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"Our over-reliance on cars and $4-per-gallon gasoline has led us to dig a really deep hole for ourselves. The Purple Line is the ladder that helps us climb up out of this hole toward the light of rational land use, friendly commutes and a stable climate." Mike Tidwell, director of CCAN |  |
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Newsletter of Purple Line NOW! April 30, 2008
1) Columbia Country Club Launches War on Purple Line Last month PLN received a copy of a letter sent to the Columbia Country Club’s membership from the club’s president, J. Paul McNamara. The letter states that the Columbia Country Club is initiating a broad effort to oppose Montgomery County’s and the State of Maryland’s positions supporting the Purple Line (see Club President's Letter for the full letter). The opposition effort, as well as an anti-Purple Line coalition and lobbying at the State and Federal levels, will be funded by the club's capital budget. One of the ironies of President McNamara’s stance on the Purple Line is his role as chairman of Potomac Capital Advisors -- a Bethesda firm that is in the process of clearing 182 acres of forested land in a resource conservation district in Frederick County for commercial development. Given that the country club is squatting on public land, overt organizing against the Purple Line makes us wonder about the nature of the club’s agreement for the use of the land, as well as their tax status. The club lost its lawsuit (and the right to take any further legal action) against Montgomery County -- the court decided that the County had the right to proceed with the Purple Line and trail in the 100+ foot public right-of-way. The State has made every effort to ensure that the transit line and trail will be designed in an attractive manner similar to that of roads passing through NYC’s Central Park and that require minimal changes to the course. The club’s argument against use of this public land for transit and a trail, and their efforts to organize against the public interest needs a firm response. We urge the County to assert its ownership of this important public asset by moving the existing fences to the true edge of the publicly-owned land. 2) General Assembly Cuts Transportation Funding and Threatens Purple Line Momentum At the last session of the Maryland General Assembly, the Governor and legislative leaders agreed that the recently enacted computer services tax was a mistake. Repeal of this tax however, requires nearly $200 million in replacement revenue. In the Senate Budget and Tax Committee, Senator Rich Madaleno (D-18) proposed a $150 million cut to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to make up the difference (which would wipe out the budgeted funds for PL engineering and final design). Montgomery County Senator Nancy King opposed this large cut, and Madaleno’s proposal was rejected in a 9 to 6 vote. The committee finally agreed to a millionaire income tax bracket, additional budget cuts, and a $50 million per year cut in the TTF. MDOT Secretary John Porcari has assured PLN that the $50 million cut will have only a small impact on the Purple Line. 3) MTA’s Alternatives Assessment Points to Campus Drive Option for UMD; Student Paper Issues Endorsement MTA has provided an assessment of the merits of the Campus Drive alignment compared to the more southern Chapel Lawn option. The agency has indicated that the Chapel Lawn alignment would cost at least $3 million more than the recommended Campus Drive option, and that ridership would be reduced due to the increased distance from key campus facilities. Three of the representative bodies on the campus, the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Government and Residence Halls Association, have all endorsed the Campus Drive alignment. http://media.www.diamondbackonline.com/media/storage/paper873/news/2008/04/01/Opinion/Staff.Editorial.The.Peoples.Line-3294447.shtml 4) Prince George’s Transportation Meetings are a Purple Line Love Fest Prince George’s County is now in the process of updating their Master Plan of Transportation, mandated by the 2002 General Plan. The plan includes goals to increase transit use and will recommend where land use changes would be appropriate. While the update will address many transportation projects, the Purple Line is an important focus because it was not included in the 2002 General Plan. With the Metrorail system now completed, it is an appropriate time to consider extensions and improvements, such as the Purple Line. Many participants of the public meetings held for the Master Plan in March and April commented positively on the Purple Line. 5) South Silver Spring and Beltway-Adjacent Civic Associations Go on Record in Support of PL Two more civic associations took votes on the Purple Line over the last month. Following an MTA presentation on the PL April 15th, the South Silver Spring Neighborhood Association (www.southsilverspring.org) stated in part that: “the SSNA strongly supports the Purple Line and encourages the State of Maryland and relevant jurisdictions within to make the Purple Line the top transportation priority, working to achieve this goal in a timely and prudent manner.” The Indian Spring Civic Association’s position restates support from several years ago, expressing a preference for light rail over BRT and unequivocal opposition to Beltway widening schemes. In conveying the Indian Spring CA’s position to elected officials, President Walter Gottlieb stated that: “our reasons for supporting the Purple Line are that we believe transit is a much more cost-effective way to address our transportation needs compared to highway solutions with a far better impact on the environment. With the rate of growth in this county, transit solutions are essential to address these needs. We believe the Purple Line is the first step in a series of transit-related solutions to transportation needs”. These votes follow resolutions by two other eastern Silver Spring associations (Seven Oaks and Park Hills) rejecting the at-grade options for the Purple Line currently on the table. 6) Montgomery County Council Gives Big Boost to Purple Line with First Commitment of Construction Funds The Montgomery County Council has wisely set aside funds for the new Bethesda South Metrorail entrance in its near final budget. Last week, a drill rig began work on Elm Street in Bethesda marking the start of the new entrance. This entrance will improve access to the Red Line and will make it easier to travel between the Elm St., the Capital Crescent trail and the Purple Line. 7) Upcoming Events
8) Short Rides
9) This Newsletter This newsletter is produced by volunteer supporters of Purple Line NOW! which was founded in January, 2003. Purple Line Now! was formed by representatives of business, labor, environmental and community organizations to promote a light rail transit line connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring, Long Branch, Takoma/ Langley Crossroads, College Park and the University of Maryland, Riverdale Park and New Carrollton. We support completion of the hiker-biker trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, as well as pedestrian enhancements as part of the transit project elsewhere along the alignment. Send news tips to: Editor. |
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68,000 riders each weekday is huge! Counting down to completion of Purple Line DEIS; Latest news: Latest News; How you can help 
See: We need you to help keep the Purple Line a state and county priority. Write a letter, make a call or send an e-mail in support of the Purple Line today. See: Contact List |
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