Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-02-10
Looking Behind and Ahead

ton lay barren and idle, almost
becoming a City dump. In ap-
preaching this problem late in
1858 and early in January, 1854,
we obtained a number of encour-
aging commitments from a read
lily agreeable City Council.
The major obstacle-the deed
passing formally title of the park
areas to the City-was drafted,
executed and recorded, and the
development of these areas ac-
cording to carefully weighed,
long-range plans was commenced
at once. These. well-meant efforts
seemed to suffer a momentary
setback with the advent of our
new City government which in
sisted to start from scratch with
the layout of our recreational
areas, thus at least causing furth-
er delay.
While we relied on previous
assurances that an inclusion in
the new budget of our immedi-
ate recreational needs would rem.
der possible the completion of our
two park areas early last sum-
,mer, we were quite disturbed
when the new Council failed to
accede to our just request for ap-
propriate funds for this purpose,
commensurate with the 10c (per
500 assessed property valuation)
paid by us into the Citys treas
ury, equal to an amount set aside
in Montgomery County for rec
reational purposes.
Just think, $40 Rockcrest
homes alone are paying each
year computed on an assumed
assessed basis of 80 X $4,000
average assessment or Of ap-
proximately $4,050,000, an amount
of Silt $4,000 of which $34,485. 90
are the City's tax revenue. 1--WE
are paying $2.S5 per 500 of as.
sessed property valuation; 85c
thereof going to the City, Based
on the distribution key of the
Montgomery County, approx.
mately $4,050 should be our con.
tribution to recreation each year.
Not having enjoyed any recrea.
tional facilities for many years
past, although the tax was col
lected, we felt justly and rightly
so that the City could pay out
Isat least enough. to give us at
once the required basic play
ground equipment.
Notwithstand our persistent at
tempts to make our new Mayor
and Council conscious of the dire
need for recreation and particu
lar in Rockcrest-and mind you
we were the only group placing
concrete plans before the Coun
Gil during the Budget Hearings
-, the City Council voted only
total sum of $4,000 as Capital
recreational fund for the entire
City, out of which late in the
summer, after protracted nego
tiations and repeated delays, we
succeeded to be allotted 81, 922 60
We are grateful that all this
has been accomplished, and that
not only Hillcrest Park on Ed
monston Drive, but also Rock
crest Forest on Broadwood Drive
the latter developed entirely
through our own initiative, have
become valuable assets to oul
community ready to offer lots Of
fun to our children this Sprine
and in the coming Summer.
When some indignant citizen.
knocked at the doors of our City
Hall in 1853 and demanded re
lief from a water shortage stead
lily growing worse, we quietly SCI
out to make a thorough study
of the many facets of our watel
supply and of the contemplated
proposals for relief. After going
over these plans at various times
with the City Manager and Act
ing City Engineer, and after dis
cussing and evaluating these pro
posals at our Executive and Reg