Moco Council at large seats--how to decide who to vote for?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A lot of good candidates out there--what a great election. But it's daunting to choose among them.

I am not going to vote for any incumbent. That said, I have friends who are supporting Hans Riemer--he's a friend of theirs--so I looked closely; he's a nice guy. But he not only opposed the term limits for the county council: he moved to BLOCK THE PROPOSAL FROM THE BALLOT. Certainly there's no proposal so scary that it shouldn't be on the ballot. So he's out. No incumbents. Thank goodness for term limits or the powers of the incumbency would prevent us from ever getting rid of some people. I grew up in DC, under Mayor for Life Marion Barry, so I know what that feels like.

I love Danielle Meitiv, the "free-range mom" who is a climate scientist. She is very well spoken, has dealt with the county government on business and housing, and really listens. I was trying to get some safer crossings for pedestrians (not a huge issue for some), and she knew instantly what I was dealing with--she has children and she wants them to be able to walk and bike around.

I like Gabe Albornoz who runs the county recreation department. He's very responsive, has government experience, and cares about parks, green space, and the environment. I think he could bring us together and create a more beautiful county. I've spoken to him about trying to get a community center built where I live, He's responsive and knowledgeable.

Evan Glass stands for transparency and good government. He, also, has worked with environmental groups and youth groups and has headed community organizations. He listens. I've seen and spoken with him at a walk for a safer Dale Drive and other hyper-local issues. YOung, energetic, very devoted to improving the county.

Finally, I'm going to vote (probably) for Jill Ortman-Fouse, who is a member of the Board of Education. She's so knowledgeable and responsive. She's leaving the Board of Ed (sob) to run for the county council at large. On school issues, she's the best.
That's where my ballot stands right now. I'd love to hear from others.

I don't get this statement. If people are so tired of the incumbent, vote them out! How is that people hate the incumbents enough to overwhelmingly pass a term limit ballot measure, but at the same time feel that they are unable to vote out an incumbent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of good candidates out there--what a great election. But it's daunting to choose among them.

I am not going to vote for any incumbent. That said, I have friends who are supporting Hans Riemer--he's a friend of theirs--so I looked closely; he's a nice guy. But he not only opposed the term limits for the county council: he moved to BLOCK THE PROPOSAL FROM THE BALLOT. Certainly there's no proposal so scary that it shouldn't be on the ballot. So he's out. No incumbents. Thank goodness for term limits or the powers of the incumbency would prevent us from ever getting rid of some people. I grew up in DC, under Mayor for Life Marion Barry, so I know what that feels like.

I love Danielle Meitiv, the "free-range mom" who is a climate scientist. She is very well spoken, has dealt with the county government on business and housing, and really listens. I was trying to get some safer crossings for pedestrians (not a huge issue for some), and she knew instantly what I was dealing with--she has children and she wants them to be able to walk and bike around.

I like Gabe Albornoz who runs the county recreation department. He's very responsive, has government experience, and cares about parks, green space, and the environment. I think he could bring us together and create a more beautiful county. I've spoken to him about trying to get a community center built where I live, He's responsive and knowledgeable.

Evan Glass stands for transparency and good government. He, also, has worked with environmental groups and youth groups and has headed community organizations. He listens. I've seen and spoken with him at a walk for a safer Dale Drive and other hyper-local issues. YOung, energetic, very devoted to improving the county.

Finally, I'm going to vote (probably) for Jill Ortman-Fouse, who is a member of the Board of Education. She's so knowledgeable and responsive. She's leaving the Board of Ed (sob) to run for the county council at large. On school issues, she's the best.
That's where my ballot stands right now. I'd love to hear from others.

I don't get this statement. If people are so tired of the incumbent, vote them out! How is that people hate the incumbents enough to overwhelmingly pass a term limit ballot measure, but at the same time feel that they are unable to vote out an incumbent?

Absolutely a reason NOT to vote for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Meitiv is a loon with a victim complex.

Or she's an honest broker committed to public education and not beholden to developers.

She was one of a few candidates who obtained email addresses of individuals signed up for the county informational newsletter via FOIA request and I got an unsolicited campaign email from her which was really disappointing. I’ve also googled other candidates and she has paid ads with the candidates name in the link, but the link directs to her site (totally legal but still kind of icky). I appreciate her free range parenting style but I don’t like her tactics.

That is a marketing / SEO tactic employs by a consultant or staff member. I doubt she was aware of this.

So far the following individuals have received the approximately 140,000 email addresses in the county’s Paper Airplane distribution list, which provides regular county news updates, according to county spokesman Patrick Lacefield:

Robert Lipman, co-leader of the pro-public campaign financing group MoCo Voters;
Robin Ficker, the Republican candidate for Montgomery County executive;
Sheridan Price, no information immediately available;
Jordan Cooper, a Democratic candidate for District 16 delegate;
Curt Uhre, chairman of the Potomac-area neighborhood group The Brickyard Coalition;
Danielle Meitiv, a Deomcratic at-large County Council candidate
“Maryland Activist,” no other information provided; and
Paul Bessel, chair of the Montgomery County Charter Commission.

http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/State-Legislation-To-Prevent-County-Held-Email-Addresses-From-Being-Released-Moves-Forward/

Roger Berliner must have, as well. I get his emails all the time, and I never signed up for them.

Yes - the only thing Berliner is good at is promoting himself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Curious pp, why not Danielle?

Of those you are deciding among, definite yes to Jill Ortman Fouse. She will be the only one on the Council who really understands the school board and the PTAs, having served on both. And about 1/2 of our county budget goes to MCPS.

DP. Danielle Meitiv is an ideologue. Ideologues can be good as activists, but the County Council members have to compromise in order to get anything done.

Yes to Jill Ortman-Fouse. And Hans Riemer. And Evan Glass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of good candidates out there--what a great election. But it's daunting to choose among them.

I am not going to vote for any incumbent. That said, I have friends who are supporting Hans Riemer--he's a friend of theirs--so I looked closely; he's a nice guy. But he not only opposed the term limits for the county council: he moved to BLOCK THE PROPOSAL FROM THE BALLOT. Certainly there's no proposal so scary that it shouldn't be on the ballot. So he's out. No incumbents. Thank goodness for term limits or the powers of the incumbency would prevent us from ever getting rid of some people. I grew up in DC, under Mayor for Life Marion Barry, so I know what that feels like.

I love Danielle Meitiv, the "free-range mom" who is a climate scientist. She is very well spoken, has dealt with the county government on business and housing, and really listens. I was trying to get some safer crossings for pedestrians (not a huge issue for some), and she knew instantly what I was dealing with--she has children and she wants them to be able to walk and bike around.

I like Gabe Albornoz who runs the county recreation department. He's very responsive, has government experience, and cares about parks, green space, and the environment. I think he could bring us together and create a more beautiful county. I've spoken to him about trying to get a community center built where I live, He's responsive and knowledgeable.

Evan Glass stands for transparency and good government. He, also, has worked with environmental groups and youth groups and has headed community organizations. He listens. I've seen and spoken with him at a walk for a safer Dale Drive and other hyper-local issues. YOung, energetic, very devoted to improving the county.

Finally, I'm going to vote (probably) for Jill Ortman-Fouse, who is a member of the Board of Education. She's so knowledgeable and responsive. She's leaving the Board of Ed (sob) to run for the county council at large. On school issues, she's the best.
That's where my ballot stands right now. I'd love to hear from others.

I don't get this statement. If people are so tired of the incumbent, vote them out! How is that people hate the incumbents enough to overwhelmingly pass a term limit ballot measure, but at the same time feel that they are unable to vote out an incumbent?

To say nothing of the fact that the term limits referendum is Robin Ficker's proudest (and sole recent) achievement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Curious pp, why not Danielle?

Of those you are deciding among, definite yes to Jill Ortman Fouse. She will be the only one on the Council who really understands the school board and the PTAs, having served on both. And about 1/2 of our county budget goes to MCPS.

DP. Danielle Meitiv is an ideologue. Ideologues can be good as activists, but the County Council members have to compromise in order to get anything done.

Yes to Jill Ortman-Fouse. And Hans Riemer. And Evan Glass.

She might understand the school board. But they as Councilmembers need to understand they have very little say in how appropriated money is actually spent. Don’t believe any candidate for Council who says they can make real change in the schools. They don’t have authority to do that.

[Anonymous]

Seventh State blog has a chart with all the endorsements which is interesting

http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=10625


Also someone at DailyKos mapped out financial contributions to various candidates which I also thought was interesting--

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/10/1770366/-Red-Money-Blue-Primary-mapping-GOP-donations-in-Montgomery-County-MD-DEM-June-26-primary


That analysis shows Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Riemer as getting the most support from the developers (also Blair). Also worth noting Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Dang were endorsed by the Realtors.

Dang was endorsed by Leggett, and Ortman-Fouse was anti-endorsed ("anyone but her") by Josh Starr, for whatever those are worth.

[Anonymous]

I just voted.

Albornoz
Balcombe
Hoan Dang
Evan Glass

I didn't realize that the realtors endorsed them, though. I know two of them from current government work and they are top notch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seventh State blog has a chart with all the endorsements which is interesting

http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=10625


Also someone at DailyKos mapped out financial contributions to various candidates which I also thought was interesting--

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/10/1770366/-Red-Money-Blue-Primary-mapping-GOP-donations-in-Montgomery-County-MD-DEM-June-26-primary


That analysis shows Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Riemer as getting the most support from the developers (also Blair). Also worth noting Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Dang were endorsed by the Realtors.

Dang was endorsed by Leggett, and Ortman-Fouse was anti-endorsed ("anyone but her") by Josh Starr, for whatever those are worth.

Josh Starr the former superintendent? That’s pretty funny.

[Anonymous]

I don't get why people are bothered by Jawando's advocacy around immersion programs. I like him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't get why people are bothered by Jawando's advocacy around immersion programs. I like him.

It’s not advocacy; it’s self serving hypocrisy. I’m not voting for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seventh State blog has a chart with all the endorsements which is interesting

http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=10625


Also someone at DailyKos mapped out financial contributions to various candidates which I also thought was interesting--

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/10/1770366/-Red-Money-Blue-Primary-mapping-GOP-donations-in-Montgomery-County-MD-DEM-June-26-primary


That analysis shows Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Riemer as getting the most support from the developers (also Blair). Also worth noting Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Dang were endorsed by the Realtors.

Dang was endorsed by Leggett, and Ortman-Fouse was anti-endorsed ("anyone but her") by Josh Starr, for whatever those are worth.

Josh Starr the former superintendent? That’s pretty funny.

I’ll take that as a compliment to Ortman-Fouse. Not a fan of Starr’s and have heard Ortman-Fouse at several events and she’s impressive - informed, responsive, strong vision for our schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seventh State blog has a chart with all the endorsements which is interesting

http://www.theseventhstate.com/?p=10625


Also someone at DailyKos mapped out financial contributions to various candidates which I also thought was interesting--

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/10/1770366/-Red-Money-Blue-Primary-mapping-GOP-donations-in-Montgomery-County-MD-DEM-June-26-primary


That analysis shows Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Riemer as getting the most support from the developers (also Blair). Also worth noting Albornoz, Balcombe, Glass and Dang were endorsed by the Realtors.

Dang was endorsed by Leggett, and Ortman-Fouse was anti-endorsed ("anyone but her") by Josh Starr, for whatever those are worth.

Josh Starr the former superintendent? That’s pretty funny.

I’ll take that as a compliment to Ortman-Fouse. Not a fan of Starr’s and have heard Ortman-Fouse at several events and she’s impressive - informed, responsive, strong vision for our schools.

Agree. Good riddance to him. I’m voting for Ortman-Fouse and Evan Glass, not sure about the others yet.

[Anonymous]

Gabe Albernoz please.

[Anonymous]

This ballot is a nightmare. I'm leaving town tomorrow and have to vote absentee, so I can actually sit with the ballot and a computer and do research and fill it out in small chunks, and it's still awful. I can't imagine going into a voting booth and being confronted with this. Thank you to whoever posted the Bethesda Magazine link with the synopses of all the candidates.