Petition to Reconfigure MoCo Districts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The At Large members are from Takoma Park, Silver Spring (2), not sure on Albonoz, As I understand it, there are those who view these as more progressive. With Erlich, who won by a few votes, then you have another influence from Takoma Park. For those less progressive democrats, like in a Gaithersburg, etc, they feel like their voices are drowned out by a concentration of the council with at large roles. I have never heard the intent to switch to republicans as no one sees that every likely in any scenario.

Not saying right or wrong, just the views I have heard pre COVID, when this petition was being discussed in our neighborhood.

To be honest, I don't understand the idea that voters keep electing at-large members who don't live in the upcounty, therefore we have to get rid of the at-large system. Actually it's kind of the same as the idea that voters keep re-electing so-and-so, therefore we need term limits.

Also, the county executive's name is Elrich, and he won by many votes. The results were:

Elrich 259,901 (64.7%)
Floreen 76,092 (19.0%)
Ficker 65,096 (16.2%)

These general election results are not really relevant to this discussion. The telling number is that Elrich beat Blair in the primary by only 80 votes or so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The At Large members are from Takoma Park, Silver Spring (2), not sure on Albonoz, As I understand it, there are those who view these as more progressive. With Erlich, who won by a few votes, then you have another influence from Takoma Park. For those less progressive democrats, like in a Gaithersburg, etc, they feel like their voices are drowned out by a concentration of the council with at large roles. I have never heard the intent to switch to republicans as no one sees that every likely in any scenario.

Not saying right or wrong, just the views I have heard pre COVID, when this petition was being discussed in our neighborhood.

To be honest, I don't understand the idea that voters keep electing at-large members who don't live in the upcounty, therefore we have to get rid of the at-large system. Actually it's kind of the same as the idea that voters keep re-electing so-and-so, therefore we need term limits.

Also, the county executive's name is Elrich, and he won by many votes. The results were:

Elrich 259,901 (64.7%)
Floreen 76,092 (19.0%)
Ficker 65,096 (16.2%)

These general election results are not really relevant to this discussion. The telling number is that Elrich beat Blair in the primary by only 80 votes or so.

Of course they're relevant to the discussion. People could have voted for Floreen. But she only get 19% of the votes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The At Large members are from Takoma Park, Silver Spring (2), not sure on Albonoz, As I understand it, there are those who view these as more progressive. With Erlich, who won by a few votes, then you have another influence from Takoma Park. For those less progressive democrats, like in a Gaithersburg, etc, they feel like their voices are drowned out by a concentration of the council with at large roles. I have never heard the intent to switch to republicans as no one sees that every likely in any scenario.

Not saying right or wrong, just the views I have heard pre COVID, when this petition was being discussed in our neighborhood.

To be honest, I don't understand the idea that voters keep electing at-large members who don't live in the upcounty, therefore we have to get rid of the at-large system. Actually it's kind of the same as the idea that voters keep re-electing so-and-so, therefore we need term limits.

Also, the county executive's name is Elrich, and he won by many votes. The results were:

Elrich 259,901 (64.7%)
Floreen 76,092 (19.0%)
Ficker 65,096 (16.2%)

These general election results are not really relevant to this discussion. The telling number is that Elrich beat Blair in the primary by only 80 votes or so.

Of course they're relevant to the discussion. People could have voted for Floreen. But she only get 19% of the votes.

Not as a third party candidate. Very few of those are elected in any election. Not a valid argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The At Large members are from Takoma Park, Silver Spring (2), not sure on Albonoz, As I understand it, there are those who view these as more progressive. With Erlich, who won by a few votes, then you have another influence from Takoma Park. For those less progressive democrats, like in a Gaithersburg, etc, they feel like their voices are drowned out by a concentration of the council with at large roles. I have never heard the intent to switch to republicans as no one sees that every likely in any scenario.

Not saying right or wrong, just the views I have heard pre COVID, when this petition was being discussed in our neighborhood.

To be honest, I don't understand the idea that voters keep electing at-large members who don't live in the upcounty, therefore we have to get rid of the at-large system. Actually it's kind of the same as the idea that voters keep re-electing so-and-so, therefore we need term limits.

Also, the county executive's name is Elrich, and he won by many votes. The results were:

Elrich 259,901 (64.7%)
Floreen 76,092 (19.0%)
Ficker 65,096 (16.2%)

These general election results are not really relevant to this discussion. The telling number is that Elrich beat Blair in the primary by only 80 votes or so.

Of course they're relevant to the discussion. People could have voted for Floreen. But she only get 19% of the votes.

Not as a third party candidate. Very few of those are elected in any election. Not a valid argument.

It's a valid argument; it's just not one you like. Floreen wasn't an underfunded unknown, she was a 12-year at-large councilmember with a lot of campaign financing. The Floreen-supporters saw the close results in the primary and thought that this was their chance. But it wasn't. If all of the people who voted for Ficker had instead voted for Floreen, Elrich would still have won with two-thirds of the vote.

I didn't vote for Elrich in the primary. I did vote for Elrich in the general election, and not because he had (D) after his name, either. Because he was a better option than either of his opponents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The At Large members are from Takoma Park, Silver Spring (2), not sure on Albonoz, As I understand it, there are those who view these as more progressive. With Erlich, who won by a few votes, then you have another influence from Takoma Park. For those less progressive democrats, like in a Gaithersburg, etc, they feel like their voices are drowned out by a concentration of the council with at large roles. I have never heard the intent to switch to republicans as no one sees that every likely in any scenario.

Not saying right or wrong, just the views I have heard pre COVID, when this petition was being discussed in our neighborhood.

To be honest, I don't understand the idea that voters keep electing at-large members who don't live in the upcounty, therefore we have to get rid of the at-large system. Actually it's kind of the same as the idea that voters keep re-electing so-and-so, therefore we need term limits.

Also, the county executive's name is Elrich, and he won by many votes. The results were:

Elrich 259,901 (64.7%)
Floreen 76,092 (19.0%)
Ficker 65,096 (16.2%)

These general election results are not really relevant to this discussion. The telling number is that Elrich beat Blair in the primary by only 80 votes or so.

Of course they're relevant to the discussion. People could have voted for Floreen. But she only get 19% of the votes.

Not as a third party candidate. Very few of those are elected in any election. Not a valid argument.

It's a valid argument; it's just not one you like. Floreen wasn't an underfunded unknown, she was a 12-year at-large councilmember with a lot of campaign financing. The Floreen-supporters saw the close results in the primary and thought that this was their chance. But it wasn't. If all of the people who voted for Ficker had instead voted for Floreen, Elrich would still have won with two-thirds of the vote.

I didn't vote for Elrich in the primary. I did vote for Elrich in the general election, and not because he had (D) after his name, either. Because he was a better option than either of his opponents.

Most people DID vote for him because of the D. That’s the way it is in general elections. Again, not a valid argument about Floreen.

[Anonymous]

I can see why people in upcounty would feel underserved, if all the at-large members are not from there. I wonder how often Elrich (yes, I know he's CoExec) even gets to Germantown and Damascus and Clarksburg.

I'm signing the petition. All that does it put it on the ballot for voters to decide. Let's see what they think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see why people in upcounty would feel underserved, if all the at-large members are not from there. I wonder how often Elrich (yes, I know he's CoExec) even gets to Germantown and Damascus and Clarksburg.

I'm signing the petition. All that does it put it on the ballot for voters to decide. Let's see what they think.

All the Ag Reserve people supported him, even though he doesn't live in the Ag Reserve. Just saying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Most people DID vote for him because of the D. That’s the way it is in general elections. Again, not a valid argument about Floreen.

Repeating this statement doesn't make it more true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.ninedistrictsformoco.org/

Has anyone heard of this? They want to change MoCo council districts to eliminate the at-large seats and change them to be by district.

Is there any downside to this approach? Their petition makes a good point, but of course that's only one side of it.

I signed it anyway, since that just tries to get it on the ballot in November, and I think it's worth it to have the voters decide.

Currently, you're represented by 5 councilmembers - your district councilmember and the four at-large councilmembers. So that's 5 councilmembers you can ask, if you want a councilmember to do something.

If this passes, you'll be represented by 1 councilmember. And if that 1 councilmember doesn't want to do what you're asking, you're out of luck.

I have a low opinion of my current district councilmember, so I have experience with this.

This. Although I must say this Council is the first Council I’ve seen in a long time where at-large members care about more than just their personal geographical region. Elrich didn’t become interested in upcounty issues until he ran for Executive. Most of them have been like that. Glass really seems to care about the entire county. So does Albornoz. And Jawando at least cares about certain issues across the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people DID vote for him because of the D. That’s the way it is in general elections. Again, not a valid argument about Floreen.

Repeating this statement doesn't make it more true.

It’s already true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This. Although I must say this Council is the first Council I’ve seen in a long time where at-large members care about more than just their personal geographical region. Elrich didn’t become interested in upcounty issues until he ran for Executive. Most of them have been like that. Glass really seems to care about the entire county. So does Albornoz. And Jawando at least cares about certain issues across the county.

As an upcounty resident, I disagree. There were a lot of passionate supporters of Elrich in the upcounty, when he was a councilmember, and not because of his "progressive" positions either. For example, he voted no on JHU's Science City master plan, he was a strong supporter of the master plan amendment to protect Ten Mile Creek in Clarksburg, and he was a leader on opposing construction of Midcounty Highway Extended and on closing the incinerator in Dickerson.

[Anonymous]

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/elrich-squeezes-out-win-in-democratic-primary-for-county-executive/

Think pp meant Elrich won narrowly in primary which if discussion is on progressive to moderate Democrat - more applicable especially in a county that is primarily democrat

He won by 80 votes in a crowded democratic primary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can see why people in upcounty would feel underserved, if all the at-large members are not from there. I wonder how often Elrich (yes, I know he's CoExec) even gets to Germantown and Damascus and Clarksburg.

I'm signing the petition. All that does it put it on the ballot for voters to decide. Let's see what they think.

I agree. Over time, the progressive Takoma Park and SS politicians have really taken over the county council and Clarksburg especially has not had a voice in local politics.

Let the voters decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can see why people in upcounty would feel underserved, if all the at-large members are not from there. I wonder how often Elrich (yes, I know he's CoExec) even gets to Germantown and Damascus and Clarksburg.

I'm signing the petition. All that does it put it on the ballot for voters to decide. Let's see what they think.

I agree. Over time, the progressive Takoma Park and SS politicians have really taken over the county council and Clarksburg especially has not had a voice in local politics.

Let the voters decide.

Clarksburg certainly has had a voice. I think what you probably mean is: some people in Clarksburg haven't gotten what they wanted. But that's different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/politics/elrich-squeezes-out-win-in-democratic-primary-for-county-executive/

Think pp meant Elrich won narrowly in primary which if discussion is on progressive to moderate Democrat - more applicable especially in a county that is primarily democrat

He won by 80 votes in a crowded democratic primary.

Yes, he won by 80 votes in a crowded Democratic primary - and then he got 65% in a crowded general election, against a long-time Democratic politician.