Anonymous wrote:Well, this went way off track. Thanks for some of the perspectives here (some of the others are... wow). I'm going to vote for Erin Palmer and encourage my friends and neighbors to do so also. Fingers crossed for a good change!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok, I was all set to vote for Palmer for Chair but I'm working on my ballot this week and doing lots of reading and have started getting cold feet. I'm frustrated with Mendo and agree the Council needs fresh faces and I like the idea of new leadership. I think my political align pretty well with Palmer and I like her personally -- she has a great attitude and seems easy to work with and I could see that translating to a good leadership style.

But I'm suddenly getting nervous. Council Chair has a lot of power. It's a big job with a ton of logistics. Palmer has a great resume and I'm a huge fan of her advocacy. But she's never been in a role with this many moving parts, this level of logistics. I am stressed about it. ANC can be a challenging job but it's very small compared to Chair. Her day job has always been as more of a team player.

She also has proposals for changing the way the Council works. I don't disagree with her proposals (re-forming the education subcommittee and hiring on more staff to draft and review legislation) but that kind of change can be hard and she has no track record with it -- no track record with building teams (other than her campaign team, which is smaller than typical because she decided to do public funding) or building a program from the ground up. I have done those things and it is really challenging work.

It's hard to imagine voting for Mendo (though I've done it in the past so it's not THAT hard) but I'm just starting to wonder if Palmer's enthusiasm and style can overcome these deficits in experience. Can some of Palmers supporters make the argument in favor? I want to vote for her but I need to get past this reservation.

(please don't accuse me of being a Mendo plant -- I genuinely want to vote for Palmer and want to hear the best argument in her favor on the issue of experience and leadership ability, I have been angry with Mendo since the Council overturned Prop. 77)

Sometimes the best argument is that change is necessary. A few years ago we could not contemplate a council without Jim Graham or Jack Evans, but it was time for a change. Mendo is of that era. Seemed pretty clueless on COVID, and is no longer an effective leader of the council on a whole host of issues, including tolerating antisemitism, building coalitions with others. etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

It’s possible that you hold a minority view among residents in the neighborhood and that she’s considering the views of everyone in the Ward, which I would think is a good thing.

similarly the decision should be about the overall city and not just Ward 4.

And what is so important to the “overall city” such that deference to the Ward councilmember should be ignored?

Parks are an amenity for the entire city. More broadly, if we gave “deference” to each councilmember or ANC on transit projects, literally nothing would ever get done.

This is not a transit project. So not sure what point you are making. It’s also a Federal park and not a local park.

even more of a reason not to “defer” to Ward 4 on the matter of a park owned by the entire country!

I am sure then that you are okay with letting Montgomery County residents have an equal voice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

It’s possible that you hold a minority view among residents in the neighborhood and that she’s considering the views of everyone in the Ward, which I would think is a good thing.

similarly the decision should be about the overall city and not just Ward 4.

And what is so important to the “overall city” such that deference to the Ward councilmember should be ignored?

Parks are an amenity for the entire city. More broadly, if we gave “deference” to each councilmember or ANC on transit projects, literally nothing would ever get done.

This is not a transit project. So not sure what point you are making. It’s also a Federal park and not a local park.

even more of a reason not to “defer” to Ward 4 on the matter of a park owned by the entire country!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think Palmer would get run over by Bowser (if she's still Mayor) more than Mendelson? If he has some kind of method to standing up to her I can't see it. Maybe once or twice on minor issues, but that comes off as performative to cover for when he does nothing on bigger deal issues.

How's that sports betting thing going?

Palmer literally has no experience dealing with Bowser and politics at this level. That’s the problem. Politics is not as simple as just “standing up” to adversaries/powerful interests.

This. I don’t love Mendo but Chair is about more than simply having the right opinions. If Palmer can’t bring people with her, it doesn’t matter if I agree with her. And what experience dies she have with major stakeholders to do that? None.

What makes you think Bowser will be re-elected?

I don’t think White has gotten the necessary traction to unseat her. I think early voting has worked against him— too many people I talk to still don’t really know his deal, and some have already voted.

He should have run as a better centrist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think Palmer would get run over by Bowser (if she's still Mayor) more than Mendelson? If he has some kind of method to standing up to her I can't see it. Maybe once or twice on minor issues, but that comes off as performative to cover for when he does nothing on bigger deal issues.

How's that sports betting thing going?

Palmer literally has no experience dealing with Bowser and politics at this level. That’s the problem. Politics is not as simple as just “standing up” to adversaries/powerful interests.

This. I don’t love Mendo but Chair is about more than simply having the right opinions. If Palmer can’t bring people with her, it doesn’t matter if I agree with her. And what experience dies she have with major stakeholders to do that? None.

What makes you think Bowser will be re-elected?

I don’t think White has gotten the necessary traction to unseat her. I think early voting has worked against him— too many people I talk to still don’t really know his deal, and some have already voted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think Palmer would get run over by Bowser (if she's still Mayor) more than Mendelson? If he has some kind of method to standing up to her I can't see it. Maybe once or twice on minor issues, but that comes off as performative to cover for when he does nothing on bigger deal issues.

How's that sports betting thing going?

Palmer literally has no experience dealing with Bowser and politics at this level. That’s the problem. Politics is not as simple as just “standing up” to adversaries/powerful interests.

This. I don’t love Mendo but Chair is about more than simply having the right opinions. If Palmer can’t bring people with her, it doesn’t matter if I agree with her. And what experience dies she have with major stakeholders to do that? None.

What makes you think Bowser will be re-elected?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

It’s possible that you hold a minority view among residents in the neighborhood and that she’s considering the views of everyone in the Ward, which I would think is a good thing.

similarly the decision should be about the overall city and not just Ward 4.

And what is so important to the “overall city” such that deference to the Ward councilmember should be ignored?

Parks are an amenity for the entire city. More broadly, if we gave “deference” to each councilmember or ANC on transit projects, literally nothing would ever get done.

This is not a transit project. So not sure what point you are making. It’s also a Federal park and not a local park.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think Palmer would get run over by Bowser (if she's still Mayor) more than Mendelson? If he has some kind of method to standing up to her I can't see it. Maybe once or twice on minor issues, but that comes off as performative to cover for when he does nothing on bigger deal issues.

How's that sports betting thing going?

Palmer literally has no experience dealing with Bowser and politics at this level. That’s the problem. Politics is not as simple as just “standing up” to adversaries/powerful interests.

This. I don’t love Mendo but Chair is about more than simply having the right opinions. If Palmer can’t bring people with her, it doesn’t matter if I agree with her. And what experience dies she have with major stakeholders to do that? None.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

It’s possible that you hold a minority view among residents in the neighborhood and that she’s considering the views of everyone in the Ward, which I would think is a good thing.

similarly the decision should be about the overall city and not just Ward 4.

And what is so important to the “overall city” such that deference to the Ward councilmember should be ignored?

Parks are an amenity for the entire city. More broadly, if we gave “deference” to each councilmember or ANC on transit projects, literally nothing would ever get done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think Palmer would get run over by Bowser (if she's still Mayor) more than Mendelson? If he has some kind of method to standing up to her I can't see it. Maybe once or twice on minor issues, but that comes off as performative to cover for when he does nothing on bigger deal issues.

How's that sports betting thing going?

Palmer literally has no experience dealing with Bowser and politics at this level. That’s the problem. Politics is not as simple as just “standing up” to adversaries/powerful interests.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Voted for Janeese Lewis George because she wasn't Brandon Todd and it's been GREAT! No regrets at all.

I love Janeese! She's responsive, speaks with constituents on the street, and most importantly, fights against traffic violence and out of control drivers in Ward 4.

She wants to reopen Beach Drive to vehicular traffic and also thinks violent criminals should go unpunished. Think before you post.

Reopening upper Beach drive is important for Ward 4.

Interesting, I would say NOT reopening is important for Ward 4.

The Ward 4 council member has publicly come out in support of reopening Beach Drive.

Yes, that was where this conversation started. I just think many in Ward 4 -- including my family -- disagree. I generally like Lewis nonetheless.

It’s possible that you hold a minority view among residents in the neighborhood and that she’s considering the views of everyone in the Ward, which I would think is a good thing.

similarly the decision should be about the overall city and not just Ward 4.

And what is so important to the “overall city” such that deference to the Ward councilmember should be ignored?