Doug Duncan endorses Adam Van Grack for Rockville City Council

Former Rockville mayor and Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan has endorsed Adam Van Grack in the Rockville City Council race. Van Grack's campaign announced the endorsement yesterday, alongside endorsements from former Rockville City Councilmember John Britton and former District 17 State Senator Mary Boergers. This brings Van Grack's endorsement haul from current and former elected officials to fourteen.

"Like me, Adam Van Grack was raised in Rockville and has been an active member in our community," Duncan said in a statement Tuesday. "I am proud to support him for City Council and I know that he will be an excellent City Councilmember for all of Rockville." It's an ironic twist, as Duncan defeated Van Grack's father, former Rockville Mayor Steven Van Grack, in the contentious 1987 Rockville mayoral race. Duncan went on to become one of the biggest power players in Montgomery County political history, serving as County Executive from 1994 to 2006.

"As we continue to get our message out, I'm humbled and excited that respected leaders are stepping up to support us," Adam Van Grack said Tuesday. "Former County Executive Doug Duncan, former Councilmember John Britton, and former State Senator Mary Boergers have all demonstrated what it means to be effective public servants and community leaders—and I’m proud to have their endorsements."

Mayoral candidates line up endorsements in Rockville

Incumbent Rockville
Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton
with 3 of the 5 past mayors
supporting her - Jim Coyle,
Steven Van Grack, Larry Giammo

Many of Rockville's past mayors remain closely engaged in city politics, and - as you might expect - their endorsements are in great demand. Incumbent Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and challenger Sima Osdoby have both released letters and statements in the closing days of the campaign highlighting those endorsements.

Newton is leading the mayoral endorsement race, with 5 of the city's former top leaders on-board. They are former mayor and Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, and past mayors Jim Coyle, Larry Giammo, Steven Van Grack and Phyllis Marcuccio.

Osdoby has received the endorsement of former mayor Rose Krasnow.

Former Mayor Rose Krasnow
has endorsed challenger
Sima Osdoby

As one might expect, the letter from the Newton endorsers has an optimistic tone, touting Newton's "proven, thoughtful leadership." Their letter goes on to say the incumbent has "been a steady leader who listens to all stakeholders, masters the issues and makes sound judgements." It also applauds Newton's management of the City's growth, and efforts to ensure there is adequate infrastructure to support new development. The mayors also note the City has just been ranked as the 17th "Most Livable City in America" by Livability.com.

Krasnow, by contrast, says she will be "heartbroken" if voters don't elect Osdoby, warning "Our City's future hangs in the balance." Now Deputy Director at the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Krasnow is particularly critical of the delay in passing the Rockville Pike Plan in her statement. Newton has said the plan originally produced by a City-hired consultant was not sustainable, and needed to be thoroughly reworked by the Mayor and Council and Rockville Planning Commission.

Voters will go to the polls tomorrow, November 3.

Top photo by Robert Dyer

Krasnow photo courtesy MNCPPC

DUNCAN BLASTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY DECISION TO BOOT ROCKVILLE BIOTECH STARTUPS

Former Rockville mayor and past Montgomery County executive Doug Duncan yesterday blasted county officials for evicting biotech startups from a Rockville facility, a decision made to clear the way for a federal cybersecurity center at the Shady Grove property.

Duncan and biotech executives condemned the decision, saying it sends a negative message to firms who might consider moving to the county's I-270 life sciences corridor, one of the few bright spots in a stagnant county economy.

The firms currently housed at the William Hanna Center for Innovation will be kicked to the curb in June. Duncan is a current candidate for his old job as county executive.