Montgomery County At-Large - help me choose

[Anonymous]

I have no idea who to vote for. No one jumps out, and they all seem like more of the same. I will do more research on my own, but there are always some decently informed people on here (and some not), so . . .

I don't even know exactly what I'm looking for, but even though I'm a Dem, I am so, so sick of the echo chamber we have now. We have got to get some creative thinkers in there.

I can't think of a single family I know that doesn't have at least one spouse who has to leave the County to go to work. DC, VA, Columbia, it varies, but the jobs aren't here. Is there anyone who has a real plan to grow jobs? Solid, white collar jobs with decent salaries? Every tech person I know has to go to Virginia or Ft. Meade. Every one.

Everyone talks about housing, so I have a pretty good sense of what they all think on that issue.

I'm also very, very worried about the County's budget situation. It is completely unsustainable. We cannot rely on annual tax increases. Is there anyone who is actually serious about getting the budget under control, or is it all lip service? Anyone who would actually have the guts to cut spending?

I guess I'm looking for someone who will focus on improving the most basic government functions - economy, infrastructure, and schools before spending money on special interests.

Right now, and based heavily on limited Vote 411 info, I'm thinking maybe Scott Goldberg and Jeremiah Pope? Possibly Jim McNulty? Maybe? And I can't even identify a fourth who seems like they might be worth voting for. And I'm not exactly excited about the 3 I mentioned (so tell me if there's some reason they suck).

[Anonymous]

The council has been told for years that they have to slow compensation and benefits for employees. By central staff. I will link their staff reports if you want them.

It's the only way to slow spending and avoid a tax increase. Failure to do that means either cutting services, which I expect to see with a savings plan this winter. Or raising taxes.

I can't say who will be more likely to nix compensation increases. But my guess is the more fiscally moderate candidates. However I don't know how beholden they are to the unions.

I'm voting for fiscal moderation. My picks are

Goldberg
McNulty
Silvestre
And I'm not sure if a 4th. I need one though to avoid LAS getting reelected.

Maybe Pope but he's not really fiscally moderate. I have some issues with Fatmata Barrie, who wasn't impressive as the director of the Police Accountability Board and didn't stay long. Certainly not Elrich.

[Anonymous]

Please do not vote for Sayles

She was too busy at a "conference" in Hawaii to fully participate in critical budget deliberations. She is typically unprepared for meetings and often derails them with non sequiturs. She is not fit for public office.

[Anonymous]

Also don't reward Silvestre for the disaster that MCPS BOE was this year.

[Anonymous]

The Council is a near-hegemony as it is and we'll get no change without some number of critical voices. Problem is figuring who those might be who are likely top-6 or so (otherwise, you throw away your vote, as only the top 4 at-large candidates advance). Whatever his faults may be, Elrich is not likely just to agree with the rest who end up lining up behind Fani-González and Stewart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also don't reward Silvestre for the disaster that MCPS BOE was this year.

+1 Silvestre needs to be out of office. She told someone as she wants the council job so she can downsize from having two jobs (Montgomery College and the BOE) to having just one job that has staff.

That is a bad reason to run for public office and the public deserves better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Council is a near-hegemony as it is and we'll get no change without some number of critical voices. Problem is figuring who those might be who are likely top-6 or so (otherwise, you throw away your vote, as only the top 4 at-large candidates advance). Whatever his faults may be, Elrich is not likely just to agree with the rest who end up lining up behind Fani-González and Stewart.

Those two are the only ones with any sense. Who actually know how to run things. The rest are just in their feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Council is a near-hegemony as it is and we'll get no change without some number of critical voices. Problem is figuring who those might be who are likely top-6 or so (otherwise, you throw away your vote, as only the top 4 at-large candidates advance). Whatever his faults may be, Elrich is not likely just to agree with the rest who end up lining up behind Fani-González and Stewart.

Those two are the only ones with any sense. Who actually know how to run things. The rest are just in their feelings.

Well, if you mean they know how to run the county into the ground I might agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Erlich is horrible. Just horrible. The fact he will likely be back on the Council is a testament to the ignorance for voters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Erlich is horrible. Just horrible. The fact he will likely be back on the Council is a testament to the ignorance for voters

Truth time for boomer to retire

[Anonymous]

Goldberg, McNulty, and Silvestre are all endorsed by the police union and firefighters union. They are not endorsed by the Apple ballot. So I'm voting for them.

I want to keep Sayles and Elrich out, so I do need to find a legit contender for the 4th spot. I have wondered if anyone on the Apple ballot would be tolerable since they'd be the most likely to be a contender.

I think I like Selvam, but I don't think he can come in 4th (or better) in a 17 person election.

[Anonymous]

PP again. And I hate the idea of voting Silvestre, but I feel like she's going to be a contender. And I just want Sayles and Elrich out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP again. And I hate the idea of voting Silvestre, but I feel like she's going to be a contender. And I just want Sayles and Elrich out.

Same. I was looking at Selvam and Solomon. I haven't seen much about them, though. More than ever, we need ranked choice voting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP again. And I hate the idea of voting Silvestre, but I feel like she's going to be a contender. And I just want Sayles and Elrich out.

Same. I was looking at Selvam and Solomon. I haven't seen much about them, though. More than ever, we need ranked choice voting.

10:15/10:18 again. I think Solomon could maybe be a contender, not sure. I don't think he has any big endorsements (at least, not listed on his website). I just remember hearing his name early on... maybe he was one of the first to file for at-large.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Erlich is horrible. Just horrible. The fact he will likely be back on the Council is a testament to the ignorance for voters

Maybe, just maybe, you should try to understand why Elrich appeals to so many voters. It has nothing to do with those voters being ignorant.