Dear Friend,

For the last few weeks, I have made a concerted effort to speak to as many of my friends and neighbors in the Town of Chevy Chase as I could.  Time has not allowed me to speak to all residents.  But with the outstanding work by our Town’s Election Committee, with our Candidates’ Forum last Thursday, which was rebroadcast on Channel 16 yesterday evening, with my campaign statement in the Forecast, my campaign statement on the Towncrier, and all of the discussions that have taken place on the Townneighbors listserv, and with discussions I have had with some of you walking through the Town, I think that probably most of you now know where I stand on issues of importance to our Town.

            Our Town is a very special place, with our wonderful homes, old and new, and with our trees and greenspace.  I am for saving at least some of our wonderful older, well built homes, to preserve our architectural heritage (historic designation).  I am for saving trees and greenspace, and where practicable setting aside land for parks within our Town.  I am for amending our Town’s building code, to balance the rights of those seeking to engage in new construction with the rights of other residents including but not limited to adjacent homeowners, who cherish their trees, sunlight, greenspace, and unimpeded access via shared driveways.  I am for controlling development on the borders of our Town to protect our Town’s unique character.  I am for preserving the Capital Crescent (Georgetown Branch) Trail—a popular hiker biker trail lined with trees—a true linear park.  I oppose putting a light rail train on the surface of that wonderful park, this oasis amid downtown development.  I would increase the quality of buses along existing routes, and in the long run, I would consider possibly supporting an underground transit route, but not necessarily along the Capital Crescent Trail, as the need for a transportation link may in fact be greater a little to the north, given the development of BRAC (consolidation of Naval Medical with Walter Reed). 

In addition, I would like the Town to address an issue which to this point has received little concern:  voting rights within the Town of Chevy Chase.  I would expand voting rights to include legal resident non-U.S. citizens—people such as my own neighbors, who have lived in their house for years (yes, they pay real estate taxes!) and yet cannot vote in Town elections, because they are French citizens, not Americans.  But they are a part of our Town, and are affected by everything our Town government decides.  Takoma Park has made this progressive change in voting eligibility requirements, and we can do the same, and we should.

I hope that you will consider voting for me, Deborah Vollmer, in today’s Town election.  There are four candidates running for two seats, so you must choose carefully.  You may vote for two, and I ask that you consider casting one of your votes for me.  But whoever you decide to vote for, it is important that you do get out and vote.  Today is a great day for local democracy.  We should all be thinking globally and acting locally.  Your vote in this election may well be the vote that makes a difference.   And please remind your friends and neighbors in the Town to vote as well.  Thank you— 

                                                                                                Sincerely,
                                                                                                Deborah A. Vollmer
                                                                                                Candidate for Town Council,
                                                                                                Town of Chevy Chase