Dear Mr. Hull:
In "Past Present and Future," (March/April 2010 Edition), my words left the impression that I do not respect those who disagree with my ideas.
It was not my intention to denigrate the opinions of any citizen or discourage anyone from participating in the debate over the future of Montgomery County, and I regret any pain or embarassment my words may have caused.
As a public official, I recognize that I have an obligation to listen to members of the public, even (and perhaps especially) those who have different views.
Part of what has made Montgomery County great is its long tradition of active engagement by highly dedicated and serious advocates on a wide range of issues, including land use and real estate development.
In view of this especially, I apologize for coming across as dismissive of critics of the Planning Department. I do believe that open public discourse is essential both to good decisions and to democratic accountability.
I intend to make every effort to be inclusive and welcoming of different perspectives as we work together to strengthen our community.
Sincerely,
Rollin Stanley
Planning Director
