3 questions with Md. delegate candidate Vanessa Atterbeary

Politics

3 questions with Md. delegate candidate Vanessa Atterbeary

by Cavan Wilk • June 10, 2010 2:55 pm

Vanessa Atterbeary is a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 18, which includes Wheaton, Kensington, Chevy Chase, and Woodside (west Silver Spring). Vanessa lives in Silver Spring (not downtown), and works as a lawyer.

Vanessa Atterbeary (left) at a recent campaign event.

In private conversations with Vanessa, she expressed her support for the Purple Line in addition to Smart Growth initiatives in District 18 and Maryland. Vanessa recently took some of her precious time to answer some questions that explain some of her positions in greater detail on issues for southern Montgomery and the state.

1) What strategies will you employ as you work to bring the Purple Line as endorsed by Governor O'Malley, a project that you support, to groundbreaking?

The Purple Line affects several local jurisdictions - not just the 18th District - and I believe we can form a solid voting-block of delegates to assure groundbreaking starts on time. The longer we put this off, the more painful construction disruptions will be. Providing capable leadership which can build coalitions across jurisdictions, as well as, within the Montgomery County Delegation, is critical. This is the type of leadership I will bring to the table. In addition, we need to leverage smart-growth to encourage population growth near areas serviced by the Purple Line and reduce the traffic load on our streets.

We also need a public information campaign to help counter some of the inaccurate assertions circulating the Internet, like fears of additional fencing at the University of Maryland (that were never part of the plan) and rumors of closing the Capital Crescent Trail to bicyclists (when every major bicycle club endorses the plan). Town Hall meetings should be held to inform the public and receive feedback so that we can ensure that there's no legitimate reason to postpone construction.

2) On your website, you emphasize job creation in Montgomery County and Maryland as a top priority. Where do you envision locating the job growth? Also, how do you advocate planning for the residential growth that would result from positive job growth?

I believe in smart growth, and one of the most important aspects of smart growth is to support existing communities by developing areas where infrastructure already exists. A program of revitalization can be very beneficial to an unincorporated area like Wheaton, a city, a county, and a state, as our neighbors in the District of Columbia are experiencing with the eastern end of downtown and the Verizon Center. I don't think we need an excuse before we make everyone's life better. We must ensure that as residential growth occurs, the existing infrastructure is maintained, improved, and services which residents rely on are not neglected. Once we have effectively navigated our way out of this current economic downturn, a number of incentive based programs can be more fully implemented to also encourage job and residential growth. As a delegate representing District 18 it will be incumbent upon me to listen to the community.

In addition, we need to protect as much of Maryland's natural resources and biodiversity as we can while we still have it. Redeveloping blighted areas should take precedence over cutting down trees for new low-density housing. We watch as Virginia destroys millions of trees in order to expand local roads and highways because they invested so little in preventing sprawl.

3) Recently, the Washington Post took note that Maryland's smart growth laws have been "toothless." As you are aware, downtown Wheaton has been designated as a "Smart Growth Area" by the state of Maryland. As a delegate, what steps would you take to advance progress in Wheaton?

More than anything, ensuring smart growth programs are properly funded goes a long way to solving the toothless reputation they have developed. Money talks at least as loudly as regulation, and properly incentivizing developers and giving tax breaks directly to family businesses purchasing homes or leasing office space in targeted areas will help mold development into a manageable state.

The most important thing we can do, though, is to solicit input from the residents of Wheaton. I believe in asking the people who have to live there for help in guiding our development of the area, rather than dictating how their environment will be developed. I've heard several opinions, for example, that Westfield Wheaton Mall needs to remain an indoor mall. Others believe it should be redeveloped into a walkable mixed-use mall with shops, offices, and apartments. Ultimately, the residents should decide, and I look forward to hearing more from them.

Disclose: I reside in Wheaton in District 18

19 comments

Tags: Maryland, Maryland legislature, Montgomery, politics, Purple Line, Smart Growth, Wheaton

3 questions with Md. delegate candidate Scott Goldberg (May 27, 2010)
3 questions with Md. delegate candidate Dana Beyer (Jul 9, 2010)
MD Delegate candidate Chris Stoughton (D-20) discusses campaign finance, smart growth, and clean energy (Aug 4, 2010)
A talk with Maryland Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez (Aug 19, 2010)
Hans Riemer discusses White Flint, Wheaton, and eastern Montgomery County (Apr 30, 2010)

Cavan Wilk became interested in the physical layout and economic systems of modern human settlements while working on his Master's in Financial Economics. His writing often focuses on the interactions between a place's form, its economic systems, and the experiences of those who live in them. He lives in downtown Silver Spring.

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Ms. Atterbeary seems like a qualified candidate for office. Recent trends in the local medial have been pressuring Montgomery County to become more like Fairfax County, which is reportedly much more sucessful. Local politicians have yet to stand up to the fact that Montgomery County is far superior to Fairfax or any other comparable jurisdiction. Over 1/3 of the County has been preserved for agricultural uses thus serving as Washington's "Green Lung." Montgomery County has a significantly larger park system with superior facilties including the world-class Soccerplex and miles of interconnected trails. Development is concentrated around the Red Line and other existing infrastructure and plans are in place to make Montgomery County and international research hub with the creation of the Biotech Triangle. Decades of investment are paying off for Montgomery County's quality of life. Meanwhile Northern Virginia continues its pursuit of wealth through destruction of its natural beauty and quality of life. Poor planning in places like Tysons will only increase traffic congestion and in response local officials will propose building more toll roads. We need politicians that will invest in our communities, our infrastrucutre, our schools and parks. These are what makes Montgomery County so far superior to all others and what makes it a privilige to live in Montgomery County.

by Cyrus on Jun 10, 2010 4:22 pm • link • report

Well said, Cyrus.

by Cavan on Jun 10, 2010 4:33 pm • link • report

Cyrus/Cavan I am pretty sure Fairfax beats MoCo in wealth, jobs, and cost of living which are pretty crucial factors. So i am not sure how you can say MoCo is superior also Fairfax at the moment is in the process redeveloping Tysons Corner into Arlington 2.0. Also while MoCo waits to hit the biotech jackpot like California and Boston, Fairfax is already the leader in IT and defense contracting. So looks to me like Fairfax is leaving MoCo farther and farther behind which is something it's local politicians need to address and not ignore.

by Mike on Jun 10, 2010 4:57 pm • link • report

Vanessa Atterbeary is also the only candidate in District 18 who is not running on a radical pro-"gay rights" agenda. The incumbents in District 18, led by Senator Madaleno and his pro-"civil rights" delegates have shamelessly promoted social issues over more important issues like tax fairness. That's why anti-tax hero Robin Ficker is supporting Vanessa, and that's why those seeking an alternative to bleeding heart liberalism finally have a challenger to rally behind. Don't even get me started on Dana Beyer and her crazed agenda.

Find out more at http://www.notmyshower.com/harassment.shtml

Chuck Turner

by Chuck Turner on Jun 10, 2010 5:00 pm • link • report

Chuck, while I find your comments objectionable, I support your right to say them.

I think it's counterproductive to mention Mr. Ficker at all in any of this. He is not running in the District 18 Democratic primary. Ms. Atterbeary's views are her own and have little to do with anything Mr. Ficker says or any metaphorical bombs he tries to throw.

by Cavan on Jun 10, 2010 6:33 pm • link • report

Chuck: do you have a link to her position on LGBT issues? A citation?

by Progressive Voice on Jun 10, 2010 6:36 pm • link • report

Mike or Tim or whatever your name is. We just caught you red handed. You said Â“itsÂ” politicians when referring to Montgomery County meaning you do not live here. You are the "Maryland-hating" conspirist that you keep blabbering about, talking trash about Virginia building more highways and malls. Just think how bad how you make your fellow Virginians look.

by Cyrus on Jun 10, 2010 6:45 pm • link • report

And Chuck, I want to revise my previous comment from finding your commments "objectionable" to "reprehensible" or perhaps "shameful."

by Cavan on Jun 10, 2010 6:54 pm • link • report

Cyrus not sure where the name tim is coming from but i actually live in tenleytown so i don't live in either county or state. I am just calling it as i see it so calm down. I am not in your maryland vs virginia personal vendetta that you got going on. Also how do virginia malls and highways come into this?

by Mike on Jun 10, 2010 8:56 pm • link • report

Fairfax - short term vision, Montgomery - long term vision. That being said, it seems that MoCo is beholden to unions a bit too much. Healthy competition is always a good thing!

by Thayer-D on Jun 11, 2010 8:34 am • link • report

After looking over Atterbeary's website, I can't find anything supporting Chuck's assertions about her. At this point, I'm inclined to think Chuck actually works for one of her opponents.

by Progressive Voice on Jun 11, 2010 9:47 am • link • report

Chuck Turner,

I am a personal friend of Vanessa Atterbeary's and I can say with absolute certainty that you are clueless with regard to her position on LGBT issues. She is actually in favor of same sex marriage. But don't take my word for it - here is a status update from her facebook : "Pride Month is a time to celebrate the contributions of the LGBT community and remind ourselves that "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" SHOULD be guaranteed to all Americans without qualification. Together we can make
this a reality. Our county is diverse, multi-faceted, and beautiful. That's why I love calling... it "home"!"

Sounds like Chuck Turner is just another right-wing bigot spreading falsehoods and trying to stir up trouble in the Democratic Primary. There are plenty of differences between Vanessa and the incumbents but strong support for marriage equality and gay rights is something, thankfully, that all Democratic candidates for Delegate in District 18 share.

by TonyD on Jun 11, 2010 12:02 pm • link • report

Well, TonyD, I'm glad that you're her "personal friend," but there is nothing on her website or anywhere else to substantiate your claim that Vanessa Atterbeary is pro-GLBT. Considering that Robin Ficker and Chuck Turner have been touting Vanessa for several weeks now, claiming that she holds views that are nowhere in the public domain, it would seem way past time for Vanessa to at a minimum state her views publicly on her website and elsewhere. Her repeated failure to do so leads to the suspicion that she is talking out of both sides of her mouth, allowing the anti-gay bigots and Ficker Freakazoids to claim she holds certain reprehensible views, while at the same time sending "personal friends" like you to websites to assure liberals (and D18 is full of them) that no, no, really she doesn't think those evil and nasty things. That right-wing trolling may play in Howard County, where Vanessa's Uncle Frank Turner (related to Chuck?) is a delegate, but not in Montgomery County.

At this point, after several weeks and her continued refusal to state her views, I think she's playing games, hoping that no one will call her out. Well, I call bullshit. Vanessa Atterbeary needs to state her views where everyone, not just personal friends, can see them. Otherwise, she's not only got no chance in 2010, but she is killing whatever political future she might have.

Your move, Vanessa.

by lefty on Jun 11, 2010 4:19 pm • link • report

Lefty, your comment is a perfect example of why the previous metaphorical bomb-thrower said what he said. You're just stirring up controversy where there is none. Any comments about the content of the interview?

Or, was your comment just a cynical one that was trying to masquerade as meaningful? Remember, I am an advocate for mass transit and smart growth. My interview intentionally focused on such issues. Why don't you go start your own bomb-throwing blog and fight your culture wars there?

Your comment is equivalent to a push-poll whisper campaign. I can't run out negative things to say about it. Just shameful, though I doubt you have any.

by Cavan on Jun 11, 2010 5:55 pm • link • report

"Culture wars," Cavan? Really? I know it's not up your alley, but that term is pretty loaded. How about "marriage equality" or "equal rights," instead?

OK, I'll be nice now. Vanessa Atterbeary, on transit as well as other issues, seems to have a problem stating just what her views are. On this blog and others, she seems to have fans who assure us that she is for "this" or against "that," but she herself is silent. On transit issues, she has an impressive but ultimately meaningless command of terms like "smart growth" and "revitalization." For example, I have no idea what she means when she says the following:

Once we have effectively navigated our way out of this current economic downturn, a number of incentive based programs can be more fully implemented to also encourage job and residential growth.

As best I can tell, the above sentence is hipster management-speak for "When things get better, we can do more things." Well, duh. But what are you going to do to make things get better? What "incentive based programs" do you advocate? Why can't we begin doing some of them now, rather than waiting until things get better, apparently by themselves? If things are going better, why do we need to provide incentives? And why should we elect you as opposed to someone else?

Somehow, I don't think these questions have even occurred to Vanessa Atterbeary. She's got her buzzwords, and by God, she's sticking to them. Not to mention the winking and nodding with the Robin Fickers and Chuck Turners of the world.

Other than that last gratuitous pot-shot of a sentence (couldn't help myself, sorry), was that better, Cavan? I can play it both ways, you see -- policy wonk or bomb thrower. One just comes a bit more naturally than the other.

by lefty on Jun 11, 2010 6:57 pm • link • report

I think Fairfax will gladly take job growth and Northrup Grumman over public viewings of the World Cup.

by MPC on Jun 11, 2010 7:39 pm • link • report

We need politicians that will invest in our communities, our infrastrucutre, our schools and parks.

Right, because Fairfax County Public Schools are on the verge of becoming second rate. *rolls eyes*

by MPC on Jun 11, 2010 7:41 pm • link • report

"On this blog and others, she seems to have fans who assure us that she is for "this" or against "that," but she herself is silent."

You cannot figure out whether she's for or against the Purple Line based on her responses to the questions posed by greatergreaterwashington.org?

"Not to mention the winking and nodding with the Robin Fickers and Chuck Turners of the world."

You're making a positive assertion here. Last I checked, the obligation of proving the accusation rests with the accuser.

An unsubstantiated calumny of this kind smacks of desperation. Do the elected (or, in the case of Carr, appointed) incumbents have such weak records that they feel the need to resort to this kind of dishonest and underhanded libel?

by Progressive Voice on Jun 13, 2010 4:35 am • link • report

Vanessa is a jewel and the strongest candidate in District 39 against having Montgomery County pick up huge teacher pension costs. Lefty needs to out himself with his real name. We haved seen this hater before.

by Robin Ficker on Jun 18, 2010 10:27 pm • link • report