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At-large candidate focuses on public health system

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006

Duchy Trachtenberg has thought long and hard about what the newly elected County Council should undertake as its first order of business: reforming the county’s public health system. The health care and women’s activist has been at the forefront of these issues for more than 20 years and hopes to use that experience on the County Council if she is elected in November.

‘‘A vote for Duchy is a vote for experience, independence and integrity,” she said.

Trachtenberg, 52, joins incumbent George L. Leventhal and Nancy M. Floreen, and Takoma Park City Councilman Marc Elrich on the Democratic ticket for one of four at-large positions on the County Council. She came in third behind Leventhal and Elrich in the Democratic primary, pushing Floreen to fourth place and edging veteran Councilman Michael L. Subin out of the race.

Duchy Trachtenberg County Council At large Democrat 52, North Bethesda Experience: President, Maryland NOW; board of directors, Progressive Maryland; former member, Montgomery County Council Advisory Committee on Mental Health Top issues: Reforming the county’s public health system, improving public transportation, investing in the education system Web site: www.voteduchy.org

The North Bethesda resident ran unsuccessfully for the council’s District 1 seat held by Councilman Howard A. Denis (R) in 2002. Since then, she has refocused her message and in the process won endorsements for her work on health care and adolescent issues and for her leadership as president of Maryland’s chapter of the National Organization of Women.

‘‘I believe many people supported me [in the September primary] because of my public health background,” said Trachtenberg, who has a special needs child. ‘‘I know there are areas where the county can improve. For example, we don’t have an adequate case management system for the mentally ill. People are concerned about unmet needs.”

Trachtenberg also brings to the race a record of support for slowing county growth. Like many other candidates, she is concerned that infrastructure needs — such as an adequate number of schools and new roads — have not kept pace with growth.

She supports building the Inner Purple Line, connecting Silver Spring and Bethesda, to ease traffic congestion, and dedicating a portion of affordable housing units for county employees, seniors and disabled residents.