Evening star., 1956-12-07
Reese Attacks
Segoe Report at
Council Session
By CHARLES L. HOFFMAN

OF a single planning agency un-
der the county government was
recommended last night by
Montgomery County Manager
M. l.. Reese.
The surprise recommendation
came as the county council met
to prepare its own suggestions
for legislation to be submitted
to the Maryland General AS
Semhly when it opens its 1857
session January 2.
The meeting saw a double
barreled attack on the so-called
ISegoe report recommendations
for enlargement of the existing
Ibi-county planning agency and
extension of its authority
Throughout the two counties. Mr..
Reese scored the proposed reor-
ganization as "unwieldly" and
said it was imperative that the
county government have its own
planning arm.
Resolution Revealed
Council President Charles H.
Jamison made public a resolu-
ton adopted by the rural Upper
Montgomery County Planning
Commission urging that that
body be retained.
4 The present county council ran
on a plank in the Democratic
platform of 1854 calling for a
single planning agency for the
entire county.
!. Mr.. Reese was in sharp dis
agreement with the up-county
, commission and said he felt the
county had to be treated "as q
whole community with one PLAN
ming agency as an arm of the
county government"
1 His proposition called for
divorcing the planning functions
of the present bi-county COM
mission from its park functions.
For Parks Only
4, While abolishing the bi-county
: park and planning agency as
such. it would create a bi-county
commission for park operations.
: This proposal is aimed at keep
ing alive the joint Federal State
financing of the Capper-C Cram.
ton stream valley park system.
Montgomery members of the
park commission, however,
would handle not only the re-
gional and stream valley parks
but also local Fairgrounds.
Z The recreation activities, for
! merly under the present BIZ
county agency and now a part of
the county government, would
? operate under the park commits
4 sion.
For purely regional planning
, problems. Mr.. Reese proposes
!, Strengthening the National Cap
ital Regional Planning Council
t and contributing financially to
sits support. The regional council
3 should be looked to for advice
! only and for handling area
studies on traffic, water con-
servation and sewer and water
facilities.
: 2 Forms Of Government
a Mr.. Reese said the Segoe re-
port tried to bring together two
e different forms of county gov
ernment - the ncil-manager
home rule government Of Mont
, gomery and the county commits
. sloner form Of Prince Georges,
! which has to look to the General
Assembly annually for most Of
its authority.
!, He said that this, combined
/. with proposals Of the Segoe re-
port for appointment by the
Governor Of four of the is MEM
: bers Of the enlarged commits
sion. would put Montgomery
County at a disadvantage on
the commission.
He also cited examples of a
need for closer correlation OF
general planning for govern
mental administration and capi-
tai improvements. He said at
present the county is forced into
"crash program" annually u
meet its demand for services.
Cover Entire County
The Prince Georges County
commissioners have recon-
mended extension Of the present
planning commissions jurisdic-
ton TO cover their entire county.
Mr.. Reese indicated that he
felt from a long-range viewpoint
the Segoe report was geared 10
establishment Of a federalized
government Of the entire WASH
lington Metropolitan Area.
He said he wanted 10 make
certain that Montgomery Coun-
" was a strong component Of
such a set-up al the time Of
amalgamation, rather than be-
ling gradually absorbed with IL
own authority taken away In
pieces.
we have 70 be NJ and bs
strong enough 10 stand on our
own feet and we cannot DO Il
as q divided house." he said.
Oral Report
Mr.. Reese. who submitted hi
proposal orally. promised 70 have
them IN writing BY the councils
meeting next Tuesday. Ths
council wants 70 have its rec.
ommendations IN line before 4
Joint session two days later with
the countys delegation 70 the
legislature.
Mr.. Jamlson said that the up.
per county commission, Of which
he 10 a member. feels II Ia re-
sponsiye 70 the needs Of the rural
area and that the segoe report
would create an unWorks b Z
body which would b. less re-.
sponaive 10 the elected ofsicisls
and people Of Montgomery
. County