Van Hollen Endorses Leggett for County Executive (Photo)

Calling him a “County Executive for the future,” Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D) endorsed Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett this week.

The complete text of Congressman Van Hollen’s endorsement:

“I proudly endorse Ike Leggett for reelection as Montgomery County Executive. As we move into the future, Montgomery County continues to need a visionary and principled leader who can deliver results. Our County Executive, Ike Leggett, has demonstrated that, time and again, he is that leader.

“During the recent recession, Ike guided our County with a firm and balanced hand. He showed that he was not afraid to make hard choices and would lead our County out of the recession, build a stronger economic foundation, maintain the highest financial reserves in our history, and preserve our AAA bond rating. Today, the County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, has strong job growth, remains committed to a top-rated school system, and has embraced a vision for a global economy for the future.

“County Executive Leggett has moved aggressively to transform his economic vision into reality. The County’s investments in the Great Seneca Science Corridor and the White Flint, Shady Grove Smart Growth and White Oak Science Gateway areas with transit-oriented development are creating at least 100,000 new quality jobs in the county. These initiatives will result in the highest job creation in the county’s history.

“I am extremely impressed with Ike’s unwavering commitment to building a strong partnership with the county’s Congressional delegation and maintaining a continued strong federal presence in the county. He has stood with me and our federal delegation as we fought for and won more than $150 million for federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) transportation projects in Montgomery County, and we worked successfully together to retain the federal HHS headquarters in Rockville and NOAA in Silver Spring, ensuring that the County would keep 7,200 jobs.

“Working hand-in-hand with State legislators last year, Ike’s leadership was instrumental in bringing home an unprecedented amount of State funding for County transportation projects. And even during the most challenging fiscal years, Ike was resolute in his commitment to Montgomery County Public Schools, funding nearly 100 percent of its budget requests.

“County Executive Leggett’s advocacy for housing, the environment and those less fortunate among us has set a high bar. Despite the recent downturn, the County has constructed or preserved more than 8,000 affordable housing units in the past seven years. Ike has also spearheaded efforts to protect the safety net for our lower income families. Providing services along the continuum from youth to seniors has always been a priority for him.

“Montgomery County is leading the way to improve water quality in our local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay by being first to implement the State’s new stormwater water quality protection program. Ike also led the way to protect trees in the county with his legislation to boost efforts and safeguards and restore our valuable tree canopy. Recycling has increased to the highest level in the State, and his target is to achieve 70 percent recycling in the County by 2020, which will be the highest in the nation.

“The County’s streets are safer today. Crime is down, and Fire and Rescue emergency response times have dropped significantly.

“Ike’s colleagues throughout the State, and indeed, across the county, have affirmed his outstanding ;leadership by electing him President of the County Executives of America, and most recently, First Vice President of the Maryland Association of Counties.

“As Ike is fond of saying, ‘the future starts in Montgomery County.’ Ike Leggett is indeed a County Executive for the future, and I am honored to endorse him for reelection.”

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