Who are you voting for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A note on the Apple Ballot and the Board of Education election. The Apple people claim they interview candidates. However, in the Board of Education race this year they only interviewed the incumbents. They interviewed and endorsed them way before the filing deadline for the election. After they had already endorsed the 4 incumbents, 8 more people filed to run this year. In all, 12 people were running for Board seats but the Apple people only talked to the 4 they wanted to keep. Too bad they don't give all candidates a chance to at least make their case.

Huh. That doesn't make me happy in the least. I need to look into that. Thanks for the heads up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:teacher recommendations: http://www.mcea.nea.org/action/election2010.php

That's like asking a used car saleman whether you need a new car, and then asking for his personnel recommendation.

[Anonymous]

For the Board of Ed, there was a candidate forum about two weeks ago that is televised on Montgomery TV 21.

You can watch replays of the 90-minute question and answer session on Access
Montgomery TV 21 beginning 9/30. Use the TV schedule below, or watch through
their web site at http://www.accessmontgomery.tv/

Thursday, 9/30/10 5:30PM
Saturday, 10/02 11:30AM
Sunday, 10/03 10:00PM
Monday, 10/04 4:30PM
Wednesday, 10/06 10:30PM
Thursday, 10/07 1:30PM
Friday, 10/08 11:00AM
Sunday, 10/10 2:30PM
Tuesday, 10/12 2:30PM
Wednesday, 10/13 12:30PM
Thursday, 10/14 10:30PM
Friday, 10/15 5:30PM
Monday, 10/18 8:00PM

[Anonymous]

It's basically a done deal, now, though, right? The primaries in September really decided it given that the county is overwhelmingly democratic. I, for one, am thrilled that Reimer made it past the incumbents. It will be good to get someone who's young, smart and hardworking. It also looked like the Apple ballot made it regarding BOE - with Brandman, Docca and Durso.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a done deal, now, though, right? The primaries in September really decided it given that the county is overwhelmingly democratic. I, for one, am thrilled that Reimer made it past the incumbents. It will be good to get someone who's young, smart and hardworking. It also looked like the Apple ballot made it regarding BOE - with Brandman, Docca and Durso.

The only one I'm wondering about is Ficker vs. Craig Rice upcounty. They are more conservative up there.

[Anonymous]

I see you have the utmost respect for teachers.

Is it any wonder that many leave the profession w/in the first 5 years?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:teacher recommendations: http://www.mcea.nea.org/action/election2010.php

That's like asking a used car saleman whether you need a new car, and then asking for his personnel recommendation.

[Anonymous]

Vote against Martha Schaerr.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/09292010/montlet185257_32548.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a done deal, now, though, right? The primaries in September really decided it given that the county is overwhelmingly democratic. I, for one, am thrilled that Reimer made it past the incumbents. It will be good to get someone who's young, smart and hardworking. It also looked like the Apple ballot made it regarding BOE - with Brandman, Docca and Durso.

The only one I'm wondering about is Ficker vs. Craig Rice upcounty. They are more conservative up there.

Robin Ficker is Crrrrrazy. He repeatedly uses his own fortune to pay people to collect signatures launching ballot initiatives to freeze all education spending, taxes, etc. I'm supportive of fiscal conservatism, and can honestly see the point of view, but I've met the man and he's nuts. Wasn't he also the one who dressed up for every Bullets game in a red and white tophat and huge cane? I saw him on tv a lot before they became the Wizards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's basically a done deal, now, though, right? The primaries in September really decided it given that the county is overwhelmingly democratic. I, for one, am thrilled that Reimer made it past the incumbents. It will be good to get someone who's young, smart and hardworking. It also looked like the Apple ballot made it regarding BOE - with Brandman, Docca and Durso.

The only one I'm wondering about is Ficker vs. Craig Rice upcounty. They are more conservative up there.

Robin Ficker is Crrrrrazy. He repeatedly uses his own fortune to pay people to collect signatures launching ballot initiatives to freeze all education spending, taxes, etc. I'm supportive of fiscal conservatism, and can honestly see the point of view, but I've met the man and he's nuts. Wasn't he also the one who dressed up for every Bullets game in a red and white tophat and huge cane? I saw him on tv a lot before they became the Wizards.

Agreed. But I don't think everyone knows that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A note on the Apple Ballot and the Board of Education election. The Apple people claim they interview candidates. However, in the Board of Education race this year they only interviewed the incumbents. They interviewed and endorsed them way before the filing deadline for the election. After they had already endorsed the 4 incumbents, 8 more people filed to run this year. In all, 12 people were running for Board seats but the Apple people only talked to the 4 they wanted to keep. Too bad they don't give all candidates a chance to at least make their case.

As far as I can tell (following over several election cycles), the Apple Ballot generally won't endorse challengers when they previously endorsed the incumbent.

For myself, I am voting for Karen Smith over Pat O'Neill (the BOE) chair, as I haven't seen Pat O'Neill take any positions at all critical of Weast or the MCPS administration, even when they clearly were wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A note on the Apple Ballot and the Board of Education election. The Apple people claim they interview candidates. However, in the Board of Education race this year they only interviewed the incumbents. They interviewed and endorsed them way before the filing deadline for the election. After they had already endorsed the 4 incumbents, 8 more people filed to run this year. In all, 12 people were running for Board seats but the Apple people only talked to the 4 they wanted to keep. Too bad they don't give all candidates a chance to at least make their case.

As far as I can tell (following over several election cycles), the Apple Ballot generally won't endorse challengers when they previously endorsed the incumbent.

For myself, I am voting for Karen Smith over Pat O'Neill (the BOE) chair, as I haven't seen Pat O'Neill take any positions at all critical of Weast or the MCPS administration, even when they clearly were wrong.

I went to one of the Board of ed candidates forum and it was obvious to me that Pat o Neill really wasn't interested in community input and building. Seriously please watch the recording for yourself instead of taking the word of someone on an anonymous forum. I keep wondering if for example Karen smith was on the board if it could help change the flavor of the board. Sort of like you have a team and the change of one person makes all the difference. I also liked Durso. I think he is one of the incumbents to keep.

[Anonymous]

I'll throw this out there. Anyone considering Jeanne Allen? I know moco is mostly dem but it isn't a done deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll throw this out there. Anyone considering Jeanne Allen? I know moco is mostly dem but it isn't a done deal.

I'm not in District 16, so take this for what's it's worth: I just googled her and couldn't find much about her. Her website is difficult to navigate and from the main page, I couldn't find anything about her stance on the issues. I could find it if I just googled it, but all I can find seem to be broad statements on the issues she cares about. I don't see anything specific about how she intends to improve things. We all want to improve the economy, but honestly I don't think it can be done on a state level. Maryland will go the way the nation does. We need to fix the national economy, and the Maryland General Assembly can't do that.

Practically speaking, it's very difficult for someone in the minority party to be effective in Annapolis. They have to be moderate, and they have to be a consensus builder. The days of moderate Republicans seem to be over. There are no more Connie Morellas, Jean Cryors, or Mac Mathiases.