoma Park was incorporated by the State of Maryland in 1890 and by 1913 had become the largest city in Montgomery County. At 350 feet in elevation, this new suburb was high enough to avoid the malaria and mosquitoes that plagued the nation’s capital. In building a “sylvan suburb of the National Capitol,” he developed Takoma Park as one of first railroad-accessible suburbs in the D.C. Takoma Park officials said the work order to remove the paintings is being processed, but did not give a specific date.In 1883, developer Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) Gilbert purchased his first tract of land in Washington, D.C. “There’s a lot of education going on already on the sidewalk, but the civics lesson is not something we had anticipated,” Comfort said. “In general, any non-soluble painting or marking on public property is a violation of the City code and should be removed,” she said.Ĭomfort and her neighbors said they want the city to create a process for creating public art. She said city code only permits removable chalk and water-soluble markings in children’s activities or city-approved public art projects. In a statement Wednesday, Takoma Park spokeswoman Donna Wright said the city cannot discuss active cases. News4 asked Takoma Park officials why Comfort was the only person cited in the violation, given that the graffiti extends in front of at least three homes on two blocks, but they did not address the question. Maryland Researchers Discover the Right Way to Take a Pill She received a second notice last week threatening to place a lien on her home for the cost of removal of the paint. “No, I’m not removing my neighbors' art,” Comfort said.Ĭomfort tried to get an exemption from the city for the art but was denied. Then someone filed a complaint with the city and Comfort received a notice of violation ordering her to remove it. Neighbors who objected to the paintings pointed out that city code prohibits graffiti in public spaces and that those who had painted the sidewalks didn’t have a permit. “Children’s art was being called messy and ugly,” neighbor Jacqueline Moore said. Online discussions sometimes became mean-spirited, neighbors said. Susan Comfort, whose home’s sidewalk was painted, posted about the paintings on social media a few months ago. Some of the paintings have washed away, and new ones have been added. “When it first went up in the beginning of the pandemic, when all of the playgrounds were shut down, it was great," neighbor Henry Mesias said. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox. We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter - The 4Front.
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