Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-07-10

crease in well-being and while few
Of US do not contribute somewhat
during our lives, the greatest and
most-lasting values result from a
small fraction of society-those
businessmen, farmers, teachers,
housewives, etc. who undertake to
understand their situations from
the long-range viewpoint and in
relation to the betterment of Soc
iety as a whole. These develop a
basic approach which gives, direc-
ton, order and purpose to their
Ives as well as to the lives of thos 2
with whom they are associated.
They are ordinary people, like
each of US, who, to put it simply,
have a philosophy that guides
their actions.
If it is, then, this special ingred
ient-a philosophy-which distin-
pushes extraordinary accomplish
ment in any field of human end
oavor, the planning profession at
least has a firm foundation. A
listing of the major considerations
which motivate the activities of
planners in general and of the Up
per Montgomery County Planning
Commission in particular are as
follows:
l. Planning and democracy are
completely compatible. In fact
planning serves to strengthen the
democratic way of life by making
certain that the decision affecting
the welfare of the community will
be prepared, discussed and acted
upon within the community.
2. 1t is better to begin planning
carly than too late in order to
avoid waste, inconvenience, and
unnecessary expense.
3. We must plan for any area
with all elements of the commun-
ity's life in mind. We must,
therefore plan comprehensively by
Rating tn indpndnt functions of
government and private business to
each other.
a. There is ample space avail
able for all types of land uses.
Planning makes possible the harm
onious development of such diver
gent activities as agriculture in
dustry, commerce. residence and
recreation.
5. The planned expenditure of
public funds will have the effect of
providing the maximum of SER
vices at the lowest possible tax
rate.
6. Little that happens in the de-
velopment of community is in
evitable; we choose to be the mas
tiers not the victims of change
This is true in private enterprise
and in individual advancement
1t is also true in community
growth.
Z. Planning proceeds best with
its aims and methods.
The last point leads US directly
complete public understanding of
to the question of citizen parti
clpation in the planning process
Planning agencies have a vital
concern with citizen reaction to
planning proposals because, in the
final analysis, plans are carried
cut by citizens, either through their
day-to-day private building or
through actions taken by their re-
personalities in government.
Information about planning may
be brought to the attention of citi-
zens through newspaper stories,
exhibits radio programs special re-
ports and talks to civic organiza-
tons. But none of these devices
will quite take the place of actual
involvement in planning.
The most effective means for
enlisting citizen support is through
the medium of the voluntary citi-
zens' planning committee. The
members of such a group form a
iiaison between the planning COM
mission and the community as a
whole. Their interest and COOP
Grafton is the natural outcome of
three basic factors: First people
are likely to be interested in mat
tiers they understand. 1t is i'm
portant therefore that they be
given an understanding of the OBJ
lectives and methods of planning.
Second people are most ready to
take action on matters in which
they feel a sense of personal parti-
cipation and responsibility. To the
maximum extent possible, then,
citizens should be brought into the
process of making plans and in
fluencing planning decisions.
Third, many people in an area are
~