There are so many reasons why people from around the country move to Montgomery County – for our schools, our vibrant economy, our extraordinary quality of life … and the list goes on and on. However, there are other less tangible aspects of life here, including a rich history that lends our communities a strong character and sense of belonging. Potomac is one of those places where history binds the community together.
As your councilmember since 2006, it has been my honor to serve the greater Potomac community, my home for more than 20 years. Like many, I came for the excellent school system, lovely residential neighborhoods, and the great green expanse. But it wasn't long before I came to appreciate that the character and culture of Potomac has been so powerfully shaped by its sense of history.
One such reminder came this past spring as I attended an annual Canal Pride Day event along the C & O Canal, hosted by our friends at the C & O Canal Trust. As you will learn, or may already know, the Canal is one of the most visited national parks in the country, and for good reason. It runs along the majestic Potomac River, making it an ideal spot to walk with friends (including our four-legged ones), go for a jog, bike, or simply have a moment of respite from the tensions of the day. And it was the Canal’s construction out from Georgetown that helped Potomac farmers in the 1830s transport their goods into the city to market – a huge innovation and boon to the local economy at the time.
To see so many volunteers from the community on that crisp spring day helping to preserve historic buildings, improve the grounds, plant trees, and beautify the park along the Canal left me a simple, but powerful reminder about Potomac. History matters. A sense of community matters. And in the daily hustle and bustle that comes with today’s busy and sometimes chaotic world, those are some of the intangible aspects of life in Potomac that many of us have come to cherish.
As you settle into this community and come to call it your own, it is my hope that you will find your own favorite pieces of Potomac history. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you ever need assistance on a county government issue. You can reach me at 240-777-7828 or at councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov.