It’s a trolley, it’s a boat, it’s a… Blackpool Boat Tram! On Friday, Oct. 14, we attended the dedication of the Blackpool Boat Tram at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Originally from Blackpool, England, this unique vehicle is a recent arrival to the museum’s collection.
What a wonderful resource for those who want to visit with our not-so-distant past and those interested in light rail. The National Capital Trolley Museum is back on track and running strong, after a major fire in 2003 and its recent relocation to accommodate the ICC. The museum is one of the “secret” treasures of Montgomery County that shouldn’t be a secret. Visit it on the web at http://www.dctrolley.org and then come visit in person at their new location: 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, MD 20905-5955. 
I want to express my thanks to all those who were able to make it to the Early Vote Rally in Silver Spring 10/23. For Those who could not, here a a few photos.
Thank you again for voting for me in the primary.
As we move forward to the general election, I hope you will take advantage of early voting. It’s convenient–try it!
You helped me win a difficult election so that we can enact a progressive legislative agenda in Maryland. But if we don’t win the governor’s office, our work will have been for naught.
The governor signs or vetoes legislation that we pass in the General Assembly, and if we want progressive legislation signed into law, we must reelect Gov. O’Malley.
The differences are stark. Where Gov. O’Malley froze tuition for four straight years at the University of Maryland, brought real professionalism to the executive branch through the State Stat program, and became one of the nation’s leading environmental governors, former Gov. Ehrlich oversaw record hikes in college tuition in our state, hired and unleashed a political hack to fire and demote hundreds of fine public servants because they were not Republicans, and moved to sell off public lands to private entities. It is critical that Gov. O’Malley be re-elected!
But we must get out the vote if we are to defeat Bob Ehrlich. Turnout in the Maryland primary election in September was only 24%, which means that 76% of the people did not vote! We can’t let that happen in the general election.
I hope you will join me in downtown Silver Spring on Saturday, Oct. 23, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a Street Festival to support Gov. O’Malley, kick off early voting, and enjoy a fun day with other highly engaged Democrats!
The Street Festival features all sorts of great events–check here for details and an entertainment schedule. Gov. O’Malley will speak at 1:30 p.m.
With your help, we can turn the progressive ideals we hold In common into legislative victories. We can keep our schools number one, create quality jobs, protect the environment, improve transportation, and save taxpayers money through responsible budgeting.
Let’s not turn back the clock. Please help ensure that Gov. O’Malley is reelected so that he can sign into law the kinds of progressive measures we have fought for in District 14.
I ask for your vote again, for senate, and for the rest of the District 14 team–Ann Kaiser, Eric Luedtke, and Craig Zucker for delegates.
Join me in Silver Spring next Saturday–and let’s reelect Gov. O’Malley!
Sincerely,
Karen S. Montgomery
General Election Early Voting -
Friday, October 22, through Thursday, October 28, 2010 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Closed Sunday
Gubernatorial General Election Day – November 2, 2010 – 7 A.M. to 8 P.M.
The Maryland State Board of Elections approved the five (5) Early Voting Centers for the Montgomery County Board of Elections for 2010 Gubernatorial Elections.
The five (5) Early Voting Centers are:
Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center, 14625 Bauer Drive, Rockville 20853
Germantown Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown 20874
Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville 20866
Montgomery County Executive Office Building, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville 20850
Silver Spring Civic Building, 8525 Fenton Street, Silver Spring 20910
Campaigning and door-to-door visits certainly take lots of energy, and when I can, I enjoy relaxing at home. My favorite canine, Thomas, always greets me with unconditional love and affection. Like many other District 14 residents, he takes great pride in loudly expressing his opinions. Although his views are focused more on an empty food bowl or a deer in the backyard, than on education, jobs or tax reform, Tom makes sure his voice is heard.
Tom is diversity on four furry legs. His heritage is uncertain, a background of mixed lineages. He represents a multicultural, multi-ethnic heritage rolled up in one ball of fur. And Tom contributes so much more than he takes. Companion, protector and friend, Tom is a cherished reminder of what’s right with the world.
We are so very grateful to our volunteers for all the hard work they’ve been doing for the past several weeks–especially our teenagers who have been doing amazing work knocking on doors for us! Thank you all for your dedication and commitment to this campaign–we couldn’t do it without you!
It was really a privilege this week to congratulate attendees of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at their international meeting held in Gaithersburg. This benevolent society has a long history of supporting communities and individuals in need, especially those with needs for whom traditional resources are not available. Their meeting drew participants from throughout the world — the United States, Canada, Europe and the Carribean. I was delighted to present the group with a citation from the General Assembly acknowledging their long history of service and many accomplishments.
The Odd Fellows are a wise group! Early on, they recognized the value and importance of the contributions from their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and other women in their circle. To bolster their community service efforts, the Odd Fellows created a women’s auxiliary, at a time when other charitable groups rejected participation by women.
There’s a strong connection between the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Maryland. The Order started in England in the 18th century, when it was considered “odd” for a group to band together to aid the disadvantaged. The first Order in North America was founded in Baltimore in 1819, and its influence quickly spread throughout the state. The historic Odd Fellows Lodge, located on Route 108 in Sandy Spring, illustrates the group’s strong presence in District 14. I’ve been so pleased to support efforts to restore the Lodge to its former glory!
The Karen Montgomery campaign attended the launch of the MD Democratic Party’s Diversity Leadership Council in Silver Spring today. The speakers included Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Delegate Heather Mizeur, Delegate Susan Lee, and many others. It was amazingly inspiring to this sometimes world-weary activist to see the awesome variety and diversity of our community here in Maryland. The Maryland Democratic Party is running on the idea that our diversity is our strength. We here at the Karen Montgomery campaign agree wholeheartedly. Si se puede!
Bronwyn
Well, I know I have wonderful, talented people who work for me. In the past week, two of them have been snatched away for terrific jobs! The first is Peter Blaes, my Campaign Manager, who is now working in a paid position in the Obama Administration at The White House. That’s THE White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Peter worked for the Obama campaign as a field director in the midwest, and I know he’s taking those talents, skills and experience with him on his new professional journey. His first day was June 28, and I know he’ll do a great job.
Peter’s successor as my Campaign Manager is Bronwyn Beistle, who has hit the ground running during the past busy week. Bronwyn is a veteran of the 2006 Cardin-O’Malley coordinated campaign and worked on the 2004 John Kerry presidential campaign in her native Florida. Since relocating to Maryland, she has served as outreach director at a non-profit advocating energy efficiency and clean transportation and worked at the National Resources Defense Council and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. I have been impressed by her recent work, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy meeting and working with Bronwyn.
My second loss is Kristin Trible who has very capably assisted in my Annapolis office, handling research and responses to constituents. Kris is now devoting her full attention to serving as President of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs. MCCPTA is lucky to have a caring individual like Kris at its helm.
Congratulations to both Peter and Kris and welcome to Bronwyn!
On Thursday evening, I was honored to be part of the recognition celebration for the incoming and outgoing student members of the Montgomery County Board of Education. Tim Hwang, a recent graduate from Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, just completed his one-year term, serving on the school board’s policy and public engagement committees. Tim was also President of Wootton’s Class of 2010 and has held several leadership positions in the Maryland Association of Student Councils. No slouch with his time and energy, Tim also serves as CEO/President of Operation Fly, Inc., an international non-profit that he founded to fight inner-city poverty and homelessness.
Alan Xie, a rising junior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, was sworn in as the 2010-2011 student member of the Board of Education. Alan has served in leadership positions on the Maryland Youth Advisory Council and the Maryland Association of Student Councils. He was elected to the student seat by a 3-to-1 margin after a campaign that emphasized the value of students’ concerns, ideas and dreams.
Alan will be the first student member empowered to vote on all measures that come before the school board, except teacher dismissals. This added responsibility is the result of 2010 General Assembly approval of a measure which I strongly supported.
These two young men and their counterparts who are active in Montgomery County Youth Slate exemplify the real capabilities and maturity of so many of our terrific students. It’s reassuring to know that our future will be in such focused, informed and compassionate hands.
