ROCKVILLE, Md., May 23, 2011—The Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, May 24, will interview four applicants for two future vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board. The terms of Joseph Alfandre and Norman Dreyfuss, both of whom were appointed to complete partial terms, expire on June 14.
Mr. Alfandre (Democrat) and Mr. Dreyfuss (Republican) are both eligible for reappointment to a first full term on the board. They were among 14 people to submit applications for the two positions. Mr. Alfandre has since withdrawn his application, citing obligations relating to a new job.
The interviews will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of the Council Office at 100 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. The interviews are open to the public.
The interview schedule is set as follows: Matt Zaborsky (Republican) 9:30 a.m.; Mr. Dreyfuss 9:50 a.m.; Alan Bowser (Democrat) 10:10 a.m.; and Casey Anderson (Democrat) 10:30 a.m.
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed.
In addition to Mr. Alfandre and Mr. Dreyfuss, the current board members are Chairman Francoise Carrier (D); Amy Presley (R) and Mary Wells-Harley (D). Annual compensation for board members is currently $30,000. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. Because of the requirement that no more than three members be from the same political party, the Council cannot appoint two Democrats.
The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as Commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and amendment of County General Plan; preparation and amendment of Master Plans and functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of or recommendations on text amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implication of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its Mandatory Referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal agencies; and approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the Commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual Parks Department operating budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget; land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday and often meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Five vie for two Montgomery Planning Board seats - Gazette
by Margie Hyslop | Staff Writer
Montgomery County Council members will interview candidates for two positions on the county Planning Board on Tuesday.
Five of 14 applicants were chosen for interviews, among them incumbents Joseph L. Alfandre, a Democrat, and Norman M. Dreyfuss, a Republican. Both are developers who live in Potomac.
But according to an email circulated among council staff Monday, Alfandre has withdrawn his application after notifying planning board chairwoman Francoise Carrier that he has taken a job that will require too much travel to do both.
Neither Alfandre nor a planning board spokeswoman returned calls.
Vying for one of three majority party seats on the five-member board are Democrats Casey Anderson and Alan Steele Bowser, both of Silver Spring.
Anderson, a community and bicycling activist who serves on the Planning Board's zoning advisory panel, is a principal in a legal strategy research firm that advises lawyers on antitrust, intellectual property and product liability cases. He has bachelor's and law degrees from Georgetown University and a master's degree from Columbia University.
Bowser, a private practice lawyer, served as chief of staff to Duchy Trachtenberg during her one term on the County Council. He also has a law degree from Georgetown as well as a master's degree from Johns Hopkins and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University.
Dreyfuss, who was appointed by the council in 2010, is chief operating officer of IDI, which developed the Leisure World retirement community in Silver Spring. He has a law degree from American University and bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering and fine arts from Rutgers University.
Alfandre and Dreyfuss both joined the board to finish terms of members who died in office.
Vying with Dreyfuss for one of two non-majrity party seats is fellow Republican Matthew J. Zaborsky Jr. of Olney, a community activist and member of the county's property tax assessment appeals board. Zaborsky is a former mortgage company president and has a bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University.
mhyslop@gazette.net
http://www.gazette.net/stories/05182011/montnew183742_32540.php
Montgomery County Council members will interview candidates for two positions on the county Planning Board on Tuesday.
Five of 14 applicants were chosen for interviews, among them incumbents Joseph L. Alfandre, a Democrat, and Norman M. Dreyfuss, a Republican. Both are developers who live in Potomac.
But according to an email circulated among council staff Monday, Alfandre has withdrawn his application after notifying planning board chairwoman Francoise Carrier that he has taken a job that will require too much travel to do both.
Neither Alfandre nor a planning board spokeswoman returned calls.
Vying for one of three majority party seats on the five-member board are Democrats Casey Anderson and Alan Steele Bowser, both of Silver Spring.
Anderson, a community and bicycling activist who serves on the Planning Board's zoning advisory panel, is a principal in a legal strategy research firm that advises lawyers on antitrust, intellectual property and product liability cases. He has bachelor's and law degrees from Georgetown University and a master's degree from Columbia University.
Bowser, a private practice lawyer, served as chief of staff to Duchy Trachtenberg during her one term on the County Council. He also has a law degree from Georgetown as well as a master's degree from Johns Hopkins and a bachelor's degree from Princeton University.
Dreyfuss, who was appointed by the council in 2010, is chief operating officer of IDI, which developed the Leisure World retirement community in Silver Spring. He has a law degree from American University and bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering and fine arts from Rutgers University.
Alfandre and Dreyfuss both joined the board to finish terms of members who died in office.
Vying with Dreyfuss for one of two non-majrity party seats is fellow Republican Matthew J. Zaborsky Jr. of Olney, a community activist and member of the county's property tax assessment appeals board. Zaborsky is a former mortgage company president and has a bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University.
mhyslop@gazette.net
http://www.gazette.net/stories/05182011/montnew183742_32540.php
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Alan Bowser for Montgomery County Planning Board 2011 - Letter of Application
April 26, 2011
The Honorable Valerie Ervin
Montgomery County Council President
Stella B. Werner Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Dear Council President Ervin:
I am pleased to present my application for the position of Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board. I am a member of the Democratic Party.
My interest in serving the Council and the residents of Montgomery County as a member of the Planning Board is longstanding. With the encouragement of members of the Montgomery County Council, I have been privileged to meet with the Council on other occasions to discuss my views about the important planning and development issues facing Montgomery County.
As you know, I had the honor and privilege of serving Montgomery County as Chief of Staff to former Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee. While serving in that position, I was able to participate in every important policy discussion and decision that the County Council made on behalf of our County’s residents. Through my service in Councilmember Trachtenberg’s office, I had the opportunity to productively interact with all members of the Montgomery County Council, their staff members, the Council’s professional staff, members of the Executive Branch, senior staff at the County’s Planning and Parks Departments, and representatives of the private sector and civic community. My experience in supporting the County Council’s work on the many land use and planning issues in front of the Council during my tenure have well prepared me for serving on the Planning Board.
From this experience, I believe that County Council members were able to obtain the best possible view and impression of my personal work ethic, my judgment, my interpersonal skills, my intellectual abilities, my strong interest in land use and planning issues, and my commitment and dedication to our common work
In previous correspondence to the Council and in our meetings, I have shared my ideas about Montgomery County planning. I’ve noted my strong support for preserving Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve and my commitment to smart growth and the idea that “great urban design—focused on great transit, pedestrian safety and convenience, green space, public amenities, arts and culture—is the future for our transit station areas…” I affirmed the Council’s view that that the County’s regulatory processes must be up to the task of 21st century development, and that “community input and transparent decision making are more important than ever.” I also expressed my support for the application of the best principles of community design, adequate public facilities and sustainability to guide future growth and development toward our smart growth centers.
Montgomery County Service. Throughout my career, I have been extensively involved in community development and planning issues as an attorney, economist and policy analyst. Since the last time the Council considered my candidacy for appointment to the Planning Board, I have continued my extensive work on the County and local levels in planning and community development issues. On the County level,
I served as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
I served as an alternate member of the Montgomery County Planning Board’s Purple Line Master Plan Advisory Group.
I served on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and as the Chair of its Neighborhoods Committee. I also served on its Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committees, and its Commercial and Economic Development Committees.
I continue to serve on the Montgomery County African American Advisory Group.
I continue to serve as a member of the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee.
In Silver Spring, I served as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, one of the oldest civic associations in Montgomery County. In this capacity, I helped our neighbors advocate for environmental protection, public and pedestrian safety, sustainable transit, and community revitalization. I continue to serve as Treasurer of our civic association. As PHCA’s past President, I am a member of the Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations (Prezco) and have supported their work on transit, pedestrian safety, budget integrity, and public safety. As I have previously stated to the County Council, I strongly support transit, and the Purple Line, in particular, and the mode and alignment recommended by the MTA.
I continue to serve as President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. and have undertaken extensive outreach activities to Montgomery County residents, veterans, artists, and very importantly, area youth. In this position, I have produced numerous arts & entertainment events throughout Silver Spring, including our “Tribute to America’s Veterans” benefit concerts, which have supported “Operation Second Chance,” and “Rebuilding Together,” Montgomery County non-profit organizations that assists wounded military personnel in their return to civilian life. I also founded and serve as co-executive producer of the Silver Spring Blues Festival in Downtown Silver Spring, which has brought thousands of guests and patrons to businesses in the Silver Spring Central Business District.
I have supported important community organizations such as the Friends of the Library, Community for a New Silver Spring Library, Friends of Sligo Creek, Impact Silver Spring, and the Sligo Creek Golf Association. I continue my strong advocacy for the County’s parks and recreation programs and have encouraged and participated in several environmental clean-up programs in Sligo Creek Park, Long Branch Park and Broad Acres Park.
Professional Experience and Education. Please recall that my professional experience spans over thirty years working on energy, environment, transportation, housing and agriculture issues, in the public and private sectors. I have worked as an economist for the United States Treasury and the Executive Office of the President and I served as a legislative assistant in the United States House of Representatives. I have also worked as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In the Clinton Administration, I was appointed to the Senior Executive Service of the United States. I served as the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Basic Industries, with responsibility for one of the largest group of offices in the International Trade Administration. As U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary, I managed over 100 professional staff members in the U.S Office of Automotive Affairs, the U.S. Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery, and the U.S. Office of Metals, Material and Chemicals. Among many significant achievements at Commerce, where I worked to raise the profile of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, I developed President Bill Clinton’s Clean Energy Trade Initiative, which promoted the sales of U.S. clean energy and environmental technology throughout the world.
I believe that my appointment to and service on the Montgomery County Planning Board can help the Board move forward with even greater community understanding of its mission and public support for its decisions. I look forward to assisting the Chairman and the other Board members with their work.
I look forward to discussing this matter further with you and your colleagues on the County Council.
I hope to have your support for this appointment.
Sincerely yours,
Alan S. Bowser, Esq.
The Honorable Valerie Ervin
Montgomery County Council President
Stella B. Werner Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Dear Council President Ervin:
I am pleased to present my application for the position of Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board. I am a member of the Democratic Party.
My interest in serving the Council and the residents of Montgomery County as a member of the Planning Board is longstanding. With the encouragement of members of the Montgomery County Council, I have been privileged to meet with the Council on other occasions to discuss my views about the important planning and development issues facing Montgomery County.
As you know, I had the honor and privilege of serving Montgomery County as Chief of Staff to former Montgomery County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg, Chair of the Council’s Management and Fiscal Policy Committee. While serving in that position, I was able to participate in every important policy discussion and decision that the County Council made on behalf of our County’s residents. Through my service in Councilmember Trachtenberg’s office, I had the opportunity to productively interact with all members of the Montgomery County Council, their staff members, the Council’s professional staff, members of the Executive Branch, senior staff at the County’s Planning and Parks Departments, and representatives of the private sector and civic community. My experience in supporting the County Council’s work on the many land use and planning issues in front of the Council during my tenure have well prepared me for serving on the Planning Board.
From this experience, I believe that County Council members were able to obtain the best possible view and impression of my personal work ethic, my judgment, my interpersonal skills, my intellectual abilities, my strong interest in land use and planning issues, and my commitment and dedication to our common work
In previous correspondence to the Council and in our meetings, I have shared my ideas about Montgomery County planning. I’ve noted my strong support for preserving Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve and my commitment to smart growth and the idea that “great urban design—focused on great transit, pedestrian safety and convenience, green space, public amenities, arts and culture—is the future for our transit station areas…” I affirmed the Council’s view that that the County’s regulatory processes must be up to the task of 21st century development, and that “community input and transparent decision making are more important than ever.” I also expressed my support for the application of the best principles of community design, adequate public facilities and sustainability to guide future growth and development toward our smart growth centers.
Montgomery County Service. Throughout my career, I have been extensively involved in community development and planning issues as an attorney, economist and policy analyst. Since the last time the Council considered my candidacy for appointment to the Planning Board, I have continued my extensive work on the County and local levels in planning and community development issues. On the County level,
I served as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.
I served as an alternate member of the Montgomery County Planning Board’s Purple Line Master Plan Advisory Group.
I served on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and as the Chair of its Neighborhoods Committee. I also served on its Transportation and Pedestrian Safety Committees, and its Commercial and Economic Development Committees.
I continue to serve on the Montgomery County African American Advisory Group.
I continue to serve as a member of the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee.
In Silver Spring, I served as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, one of the oldest civic associations in Montgomery County. In this capacity, I helped our neighbors advocate for environmental protection, public and pedestrian safety, sustainable transit, and community revitalization. I continue to serve as Treasurer of our civic association. As PHCA’s past President, I am a member of the Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations (Prezco) and have supported their work on transit, pedestrian safety, budget integrity, and public safety. As I have previously stated to the County Council, I strongly support transit, and the Purple Line, in particular, and the mode and alignment recommended by the MTA.
I continue to serve as President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. and have undertaken extensive outreach activities to Montgomery County residents, veterans, artists, and very importantly, area youth. In this position, I have produced numerous arts & entertainment events throughout Silver Spring, including our “Tribute to America’s Veterans” benefit concerts, which have supported “Operation Second Chance,” and “Rebuilding Together,” Montgomery County non-profit organizations that assists wounded military personnel in their return to civilian life. I also founded and serve as co-executive producer of the Silver Spring Blues Festival in Downtown Silver Spring, which has brought thousands of guests and patrons to businesses in the Silver Spring Central Business District.
I have supported important community organizations such as the Friends of the Library, Community for a New Silver Spring Library, Friends of Sligo Creek, Impact Silver Spring, and the Sligo Creek Golf Association. I continue my strong advocacy for the County’s parks and recreation programs and have encouraged and participated in several environmental clean-up programs in Sligo Creek Park, Long Branch Park and Broad Acres Park.
Professional Experience and Education. Please recall that my professional experience spans over thirty years working on energy, environment, transportation, housing and agriculture issues, in the public and private sectors. I have worked as an economist for the United States Treasury and the Executive Office of the President and I served as a legislative assistant in the United States House of Representatives. I have also worked as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, and the U.S Secretary of Veterans Affairs. In the Clinton Administration, I was appointed to the Senior Executive Service of the United States. I served as the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Basic Industries, with responsibility for one of the largest group of offices in the International Trade Administration. As U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary, I managed over 100 professional staff members in the U.S Office of Automotive Affairs, the U.S. Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery, and the U.S. Office of Metals, Material and Chemicals. Among many significant achievements at Commerce, where I worked to raise the profile of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies, I developed President Bill Clinton’s Clean Energy Trade Initiative, which promoted the sales of U.S. clean energy and environmental technology throughout the world.
I believe that my appointment to and service on the Montgomery County Planning Board can help the Board move forward with even greater community understanding of its mission and public support for its decisions. I look forward to assisting the Chairman and the other Board members with their work.
I look forward to discussing this matter further with you and your colleagues on the County Council.
I hope to have your support for this appointment.
Sincerely yours,
Alan S. Bowser, Esq.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Marye Wells-Harley Selected by Council For Montgomery County Planning Board
* Release ID: 09-103
* Release Date: 7/21/2009
* Contact: Justina Ferber 240-777-7938
* From: Council Office
Silver Spring Resident Will Be First African-American Woman on County’s Planning Board
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 21, 2009—The Montgomery County Council today selected Marye Wells-Harley of Silver Spring to serve a full four-year term on the Montgomery County Planning Board. Ms. Wells-Harley, whose appointment must by confirmed by County Executive Isiah Leggett, would become the first African-American female to serve on the planning agency.
Ms. Wells-Harley, who was among six applicants interviewed by the Council from among 18 applicants, will fill the seat on the five-member board of John Robinson. Mr. Robinson served two terms and was not eligible for reappointment.
Ms. Wells-Harley’s nomination was originally supported by seven of the eight County Councilmembers (Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was absent). Councilmember George Leventhal nominated Roberto R. Piñero of Silver Spring. After the first ballot, he joined the other seven Councilmembers for an official vote of unanimous acclamation.
Ms. Wells-Harley, a Democrat, retired in 2007 from the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission as director of Parks and Recreation for the Prince George’s County. She had worked for the agency for 42 years—the last six as the director of parks and recreation. In that position, she was responsible for planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive park and recreation program for Prince George’s County. She is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
In her letter of application for the Planning Board position, Ms. Wells-Harley wrote, “As a member of the Planning Board, I would work toward ensuring that Montgomery County is both affordable and accessible to the people who work, and have worked, to make this County the unique place we all know it to be.”
Council President Phil Andrews said that the Council was very impressed with the applicants it interviewed.
“We probably could have formed an entire planning board from among the people we interviewed,” said Council President Andrews. “We had some very qualified people apply for the position and, although the selection process was difficult, the Council feels we made an excellent selection in Marye Wells-Harley, who will bring an unprecedented level of experience with parks issues to the board.”
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. The position can be filled by a Democrat; a Republican; a voter who declines to affiliate with a party; or by a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
The other board members are Chairman Royce Hanson, a Democrat; Joseph Alfandre, a Democrat; Jean B. Cryor, a Republican; and Amy Presley, a Republican. Annual compensation for board members currently is $30,000.
The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and amendment of the County General Plan; preparation and amendment of Master Plans and functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of, or recommendations, on text amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implication of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its Mandatory Referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal agencies; and approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual Parks Department operating budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget; land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday and often meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a Planning Board member can expect to spend at least two full days a week in scheduled and informal meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.
* Release Date: 7/21/2009
* Contact: Justina Ferber 240-777-7938
* From: Council Office
Silver Spring Resident Will Be First African-American Woman on County’s Planning Board
ROCKVILLE, Md., July 21, 2009—The Montgomery County Council today selected Marye Wells-Harley of Silver Spring to serve a full four-year term on the Montgomery County Planning Board. Ms. Wells-Harley, whose appointment must by confirmed by County Executive Isiah Leggett, would become the first African-American female to serve on the planning agency.
Ms. Wells-Harley, who was among six applicants interviewed by the Council from among 18 applicants, will fill the seat on the five-member board of John Robinson. Mr. Robinson served two terms and was not eligible for reappointment.
Ms. Wells-Harley’s nomination was originally supported by seven of the eight County Councilmembers (Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg was absent). Councilmember George Leventhal nominated Roberto R. Piñero of Silver Spring. After the first ballot, he joined the other seven Councilmembers for an official vote of unanimous acclamation.
Ms. Wells-Harley, a Democrat, retired in 2007 from the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission as director of Parks and Recreation for the Prince George’s County. She had worked for the agency for 42 years—the last six as the director of parks and recreation. In that position, she was responsible for planning, developing and implementing a comprehensive park and recreation program for Prince George’s County. She is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
In her letter of application for the Planning Board position, Ms. Wells-Harley wrote, “As a member of the Planning Board, I would work toward ensuring that Montgomery County is both affordable and accessible to the people who work, and have worked, to make this County the unique place we all know it to be.”
Council President Phil Andrews said that the Council was very impressed with the applicants it interviewed.
“We probably could have formed an entire planning board from among the people we interviewed,” said Council President Andrews. “We had some very qualified people apply for the position and, although the selection process was difficult, the Council feels we made an excellent selection in Marye Wells-Harley, who will bring an unprecedented level of experience with parks issues to the board.”
No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and all members must be residents and registered voters of Montgomery County when appointed. Members serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. The position can be filled by a Democrat; a Republican; a voter who declines to affiliate with a party; or by a member of another party officially recognized by the Montgomery County Board of Elections.
The other board members are Chairman Royce Hanson, a Democrat; Joseph Alfandre, a Democrat; Jean B. Cryor, a Republican; and Amy Presley, a Republican. Annual compensation for board members currently is $30,000.
The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and community planning. Planning Board members also serve as commissioners of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and amendment of the County General Plan; preparation and amendment of Master Plans and functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of, or recommendations, on text amendments to the County Zoning Ordinance; implementation of the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and other plans for development; advice on the planning implication of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its Mandatory Referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal agencies; and approval of the work program and the annual operating budget for the Planning Department and the commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Board sits as the Park Commission and approves the annual Parks Department operating budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget; land acquisition contracts and major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.
The Montgomery County Planning Board meets all day every Thursday and often meets on one other evening a week. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a Planning Board member can expect to spend at least two full days a week in scheduled and informal meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other activities related to Planning Board responsibilities.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Montgomery Council Names Planning Nominee - Washington Post
Marye Wells-Harley of Silver Spring was nominated Tuesday to a four-year term on the Montgomery County Planning Board. Wells-Harley, 66, is the former parks and recreation director for Prince George's County. If her appointment is approved by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D), she would be the first African American woman to serve on Montgomery's five-member planning board.
Wells-Harley was selected from a pool of 18 applicants for the part-time post, which pays $30,000 annually. She succeeds John Robinson, who served two terms and was ineligible for reappointment.
-- Miranda S. Spivack, July 22, 2009
Wells-Harley was selected from a pool of 18 applicants for the part-time post, which pays $30,000 annually. She succeeds John Robinson, who served two terms and was ineligible for reappointment.
-- Miranda S. Spivack, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Montgomery County Council Nominates Marye Wells-Harley to Planning Board
At its July 21st meeting, the Montgomery County Council nominated Marye Wells-Harley as a member of the Montgomery County Planning Board.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Alan Bowser for Montgomery County Planning Board
409 Deerfield Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
July 16, 2009
Mr. Phil Andews, President
Montgomery County Council
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Mr. Andrews:
I write to ask your support for my appointment to the Montgomery County Planning Board.
As you know, this is the fourth time that I have been invited—by the County Council—to interview for possible appointment to this most important public body.
Beginning in 2006 and every year since, I have had detailed discussions with County Council members, individually and before the full Council, about my professional experiences and my knowledge of planning and development issues in the County. My conversations with the Council on these numerous occasions have always been cordial and constructive and have greatly enhanced my knowledge of key issues and the opinions of Council members. I take this process seriously and I have welcomed the very supportive comments made by you and your Council colleagues about my integrity, experience and knowledge.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I believe that I am the best prepared and most qualified for appointment to the Board.
As you know, the Montgomery County Council has already indicated its confidence in my ability and integrity by appointing me twice to the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and, more recently, to the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee.
I also have the confidence of the County Executive. I have been appointed by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett to the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee and the County Executive’s African American Advisory Group.
The Planning Board, for its part, has invited me to participate as a Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board Functional Master Plan Advisory Group for the Purple Line—the most important contemporary transit issue for the County.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I have the most professional experience in housing, transportation, energy & environmental issues, having worked for more than 30 years in the public and private sector as an attorney, economist and senior executive.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I have the most experience in the Montgomery County community-at-large, and my community outreach is unrivalled. In addition to my service on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, and as its former chair of its Neighborhoods Committee, I serve as a member of the Steering Committee, Northwest Park Oakview Weed & Seed Program, as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, and as President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. I have worked, closely with colleagues throughout the County, to enhance community building relationships with members of the African, Caribbean, Asian, and Latin American communities, especially in the Long Branch, Takoma Langley, and New Hampshire Avenue communities. And, as mentioned to you and your colleagues in an earlier communication, I have founded two innovative and popular blogs in support of the Montgomery County arts & entertainment community as well as neighborhood revitalization in Silver Spring.
With regard to key planning and development issues in Montgomery County, I have the most direct and practical experience of any of the candidates for appointment to the Planning Board in 2009. I have worked closely with staff members of the County Council, the County Executive, and the Planning Board, along with members of the development and civic community, on a host of critical issues, ranging from the Purple Line to affordable housing to historic preservation to parks & recreation to environmental protection.
I have been an active participant in discussions on the mode and alignment of the Purple Line, the design of a new headquarters for the Planning Board, the design of the Silver Spring Library, reuse of the Sligo Golf Course, Fenton Village revitalization, the revision of the County’s Growth Policy, the revision of the County Zoning Ordinance, and several of the proposed master and sector plan revisions.
Of all the candidates for appointment to the Planning Board, I have the most extensive history of cooperation with the private sector, having worked closely with the business and development community on many central business district projects in Silver Spring, through my service on the Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee, the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, and the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
Of all the candidates for appointment this year, I have the longest and most continuous history of active and positive engagement in public policy issues in Montgomery County. I am proud to have been endorsed for this appointment by many, many members of the Montgomery County community, many of whom have sent you letters of support of my candidacy.
I believe that I am the most qualified and best prepared of all the candidates and I respectfully request your support for this appointment. I hope that you will recognize the depth of my preparation, the scope of my knowledge, my commitment to the County, and my longstanding interest in this position.
Sincerely,
Alan S. Bowser
cc: Members of the Montgomery County Council
Silver Spring, MD 20910
July 16, 2009
Mr. Phil Andews, President
Montgomery County Council
Rockville, MD 20850
Dear Mr. Andrews:
I write to ask your support for my appointment to the Montgomery County Planning Board.
As you know, this is the fourth time that I have been invited—by the County Council—to interview for possible appointment to this most important public body.
Beginning in 2006 and every year since, I have had detailed discussions with County Council members, individually and before the full Council, about my professional experiences and my knowledge of planning and development issues in the County. My conversations with the Council on these numerous occasions have always been cordial and constructive and have greatly enhanced my knowledge of key issues and the opinions of Council members. I take this process seriously and I have welcomed the very supportive comments made by you and your Council colleagues about my integrity, experience and knowledge.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I believe that I am the best prepared and most qualified for appointment to the Board.
As you know, the Montgomery County Council has already indicated its confidence in my ability and integrity by appointing me twice to the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board and, more recently, to the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services Advisory Committee.
I also have the confidence of the County Executive. I have been appointed by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett to the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee and the County Executive’s African American Advisory Group.
The Planning Board, for its part, has invited me to participate as a Member of the Montgomery County Planning Board Functional Master Plan Advisory Group for the Purple Line—the most important contemporary transit issue for the County.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I have the most professional experience in housing, transportation, energy & environmental issues, having worked for more than 30 years in the public and private sector as an attorney, economist and senior executive.
Of all the candidates being considered this year, I have the most experience in the Montgomery County community-at-large, and my community outreach is unrivalled. In addition to my service on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, and as its former chair of its Neighborhoods Committee, I serve as a member of the Steering Committee, Northwest Park Oakview Weed & Seed Program, as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, and as President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. I have worked, closely with colleagues throughout the County, to enhance community building relationships with members of the African, Caribbean, Asian, and Latin American communities, especially in the Long Branch, Takoma Langley, and New Hampshire Avenue communities. And, as mentioned to you and your colleagues in an earlier communication, I have founded two innovative and popular blogs in support of the Montgomery County arts & entertainment community as well as neighborhood revitalization in Silver Spring.
With regard to key planning and development issues in Montgomery County, I have the most direct and practical experience of any of the candidates for appointment to the Planning Board in 2009. I have worked closely with staff members of the County Council, the County Executive, and the Planning Board, along with members of the development and civic community, on a host of critical issues, ranging from the Purple Line to affordable housing to historic preservation to parks & recreation to environmental protection.
I have been an active participant in discussions on the mode and alignment of the Purple Line, the design of a new headquarters for the Planning Board, the design of the Silver Spring Library, reuse of the Sligo Golf Course, Fenton Village revitalization, the revision of the County’s Growth Policy, the revision of the County Zoning Ordinance, and several of the proposed master and sector plan revisions.
Of all the candidates for appointment to the Planning Board, I have the most extensive history of cooperation with the private sector, having worked closely with the business and development community on many central business district projects in Silver Spring, through my service on the Arts & Entertainment District Advisory Committee, the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board, and the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
Of all the candidates for appointment this year, I have the longest and most continuous history of active and positive engagement in public policy issues in Montgomery County. I am proud to have been endorsed for this appointment by many, many members of the Montgomery County community, many of whom have sent you letters of support of my candidacy.
I believe that I am the most qualified and best prepared of all the candidates and I respectfully request your support for this appointment. I hope that you will recognize the depth of my preparation, the scope of my knowledge, my commitment to the County, and my longstanding interest in this position.
Sincerely,
Alan S. Bowser
cc: Members of the Montgomery County Council
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