Rockville Mayor Receives Prestigious Public Service Award

ROCKVILLE, MD — City of Rockville Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton received the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments this week, according to a news release from the city.

The Scull award is given to a local, state or federal elected official who demonstrates leadership at the regional level. It is named after the late Montgomery County council members, who were strong supporters of COG and regional cooperation.

For the past year, Newton has served as chair of the Transportation Planning Board at Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). She led the board’s partnership with the COG board of directors to advance new funding for Metro.

Newton also supported the transition from the TPB’s Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan to Visualize 2045, a new plan that will show all significant transportation investments planned in the region through 2045. Under her leadership, a TPB task force identified a set of projects, programs and policies, beyond those in official plans, that the region could implement to better address long-term transportation challenges.

Newton was one of three local leaders recognized for their partnership, collaboration and service to the metropolitan Washington region. DC Water CEO and General Manager George Hawkins received the Ronald F. Kirby Award for Collaborative Leadership and the Coalition for Smarter Growth received the Regional Partnership Award, which is presented to organizations or individuals who have worked with COG to improve the quality of life for area residents.

Photo: Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette, City of Rockville Mayor and Transportation Planning Board Chairman Bridget Donnell Newton, and COG Executive Director Chuck Bean. (Photo courtesy Laura Ambrosio/Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.)