Rockville Summit 2012

Come one, come all!

No, I really mean it.  Everyone with an interest in Rockville should participate in Rockville Summit 2012, which will take place on Nov. 3, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville.  Rockville Summit 2012 with its discussion of issues and policy suggestions is intended to be a broad-based public dialogue on Rockville and its future direction.

This process started in October 2011 with a general session open to the public and has continued throughout this past year with discussions within and among six working groups on various aspects of issues and policies that may implicate and guide our community for the next 20 - 30 years.  The goals of the Summit process have been to (i) promote communication among representatives of different parts of our community -- residents, large and small businesses, non-profit organizations, education and government -- focused on, among other things, our economy, development, budget, culture and quality of life, and (ii) set a framework for a continuing comprehensive and inclusive dialogue to inform City policies and actions as we implement our plans for the future.  To this end, the topics of focus for the working groups are:  (i) Budget; (ii) Education; (iii) Housing; (iv)Jobs/Residential Workforce; (v) Rockville's Character; and (vi) Transportation.

The Summit process, in particular the working groups' diligence to the completion of their tasks, has shown that there is an intense interest in our community for broad-based dialogue on the opportunities for and challenges to our City, and how we as a community should identify responses and resolutions to these opportunities and challenges, and their impacts.  The attendees at last October's Summit session and the numerous and diverse members of the working groups have embraced the idea of a participatory and iterative engagement with stakeholders from all of the sectors of our community to contribute to this far-reaching plan for the future.  The main purposes of Rockville Summit 2012 are to provide the important opportunity for all who live, work and play in Rockville to hear from the members of the working groups their analyses and suggestions and to join the conversation and contribute to the development of a roadmap for the future.  Rockville Summit 2012 also will feature a presentation by Edward T. McMahon, an expert on sustainable development.

Open dialogue and inclusiveness remain the driving tenets of the Summit process and it is a goal, nay a mandate, to include as many members as possible from the different sectors of our community in the Rockville Summit 2012 discussion.  To this end, the members of the working groups and I, and the many others who have worked so hard throughout this process, strongly encourage you to join us at the Fitzgerald Theatre on November 3rd to help shape the future of our community.  Put differently, please join in the community collaboration to enhance an attractive, livable and economically viable Rockville.  The success of this process is furthered by the expansive and enthusiastic participation of a diverse group from throughout our residential, business, non-profit, public and education communities.  So mark it on your calendars now.  I plan to see all of you there on November 3rd.

John Britton

Former Rockville City Councilmember

Member, Rockville Summit 2012 Organizing Committee