Reader Note By Cheryl Kagan: At Long Last… The ICC!

After roughly five decades of discussing options and drawing routes… purchasing parcels of land and dealing with politics… rising costs and controversy… the Intercounty Connector (ICC) finally opened yesterday. As readers likely know, this east/west road will ultimately connect I-270 to I-95 and Route 1. It will make trips to BWI airport a breeze, and will link jobs and friends from across the state.

On Monday, Governor Martin O’Malley led the ribbon-cutting for the first segment of this road. This long overdue event, held in the bitter cold (with rain for good measure), was well-attended by current and former elected officials, business leaders, and long-time community members who have consistently supported this transportation improvement.

The significance of this long-awaited (and for some, long-dreaded) day was reflected by the presence of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who joined his Deputy, former MD Transportation Secretary John Porcari at the ceremony. Former Governor Bob Ehrlich, former County Executive Doug Duncan, and many former transportation, business, and legislative leaders were also in attendance. The Mayor, City Manager and entire City Council of Gaithersburg were there to celebrate; Rockville was represented by City Manager Scott Ullery. State Senate President Mike Miller asked local State Senator Jennie Forehand to represent him; Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch asked the same of Del. Kumar Barve.

What does the opening of the ICC- the new Route 200- mean to you? Check it out and see (best to do so before tolls kick in on March 7th). You’ll find it attractive, clean, and quick… and your taxes helped build it! I suspect we’ll all choose BWI as our airport more frequently now that it is so much easier and quicker to get there. Check out www.mtaiccbus.com for the details on the $5.00 trips that are scheduled hourly between the Shady Grove Metro station and the airport. Thanks to the ICC, it will be much easier to get to the airport without worrying about traffic or steep parking fees!

It will be interesting to see how many drivers choose the Intercounty Connector for their regular commute or for pleasure trips. The sticker shock of the tolls will certainly dissuade many of us, but transportation officials predict that the time savings will entice drivers onto the road. Remember that- just like Metro- the ICC uses time-sensitive pricing. Rush hour commuters (those using the road 6 -9am & 4-7pm on weekdays) will pay $1.45. It will be less expensive for off-peak hours ($1.15 from 5-6am, 9am-4pm and 7-11pm on weekdays, and 5am-11pm on weekends) and a bargain at 60 cents for the overnight hours of 11pm-5am.

I’ve heard from a number of people who hope their commutes will be quicker based on other people using the Intercounty Connector. It remains to be seen how many of us will become “those people” who will choose the ICC on a regular basis.

Cheryl Kagan served in the MD House of Delegates from 1995-2003 and supported the ICC throughout her tenure.

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Reader Note From Rotraut Bockstahler: Upbeat Report From Pinneberg, Germany

Rockville Central friend Rotraut Bockstahler, of the Rockville Sister City Corporation, passed along this nice note from our friends in Pinneberg, Germany. Pinneberg and Rockville are sister cities, and this report appeared in the Pinnebrg local newspaper from the German-American Association Rockville Pinneberg (DAGRP) in German. Rotraut helpfully translated for us!

German-American Association Rockville Pinneberg (DAGRP): Birgit Drechsler, Angelika Schulze, Margrit Ziegler, Herbert Hoffmann, Hans-Dietmar Bethke Inge Heinrich, Bernd Hinrichs, Michael Patt

“It lives, it fits, and we are moving forward. We are carried by an expanding wave of self sustaining power.” Bernd Hinrichs, President of the German-American Association Rockville Pinneberg (DAGRP) reported right at the beginning of the annual membership meeting (taking place at the VfL-Building) the very positive development of affairs for the association.

Lots of activities and exchanges straight across the ocean, a growing number of personal friendships between members of the association and its US counter part, the Rockville Sister City Corporation (RSCC): The President of the 166 member association is satisfied.

Besides the sponsorship of traditional activities, such as the Thanksgiving Dinner, the German American Day, bicycle tours, and the Fast Food Breakfast, the board members are busy initiating new projects. For the first time, a hiking tour through the Harz mountains (June 30th - July 3rd) is being organized. From August 18th - August 25th as a test balloon “Bike Ride Baltic Riviera”, a bicycle tour through the eastern regions along the Baltic Sea, Usedom-Rügen-Hiddensee, is on the program. For the Spring of 2012, very engaged members of the association are planning a USA group trip by taking advantage of the seasonally lower airfares.

One major event: The Pinneberg artist Detlef Allenberg will show his works at the Glenview Mansion in Rockville. The full exhibit will open in September 2011 with a reception of the artist on September 9.

Our activities this year will have to stay within a tight budget. Our reserves are down to 443 Euros, warned Treasurer Hans-Dietmar Bethke. The welcome activities left their traces on our balance sheet. Last Fall, DAGRP supported the visits to Maryland by a group of Theodor-Heuss High School students and the Pinneberg Music School Clarinett Ensemble. The DAGRP visitors program and Pinneberg hosts generously treated the Rockville Chorus members during their visit in June.

Our Board of Directors has two new faces: Members of the annual meeting elected Birgit Drechsler and Michael Patt unanimously. Jürgen Kleinhans and Erika Wupperman did not run again. Vice President Margrit Ziegler and Treasurer Hans-Dietmar Bethke were re-elected and remain in their current positions. The remaining board members have not completed their terms and will be up for re-election in 2012.

At the beginning of the evening and before the business meeting, Robert Lucke, history teacher at the Theodor-Heuss-High School and two of the 12th-graders, Isabell Priebe (18) and Kirstie Alcock (17) described their impressions of their visit to Rockville in the Fall of 2010. The visit to New York City and the warm welcome by host families in Rockville impressed them most. “The concept of hospitality received new definiton”, said Lucke.

This is a Reader’s Note. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, meetings, and more. Get in touch with us using our contact form if you would like to submit something!

Reader Note From Cheryl Moss Herman: Update On The Julius West And New Elementary School Feasibility Studies

Photo from the MCPS website

Thanks to Cheryl Moss Herman, Richard Montgomery Cluster Co-coordinator to Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), for agreeing to post this important information on Rockville Central.

Projects are moving forward as part of the plan to manage the overcapacity situation at elementary schools in the Richard Montgomery (RM) Cluster and the future wave of enrollment expected at Julius West Middle School (JWMS).

The Feasibility Studies for an addition at Julius West and for new construction (RM Elementary #5) on the site of the former Hungerford Park site have begun. Architect selection and approval for each is complete and dates have been set for the Feasibility Advisory Committee public meetings. (See below for details.) The committees will work with the architects to provide a series of options that will meet the program needs of the schools. The committees will also select a preferred option at the end of the process. These committees will NOT be discussing potential boundary changes for the Richard Montgomery Cluster.

While MCPS’ usual plan is to work with existing PTAs/PTSAs at schools where an addition or construction is contemplated, this is not possible for RM Elementary #5 as it is a new school. Moreover, since the composition of the school population will not be known until a boundary study process is completed in the 2013 timeframe, representatives from all four elementary schools and their communities are being invited to participate. MCPS sends letters only to those homeowners whose properties are adjacent to the school(s). The rest is up to the schools and their PTAs.

Similarly, while MCPS is working primarily through the JWMS PTSA, the reality is that the prospect of an addition at JW will affect most of us. This is because a majority of our current elementary students could be at JW during construction, or for those in the lower grades, would benefit by an addition at the school. The Feasibility Advisory Committee meetings and/or the final Community Presentation are an excellent way to stay informed and participate in the process.

These two new feasibility studies join an already completed Feasibility Study for an addition at Ritchie Park Elementary School and on-going studies for additions at Beall and Twinbrook Elementary Schools. You will recall that this summer MCPS intends to take all of these studies and its new enrollment projections and make a “comprehensive RM Cluster” recommendation for new classroom capacity next fall. Watch your e-mail for more info on participation as this process goes forward.

Also, mark your calendars for testimony to the County Council on the Capital Budget on the evening of February 8, 2011. Strong community support is essential.

RM CLUSTER ELEMENTARY #5 Feasibility Study (all meetings at Children’s Resource Center/Hungerford Park site at 322 W. Edmonston Drive)
Work Session Meeting #1 Monday, February 28, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #2 Monday, March 21, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #3 Thursday, April 7, 2011 4:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #4 Thursday, April 28, 2011 7:00 pm
Community Presentation Meeting Thursday, May 12, 2011 7:00 pm

JULIUS WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Feasibility Study (all meetings at JWMS)
Work Session Meeting #1 Wednesday, February 2, 2011 3:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #2 Thursday, February 24, 2011 7:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #3 Wednesday, March 9, 2011 3:00 pm
Work Session Meeting #4 Wednesday, March 23, 2011 7:00 pm
Community Presentation Meeting Tuesday, April 12, 2011 7:30 pm

Cheryl Moss Herman

This is a Reader’s Note. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, meetings, and more. Get in touch with us using our contact form if you would like to submit something!

Reader Note From Rockville REDI: Congratulations INNoVATE Graduates

By Lynne Benzion, Associate Director of Rockville REDI:

Don Springer (PNC Bank), Sally Sternbach (REDI), Keith Nalepka (BioLOGIS)

Last week, 20 budding entrepreneurs gathered at Glenview Mansion to graduate from INNoVATE, a 9-month program that teaches people how to evaluate the commercial viability of a technology from a federal or university laboratory, prepare the business case for the technology, and start a company based on it. This is a special group, because it is the first INNoVATE class, and many of the graduates are postdoctoral fellows working in local federal and university labs. Postdocs have rarely been targeted for such intensive entrepreneurial training; the National Science Foundation funds this program.

Rockville City Councilman and entrepreneur Mark Pierzchala spoke to the class at the graduation. He gave them some marketing tips (never leave the back of your business card blank: you can summarize 30 years of experience in that space!) and described the increased respect he received from colleagues and friends after he started his company. He also advised the graduates to be prepared for surprises, as business is full of them.

Mark Pierzchala Addresses INNoVATE Graduates

Sally Sternbach, Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc., one of the key organizers of the program (along with The Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business; the University of Maryland, Baltimore County; the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development; and the National Institutes of Health) emceed the program and read the Kauffman Foundation “Entrepreneur’s Pledge”. Among other things, entrepreneurs “bring something of value to society, making a job for themselves and others, and creating wealth that benefits the family, the community, the country and the world.”

Rockville is already seeing the benefit from the INNoVATE program, as one company, BioLOGIS, has formed, settled in Rockville, and has customers. BioLOGIS monitors the transport of high-value biologics and other valuable goods. A second business has launched, and 12 others are in various stages of formation.

Congratulations to the INNoVATE graduates, and to Rockville, for having the vision to seed tomorrow’s technology companies – and the high-paying jobs that go with them – today.

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Reader Note From Justine Cowan: A Magical Holiday Concert Sun. Dec. 19

We’re happy to pass along this announcement about a very festive and great family event in Rockville this weekend:

Rockville Chorus Photo From The City Website

Winter is here and Magic is in the Air! Join the Rockville Chorus on Sunday, December 19, 2010 at 7:30 PM, for “A MAGICAL HOLIDAY” Concert at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre.

For this concert, Rockville Chorus Director, Bryan Seith, has chosen a wide variety of selections with a holiday theme that will appeal to all ages and musical tastes. Highlights of this performance include THE RELUCTANT DRAGON by John Rutter. This whimsical piece tells the tale of a dragon that prefers writing poetry to fighting. More traditional selections include THERE SHALL A STAR FROM JACOB by Felix Mendelssohn, the CHERRY TREE CAROL by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker, as well as John Leavitt’s traditional Hebrew OSE SHALOM. Another selection by Robert Shaw, THE CAROL OF THE BIRDS, a jazz version of the well known HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, and another classical selection, HOW LOVELY ARE THE MESSENGERS from St. Paul by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy round out the program.

The Rockville Chorus is currently composed of 70 members. They have been delighting local audiences of all ages with quality musical selections for more than thirty years. New members are always welcome and can schedule an audition at the beginning of the Fall semester or Spring semester by calling Julie Farrell at (240)314-8682.

The Rockville Chorus Concert is free. No tickets are required. Donations are appreciated. Ample free parking is available. Seating is on a first come, first-served basis. For more information call the Theatre Box Office at 240-314-8690 or the recorded direction line at 240-314-5004.

Justine Cowan

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Reader Note From Kate Gordon: National Philharmonic Singers At Christ Episcopal Church Sat. Dec. 18

From National Philharmonic

Rockville Central friend Kate Gordon has passed along a reminder about a Rockville holiday tradition: The National Philharmonic Singers free concert at Christ Episcopal Church. Here’s what Kate says:

The National Philharmonic Singers has presented concerts at Christ Episcopal Church for the last 5 years or so, free of charge, with all donations going to support a local charitable organization. The National Philharmonic has deep roots in the Rockville and this concert is one way we try to provide accessible, exemplary arts experiences for the whole community. We encourage families to attend together (although it is most appropriate for kids 7 an older-lots of sitting still…)

And she included the official announcement:

National Philharmonic Singers - A Christmas Fantasia

Christ Episcopal Church in Rockville will be the setting for The National Philharmonic Singers’ holiday program, to be presented on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 8 p.m.

Join the Singers as they perform Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, O Magnum Mysterium by Morten Lauridsen, motets from Continental Europe, and rarely heard carols from England and the United States, culminating in a celebration of traditional holiday favorites for the season. This concert promises to be an intimate celebration of this very special time of year.

No tickets are required, and there is no admission charge. Donations in support of Community Ministries of Rockville will be gratefully accepted.

The National Philharmonic Singers, conducted by Stan Engebretson and Victoria Gau, is the chamber ensemble of the National Philharmonic Chorale, the resident choral group of National Philharmonic at the Music Center at Strathmore. For more information please visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301-493-9283, ext 116.

Christ Episcopal Church is located at 107 South Washington Street in Rockville, MD. Directions to Christ Church may be found at christchurchrockville.org or call the church at 301-762-2191, ext. 3.

Reader Note By Bill Burchett: Support RMHS December 13

Click for full size

This from Rockville Central friend Bill Burchett:

The Richard Montgomery Booster Club is holding a fundraiser at Gillys Craft Beer and Fine Wine on Monday Dec. 13th from 5-9 pm.

Gillys is located on Chapman Ave next to Urban Barbeque just off of Rockville Pike. They have one of the largest craft beer selections in the area and they maintain a good wine selection. They have a deli with interesting sandwiches and they have a decent cheese selection as well. Visit their website www.gillyscbfw.com

For this event, reps will be there from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada. Firestone wines will also be poured. Gillys always rotates an interesting selection of beers on tap.

The fundraiser is being held to replace the flags in the Roy Lester sports stadium. The old flags are faded and worn. The Boosters Club receives 10% of all purchases in addition to the raffles and the suggested $10 donation. The donation is only suggested and people can certainly come and shop without donating at all. Visit the RMHS booster club home page for more info www.rmboosters.com

I have shopped at Gillys since they opened. The Washington Post featured them on the front cover of the Weekend section this past summer. It’s a different place. Yes it’s a beer and wine store but you can also have a sandwich or try a draft beer that you’ve never had before.

If you plan to buy beer or wine for yourself or as a gift for someone else this holiday season please consider stopping by and supporting us. You can also just stop by for a sandwich. And please, tell your friends…especially those friends who love good beer.

Reader Note By Cheryl Kagan: Join Us For Folk ‘N Great Music Saturday

Terri Allard

Too often, economic development is discussed in terms of employment statistics or tax incentives. It’s infrequently described as FUN.

Tomorrow night in Rockville, there is a fun economic development opportunity for you!

Three nationally known singer-songwriters will be performing in Rockville to wrap up our 8th year of presenting Folk ‘N Great Music to our friends, neighbors and colleagues.

Ten years ago, when I married my wonderful husband, we invited three of our very favorite performers to sing at our wedding. We reunited them for a five-year anniversary concert and promised to do it again for our tenth. That folk and acoustic concert takes place Saturday night. If you would like to hear the music of Terri Allard, Tom Prasada-Rao, and David LaMotte and possibly join us, please visit our website at www.FolkNGreatMusic.org. Advance reservations are required, but we would love to hold seats for some of our Rockville Central friends and readers.

We have over 125 guests reserved already, most of whom will likely come to Rockville for dinner and shopping before the performance. We would love to have you join us as well!

Cheryl C. Kagan

Folk ‘N Great Music

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Reader Note From Rockville REDI: ‘Buy Rockville’ A Municipal Model

By Lynne Benzion, Associate Director of Rockville REDI:

Recently, I had the enjoyable experience of partnering with Rockville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrea Jolly to present “Starting and Maintaining a Buy Local Program” to the Maryland Municipal League (MML) annual conference.

Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) started the “Buy Rockville” program in 2008 as a response to the recession’s heavy impact on Rockville’s retail and restaurants. Since then, we have fielded quite a few calls and e-mails asking us to share our experience so that others could start their own Buy Local programs. Being asked by MML to detail our first-hand knowledge to a state-wide audience was great recognition of Rockville’s reputation of leadership.

Mayor Marcuccio, Lynne Benzion, Andrea Jolly and Linda Moran at MML Conference

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio (who is on the MML Board of Directors) introduced our presentation; Assistant to the City Manager Linda Moran was also in the audience. I explained that the “Buy Rockville” program builds awareness within the Rockville community that buying local has a huge economic effect. In fact, when you buy local, the money you spend circulates six to eight times within the community before it leaves. Our purchasing decisions give each of us an opportunity to have a significant economic impact.

I described to the audience the program’s birth out of REDI’s annual Business Appreciation Week, its quick implementation through our partnership with the Rockville Living website, and REDI’s newest initiative, “Bid Rockville”. Through this effort, we encourage Rockville businesses and residents to seek out a Rockville company bid whenever they buy a product or service. After all, it’s hard to “Buy Rockville” if you don’t “Bid Rockville”!

Andrea Jolly described how the Rockville Chamber of Commerce took the lead on “Buy Rockville” after the initial holiday push in 2008. The Chamber turned a quick program into a lasting effort that included a Restaurant Week and a brand new “Buy Rockville Rewards Card” that will allow consumers discounts at local merchants while also financially benefitting local non-profit organizations. (See www.RockvilleRewards.com to learn more, or to sign up your business to participate in the program. Businesses may also attend a program on November 18 to learn more; visit www.RockvilleChamber.org for details.)

After our presentation, Andrea and I got the ultimate compliment: several audience members told us that they would like to learn more. We are happy to share, and to represent a community that supports its businesses. During this holiday season and year-round, we hope you’ll continue to consider your hometown first, visit www.BuyRockville.org, and “Bid Rockville, Buy Rockville”.

This is a Reader Note. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us us if you would like to submit something!

Reader Note by Tom Moore: Vote No On Question A

Medic 39 from the RVFD Website

This Reader Note from Tom Moore concerns the November 2, 2010 Ballot Question A on the Emergency Medical Services Transport Fee.

When I served as an ambulance driver for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, one of my specialties (other than splendid medical care) was convincing reluctant patients to go to the hospital in my ambulance when I judged it necessary for them do so. I enjoyed the challenge, and was called upon to practice it more often than you might guess.

It is a delicate discussion to conduct — you want to make the point to the patient that their injury or illness could become quite serious or fatal if ignored, yet you don’t want to go overboard and frighten them to death on the spot. It was a difficult enough task without the significant added complication of trying to explain to a seriously sick or injured patient the details of a county ambulance fee.

I am convinced that I saved a few lives over the years by persuading my patients to go to the hospital to get the care they needed. I am similarly convinced that an ambulance fee will cost lives over time by being just one more reason why ambulance patients refuse treatment.

I strongly urge a “No” vote on Question A.

Tom Moore

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Reader Note From Daniel Stauffer: Two Weeks Of Town Square Vandalism

Photo by Brad Rourke

This Reader Note is by Daniel Stauffer:

I’ve lived at the Rockville town square for a little over a year now. For the last 2 weekends, Oct, 10th and Oct 17th, at approx. 2:30am large crowds have left the bars at the Rockville town square and have gone on to commit vandalism at Rockville town square. This evening’s loud crowd lasted over an hour and a half to which the police responded to 2 calls.

This evening the crowd completely vandalized the decorative fireplace fixtures on the walls in the underwalk at 154 gibbs street tearing down two ceramic candle sticks and smashing them. The crowd lasted for over an hour and was very loud and unruly. I have to say it does nothing but discourage people from wanting to live here or have anything to do with Rockville town square when it can be completely overrun with the late night bar scene.

Daniel Stauffer

[NOTE: As an editorial update, we have been in touch with the Rockville Police and, as one might expect from our law enforcement officers, they take this issue seriously. Among other things, they have informed us that they plan to make sure that they keep an eye on bar-closing time to try to stop similar things from happening in the future. They also let us know that for the past two weeks they had been called on Saturday night / Sunday morning, which they responded to in each case. It's important for citizens to call police when they experience such things, so the police can respond appropriately.]

This is a Reader’s Note. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us using our contact form if you would like to submit something!

Photo by Brad Rourke

Reader Note from Tom Miner: The Digits! Fifth Annual Benefit Concert For Manna Foods

This Reader Note is from Tom Miner. I asked him to give us an update on The Digits! fundraiser and here it is!

This past Saturday, on 9-11, The Digits! performed their Fifth annual benefit concert and this year the performance supported Manna Food Bank’s Smart Sacks program. The beautiful weather brought a good crowd of about 250 neighbors and fans show to the outdoor concert at the Woodley Gardens Pool in Rockville.

Photo from The Digits!

In addition to asking for a $5 donation, additional funds were raised through a Silent Auction which was organized and conducted by Dawn Titmas and Naomi Miner. Over 50 items were donated and auctioned, including signed books by local authors, original art works, creative gift baskets, and gift certificates to local restaurants. Hard Times Café and Carmen’s Italian Ice were also on site providing complementary hotdogs, wings and Italian ice – all for small, additional donations.

Photo from The Digits!

Many thanks to Girl Scout Troop 2228. They staffed the Carmen’s Ice Cream Cart and also collected and delivered over 212 lbs. of donated food items! That’s the Scouting spirit.

Photo from Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The total donations raised on Saturday were an outstanding $5,025 for Manna! This money will be used to help provide over 1,400 bags of kid friendly – yet nutritious food every Friday for school children who receive subsidized school breakfasts and lunches. It’s generally known that these children may be experiencing hunger on the weekends. Teachers have remarked that children come to school on Mondays full of energy that they lacked before participating in Smart Sacks program.

Photo from The Digits!

Naomi Miner (L) and Dawn Titmas (R) presented the $5,025 to Manna Food Bank

As founder of The Digits! and an early instigator of the Annual Benefit Concert series, I am humbled and thankful to know so many friends, neighbors, and fans who generously donate to our benefit events. It’s the people of Rockville that makes Rockville such a great place to live.

Tom Miner

This is a Reader’s Note. We welcome submissions on all sorts of things — shopping, restaurants, performances, art, cultural events, and more. Rules: it should be in Rockville, and you should try to be nice. Get in touch with us using our contact form if you would like to submit something!

Reader’s Note By Dick Strombotne: Why I Support Cheryl Kagan

This Reader Note was submitted by Dick Strombotne.

As a former federal employee and an advocate for seniors in Maryland, I strongly support Cheryl Kagan for State Senator. I believe she has what we need as an advocate for Maryland seniors.

I met Cheryl almost 10 years ago when she was a delegate representing this same district. I found her to be intelligent and engaged on the issues that were important to our community, and was always willing to listen and learn. I know she will bring the same fine attributes to the State Senate.

I urge Democrats in District 17 to vote for Cheryl Kagan on Tuesday, September 14.

Dick Strombotne

This is a Reader’s Note. If you would like to contribute a Reader Note or other piece of writing, please send submissons to Rockville Central using our contact form. The more community voices, the better Rockville Central will be. Please remember that the views of contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.

Note: Rockville Central does not endorse candidates. We are encouraging towards all people who choose to run for office the city and try our best to make ourselves open to all. We actively encourage candidates to submit opinion pieces and other news. We don’t include every last bit, but we try to be fair to all and give useful information about what is happening.

Reader Note By Jim Coyle: Support For Kagan

This Reader Note was submitted by Jim Coyle about the District 17 race for State Senate between Jennie Forehand and Cheryl Kagan.

I am supporting Cheryl Kagan in the election because I want to see new ideas and leadership for Rockville in Annapolis. Cheryl had demonstrated her abilities in her previous term in Annapolis and through her community leadership activities.

It has been too long since Rockville voters have had the opportunity to vote for a credible alternative.. Now is the opportunity for change and more aggressive representation for Rockville.

Please vote on Tuesday!

This is a Reader’s Note. If you would like to contribute a Reader Note or other piece of writing, please send submissons to Rockville Central using our contact form. The more community voices, the better Rockville Central will be. Please remember that the views of contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.

Note: Rockville Central does not endorse candidates. We are encouraging towards all people who choose to run for office the city and try our best to make ourselves open to all. We actively encourage candidates to submit opinion pieces and other news. We don’t include every last bit, but we try to be fair to all and give useful information about what is happening.

Reader Note by Kevin Brooks: Forehand Kagan…Pretty Simple

This Reader Note was submitted by Kevin Brooks about the District 17 race for State Senate between Jennie Forehand and Cheryl Kagan.

Just a quick tid bit to think about.

Why would we, as a disitrict, want to go from a strong, senior State Senator, with plenty of clout, ….to a freshman senator with little or NO clout to represent us in Annapolis?

I say give Jennie your vote and let her leave on her own terms…….

Kevin Brooks

This is a Reader’s Note. If you would like to contribute a Reader Note or other piece of writing, please send submissons to Rockville Central using our contact form. The more community voices, the better Rockville Central will be. Please remember that the views of contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors.

Note: Rockville Central does not endorse candidates. We are encouraging towards all people who choose to run for office the city and try our best to make ourselves open to all. We actively encourage candidates to submit opinion pieces and other news. We don’t include every last bit, but we try to be fair to all and give useful information about what is happening.