Purple Line Passions Pursue Leggett After Rail Opponents Host Reception

AMontgomery County public transportation advocacy group is calling on county executive candidate Isiah Leggett to clarify his position on the much-debated proposed Purple Line rail link between Bethesda and New Carrollton.

"Purple Line Backers Ask Leggett: 'Which side are you on?' " read an e-mail sent to reporters by Ben Ross , president of Action Committee for Transit.

Ross posed the question after several Purple Line opponents sponsored a reception for Leggett, a Democrat, last Friday at the Chevy Chase home of Pam Browning .

Browning is a member of the board of the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition, which has opposed the Purple Line because its members believe it could destroy the Capital Crescent Trail. Another sponsor of the event was Mier Wolf , president of the group.

"This isn't like they're honoring him for his work on education," Ross said in an interview. "He's been going to debates and meetings with people and saying he has a new position which is completely contrary to his past voting record."

Browning said that the reception was not sponsored by the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition and that some of the reception organizers had nothing to do with the organization. But she did say that she opposes a light-rail link because it would require cutting trees and would interfere with the trail. The Purple Line would be a light-rail or rapid bus system.

"To destroy the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, to put in a light-rail system that will not meet the transportation needs of the county or improve the Metro system, is foolish to say the least," Browning said.

Leggett said in an interview that he was "puzzled" by Ross's concerns.

"I'm not going to reject some people who have supported me for almost 20 years because they have a difference on particular issues," he said.

Leggett, a former council member, sent Ross an e-mail response. "In expressing my support for the Purple Line, I simply have asked for consideration and mitigation measures for some of the communities impacted by the final Purple Line alignment," he wrote.

On the campaign trail, Leggett and his primary opponent for the Democratic nomination, council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large), have said they support the Purple Line but disagree on its design. Silverman favors a predominantly above-ground system, while Leggett said he would consider some tunneling known as "cut and cover" to avoid neighborhoods.

The Purple Line has emerged as one of the hottest topics in the race for county executive. Silverman has said his top transportation priority would be to get the rail line built.