Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-05-26
BY Susie Kaplan
10. 4-7368

Keen interest is being shown
in all parts of Wheaton and
Glenmont over the fate of the
Board of Education's capital
budget that was cut approximate
ly 100000 last week by the
County Manager.
One reason for this interest
is the belief that this area will
be one of the hardest hit by the
cuts since it is one of the most
rapidly growing areas in the
county.
Undoubtedly, there are two
sides to the school budget ques-
ton. But perhaps because those
adversely affected are always
most vociferous in their express
sions, l have heard mostly from
those who view the projected
budget cuts with alarm.
Many of the local homeoWners
have indicated that they would
not hesitate to pay the additional
$50 to $50 per year in taxes that
would be levied against the aver
age home in order to insure the
passage of the school budget as
proposed by the Board of Edu-
cation.
At the Observation-Disclosures
Democratic Club meeting that
was held last Thursday, the en-
tire discussion by the panel men,
bers was devoted to the county's
school question.
mike" Isaacs, retiring presi-
dent of the PTA Council, and
Alma Scurlock, executive Secre-
tary of the Washington Fellow
ship, tackled the indignation
question; Saul Miller, editor of
the AFL News Reporter, brought
the group up to date as to what
is happening to Federal aid to
education; and Blair Lee, chair
man of the delegation to Anna
polls, had the unhappy task to
report of what was forthcoming
from the State to our county in
the way of additional moneys to
help finance our tremendous
load. Not much, he said.
Naturally, the discussion de-
veloped around Mr.. Reese's (the
county manager) budget.
Mr.. Lee said 1.-THE Council and
County Manager seem to be de-
termined to operate the county
government as economically as
possible, and I think most citi-
zens would support them in that
objective"
He continued, 1.-THE big pro.
blem, however, is to avoid the
twin pitfalls of false economy
and excessive economy. False
economy can only lead to extra
costs later on; excessive economy
leads to inadequate public Serv-
ices which the people of Mont
gomery County will not tolerate.
For instance, if we build only
one-half of a new school, in the
certain knowledge that we have
to come back and add the other
half within a year or two, we
would be wasting the taxpayers
money. If we were to let our
teachers salary scale drop below
the recently improved scales in
Prince Georges, Arlington and
Fairfax Counties, we would be
placing the entire school system
in jeopardy.
II feel certain that the council
will explore every aspect of the
wide gap that exists between the
budget proposals of the Board of
Education and the County Man
ager and will come up with the
right answer"
Feeling is really running high.
For those who have been ask.
ing what they can do, l can only
suggest that they let their elect.
ed county councilman know how
they feel.
There will be an open hearing
on the school boards budget at
the auditorium of the County
Building in Rockville on Friday,
June 10, at 8 pm.
Why not make it your business
to be there and speak up?
=
Naturally, there are a few
other activities in the area.
There was terrific meeting al
the Kirkland's last Friday TO set
up the organization for the com
munity swimming pool in the
Pleasantville Triangle area.
A board of directors was
selected to get things rolling
Irving Rotkin, chairman; Mr.
Manovil, Allen Saylor Lane Kirk
land, Fred l.. Kaplan, Polly
Gurewitz and William Bestimt
1t will be the job of these
people chosen to find the lane
for the pool and to interest az
many people who live close tC
Ready Mix Concrete