From the Mail bag...

Yaffa

25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Dear Mr. Leggett:

I'm the mother of Dov Klugerrnan, the 14-year-old pedestrian who was killed by a speeding SUV in May 2006. As you may recall, I was in touch with you some time ago about safety concerns on Arcola Avenue, where we live and where our son was fatally wounded.

Today, I'm writing to thank you for the outstanding work that has been completed on Arcola Avenue. The road work has improved pedestrian safety considerably and compelled motorists to obey the speed limit while allowing traffic to flow easily. Just last week, I crossed the street halfway while pushing my toddler in a stroller, waited on the pedestrian island, and incredibly, traffic stopped to allow us to complete crossing. I have lived on Arcola Avenue for nine years, and I have never in all that time crossed my street as easily and safely as I am able to now.

Any major changes undoubtedly trigger complaints, and I am certain that you and your staff have received a good amount of negative feedback from motorists who were angered at being slowed down. But please know that I not only speak for myself and my family, but also many, many residents of our community when I say thank you for having the courage and resolve to implement these lifesaving measures.

We are grateful to you for making pedestrian safety a priority in Montgomery County. Unfortunately, it will not bring our son back, but it's heartening to know that this important step will undoubtedly save the lives of others.

- Yaffa Klugerman, Silver Spring

Speed bumps from Fernwood Road

25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Thank you very much for addressing the speed bump concerns raised in my letter. In addition it was a pleasure to discuss traffic issues with Mr. Tracy Wroe to whom you referred me.

Thank you again for being an action Executive who gets things done.

- Joseph, Bethesda

plastic recycle

25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

I am a long-time county resident.

I am thrilled (yes, I'm yelling) to see expansion of the plastic recycling program. County money well-spent!. I love the free reusable paint also, plus shoe (textile) recycling. This is what makes me love County services.

Now for recycling bins in downtown Silver Spring, as I had written to you, Mr. Leggett, sometime back. I hope the budget cuts won't cut into this effort.

- Tanya, Takoma Park

Arcola Ave.

05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EST

Mr. Leggett

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the changes you have made to Arcola Ave in Montgomery County - adding pedestrian crossings, road islands... I look forward to when the lines will be painted so people will have the chance to understand the new traffic patterns.

As someone who frequently crosses Arcola on foot, I think what you have done is super work and I commend your efforts. The weaving design is actually helpful, since it will ensure drivers pay attention to the road and do not operate their cars on auto-pilot while talking on their phone or hitting the keys on their PDAs.

The bottom line is that Arcola is a feeder to a small bedroom residential community and is / should not be a cut through to commercial traffic. You might even consider putting a dead-end in the middle of it so that residents from one direction have to exit Eastwards and the other end Westwards and completely eliminate the cut-through traffic for good (of course we need to address emergency vehicle access, but I will leave that to the experts).

Talmudic law teaches, and you may have heard this in the movie "Schindler's List" that, he who saves even 1 person, it is as if he saved the entire universe. These changes will not eliminate all risk, and anyone who does not avail themselves of the new crossing points are certainly wrong. However, in general, it will be to your merit, that you will have saved someone's life.

- Joel, Silver Spring

Veterans Affairs

30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EST

Hello Mr. Leggett,

A great big "Thank You" for all your work to get the montgomery county commission on veterans affairs presented & then passed.

This will be a first step in helping our new young vets deal with problems encountered upon their return home. it will also be a help to us older vets.

The celebration for the a.d.a. anniversary had a good turnout. keep up the good work in "the land of we're already doing that!"

Welcome home!

best regards.

- Bill, Silver Spring

E85

18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST

I am a resident of Montgomery County and a county employee. I recently saw the press campaign regarding the E85/Propane Fuel Site on Crabbs Branch Way. I knew of it because I fuel there and use E85 in my county vehicle. I was glad to see this advertised as very few residents know about it.

While this was a positive step, I do have a concern about the E85. The price the county charges does not make it economically feasible for me to use the E85 in my private vehicle. The E85 fuel produces approximately 20% less mileage per gallon than regular gas. To make it worthwhile to use, most E85 prices around the country are 20 to 30% less than gas. The price at Crabbs Branch is currently $3.19 a gallon, only a 6% difference. While I would like to reduce my personal vehicles emissions by the 39-46% that E85 does, my wife and I can not justify the added cost.

I am happy to see that Montgomery County has invested in such a valuable and eco-friendly resource. I hope there is something that can be done to make it an economically viable option for residents. I thank you for your service to Montgomery County.

- Darren

North Four Corners Park Plans

13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Thank you so much for your responsiveness to my letter concerning the proposed changes to North Four Corners Park and thank you even more for your actions already taken regarding this issue. Its is very heartening to know that our government is keeping the community in mind by weighting in our views, allowing us to have a say in the future of our neighborhood. I am very impressed with the care that you and many others have given in this matter, and am sharing this with my neighbors. Thank you!

-Ron, Silver Spring

Huge pothole at Kenbrook Drive.

12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your PROMPT response. I've told many people how satisfied I was. I had been away and when I returned home at night, I, myself, unbeknownst to me that there was an enormous new hole at Kenbrook Drive and Healy Street right by my house, drove right into the hole. It was a big hazard and Washington Gas did not even put any orange alert cones around it. Friends told me they had called Washington Gas while I had been away, and told me there was no response, as you reiterate in your email. Another friend got a flat tire from hitting it. So, I took digital pictures, got right on my computer, and fortunately, found Mr. Leggett's email addrsss and sent the info to him. Am I gald! He's done a very impressive job! It is now safe and hazard-free. I am proud of Montgomery County for providing such exemplary service, even when they were not in ay way the cause of the hole in the street!

- Ellyn

budget

11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

I am a long term resident of Montgomery County, specifically the North Four Corners community. The purpose of this note is to tell you that as a tax paying resident, I support your priorities for budget money (especially in this era of tight money) as laid out in the CIP. I believe that Montgomery Countytaxes should go to benefit the greatest members of the tax paying residents. I am happy that I voted for you

-Pricilla, Silver Spring

Luxmanor / Tilden Lane

03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST

Thank you very much for doing this Luxmanor (working on speeding issues in the neighborhood). You have given back our community to us. I always knew you would come through for us and see that the right thing was done is your reputation, after all.

-Tom, Bethesda