They're feeling better...

After an unexplained absence, Neighbors for a Better Montgomery is back on line. Now that they've paid their bills, maybe they can get around to updating their content.

Question is, how do we know its truly NeighborsPAC still running the website. Hmm?...

I'm swamped...

Kid home from college... lots of laundry...

Support our schools... speed...

An excellent idea from Ike, to use money from speeding cameras to improve pedestrian safety at public schools. I may not like the cameras but I'll feel better when I get a ticket if I know where the money will go.

I was equally impressed by Ike's statements in this morning's Post about the proposed new development taxes. After all, how does raising home prices or the cost of refinancing a mortgage control growth? I'm not so sure the new taxes will "stifle growth", but they will force more of the middle class out of Montgomery County to greener pastures.

In this age of local demagoguery, its nice to hear some common sense for a change...

Here doggy doggy...

I thought there was something oddly familiar about Councilmember Roger Berliner’s Spring newsletter, appropriately entitled "The Berliner Brief". Turns out, the header is the same graphic used in his campaign literature and press releases. In fact, the photo of roger and pooch also appeared prominently on his campaign website.

This is the same councilman, who in his official biography, lists his service to political party above the greater community…

Catfight!…

Okay, I’ve gotten myself in hot water with MidCoMaven over at MoCoPolitics by suggesting that Drew Powell is a grenade lobber.

I’ve gotten her to admit that her statement that “NeighborsPAC is the absolute definition of leadership” may need qualification and that “the Teachers Union were a far greater impact on local races than NeighborsPAC ever was.”

So far so good…

What's in a name?...

The bash and build industry is playing it soft these days. They’ve created a front group called “Renewing Montgomery” to assure the natives that they mean them no harm. Aside from the fancy web page, the McMansioneers are also reaching out to homeowners associations.

At least one civic group was confused when the smash for cash group called. Of Renewing Montgomery, the East Bethesda Citizens Association said in their May newsletter:

Renewing Montgomery is a community outreach initiative created by the Montgomery County Department of Public Works to open a dialogue between property owners, builders and residents on the challenges of improving homes, or building new homes, in established neighborhoods like East Bethesda.

The error is understandable. Afterall, the county does run a program called “Renew Montgomery” that re-builds sidewalks and curbs in older neighborhoods.

This name confusion must obviously be an oversight considering Big Development's long distinguished record of being completely honest and up font with the public...

You wouldn’t like me when I’m offended…

I know, its old news. But while I was out, Dan at “just up the pike” had a run in with Duchy Trachtenberg after blogging that a call to her office was not returned. This is Dan’s account of what happened.

…Trachtenberg was not amused. "I take this serious because I've been told by my staff that you didn't call," she said testily, "and I'm offended that you would put that on there . . . I find it hard to believe that my staff would not return a call."

"I assure you, Ms. Trachtenberg," I said, surprised, "I would not lie about a missed call." I expect I will be corrected if I make a mistake anywhere on this blog, but I promise you that I wouldn't knowingly lie about something, even as minor as a phone call. This afternoon, I called her communications director, William Klein, to sort the situation out.

"No one here has any record of your calling," Klein said. "Duchy was unhappy to see that [comment] on your blog because that's not her policy. I just hope you would be able to put this behind you and we can move on from there."

Hold the phone… Communications Director?! Where does she think she is, the US freaking congress? Last I checked the county council was in the business of paving roads, picking up my trash, and paying the cops.

Wow. Leave it to a psychiatric social worker to show us all what Narcissistic Personality Disorder looks like…

Like the new site design?...

My new found peace with development has given me the inspiration to pave over the green wedges that were taking up space on the old design.

Ah, progress...

How I learned to stop worrying and love development...

Now that the big housing boom has gone bust, the county council is considering a policy that raises the fees big development pays to further clog our roads and schools. The policy will also boost the taxes paid by new homebuyers.

Some may remember the council failed on campaign promises to reign in growth following the defection of self proclaimed slow-growth candidate Roger Berliner.

According to the Post, the new policy will also "encourage the construction of taller buildings and the creation of denser neighborhoods near public transit.”

So, developers get to go ahead with massive new projects and the council reaps more revenue. Sounds like a win-win…

Leading from the rear...

Instead of tackling the looming budget crunch or the traffic crunch, our friends on the county council have decided to take on nestlé crunch.

Today's Post points out how confusing and perhaps unenforceable the new feel good measure is.

Having seen the waistlines and posteriors on the council, my guess is this is a classic case of projection...

NeighborsPAC punked?...

The website for the once mighty NeighborsPAC is down, apparently for failing to pay their web hosting fees. If "Big Development" was just devious enough, they'd already have placed a bid on the domain name.

Maybe NeighborsPAC could use a corporate sponsor...

Ike remembers his friends...

Its good to be a FOI (Friend of Ike) these days. After proposing a whopping 7.5% pay raise for the county employees' union (4% "general wage adjustment" + 3.5% "increment"), Ike was recently seen dabbling in small town elections by standing alongside former NeighborsPAC director Drew Powell as he announced his candidacy to be the chair of the Rockville town council.

Ike must feel he owes Powell big, to allow himself to appear so small...

Sorry, I've been away...

After a lovely stay in a nearby state capital, and a well-deserved vacation, I'm back. I hope to crank up the posts in the coming days...