Leggett Rallies Female Supporters

In a June 30 article in the Easton Star Democrat, Duncan is quoted as saying Silver Spring was "a dump" before he was elected county executive in 1994.

Duncan's word choice angered Timothy F. Reynolds , a 44-year Silver Spring resident. "Mr. Duncan is much too canny a politician to ever say such a thing in Silver Spring or anywhere else in the county, but he seems quite willing to insult an entire community just to gain votes," Reynolds said in an e-mail. "I can assure you that Silver Spring has never been either a figurative or literal dump."

Reynolds said longtime Silver Spring residents deserve an apology.

Weaver, a Duncan spokesman, refused to apologize but said "no offense was intended."

"There is no question Silver Spring was in serious disrepair," said Weaver, a Silver Spring resident. "Sometimes you got to use strong language to get strong results."

Giammo to Run Again

Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo announced on Monday that he is running for reelection.

In a statement, Giammo said he wants to continue his efforts to revitalize Rockville's town center while controlling growth, improving pedestrian and traffic safety and relieving the property tax burden.

"Together with Rockville residents, we have accomplished so much in the past four years," Giammo said. "We have more to achieve in order to make Rockville one of the very best places in the nation to live and work."

Giammo will face Brigitta Mullican , a former member of the Rockville Planning Commission, in the November election. Mullican has said her priorities include greater fiscal responsibility and improving employee morale so that fewer City Hall staffers resign.

Forehand Lines Up Support

The possible District 17 race next year between incumbent state Sen. Jennie M . Forehand and former delegate Cheryl Kagan has a new twist.

Kagan, a longtime Democratic activist who served in the House of Delegates from 1995 to 2003, has formed an exploratory committee to consider whether to challenge Forehand. In the past, she has said a number of Annapolis insiders have been urging her to run.

Forehand, who could face her toughest challenge in two decades, had a fundraiser scheduled for last night at Glenview Mansion at Rockville Civic Center Park.