Politics
Who's our candidate for Montgomery District 4?
It's gotten little attention in the traditional press, but eastern Montgomery County voters will make a big decision on April 21 that will greatly influence the direction of the county. In January, District 4 Councilmember Don Praisner died, less than a year after winning the seat in another special election to complete his late wife's term. The winner of the Democratic primary will emerge as the strong favorite to win the seat, but the Democrats vying for the seat differ greatly on their approach to the county's future.
District 4 (blue) will nominate candidates in a special primary April 21.
As Cavan wrote in "Montgomery County: America in microcosm," the county is struggling with the same debates over the future of our communities as in many other parts of the nation. Does it want to strengthen and increase its walkable neighborhoods and transit options? Or should it restrict all growth inside the Beltway to keep existing suburban communities just as they are? On Greater Greater Washington, we have our opinions. East County voters have to make their decision, and that seat on the Council could tip an important balance for the entire county.
Update: This post isn't intended to endorse anyone. I hope to hear more from the candidates and from residents of District 4 about whom they think would be best for the district, the county and the region.
Here are the Democratic candidates and what we know so far of their positions on land use and transportation issues:
Nancy Navarro placed second in the 2008 special election Democratic primary. Her Web site gives the most attention of any of the candidates to Smart Growth and sustainable transportation, as those are the top two bullet points on her "shared vision for our future." She also talks about green jobs and affordable housing for working families and seniors. Navarro expanded upon her thoughts about transit and the ICC in this interview.
Ben Kramer, currently a Maryland State Delegate, avoids discussing land use on his site, but tops his list with a "Traffic" platform that emphasizes transit (which he calls "Smart Options") including Metro, the Purple Line, and the "Bethesda to Silver Spring Trolley." Isn't that the Purple Line? The Purple Line is generally popular in eastern Montgomery County, by the way.
Cary Lamari comes to politics from a citizens' association background, having headed his local Norbeck Citizens' Assosication and served a term as president of the Montgomery County Civic Federation. As a result, he talks primarily about preservation and protection, putting policies that prevent change to established neighborhoods above those that could evolve the built environment toward more walkable and livable communities.
Lamari also places widening of roads first among his transportation priorities, though he does support the Purple Line and the Corridor Cities Transitway. On his 2006 Gazette voter guide page, Lamari talked about the "Adequate Public Facilities" ordinance, which requires developers to widen roads for new development. Such ordinances typically put the needs of cars ahead of pedestrians, bicycles and other road users, legally requiring that projects make their surroundings more auto-dependent.
Rob Goldman has relatively little information online so far. He talks about the Purple Line, "to avoid further congestion caused by an increase in private vehicles on the road and to enable residents to work closer to home." His policy emphasis centers on home foreclosures and emergency response services. I wonder what he thinks about cul-de-sacs and their effect on emergency response?
Thomas Hardman has commented here on Greater Greater Washington, particularly about the ICC Junior, Montrose Parkway. Hardman recommends using open source software for county functions (a good idea), but it's not really clear where he stands on the key issues that matter to readers of Greater Greater Washington. Hardman does get props for linking to this excellent comic about a young guy in Kansas who ran against his State Representative by appealing to techies across the nation. (He narrowly lost.)
Republicans will also select a nominee in April. There are two candidates running:
Robin Ficker, a frequent candidate for office, is all about reducing taxes. He successfully passed a ballot initiative in 2008 that makes it more difficult for Montgomery County to raise taxes. He's running to reduce taxes.
Lou August has something to say about a few more issues. He's interested in more public-private partnerships to make key government functions more efficient, fiscal responsibility, "zero-tolerance" approaches to crime, and enforcing good behavior in schools. August also talks about the importance of affordable housing.
There's a lot to candidates beyond their biographies and their lists of issues. What do you think of these candidates? What else should voters in District 4 know?
 | David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.   |
Comments
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They have almost no legacy walkable urban places like in Districts 5 and 3. They only have one Metro station: Glenmont. The Purple Line is very popular in this district because it won't directly affect them and it makes so much sense in general.
This is one to watch.
by Cavan on Mar 4, 2009 3:08 pm • link • report
Tell me when is the last time you have been to District 4? I get around it quite often but I have not seen you at any of the public events or hearings. Did I miss you???
I lived in DC for many years and loved it. I still do. But I am Marylander now and I would not presume to tell Washingtonians who they should vote for in a special election that will be a critical final vote on many issues. I guess things have changed in the years since I have lived in DC.
I was a strong supporter of Don Praisner. Do you even know who he was??? Did you go to any of the events a year ago? I didn't see you at any events. I went to most of them.
I selected my candidate a year ago AFTER talking with all of the candidates first hand. I am doing that again this time. I can vote in this race. Can you?
So what makes you think that you should dictate to Marylanders in general, MoCo and District 4 specifically who the next Councilmember should be?
I am blown away by your hubris.
Kevin Gillogly
Silver Spring,MD
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 4, 2009 7:05 pm • link • report
by Squalish on Mar 4, 2009 7:32 pm • link • report
An outer suburban district like that probably isn't going to have the same viewpoints as a closer-in district, but it would be nice to know whether on the full council they'll insist on having free parking downtown for uses such as the library, rather than charging by use.
by Michael Perkins on Mar 4, 2009 7:49 pm • link • report
Interesting name. I sign and write under my real name and then I get a screen name that could be anyone writing back to me. I have no idea who you are. Anyway....
What strikes me is the lack of coverage of Maryland, Montgomery County and District 4 in particular on this blog and then this endorsement of a candidate. That's what.
The last twenty posts here have been about urban transportation, bicycling, walkable communities in urban area, metro fares, conflicts with the DC Office of Planning, bus routes through Mt Pleasant, issues impacting Brookland, an RNC meeting and some news roundups. And then a post that was an endorsement of a candidate in District 4 of Montgomery County. What's the connection between a special election in District 4 MoCo and these other pieces? None that I can find.
Now if this blog really wanted to let its readers know what is going on in MoCo then there is an excellent blog that covers issues on the other side of Western Avenue. It is called: Maryland Politics Watch (MPW).
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/
I have written there but not much in the past year. What is different about MPW is we write under our real names. We tell you who we support upfront. We do not always agree with each other. So if GGW wanted to cover this race they should have just pointed everyone to that blog piece.
Another good blog for coverage of District is Just Up The Pike (JUTP) by Dan Reed. Dan grew up and went to public schools in District 4. The blog roll has a link to JUTP.
I appreciate the interest in my part of the world. I really do. But this makes no sense: to write a piece tilting towards one candidate (what is up there now has been seriously edited from the initial version) after being silent on a range of issues important to District 4.
Something just does not add up. I am curious when people who show no interest in a political race start popping off on it. What is their angle?
It is hard to write a good blog post that we draw readers. You have to know the issue and be able to write. The author clearly has the latter skill. But the former .....
There is an old saying people don't care how much you know until you show how much you care. This blog has shown little care to MoCo and to District 4 and then they expect people to care about how much they know about the issues in place they do not live and are not active.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 4, 2009 8:08 pm • link • report
by Bianchi on Mar 4, 2009 9:11 pm • link • report
by MetroMania on Mar 4, 2009 9:14 pm • link • report
Kevin, the post was not an endorsement. I even included a disclaimer saying it wasn't an endorsement as soon as someone pointed out that it could be misread. Nowhere did it say anyone was best. The title is a question. If I were endorsing Candidate X, the title would have been Candidate X for District 4. At the end, I say that you can't tell everything about a candidate from the Web site, and therefore we need to know more.
I was hoping to start a discussion about the candidates so we could learn more. I'm disappointed that more of the comments revolve around whether it's okay to talk about the topic than about the topic. If you have an opinion about which candidate is the best for livable communities and sustainable transportation, I'd really love to hear it.
by David Alpert on Mar 4, 2009 9:28 pm • link • report
In an internet discussion, the social rules are somewhat different than on the street. In certain neighborhoods, talking about the identity of a poster is tantamount to threatening them. There are prominent sites where even signing your posts with a pseudonym is frowned upon, because the merit of the post should be the reason it gets replies rather than personal reputation. Identity invites unproductive ad hominem or uncritical support. If you're not satisfied with responding to the things I have written rather than the name/age/sex/location/career I'm writing from, and you don't have the ability to research this trivially easy-to-find information, I'm not inclined to proffer it.
GGW has had several posts a day for the last several years. Sampling the last twentymight not always be enough to find discussions about a particular topic or place. And there's nothing wrong with that, if you'll re-read the title of the site.Keep reading and you'll find that there is - surprise - a theme to all of the posts on this blog. You don't have to be a general purpose Gazette-style blog in order to mention or have an opinion on politics. Some people even *gasp* are proud to voice their opinions.
Now if we could please get back to the topic at hand, I assume that you have something to say about the candidates... why not speak up about that rather than butt into the conversation to express your outrage that we're having it?
by Squalish on Mar 4, 2009 11:43 pm • link • report
You are incorrect. Go back and read here:
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31330415&postID=276174140192942733
I was very clear about my support for Don Praisner last year. And as I posted here it was after I sat down with all of the candidates. I talked with her for over an hour at a Starbucks to see what she is like. I did that with 3 of the 4 candidates. She has good qualities. I just liked another person better -- Don Praisner.
My complaint a year ago was she was having secret meetings with an appointed BoE Superintendent, Jerry Weast. As a candidate she can meet with whomever she wants. However, as the President of the School Board both she and Dr. Weast violated open meeting rules by having a "budget meeting" in the Superintendent's private home, with no notice and no comments other than from her supporters, the teacher's union (MCEA), and SEIU. That did not fit with her claim to me that she was for openness and transparency.
http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2008/04/king-jerry-treatment_04.html
I have not selected a candidate -- so far. I will. But I have not.
Who do you like? Assuming you live in District 4.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 1:45 am • link • report
I have had pieces that use examples in the District to try to illustrate a larger, more general point.
As far as which candidate I like, I really don't know. I live in District 5 anyway.
by Cavan on Mar 5, 2009 10:07 am • link • report
Out of 162 posts that weren't link roundups, 36 were specifically about DC, 18 about Maryland, and 17 about Virginia. The rest covered issues of general applicability like Metro, families, etc. In other words, it seems that when the articles cover a local spot, it's DC about half the time, and Maryland and Virginia each about a quarter of the time. But even more posts aren't about a specific spot at all, instead covering general topics of regional interest.
by David Alpert on Mar 5, 2009 10:21 am • link • report
by David Alpert on Mar 5, 2009 10:22 am • link • report
I've lived in both DC and Montgomery and beyond, and that certainly hasn't limited my expression of opinions about races in the region. Just about every Marylander I know was campaigning out in Virginia for Obama, and just about every Montgomery resident I know had something bad to say about the DC Council & Mayor when Barry was still in power. If you take this to Kevin's extreme, none of the other elected officials in the area should endorse in this race unless the live in District 4, and according to Cavan, Ike Leggett might be the only person that fits that bill!!!!
So back to my original point. SOME people have an opinion about a race they can't vote in. So what. Please no more discussion about whether its legitimate to discuss your opinions on races if you don't live in the district. This is silly.
by MetroMania on Mar 5, 2009 11:08 am • link • report
Well this makes two for two in being wrong. First you said I object when anything positive is writing about Nancy Navarro and I pointed out where that was wrong. You could issue a retraction if you like it would make you look better. It will also make your future comments hold greater weight.
Now you are putting words in your mouth that I never said; I will grant you one thing: you make for some interesting creative writing.
Got back and see what I wrote here at GGW. I said I am glad to have the comments on MoCo issues. But it is interesting that the original piece was a quasi endorsement of one candidate. (So far no one has disputed that.)
If you really want to help educate your readers then link to blogs that cover those events more often. In fact the principle writer at MPW is a known Nancy supporter. I was the obvious Don supporter in 2008.
But let's go back YOUR first charge:
You said I "complain anytime someone writes something postive about Nancy Navarro". What am I wondering if I wrote about her secret meeting with Weast was wrong how come someone from her camp did not contradicted it. No one ever has. Even her backer on MPW agreed with me and he is solid union guy.
Speaking of issues rather than making the person the issue somehow you missed the post about the illegal robo calls. There was someone (or some organization) that put out about 2-6 known illegal robo calls attacking Nancy. I disnounced them. Do you see that? Obviously not.
I addressed your initial comment about me and I pointed out where it was wrong and now you are on to something else. Let's go through them. But so far you are attacking me by going with the broadest of brush strokes. I am willing to stand here and discuss the issues. But you have now made two pointed references to me without looking at the underlying issue.
So MM where do you stand on that? Do you prefer to attack the messenger or look at the message?
More importantly what is your opinion of having secret meetings that violate MD Open Meetings laws. Is that ok or not?
I am willing to talk about the issues but so far all you have done is gone after me. Stay on the issues I am willing to talk but so far you have tried to make me the issue.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 1:59 pm • link • report
You pointed what percentage of GGW's posts were MD, VA and DC. When I lived in DC that is exactly how I categorized the suburbs -- by state -- rather than by jurisdiction. IIRC only Arlington CO and Alexandria city are smaller by population than DC. So by my count if you really truly were regional you have something closer to the average by population. But you do not. GGW is a heavy on urban issues. You are DC centric blog, and a good one. Your pictures across the top of the blog are almost all shots of DC. I can't pick out one photo that is MoCo centric. Your blog roll is heavy on the DC side and not on too much beyond Western, Eastern and Southern Avenues. That is fine; but then you post on a key special election where you have not shown interest in the past? Why? That makes no sense.
So before we run back to looking at stats let me see if I understand where you are coming from.
1) You live in DC and almost all of your posts are about where you live. Great. I do the same. So what is the interest in District 4 MoCo?
2) GGW did not comment on the special election a year ago; and the some of great posts you have are on urban issues and urban transportation, which is unlike where this race is going to run.
3) I find it hard to write about things I don't know much about. So why post on District 4? What is your interest in it when you never showed interest in the past.
4) Aren't there key issues in DC to talk about?
5) The Purple Line will not go through District 4. Metro is not expanding the Red Line beyond Glenmont. So what is your connection to Eastern- Mid-County MoCo? What are the important issues in District 4?
6) Do you know someone on one of the campaigns? I told you who I supported last time. I told you that I am not supporting anyone, yet. Your initial post was clearly in favor of one candidate. It was a quasi endorsement. Since then you have edited it away from its original intent.
7) Did you even try and contact the other candidates before your blog post? How can you write an informed piece without talking to anyone who lives there?
So please tell me your interest? I am curious.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 2:40 pm • link • report
To be consistent, I hope that you will see fit to attack Blair Ewing for endorsing Cary Lamari (is he a district 4 voter?) or jump in defense of D.C. or Virginia when Marylanders make comments about their candidates.
Moving on, I made a SMALL comment about what seemed like your dislike of a candidate and now you're changing what your original point was. Let me repost your text, so that it is clear what I take issue with:
Kevin Gillogly wrote:
I am stunned that you would take to writing an endorsement piece on a blog of folks that live and discus life in DC. I see where you modified your words from your initial posting but this still rings of an endorsement piece.
Tell me when is the last time you have been to District 4? I get around it quite often but I have not seen you at any of the public events or hearings. Did I miss you???
I lived in DC for many years and loved it. I still do. But I am Marylander now and I would not presume to tell Washingtonians who they should vote for in a special election that will be a critical final vote on many issues. I guess things have changed in the years since I have lived in DC.
I was a strong supporter of Don Praisner. Do you even know who he was??? Did you go to any of the events a year ago? I didn't see you at any events. I went to most of them.
I selected my candidate a year ago AFTER talking with all of the candidates first hand. I am doing that again this time. I can vote in this race. Can you?
So what makes you think that you should dictate to Marylanders in general, MoCo and District 4 specifically who the next Councilmember should be?
I am blown away by your hubris.
by MetroMania on Mar 5, 2009 2:47 pm • link • report
There's plenty of room for discussion of all issues. You ask why not talk about key issues in DC. Why don't you want me focusing regionally? Why would you prefer fewer people participate in conversations about the political process?
This blog wasn't involved in the race last year because it was new then. And yes, I know who Don Praisner was and wrote about him several times.
I think it's pretty evident that you are intent on chilling public participation in this election. It doesn't faze me, but I'm concerned that other readers who'd want to give their thoughts on the District 4 race might be dissuaded by your vitriol.
In future threads on this election, you are welcome to post your own opinions, but if you attack the blog or individual commenters for daring to have opinions of their own, I will delete your comment. This is supposed to be a place where people can feel comfortable posting what they think, and attacks as vicious as yours interfere with that. I won't allow it.
by David Alpert on Mar 5, 2009 2:59 pm • link • report
There you go -- putting words in my mouth. That so far has been the case with most people I have been in contact with here at GGW.
I am not trying to chill public participation in this election. I welcome it. But why not link to people that have more local knowledge and go from there. If you don't like MPW there is JUTP.
Again your initial post was clearly tilted toward one candidate -- agree or disagree?
Please tell me the last post you had on issues around District 4? I can't find one and maybe I am not looking in the right place of your archives.
I have not seen any other posts on local elections and now this where you don't live? It makes no sense. Again maybe there is a good reason but I can't find it.
You claim I am daring you -- all I am asking is what is your interest in District 4 and MoCo. Glad you have an interest but as a journalist what is your angle?
If that is too much, then I am sorry.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 3:08 pm • link • report
You wrote, "I have not seen any other posts on local elections." I wrote about Gerry Connolly's primary in Fairfax, the general election, and Sharon Bulova's election to replace him. I wrote about ANC and Council races across DC.
This criticism feels to me like someone coming on and saying, "I haven't seen you write about the National Mall! How dare you write about the Mall?" I occasionally do write about the National Mall, and many other things. That doesn't disqualify me from posting about the Mall.
I disagree that the post was tilted toward one candidate. One candidate talks the most about the issues we care about on her Web site. That's all I said. You interpreted it that way. Moreover, I've made it absolutely clear what the intention was, yet you are still fixated on your initial misapprehension.
You must have some opinions about the candidates so far. Please share them. If you aren't willing to, I'm getting really bored of this argument.
by David Alpert on Mar 5, 2009 3:25 pm • link • report
I like Navarro best, then Kramer because of their emphasis on environment, land use, transportation. Lamari sounds terrible.
I have an opinion! Isn't that annoying? i care about the quality of the air I breathe, the water in the creeks and rivers and the health of my fellow citizens in the greater Washington area. Ha ha!
by Bianchi on Mar 5, 2009 3:29 pm • link • report
If you want to help educate your readers on issues north of Western Avenue then along with Dan's JUTP consider adding Adam's MPW. Adam and I don't always agree but you will get news there that is not in the MSM.
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 3:30 pm • link • report
by David Alpert on Mar 5, 2009 3:33 pm • link • report
Good for you. However if you "care about the quality of the air you breathe, the water in the creeks and river and the health of my fellow citizens" then I would not dismiss Cary Lamari. He was active on most of those issues for years through his civic association. Ben Kramer come from a developer background. Nancy did not address the Smart Growth issues in 2008. She ran "the morning in America" campaign and almost won. She is now willing to talk about growth and growth policy. Good for her. And that in a nutshell is how I can see things.
So there is my opinion. Ha ha!
by Kevin Gillogly on Mar 5, 2009 3:38 pm • link • report
by Cavan on Mar 5, 2009 3:46 pm • link • report
It would be great if the area around the Glenmont Station could be developed as a coherent TOD as a whole. The JBG companies control the Privacy World project between Georgia and Layhill Roads along Glenallan, just across the street from Metro, where 1,500 units are possible -- and right across the street is a 60s-style shopping plaza that offers an incredible TOD opportunity. The challenge is the Layhill- Georgia intersection right there, just a block or so from the Georgia - Randolph intersection, scheduled for a $60 million grade-separated interchange...and a huge metro parking garage. Very powerful, conflicting currents (interchange/garage vs. TOD/busway) in an area that could be an impressive TOD and a bus-rail transit hub (not to mention a bike destination, because there's a bikeway connecting to Glenmont along Layhill).
So....a lot of transit issues in District 4, and it would be nice to hear candidates' views on them.
by jnb on Mar 5, 2009 3:47 pm • link • report
Yes, the original blog was written like it supports Nancy Navarro. The addition of certain facts associated with the other candidates showed a clear ideological favoritism.
Yes, the authors of this blog have every right to discuss the politics of the greater greater Washington region. As it pertains to transportation and the environment, we are all in the same boat. We rise and fall together.
And no, we should not continue the off base conversation started above.
So raise your hand if you like Nancy Navarro. Now discuss.
by Montgomery County Ombudsman on Mar 5, 2009 3:48 pm • link • report
by jnb on Mar 5, 2009 3:50 pm • link • report
Perhaps he doesn't know about the connection between walkable communities and the nations no.2 cause of death from preventable disease. Maybe you can tell him. that would be great! Tell all the candidates. That would be greater! Tell them preventing disease saves tax-payer money and is good for the economy. Plus it's humane because when mortality and morbidity are prevented human suffering is prevented.
P.S. if you want evidence of my assertion see CDC, NIH, RWJF and IOM data.
by Bianchi on Mar 5, 2009 4:02 pm • link • report
by Ryan on Mar 6, 2009 4:06 pm • link • report
by Bianchi on Mar 9, 2009 1:33 am • link • report
I'm not entirely sure to which issues you refer when you say I'm not making myself clear as to where I stand.
Would it help any if I said I'm a pagan tree hugger who knows that some people really want to live in very high-density mixed-use areas well-served by mass-transit and designed for walkability? Sure, I like that, for those who want to live that way. For those who want to live out in the rural areas, I support their right to keep rural areas rural/agricultural. Is that so wrong? And as for Suburbia, we've got enough Sprawl already, do we need more? -I don't think so. Do we need more and better cost-effective energy-efficient ways to get form ruralia to suburbia to high-densityville? Sure.
What I want to know from you people is whether or not you think that we've got a population problem -- not just here, globally -- that's compounding a resource/energy shortage problem. I think so. I think it's time to reverse the Reagan/Bush Era policies of suppressing family-planning education and provisioning for foreign aid, and we also need to introduce more family-planning and resource-conservation coursework and policies here in the States, as well.
by Thomas Hardman on Mar 9, 2009 11:23 pm • link • report
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