Readers' Comments
Here are a couple of thought-provoking public comments (slightly edited) I'm promoting to post.
--Gilbert
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Anonymous said...
An unfortunate side of Takoma Park, this election, human nature (?) is the unwarranted character assassination that goes on in the promotion of a particular point of view. . . . .
From what I have heard so far from supporters of Mr. Grimes in this campaign, I would not be surprised to hear that Kathy Porter has been consorting with Lucifer. And in one particular case, a supporter of Kathy has returned the bile.
I've seen divisiveness in campaigns in Takoma Park. I've seen friendships sour and die over a choice for mayor. That's politics, I suppose. This year, the passionate loathing that some of Seth's supporters (and, seemingly, Seth himself) feel toward Kathy Porter leads me to wonder about the fallout after the election, no matter which way it goes.
Of course, such passion is understandable in the case of gross incompetence and corruption, which is what Seth's campaign is alleging. How well has the case been made that either have occurred?
What I hear from some of Kathy's supporters (including myself) is that they accept Kathy's limitations, but feel that they have been exaggerated by a coalition of discontent people with varying agendas. That perceived exaggeration, whiffs of conspiracy theories, and personal attacks makes us wonder if Seth has a clear grasp on the realities of the job and how divisive he will be once elected.
I would love to see a more visionary mayor. Seth is clearly visionary. But I do not want one who will make our problems worse because of his misperceptions and divisiveness. I have strong doubts about how well any vision can be achieved if those are the limitations.
Relationships, and even marriages, I hear, are being tried by this election. That's too bad. In the end, we'll make lemonade out of this experience, no matter who wins. But it doesn't mean that I have to enjoy the current bitterness.
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Anonymous said...
Watch the meetings and see how Kathy answers public with complaints. Two weeks ago a woman complained the arborist approved her neighbor's project which would damage her trees. He didn't follow city laws. The city administrator didn't help her and the permit was to be issued in two days. So she said.
Kathy's answered Barbara issues permits not the council. When the woman persisted Kathy said "I'll get back to you".
Her answer seemed like a brush off. Which do you think happened? Permit issued or Kathy got back to her.
A better example might be when Seth complained the city was violating the law by not publishing minutes. Kathy tried to brush him off with "we always follow the law". It went back and forth with Kathy telling Seth he was wrong. The state ruled Seth was right. The minutes are now published on time. Thanks to Seth.
Kathy's handling of changes in the tree ordinance and manipulation during codeifying the environment committee are other examples.
I know these don't look bad when written on a blog. Talk with those involved and you walk away with a better understanding. It is not about appearances. It's about how she handles people's concerns, how they feel when it's all over and if right is done.
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Maybe I'll just vote for Rudy.
--Gilbert
posted by William L. Brown @ 11:52 AM
5 Comments:
"This year, the passionate loathing that some of Seth's supporters (and, seemingly, Seth himself) feel toward Kathy Porter leads me to wonder about the fallout after the election, no matter which way it goes."
I do not loathe Kathy Porter. I respect her dedication and intentions and hard work. I am running because I think she is not effective and I dislike her unresponsive, reactive management style that has dug us into a financial hole with substandard services.
"Of course, such passion is understandable in the case of gross incompetence and corruption, which is what Seth's campaign is alleging."
Noone speaks for my campaign except me. I have not alleged *gross* incompetence and I have not alleged any form of corruption whatsoever.
Seth
Not corrupt? What about Porter's refusal to open up the City owned ROW from Colby to Cherry that had been ILLEGALLY appropriated by FRIENDS of Kathy on Cherry Av?
Kathy Porter had no legal responsibility to open that right of way, actually between Colby and Aspen and obstructed by property owners on Aspen.
It is up to the city administration, not the elected officials, to ensure that public ROWs are not obstructed as that one is but for better or worse, legally they have enforcement discretion.
I do believe that Kathy Porter may have illegitimately interfered in enforcement of city laws on this particular issues, but her action fell short of corruption.
Seth
Thanks Gilbert. You offer a good lesson in politics. I too was put off by the negative tone of Kathy's nominating and seconding speechs. They focused more on trashing Seth than on her record.
I accept your challenge to state what Seth stands for and feel confident his other supporters will follow suit. Still I fear some on both sides will probably continue to trash the opponents.
So as not to use up all your electrons, I'll list just some of Seth's strengths I see.
Seth Grimes will guide the council to develop key plans for the city. He's mentioned plans for economic development, funding construction of a gym, storm water management and the environment. Plans will bring us some level of control over our future.
Seth Grimes recognizes the importance of the various city services, but he also respects the value of the money the government takes in taxes. He promises reviews of city services to look for ways to save money for taxpayers. Seth values all of the services but isn't afraid to look at any of them.
Seth Grimes worries that our police department hasn't been at full strength since Kathy took office. He'll work with the council and city administrator to find what's needed to attract good people to the jobs and what steps the city can take to retain officers. With adequate staffing the job can be done well.
Seth Grimes understands what double taxation means. When Takoma Park residents pay taxes to the county and the county doesn't rebate any money to the city for recreation programs, that's double taxation. Why? Because Takoma Park residents are paying for our own recreation staff and our own recreational programs while also paying for county staff and county recreation programs. Seth Grimes promises to work with the county to find fairer compensation for what our city government provides county taxpayers. This is a promise to try what hasn't been tried.
Seth Grimes promises to hold the city staff accountable for doing their jobs well. We have good hard working employees but people need reminding when council policies aren't fulfilled. Seth Grimes sees value in establishing program goals and measuring performance to those goals. Fair evaluation of programs will lead to stronger motivation to meet goals.
I have no doubt in Seth Grime's leadership abilities. He demonstrates many of the required characteristics in his personal business. Seth Grimes has shown he listens to and works with people, he has shown he knows how to plan and organize, and he has shown his willingness to commit the necessary time. Seth Grimes brings a breath of professionalism that will serve the community well.
Following are two letters to the editor. The first one, from Marc Elrich (Ward 5 City Council Member) will run in the Voice this coming week. The second one ran in last week’s Gazette.
To the Editor:
I was asked by both mayoral candidates to support them. I made a decision to support Kathy which surprised some people, in light of my differences with her over the years. But my differences with her do not make her opponent the right alternative.
In this race, Kathy is the progressive. Kathy shares a common vision of a diverse and caring Takoma Park. Kathy is the candidate who will speak and work for
everyone, not just one segment of the community. Kathy is the candidate who asks what the consequences of City actions are on the lives of the human beings who live here, rather than focus solely on the tax bill.
Of course, I would like lower taxes. I would like someone to snap their fingers, in the fashion of the Enterprise commander, and say, "Make it so." But let’s be honest. Do you believe Seth is capable of snapping his fingers and making it so?
In fact, Seth promises he will not only lower taxes but that he will find more revenues to spend on police, zoning control and a health clinic. He is promising a miracle. An old phrase comes to mind – voodoo economics.
Look at the reality.
Seth suggests he'll solve the tax problem by changing the unfair rebate system of Montgomery County, but this only demonstrates how little he knows of both our history and our efforts. Getting fairer rebates is an uphill battle. The “TASDI” report added a layer of analysis to what we've long known and have worked to change for the entire 18 years I've been on the Council.
Three years ago Kathy successfully fought to increase the police rebate, and then last year she successfully stopped the County from cutting $500,000 out of the rebate. More rebate money cannot be obtained just for the asking. Montgomery County would have to change the rebate formula for every municipality in the County at a cost of millions of dollars, resulting in higher taxes on all county residents. Small wonder the County Executive doesn’t want to change the rebate process.
All of us in Takoma Park should continue to fight the rebate battle, but it is disingenuous for anyone to suggest tax rebates are low-hanging fruit, just there for the grabbing.
Seth is also saying he'll get more control over zoning. But will he be able to change the State law that governs zoning? And if he does, will he then create a City zoning office and bureaucracy that will increase the City budget? Is that how he will lower taxes?
Consider Seth’s promise to keep City expenditures in line with inflation. Sounds good except, as we all know, salaries, pensions and insurance vastly exceed inflation,
particularly health insurance, a situation hardly unique to Takoma Park. He doesn’t tell you the City has been managed by virtually the same number of staff personnel for the past decade, hiring only when vacancies occur. The City’s additional costs are not for additional staff, but for their benefits.
And how does Seth reconcile his promise to keep to the inflation rate with his promise to increase the pay and benefits of the police force? He also has indicated he’d like to hire an additional four officers at an annual cost of $400,000. How will he pay for such budget-busting additions?
If he is serious about all these new expenditures, he will have to eliminate City programs. Will he sacrifice the recreation programs that bring kids off the street and help them find better directions? Will he eliminate programs for the elderly or housing programs for the poor? What about closing the library? He and I have cars. We can drive to the Silver Spring or Bethesda libraries. Is he willing to forget the large number of local kids who use our library because their mode of transportation is their feet?
I can’t tell you the answer because Seth has never revealed his intentions. For the last two years Seth has appeared before the Council on countless Monday evenings and voiced countless opinions and criticisms, some of them absolutely valid. However, he has been utterly silent about how to cut the City budget. I kid you not - dead silent. In fact, he has never even attended a single hearing on the City budget. No willingness to stand up and say what he would cut. The same silence continues with his campaign for mayor – not one word about the cutbacks that will be necessary if he wants to lower taxes.
The one opinion he did voice about the budget proved to be extremely bad advice had we listened to him. Last spring Kathy led the effort for a road bond to accelerate road repairs. Seth opposed the bond. Now, with rapidly escalating inflation, the bond will save the City hundreds of thousands of dollars because the interest costs are far less than the inflation in construction and asphalt. Seth’s position would have meant higher costs and fewer street improvements.
In the end, we are faced with a fundamental choice. Is our community and our quality of life defined by the tax rate, or is it defined by something more? Are civilizations noted and remembered for their tax rates, or for their efforts to raise their citizens in a better environment?
I know where Kathy’s heart is. I know I can work with her toward a progressive and inclusive Takoma Park. I know Kathy will work to wring every penny we can out of other sources, but however those battles go I know Kathy will support a vision for a better and more sustainable community, measured by the quality of life for all citizens - a goal that I think most of us in this city share.
Marc Elrich
Ward Five Council member
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Jack Carson, Seth Grimes, and the Crime Wave That Isn’t
To the Editors:
On August 31, the Gazette published a letter from Takoma Park residents Jack Carson and Alain Thery in which they cited misleading statistics to make a specious claim that the city is a dangerous place. (In fact, crime in Takoma Park is at a ten-year low, according to the FBI.) Their suggestion for dealing with this nonexistent “crime wave”? Dissolve the city’s police department! No big surprise here: the two men have been tireless campaigners for decimating Takoma Park’s government in the name of tax cuts. Carson, in fact, is on record calling for Takoma Park to be disincorporated entirely in order to get a tax break.
In Takoma Park itself, mayoral candidate Seth Grimes has acted as Carson and Thery’s chief publicist, forwarding their report to listservs throughout the city. In fact, Grimes has been doing this all year: whenever Carson has launched a new assault on Takoma Park, Grimes has been at the forefront of publicizing it. In fact, Grimes is so fond of the Man Who Would Dissolve Takoma Park, that he made him campaign treasurer!
A candidate who aids and abets fear-mongering based on falsehoods gives me pause. Can such actions really have Takoma Park residents’ best interests at heart?
I have asked Grimes about this and his response was to disavow any responsibility for the views he has played a key role in disseminating. Meanwhile, Carson continues to promote the “crime wave that isn’t” on neighborhood listservs (in response to pressure, Grimes has stopped posting Carson's views for him) and stays on as Grimes’ treasurer.
This reminds me of how Grimes publicly calls himself a supporter of the proposed community gymnasium, but leads the public argumentation against it. Or how he sounds a constant drumbeat on taxes, yet promises no cuts in services and no borrowing. Or how he claims to be a champion of the poor, while advocating that city policy be based on a public survey that he knows full well will disproportionally represent the views of the wealthy.
It is hard to figure out just what Seth Grimes has in mind for Takoma Park. Given his mutually irreconcilable positions, the best clue might be the company he keeps. Grimes and Carson are not the team that I would want at the helm of our wonderful city.
Sincerely,
Keith Berner, President
Between the Creeks Neighborhood Association
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