Community Corner

Planning Director Retracts Controversial Statements

Rollin Stanley has retracted statements he made describing his detractors as 'rich, white women,' Bethesda Magazine reports.

Bethesda Magazine is reporting that Montgomery County Planning Director Rollin Stanley has apologized for controversial statements he made regarding a group of his detractors in a recent Bethesda Magazine article.

In the article by Eugene L. Meyer, titled the “The Future Is Looking Up”  and published in Bethesda Magazine's March-April issue, Stanley called the group "rich, white women" who spread fear about his initiatives.

The statements prompted backlash from the community and a County Planning Board Chair Francoise Carrier condemned the statements and promised "appropriate corrective action."

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Wednesday, a statement was posted on the planning department's website on which Stanley retracts the comments.

The statement read:

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“My recent comments reported in Bethesda Magazine in which I refer to members of the community as ‘rich white women’ were thoughtless and cast dispersions [sic] on the contribution made to the planning process by these individuals. Not only was it inaccurate to characterize these civic leaders as ‘spreading fear,’ ‘sowing discord’ and ‘stalking my appearances’, it grossly mischaracterized their important and valuable role in the land use process. I retract this statement and apologize for it. These individuals have participated in the land use discussions in this County for several decades and their contribution has and always will be welcome. I sincerely regret and apologize for the careless and dismissive tone conveyed in the article.”

Read the full story at Bethesda Magazine.


What do you think about Stanley's retraction? Tell us in the comments.


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