granolapark

Dear Readers,

This is the mentality that brought us the ICC. This is the mentality that welcomes development to upper Montgomery County. This is the mentality that wants to widen the Beltway. This is the mentality that is dragging all of us deeper into traffic-choked, suburban-sprawled, global-warming hell.

- Gilbert

Posted by Granola Park at 07:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dear Readers and WRITERS!

If you posted a comment and do not see it here, please repost or write to the gilbert@takoma.com address, asap!

- Gilbert

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RUBEN vs. RASKIN

Jamie Raskin has run one of the most negative campaigns in Maryland history. He has called Senator Ruben a "conservative right winger" a "supporter of Bush's war" and a "corrupt back room politician". At the candidates forum, his supporters called Senator Ruben an "old hag". The Raskin campaign has twice stolen hundreds of lawn signs from Senator Ruben's neighborhood. When are people going to wake up to what this campaign is all about?

Paul Chrostowski

This IS depressing, Dear Readers! Usually yard sign hooliganism happens in the campaign’s last week - most often in the last few days. This must be an indication of the high emotions the Raskin - Rueben race is generating. Gilbert hates this “Feud-al Phase" and is disgusted that it has started so early. Forget about issues, from now on it will be all about allegations of dirty tactics, outrageous acts, and fighting words that serve only to crank up the ire of already-committed voters. Bleh!

- Gilbert

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On the death penalty: Don't forget that Jamie Raskin was a key campaign operative for Doug Gansler's two successful runs for the Montgomery County State's Attorney's seat.

Can't be much more pro-death penalty than Gansler. Couldn't do more than to assure death penalty is effectuated in MoCo than work hard for a pro-death penalty prosecutor. Ah well, Dear Gilbert, consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, ne c'est pas?

PS when I asked who he is supporting for Attorney General, Mr. Raskin declined to answer other than to say he was working for himself to become State Senator. Anybody think he's helping his old pal Gansler?

- TGagliardo

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POLITICS ON PARADE

I'm not voting for the incumbents--haven't done that in years.

I'm voting for people who've been working here, which rules out Klein; sure, he's been in politics and he's got a well-financed campaign, but what's he done here? No grassroots organizing, no local involvement to speak of in smaller matters. All of a sudden some legislative aide with a lot of money jumps in the race?

I'm pulling for Hucker, Mizeur, and a candidate to be named later.

- local watcher man

Local, are you being ironic? Heather Mizeur is a legislative aide for Senator John Kerry, and has a whole lot of money and clout behind her campaign. There are a number of legislative aides, not to mention lobbyists, running for office - so many that your Gilbert mused in an earlier post about it, wondering if this were due to our proximity to the nation’s capitol.

- Gilbert

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I am deeply concerned and offended by Gilbert's analysis of Valerie Ervin and the District 5 County Council race. Gilbert's portrayal of Ms. Ervin's commitment to the Purple Line was entirely inaccurate. Ms. Ervin has been a member of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line since its beginning over three years ago. She has also studied the issue as a staffer for the Council's Transportation and Environment Committee.

Gilbert also questioned Ms. Ervin's loyalty to the citizens of her district, citing her work as a Council staff person. It is entirely unfounded and extremely condescending to imply that Ms. Ervin won't be able to think for herself and for her community if elected. She's already proven her ability to represent the public interest as a Board Member and would only be aided by her familiarity with the Council and its procedures if elected.

Valerie Ervin has two decades of local community experience. She knows our district, its issues and its people. Her wide range of endorsements, which include the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Neighbors for a Better Montgomery, and the Sierra Club, are a testament to her ability to represent our diverse community and all of its interests. She knows the issues and has not only the vision, but the political will to actualize change. She is the best choice for District 5.

Avi Edelman
Silver Spring

And this business of claiming to be an environmentalist while advocating artificial turf for school athletic fields is less than convincing.

- Gilbert

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George Levensprawl's support for modest, no-brainer investments in renewable energy make him the political equivalent of a broken clock -- he happens to be right twice a day, but isn't particularly useful. All the good he may have done on energy issues is offset many times over by his support for the ICC, and on balance, his environmental record is atrociously consistent with his attempts to undermine public health by cutting child passenger safety services in half and by supporting the rescinded original version of the fire/rescue restructuring bill that would have made it impossible for the county to put effective numbers of emergency responders in the field. Valerie Ervin should be considered an accessory to Leventhal's anti-people policies until and unless she distances herself from her old boss. It's a great loss to the county that neither Joy Austin-Lane nor Marc Elrich stuck around to give District 5 voters a progressive option on the ballot.

Mike Livingston

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Maybe it's just on my mind because of the clipboard equipped HRC volunteers that were hiking around my neighborhood yesterday, but I find it interesting that Aaron Klein's campaign materials prominently proclaim his support of equal rights for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender families. I'm hopeful that it's only missing from Heather Mizeur's materials (and web site...) because her support is obvious. The more cynical thoughts in my head worry that she could be avoiding mention of the issue out of fear that her sexual orientation could cost her votes.
I don't really believe this to be the case, but I do appreciate/prefer a candidate who isn't intimidated by such discussions.
(also, I'm fully aware that this is a national issue that won't by won or lost by who we elect in District 20)

- Mark

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This doesn't sound like you Gilbert. Are you two persons in one blogger?

TGagliardo

granolapark Industries, Corp.(gIP), employs hundreds of highly skilled and talented writers working in our dozens of divisions and departments. We strive to create a consistent product. Our market research indicates that most consumers detect no inconsistencies in style and content from one post to another and that the percentage of those that do is statistically insignificant. We value your opinions and thank you for your letter.

- Gilbert #645

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RENT CONTROL/AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Bloodsucking landlord, here.

Thanks for the interesting post about Takoma Park's rent stabilization law. I have mixed emotions. I have a very small building that I operate in Takoma Park with a partner, and I believe that there's value in making sure there is a place to live for people of all income levels in Takoma Park. I live in Takoma Park as well, and I'm feeling like getting to the less yuppified climes of College Park, myself.

One of my tenants is a beneficiary of Montgomery County rental assistance. I favor these sorts of programs over rent control. My other tenants do not appear to be at all low income -- they just know a good deal in a nice place when they see it. They would pay 30 - 40% more to be less than a mile away in Silver Spring (did I mention I am a Realtor, too?) Wouldn't it be nice to focus the funds going to my other tenants on the one tenant family who needs it -- at least by the Montgomery Co. standard? And maybe some of my other tenants do need help. Without going back over their credit reports, I couldn't tell you.

We pay a mortgage that is approximately $500 less than the rents. Each year thanks to the costs of improvements to the building, and the gas bills, we are about $6000 in arrears. Because of the not-great tax code of the United States, all tax payers usually - usually - almost make it up to us in the end.

I don't suck blood. I feel a little anemic. My solution is to sell the property as a very large single family dwelling. This is not what rent control was meant to do, diminish the affordable rental housing stock. If there were a more targeted way of assisting lower-income people to provide affordable housing, I'd really like to abolish the rent stabilization law. In the absence of good laws like these, I'm theoretically in favor of rent control. I just can't afford to keep paying for it!

The other thing I got out of this is that my local councilman said some good stuff to Southern Management. Go Terry! Kathy Porter suggested to come up with better ideas. I really don't like when Takoma has to come up with local laws because the region, Maryland, or the USAC isn't doing it's/our duties. I don't have any numbers behind this idea, but maybe all Takoma Park landlords could pay into a fund, but otherwise charge market rents for their places. Another advantage to rent control is that the folks who qualify for the lower rents in the targeted programs are sometimes stigmatized, and may have trouble getting a place.

I'll admit I'm just as confused as the next person. For now, I'm sitting in a more comfortable position than many. But don't forget, I took a lot of risk and carry a lot of responsibility to provide this housing.

Deirdre McIntyre

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”The reason non-profits have to make a bigger profit has to do with the potential profits from the eventual sale of a property being figured into the rent of a for-profit building. Selling the building for profit is something a nonprofit owner can’t do, so they need to have higher rents. That’s what your Gilbert understands, anyway. By the way, low income tenants in these non-profit-owned buildings will not pay the entire rent, they pay a percentage of their incomes and the government picks up the rest”.

Gilbert. I don't understand your assessment of why non-profits need relief from rent control while for-profit landlords do not. Maybe you could more fully explain your logic. As I understand the economics of rental housing, rents are set by the surrounding rental market, not by the resale value of housing. There are a number of factors, including access to credit, vacancy rates, regulations or incentives, and tax policy, that drive rental prices. Rents can be greater or lesser than the monthly amortized (30-year) value of a given unit (One way to represent the sale value of a unit to the unit cost). Also, residents of nonprofit housing do not always get additional government subsidy.

And by the way, it's not a secret that I think speed bumps are at the bottom of the traffic calming trick bag. I dislike them because they damage vehicles (Maple Avenue Bumps!); slow emergency response; and are problematic for bikes, assisted mobility vehicles and people with back or other health problems. However, my role is to assist residents as well as set policy.

Colleen Clay

Councilmember Clay,

MY logic? Ack! I thought it was YOUR (the council’s) logic! At the very least it has to be the county’s logic - wasn’t it the county that requested the nonprofit loophole in the rent control law?

- Gilbert

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One minor correction. The mortgage income tax deduction works slightly differently for landlords. If you live in your own home you can deduct mortgage interest and property taxes from your personal income taxes, which is actually a lot of money. But if you rent out the home then your taxes work like any other business. You can deduct your costs against your income. So if you rent out an apartment you can only deduct the mortgage interest, and any other cost, against the rental income. You then have to pay taxes on the rental income to the extent its greater than your costs. So, for most landlords, as opposed to property owners, the tax benefits are pretty slim.

- Jason

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Rent Instability

No doubt, it's a tough issue. But as a homeowner, I would be willing to pay a surcharge or special fee (as we do for storm water) that would go into a fund to help people with their rent and to help them 1) buy a home in TP (good luck w/ the housing prices the way they are) or 2) help tenants take ownership of their buildings.

I'm with Clay -- let's put our money where our mouths are. I assume (no proof here) some landlords are greedy and don't keep their properties in livable shape, but others -- I surmise -- are simply businesspeople trying to do the right thing for tenants and make a modest profit. If Takoma Park drags its feet on addressing the landlords' concerns, tenants will truly be SOL.

May I add an observation about what I see as a bit of a disconnect? Our latest Takoma News talks of New Hampshire Avenue redevelopment in glowing "community" terms. We need redevelopment along this blighted stretch of road, which right now has businesses that do not serve our "affluent" community, the article says.

The city wants to market the Takoma/Long Branch Enterprise Zone to developers. The EZ provides tax breaks for expansion and capital improvements for commercial properties along NH Ave between Eastern and University, on University between NH and Piney Branch, and also on Piney Branch, including Flower Village.

This Enterprise Zone was an important campaign plank for Mayor Porter, but an article in the TP Gazette shortly after the election noted that most business owners who attended an EZ informational meeting were unaware that it even existed, despite its having been designated in 2003.

Here's where I see a bit of a disconnect. Many in TP are willing to believe the worst about landlords, and want to ensure that rents are affordable, yet the city is saying that we need businesses that will appeal to our "affluent" lifestyles.

Many of the businesses along NH Ave serve the communities across the road in Prince George's, or the folks in Langley Park. I noticed there's even a new bank serving Latinos in the strip center just north of Holton. And Aldi? That's like Trader Joe's, but cheaper. Many many people who are a lot poorer than homeowners here in TP shop there for their groceries. Are we proposing to get rid of that?

Despite the years of rhetoric about redevelopment along NH, I have yet to hear anyone suggest a realistic proposal for new business. Wal-Mart? (Please, no). Target? There's one 10 minutes away down 410. Nordstrom's? Yikes. (They wouldn't come, anyway)

We do have the new Starbucks (a tiny one) down at the Crossroads. But pity the person who tries to suggest Starbucks move into Old Town Takoma. Oh, the protests that would ensue!

By all means fix the sidewalks, improve the shelters at the bus stops, educate the existing business proprietors about the EZ and the possibility of tax breaks -- but please, let's try to acknowledge the existence of the communities near us that are not as "affluent."

BTW, I'd love to see some back-and-forth on this subject, w/ specifics.

EZ info
http://www.choosemaryland.org/businessservices/taxincentives/enterprisezone.html

Steve Davies

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CHERRY-PICKING COMMENTS

I find it off-putting that people I've talked to tell me that you don't post their comments when they are pro-Raskin. Hence, I can only conclude that you've cherry-picked either seemingly "neutral" or leaning-Ida statements. Shame on you.

- David

David,

Where's the shame NOW, Gilbert asks in a deep, melodramatic voice?

- Gilbert

Posted by Granola Park at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Dear Readers,

Your brilliant comments to my even more brilliant posts just don't get a fair shake. So, we here at granolapark corporate headquarters have decided to give your comments the special attention they deserve. Here is a post made up entirely of YOUR comments.

- Gilbert

COMMENTS on Ruben vs. Raskin

"{Raskin] was breathing fire, all aflame for the Democratic “party of the people,” hot to be the “champion of the people,” and burning to work for the “common rights of the people.” This is from a Bethesda-raised graduate of Georgetown Day School and Harvard Law School, keep in mind."

I typically agree with your commentary, but why the cheapshot? Can people born into privilege not recognize their own privilege and work for a system that would allow others less fortunate to share the privilege? Just because a person attends private schools and is born in an affluent zip code does not automatically make them unaware and out-of-touch with other citizens. In fact, many of the private schools in this area make a concerted effort to teach their students to recognize their own privilege and give back to others so as to breakdown the socio-economic walls that separate those worlds. Your seemingly crass assessment is akin to reverse racism and sexism that only reestablishes misconceptions of socio-economic differences.

Mike

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I first heard of Jamie Raskin via his signage all over TP. I commented to a politically astute friend that I would put money on the fact that he was probably the son of Marcus and another elite clever boy who went to Harvard and is all set to let the world in on his special gifts. I was gently rebuffed as being cynical so of course I went home and googled and lo and behold, he is the elite son of an elite and he did go to Harvard. I laughed out loud. Cynical? No. I worked for clever boys for years in the public interest sector. They come from families that pride themselves on their clever liberalism and manage to actually avoid anything that might cause them true discomfort.
I watched clever boys leave the public interest arena and head into "higher" offices where they promptly sold down the river all kinds of policy ideals they had worked on for years. It doesn't surprise me that loser liberal scum like Gephardt, Daschle and Harkin are supporting him. They want him in their pockets as soon as possible.

Of course I also laughed when I got home one day to find a full color glossy from Ida Ruben telling me how much she likes good education and other good things and proved it by showing her with lots of good people she likes and how much I should vote for her cause she is so diverse in her liking and photographs and good stuff. Especially interesting as I have lived in her district for a total of 20 years and never gotten one single piece of malarkey from her until she was challenged by Raskin.

I am not impressed by either. Can you tell? I have slogged thru a lot of liberal slobber in my working and voting life and I've finally decided that until a party can come up with someone who has both intellect and integrity I will pass. I know what liberals are up close and personal.

One candidate I do support is Donna Edwards in her bid to unseat Al Wynn. He is as close to being a republicrap as possible without actually kissing Karl Rove. No I don't work on her campaign, for which she would most likely be grateful, but I will be voting for her in the primaries.

Betsy B.

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COMMENT on City Declares War on Ethiopia

Our City Council is taking sides on issues in Ethiopia? If we declare ourselves against the Ethiopian government, where does this put us when the Islamic jihadists now in charge of much of Somalia declare war on Ethiopia? Do we become de facto allies of the Somalian Islamic jihad, which is already in conflict with the UN-supported transitional government of Somalia (which is also backed by our City's nominal ally, the United States of America)?

And once we ally ourselves with the Somalian Islamic jihad, are we also allies of their sponsor, Al Queda? Do we eventually link up with Hezbollah? Do we need a City Clerk for Foreign Relations? Will we be invaded and occupied by US troops? Is our insurgency prepared for this?

In any event, perhaps the Ethiopian community has taught the City Council a lesson.

-Anon

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COMMENT on Politics on Parade

I will NOT vote for Del. Gareth Murray. His voting record, at least on an issue of concern to gay and lesbian citizens is not progressive at all. During the 20th Dist. delegates' debate, Del. Murray indicated that he was the only candidate who did not support marriage rights for gays and lesbians. Furthermore, Del. Murray does not appear to support civil unions or even a domestic partnership type of arrangement for those of us in loving, life-long relationships with persons of the same gender. In 2004 Del. Murray refused to vote for the Medical Decision Making Act -- which was written to grant domestic partners medical decision-making and hospital visitation rights. The bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 103-30 that year, with 23 Republicans supporting it ... but not Del. Murray. In 2005, Del. Murray again tried to derail the Medical Decision Making Act (please see
attached links). On this issue Del. Murray is particularly distinguishable from the other candidates running for Delegate in Dist. 20.

Marion Manning
Silver Spring

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2004/4-2/news/localnews/progay.cfm

http://www.equalitymaryland.org/News_2005/News2005.02.18.htm

Posted by Granola Park at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oh, my, Your Gilbert can just see the end of that “small town” feeling in Old Town in the not-so-distant future. Parking meters in the old parking lot! Signs telling out-of-towners where the parking lot IS, even! Sigh!

- Gilbert

PS. Readers, we continue to have technical problems. If you are unable to post a comment, please send it via email to gilbert@takoma.com and it will be added to the post. Thanks!

Posted by Granola Park at 12:02 AM | Permalink

Dear Readers,

The resolution did pass, by the way.

- Gilbert

PS: There is a technical problem with posting comments. Your Gilbert can't even post comments here! If you have comments, please e-mail them to: gilbert@takoma.com and we'll get them up on the site somehow!

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COMMENT:

Our City Council is taking sides on issues in Ethiopia? If we declare ourselves against the Ethiopian government, where does this put us when the Islamic jihadists now in charge of much of Somalia declare war on Ethiopia? Do we become de facto allies of the Somalian Islamic jihad, which is already in conflict with the UN-supported transitional government of Somalia (which is also backed by our City's nominal ally, the United States of America)?

And once we ally ourselves with the Somalian Islamic jihad, are we also allies of their sponsor, Al Queda? Do we eventually link up with Hezbollah? Do we need a City Clerk for Foreign Relations? Will we be invaded and occupied by US troops? Is our insurgency prepared for this?

In any event, perhaps the Ethiopian community has taught the City Council a lesson.

-Anon

Posted by Granola Park at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)