New Campaign Fund Reports Show Contributors Benefitted from Candidate's Votes

Dear Rockville neighbor,

The most recent campaign finance reports for the Rockville city election were just filed. Councilmember Piotr Gajewski’s (click on the third photo to the right of this letter) reveals he accepted large contributions from two owners of companies which benefited directly from his votes in favor of their development projects:

Mark Silverwood―On Oct. 1, Silverwood contributed $500 to Gajewski’s campaign. Just 10 days later on Oct. 10, Gajewski voted to approve the massive . The City Council vote was 3-2, with Gajewski casting the deciding vote.

Earlier in this campaign, Gajewski had already accepted $1,000 in contributions from three development attorneys, two of whom represent Silverwood’s development companies. All three regularly represent development companies before the City Council and Planning Commission.

W.A. Pumphrey―On Oct. 5, Pumphrey contributed $1,000 to Gajewski’s campaign. Earlier this year, Gajewski voted to approve the huge parking lot proposed by Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home which will be built right next to people’s homes on W. Montgomery Avenue. , with Gajewski casting the deciding vote.

I am deeply concerned about Gajewski’s close ties to developer interests. Time and again, he has sided with developers, worked to weaken Rockville’s growth controls, and openly scorned concerns about overdevelopment, school overcrowding and traffic gridlock. Gajewski has consistently put the interests of developers over the interests of everyday Rockville residents.

I will vote for Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio’s re-election. I know I can trust her to put Rockville’s residents first, defend Rockville’s growth controls, and protect our quality of life. I hope you will do the same.

Sincerely,

Larry Giammo

The author is a former mayor of Rockville.