Upcoming local elections MD & Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

Over the past few weeks we have had several people running for state delegate and County Council stop by our house, we were outside at times and talked to a few. They all say the same BS and ask what issues are you concerned with?

We mention education and they say “We are looking into it” Looking into what??? They are not aware of the overcrowding they just repast how great the schools are, yes they are but what are you going to do about overcrowding? Again the response to overcrowding, “If elected I will look into it”

Then we ask about the amount of big companies that have selected Northern VA over Montgomery County or other parts of the state, again no answer.

They asked if we lost power in the recent storms and we said no- we were lucky, they said they want to start looking into this problem that is old and out of date, DH says, don't you think as leaders, you should have looked at that when you found out the systems were out of date? I mentioned the outdated traffic light system and again, the same answer, and this answer was from the current County Council member in District 1 (Bethesda/Potomac) We are aware of the problems with the traffic lights as well as Pepco and we are looking into it. Meanwhile we get a postcard in the mail yesterday that says Berliner is leading the charge into the investigation into Pepco.

They also mention how the County is broke and I bring up the Filmore in Silver Spring that is $3.2 million over budget all being paid by the County. I am all for the arts but when teachers are being cut and classrooms are packed it makes me wonder where the priorities are.

We told all of the ones we talked to that we are sorry but we are not voting for any of the incumbents no matter what party they are in. We believe there needs to be a change of leadership and al they did was walk away.

With them walking away without trying to win our vote, just made us feel that we are making the right decision on voting in new delegates and County Council members if they are just going to walk away from a person who says they are not voting for them, what will they continue to do about the major issues, continue to walk away?

[Anonymous]

Good Post-We feel the same way.Hopefully the people of this county will wake up and see that we can't keep doing the same old things and expect things to get better.

[Anonymous]

Could be worse,you could live in PG county. We have all kinds of crooks, liars and idiots running this fall. You have Senator David Harrington who had ripped off the state by using his business credit card for personal things like his own Gym Membership & has consistently filed false OR INCOMPLETE financial disclosure forms to the state and the county. You have Lamar Thorpe who was accused of sexual assault on a student just a few years ago running for Delegate. The of really bad politicians goes on and on. Does Montgomery County have a man accused of sexually assaulting a student running for office? We regret buying in PG.

[Anonymous]

So was this an incumbent you were discussing the Fillmore with? Just curious. The way the County government budget works is pretty complex, but an incumbent should have been able to lay these things out for you. The Filmore funding, for example, is part of the capital budget, which comes from a different funding stream (bonds) than the operating budget (taxes and other fees). By law they can't be mixed to any significant extent. Capital projects can move forward relatively easily even when the County's tax revenues are suffering. And one bad thing about government capital budgeting is that projects are often initially developed when the County is flush with cash. But it takes SO long to actually get something built, that the economy can turn significantly by the time ground is actually broken. Debt service on the bonds can be an issue when tax revenues are down, but the additional Fillmore funding comes from the Recreation Department for other capital projects that have been delayed or canceled.

As far as the schools, there is only so much the County can do. The school system is significantly governed by state law and is considered an outside agency as far as County government is concerned. The County appropriates funding, but doesn't have nearly as much say over how those funds are used as it does for a regular agency like the Department of Transportation. I won't even get into the Maintenance of Effort waiver.

I'm not saying I agree with any particular project or how any particular incumbent has handled things. I'm just saying there there are limits to what they can do. But it seems to me he or she should have been able to explain this to you if you had the time.

As far why more businesses are choosing Fairfax over Montgomery County (and this is just my own opinion) -- it's because MoCo has the Agricultural Reserve that severely restricts commercial (and other types of building) development in a large swath of the County. Is this still good public policy? It depends on what your priorities are.

[Anonymous]

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/02/09/daily21.html

According to this article, the ag reserve was not mentioned. Hilton got a better deal from Fairfax County as part of incentives, the business tax is lower and they liked the available office space better.

If MoCo and Maryland want to be competitive for these Corporate relocations, they need to lower the business taxes. We are comparable in office space and in and educated work force.

[Anonymous]

OP, I understand where you are coming from (on issues/frustration), but at the same time I think it's a little silly to judge that every incumbent is equally responsible for what is happening in the county without making any effort to research or judge what individuals in county government are doing, or what they could do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/02/09/daily21.html

According to this article, the ag reserve was not mentioned. Hilton got a better deal from Fairfax County as part of incentives, the business tax is lower and they liked the available office space better.

If MoCo and Maryland want to be competitive for these Corporate relocations, they need to lower the business taxes. We are comparable in office space and in and educated work force.

Well, I wasn't talking about one particular business, just business in general. But it's true. We are fairly equal when it comes to small business in both counties, but as for the much larger employers, Fairfax County is ahead.

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts on Lierman? I see his signs everywhere and know about the family connections but just don't think I can vote for a 23 year old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on Lierman? I see his signs everywhere and know about the family connections but just don't think I can vote for a 23 year old.

I don't. He's not running in my district. But I wouldn't let age freak you out too much; there have been several young delegates (and even a senator or two I can think of). I wouldn't make age even a primary factor. Del. Eric Bromwell from Baltimore was 25 or 26 I think when he was first elected, and he's been a fairly good delegate. He also had the nepotism/name recognition factor as his father Tommy Bromwell was in the General Assembly for years. On the other hand, Senator Alex Mooney was under 30 as well when he first got elected. And he scares me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on Lierman? I see his signs everywhere and know about the family connections but just don't think I can vote for a 23 year old.

I don't. He's not running in my district. But I wouldn't let age freak you out too much; there have been several young delegates (and even a senator or two I can think of). I wouldn't make age even a primary factor. Del. Eric Bromwell from Baltimore was 25 or 26 I think when he was first elected, and he's been a fairly good delegate. He also had the nepotism/name recognition factor as his father Tommy Bromwell was in the General Assembly for years. On the other hand, Senator Alex Mooney was under 30 as well when he first got elected. And he scares me.

If you're in Lierman's area, consider voting for Arianna Kelly plus the two incumbents - Frick and Lee. Both incumbents have done a good job and Kelly is a great choice. She's a young mom and has worked for both NARAL-Pro Choice and Momsrising.org If I lived in 16, I'd vote for her. I've only met her once, but I've heard and read a lot of good things about her. As for age, yes Bromwell got elected young and he's done okay, but I like my politicians to have a record of helping the community before they run rather than the kind that just see an opportunity and don't have anything else better to do. And Alex Mooney will always be scary.

As for the council, as PP said, the council doesn't have that much oversight of the schools, that's really the School Board, but even on issues other than education I think we could do without most of them. Personally, I'm a big fan of challenger Hans Riemer. I've known him for a few years and I know he will bring a new perspective and energy to the council. I'm only voting for Riemer, which is what I'd suggest to others who are discontent with the current council.