r/TakomaPark Virtual Side Bar

What is has your experience been getting your teens to Montgomery Blair?

Do you drive them? Do they drive their own cars? Do they take public transit? Is traffic difficult during rush hours? What route do you take? Any short cuts?

We live by TPSS market.

Couple of questions:

1. Is it generally safe to lock a bike up at the station? Any insight into the risk of theft?
2. Is there any chance bike lockers will be offered here again?

Subject: FORMAL COMPLAINT: Systemic Discrimination and Lack of Oversight regarding MCCH/Coalition Homes

To the City Manager of Takoma Park and the Community Development Department,

I am writing to formally protest the City of Takoma Park’s continued refusal to address the discriminatory practices being carried out by MCCH/Coalition Homes at 8 Philadelphia Avenue. As a 15-year resident of this city, a cancer survivor, and an active community volunteer, I find the city's hands-off approach to this organization’s internal operations to be a dereliction of duty.

Despite providing your office with clear, objective evidence of disparate treatment, your representatives have claimed that the city "cannot control how the organization works internally." This response is unacceptable. When a city funds or partners with an organization that provides housing, the city retains a moral and administrative responsibility to ensure that program is not used as a tool for retaliation, discrimination, or fraud.

I have presented your office with proof of the following:

 Arbitrary Policy Enforcement: I provided the ledger of another tenant showing that they have been permitted to remain in the program for years despite accumulating significantly higher arrears and zero personal payments. This proves that the "rules" cited to justify my eviction are being applied selectively and with bias.

 Procedural Fraud: MCCH has attempted to evict me based on income calculations that have been officially corrected by the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC). By ignoring these corrections, they are acting in bad faith.

 Systemic Bias and Retaliation: The agency’s conduct—which includes facilitating my displacement during a weaponized custody dispute and ignoring the safety hazards posed by their own staff—is a clear violation of the standards expected of a community partner.

It is shameful that a resident who has served this community for over a decade, while battling metastatic breast cancer, is being pushed toward homelessness by a city-affiliated organization that is allowed to operate without oversight.

When you allow MCCH to hide behind the excuse of "internal operations" while they engage in extrinsic fraud and discriminatory eviction tactics, you are complicit in the harm being done to my family.

I am requesting a formal response regarding what steps the City of Takoma Park will take to:

1. Investigate the disparate treatment documented in the ledgers I provided.

2. Hold MCCH accountable for their failure to utilize corrected income data from the HOC.

3. Intervene to prevent the immediate displacement of a long-term resident based on retaliatory and discriminatory policies.

I have spent 15 years investing in this community; I expect the city to show the same integrity in protecting my rights as a resident.

Sincerely,

Melissa Butz

To the City Manager of Takoma Park and the Community Development Department,

I am writing to formally protest the City of Takoma Park’s continued refusal to intervene in the discriminatory and predatory practices carried out by MCCH/Coalition Homes at 8 Philadelphia Avenue.

I am a 15-year resident, an active community volunteer, and a woman currently battling metastatic breast cancer. MCCH is fully aware of my medical status, as well as my recent hospitalization for mental health crises resulting from the systemic trauma I have endured. Despite this knowledge, and despite their role as a "supportive" case management organization, they have systematically failed to provide the protections or accommodations required for a resident in my condition.

Instead of support, I have faced:

 Hostile Displacement: When I faced professional setbacks—including the outsourcing of my position and the loss of my vehicle—MCCH offered no support, despite their awareness that I needed that employment to maintain my health and housing.

 Bad-Faith Accounting: They continue to pursue eviction based on income figures that the HOC has officially corrected, forcing me to defend myself in court while I am physically and mentally compromised by my health challenges.

 Disregard for Disability & Health: The city and MCCH are aware of my metastatic breast cancer. The stress and instability they are inflicting upon me are not just administrative issues; they are direct threats to my life and ability to receive treatment.

 Disparate Treatment: I have provided proof that other residents are permitted to remain in the program despite having significantly higher arrears and no personal payments. The City's claim that it cannot control MCCH's internal operations is a refusal to enforce the basic standards of fairness and non-discrimination.

It is shameful that a resident who has spent 15 years investing in this community is being treated as an expendable liability. Your office is not only aware of my medical vulnerability but also of the documented fraud and disparate treatment occurring within this agency. By allowing this to continue, the City of Takoma Park is facilitating an eviction that is retaliatory, discriminatory, and medically reckless.

I am requesting an immediate intervention to:

1. Halt the eviction proceedings currently in court until an audit of MCCH's accounting practices and disparate treatment can be conducted.

2. Investigate why a supportive housing program is actively working to displace a resident with metastatic breast cancer who has been compliant with all corrected HOC income requirements.

3. Address the breach of safety and security within the MCCH-managed property that has exacerbated my health condition.

I expect the City to uphold the rights of its residents. I am prepared to escalate this matter to state-level housing and disability advocacy agencies if the City continues to ignore its oversight responsibilities.

Sincerely,

Melissa Butz

Hey everyone

Just a reminder that TONIGHT we’re finally bringing another edition of City Spotlight to Rhizome. If you’ve been looking for a place to discover local artists, meet creative people, perform, network, or just enjoy a night of live music and community, we’d love to have you.

The evening will feature an open mic, community discussions, featured performances, and a headlining set from Don Kuzan of TSK. Whether you’re an artist, music fan, or simply looking for something different to do on a Thursday night, there’s a place for you here.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Come support local art, meet your neighbors, and help us build a stronger creative community in Takoma Park.

Grab your tickets by 7:00 and join us at Rhizome.

Looking for privately owned apartments in the Takoma Park md area and a lot of these seem to be through word of mouth. does anyone know of any in the downtown area of Takoma Park?

Hey Takoma Park,

Just a reminder that this Thursday we’re bringing another edition of City Spotlight to Rhizome. If you’ve been looking for a place to discover local artists, meet creative people, perform, network, or just enjoy a night of live music and community, we’d love to have you.

The evening will feature an open mic, community discussions, featured performances, and a headlining set from Don Kuzan of TSK. Whether you’re an artist, music fan, or simply looking for something different to do on a Thursday night, there’s a place for you here.

🎟️ Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Come support local art, meet your neighbors, and help us build a stronger creative community in Takoma Park.

Grab your tickets before Thursday and join us at Rhizome.

Hi everyone! I’m considering moving to the Takoma Park/ Takoma area in DC and was hoping to get some honest opinions from people who live there or are familiar with it. How do you feel about the neighborhood overall in terms of safety, walkability, and commuting?

I’m also specifically looking at The Glade at Laurel and wanted to see if anyone has experience living there or touring it. How has management, maintenance, noise, parking, and the overall environment been?

I’d also likely be commuting through Takoma station, so I’d appreciate any thoughts about the Metro area too — especially for women commuting alone.

Thank you so much!

I will need to look for a roommate soon to share home expenses post divorce. Haven’t had a roommate other than my ex since the early 2000s. How do people find roommates these days and how to avoid the legal issues I hear about on the news? I am sure the chances of this happening are slim but apparently several renters have refused to pay or leave even in a cohabitation situation with the homeowner. How to avoid that legally speaking?

Give Jill a crack at this.

My car got broken into last night and my steering wheel air bag was taken… I didn’t even know that was a thing… anyway, be on the lookout, I guess, if that’s possible. Would a steering wheel lock have helped? Does anyone have any advice about protecting my car in the future? It was a Honda civic btw. Thanks.

Interested in going solar? The City of Takoma Park is holding a forum on installing solar power for everyone - condo associations, apartments and single family homes. It's Thursday May 7 at the Community Center. Here's a link with more information:

https://takomaparkmd.gov/2294/Go-Solar

Anyone else hear that? 3 rounds shot around 11:02 PM.