Maryland Governor, Comptroller Recognize Sligo Member Contributions

Story by Taashi Rowe; Photos by Gary Lunsford

 

Pictured below: Peter Franchot (right), Maryland comptroller, presents the Certificate of Recognition of Service to Erwin Mack. 

A veritable list of who’s who gathered on November 15 to celebrate and recognize Erwin Mack, a member of Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md. Some guests attended 80-year-old Mack’s retirement party held at Washington Adventist University also in Takoma Park. This marked the second time that Mack retired from the Takoma Langley Crossroads Development Authority, a business association, which he founded and chaired for more than 20 years. Through that organization Mack lobbied for increased police surveillance, combined advertising, utility improvements, and street and pedestrian safety enhancements.

Mack was probably best known for his efforts to make the University Boulevard/New Hampshire intersection safer for pedestrians. When State Farm insurance company named those streets the third most dangerous intersection in the state and several people died there, he founded a multi-jurisdictional pedestrian committee that pushed for and succeeded in securing millions of dollars in pedestrian safety improvements in that area.

During the retirement party, Mack received several citations, certificates and recognition, including Martin O’Malley’s Governor’s Citation for Service, comptroller Peter Franchot’s Certificate of Recognition of Service, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s Certificate of Appreciation and Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams’ Proclamation of Appreciation.

These sorts of recognitions don’t happen everyday, asserts Kim Frum, spokesperson for the Comptroller Office for the State of Maryland. “Erwin got a proclamation from our office simply because of his decades of hard work to make the Takoma Langley area safer for people who work there, live there and shop there,” she said.

Mack said he was humbled by these recognitions. “I'm just grateful that it appears that my work not only has been appreciated, but has made a positive difference in the areas of my influence,” he said.

Although officially retired, Mack will continue to serve as the chair of Montgomery County’s Pedestrian, Bicycle and Traffic Safety Committee for a two terms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family members surround Erwin Mack and his wife, Sylvia. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie Raskin, a Maryland state senator, presents Mack with a Resolution for Service.