Below are letters in support of preserving the Capital Crescent Trail as beautiful, safe parkland:
A Plethora of Reasons to Protest Purple Line
Patrick Garvey, Gazette, Sept. 18, 2009
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09182009/polilet154812_32524.shtml
No Sinister Motives Hidden in Rail Line Opposition
Howard Kaplan, Gazette, Sept. 23, 2009
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09232009/montlet173423_32524.shtml
Capital Crescent Trail Worth Saving
Thymi Vittas, Gazette, Sept 30, 2009
http://www.gazette.net/stories/09302009/montlet173116_32523.shtml
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Letters sent to the Gazette which haven't been published:
Dear Editor:
I was perplexed by the letter that questioned the motives of the town of Chevy Chase in its opposition to the MTA's "green" plan to destroy one of the prettiest green spaces in the country. I am a resident of East Bethesda and I oppose the destruction of our beautiful Capital Crescent Trail in the name of "green" light rail. Anyone who has spent any time on that trail should have an interest in preserving it.
I am a big supporter of light rail, and if the proposed plan would actually help solve our transit problems, I would support it; however the plan as it is sacrifices a trail used by thousands every week for commuting and recreation--without really putting a dent in the number of cars that will be clogging our roads. I am very grateful to the Town of Chevy Chase for having the vision and courage to fight for the gorgeous canopy of trees that shade my young children on our walks to downtown. People from all over the country marvel at this intelligent green space. Let's not foul it up just because we can.
With the BRAC adding 2,500 more jobs to Bethesda, we need a serious plan and the Purple Line with light rail doesn't come close. The best plan--which everyone could support-- would include an underground metro line linking the two ends of the red line. People say that metro rail is too expensive. If that's the case, we should focus on finding the money for the right solution instead of spending a lot of money we don't have for a disaster.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Dunbar
Bethesda
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Good Morning,
I wanted to personally follow up on the article regarding Chevy Chase and the Capital Crescent Trail. I honestly believe that your journalist lost sight of the issues. The goal is to “preserve the trail” not only for Chevy Chase but for all others. It is very short sighted to go out and calculate the distance of the North Border of the city of Chevy Chase to see if the trial is really within the city border or just outside. The Capital Crescent Trail is a shared asset to all the communities in the area and it should be preserved. The goal once again is to preserve for all of us, including your reporter, with a unique place such as the trail
Regards
Sp
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My two children will be attending North Chevy Chase Elementary school, and I have no concerns about "Bus Rapid Transit" there, while I do about the destruction of the trail and traffic congestion that the light rail will bring due to increased development and density that will be allowed on Connecticut Avenue and downtown Bethesda.
With the coming of BRAC, there will be 2,500 new hospital employees, as well as patients and visitors coming to Bethesda Naval Hospital every day. Automobile traffic on Jones Bridge Road will be a nightmare unless we have Bus Rapid Transit. Buses would run on clean fuel, go no faster than the speed limit, and take cars off of Jones Bridge Road.
Ann Bittman
Chevy Chase
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Reference the recent letters to the Gazette attacking the motives of the officials of the Town of Chevy Chase who oppose the use of the
Crescent Trail route for the Purple Line, it should be noted that the data or methodology used in the estimates of ridership have been witheld from the public. Why?
The whole project is based on prospective ridership.
It is inconceivale that either (1) the public officials approving the project were denied access to the data, or (2) if they received the data, it has been witheld from the public.
In public projects, no information is proprietary.
Joseph Kenary
Chevy Chase, MD
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