Comments on: Contributor Opinion By Alice Liu: Planning Commission Rules Unfair To Citizens

By: Brigitta Mulilcan

Brigitta Mulilcan — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:05:06 +0000

It is satisfying to read T. Blalock’s comment regarding the difficulty that our elected officials have to make because the decisions will please some people and displease others. Decisions need to be made in the BEST INTEREST of the ENTIRE citizenry with all accurate information. The loudest voices do not necessarily represent the most informed group. Unfortunately, decision makers do make bad decisions. In some cases mistakes can be rectified.

By: Temperance Blalock

Temperance Blalock — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:52:02 +0000

Many of the people who have a perception that they are being ignored or “not listened to” in political exchanges are often the ones who are operating from a highly-charged emotional state of anger or frustration, and feel that the anger itself should be sufficient to motivate their officials to react in a certain way. From the time of our Revolution, through the Civil War, to the scores of conflicts and issues of the 20th century and into our currently polarized blue state/red state millennium, Americans have always been politically exuberant. But it’s disturbing to realize how little we’ve evolved as citizens or human beings that we are still so easily inflamed into behavior that is often so polluted with emotional rage that the perspective of the actual issues at hand is obscured or distorted, if not sometimes completely forgotten. I admit to being susceptible to it myself.It’s sad to see how many of the issues affecting Rockville frequently degenerate into forums for personal attacks and intimidation.Do we really want our elected officials to make decisions based primarly on the level of emotion displayed at public hearings, rather than on what they may feel to be the best interests of the entire citizenry, and not just the subset who were motivated enough to show up and yell? I’m reminded of the July 2008 hearings about Bealls Grant II, when the opponents claimed that their overwhelming presence and volume at the hearing was “evidence” that the entire West End opposed the development. In fact, many supporters of the development, such as myself, refrained from attending this meeting (and several others) out of sheer fear of the level of emotion. I have a lot of sympathy for the public officials who listen to this type of testimony and can remain calm enough to properly evaluate the situation. While political officials should most definitely listen to their constituents, they should not base their actions on what sometimes amounts to a mob mentality.

By: Theresa Defino

Theresa Defino — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:33:57 +0000

I have attempted to remain up to date on this issue since May. Twice I have written to an address provided in the WECA newsletter and asked to be added to the list serv run by Noreen and Alice and have never been added. I asked Noreen in person to add me and she brushed me off.I have been told that there is a petition circulating to kill this project–just like happened with BGII. Again, this is all happening in secret apparently among certain residents who simply don’t want people who support affordable housing to be involved–like me. I fear that this worthy project could again be held hostage by a splinter group of citizens and possibly with the support of some on WECA–which has NEVER taken a vote on this project.This project has nothing to do with the Mayor and Council.The project is on county land and is proposed by a non-profit organization, the Catholic Archdioceses.There is a meeting Monday night that I urge all interested parties to attend.The meeting will be at 7 PM in the cafeteria of the Council Office Building at 100 Maryland Ave. The meeting is required by the city zoning ordinance as a “post-application AREA meeting.”The developer has reduced the bulding to 86 units and made other improvements, which will be discussed at the meeting, according to a flyer I received.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:19:11 +0000

I don’t see how you can fault Gajewski for what the Mayor and other Councilmembers do or don’t do. Gajewski provides a forum with his town hall meetings. That doesn’t guarantee you get the result you want, but you certainly have opportunity to take your issues directly to your elected official.

By: JJ

JJ — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:29:14 +0000

In answer to Mr. Slavin’s question, what can be done is vote in a mayor and council who are sympathetic and responsive to residents. I have sent emails with specific questions to the mayor. With rare exception, they have gone not only unanswered, but without acknowledgement. I, and others, have stood at citizen’s forum and asked the mayor, point blank, for an answer to the same questions. Not only do you not get an answer, you are treated like you weren’t even there…ignoring not only your question, but your presence.Mr. Gajewski, you are not the only member of the council, so it isn’t just about you. While you do an okay job responding during citizen’s forum, you have at times done so with disrespect towards some speakers. You, and other council members, have at times responded with allegations or interpretations that are just plain inaccurate, but you get the final word and we have to swallow hard and end up frustrated with the whole process.Your town hall meetings are yours. I have been asking for the same town hall meetings with the entire council answering questions. There certainly is enough room on the calendar since you all meet on average once every three weeks or so.I can concur with everything Ms. Liu has written because I have been part of the team working on this issue, and while she and Noreen Bryan have done most of the work, I feel the same frustration and disadvantage as they do.

By: Councilmember Piotr Gajewski

Councilmember Piotr Gajewski — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:02:04 +0000

Mr. Slavin:I am sorry if you feel that you have ever been met with indifference from me. Nothing could be further from the truth. I invite you (and all others) to the Townhall Meeting this Thursday night (see article posted today on this site) or to my drop-in time (before Council meeting) on August 3rd when we can take whatever time you need to discuss issues that are on your mind.Piotr

By: Councilmember Piotr Gajewski

Councilmember Piotr Gajewski — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:29:48 +0000

By: Councilmember Piotr Gajewski

Councilmember Piotr Gajewski — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:28:58 +0000

By: Bryan Slavin

Bryan Slavin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:47:12 +0000

I am disappointed to hear this, although I have to say that I am not terribly surprised. In my and other neighbors’ attempts to be heard on a variety of issues at the Citizen’s Forum of the Mayor and Council Meeting, we have been met with indifference at best by the Mayor and Council.Much of it frankly feels like a kangaroo court. I understand that we have a choice when we vote this year, but what else can be done in terms of process/procedure to create an environment where regular, active, and concerned citizens feel heard?