A victory for pedestrians along the 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda: Barricades that had closed off the sidewalk and one southbound lane of the busy state highway two weeks ago were removed yesterday.
Montgomery County officials only learned of the closure from my report on June 16, despite being partners in the 7272 Wisconsin megaproject with developer Carr Properties, and the state of Maryland.
While the County Council proved impotent in reversing the closure, the reopening comes days after
my report showing pedestrians walking in the roadway, into oncoming traffic, to get around the blockade. The lack of oversight by the Council in such a critical project is eerily reminiscent of their mismanagement of the Silver Spring Transit Center construction process, raising concerns among many.
94 comments:
Thanks to our county council! The blockade and dangerous situation was their fault according to Robert, so now that it's gone we have them to thank as well!
So the dude who called and complained only did so because of your news article?
I predict that "Alex" will be seen jogging in the street, against traffic, later today.
Dyer's reporting potentially saved lives again! Great work.
Thanks for making this happen Robert! I would have just walked straight into traffic instead of crossing the street if it wasn't for you!
6:20am folks were walking straight into traffic. Very dangerous, as Dyer's reporting showed.
Kudos to Robert Dyer. This would probably have been a hazard for pedestrians and a bottleneck for drivers for an extended period, perhaps for years.
"Montgomery County officials only learned of the closure from my report on June 16"
Well that's a blatant lie.
"the County Council proved impotent in reversing the closure"
What are you talking about? Obviously it was the council's pressure that caused them to reopen the lane (for now).
All those jaywalkers should have been ticketed.
Props to Dyer for covering this for "the safety of the people" and not "bashing the council".
Dyer is adding value!
Very responsive to residents' needs.
Breaking news: it's not permanent. Had Dyer done any reporting he may have found this out before taking a victory lap.
7:26: What do you mean it's not permanent? Of course it would have to close when they actually knock down the front of the building. If you mean they are going to block it off again before that work is actually done, that would make them look bad, not me. Why would they move it just to move it back? What's your source, "Anonymous?"
6:51: Every official who spoke publicly said they had no idea this was happening. I was the first to report it on June 16.
6:52: Wrong. They were applying pressure last week, and nothing happened.
6:03am, I actually live in the Woodmont Triangle, I know for a fact you aren't my friend. Please stop associating yourself with my neighborhood.
and, Robert Dyer, you certainly are a pariah. I guarantee your hobby blog had nothing to do with those barriers coming down. In fact, I highly doubt any of the elected officials (who beat you in the last two elections) actually read your hobby blog. #sad
7:48: Wrong again. When my coverage of sidewalk closures was instrumental in leading to another (now-un-enforced) sidewalk law a few years ago, Roger Berliner told me I was providing a "public service." Other councilmembers, including George Leventhal and Nancy Floreen, have commented on my blog articles.
There are hobby blogs funded by developers in the county, but this is a professional news site.
I'm a lifelong resident, so I don't need any approval to associate myself with Bethesda.
@ 7:26 AM - Robert Dyer thinks that you can't have a toilet in your home unless you have a sewer line. Your comment deals with a level of complexity that is beyond his understanding.
Roald - Then those folks need to stop doing that, and cross to the other side of Wisconsin Avenue and use the sidewalk there. Whatever happened to the concept of individual responsibility?
Dyer at 7:55 just admitted he's "Friends of Woodmont Triangle" from 6:03am! ha! #sad
I wonder how many other posts are #unsigneddyer?
Your professional blog has no advertising.
8:02: How does what I wrote prove that, *****?
8:04: Wrong. I just sold two ads a couple of months ago, with more to come.
But you always label your content right????????
Dyer's "entrepreneurial gumption" has earned him $50 in 10 years. LOL
8:24: You know zero about my income and finances. You speculate about me because I'm in your head like LeBron, but you've got no actual financial information or records.
8:18: Yes, both ads were clearly labeled - one here, one on RockvilleNights.com.
To Dyer at 8:13: The real Montgomery County local (not a carpetbagger like you) wrote at 7:48am that the person purporting to be Friend of Woodmont Triangle wasn't really a friend and asked that they not associate themselves with the Woodmont Triangle. You (Carpetbagger Dyer) then wrote that you don't need any approval to associate yourself with Bethesda.
#busted #sad #dyerisacarpetbagger
The same bitter former blogger posting anonymously here. His obsession with Robert Dyer is deeply disturbing.
And, yet, he can never engage Dyer offline. Just watches Dyer at public meetings. Total stalker.
He Said Professional News SIte!!!!!!! LMFAO
Skippy is gross tasting peanut butter, i much prefer Jiff!
According to Anonymous, Dyer will never be professional or a super official journalist until he appears in print hardcopy.
Suddenly, it's the 1950s.
Dyer, given that you are the sole proprietor and staff of "Suburban News Network", what other revenue have you received from it other than those two ads totalling $50?
8:36: More BS. The guy was directly insulting me in most of his comment. You again prove you're a carpetbagger, because you apparently believe there is a hospital in Bethesda where babies are delivered. Wrong! Suburban doesn't have labor and delivery. Just because you are born in a hospital outside of a town doesn't have any bearing on what your hometown is, dumbass.
Why not Holy Cross?
Holy Cross isn't in Bethesda either. Depends where the doctor has hospital privileges, not your option.
Looks like the "Carpetbagger" comments triggered ol Bobby D...LOL! It's ok that you're really not the local you claim you are..Robert Dyer for County Council = Hillary Clinton for NY Senator!
"Anonymous" thinks Suburban and Walter Reed handle most baby deliveries for Bethesda residents. Wow..very misinformed!
Tim = another alias for unsigned Dyer
9:21 am
Nope. Not Dyer
Try again!
Why not Sibley? Georgetown? George Washington? Washington Hospital Center? Providence? Adventist? Montgomery General? DC General?
Was your Groinecologist in some kind of legal trouble, that he didn't have privileges at any of those?
Or was your birth being kept secret, like in Rosemary's Baby?
Mit posts at 9:21, #UnsignedDyer responds at 9:22. He must have a blister on his finger from hitting the F5 key every 2 seconds.
9:25am wants to talk about everything other than this article. Understandable I guess.
Let's give Dyer, the unofficial mayor of Bethesda, credit on his enterprising reporting.
Unless "Tim" can prove otherwise, it's true that he's unsigned Dyer!
Sounds like Dyer level facts to me.
@9:49, "when in rome"......
Love how "Skippy" complains about someone posting anonymously.
Ditto all those street name aliases
Possibly "Tim" too.
Be a man, use your real name.
It's not hard. I'm using mine.
I agree very much with Anna. I had stopped posting for a few days because I was consistently being accused of being a troll. Sometimes I agree with Robert, sometimes I don't. It seems when I don't I'm a "troll"
For those wondering why the comments on the County Council attack article are closed:
It is because one of the many commenters (who seek to hold me accountable for my lies, conspiracy theories, and general juvenile behavior) brought up the possibility of libel charges. Of course, realizing that I was eminently guilty, I immediately panicked and deleted all comments that pointed out multiple instances of misinformation, illogical statements, and other absurdities, since obviously (as an expert on all things legal) this will protect me from any future charges brought against me.
In the future, I will continue to delete any comment (no matter how legitimate, and they usually are) questioning my baseless attacks on everyone not named Donald Trump, faulty reasoning, lack of real sources, lack of expertise, abrasive attitude, or off-putting behavior.
Signed,
Unsigned (but Signed) Dyer
10:34am what a sexist comment
Be a man?
The irony of the man posing as "Anna" posting it too :)
Summer Friday at the office means more time to troll Dyer.
Sorry, fool, but I'm all female, and that's my real name.
Judging from the types of comments made by them, I did assume they were male and suggested they man up. (Interestingly, Dyer also mentions that to some of his readers)
Hey, if some of those anonymous ones are female, I'll apologize and suggest they woman up instead if that's what they'd prefer. And by woman up I mean take full responsibility and accountability for their words.
Aw, honey, I work from home. I've been away for a few days and am catching up on all the drama.
11:02: Total lies, total hogwash. There is no "libel." I turned off comments because you were in a manic phase, and repeatedly posting the same off-topic comment. Get professional help. You're just human debris hiding behind a keyboard, lashing out at people like me, who are actually out in the world getting things done. Those who can, do. Those who can't, troll. The only people who are going to "immediately panic" are you and your bosses on the Council, when your real identity is revealed, you idiot. I'll return the favor to you then - tenfold.
9:25: Exposed as carpetbagger. He didn't even know babies aren't delivered at Suburban Hospital. God, what an idiot.
Aaron Van Horn weighing in...
Amazing how Dyer's troll flips out because he can't write a nasty personal comment on a closed thread.
Folks, I know a nutjob like this troll, with his compulsive disorders, is sure to boast to his friends and colleagues of his cyberbullying of me. If you know who this guy is, please do us all a favor and email me his name, so we can get him behind bars sooner rather than later.
LOL at Dyer becoming totally unhinged.
Some gems:
"people like me, who are actually out in the world getting things done"
"you and your bosses on the Council"
"I'll return the favor to you then - tenfold"
"boast to his friends and colleagues of his cyberbullying of me"
"get him behind bars sooner rather than later"
It's hilarious that he still continues to think that every single comment is written by Hans Riemer/County Council.
Y'all are funny. The thing is, I'm not lying and all of you are looking so foolish.
I'm not 11:02, but you'll believe what you want. Keep bullying me 12:07. Must make you feel real big to make fun of a little woman.
But it does seem like 11:02 is getting to Mr Dyer. I thought you knew who he was. were you...not telling the truth?
Robert, why would he or she be behind bars? Has their commentary been grossly different than you threatening to bodyslam someone? Different than you threatening to five finger death punch someone? Which law text are you reading from?
You are a Bethesda boy, aren't you, Dyer? It's all about YOU.
Notice how quick Dyer is to accuse those who disagree with him, of being mentally ill?
"A nutjob, with compulsive disorders"
"You were in a manic phase"
The best defense is a good offense.
Again, no one wants to actually talk about the article itself.
Get back on topic.
I prefer big bad dyer's threat of a five finger death punch.
Hey Dyer did you see Bethesda Magazines article today about the sidewalk, it in much more informative than your video of joggers and complaining, they have been trying to fix the situation since June 19th so dont give yourself so much credit buddy, they are going to put the fence back up in a couple weeks and your going to have to cross the road to get around it again, are you going to start crying again when it goes up pussy??
BB's article was much better. A single useful picture taken during the day instead of 7 redundant pictures taken at night.
And they actually explained that the closure would start again when the next phase of construction starts.
2:34 - The comments at Bethesda Magazine are always pertinent. Probably because the articles themselves are much more on topic. And also because they don't have a publisher constantly making deranged comments.
3:00pm wants a pat on the head and validation from Dyer for posting his version hours later?
Always a day late and dollar short from the tiny interns desk.
Let's be honest- screw ups like this happen because we don't have a County Council member representing us in Bethesda.
Everyone living here knows this was a disaster yet the county council had no idea.
Dyer is amazing with constituent service, watching out for those of us that live in Bethesda.
5:02 is right. Why was Carr allowed to close the sidewalk when it didn't actually need the sidewalk to be closed? Charging developers fees for taking over public rights of way would solve this problem in a hurry.
What constituent service? Dyer had his ass handed to him by Reimer and now complains and whines about it. Dyer has no constituents. Reimer has them. Reimer has them based on the good work he does for MoCo.
12:30: I've never threatened anybody on here. In contrast, the troll has, by his own admission, intentionally harassed, stalked, run legal and illegal background checks on me, and threatened me and my family. Each offense carries a federal prison sentence of 2 years, so I would strongly suggest you end your cyberbullying campaign.
6:57: "Good work?" The Washington Post withdrew their endorsement of Riemer in 2014, stating he had such a slim record of accomplishment. Constituents? Only the ones in the cemetery precincts who got him illegally elected! Riemer has no base in the County beyond Dan Reed and the staff of the small and slightly-failing magazine!
Riemer is considered a villain of the highest order in the Westbard area for his strong support of the developers, and infamous false statement that it is "within a mile of two Metros."
2:45: Nothing newsworthy there - no, there wasn't anything to "fix," they just closed off a ton of public property too early.
They're going to put the fence up when it's time to actually demolish parts that would create a danger to pedestrians. We knew that! You waited hours later for the small and slightly-failing magazine to tell you that?
If they create a dangerous situation again without justification, I won't cry, but I will report on it again, so that wouldn't seem like good public relations. Pedestrians are voters, remember.
3:00/3:45: You keep telling yourself that, Steve.
12:35: That is a false statement, and you could be sued for defamation.
Did the Post ever endorse you, Dyer?
Surely you jest.
#UnsignedDyer is calling himself "the unelected mayor of Bethesda" and babbling about his "constituents". His megalomania truly knows no bounds.
Not only is he unelected, he has been rejected twice, by huge margins.
Only elected officials have constituents.
Also, Bethesda is not an incorporated area, so it has no mayor. The closest equivalent would be the Executive Director of the Bethesda Urban Partnership. Why don't you apply for a job at the BUP, Robert?
It's wild...Dyer disparages Councilman Reimer while reviewing hamburgers against a Christmas gift wrapping backdrop. Councilman Reimer is doing the work of the county while Robert laments the fact that a Burger King hamburger has three pieces of bacon instead of six. Absolutely nuts that Dyer complains about Reimer. Dyer....aside from weird food reviews, what have you done lately?
Dyer boasts about his great accomplishments but when you ask him to actually name one he calls you a stalker and Barwood Comcast DLC blah blah blah
"I banned the circus!"
Great accomplishment! What's next, canceling Christmas?
I'm not Dyer.
I was using a figure of speech, but by definition, an unofficial mayor isn't elected. That's why it's unofficial. Do you understand now?
Dyer may have saved lives with his reporting on pedestrian safety. Support him. We can all agree on pedestrian safety.
Hey look, "They Love To Ban Stuff" Guy is back.
Circuses will still be legal. You will still be able to see humans performing. And dogs and horses, too. Just not lions, tigers, bears and elephants. Those are wild animals and it's cruel to force them to perform in the circus.
Other than that, I can only think of two things that the County has actually banned - styrofoam containers for food, and use of tanning beds by minors. I think it's great that the County is protecting our environment from the hazards of styrofoam, and protecting our teens from skin cancer.
I'd live to hear this guy explain why any of those efforts are bad things.
9:28: Are you kidding me? Pesticides and trans fats were banned by the Council previously, as were various school lunch items at MCPS. They've banned a few other things, but those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.
It's cruel to force an elephant to perform, but it's not cruel to force a dog or horse to perform? What is the logic in that argument? Surely you know that dogs and horses are also treated badly on movie sets and in horse racing? Are you going to ban those, too?
The animals were at least 1/2 of the draw for the circus. That's why Ringling Bros. had to shut down.
7:36: Sounds like you are an obsessive viewer of my YouTube channel to pick up a true detail from a Burger King review like that. Maybe you should admit your Robert Dyer obsession and embrace it.
Hans Riemer has zero accomplishments. In contrast, I operate the leading news organization in Montgomery County, and have a YouTube channel with over 10,000 subscribers. My election announcement video in 2014 not only had more views than any Hans Riemer video ever did, but also had more views than Anthony Brown's! In blue Maryland, to boot!
"cruel to force an elephant to perform, but it's not cruel to force a dog or horse to perform? What is the logic in that argument? Surely you know that dogs and horses are also treated badly on movie sets and in horse racing? Are you going to ban those, too?"
There's a huge difference between domesticated animals and wild animals. Dogs in particular enjoy being trained and performing for human spectators.
And there is no horse racing in MoCo.
"The animals were at least 1/2 of the draw for the circus. That's why Ringling Bros. had to shut down."
They never performed in MoCo, and MoCo's proposed ban hasn't even passed the Council, let alone come into effect. Regardless of how you feel about the proposal or about Ringling Bros., the former had absolutely nothing to do with the latter.
"I operate the leading news organization in Montgomery County"
Bullshit. BB gets 10 to 20 times the traffic of your Bethesda blog, and the traffic to your other two blogs is nonexistent. And you have never, ever provided any numbers or other documentation to suggest otherwise.
9:28 PM here. I omitted trans fats from my list because I didn't realize that anyone in our County actually misses trans fats.
Do you get all misty-eyed and sentimental about eating chips of lead-based paint, too?
8:57: It doesn't matter who performed in MoCo - it's your flawed logic up for debate, about why it's cruel to make one animal perform, and not another.
9:01: You're the BS artist with those fake numbers for BB. RockvilleNights.com and East MoCo are the most-read news sources for those respective areas of the county.
9:17: Trans fats are missed, and they are another example of something banned by the Council.
So why don't you provide some readership numbers of your own, to counter your critics?
What's that, you don't have any numbers?
Judging from all the circus comments on this story, it seems like the Council made the right call to put circuses on the agenda. I wonder whether they'll have a grandfather provision in the circus animal ban that allows Leventhal and Reimer to keep performing in their circus.
Another clown @12:32.
Since Ringling Brothers no longer performed in Montgomery County (didn't they used to come to Shady Grove Music Fair? I could be wrong on that.) the bill more-likely refers to the small and slightly failing traveling circuses and fairs that use animals in their shows.
"the leading news organization in Montgomery County"
Seriously, what is wrong with you?
@ 11:00 AM: I'd rather the Council spend a little more time thinking about how we use and preserve our public spaces than passing bills banning things that don't happen here anyway.
5:45 PM - I'd rather you came up with a more intelligent argument than "MoCo just wants to ban stuff", because that sounds childish.
5:45PM You mean spend all their time on the things that are important to you instead of things that are important to someone else?
Ensuring open space and regulating the use of public space is a core governmental function. Yes, it is important to me. I suspect it's important to a lot of other people, too, judging from the comments on this and the other blog. It might even be more important to more people than banning theoretical circuses.
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