Mr. O'Malley, Meet With Public

The Post has reported that Maryland Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley (D) will appoint a task force of "experts and legislators" to reexamine transportation priorities. Examining priorities is fine, but I am hoping for something more exciting than just another task force of experts. I think O'Malley should convene town hall meetings, as Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) did a year ago.

Both O'Malley and Marylanders would benefit greatly if the incoming governor sat down with residents and listened to their transportation concerns and aspirations.

Kaine started the meetings right after the 2005 election, before he was officially governor. About 80 people were expected to attend the first meeting, in Roanoke. Instead some 300 showed up. In all, a dozen meetings were held. Attendance ranged from 200 to more than 400.

The Virginia meetings were informal and friendly. They took place all over the state, from urban, liberal Washington suburbs to rural, conservative towns. The response was a reservoir of goodwill and confidence that the new governor knew and cared about the people's transportation needs.

I have been to enough public meetings to know that Marylanders would leap at a similar opportunity. O'Malley doesn't need to go to experts to hear informed opinion. Marylanders are smart, observant people. They can provide him with direct insight on the needs of their communities.

Maryland residents deserve no less than Virginians. Kaine made no commitments at the meetings. We would not expect that of O'Malley, either.

Presumably he would, with expert advice, go on to draft a comprehensive transportation plan. But first he should hear from the people.

-- Pamela Lindstrom

Gaithersburg

The writer is the urban planning leader for the Sierra Club Montgomery County Group.