Twenty-seven Chevy Chase residents have sent out a letter endorsing incumbents Linna Barnes and Rob Enelow for the two seats on the Town Council up for election on May 1st. Many were active supporters of the moratorium on development in the Town and supported the election of Kathy Strom and Lance Hoffman to the Council last year.
The letter touts the following achievements by Linna and Rob:
Ø Passed and implemented a road map for the future: The Town’s Strategic Plan, created through an inclusive community process, seeks to protect and strengthen what is special about the Town – its tree canopy, its architectural character, and its strong sense of community – and to position the community to meet proactively future opportunities and challenges, both within and outside our borders.
Ø Encouraged stronger and meaningful participation by Town residents through the creation of five new Town citizen committees: Community Relations, Environment, Land Use, Long Range Planning and Public Services.
Ø Increased Town efficiency: Through new standard operating procedures, staff adjustments, improved technology and other measures, the Town is better able to service its residents and the demands of the 21st Century.
Ø Strengthened public safety: Linna and Rob have been part of a Council effort to beef up security patrols, initiate better lighting and an improved design at the Elm Street Park in cooperation with the County and the Air Rights developer, expand sidewalk access and further implement the Town’s Traffic Plan.
Ø Implemented a new storm water management ordinance: These new requirements should help curb water-runoff and drainage problems that have plagued the Town for many years.
Ø Opened the development process to Town residents: Through the adoption of mandatory pre-permit meetings, residents can now learn about major construction projects, exchange information, and provide feedback early in the process.
Ø Improved Town communication: To better inform Town residents, a more citizen-friendly Web site is now up and running, and a Town e-mail list serve has been created.
Ø Made significant progress on the “Li” Property to remove this Town eyesore: After years of little action, the Town Council recently obtained a court order to have the structure removed and is actively pursuing options to prevent over-subdivision of the property.
This letter confirms my earlier impression that
this election is rapidly becoming a tacit referendum on the approach that the Town has taken since the adoption of the moratorium. You can read the
candidate statements for yourself online at the Town website.
I've been pleased by many of the measures that the Town has taken over the past year as outlined in the letter. I'm especially happy about the new protections of the tree canopy which help keep the area near where I live both cooler and more beautiful, and the increased ability of residents to participate in Town government.
I plan to vote for both of the incumbents, Linna Barnes and Rob Enelow, in the hope that the Town will continue its effort to take a sensitive and balanced approach toward the Town's future.
