The following is a preview of an email that Jeff is sending out later today:
I was born and raised right here in Montgomery County. I love this place, and I’m proud to raise my family here. But as I sat down to write you this email about an important decision I’ve made, I realized how illustrative the past few days of my life have been when it comes to the challenges we face here together.
On Sunday, I took my twins to a playdate for incoming Kindergartners at our local public school. What I saw there was the best of our community: parents caring deeply about their children, meeting each other with neighborliness, and facing the future with the all-in-this-together spirit that makes Montgomery County so wonderful.
But we were also struck by the number of portable classrooms that shadowed the event, potent symbols of the challenges our County faces. And come Fall, whether inside the school or outside, those classrooms will be filled to the brim with 25-28 children, including my own. We can do better.
On Monday, I took the Metro to work as usual. The ride was quick, uneventful, and shared with folks like me who prefer a less stressful, more environmentally friendly way to commute. The return trip, however, was a disaster. Sardine-packed trains unloaded onto dangerously crowded platforms as delays mounted upon single-tracked delays. We must do better.
I am NOT running for Congress–I love this County and have too much work to do locally. I want to thank the many friends, family members, and business & labor leaders who enthusiastically asked me to put my name forward. Your phone calls and emails were overwhelming and truly humbling. I have no doubt that this opportunity may yet arise again.
For me, now is the time to double down on making Montgomery County better: investing in our local schools, fixing our local transportation system, and fighting for an economy that works for local families. I love this place we all call home. If you do, too, I hope you’ll join me once more.
Yours,
Jeff Waldstreicher
See Red Line Rush Hour Fail for more information on the Metro disaster that Jeff references.
