TAKOMA PARK, MD – Inspired by a recent request of Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties to secede from Maryland and join West Virginia, Takoma Park City Council Members representing Wards 1, 3 and 4 sent a letter to the Mayor of Chevy Chase seeking permission to secede from Takoma Park to join the wealthier elitist enclave.
“We believe this arrangement may be mutually beneficial for both municipalities, as well as for our local constituencies who fear having townhouses built next to our million dollar homes,” the letter read. “Please advise on next steps.”
Wards 1, 3 and 4 are located in Western Takoma Park, where listserv discussions are more conservative, especially on issues such as lowering property taxes, building affordable housing, and creating more bike lanes. While Western Takoma Park doesn’t share an actual border with Chevy Chase, nor does it generate much commercial tax revenue, it offers a historic district, five restaurants, a high-end boutique organic grocery store, and plenty of free parking on its government subsidized lot.
“Western Takoma Park is tired of not getting what we want, when we want it,” said Karen Miller, a 35-year resident of Ward 1. “If you read the comment section on Facebook, it’s clear that our ideas have 85% of the public’s support. But the city council continues to use its failed representative democracy system to pass laws we don’t like. It’s just not fair!”
The proposal is all but certain to fail, as it would require consent from the Montgomery County Council. So far only one council member, Tom Hucker, has expressed support for the plan, citing his desire to receive far fewer complaint emails from these constituents.
