Dembrow a threat to domestic tranquility, at home and in office

On Independence Day, Maryland State Delegate Dana Dembrow took advantage of Takoma Park's tradition of showcasing its elected politicians in its annual July 4th parade. Dembrow and his wife rode in a car near the head of the parade, blithely waving to the public, as it snaked through our town. It was an awkward and embarrassing moment for me and others I spoke with on the parade route.

Dembrow has recently admitted to beating his wife. Were we supposed to clap, jeer, or cry as they passed?

I half hoped some clown or jester would follow their car with the sign: "The King (read: Delegate) Has No Clothes." A few weeks ago, the Post ran a story, quoting his wife that Dembrow "needs" to be an elected politician. It seems to me that by their public facade, the Dembrows don't get it: their family is dysfunctional and "needs" help.

Do we really need to have our noses rubbed in the Dembrows' pathology? Seems like we can't do much about priests who rape and abuse our children, nor can we do much about corporate CEOs who lie, cheat and steal while eviscerating the pensions of thousands of stockholders. But we can do something about sick politicians who are abusers. We can encourage them to get long-term therapeutic help (which by their actions they are crying out for) and, end our own role as enablers in the dysfunctional cycle by voting them out of office.

What I'm afraid will happen is that we'll get snared by the abuser's predictable script: "All that's behind us now. We're moving forward. I am sorry but if you re-elect me I promise it will never happen again."

If we do nothing, then we are acting as the enabler (collectively), as his wife appears to be doing. It's common knowledge that whether it's a family system, organizational system or larger social system, the dysfunctional patterns and roles are alarmingly similar.

Family dysfunction is not an overnight flu. It is a long-term chronic problem that needs long term attention, commitment and work to cure. Dembrow and his wife should seek that healing course of action to let go of the "Happy Family Mask".

While I'm not a therapist, I normally believe that a person's pathology is his or her own to deal with in private. I respect that privacy until said person acts out in public, especially if that person is an elected official.

At this point, Dembrow's illness affects us all and will likely affect the way he behaves in the legislature or at least his ability to achieve results for our District. For example, can he, with any real authority and power, speak out against domestic violence on behalf of the electorate?

There are plenty of decent, progressive activists who would do a fine job in Annapolis for our district's constituents. Just because Dembrow has name recognition, we need not be tethered to his dysfunctional drama. In the past, I've voted for Dembrow; I won't again. I encourage his colleagues in the legislature to tell him its time to move on and heal himself and his family.

This isn't Pleasantville and this isn't the 1950s. The parade charade only keeps us all in denial and fosters the continuing cycle of family and social dysfunction.

- Scott Denman

Takoma Park, Md.

Noise ordinance or witch hunt?

The Takoma Park Noise Ordinance leaves room for prejudice, and does not consider police reports valid.

The Takoma Park noise ordinance stipulates that if two citizens sign a complaint, then a citation will be issued against the alleged offender. No other investigation of noise takes place, and, unless there is [an] additional witness to testify that noise did not occur on that specific date and time, the complaint cannot be argued in court.

I know this from personal experience. For over two years, I had a downstairs neighbor who summoned police to my apartment over 100 times, sometimes as many as ten times a day. On each visit, the police could not verify noise. The complaints included an alarm clock coming from another person's apartment, my vacuum cleaner during reasonable hours, and walking around.

Finally, a police report stated that two years of police visits to my home could not reveal noise.

In fact, I live alone. And my other neighbors attest to the general quiet of my life and in my neighborhood as a whole. Even so, prompted by my dissatisfied neighbor's constant haranguing, council member Marc Elrich called me at work one morning, and warned me that I can not vacuum after 10 p.m.

My neighbor then began to file complaints. There was one hour on a Saturday afternoon, for example, when, according to her written statement, she could hear Spanish lyrics coming from my apartment. Another complaint stated that there was Black-oriented dialogue on a video, also on a Saturday afternoon.

I never complained of the fact that I could hear her guests singing Happy Birthday, and, given the history of her excessive police summoning, it appears nonsensical to me that I would later be fined nearly a thousand dollars based solely on two-party complaints.

How could the city of Takoma Park, a city that takes prides in protecting citizens' rights, allow me to be ganged up on in this manner?

If, hypothetically speaking, you and your friend don't like me, but the police have found no indication that I am criminal, uncivil, or even unsociable, should I be fined for being unpopular? How can the City penalize a law-abiding individual based on unverified and untested opinion?

Eventually, I will leave Takoma Park, relieved, I hope, of subjective and prejudicial governing. What a way to end my 13 year residency in this town.

- Lisa Buchsbaum

Takoma Park, Md.

Sternbach can't claim credit

I was perplexed to read Sally Sternbach's latest campaign brochure (Montgomery County Council, District 5), which claims that "when the community needed a new High School, Sally Sternbach made the difference."

Voters for a Better Blair Community, the political action committee that ultimately turned the tide in the fight for the new Blair High School, did not count Sally among its members, much less its leadership. As a past Vice Chair of Voters for a Better Blair, I can safely say that Sally was a minor player-literally dozens of people played more prominent roles in the effort.

While Sally was involved in early efforts to replace Blair, her fanciful claim that "her leadership brought the entire community together to obtain our new high school" is simply not true. Blair on Kay was a grassroots effort, and nobody, least of all Sally Sternbach, can claim individual credit.

Sternbach's campaign literature touts other education bona fides, so I don't understand the need to pad her resume. It not only diminishes the contributions of many who spent years working for Blair, it also diminishes her candidacy. In the age of Enron and faulty accounting practices, surely we should hold our public officials to the highest standards of integrity.

- Marlana Valdez

Takoma Park, Md

Resurrect Takoma's totems

In the 1970s, when I was a child, I played at the Takoma Park playground by Whittier and 4th Street. At least three or four poles as tall as these living trees (10 feet tall est.) were erected there. I was there a few years ago looking at the park (and they were gone). There should be a complete, authentic preservation (reconstruction of these poles.) They should be put back in the neighborhood.

These totems showed the meaning of Takoma Park and the trading place. There are stories and folklore legends surrounding these places. It was once full of swampy woods. Raccoon sightings were common. I wonder where will it go in the future. Preservation and history should bring the place and community alive. I'm the flower child, the long time resident of Whittier Street.

- Matthew Proctor

Takoma Park, Md

. Van Hollen deserves endorsement

Thank you, Takoma Voice, for endorsing Chris Van Hollen now! You are right; this will be our most important vote on September 10. Not only is a vital congressional seat at stake, but rarely do voters have an opportunity to elect such an outstanding legislative leader of character and integrity as Chris Van Hollen. He will be a tremendous asset in the Congress. Your endorsement says it well.

All I would add is that it was the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Van Hollen staffed. Among his many other foreign relations activities, he went on a fact-finding trip to Iraq in 1988 to investigate the use of chemical weapons by Saddam Hussein. No international experience could be more relevant at this time. Only Van Hollen brings foreign policy expertise with proven legislative leadership.

- Joan H. King

Takoma Park, Md.

Is the city helpless?

I find that Seth Grimes' opinion on the profusion of governments that have jurisdiction over Takoma Park (August 2002) is well worth thinking about. I believe I have some good news. The city is not quite as helpless as Seth suggests.

He states that if Montgomery County authorities knew about Metro's plans for building 106 residential units on the Metro parking lot they should have informed and consulted us; that Takoma Park officials learned about the plan shortly before it was publicly revealed; that our city government is in the dark and impotent; that the county is not looking after our interests.

According to my recollection, several months before the public found out (by accident) about these plans, city officials were fully informed. However they also chose to keep them a secret.

As for the county looking after our interests, the county needs to know what our interests are. As far as I know, city officials said very little to the county.

As Seth said, don't get me wrong: I support building infill housing close to public transportation. But how much is too much? The latest plans call for up to 400 new units plus parking garages on and adjacent to the Metro site. Will these add "vitality to our community" as Seth suggests, or will they add intolerable traffic and pollution?

-Carolyn Bassing

Takoma Park, Md.

Give Connie a chance

I read your premature endorsement of Chris Van Hollen the same day I read The Washington Post's account of Van Hollen's unethical and possibly illegal dissemination of campaign material depicting his face on the cover of Time magazine. Connie Morella has given us 16 years of devoted public service without such embarrassing blunders.

Conspicuously missing from your endorsement of Van Hollen was any criticism of Morella's record. The only pretext you can offer for turning Connie out of office is the prospect of returning the House to Democratic control.

Give me a break! Leaving aside the remote prospect of control hinging on one seat, what would that achieve? The Democrats gained control of the Senate two years ago and have proven unable to perform the most basic tasks, such as passing a budget resolution. Without a budget, it would have taken 60 votes to add prescription drugs to Medicare. They never came close. Do you really want the House to be as dysfunctional as the Senate?

Since Connie's character and years of exemplary service apparently mean nothing to you, please consider her power and influence as chair of the House Committee on Government Reform's Subcommittee on the District of Columbia, and what it would mean to Takoma Park. We have lots of "issues" with the District that has thus far shown little respect for our concerns. But with Morella as our representative, we will have the District government's complete and full attention.

Also, I believe there is something to be said for respecting and repaying years of loyal service. - Hank Cox

Takoma Park, Md.

Improve PBES system

What factors impact the success or failure of students at schools? The parents and faculty of Piney Branch Elementary School (PBES) have identified at least two key factors: leadership and structure, which are having a profound effect on their school.

First, a dynamic and committed leader can make a major and positive difference. Mr. Lee Meiners, PBES's new principal, has worked closely with his staff and parents to raise the bar on student achievement and significantly improve attitudes within the school and the community. After hosting more than 11 principals in 14 years at PBES, we are grateful to the county for bringing us Mr. Meiners, whose strong leadership and vision is helping the school make major strides forward.

Second, the structure of a school, as defined by its grade-span and "feeder school" patterns, plays a key role in student success or failure. Unlike the traditional K-5 and pre K-5 configurations which 90% of Montgomery County elementary schools have, PBES has only 3rd-5th grades. Furthermore, PBES's students come from two separate feeder schools at two different grades: Takoma Park Elementary students enter PBES at 3rd grade, and students from East Silver Spring Elementary enter at the 4th grade. This anomalous structure or "articulation pattern" creates constant transition and instability, and is seen by many as a barrier to both student achievement and parental involvement.

The PBES PTA position paper submitted in May 2002, at the conclusion of the MCPS-sponsored "Articulation Round-table" meetings concludes, "...bottom line, the status quo is unacceptable. We ask for continuing discussion to work towards a solution that benefits all our children and is acceptable to all three schools. Through short-and long-term solutions, we must devise an environment that engenders positive emotional growth for our children, minimizes transitions, increases parental involvement, improves staff retention, and fosters school-specific, tri-school, and community-wide pride and cohesion and academic excellence."

I urge all Takoma Park and East Silver Spring parents to learn about this issue. I further hope more parents will ask MCPS Superintendent, Dr. Weast, to take prompt and decisive actions that provide our children the learning environment they need.

- Randy Gibson

Takoma Park, Md.

Competition for Townsend

Despite what people read in the media, Kathleen Townsend does have competition in the primary.

My name is Robert Fustero and I am the other Democrat running for Governor. I have been attending forums meeting candidates yet I receive little press coverage. I am grateful for The Baltimore Sun and the Star-Democrat for the articles they have provided.

I am the only Democrat who is opposed to the ICC. I am also the only candidate advocating a living wage. (Every politician should read "Nickel and Dimed.")

I am also advocating programs for criminals that are geared toward education, and the teaching of business principles. I believe that communities with the help of government should provide more than recreation centers for teenagers. We need more programs such as "Jobs for Freedom" that have been successful in Los Angeles and its gang-related problems.

- Robert Fustero

Candidate for Governor

Franchot no friend to animals

As someone who cares about animals, I want the voters in District 20 to know that during the 2002 legislative session, Delegate Peter Franchot was a sponsor of HB10, the bill to open a trophy hunting black bear season in Maryland. There are a little over 200 bears in western Maryland and they have been protected for nearly 50 years. This bill thankfully lost in the senate.

Peter Franchot is a member of the Sportsmen's Caucus, the legislative group in the Maryland General Assembly formed to promote hunting animals, and he is the only Montgomery County Democrat recognized as pro-hunting by Southern Duck Hunter. Delegate Franchot was also a sponsor of HB9, the bill to extend the hunting season and allow hunting on Sundays. Governor Glendening vetoed that bill, stating that he received a large number of letters from animal protection advocates, religious groups who did not want killing on Sunday, hikers, bicycle riders, bird watchers, and ordinary people, who wanted to feel safe in our parks on Sundays. The NRA has stated that passage of a bill to allow Sunday hunting will be one of its priorities in 2003.

Fortunately, we have an alternative. Sheila Hixson has an excellent record on animal protection issues in Annapolis. Diane Nixon has worked for years to protect animals, and was instrumental in making animal cruelty a felony in Maryland.

Most recently, Diane Nixon and Susan Rich asked Blair Ewing to introduce legislation to ban the continuous chaining of dogs in Montgomery County. Councilman Ewing agreed to introduce the legislation, which was co-sponsored by Marilyn Praisner and Steve Silverman, and it passed unanimously. Now dogs in Montgomery County will not have to live 24 hours a day at the end of a chain.

Delegate Franchot's pro-hunting interests are clearly out of step with mainstream District 20 voters. People who care about animals should vote for Delegate Sheila Hixson and Diane Nixon.

- Sarah Clifton

Takoma Park, Md.

Join the Pedaling Pastor

Here I go again. After just getting back on July 31 from my third cross-county cycling tour ride which began at Freeport Maine to Miami Florida, a distance of 1,880 miles, I am ready to take another cycling trip. This last trip saw temperatures in excess of 100 degrees in many spots and brutal hot head winds that at times were in excess of 20 mph.

I will be leaving the Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, Washington DC side and will cycle to Ground Zero in New York. The time of departure will be 11 a.m. Sunday Sept. 8 arriving in New York at Ground Zero sometime late morning or afternoon on September 11. The riding distance will be 233 miles. A support vehicle will be available to carry six riders, their food, water, bikes and other supplies. A small fee will be charged to cover expenses.

The reason for this trip is to carry a 5' x 49" cloth picture of the skyline of New York City with an insert of the Ten Commandments where the WTC once stood. (You can see the picture on my web page at rtm.org). It is our way at our Takoma Park Church of delivering messages that the "Takoma Park Maryland Seventh-day Adventist Church loves and prays for NYC," which is inscribed just below the picture.

I want to give you an open invitation to come and join me on this ride. You don't have to be a member of our church or denomination to come. You are welcome to ride whether you are a Christian or not.

If you feel the spirit tugging or just an urge to say you cycled from Takoma Park to New York City arrive on 9/11, y'all "come and go with me."

Call 202-829-4800 if you are interested.

- Pastor Tony Mavrakos

Takoma Park, Md.

Reflectors, not rifles

It is tragic that once again Montgomery County is considering adding more killing to its deer management program when there are humane methods already in use in other parts of the county and the state.

The most effective and humane strategy for preventing deer/car collisions continues to be the Strieter-Lite reflector system. The reflectors utilize the headlight beams from oncoming cars to create a grid of light that stops deer from entering the road. The system is inexpensive to install and has a proven track record in more than 60 communities in North America. It is currently installed here in Montgomery County at several sites. Area residents should encourage the County to install more of these lifesaving devices.

For people concerned about deer depredation of gardens and crops, high-tensile wire fencing, electric fencing, and planting vegetation that is unpalatable to deer can significantly reduce or resolve every deer problem. More information on these techniques is available for free at www.fund.org or by calling 301-585-2591.

On the other hand, killing deer with sharpshooters or with a recreational hunt does not solve the problem. Deer are here to stay and will compensate for any reduction in their population by producing more fawns in the spring. Residents should instead encourage a peaceful co-existence with deer by using humane methods of control in our yards and on our highways.

- Jennifer Allen

Silver Spring, Md.

Memorial for Motorcat

I enjoy the excellent memorial statue for Roscoe the Rooster. I think it's time for another monument to an even more deserving local citizen who recently died: our famous feline, Motorcat, who rode with J. Catman on his motorcycle and bicycle for 14 years. Motorcat, complete with crash helmet, was a delightful and heroic sight, perched on his bike Ôsaddle'. He was surely Takoma Park's coolest cat.

- Carolyn Bassing

Takoma Park, Md.

Rubenstein gets it

Voters in District 5 have three strong Democratic council member candidates to choose from on September 10. My reason for supporting Cynthia Rubenstein is her leadership experience at the neighborhood as well as the community level; she understands when I talk to her about the need for spaces in the community for kids to gather, the need for spaces for community art projects and programs, the need for businesses as well as parents to engage with schools to ensure equal education opportunities for all kids.

She understands the need for the inner purple line for people to get across the county to jobs. And she understands the need we have in District 5 for housing for low and moderate income families to help maintain our rich diversity. She understands the need for and will support grassroots initiatives to maintain and improve our quality of life in District 5.

I hope District 5 readers will join me in supporting Cynthia at the polls on September 10.

- Peg Brenner

Silver Spring, Md.

The meaning of pro-transit

Recently, George Leventhal wrote a letter to the Voice admonishing Mike Tabor for deciding what is, and is not, a progressive platform. I don't know what it means to be "progressive," but I do have some idea what it means to be pro-transit.

All the original literature I saw from George's campaign has focused on the fact that he is pro-transit - specifically, the Inner Purple Line. Indeed, that's the defining reason we're supposed to vote for him. So it came as some surprise to recieve the latest flyer from Mr. Leventhal's campaign coalition, entitled: "Finally. A Plan to Build the ICC and End Gridlock."

Actually, it came as no surprise, because a true mass transit advocate would endorse Metrorail-subway, not light rail, as the preferred technology for our dense, wooded area. That is unfortunately why George's campaign is endorsed by Action Committee for Transit (ACT). ACT is congenitally averse to Metrorail, which it sees as an obsolete technology despite carrying 10 percent of all rapid transit ridership. ACT favors trolley-style transit, primarily as an urban renewal vehicle and /not/ an alternative to freeway-building. Low ridership stats therefore do not concern them.

The irony is that plans already call for the proposed "light rail" Inner Line to be underground for over a third of its length, including a deep tunnel through our neighborhood, with not one intervening station!

Increasing this figure (by underground-ing the Georgetown Branch) would not only save 2,000 trees and avoid major road widening, it would make it politically possible to actually extend the line into Takoma Park at all! As it is, the very planners who endorsed trolley technology informed me that the reason for their decision was that ZERO track-miles of subway "will actually be built in my lifetime." That would include any possible extension through Takoma Park, or across the Potomac River! And they fight so very hard to keep the brief Bethesda section above ground.

Contrast this with the 174 lane miles of new state and county highway that George would have us build, with all that money saved by skimping on transit in dense, poor downcounty areas. Taxpayer dollars are fungible, after all. Of all the candidates I have met face to face in state and local campaigns, Mr. Leventhal is the only one who has had the gumption to explicitly rule out undergrounding the Georgetown Branch, and making it Metro from Silver Spring, where hundreds of trains now terminate daily.

His reason? It would be "much too costly" to build any more Metrorail downcounty. I guess one would think that, after spending billions of local tax dollars on the ICC!

I know George Leventhal, he is a friend of mine. And George, you're proving to be no friend of mass transit.

- Brian Robinson

Takoma Park, Md.