The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition
Our philosophy is to foster the creation of green space in the urban environment.
 The trail is family friendly: Let's keep it that way! |
Call to
action: URGENT--May 31st Major
Trail Event |
 GBCCC helped pay for the observation deck over Rock Creek! |
Come Show Your Support for the Capital Crescent Trail!
Saturday, May 31, 10:30 a.m
Whether you’re a biker, jogger, walker or nature lover, Saturday, May 31, is your chance to show your support for the Capital Crescent Trail and learn how proposed light rail trains on the Trail will devastate this treasured resource.
17 communities will take part in this family-friendly and informational event, “Connect with the Capital Crescent Trail,” from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Activities begin at Elm Street Park in Bethesda (at the east end of the Tunnel under Wisconsin Avenue) and continue east along the Trail. Come find out about nature along the Trail and the impact of the proposed Purple Line.
What’s the Urgency?
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for all proposed Purple Line alignments is scheduled for release in August, but the Purple Line on the Trail is the only alternative the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seriously considering.
We must show elected officials and media how important this beautiful, green community resource is to the public, and how it is threatened along the proposed Purple Line route.
We want MTA to consider alternatives that will serve more people, cost less and preserve the Trail.
Invest A Morning, Show Your Support
For more information, and/or to volunteer to help out on May 31:
The Inner Purple Line would have a devastating effect on the Capital Crescent Trail and the surrounding communities
- There is no transit system in the United States that runs trains so frequently and so fast, while running trains so close to a popular trail, homes, and apartments, as the proposed light rail, Inner Purple Line between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
- 300 foot trains would run less than 10 feet from the edge of the Capital Crescent Trail, at speeds up to 55 mph, destroying the peace and safety of this popular regional trail;
- Trains would pass every 3 minutes less than 30 feet from many homes and apartments - destroying the property values and tranquility of many neighborhoods;
- Over 4,500 trees would be clear-cut -- destroying a beautiful natural buffer that protects residential communities and the trail from pollution and noise.
The Inner Purple Line lacks vision and would fail to meet the long term transportation needs of the Region. Studies have shown:
- The Inner Purple Line would fail to provide any relief from our existing and predicted future traffic congestion;
- It would fail to directly connect the two arms of Metro's Red Line;
- It would require inconvenient transfers from the metro, to the light rail, and back to Metro;
- It would fail to take cars off the road;
- It would fail to reduce pollution;
- It would require the creation of a totally new and separate transportation system, with new operating systems, new operators, new cars and separate maintenance systems.
- A continuous Metro system would be faster, carry more riders, provide quicker connections, and have greater potential for expansion.
Where You Should Write:
Please send your letters to the addresses below (fax and email copies in addition to mailing your letters, but send hard copies if you can):
Governor Martin O'Malley
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Email: governor@gov.state.md.us
fax: 1-410-974-3275
Secretary John Porcari
Department of Transportation
7201 Corporate Center Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
fax: 1-410- 865-1338
Background:
Inner Purple Line advocates are lobbying hard to run a high speed rail line down the trail. Developers have much to gain from an Inner Purple Line. The Inner Purple Line has the vigorous support of the Chevy Chase Land Company and the Board of Trade.
Chevy Chase Land Company has been purchasing land to develop, including the Perry Lumber Company, adjacent to the proposed Inner Purple Line station on Connecticut Avenue. If the Inner Purple line is constructed, development ceilings will be raised in downtown Bethesda and along Connecticut Avenue, increasing traffic congestion.
According to the Gazette, developers and Inner Purple Line supporters raised $60,000 to spend in their efforts to push the Inner Purple Line. Ed Asher, President of Chevy Chase Land Company has threatened to reclaim the easement for the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring if a light rail transit system is not constructed alongside the trail. While we are convinced that such an effort is without legal merit, it demonstrates the material interests involved in the proposed degradation of the trail.
Petition Drive to Save the Trail (www.savethetrailpetition.org)
The Petition Drive to Save the Trail collected over 10,000 signatures to save the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring. The Petition states:
The Petition Drive reflects the breadth and depth of feeling, among the thousands who use the trail, that the proposed light rail project and a beautiful, natural trail are simply incompatible.
The Petition Drive was organized by Pam Browning, with over 100 individuals volunteering to assist in this effort. Copies of the Petitions were presented to the County Executive and passed on to the County Council.
News UPDATES
GBCCC VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP THE TRAIL!
On Saturday June 29, 2006 three GBCCC volunteers (Rolf
Sinclair, Rob Zakroff,
and
John Warnock) whacked weeds over half the stretch of the trail between
Jones Mill Road and the Trestle. In the process they uncovered,
as expected, additional breaks or other damage to the fencing.
The picture at left was taken during the cleanup while the one at right
shows the finished product: a clean fence! John reports, "I had no real
appreciation before then of just how heavy the vines on just one
segment of the fencing can be. In some places, they quite
literally bend the boards." He'll be at it again next Saturday and
welcomes anyone to join him.
THE WASHINGTON POST PICKS THE CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN WALKS IN THE AREA:
"A Capital Affair."
CELEBRATION HONORS IKE LEGGETT
On April 17, 2004, the GBCCC and the Town of Chevy Chase sponsored
an
event on the trail in honor of former long-time County Council
member and current chair of Maryland's Democratic Party "Ike"
Leggett (pictuured at right with County Councilmember Howard
Denis). The ceremony featured the dedication of a plaque
with three specially planted trees and two benches on the broad area
where the Trail reaches the western side of Connecticut
Avenue. A large turnout of public figures, trail activists
and members of the general public assembled to show their appreciation
for all that "Ike" has done over the years to help make the Trail the
reality it is. And in keeping with the spirit of the event, the
sun shone and we were treated to a splendid, even hot, Spring day.
Following welcoming remarks by GBCCC president Warnock and Chevy Chase Mayor Wolf, past GBCCC presidents Tony Czajkowski and Ira Shesser reminded the group of all that Leggett has done over the years for the Trail. They were followed by County Executive Duncan, Senator Sharon Grosfeld, and County Council Members Denis and Floreen.
Following the reading of the plaque by GBCCC vice president
Vollmer, "Ike" addressed the gathering, which also included
representatives of the Govenor and Maryland Transportation
Secretray Flanagan, reminding them of the treasure that the Trail
represents and predicting it will endure.
Refreshments, provided by Starbucks, the Einstein
Brothers, Hyatt Classic Residence and the GBCCC followed, with balloons
for the younger members of the audience.
For more stories from our archives click here.
PLEASE
CONTRIBUTE
GENEROUSLY:
We need your help!
Send your Contributions to: GBCCC, 8713 Susanna Lane, Chevy
Chase,
MD 20815
All contributions to GBCCC are tax deductible. Thank you!
Opinions
Rolf
Sinclair's (unpublished) Letter to Dr.Gridlock on why the Purple Line
is NOT part of METRO
Isaac
Hantman's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Long Distance Opinion"
Isaac
Hantman's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Impact of Purple Line Goes
Beyond Golf Course"
Pam
Browning's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Opponents cite Reasons to
Oppose Purple Line"
Jane
Lawton's Letter to the Bethesda Gazette on "Lawton Supports Underground
Purple Line"
John
Warnock's Letter to the Washington Post on "Be Careful What You Wish
For"
Isaac
Hantman's letter to the Washington Post on destruction to the trail by
the Purple Line plan
I.
Dean Ahmad's letter to The Washington Post on problems the train poses
for the trail
John Warnock's Letter to the
Washington Post on Enviromental Effects of the Purple Line
GBCCC Sept. 30, 2004 Testimony to Planning Board on the Purple Line Proposal
I. Dean Ahmad's Letter to the Montgomery Journal on the Montgomory County Civic Federation's Position on the Inner Purple Line
GBCCC Letter to Transportation Secretary Flanigan in Support of Better Bi-County Transportation to Job Centers
GBCCC Testimony to
Planning Board on the Hybrid Purple Line Proposal
Pam Browning's Testimony on the GoMontgomery! Transportation Plan
Pam Browning's Article in the Sierra Club Newsletter The Chesapeake [The article represents the views of the author and is not the official policy of the Sierra Club]
Bob
Levy's Washington Post Article on the Capital Crescent Trail
Letter sent by the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club to Governor Glendening
______________________________________________________________________
Join the GBCCC!
Name: ____________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
Fax:
____________________________________________
I am enclosing a check to help GBCCC continue to protect the Interim
Trail and the quality of life in the greater Bethesda - Chevy Chase
area
Contribution Amount:
$25____ $50____
$100____
$200____ Other _____(All contributions are tax
deductible. Please
make checks out to GBCCC.) Send this form and contributions to: GBCCC,
7622 Lynn Drive, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
I would like to volunteer in the effort to save the trail: ____________
Petitioning_______Leafleting______Writing_______Web-Site ______
Lobbying _______Other_____________________________
Please contact me at: ____________________
FEDERAL/STATE/COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
FEDERAL
PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES
president@whitehouse.gov
The White House
Washington, DC 20500 (202) 456-1414 FAX (202)
456-2461
VICE-PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES
vicepresident@whitehouse.gov
The White House
Washington, DC 20500(202) 456-1414 FAX (202)
456-2461
U. S. SENATE Barbara A. Mikulski (D) senator@mikulski.senate.gov
709 Hart Senate
Office Building Washington, DC 20510(202) 224-4654 FAX (202) 224-8858
U. S. SENATE Ben Cardin (D) senator@cardin.senate.gov
SDB40B Dirkson
Senate
Office Building Washington, DC 20510(202)
224-4524
FAX (202) 224-1651
U. S. CONGRESS,
4th DISTRICT Albert Wynn (D) Albert.Wynn@mail.house.gov
434 Cannon House
Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-8699 FAX (202) 225-8714
U. S. CONGRESS,
8th DISTRICTChris Van Hollen (D) vanhollen@mail.house.gov
1707 Longworth
House Office Build. Washington, DC 20515(202) 225-5341 FAX (202)
225-1389
MARYLAND STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
GOVERNOR Martin O'Malley (D) governor@gov.state.md.us
The State House Annapolis, MD 21401 (410)
974-3901 FAX (410) 974-3275
LT. GOVERNOR Anthony G. Brown (D) ltgovernor@gov.state.md.us
The State House
Annapolis, MD 21401(410) 974-2804 FAX (410)
974-5252
COMPTROLLER
Peter Franchot (D) pfranchot@comp.state.md.us
State Treasury Building 80 Calvert Street Annapolis, MD 21404 1-800-552-3941FAX (410) 974-3808
ATTORNEY GENERAL Duglas F. Gansler (D) OAG@oag.state.md.us
200 St. Paul
Place Baltimore, MD 21202-2021 (410)470-7534 (TOLL FREE)
FAX (410) 576-7003
MONTGOMERY COUNTY GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
Click here for a List of Members of the Maryland State Senate.
Click
here for a list of members of the Maryland
House of Delegates.
MONTGOMERY
COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
COUNTY
EXECUTIVE
Ike Leggett
(D)
101 Monroe
Street Rockville, MD 20850 (240) 777-2500 FAX (240) 777-2517 ocemail@co.mo.md.us
COUNTY COUNCIL
Stella B. Werner
Office Building 100 Maryland Avenue Rockville, MD 20850
(240) 777-7900 FAX (240) 777-7989 county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov
At Large Nancy Floreen (D)(240) 777-7959 councilmember.floreen@montgomerycountymd.gov
At Large George L. Leventhal (D)(240) 777-7811 councilmember.leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov
At Large Marc Elrich (D)(240)
777-7966 Councilmember.Elrich@montgomerycountymd.gov
At large Duchy Trachtenberg (D)(240)
777-7964 Councilmember.trachtenberg@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 1
Roger Berliner (D) 240-777-7828 Councilmember.Berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 2 Mike
Knapp (D)(240) 777-7955 Councilmember.Knapp@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 3 Philip M. Andrews (D)(240)
777-7906 Councilmember.Andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 4 Marilyn J. Praisner (D)(240)
777-7968 Councilmember.Praisner@montgomerycountymd.gov
District 5 Valerie Ervin (D) (240) 777-7960Councilmember.Ervin@montgomerycountymd.gov
Address: Council Office Bldg.,
100 MarylandAve.,
Rockville, MD 20850
Who is the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Coalition?
GBCCC is a non-profit coalition of over 30 citizen groups and several town governments dedicated to the preservation and protection of existing parkland and open spaces and the promotion of recreational and conservation activities in the parks and open spaces within neighborhoods located in the lower portion of Montgomery County, Maryland, and to educating and informing the residents of Montgomery County, Maryland and its environs about issues and events affecting the general welfare and quality of life of the community, to working with government agencies and other organizations in promoting the establishment of parks for recreational and conservation purposes and the preservation of open spaces, to promoting the common good and general well-being of the community and its residents, and to otherwise bring about civic betterments and social improvements. Among other things, we have been fighting to preserve the green space of the Capital Crescent Trail -- Georgetown Branch -- right-of-way as solely a hiker/biker trail. We accept tax-deductible donations to be used for trail amenities, trail construction and legal defense of green space and have been in operation for over a decade.
Officers:
President: Mier Wolf
Vice Presidents: Deborah Vollmer, Rolf Sinclair
Treasurer: Patricia O'Connor Finn
Secretary: I.
Dean Ahmad
Board of Directors:
I. Dean Ahmad Patricia Baptiste Pam Browning
Anthony Czajkowski Beverly
Denbo
Edward J. Finn
Patricia O'Connor Finn Jay
Hansen
Isaac Hantman
Roger Mitchell Scott Orbach Ira Shesser
Rolf Sinclair Jerry Taylor Catherine Titus
Deborah Vollmer
John Warnock
Mier
Wolf
Rob Zakroff
The following
are the citizen groups and town governments in the coalition.
Cabin John Citizens
Association Chevy Chase Hills Civic
Association Chevy Chase Valley Civic
Association Citizens Coordinating
Committee of Friendship Heights Coalition for The Capital
Crescent Trail Columbia Country Club Coquelin Run Civic
Association East Bethesda Citizens
Association Forest Glen Civic Association Forest Heights Village The Hamlet Civic Association Cameron House Civic
Association Hamlet Place Owners Inc. Kenwood Citizens Association Kenwood Condominium |
Kenwood Forest Condominium Association Kenwood House Park Sutton Condominium
Association Residents Against the
Transitway Riviera Condominium Riviera Condominium Rollingwood Citizens
Association Springfield Civic Association Sumner Citizens Association Town of Chevy Chase Town of Somerset Westbard Mews Condominium Westmoreland Citizens
Association Westwood Mews Westwood Mews Association Elm Street, Oakridge, and Lynn Civic Association |
The GBCCC has
been priviliged to cooperate with the many political figures from both
parties, who share our goals and objectives. These include:
Congressman
Christopher Von Hollen, 8th District
County
Executive Douglas Duncan
State House
Majority Leader John Hurson, 18th District
Council Member
Howard Denis
Council Member
Nancy Floreen
Delegate
Richard Madaleno, Jr., 18th District
Mayor of the
Town of Chevy Chase Mier Wolf
Mayor of the
Town of Somerset Walter Behr
Former Mayor of
Friendship Heights Dr. Alfred Muller
Former Delegate
Leon G. Billings, 18th District
Former Delegate
Sharon Grosfeld, 18th District
Former Council
Member Gail Ewing
Former Council
Member Nancy Dacek
Former Council
Member Isaiah Leggett
Former Council
Member Betty Ann Krahnke