Breakfast links: Good Republican, Bad Democrat

Mara is in the race

Patrick Mara announced his candidacy for the DC Council at-large special election. Mara, a Republican, strongly supports transit and bicycling. He will face recently appointed Sekou Biddle, among other candidates, in the April 26 election.

Congressman wants to widen BW Parkway

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) asked FHWA to study widening the BW Parkway, to the surprise and chagrin of regional officials. Greenbelt strongly opposes the idea, saying there are better ways to deal with BRAC traffic at Fort Meade. (AW, Examiner)

Secure bike cage coming to College Park

WMATA will apparently pilot a secure bike parking area at the College Park metro station and wants riders to weigh in on the best way to grant users access. (PlanItMetro)

15-year-old pedestrian killed in PG

A 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by a driver in an SUV on Landover Road less than a mile from the Landover Metro station. The boy was in a crosswalk but was crossing against the light. (WUSA)

New Glenmont garage underway

Officials broke ground recently on a massive new parking garage at Glenmont metro station. The county is hoping the garage will encourage suburbanites to take Metro to work, spending more than $20,000 per space in the process. (WAMU)

Metro improvements delayed in MoCo

The Silver Spring Transit Center will not be complete until December of this year due to various construction delays.  Bethesda’s second Metro entrance may have to wait until the Purple Line makes its way through town. (TBD)

Keeping Columbia Pike affordable

The Arlington County board, under the leadership of Chris Zimmerman, will spend the next year examining the best ways to maintain affordable housing options along Columbia Pike. (TBD)

McDonnell proposes teacher performance pay

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is proposing a performance incentive pay program for teachers at some of the state’s schools, modeled after an incentive program for state employees. (WUSA)

And…

At least one branch of the Federal government has declined to meddle in DC’s affairs. (WAMU) … BikeWalk Alexandria is reorganizing to become the Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. (Froggie’s Blog) … Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg wrote a thesis on the impact of new stadium developments on neighborhoods, focusing on Nationals Park. (Post)