Writing letters to the government contacts is the most effective/influential thing you can do. Below are guidelines on what to include and some sample text. These will help you quickly send a great letter so your voice is heard in the community!  If you send a letter, please let us know!

Letter Writing Tips 

NOTE:  Elected officials (Montgomery County Council, County Executive, Gaithersburg City Council) and Phase I Project Manager need to hear from all of us personally about our opposition to widening Longdraft Road.   

v     Written letters are valued higher than e-mail--your letters will be read and will be taken very seriously.

v     Each written letter counts as 10 voters, so the quantity sent out will also be important.

v     Write legibly, or preferably type.

v     Write on your own personal stationery. 

v     If you are writing as a representative of a group, write on the organization’s stationery. 

v     Include your full name and address so that you can receive a written response. 

v     Include a phone number where a public official may contact you to discuss the matter with you.

v     If you are a member of the Longdraft Road Coalition, mention that in the letter. 

v     State your position clearly and what you want the public official to do.

v     Limit your letter to Opposition of Widening Longdraft Road. 

v     Feel free to modify the provided paragraphs to reflect your own perspective.  Include your own personal experience and describe your household.

v     After you have stated your position, ask your legislator/councilmember to state his/her position in a reply to your letter.

v     Write each public official individually.

v     Be reasonable

 Your letters should be composed of at least three paragraphs:

¶1     Introduce yourself and state the reason why you are writing.

¶2     Give your reasons for opposing the widening of Longdraft Road.

¶3     In your conclusion ask for his/her support and to state his/her position in reply.  Thank him/her for consideration of your request.

DON’T

v     Use phrases such as “as a citizen and a taxpayer.” 

v     Ask for the impossible. 

v     Say, “I’ll never vote for you again …”

v     Send a postcard. 

Sample Paragraphs

First Paragraphs: 

1. I am a longtime resident of Gaithersburg and am writing to express my opposition to the proposed widening of Longdraft Road from two lanes to four lanes.  I am also a member of the Longdraft Road Coalition, a citizen advocacy group of neighbors and stakeholders who live on or near Longdraft Road.
2. My husband/wife, children and I  (residents of Gaithersburg) were very upset to learn that the local and state governments are planning to widen Longdraft Road from two lanes to four lanes.  We are writing to express our opposition to widening of Longdraft Road.  We are also members of the Longdraft Road Coalition, a citizens’ advocacy group.
3. I am writing to express opposition to the widening of Longdraft Road in Gaithersburg.  My family recently moved to the area and we are very devoted to the natural surroundings.  We joined the Longdraft Road Coalition to help advocate against destroying the natural environment.

 Second Paragraphs: 

4. I truly enjoy walking, jogging, and riding my bicycle down Longdraft Road as well as exploring the natural surroundings of the local park.  I regularly walk down Longdraft Road and have studied the proposed widening.  My reasons for opposing the widening of Longdraft Road are …
5. I would like to tell you why I oppose the widening of Longdraft Road from two lanes to four lanes.   …
6. On behalf of my family, I am describing the reasons why we are opposed to widening Longdraft Road from two to four lanes. …
7. Widening Longdraft Road is unnecessary.  My experiences living in Gaithersburg provides me with a unique perspective.  I oppose the widening for the following reasons.

Third Paragraphs: 

8. Thank you for reviewing my comments and listening to what I have to say.  I hope you will support my position and that of the Longdraft Road Coalition and leave Longdraft Road as a two-lane road.  Please let me know your position on the widening of Longdraft Road.  I appreciate your consideration of my point of view.
9. I hope you will support keeping Longdraft Road as a two-lane road.  My family and I would be most appreciative if you would let us know your position on the widening of Longdraft Road.  Thank you for your consideration.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!!

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Questions or comments should be reported here.