By Nancy Trejos and Ann Marimow
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, June 15, 2006
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.
Silverman has accused Leggett of flip-flopping on the issue. While on the council, Leggett opposed an earlier, smaller-scale version of the project, known as the Georgetown Branch Trolley.
"I haven't changed my position," Leggett said. "I don't understand what the concern is. They can't point to anything that I've done that is inconsistent."
Location, Location, LocationRep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D) is staking out some high-profile real estate in the county in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D). Cardin plans to set up shop Saturday with a new campaign office on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
Two of the candidates in the Democratic primary -- American University professor Allan Lichtman and Montgomery County businessman Josh Rales -- hail from the state's most populous county. But Cardin and former congressman Kweisi Mfume need to elevate their profiles beyond the Baltimore area, where both are well-known.
"The people of Montgomery County are known for caring about the issues and getting involved in political campaigns. I'm known for campaigning on the issues -- it's a perfect match," Cardin said in a statement announcing his new office. "I believe I'll do very well here this fall."
Last fall, more than 30 Montgomery County elected officials endorsed Cardin in the Senate race, including state Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp , House Majority Leader Kumar P. Barve and all eight of the county's state senators.
A Say on School Board RaceThe Montgomery County Association of Administrative and Supervisory Personnel (MCAASP) might be smaller than its union brethren -- the Montgomery County Education Association and the Service Employees International Union -- but after more than two decades in existence, the administrators' group is preparing to flex more muscle in the political arena.
In July, MCAASP will launch a political action committee, and for the first time, the 650-member group will endorse candidates in several local races, according to executive director Rebecca Newman .
"It was just kind of time to do it,'' Newman said.
She said candidates can expect to receive questionnaires in August. The primary election is Sept. 12.
Four seats are up for grabs in the race for school board, and two incumbents, Charles Haughey (At Large) and Gabe Romero (District 1, Gaithersburg) have announced they will not run. Two other incumbents, Nancy Navarro (District 5, Northeastern County) and Patricia O'Neill (District 3, Bethesda-Chevy Chase) are seeking reelection.
Other candidates in the race include, in District 5, Susie Werner Scofield ; in District 1, Judy Docca ; and for the at-large seat, Shirley Brandman , John Horan Latham and Arquilla Ridgell . (There may be more candidates; the filing deadline is July 3.)
This will be an interesting year for school board elections. In addition, Valerie Ervin (District 4, Silver Spring) is departing to run for County Council. Ervin, elected in 2004, has two years remaining in her term.
Earlier this month, the 10,000-member teachers union, MCEA, announced its endorsements, choosing incumbents O'Neill and Navarro and newcomers Brandman and Docca.
The service employees union Local 500, which represents about 8,500 Montgomery County school employees, also endorsed O'Neill, Navarro and Brandman. It has not yet endorsed a candidate for the District 1 seat.
Staff writer Lori Aratani contributed to this report.
View all comments that have been posted about this article.