Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Welcome to Save our Montgomery Parks!

Montgomery County Parks under attack! Action needed before Monday, February14.   

Legislation just proposed by County Executive Ike Leggett,
threatens Park funding and safety!
     
Montgomery County's 34,000 acre Park system, long ably managed by the independent, bi-partisan Park and Planning Commission, has been nationally recognized as one of the finest in the nation.            
Incredibly,  Mr. Leggett's Bill MC/PG112-11 would:  
1.) Allow funds, now guaranteed to the Parks Department for acquisition, development, maintenance and recreational facilities, to be siphoned by the Executive and Council at their discretion.  
2.) Transfer management of all park lands and facilities from the  independent Park and Planning Commission to the Montgomery County government. Under Mr. Leggett's scenario, the County's vast acres of parkland would become subject to the political whims of elected officials. Pressures to use parkland for housing or transportation projects would likely increase under politicized management.  
3.) Negatively impact public safety and park use by merging the Park Police, now directed by the Planning Commission, to the County Police with allegiance to the County Executive. The assertion that the merger of the two forces would save money was debunked in the 2010 budget hearings.  Park police pay and retirement benefits are lower than county police. This merger may actually cost money. Park Police are trained to routinely monitor park use, safety concerns and more. Under County Police authority, in-depth park monitoring would not likely be a priority. 

What can you do to stop this dangerous legislation?


Write and/or call your Councilmembers before next Monday, Feb, 14 when they will vote. Tell them to oppose Bill  MC/PG112-11.  An individual email copied to each one is most effective.
Just a few sentences in your own words are more powerful than form letters. Talking points below:    

Phil Andrews                   councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Roger Berliner                  councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Marc Elrich                      councilmember.elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Valerie Ervin                    councilmember.ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Nancy Floreen                 councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov 
George Leventhal             councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Nancy Navarro                councilmember.navarro@montgomerycountymd.gov 
Craig Rice                        councilmember.rice@montgomerycountymd.gov 
 Hans Riemer                    councilmember.riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov  

Tell the Council:    
    Don't put our nationally acclaimed park system at risk. There is plenty to fix in the county but the Park system clearly works and has been recognized as one of the nation's very best.

1.  Continue to guarantee funding for parks. Provision for optional funding is an invitation to disaster to the long term health of the County's park system and to the public's safety and welfare.
2.  Montgomery's residents rate their park system as a primary reason to live and locate businesses here.  This action will negatively affect all residents.
3.  Park Police are best in charge of our parks!  Their presence keeps parks safe for all!
4.  Our County runs strong because of the independent nature of the Park and Planning Commission!  Politics must not play a role in the public's quality of life.
5.  The County's long term fiscal health depends on long term, prudent, collegial planning and decision making.  This legislation is counter to this basic premise.  
6.  This is a power and land grab that has no fiscal benefits and will not improve efficiency of either County government or parks operation.  
7.  Tell them how much you value Montgomery's parks in your own words.

8.  Please Vote No on Bill MC/PG112-11 !
 Please continue to monitor this blog for updates...

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