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Dear PHED Committee Councilmembers,
It was quite a surprise to read the Memo by Councilmember Knapp in light of the last discussion at PHED on the issue of merging recreation programs. Those of us who attended left with at least the expectation of further discussion and information being requested from BOTH the agencies involved: Recreation and Parks. That does not seem to be the case now, given the tone and force of Mr. Knapp's draft memo. The opening paragraph of the memo asserts something that you've yet to prove, and while it also refers to public input, there is no evidence of using it since comments were heavily in favor of maintaining the status quo with improvements to registration procedures.
Since we discovered early in the week that this issue was back on the PHED Agenda for Monday, March 30, we have tried to get information on the substance of the discussion. MNCPPC Commission Chair Royce Hanson did not know, nor did his Parks Director , whom we reached in Spain. Since she will be out of the country until 4/9, she will not even be present on Monday to answer questions or raise any concerns. It is strange that MNCPPC Chairman Hanson and his Parks Director were not aware that this was in the works, nor does it appear Director Gabe Albornoz of the Recreation Department knew.
You have yet to prove to the public that there is any valid reason to make this strong and sweeping recommendation. At the last PHED Committee meeting, Mr. Knapp scolded the citizenry for asserting this was not a public process. He promised a hearing. There is no indication in the memo that a public hearing will be held. When a Memo such as this is only made available on the Thursday before a Monday meeting and contains such a radical recommendation, it is hardly going on in the open. You have yet to receive answers to critical questions about the legal and stewardship ramifications if the management of certain facilities such as Cabin John or Wheaton Ice Rinks is being split off from larger Regional Park complexes.
Mr. Knapp has moved forward without any regard for the numerous issues raised at the last PHED Committee session. This is not taking place in anything approximating a transparent process. Your job as a Committee is to fully vet the issues before making a recommendation to the full Council. You have not come anywhere close to doing that.
Sincerely,
Ginny Barnes, West Montgomery County Citizens Association
Anne Ambler, Neighbors of Northwest Branch
Dolores Milmoe, Audubon Naturalist Society
