Saqib Ali proved commitment to community

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Local residents have an opportunity in November to elect to the Maryland House of Delegates a young candidate who has already proven his commitment to our community and his ability to energize neighborhoods and work productively with planners and elected policymakers.

Saqib Ali is playing a lead role in stopping the destructive widening of Longdraft Road. As co-chairman of the Longdraft Road Coalition, he has galvanized like-minded citizens in effective letter-writing and yard sign campaigns, given residents from surrounding neighborhoods a unified voice, and opened productive discussions with the Gaithersburg City Council and county decision-makers. The result is not only the current re-evaluation of the widening plan but also new proposals for safety improvements along that route.

Saqib Ali demonstrates the kind of energy, foresight and leadership that we need in Annapolis. He stands squarely for preserving the character and natural beauty of our area against rampant overdevelopment, while at the same time addressing important safety and quality-of-life issues. He is a coalition builder, careful listener, and effective negotiator.

As a Gaithersburg resident for more than 30 years, I am thrilled that he is running for a seat as Delegate from District 39, and I strongly urge everyone to give his candidacy serious consideration.

Robert Ausura, Gaithersburg