Our latest meeting was March 29, 2023
This was our first hybrid meeting, both in person and on zoom. We elected officers and passed bylaw amendments. We also received an update on the Woodward High School construction and future redistricting as well as a Farmland Elementary School update.
General Community Zoom meeting September 14, 2022
Thank you to everyone who participated in such a wonderful meeting Wednesday night. With a focus on Safety for the meeting, we were joined by both the Farmland Elementary and Tilden Middle School principals and heard an update from the Traffic and Safety Committee.
Mrs. Hopkins, from Tilden MS, advised that she has been conducting walking tours of the neighborhood to understand the issues facing middle school students walking and biking to school. Since her appointment she has taking several steps to improve safety including having MCPS remove a large shrub that was obscuring an entrance to the school creating an unsafe situation, meeting with MCDOT and Luxmanor Citizens Association to discuss traffic issues around the school, and added two staff at dismissal to monitor the mid-block crosswalk which has been the site of several incidents.
Ms Longest, from Farmland ES, started by sharing that she appreciates recent additions including the sidewalk along Farmland Drive which has increased pedestrian safety. The school has had several challenges including parents coming to the school blocking driveways and making prohibited U-turns in front of the school. She attempts to educate parents on appropriate behavior. In the past there have been concerns with overgrown tree branches on Old Gate, and the current state of the road is not good. She would appreciate community support to address these issues.
We then heard a thorough presentation from Jason Smith, Chair of the Traffic and Safety committee. Jason noted that the committee has been meeting since being tasked with studying the Hitching Post Lane situation in September 2021. Their mandate was to look at concerns regarding pedestrian safety by gathering data and identifying and evaluating potential solutions. Jason introduced committee member Karen Freed. He noted that there are 11 members on the committee who represent a diversity of views. I am attaching the materials that were presented as reference. Jason received a number of questions and suggestions. We welcome the continued feedback from the community as the committee engages with the County for these improvements.
As we wrapped up the meeting, Jerry Mindes and the newly formed Environment at Home group shared what they have been working on to promote lowering the carbon footprint of the neighborhood with an initial focus on reducing food waste. The plan is to send out a survey to see what Farmland families are currently doing to reduce food in the waste stream. Based on this information, the group would like to host a neighbor talk in October.
Diana Keohane, GFCA president
Mrs. Hopkins, from Tilden MS, advised that she has been conducting walking tours of the neighborhood to understand the issues facing middle school students walking and biking to school. Since her appointment she has taking several steps to improve safety including having MCPS remove a large shrub that was obscuring an entrance to the school creating an unsafe situation, meeting with MCDOT and Luxmanor Citizens Association to discuss traffic issues around the school, and added two staff at dismissal to monitor the mid-block crosswalk which has been the site of several incidents.
Ms Longest, from Farmland ES, started by sharing that she appreciates recent additions including the sidewalk along Farmland Drive which has increased pedestrian safety. The school has had several challenges including parents coming to the school blocking driveways and making prohibited U-turns in front of the school. She attempts to educate parents on appropriate behavior. In the past there have been concerns with overgrown tree branches on Old Gate, and the current state of the road is not good. She would appreciate community support to address these issues.
We then heard a thorough presentation from Jason Smith, Chair of the Traffic and Safety committee. Jason noted that the committee has been meeting since being tasked with studying the Hitching Post Lane situation in September 2021. Their mandate was to look at concerns regarding pedestrian safety by gathering data and identifying and evaluating potential solutions. Jason introduced committee member Karen Freed. He noted that there are 11 members on the committee who represent a diversity of views. I am attaching the materials that were presented as reference. Jason received a number of questions and suggestions. We welcome the continued feedback from the community as the committee engages with the County for these improvements.
As we wrapped up the meeting, Jerry Mindes and the newly formed Environment at Home group shared what they have been working on to promote lowering the carbon footprint of the neighborhood with an initial focus on reducing food waste. The plan is to send out a survey to see what Farmland families are currently doing to reduce food in the waste stream. Based on this information, the group would like to host a neighbor talk in October.
Diana Keohane, GFCA president
| gfca_traffic_and_safety_committee_community_meeting_slides.pdf |
General Community Zoom meeting March 23, 2022
| gfca_annual_meeting_3-23-22.docx |
General Community Zoom meeting Sept. 8, 2021 with Councilmember Evan Glass
47 participants joined the Zoom meeting at 7 pm, Sept. 8, 2021
Ed Rich, GFCA president, started the meeting and reviewed the status of the I-270 project proposals. He
introduced Councilmember Evan Glass.
Discussion of Covid in Montgomery County:
87% over 12 years old are fully vaccinated
96% have received at least 1 dose
Case rate has been reduced to “substantial” transmission
MCPS - community conversation regarding guarantee plan protocol
Evan Glass is on the county transportation/environment committee and serves on the Regional
Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The county council and county executive Marc Elrich had identified
the problems with Governor Hogan’s I-270 project and opposed moving forward with planning the project
in a letter in November 2020. In a surprise turnaround on July 20, 2021, 5 councilmembers (Council Vice
President Gabe Albornoz, Council Members Hans Riemer, Andrew Friedson, Nancy Navarro and Craig
Rice) reversed course and said they now support the I-270 project. Glass was officially obligated by his
position on the TSB to bring the Council’s new majority vote to the TPB, but he chose not to do so in
opposition to their vote. In his place, he asked Glenn Orlin, a senior analyst for the county council and a
former transportation/highway engineer and planner, to do so.
Prior to the final vote of the Board of Public Works (BPW), made up of Governor Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Kopp, Glass urged the PBW to ensure the public is protected. Glass was disappointed when the BPW voted 2:1 to approve Hogan’s plan at its July 20 meeting, which was a change from its previous 1:2 vote. Hogan
had successfully forced this re-vote and gained approval by threatening to remove funds, which had not
yet been put in the budget -- in effect promising what Glass called “phantom project funding.” As we now
know, Hogan did not include funds for any of those projects in his proposed budget.
Glass encourages us to engage with the county councilmembers to challenge their positions. GFCA
President Ed Rich has already communicated the GFCA’s displeasure to the 5 council members,
including specific email exchanges with our own council district representative, Andrew Friedson.
Sally Stolz of dontwiden270.org attended the meeting as a presenter. She has collected numerous traffic
screen shots of rush hour, which prove no congestion at I-370 or at and the split. The congestion was
only during the recent thunderstorm. Don’t Widen 270 will use the screen shots in filing comments to
MDOT, as they show a lack of need. Congestion on I-270 is actually north of I-370.
The project is proposed as a public-private partnership (P3) with TransUrban, of Australia, as the private
partner. Peak tolls are expected to be more than $4 per mile. In the past four years, TransUrban kept an
82-cent profit for every $1 collected from its toll lanes in Melbourne, Australia. In our proposed contract
with TransUrban, toll rates will go up & up without added expenses to TU, since Maryland will continue to
maintain the general traffic lanes. It’s a more expensive partnership. Maryland has no cost-benefit
analysis. Environmental impacts include stormwater problems, air pollution increases, and trucks will
have to stay in the general lanes, which will be narrower.
The best use of our energy as a community and individuals?
Unclear what our next inflection point may be, Transportation Safety Board
State delegate Mark Korman for more accountability over partnership
Plan needs to pass state senate
Our parks will be affected, but not sure about the role of the Parks & Planning office
There is a pending lawsuit brought by the losing private bidders for the toll-lane contract. A gubernatorial
election is coming up in 2022. We need to ask candidates about their positions on this project.
Sally Stolz said that public opposition and the comment period are important to affect the federal
position. Commenters should say simply, “I oppose it,” as comments can be mischaracterized if not
explicitly in opposition.
Councilmember Glass spoke with PG congressional representative Brown, who opposes the project and
has spoken to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg. Ed Rich said that Rep. Jamie Raskin has also written a
letter opposing the project to Sec. Buttigieg.
The Sierra Club is funding a potential lawsuit and impact comments.
Evan Glass’ monthly gazette is at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/glass, and he is on Facebook and
Twitter.
Ed Rich, GFCA president, started the meeting and reviewed the status of the I-270 project proposals. He
introduced Councilmember Evan Glass.
Discussion of Covid in Montgomery County:
87% over 12 years old are fully vaccinated
96% have received at least 1 dose
Case rate has been reduced to “substantial” transmission
MCPS - community conversation regarding guarantee plan protocol
Evan Glass is on the county transportation/environment committee and serves on the Regional
Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The county council and county executive Marc Elrich had identified
the problems with Governor Hogan’s I-270 project and opposed moving forward with planning the project
in a letter in November 2020. In a surprise turnaround on July 20, 2021, 5 councilmembers (Council Vice
President Gabe Albornoz, Council Members Hans Riemer, Andrew Friedson, Nancy Navarro and Craig
Rice) reversed course and said they now support the I-270 project. Glass was officially obligated by his
position on the TSB to bring the Council’s new majority vote to the TPB, but he chose not to do so in
opposition to their vote. In his place, he asked Glenn Orlin, a senior analyst for the county council and a
former transportation/highway engineer and planner, to do so.
Prior to the final vote of the Board of Public Works (BPW), made up of Governor Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and Treasurer Kopp, Glass urged the PBW to ensure the public is protected. Glass was disappointed when the BPW voted 2:1 to approve Hogan’s plan at its July 20 meeting, which was a change from its previous 1:2 vote. Hogan
had successfully forced this re-vote and gained approval by threatening to remove funds, which had not
yet been put in the budget -- in effect promising what Glass called “phantom project funding.” As we now
know, Hogan did not include funds for any of those projects in his proposed budget.
Glass encourages us to engage with the county councilmembers to challenge their positions. GFCA
President Ed Rich has already communicated the GFCA’s displeasure to the 5 council members,
including specific email exchanges with our own council district representative, Andrew Friedson.
Sally Stolz of dontwiden270.org attended the meeting as a presenter. She has collected numerous traffic
screen shots of rush hour, which prove no congestion at I-370 or at and the split. The congestion was
only during the recent thunderstorm. Don’t Widen 270 will use the screen shots in filing comments to
MDOT, as they show a lack of need. Congestion on I-270 is actually north of I-370.
The project is proposed as a public-private partnership (P3) with TransUrban, of Australia, as the private
partner. Peak tolls are expected to be more than $4 per mile. In the past four years, TransUrban kept an
82-cent profit for every $1 collected from its toll lanes in Melbourne, Australia. In our proposed contract
with TransUrban, toll rates will go up & up without added expenses to TU, since Maryland will continue to
maintain the general traffic lanes. It’s a more expensive partnership. Maryland has no cost-benefit
analysis. Environmental impacts include stormwater problems, air pollution increases, and trucks will
have to stay in the general lanes, which will be narrower.
The best use of our energy as a community and individuals?
Unclear what our next inflection point may be, Transportation Safety Board
State delegate Mark Korman for more accountability over partnership
Plan needs to pass state senate
Our parks will be affected, but not sure about the role of the Parks & Planning office
There is a pending lawsuit brought by the losing private bidders for the toll-lane contract. A gubernatorial
election is coming up in 2022. We need to ask candidates about their positions on this project.
Sally Stolz said that public opposition and the comment period are important to affect the federal
position. Commenters should say simply, “I oppose it,” as comments can be mischaracterized if not
explicitly in opposition.
Councilmember Glass spoke with PG congressional representative Brown, who opposes the project and
has spoken to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg. Ed Rich said that Rep. Jamie Raskin has also written a
letter opposing the project to Sec. Buttigieg.
The Sierra Club is funding a potential lawsuit and impact comments.
Evan Glass’ monthly gazette is at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/glass, and he is on Facebook and
Twitter.
General Community Zoom Meeting March 26, 2021
| gfca_annual_meeting_5_26_21.pdf |