Gazette: Superintendent Weast criticized for RedGate letter supporting arena

Rockville officials say comments are premature

by Sean Patrick Norris | Staff Writer

Rockville Mayor Phyllis R. Marcuccio believes Montgomery County's school chief is out of bounds in recommending RedGate Municipal Golf Course be converted into a 6,500-seat sports arena.

On Aug. 3, Superintendent Jerry D. Weast sent a letter to the county school board asking the board to support an unsolicited proposal on the arena delivered by D&A Sports and Entertainment Group of Rockville to the Rockville City Council in June...

...The issue was scheduled to be discussed at the Aug. 26 school board meeting, but it is not listed on the Board of Education's agenda because it was withdrawn, county schools spokesman Dan Tofig said.

Weast declined to comment.

"There are plenty of things that get on our agenda that make people upset and we don't pull back for that reason," Tofig said. "There is no action for the board to take so that's why it's not being discussed."

Tofig said county schools staff met with D&A representatives but could not confirm that Weast had direct contact with the company.

RedGate Advisory Committee Chairman Joe Jordan said Weast's letter was premature.

"I'm not sure why the superintendent of schools is meddling in Rockville affairs," Jordan said. "These guys (D&A) have been peddling this for four years now. They are just wandering around looking for a place to put this thing."...