The American Rescue Plan Act became federal law in March, to provide, among other things, resources to state, county, and incorporated local governments to help turn the tide on the Covid pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Many local communities have been hard-hit by Covid. In contrast, the Town Of Chevy Chase as an entity has not been significantly (if at all) negatively affected by the pandemic. The Town has nonetheless applied for some $2.35 million, for which the Town as an incorporated entity is eligible to receive under the Act. This is true even though the Town has approximately $10 million in the Town’s general fund, money that could be used for improvements to the Town. The Town Council is seriously considering spending some or all of the $2.3 million relief money in or near the Town, on land acquisition and infrastructure projects that would be unrelated to people harmed by Covid.
We the undersigned residents of the Town are opposed to spending any of the relief funds for improvements such as maintenance or infrastructure, either within the Town or in areas near the Town. The fact that we may be allowed to spend the funds for those purposes does not mean we should spend them for such purposes. The Town has a real opportunity to help people who were physically, mentally, or economically harmed by Covid. We urge the Council to consider lawful funding options that will benefit the people actually harmed by Covid. We also urgently ask the Town Council to decide as soon as possible that the Town will not use any of this money to improve or benefit the Town as an entity.
Updates
August 6, 2021
I am still reading through the thoughts many of you have shared and I am struck by how much people care about doing the right thing with these funds. This process has become much larger than I ever imagined when I first hit publish. Please know that this momentum is entirely due to your willingness to speak up about how we use our collective resources.
16 Comments
I agree on principle that the Town should not take Covid relief money since the Town of Chevy Chase did not suffer adverse economic effects during the Covid pandemic. Suggested alternative: could the Town pick a sister town like Ward 8 in DC or another needy community in MD that is desperate for infrastructure and grant our $2.3 million to that sister town. That would be so great!
I agree that the covid money should only be spent on covid related problems. If we don’t spend it should go back into treasury or to those who really need it.
I am in favor of directing COVID relief funds to which the Town has access to individuals who have or are suffering significant impact and/or groups devoted to meeting the needs of those individuals.
It's extraordinarily selfish and unconscionable that the Town of Chevy Chase applied for, accepted, and plans to use these funds to benefit the Town at a time when so many Americans have so little and are otherwise hurting so badly.
I attended the last Town Council meeting, spoke against our accepting this money, and was dismayed that the discussion was almost entirely and exclusively about how to spend it -- not whether to accept it. It is wrong for our Town to take these funds.
We must not spend a penny of this money on the Town of Chevy Chase or projects related to it. If we must take it, let's give it away as permitted under the law.
As we wrote the Council, these funds should be used for their intended use (Covid relief) and not for any other purposes.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The American Rescue Plan Act became federal law in March, to provide, among other things, resources to state, county, and incorporated local governments to help turn the tide on the Covid pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. Many local communities have been hard-hit by Covid. In contrast, the Town Of Chevy Chase as an entity has not been significantly (if at all) negatively affected by the pandemic. The Town has nonetheless applied for some $2.35 million, for which the Town as an incorporated entity is eligible to receive under the Act. This is true even though the Town has approximately $10 million in the Town’s general fund, money that could be used for improvements to the Town. The Town Council is seriously considering spending some or all of the $2.3 million relief money in or near the Town, on land acquisition and infrastructure projects that would be unrelated to people harmed by Covid.
We the undersigned residents of the Town are opposed to spending any of the relief funds for improvements such as maintenance or infrastructure, either within the Town or in areas near the Town. The fact that we may be allowed to spend the funds for those purposes does not mean we should spend them for such purposes. The Town has a real opportunity to help people who were physically, mentally, or economically harmed by Covid. We urge the Council to consider lawful funding options that will benefit the people actually harmed by Covid. We also urgently ask the Town Council to decide as soon as possible that the Town will not use any of this money to improve or benefit the Town as an entity.
Updates
August 6, 2021
I am still reading through the thoughts many of you have shared and I am struck by how much people care about doing the right thing with these funds. This process has become much larger than I ever imagined when I first hit publish. Please know that this momentum is entirely due to your willingness to speak up about how we use our collective resources.
16 Comments
1) one size does not fit all. Many less-affluent municipalities in our country need such funds much more than we do. 2) it’s past time for the govt to be mindlessly throwing trillions of dollars to individuals, businesses, local governments- without careful planning as to need and benefit of the funds. For example, my husband and I received $1400 each but have absolutely no need for that. Our 19 yo nephew who’s totally supported by his parents also received $1400. The waste fraud and abuse of these programs speaks to the lack of sufficient thinking, planning, and oversight. The Town of Chevy Chase should not be part of this. Do the right thing. It IS possible to say NO to unneeded money.
I agree on principle that the Town should not take Covid relief money since the Town of Chevy Chase did not suffer adverse economic effects during the Covid pandemic. Suggested alternative: could the Town pick a sister town like Ward 8 in DC or another needy community in MD that is desperate for infrastructure and grant our $2.3 million to that sister town. That would be so great!
I agree that the covid money should only be spent on covid related problems. If we don’t spend it should go back into treasury or to those who really need it.
I am in favor of directing COVID relief funds to which the Town has access to individuals who have or are suffering significant impact and/or groups devoted to meeting the needs of those individuals.
It's extraordinarily selfish and unconscionable that the Town of Chevy Chase applied for, accepted, and plans to use these funds to benefit the Town at a time when so many Americans have so little and are otherwise hurting so badly.
I attended the last Town Council meeting, spoke against our accepting this money, and was dismayed that the discussion was almost entirely and exclusively about how to spend it -- not whether to accept it. It is wrong for our Town to take these funds.
We must not spend a penny of this money on the Town of Chevy Chase or projects related to it. If we must take it, let's give it away as permitted under the law.
As we wrote the Council, these funds should be used for their intended use (Covid relief) and not for any other purposes.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
1) one size does not fit all. Many less-affluent municipalities in our country need such funds much more than we do. 2) it’s past time for the govt to be mindlessly throwing trillions of dollars to individuals, businesses, local governments- without careful planning as to need and benefit of the funds. For example, my husband and I received $1400 each but have absolutely no need for that. Our 19 yo nephew who’s totally supported by his parents also received $1400. The waste fraud and abuse of these programs speaks to the lack of sufficient thinking, planning, and oversight. The Town of Chevy Chase should not be part of this. Do the right thing. It IS possible to say NO to unneeded money.