Intercounty Connector proponents argue that it would alleviate gridlock throughout the county in general and in Rockville in particular. It would accomplish neither objective.

At a Dec. 6 work session involving members of the State Highway Administration and the Rockville mayor and City Council, SHA Administrator Neil Pederson candidly explained that a prime purpose of the ICC was to support existing and future development. A member of his staff also admitted that any diminishment of traffic on Rockville streets would be minimal, about 5 percent. Also, evidence suggests that the ICC would increase traffic on the Beltway by 2030.

Since the present cost of the ICC is at least $3 billion, we are entitled to ask whether this vast expenditure of public funds is justified. Under any objective standard, the answer is no. The ICC would divert scarce public funds from education, libraries, affordable housing, police, fire, social services for the elderly and the needy. By inducing continued and increased use of automobiles, it would promote sprawl and continue our disastrous dependence on foreign oil.

Our political representatives should abandon transportation strategies that defeat our long-range interests and, instead, adopt for more rational alternatives such as public transportation.

Jacques B. Gelin, Rockville

A four-page newspaper, The Montgomery and Prince George's Monitor, recently arrived in my mail. Produced by the Audubon Naturalist Society, it is devoted entirely to anti-ICC material.

The paper includes some distortions and other information that is not true. For example, on the front page, it says 2,000 elementary schools could be built for the cost of the ICC. An elementary school can't be built for $1.5 million unless it's a very small schoolhouse.

I am not a member of that society although I am for protecting the environment in an environmental- and people-friendly way. Calverton, which is near the Corridor 1 Master Plan alignment, supports building the ICC in that alignment to divert traffic from its neighborhood streets to save its community from more intense traffic and unsafe conditions created by not having the ICC nearby.

G. Stanley Doore, Calverton

I oppose construction of the proposed ICC for the following reasons:

*Adverse effect on my environment: Corridor 1 would pass a few hundred yards from my backyard.

*Use of the proposed toll is irresponsible: A round trip from Rockville to Laurel (20 miles) at peak-hour (25 cents per mile) would add up to $10. This cost is outrageous.

*Cost too much: It would cost more than $3 billion, mortgaging future generations' transportation funds.

*Will not relieve traffic: Studies have shown the ICC would not significantly relieve congestion.

*Increase regional division: It would concentrate more development in the 1-270 corridor at the expense of Prince George's County and Baltimore.

*Hurt neighborhoods and the environment: It would divide communities, increase noise and air pollution in many neighborhoods, and cause irreparable damage to valuable wetlands, forests, streams, and threatened.

By making a serious effort to invest in transit, improvement of our existing local roads, and balance jobs and homes across the region we can meet the transportation needs of our region without the huge cost of building a six-lane highway.

Patrick Joanny, Silver Spring

'Noisy majority' not heard in ICC hearing coverage

I attended the Jan. 5 public hearing on the Intercounty Connector at Gaithersburg High School and offered my three-minute testimony for the "no build" option. The great majority of citizens who spoke that night also expressed strong reservations about the ICC and argued for a variety of "no build" alternatives.

The purpose of a hearing is to solicit public input. When people turn out in high numbers and speak two-to-one about an important issue, that fact deserves to be reported.

The Gazette's story ("Safety, alternatives hot topics at high traffic ICC hearings," Jan. 12) gave no indication of the extent of the spoken opposition to the two "build" options that the Draft Environmental Impact Statement includes. Instead, the lead paragraphs quote a Derwood resident who supports the ICC because of its supposed ability to reduce traffic on Muncaster Mill Road. The resident is quoted as saying: "It is time we listen to the silent majority."

I know that The Gazette supports the ICC. That is your right. But a newspaper also has a responsibility to report the news. And the main news from the public hearing was that speaker after speaker expressed strong reservations about the ICC.

If the intentions were to emphasize the voice of the "silent majority" that doesn't bother to attend such hearings, then you at least owe it to the record to report that the "noisy majority" at that hearing was decidedly against the highway.

John Bayerl, Derwood

ICC Option C would wipe out Cashell Estates

Although there is frequent debate about the Intercounty Connector, there has been very little discussion about potential alignments.

Near the western end of the proposed ICC, Rock Creek Option A follows the general alignment identified for the ICC in the county's master plan. To alleviate some of the environmental concerns related to crossing the Rock Creek along the original alignment, the Maryland Department of Transportation has proposed a new alignment, Rock Creek Option C, which would go directly through the Cashell Estates neighborhood.

Many of the residents have lived here for more than 50 years. Our home and 16 of our neighbors' homes are marked for demolition if this alignment is selected.

Some might argue that we should have known better than to buy a house here. While this argument might be applicable to some ICC opponents, it does not apply to us. This alignment is not and has never been on the county's master plans. To quote the Montgomery County Community-Based Planning Division memo dated July 8, 2004, "No road has ever been planned through Cashell Estates ... This route [Option C] would effectively eliminate Cashell Estates -- one of the oldest residential communities in the planning area -- as an intact neighborhood."

Although I'm not necessarily against the ICC, I oppose destroying homes and neighborhoods when a long-established and available right-of-way is nearby and sitting idle. Both Rock Creek options would impact Rock Creek Regional Park, but Rock Creek Option C would also displace many residents.

If this highway is to be built, it must be done in both an environmentally sensitive way and in a way that does not destroy communities. Rock Creek Option C is the wrong solution.

Christy D. Graybeal, Derwood

ICC route could endanger water supplies

One of two proposed routes for the Intercounty Connector (Corridor 2) would go to the north and through the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission's watershed for Rocky Gorge Reservoir.

This reservoir and Tridelphia, the Patuxent River reservoir, provide water for more than 500,000 people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Disruption of this water supply can have serious consequences for the two counties and WSSC's ratepayers.

The northern route could result in the ultimate destruction of the Rocky Gorge Reservoir, with the cost of a replacement water supply the responsibility of the WSSC ratepayers, not the state.

The State Highway Administration has not adequately identified or addressed this problem, nor has it called it to the public's attention. The reservoirs are not highlighted or shown at all in many of their graphics, in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, or in the public displays at the recent public hearings on the ICC. When the WSSC reservoir buffers are mentioned, they are referred to as a conservation park, rather than a water supply buffer or WSSC lands.

A reservoir is virtually irreplaceable, particularly when located as close as Rocky Gorge is to the population served. With one of the major ICC interchanges proposed at Route 29, plus a park-and-ride at this interchange, it will be next to impossible to protect the reservoir.

Serious sedimentation in the reservoir resulted from the recent Route 29 relocation in Burtonsville. It took residents and the press to get the state to take corrective actions. An ICC route, especially when increased truck traffic can be expected on the Route 29 reservoir crossing, coupled with anticipated higher density residential and commercial development, will be the demise of the reservoir.

To partially correct this major DEIS oversight, the state needs to finance a study by credible water supply experts, involving hydrologists, geologists, reservoir experts and other professionals to provide a replacement water supply and its potential costs.

A credible independent team needs to come up with realistic solutions and costs of a replacement water supply. Advance land acquisition would be needed for the replacement supply to assure that the necessary lands are available. The total cost needs to be reflected in the true cost comparisons between the two ICC routes. If Corridor 2 is selected, then state assurances are needed to guarantee that they will pay the cost for the new water supply, not the WSSC ratepayer.

Richard J. Alexander, Rockville

Assessments need scrutiny

As a 25-year resident of the Bethesda area, I have come to view the periodic property assessment notices philosophically. I understand that this is a desirable and well-to-do community and that real estate values tend to increase over time.

However, I was ill-prepared for the 71 percent jump in assessed value of my 50-year-old home, which the county executive and County Council had presented me without explanation or apology. I have talked to neighbors who are similarly upset and I intend to talk to more of them.

In the meantime, The Gazette could do a signal public service if it would run a series of articles/editorials, dealing with the history of this implied tax increase (I assume that no downward revision of tax rates will accompany these revised assessments) and whom we can thank for this surprise. I -- and I am sure my neighbors -- would be interested in the voting record of the council members on matters affecting the budget.

Also, I would be interested in the amount of revenue generated by this (implied) tax increase and on what projects and services the council and executive plan to spend the revenue that they are in process of extracting from homeowners. (And please don't tell us about schools and teachers' salaries).

I would be interested in seeing an analysis of costs of our county's government over the past few years. Do we really deserve as much local government as we are getting?

Small homes had a purpose

While I have no prejudice against the building of large mansions on lots previously occupied by smaller domiciles, I was offended by the comments of Tom Semmes who claims that the small houses were inappropriate to what he considers to be an upscale neighborhood ("'Giants' viewed from different perspectives," Jan. 12 letter).

After World War II, small houses were built to accommodate returning war veterans and their families. These residences were serviceable and resulted in satisfying a market need.

Similarly, the new developments in Gaithersburg, while not meeting the criteria of the writer, do give habitable and affordable housing to a burgeoning population. The need is there; builders supply that demand.

Nelson Marans, Silver Spring

Students receive memorable introduction to classical music

The county can be proud of its Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda and its partnership with the Montgomery County Public Schools.

In early December, more than 10,000 second-grade students from all of our 125 elementary schools attended one of three special youth concerts by the National Philharmonic and student soloists at the new Music Center. It was clear from the children's comments and the expressions on their faces that they will remember this introduction to classical music performance for the rest of their lives.

These concert productions were a team effort, requiring the planning and support of many people and organizations over a period of several years.

I want to thank Eliot Pfanstiehl, Strathmore chief executive officer and president, and the Strathmore staff; conductor Piotr Gajewski and the National Philharmonic; and Discovery Channel for being such excellent partners. MCPS Instrumental Music Coordinator Rick Penix and school system staff and volunteers who worked on transportation and other supporting activities also deserve accolades.

Most of all, I want to express my appreciation to the general music teachers of our school system, whose fine instruction in preparing students for the concerts made this a meaningful and important experience.

Jerry D. Weast, Rockville

The writer is superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools.

Living in skyscraper's shadow

In "In giants' shadows" (Jan. 5), builder Patrick Keating says "we have to have denser housing ..." This is like the fox saying we need more chickens in the henhouse. I'd prefer urban planning be done by qualified, unbiased sources -- not by the guy who stands to profit from denser housing.

My neighborhood suffers from the effects of smaller houses being torn down and replaced by McMansions. The unity of the neighborhood is ruined, the loss of mature trees and open space is devastating both aesthetically and ecologically, and the neighbors to either side of the McMansion feel like they're living in the shadow of a skyscraper. There are ways to "grow" a neighborhood without destroying it.

Joan Bull, Kensington

Developers are 'getting it right'

I want to register my disappointment with the Dec. 8 story, "Board OK's plans for Fairland golf course community."

The story did not mention that two longtime residents who worked on the 1997 Fairland Master Plan (including myself), came out to support the proposed golf course development for these reasons:

*The golf course project, including the land swap and rezoning, are clearly described and contemplated by the 1997 master plan, although some of the details have had to be adjusted and changed during the development review process and engineering and preliminary design work. In spite of those changes, this development is faithful to the master plan.

*The work that went in to the master plan was conducted in an open and transparent way, including numerous public meetings of the Fairland Master Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, the Planning Board and County Council.

*Not one of the individuals who testified against the development plan came to even one of the meetings that were held on the master plan in the five years leading up to 1997.

We on the Fairland CAC have worked closely with Barbara Sears and her clients on this project. Artery Ryland has spent large amounts of time and money getting it right. I think they have achieved that.

C. Patrick Zilliacus, Silver Spring

The writer is an at-large member, Fairland Master Plan CAC.

Lost opportunity for our school children

Open letter to Damascus and Clarksburg school parents:

I am writing this letter to the parents of our elementary and middle school students to let you know that our local Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Pleasant Plains of Damascus, has offered an opportunity to our local school children and for whatever reason, this opportunity has not been taken to heart by our teachers.

Since 1987, our chapter has participated in the National American History Essay contest. This contest was open to students and they were asked to write an essay on a topic chosen by our national officers in Washington, D.C.

In years past, our local elementary schools were contacted by our chapter historian and each school was given a list of rules and the theme. Many students participated. In 2004, the response to this essay contest was different. This past September, our chapter historian contacted several of the schools that had participated in the past. The essays were due back to her in December. Then they were to be judged by a panel of our members and sent on to Annapolis for the state contest.

This year only one essay was returned so we will not be giving a reception for the participants, parents and school principals at the Damascus library or having the children's photos in the local or state papers, as we have done in past years.

This was a prestigious honor to all those children who wrote essays and to those who won the honors.

We as a chapter of 50 women are so disappointed that, for whatever reason, our school children have lost out on a good opportunity.

We know that these days patriotism is in vogue. Being patriotic means more than just wearing T-shirts or waving the flag. Maybe studying American history should be part of our school curriculum again.

In 2016, our town will be 200 years old. Will any of our residents care about our town's history?

Linda Gilbert, Damascus

The writer is registrar of the Pleasant Plains of Damascus Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Turnabout is fair play

It is unfair that the county allows Spanish-speaking people to learn English for free or at a low price.

The county sponsors programs for Spanish speakers to learn English but there are no free or low-cost classes teaching Spanish to those who want to learn it.

In the neighborhood where I live, 90 percent or more of the residents speak Spanish and I think I should be given the opportunity to learn Spanish for the same price that they are given to learn English.

Joan E. Goodwin, Gaithersburg

Germantown has arrived

I am thrilled to see the revitalization of Germantown Commons and the connectivity to the Town Center commercial area ("Shopping center almost complete," Jan. 12 story).

There will be a small town feel with the extended pedestrian accessibility to shopping, library, entertainment and the nearby residential component. Hopefully the traffic light synchronization will enable that walkability factor to be a reality.

How about selling off Germantown Plaza for much-needed condominiums? The location is perfect. With additional ownership apartments in the downtown Germantown corridor, commercial locations would experience a post-dinner business rush, much like the Rio at Washingtonian Boulevard in Gaithersburg.

If the Kentlands in Gaithersburg was able to lobby its City Council members to dismantle the Upton's store and build additional upscale apartments, so should we in Germantown demand condominium choices in the heart of our downtown.

Here's another idea: How about changing the name of Route 118 to Germantown Gateway Boulevard? I envision lights on all of the utility poles along the entire length from Route 355 to Clopper Road.

Upon entry from 355, there is a feeling of arrival and connectivity for the Germantown downtown area, as it extends from Montgomery College to the end of the commercial district at Clopper Road. Seasonal banners hanging on those lights would also lend to a feeling of location arrival, the same feel that one encounters when driving through downtown Rockville.

Germantown has arrived as a happening place; we should applaud the possibilities for connectivity, identity and sense of place.

Robbie Milberg, Boyds

Call panel to address pedestrian fatalities

While on my way to a meeting, I had the unfortunate and disturbing experience of happening upon the scene of a pedestrian fatality in Kensington on Jan. 5, within moments after it occurred.

I saw the swift fire and rescue and police response around the victim, and as I was leaving my meeting a couple of hours later, I saw the work of the police department's Collision Reconstruction Unit. I also saw evidence of the physical impact of this terrible accident -- the victim's shoes left lying on the road 20 to 30 feet apart from each other amidst other scattered possessions.

The image of those scattered shoes and belongings will stay with me for a long time. Through my service on the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board, I am aware that County Executive Douglas Duncan and other elected officials have been very responsive to public concerns about pedestrian safety in the past, as shown by the formation of the Blue Ribbon Panel of Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

The traffic safety tragedies of the past few months -- including teen driving, impaired driving and pedestrian fatalities -- show that these issues continue to affect our daily lives.

I urge the county executive and County Council, as well as our state delegation, to support initiatives and legislation that will encourage a safer environment for our pedestrians and drivers.

Re-forming the blue ribbon panel with a stated mission of addressing the specific issues of pedestrian safety and teen driving safety may be a good starting point.

There's a reason police cars run close together

In his Jan. 5 letter, "Can't police cars be distributed more efficiently," John Corrick complains that he sees police cars too close together "in a short distance" and that he resents seeing his tax dollars being spent so inefficiently.

That is clearly a view of someone who does not know how law enforcement works.

Mr. Corrick obviously does not know that officers are kept close together to handle domestic disputes, fights in progress, breaking and entering and other potentially violent situations. Having officers at a greater distance from one another only hinders the safety of officers and the public.

I wonder if Mr. Corrick was being assaulted or robbed in the parking lot of the bowling alley he frequents, would he mind if there were more than one police car "in a short distance"?

Personally, I would like to see more police cars "in a short distance" in Olney, specifically at the intersection of Route 108 and Georgia Avenue where there are loiters that hang out behind the bus stop daily, rain or shine. More police cars "in a short distance" would help keep Olney free of the crime that I see slowly making its way into our community.

How about allowing the police to do their job without always complaining and enjoy the nice community that is only available through a hard working police force.

Raymond Redden, Brookeville

The writer is a member of the Prince George County Police Department.

Educate, don't punish, teen drivers

I read the article, "State delegate wants to get tougher on young drivers" (Dec. 15), and, being a 16-year-old driver, couldn't help but wonder if this is truly the best way to solve the problem of teen driving accidents and fatalities.

It is true that teen driving accidents are epidemic. The statistics in this article alone are enough to prove that something must be done about this problem.

This article suggests that the punishment for first-time teen driving offenders is not severe enough. The implication is that with more severe punishments for first-time offenders, teens will be less likely to drive recklessly in fear that they will be punished. However, I do not think that this is the best approach. I feel that the best way to go about solving this problem is by educating teens on the health risks involved in driving recklessly.

I know that there are few things more frustrating for a teenager than to not be treated like an adult. Increasing the punishment on teenage drivers would widen the gap between adults and teenagers, thus augmenting the frustrations already felt by many teenagers.

By educating us on the health risks of being involved in accidents, we would be able to learn the extent to which a single accident could negatively affect the rest of our lives.

The fear of dying is much scarier to me than the fear of having my license revoked. However, the education should not be conducted in a way that simply shows teenagers statistics regarding the number of deaths from year to year. It should be a comprehensive education process in which the teenagers are exposed to the true horrors of reckless driving by being given real-life examples and presentations of teenagers and adults alike that have been severely affected by reckless teenage driving.

Flip-flopping on med mal bill

At the end of December, Del. Jean Cryor (R-Dist. 15) of Potomac voted in favor of legislation to reform Maryland's medical malpractice laws so doctors would be protected from soaring insurance rates. Then on Jan. 11, after the governor vetoed the bill, she abstained from voting for the very same piece of legislation.

I'm wondering what caused Del. Cryor to flip-flop like that. She needs to explain to her constituents and Maryland's doctors why voting for the bill was the right thing to at the time but the wrong thing to do less than two weeks later.

S. Saqib Ali, North Potomac

Alex Stern, Potomac

Democrats missed opportunities

I appreciate the coverage and being quoted in the Dec. 22 article, "District 19 Democrats meet to discuss future of party."

However, what I said during the earlier question and answer period is of greater importance: that the Republicans had spoken consistently about values and morals while the Democrats had concentrated on issues.

I said that I had been disappointed and could not understand how and why the Democrats had allowed a disconnect to continue and failed to define values and morals as the issues, and issues as based in values and morals. Health care, Social Security, the environment, the incredible deficit, etc., are issues. However, they most certainly are based in morals and values. There is a moral responsibility to assist those who cannot adequately care for themselves, as well as to govern in the interests of all of the people.

The Democrats repeatedly had the opportunities but repeatedly failed to make the connections.

While I still advocate outreach and appreciate the reference to it, the above is important to remember when discussing the future of the party.

Marilyn M.Lev, Aspen Hill

Diminishing oil will end I-270 backups

Kevin Mills describes how he spends mornings "In a jam on I-270" (Dec. 22) from Germantown down to the lane divide. But the traffic also backs up beyond the divide all too frequently. Widening I-270 north of the divide is a losing proposition.

I have good news and bad news for Mr. Mills. These traffic headaches are only temporary. The Association for the Study of Peak Oil predicts that global oil production will peak around 2008 (See www.peakoil.net). After the peak, a world that depends on having more oil every year will have to get by with less oil every year. Gas prices will skyrocket and the huge backups on I-270 will disappear as people move closer in, get jobs closer to home, form carpools, take transit or telecommute.

One step that could improve his commute today while also preparing for declining oil production is to build the Corridor Cities Transitway. A lack of money seems to be the biggest impediment to the CCT. We could solve that by charging a toll on I-270, a measure that could raise the necessary construction funds while simultaneously reducing demand for the limited road space.

Carl Henn, Rockville