IN THIS EDITION:
- KFCA 2024 Annual Election Results
- King Farm Chronicle
- KFCA Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings
- Safety in King Farm For Drivers and Pedestrians
- King Farm Movie Night on the Lawn Tomorrow
- Few Spaces Remain for King Farm Casino Night
- RCPD Steering Wheel Lock Giveaway
- Rockville Police to Host Public Safety Town Hall
- 2024 Exterior Lot Inspections Are Underway
- King Farm Spring Community Yard Sale
- King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) Activities
- City of Rockville Police Department
KFCA 2024 ELECTION RESULTS
The King Farm Citizens Assembly held its Annual Meeting of the Membership and Election virtually on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024.
There was 1 candidate for 2 open seats. One (1) Board of Trustees member was elected.
Congratulations to Brian Gredder who received 554 votes.
There was one (1) open seat for KFCA President. Candidate votes are listed below in alphabetical order of their last name:
Matt Roh received 249 votes
Paul Scott received 323 votes
Congratulations to Paul Scott who will serve as the KFCA President.
We appreciate all of the residents who participated and voted and attended the meeting.
There continues to be many projects that the Board and President take on as the community continues to mature, and these candidates are eager to continue to make King Farm a place that all residents are proud to call home.
Congratulations!
**Please Note: Due to the vacant seat on the Board, the Board of Trustees will appoint a 5th member to the Board.
If you have any questions, please contact management@kingfarm.org.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE APRIL EDITION
OF THE KING FARM CHRONICLE!
To view past email newsletters and other updates,
please visit the King Farm website under ‘Stay Informed’.
The King Farm website, www.kingfarm.org, is your best resource
for staying up-to-date with all things King Farm!
UPCOMING BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
BOT typically meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Next BOT Regular Meeting: May 15, 2024 @ 7:30 pm
Minutes, Agendas, and other info for BOT: https://kingfarm.org/board-of-trustees/
BOCC typically meets on the 2nd Monday of the month.
Next BOCC Regular Meeting: May 13, 2024 @ 7:00 pm
Minutes, Agendas, and other info for BOCC: https://kingfarm.org/board-of-code-compliance/
ADT typically meets on the second Wednesday of the month.
Applications due by the 20th of the month to be reviewed at the next meeting
Next ADT Meeting: May 08, 2024 @4:30 pm
Minutes, Agendas, and other info for ADT: https://kingfarm.org/architectural-design-trust/.
Public Safety Town Hall Discussion May 22, 2024 @ 7:00 pm
This meeting will be held in-person with an option to join virtually. The Town Hall will provide residents with the opportunity to ask questions and raise their concerns.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OWgMS0PwQpqk5wcfAMV7MQ
MEETINGS ARE HELD VIA ZOOM AND REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Contact Management if you need assistance.
Meeting changes will be sent via email blast and/or posted on the website.
SAFETY IN KING FARM FOR DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS
As the weather warms and everyone wants to enjoy the sun and outdoor activities, it is important to keep safety at the forefront of the mind. Every year as the weather warms, Management receives an increased number of complaints about people walking, playing, and bike riding in the roads and streets, but more so in the alleys.
It is understood that the alleys have less traffic than the roads/streets, but the primary purpose of the alleys are to provide vehicular access to the garages located at the rear of the homes. The King Farm Resident Handbook, Part IV-Community Rules titled, “Use of Common Areas”, states, “Common areas shall be used only for the services and facilities for which they are intended.” The alleys were not designed to be a substitute space for general play and recreational activities and cannot be closed off to vehicular traffic for individual use. We understand the convenience of using the alleys and Management cannot monitor or control where one chooses to be, but we want to remind everyone that the selected location should be a place where it is safe to engage in these activities.
Drivers and pedestrians alike should practice common sense safety measures:
- Drivers should slow down and not speed through the alleys. Drivers should always be aware of their surroundings and the possibility that people, pets, or objects may be in the alley.
- Residents playing, walking, bike riding, etc. should avoid or minimize the use of the alley for social activities but those in the alley must be alert and aware that vehicles are likely to drive in and out of the alley throughout the day, and the obstruction of the drive lanes is not permitted. Additionally, objects should not be left in the drive lane.
Nobody wins if someone gets hurt:
King Farm is fortunate to have greenspace as well as two city parks located within the community that can be used for recreational and social activities. The King Farm Park, located at Grand Champion Drive and Deer Meadow Lane, and The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, located on Piccard Drive, are both available to residents of King Farm.
We thank you in advance for your consideration of your neighbors and the King Farm community. By moving the recreational activities to an area more suitable for activities, you help to keep other residents safe. There are open areas and trails within the parks and throughout the community that can be used for walking, playing, riding bicycles, and other recreational activities.
Please feel free to contact the Management Office if you have any questions or concerns at 301-987-0122 or via email: management@kingfarm.org.
KING FARM MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LAWN TOMORROW!
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair as King Farm movies on the lawn kicks off with a new family favorite, Wonka, will be playing on the big movie screen tomorrow, Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8:15 p.m. The movie, rated PG, will start promptly at 8:30 p.m. on the Saddle Ridge Circle lawn area adjacent to the Saddle Ridge Community Center.
FEW SPACES REMAIN FOR KING FARM CASINO NIGHT
Get ready for the return of Casino Night in King Farm with a special Kentucky Derby/Cinco de Mayo theme! Join your neighbors (ages 21 and over only) next Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Saddle Ridge Community Center (300 Saddle Ridge Circle).
Fiesta inspired food and beverages will be served, and all the major casino tables will be set up for neighbors who enjoy Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and Craps. Come dressed in your Derby best (fabulous hats encouraged for all!!!) and get ready to cheer on the winner for the big run to the roses!
Due to space limitations, advanced registration is required. This event is open to King Farm residents only, sorry NO non-resident guests. Space is limited to the first 65 people to register. Once registration is full, the online system will close down.
RCPD STEERING WHEEL LOCK GIVEAWAY
The Rockville City Police Department will hold another steering wheel lock giveaway on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the RCPD. The steering wheel locks are free to city residents, while supplies last. Mark your calendars! bit.ly/SteeringWheelLocks.
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ROCKVILLE POLICE TO HOST KING FARM
PUBLIC SAFETY TOWN HALL DISCUSSION
The Rockville City Police Department will be welcoming King Farm residents for an open discussion about crime and safety within the community and City of Rockville during a Public Safety Town Hall.
Join Chief of Police Victor Brito and members of the Rockville City Police Department on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at the Saddle Ridge Community Center – 300 Saddle Ridge Circle.
This meeting will be held in-person with an option to join virtually. The Town Hall will provide residents with the opportunity to ask questions and raise their concerns.
Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive the King Farm community e-mail alerts and weekly e-mail announcements, but they are also encouraged to follow the official Rockville City Police Department’s communication channels for important information and alerts.
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Periodic exterior inspections of the homes/lots in King Farm are important for ensuring all property owners are maintaining their home/lot in accordance with the governing documents. These maintenance standards contribute to enhancing curb appeal and property values.
HOA Inspections USA, an independent inspection company, will take photos of homes as part of the inspection process. The photographer will be identifiable by their colored safety vest. The photographer will be using cameras to take photos of homes from common/public areas. The photographer will not discuss what issues may be cited for yours or anyone else’s property.
CHECK YOUR MAIL (USPS)
If maintenance items are identified, a notice from HOA Inspections USA will be sent via USPS mail. Email notifications will NOT be sent for the initial notice. The initial notice will provide a compliance date to bring the noted items into compliance.
If the items are not brought into compliance by the comply date, then a Final Notice/ Intent to Hold Hearing will be sent via USPS mail, email (if available) and posted to the property address door.
Initial Notices have been sent to properties located on the following streets:
Bonnibelle Place, Dunloggin Drive, Game Creek Drive, Heritage Fields Way, Landis Way, Lawson Way, Rolling Fields Way, Silver King Lane, Treemont Way, Trotter Farm Drive, Shorthorn Way, Pasture Side Place, Saddle Ridge Circle, Watkins Overlook, Crooked Creek Drive, Garden View Square, Pasture Side Way, Pure Spring Crescent, Ridgemont Avenue, Grand Champion Drive and Wickwood Drive.
If there are extenuating circumstances, if you have any questions or to report resolved maintenance items,
please contact the Management Office at 301-987-0122 or email management@kingfarm.org.
SPRING COMMUNITY YARD SALE NEXT SATURDAY
The City of Rockville will be hosting a Spring Community Outdoor Yard Sale next Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. right here in King Farm in the parking lot of the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park. This event is perfect for those King Farm residents who have been waiting for the return of the yard sale! If you are interested in participating, you must pre-register and submit payment to secure your one parking spot space and a 6-foot table. Rain date will be Sunday, May 5, 2024. The cost is $35.00 for one city provided table, additional tables can be purchased for $35.00 or you may register and bring your own table for $25.00. To register your spot, please visit www.rockvillemd.gov/registration. If you have questions, please call 240-314-8780.
This will be the only yard sale held in King Farm this year,
so don’t miss out!
Secure your spot today!
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Events
The King Farm Neighbors Village (KFNV) ended its April events with Coffee and Conversation on Wednesday and a lively conversation about the positive aspects of aging.
May events will encompass the following activities, including two picnic-related events.
- The Walking Club will continue its strolls Monday-Thursday at 4 pm, except in the case of inclement weather. The group meets in the park across from The Fontina Grille.
- On Thursday, May 2, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 pm, the KFNV Movie Club will review the Academy Award winning film, Oppenheimer, the 2023 biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist credited with being the “father of the atomic bomb” for his role in developing the first atomic bomb.
- On Sunday, May 5, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 pm, the KFNV will co-host with the Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation an afternoon of conversation and activities for King Farm families. Come out to the King Farm Community Center and learn about the life and peace messages of Mattie whose statue graces our park. Activities are planned for both adults and children to highlight Mattie’s message of peace.
- On Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 12:30-2:00 pm, the KFNV member Book Club will discuss the novel, The Paris Daughter, by Kristin Harmel. This historical fiction novel tells the emotional story of two young mothers during World War II in Europe. New York Times’ bestselling author Kate Quinn described the novel as “(a) gorgeous, gut-wrenching read!”
- On Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 pm, The KFNV Friends Club will meet for lunch at Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park, Derwood, MD. (Directions to the picnic area will be emailed to those who respond that they will be attending.) Come out and enjoy the first KFNV Friends picnic of the year. All residents of King Farm are invited as membership in the KFNV is not a requirement to participate in the luncheon.
- On Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 10:00-11:30 am, Coffee and Conversation participants will meet to discuss: What would you like to know more about related to aging?
- On Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 6:30-8:00 pm, the KFNV will host Spring Fling: A Picnic in the Center, a picnic potluck at the King Farm Community Center. The particulars are:
Who: Only members of the KFNV are invited to participate in this event. Please see below how to easily become a KFNV member.
What: Please bring your favorite picnic dish to serve 6-8 people. Also, please bring a notecard with the dish’s ingredients listed and a serving utensil.
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm with dinner starting promptly at 6:45 pm.
Other Important Information:
The KFNV will provide dessert, bottled water, soft drinks, paper products, and eating utensils. Please register for this event by Thursday, May 16, 2024. Registration will be capped at 30 participants. In addition, when registering, please note the dish that you will be bringing. KFNV is offering transportation to this event. If you need transportation or have any questions about the potluck, please contact KFNV at kfnvinfo@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (301) 799-8104.
Please note that the monthly Movie Club, Book Club, Coffee and Conversation gatherings, and many highlight events are held at the King Farm Community Center, 300 Saddle Ridge Circle, Rockville, MD 20850. In case of inclement weather and if there is time to notify participants, the KFNV may opt for a Zoom presentation for any meeting or event. Finally, the KFNV offers transportation to many of its monthly events for KFNV members. Please contact the Operations Coordinator at kfnvinfo@gmail.com, or leave a voicemail at (301) 799-8104 to arrange for transportations.
Services
The KFNV continues to support King Farm residents with its community services: transportation to appointments, simple household tasks, friendly phone calls/texts, and friendly visits. Please feel free to avail yourself of all of the community services that the KFNV offers. If you are in doubt about whether a task could be performed by one of the KFNV volunteers, go ahead and fill out the service form on the KFNV website. Our Operations Team will get back to you to determine if the task is under our umbrella of tasks. Also, please note that services are open to KFNV members only; however, membership is free and an easy process. See below on how to contact the KFNV to schedule any of the services or with any questions that you may have about the services as well as how to become a KFNV member.
Volunteers
The KFNV is always looking for a “few good volunteers” to provide community services to its members like drives to appointments, friendly visits, and help with simple household tasks. Volunteers are an important part of the KFNV. Please feel free to contact the Operations Coordinator for any questions you may have about becoming a KFNV volunteer by calling (301) 799-8104, emailing to kfnvinfo@gmail.com , or viewing the KFNV website at www.kfnv.org for information as well as an on-line form to fill out to become a KFNV volunteer. The KFNV thanks you for your consideration in becoming a KFNV volunteer.
Contacting the KFNV
For most of the KFNV monthly events as well as the services, membership is required; but membership is as easy as filling out an on-line or mail-in form with residency in the King Farm community being the only membership requirement. We are a multi-generational Village; therefore, there is no age requirement to join the KFNV. The KFNV welcomes all King Farm residents of all ages.
Although there is no fee to become a KFNV member, the KFNV does, however, accept and welcome donations; for these donations help defray the cost of KFNV services and events.
For information on how to register for any of the above events, to request a service or a ride, to become a KFNV member or a volunteer, or to make a donation, please contact the Operations Coordinator by calling (301) 799-8104 to leave a voicemail, emailing the KFNV at kfnvinfo@gmail.com , or viewing the KFNV website at www.kfnv.org.
RCPD’s COMMUNITY POLICING
The Rockville City Police Department’s commitment to community policing resulted in reduced crime rates for 2023, RCPD Chief Victor V. Brito told the Mayor and Council in presenting a crime report with data that contrasts with that of other municipalities across the country.
While criminality has risen locally, regionally and nationally since 2020, “Virtually all of our data and all of our crime has been down in the last year,” Brito said in giving an overview of the report to the Mayor and Council on Feb. 26. “And that’s not through happenstance or reverse osmosis. That’s through the hard work and selfless dedication of the men and women of the Rockville City Police Department.”
Each year, the department prepares a crime report under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System.
Overall, between 2022 and 2023, crimes against people, which include homicides, assaults and sex offenses, decreased 10.6%, from 501 offenses in 2022 to 448 offenses in 2023.
Crimes against property, including burglaries, robberies, thefts and vandalism, increased by 1.7% (from 1,831 to 1,862). While the number of carjackings is rising locally, regionally and nationally, Rockville saw a 68% decrease, from eight in 2022 to three in 2023.
Crimes against society, including drugs, prostitution and weapons offenses, decreased 28.7%, from 129 to 92, including a 39.8% decrease in drug/narcotic violations.
RCPD responded to almost 70% of the 25,139 calls for service in the city in 2023, alongside the Montgomery County Police Department’s First District Station and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Recent changes could impact these numbers. The Montgomery County Department of Police’s recent decision to redeploy personnel assigned to the county’s First District to other areas of Montgomery County has led to an increase in the number of service calls handled by RCPD officers. RCPD responded to 88% of the calls within the city limits in January 2024, versus 71% of calls during the same period in January 2018, a pre-pandemic period used for comparison.
Find video of the presentation to the Mayor and Council with the Feb. 26 meeting listing at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter.
The report will be included in an annual report published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments this summer. Find it when it is posted this spring at www.rockvillemd.gov/police.
Click here to read the Weekly Crime Report courtesy of the Rockville City Police Department.
RockView Program
If you have a ring camera (or other front door/doorbell camera), you can register it with the RCPD. The RockView program allows residents and business owners to voluntary register their privately owned video security camera systems with the RCPD. Registration in the RockView program does not enable law enforcement to view camera footage without an owner’s permission. However, the RockView program will allow city police to quickly identify security cameras that may have captured criminal activity when a crime is reported nearby. For more information about the RockView program, click here.
If you have a crime or concern to report, please contact the Rockville City Police Department at:
Non-Emergency: 240-314-8900
Emergency: 9-1-1
2 W. Montgomery Ave, Rockville, Maryland 20850
Stay connected with breaking news and information from RCPD on:
Facebook – @RockvilleCityPolice
Twitter – @RockvilleCityPD
Instagram – @RockvilleCityPolice
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!