OFF TOPIC- URGENT! Support Needed at 10/1/01 Public Hearing

[Guest guest]

> Hi folks!

>

> If anyone has a spare moment, please consider writing a letter in support

of

> this autism program. My daughter attends their elementary school and is

> doing very well there. This proposed site wouldn't even be a " school " ,

> simply office space for administrative use and training facilities as well

> as a resource center for the early intervention program.

>

> Thanks for your help.

>

> Becky Simpson

>

> > !! URGENT!!

> >

> > CSAAC (Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children) is a

> Montgomery

> > County based non-profit organization that provides residential and

> employment

> > support for autistic adults, intensive early intervention (IEI) services

> > for infants and toddlers and a certified school for autistic students.

> >

> >

> > CSAAC has proposed to construct a new Community Resource Center in

> Montgomery

> > Village near Gaithersburg. The new facility is desperately needed to

> > replace the overcrowded and dilapidated quarters located in a 35 year

> > old, surplus school building in Rockville. The proposed Resource Center

> > will house residential support training, IEI parent training, autism

> > resource library and other critical, community-oriented functions.

> >

> > CSAAC has contracted to purchase a 10 acre property on East Village Ave.

> > in Montgomery Village on which to construct the new Resource Center.

> > Use of the property for any purpose, including the Community Resource

> > Center, will require government plan approval. The Montgomery County

> > Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on October 1, 2001 to

> > solicit testimony in order to assess the public support or opposition

> > to CSAAC's proposal.

> >

> > CSAAC has held several meetings in Montgomery Village to keep the

> community

> > fully informed about our plans. At each of these meetings, 50 to 150

> > people have appeared to oppose CSAAC's plans. Their reasons are both

> > widely varied and irrational ( " autistic people are dangerous " . " the

> property

> > is not suitable for an 'office building', etc., etc.).

> >

> > CSAAC NEEDS ABSOLUTELY AS MANY SUPPORTERS AS POSSIBLE TO COME TO THE

> > PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING ON OCTOBER 1ST. Willingness to testify is

> > helpful but not necessary - we need to show the Planning Commission the

> > overwhelming support in the community for resources providing support

> > to autistic children and adults. CSAAC will ask all supporters to stand

> > to be recognized before the Planning Commission.

> >

> > The particulars:

> >

> > Who: Anyone! Everyone! Residents in or nearby Montgomery Village are

> > helpful, but not necessary. Parents/siblings of autistic persons

helpful,

> > but not necessary.

> >

> > Where: Montgomery County Planning Commission, 8787 Georgia Avenue,

Silver

> > Spring MD. At the southeast corner of Spring Street and Georgia Avenue.

> > Plenty of parking on the Spring Street side.

> >

> > When: Monday October 1, 2001. The time will be either in the afternoon

> > or evening.contact the CSAAC web site (www.csaac.org) the week September

> > 24 for scheduled time.

> >

> > Testimony: those willing to testify sign up at the hearing. CSAAC

> representatives

> > will be there early to help with talking points. It's informal, just

> > talk from the heart.

> >

> > Written Testimony: Can't come? Write a letter!

> >

> > Bill Landfair

> > Montgomery County Planning Commission

> > 8787 Georgia Avenue

> > Silver Spring, MD 20910

> > Reference: proposed CSSAC Community Resource Center

> >

> > Questions/Comments: mhurson@....

> > More info on CSAAC: www.csaac.org.

> >

> > Head Count: if you intend to come, send me a quick message

> (mhurson@...).

> > If you would prefer to remain anonymous, that's OK with me.

> >

> > Please forward this message to anyone and everyone that could help us

> > out.

> >

> > Thanks!

> >

> > --

> > Hurson

> > mhurson@... - email

> >

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

>

> >