Evening star., 1952-04-30
Detroit Man Named
As County's $500
Recreation Director

The Montgomery County Coun-
Gil yesterday appointed a new
81 ,500-a-year man to head the
still unborn County Department Of
Recreation.
Named to the post was Forest
Van Dyke Gustafson Of Detroit.
The council also announced the
May legislative session will get
underway at 8 pm. tomorrow in
the Rockville Courthouse.
Creation Of the new recreation
department was authorized last
year by the Maryland Legislature.
Recreation activities in the region
al district now are directed by the
Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission. Resi-
dents Of these areas pay . special
recreation tax.
Asked by Councilman Grover
Walker whether the appointment
would mean double taxation" for
suburban area residents, County
Manager Irving G. McNayr re-
piled:
II dislike that word. Let's say
that 1t means the lower county
will be contributing toward a rec
reation program for the whole
county"
Assumes Post June 1.
Mr.. Gustafsen has been super
intendent Of recreation for Detroit
for the last three years. He is a
graduate of the University Of Min
nesota. He will assume his post
about June /.
Mr.. McNayr said he hopes the
appointment will speed up the
transfer of recreation activities
from the planning commission to
the county.
The council yesterday also held
public hearing on a proposed site
for relocation of the Glen Echo
fire house.
The proposed fire house would
be located at the intersection of
Massachusetts, avenue and WAL
honding and Sangamore roads.
Andrew Anthony. jr., president
of the Conduit Road Fire Board,
asked the council to enact Iegis-
lation next month, authorizing a
$126, 900 bond issue to erect the
building.
Sees Insurance Costs Cut.
A scent increase in the present
10-cent fire tax limitation also will
be sought at the legislative session.
The council approved appoint
ment of Col. Robert B. Ransom
of Gaithersburg as director of
civilian defense. He has been act
ing director since last February.
He will get $500 annually.
John P. Gaquin, 20, was pro-
NOTED to be personnel assistant
to the county manager. A Rock
vile resident. he will replace
Richard L. Black who resigned to
become town clerk of Bronxville,
NY.
The council yesterday also ap-
proved a quit claim deed to the
National Chautauqua property in
Glen Echo. The land was decided
to the Park and Planning Com
mission for use as right-of-way
for the proposed George WASH
ington Memorial parkway.
Mrs. Kathryn j. Lawlor, coun-
Gil member, pointed out the land
was acquired by the county
through tax sales.
Bridge Authorized.
The council yesterday also:
/. Authorized construction of a
new bridge over the Rock Greek
Park at Randolph road.
2. Authorized an improvement
project on Lorain avenue and
Hillmoor and Brookmoor drives in
the Woodmoor subdivision. (Cost
to property owners will be
$62, ,000.)
3. Authorized an improvement
project on Hayden drive from
Gardiner avenue to Rosensteel
avenue. (Cost to property owners
will be $20.000o
4. Denied rezoning from Resi-
Dental "a" to Commercial ID" of
a tract at Madison street and the
aton-Kensington road. Ken
sington.
S. Added to the county pay roll
Clarence p. Courtney of Silver
Spring, building inspector, $3,675;
Philip D. Dudley Of Rockville
bookmobile driver-clerk, $2,520
and Howard Borthwick, College
Park, professional assistant with
public libraries department, $3,5l3
Do.an& Spoun1 ill., elnkal