* 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.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
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
Alan Bowser - Support Montgomery's Veterans
As President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., I have supported Montgomery County's veterans through many programs and activities. Chief among these is the Town Center Inc.'s "Tribute to America's Veterans" concert, held at the Round House Theatre in Silver Spring. The featured artists for this concert, which was a benefit for the Montgomery County nonprofit "Second Chance" which supports disabled veterans, were local jazz great Marcus Johnson, and local bluesmen Michel Baytop and Jay Summerour. At this event, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, himself a former U.S. Army officer, presented certificates of recognition to Cindy McGrew, President of Operation Second Chance, and Jack Hewitt, a World War II veteran and member of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. Board of Directors
Alan Bowser - Engaging Youth and Teens
Engaging local teens and youth is an important part of our work in Silver Spring. We work with a broad range of youth advocacy groups to provide a safe and educational environment for local kids. These groups include Arts on the Block, Impact Silver Spring, the Gandhi Brigade, the YMCA, the Girl Scouts, the Northwest Oakview Weed & Seed Program, the International Corridor C-Safe program, the County's Recreation Department, and Montgomery County Public Schools. I'm particularly proud of the work that we've done to engage young people in environmental protection and neighborhood revitalization programs in Silver Spring.
Alan Bowser - Arts & Humanities
As President of the Silver Spring Town Center, Inc., and as a member of the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District Advisory Committee, I have worked hard to foster a dynamic arts & entertainment scene in Silver Spring, and, more broadly, Montgomery County. Among the events, we've supported are the "Tribute to America's Veterans" concert featuring Marcus Johnson, along with bluesmen Michel Baytop and Jay Summerour, jazz events at Ceviche and Mayorga, and the Silver Spring Blues Festival.
Alan Bowser - Design Excellence
Working with community members, County staff, architects and developers, I have participated in many design charrettes and community discussions about important public projects in Montgomery County, such as the new Silver Spring Library, a new headquarters complex for the Planning Board "Silver Place, and the Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Alan Bowser - Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian safety has been a priority issue for me as President of the Park Hills Civic Association, and as a member of the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board.
Bruce Altevogt, Seven Oaks Evanswood Citizens Association, Khursheed “KB” Bilgrami, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Alan Bowser, Park Hills Civic Association.
Working together with representatives of the Seven Oaks-Evanswood Citizens Association, the East Silver Spring Citizens Asssociation, the Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Councilmember Valerie Ervin, and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, we have strongly advocated for pedestrian friendly solutions throughout Silver Spring.
Dale Drive at Hartford Road
Recently, we conducted a “walkthrough” along Dale Drive to identify solutions for pedestrian safety and traffic calming at key intersections. With two schools nearby--Sligo Creek Elementary and Silver Spring International Middle School, neighbors are concerned about speeding vehicles and unsafe intersections. Our civic associations are working with the County Department of Transportation for long-term CIP solutions as well as short-term SPOT solutions to the community's pedestrian challenges.
Dale Drive at Hartford Road
Dale Drive at Mansfield
Dale Drive at Mansfield
Dale Drive at Schuyler
Dale Drive at Pershing
Bruce Altevogt, Seven Oaks Evanswood Citizens Association, Khursheed “KB” Bilgrami, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Alan Bowser, Park Hills Civic Association.
Working together with representatives of the Seven Oaks-Evanswood Citizens Association, the East Silver Spring Citizens Asssociation, the Presidents’ Council of Silver Spring Civic Associations, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Councilmember Valerie Ervin, and Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, we have strongly advocated for pedestrian friendly solutions throughout Silver Spring.
Dale Drive at Hartford RoadRecently, we conducted a “walkthrough” along Dale Drive to identify solutions for pedestrian safety and traffic calming at key intersections. With two schools nearby--Sligo Creek Elementary and Silver Spring International Middle School, neighbors are concerned about speeding vehicles and unsafe intersections. Our civic associations are working with the County Department of Transportation for long-term CIP solutions as well as short-term SPOT solutions to the community's pedestrian challenges.
Dale Drive at Hartford Road
Dale Drive at Mansfield
Dale Drive at Mansfield
Dale Drive at Schuyler
Dale Drive at Pershing
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Alan Bowser - 21st Century Technologies to Build Community, Educate and Entertain
In my work in Silver Spring and Montgomery County, I use 21st century social networking technologies—Facebook, Flickr, Google’s Blogger, and YouTube--to build community, educate and entertain. I’ve included here some links to several good examples of using these technologies to educate about storm water and the protection of the local environment.
Blogger – Alan Bowser for Montgomery County Planning Board
A Study of the Grand Canyon of Paint Branch in Montgomery County District 4.
http://alanbowser.blogspot.com/2009/05/grand-canyon-of-montgomery-county.html
On the Alan Bowser for Montgomery County Planning Board, you can see my study of the Grand Canyon of Paint Branch. It’s a study of erosion, storm water damage, and the need for greater attention to handling storm water in Montgomery County.
Blogger – Silver Spring Neighborhoods
The Park Hills Rain Garden Tour with Friends of Sligo Creek
http://silverspringneighborhoods.blogspot.com/2009/06/park-hills-rain-garden-tour.html
In this posting to "Blogger," I show my neighborhood’s engagement on environmental issues and our new partnership with Friends of Sligo Creek on storm water management and “rain gardening.”
Blogger – Silver Spring Neighborhoods
Hiking the Inter-County Connector in 2007
Flickr – Hiking the InterCounty Connector Trail http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanbowser/sets/72157600338458284/
In 2007, I hiked the length of the route of the Inter-County Connector from Prince George's County to Gaithersburg to see the pristine environment that would be impacted by the ICC.
Facebook – The Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.
Facebook - The Silver Spring Town Center Facebook Group!
http://www.facebook.com/alan.bowser?ref=profile#/group.php?gid=8305814081&ref=ts
The Facebook link illustrates the use of Facebook to build community support for local arts and entertainment in Silver Spring and Montgomery County.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)