Contributor Opinion By John Britton: My Preference For Cheryl Kagan
Sep 9, 2010 17:05 - 1 Comment
This Contributor Opinion is by John Britton.
Just a brief note to express my preference for candidate Cheryl Kagan in next Tuesday’s primary election. Consistent with many of the pro-Kagan comments that appear on these pages, I look for a more proactive, dynamic and even aggressive representation for our District. I do believe Jennie Forehand has ably and competently served the District throughout her many years in both the House and the Senate. I respect her immensely for her work and commitment. With such long-term tenure, however, the District and the municipalities therein (a major focus for me) should have significant clout and power in Annapolis. We do not.
The longevity factor in this race is overplayed. In today’s Post, Jennie Forehand is quoted on her seniority invoking for comparison the late Sen. Byrd of West Virginia who as we all know was quite adept at steering funds and projects to his little state. The comparison is woefully misplaced. I recall vividly a past election in which this same reason was given in opposition to another young, articulate and dynamic contender whom I was promoting - Chris VanHollen - over a seemingly entrenched encumbent. Without apology, I rejected the longevity argument then and, in casting my vote for Cheryl Kagan, I intend to reject it again. Cheryl Kagan has the smarts, experience, contacts and requisite energy to hit the ground running.
Councilmember John Britton
Rockville City Council
This is a Contributor Opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such pieces for consideration — the more voices the better. Simply send them to [email protected]. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!
Please also note that Rockville Central does not endorse candidates in election campaigns. Supporters of all candidates are encouraged to submit opinion pieces for consideration.
Some people support Jennie Forehand for State Senator because they say she has done a good job for a long time – 32 years, I believe. That may be so, but that’s not enough for me.
In 2008, Senator Forehand ignored thousands of her constituents who pleaded with her to work with Governor O’Malley, Rockville’s Mayor and Council, and even her own colleagues — District 17 Delegates – to find a more responsible alternative to the Rockville District Courthouse. The $81 million project is now being built in spite of the facts that it did not comply with Rockville’s Master Plan or with city zoning requirements; it is the most expensive courthouse ever built in Maryland, with many millions of dollars of waste identified by State studies; and it represents, in Governor O’Malley’s words, the “worst example of urban-planning malfeasance.”
Senator Forehand made sure the ill-conceived courthouse was built as planned, even though she knew that a budget crisis was crashing down on us all. The worst part is that she reconstructed history, and feigned ignorance of the serious concerns her constituents had raised about the project, directly to her, from the outset. Is this the service taxpayers deserve from our elected officials? No wonder so many of us are fed up with incumbents!
This issue aside, a person might see former Delegate Cheryl Kagan as a better choice for District 17 Senator based merely on watching the candidates’ closing remarks in their August 31 final debate (view at http://www.cherylkagan.org/videos/debates/ )
A more striking difference between two candidates can hardly be imagined. I urge every District 17 voter to watch this video as they decide who they want to represent them in the future, setting the past aside.
Cheryl Kagan is the clear choice to work for us and for all of Maryland in the coming years, and I voted (early!) for her. I hope enough of you do, too.