Contributor Opinion by Councilmember Piotr Gajewski: Mayor and Council Vision 2020

>Citizens of Rockville!

I command the Mayor and Council Vision 2020 to your attention!!!

At its June 21, 2010 meeting, the Rockville City Council unanimously passed a vision of how the Council imagines Rockville in year 2020. The document is used to guide the City staff in its work of managing the City and in assisting the City Council as it adopts policies that reach for the articulated city vision.

In recent weeks the Council has been contentious on a number of issues. Mayor Marcuccio and Councilmember Newton have staked out minority positions, voting against the budgeting principles on which the FY 11 budget is based and against the renewal of the contract of the City Manager Scott Ullery. For her part, the Mayor also recently cast the sole vote against renewing the City’s contract with Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI). But just when only a week earlier it seemed that the Council was heading for another 3-2 split, after much discussion and many edits, consensus on the city vision was achieved.

The following is the last paragraph of the preamble:

“The vision builds on the following seven themes: Strong and Distinctive Neighborhoods; Urban Sensitivity; Engaged Governance; Business Friendly; Multimodal Transportation; Exceptional City Services and Amenities; and Quality Environment. These themes have equal importance and Mayor and Council view them as mutually compatible. Budget priorities are explicitly not part of the vision; these are best addressed in the normal budget process.”

Many will find fault with one or another aspect of this vision, but it is my sincere hope that many will also find in the vision a direction that they can embrace. The city vision document is a must-read for all who engage in Rockville civic affairs. It can be found here: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/government/mc/vision.htm.

Piotr Gajewski

This is a Contributor Opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such pieces for consideration — the more voices the better. Simply send them to rockvillecentral@gmail.com. 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!

POTD: From The Blue, Blue Sky

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This cool shot is by Council Member Piotr Gajewski. I named it from one of my favorite lines (uttered by Nick) in one of my favorite movies, A Thousand Clowns.

I want to thank Rockville Central readers: I have to go on a business trip for a few days this week to Dayton, Ohio. I have been fretting about the POTD, since I do not have many pictures in the can just now. And you have, without solicitation, helped me out with contributions! Thank you.