"TPR". After five years of big firm hourly billing, Trent found a ho In her role as a legislative attorney, Trent was appointed to represent Marriott’s interests on the “Montgomery County Transportation Policy Report II -- Task Force” (known by one and all as “TPR”).TPR was chartered in June of 2000 to fix the problem of congestion in Montgomery County. . . at least, that’s what the County said. The Task Force began with 38 members, on the theory that the more people they appointed, the more cover it gave the politicians. The County took great care to be sure that the Task Force membership was "well-balanced." And it was: ·One-third of the members were rational human beings; · One-third of the Task Force represented government agencies; ·the final third of the committee was made up of every radical anti-road environmental extremist known to the County. The entire venture was an exercise in absurdity. During the first four months of meetings on how to relieve transportation congestion, the word "road" was NEVER MENTIONED – not by anyone, for anything, at anytime. Even the planning staff treated "road" as a four-letter word.Its first step was to determine how many road projects it could take OUT of the Master Plan. This group couldn't even agree that traffic congestion was a problem in the County – and yet it was expected to come to "consensus" on recommendations. The inability of the group to agree on anything led to the ultimate absurdity:it created a subcommittee to come to consensus on the “meaning” of “consensus”!The Gazette reported on its efforts to come to agreement in the following cartoon (Tab 16) (Note that Trent was elected to serve on this “Committee on Consensus,” which caused her to lament, “I always thought my boss liked me – until the day he had me appointed to this Task Force!” The facilitator – (it is rumored that he gave up the practice of facilitation after this effort)-- believed that the route to enlightenment lay in holding meetings. During the 18 months of its existence, the Task Force held over 180 meetings -- a rate heretofore unheard of, even in Montgomery County. However, it was more than a year into this 18-month effort before the group actually “voted” on something. The group voted 20 – 7 in favor of building Montrose Parkway. The motion failed to carry because, on this committee, 20 – 7 did NOT constitute a "substantial" enough majority.
Trent Kittleman for Howard County 3000 Kittleman Lane * West Friendship, Maryland 21074 *(301) 661-3344 * Campaign Manager: Josette Wheatley (410) 206-9539 Trent@Kittleman2010.com * Josette@Kittleman2010.com