Editor's Blog

I am writing to express my deep appreciation for your strong support of my candidacy for higher office. Thank you for everything you have done for me over the past year. My campaign has been about electing an effective, progressive leader to represent District 5 on the Montgomery County Council. You may have heard that Valerie Ervin, who represents us on the Board of Education, has joined the District 5 race. Here is what I would like for you to know:

Valerie and I met in January of this year and discussed running for the District 5 seat if Tom Perez ran for higher office. Because Valerie was required to leave full-time employment as chief of staff for County Councilmember Leventhal in order to run, she could not do so at that time. I began campaigning in District 5 with the support of a great campaign team, knocking on doors and organizing multiple events to reach out to voters. When Valerie decided at the end of May to leave her job in order to run for office, I decided to step aside and support her candidacy. I did not want to risk an election battle that could potentially keep both qualified women out of office. In addition, I considered it a benefit to the residents of Takoma Park for me to use what I had learned on the campaign trail to benefit the City. 

Valerie Ervin is a courageous,  innovative leader who will bring about positive change for our district.  She has lived in Silver Spring for almost 20 years and raised her sons in the Montgomery County Public School system.  For the last two years, she has held elective office on the Montgomery County Board of Education. Her commitment to our community is clear. I am proud to commit my energy to her campaign. Please think about ways that you can help her succeed on September 12, 2006 and feel free to contact me. Thanks again for your support.

— Joy Austin Lane
Takoma Park, MD