Blair Releases Transportation Plan
Montgomery County executive candidate David Blair released a transportation plan Wednesday that offered ideas with plenty of citations of similar projects from elsewhere across the country, but little detail in the way of the costs of putting the ideas into practice.
For example, the Democrat included a suggestion he’s made throughout the campaign: that the county should eliminate fares on Ride On buses to boost ridership.
But the report offered no mention of the cost of free bus service.
Other ideas sound reasonable: For example, replacing large buses with smaller passenger vans on lesser used routes.
And other ideas sound reasonable and probably carry small price tags: He also wants to use “smart” traffic lights that can help commuters through a congested thoroughfare.
Blair’s report comes as the primary season is entering its end phase. Early voting starts in a week and Primary Election Day is June 26.
In May, the Washington Post endorsed Blair — a former health benefits executive who is the only candidate in the Democratic primary with no elective experience. The paper printed a second endorsement Tuesday.
The campaign had been largely convivial with candidates waging a kinder, gentler campaign in candidate forums.
Councilmember Roger Berliner, however, released a campaign ad where he compared Blair to Donald Trump. The ad called Blair “another rich guy with zero government experience using his millions to buy this election.” Blair’s face then turns into Trump. “Been there, done that.”
Blair, in turn, released an ad saying he’s the “Un Trump,” which included not only the Post endorsement but his 100 percent “pro-choice” rating from NARAL.
He also has been attacked by the Progressive Maryland Liberation Alliance, a super PAC connected with Progressive Maryland, which advocates social, economic and racial justice. The super PAC was started with a $50,000 donation from a woman in California, according to Maryland State Election Board records.
The group distributed fliers at a county executive forum that faulted his leadership of his health care company, his 2003 switch to the Democratic party and his failure to vote in the Democratic primaries from 2006 to 2012.
The flier carries the headline: “David Blair is not one of us!”
Haven’t we heard this before !!! Way back to Doug Duncan.. Timing traffic lights all the way to Georgetown!!!
And other ideas sound reasonable and probably carry small price tags: He also wants to use “smart” traffic lights that can help commuters through a congested thoroughfare.