Even in progressive Montgomery County, there wasn't enough demand for
3-D portraits of the Obamas to keep 3D Manaco in business at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Or of County Executive Ike Leggett or President Trump, for that matter. The lenticular photograph shop has closed its doors. Montgomery County has lost 2141 retail jobs since 2000, according to Maddy Voytek of the Maryland Association of Retailers.
98 comments:
How do the closures here compare to Tyson's? That mall seems to be thriving while ours is dying. Westfield is an awful company which is part of it.
Westfield is being sold to an Aussie firm for $15.7B.
That shop would do 3D photos of anything you wanted, family, animals. Odd you should associate it with only politicians.
Just opened this year. A flash in the pan.
31st closure year-to-date.
Why don't you track openings and closings at Westfield Wheaton, on your East County blog?
5:27: I do. Just reported the new burger place opening last week.
I 5:27 meant an active list with beginning lease date and end lease date. It would be extremely helpful with shopper knowing when to expect closing sales.
5:38: Only Westfield and their tenants know their lease details. That information is not public.
Opened in late April, to much fanfare from Dyer. Closed in December, just 7 1/2 months later.
Anna - Actually Westfield is a British-Australian company (oh, those awful accents!). They were just acquired (today) by Unibail-Rodamco, a Paris-based company.
5:54AM - Thanks for the correction. I misread biggest takeover of an Aussie company misread as by Aussie co. Ooops. Thanks!
Openings and closings at Westfield Wheaton Plaza, as reported by Robert Dyer's East County blog:
Openings
-Burgerim
-The Fix
-Fashisa Bridal
-Famous Rotisserie and Grill
-Charleys Philly Steaks
-KPS Custom Pizza & Subs
-Grill Kabob
-Bay Jewelers
Closings
-Tilted Kilt (stillborn)
-Rue21
Just two closings - a moribund national chain, and a new place that never opened. Much better than the 31 closings at Montgomery Mall.
Looks like roving mobs of MS-13 gangbangers are good for business!
Anna - It's so refreshing to see corrections graciously acknowledged, rather than seeing the corrected blogger denying, insulting, and kicking small animals.
6:14: Dan Reed really did all that?
What is up with your obsession with Dan Reed? He doesn't even occupy the same space as you, so I don't get the hyper-competitiveness and spiteful attitude you get any time you mention him.
Saith Robert Dyer: "This is a textbook case of defamation with intent to harm.
You are facing monetary damages and prison time as a result."
Assuming (for the sake of argument) that you could prove "defamation", defamation is a civil offense. One can't be sentenced to prison for a civil offense.
Also, the statute of limitations for defamation is one year. So you've forfeited any possible claims for anything that was said that hurt your widdle feewings prior to December 12, 2016.
That said, Hans Riemer should sue your ass off for every nasty thing you've said about him in the past year.
A deluge of off topic weird comments...all from the same "anonymous" man with too much time on his hands.
6:53: He doesn't just occupy the same space, he tries to dominate it with massive financial backing from the MoCo political cartel. He also likes to pretend I and my news sites don't exist, even as those around him are reading them daily.
7:00: Shut up, "ya big baby." You will indeed face a minimum 2 years in federal prison for stalking, threats and harassment, which are crimes, punk.
Riemer can't sue for someone reporting the facts. Heck, he can't even get his one phone call out of jail. "Lemme outta here!!!!!" You'll be joining him soon in cellblock A.
7:00 AM You're encouraging the Council to go after journalists who cover them? We still have freedom of the press last I checked.
It's Tuesday. Have any councilmembers been arrested so far this week? I never thought we'd have a Council Jail Watch, but now we do.
Robert, please explain how he occupies the same space. Just Up the Pike is about development and transit. The articles on the front page are primarily about the Purple Line, with one article talking about middle-priced housing. I went back five pages and could not find a single article about openings or closings, or other types of "hyperlocal" news stories that you claim as your specialty. If we move over to Greater Greater Washington, it's the same thing - Purple Line, housing, transit. At Washingtonian, the same - development, transit, real estate.
As for the financial backing from the MoCo Cartel - citation needed. You shriek and holler about defamation and libel yet have no compunctions about smearing another local writer for his perceived slights against you.
A deluge of comments from Dyer, signed and unsigned. 3 in just 9 minutes.
7:47 AM Continues his unhinged conspiracy theory that Robert Dyer posts every comment.
Not every comment, silly. Just 4 in 16 minutes. I certainly don't believe that Robert Dyer is posting as Anna or Suze.
@7:55 - Thanks, bud!
I love how Dyer is trying to make Riemer's recent arrest at the protest "the crime of the century".
A name that sounds like "Mad Vortex" is not the best one for a spokesperson.
I would like to see. Thanks, Anna.
Same here Anna, thank you!
8:16: TOTAL BS. TOTAL LIES. Anyone can watch the meeting and hear the $22000+ security camera expenditure NOT ITEMIZED in budget documents be approved by the council that day. You are directing people to a letter from a non-profit, NOT THE ACTUAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS.
I realize your frustration about the camera scandal, but using a fake document to somehow outweigh the actual budget item approval is absurd.
7:47: His writing is about more than those general topics - including lectures on Westbard, downtown Bethesda, and other topics I cover heavily here. They all conveniently line up with developers' plans. What is his source of income? We don't know. It's a mystery.
Greater Greater Washington declined to identify its source of funding, when asked point blank about that by the Post. GGW, WAMU, the Post, Washingtonian and more all give Dan Reed a broadcast platform, but will not open their pipes to other prominent voices with differing opinions, such as myself.
Don't you find that not only discriminatory, but strange and suspicious? Why would Kojo not want to hear from all voices in Montgomery County, instead of the same stew of characters parroting the MoCo cartel development agenda?
8:04: When you're an elected official, handcuffs and orange jumpsuits are never a good look.
8:19: Don't start with the defamatory statements again, please.
Here's one of the later ones. Suze, you're there too. :)
June 2017
8:29AM Covering our elected officials with healthy skepticism is still protected- freedom of the press :)
8:34 AM Mr. Reamer has been arrested recently.
8:37AM Yes! When they tell the truth and don't conflate with opinion. :)
Here's another one, Anna.
8:36: Please do read it folks, and see how these cyberbullies work. Also note the article they were trolling on. A positive, harmless report about a prominent businessman in our community.
It tells you all you need to know about this troll that he would attack a journalist on a positive community news report. Read the article, then ask yourself, "Why are these trolls here?"
Maybe Chris Evans will invite me to the Avengers premiere and start a GoFundMe page, as I am a victim of bullying by the MoCo political cartel, who are sick and tired of their dirty deeds being exposed through my dogged investigative journalism. The ultimate P.C. politicians, stooping to cyberbullying - you can't make this stuff up, folks.
So wait - you're angry that Dan, having spent 11 years writing about the East County, real estate, transit, and development, is regularly invited to write for and speak on topics related to development, real estate, and transit? You're furious that a guy who studied urban planning and has built a career around it is considered a knowledgeable voice on the subject? As for his source of income, he's a freaking realtor! WHY are you so shady about this? He says it clearly on his Twitter and LinkedIn profiles, this is not some well-kept secret. He writes freelance and he's a realtor. NOT A MYSTERY.
So wait - no one else can write about downtown Bethesda? No one else can write essays about Westbard? So are you going to sue the Post for their coverage of each? What about WJLA or NBC4 - when they cover a story in downtown Bethesda are you going to demand they stop? People are allowed to write about whatever the hell they want to write about, it isn't "encroaching on your space" to cover a story that is a hot-button issue in the area. Just Up the Pike has been operating since 2006, 7 years before you launched East Moco. Maybe Dan Reed should start accusing you of encroaching on his territory, hmm?
On Greater Greater Washington they CLEARLY list their supporters on their Our Supporters page: https://ggwash.org/supporters. They also list the breakdown of where their money comes from and where it is spent on their Financials page: https://ggwash.org/financials.
Thanks, 8:42. That's me as "anonymous" at 6:20.
On the June thread I'm at 3:47 and 6:03.
8:44: Have you sought professional help for your need to bully others, and engage in politically-incorrect cyberbullying?
It's the same recycled, false grievances posted by Dyer's stalker/troll daily. The troll is certainly very sensitive about anything related to his favorite councilmember or Regency Centers.
Classic PR defamation campaign against Dyer.
"Maybe Chris Evans will invite me to the Avengers premiere and start a GoFundMe page, as I am a victim of bullying by the MoCo political cartel..."
Waaaaaaaaaaa
Anna is a fake name used by a man posting here. This troll has even claimed to have posted things under my name.
8:46 AM sounds unhinged! Get help man.
I'll take Dan Reed over the blogger who can't even get the new address of Lululemon right, even when that is CLEARLY SHOWN IN THE PHOTO WITH HIS ARTICLE.
Or the name of one of the biggest local developers - "JBG Chase" per the idiot blogger.
Funny thing is I don't read other local stuff. BB on occasion. I found Dyer years ago when I did a web search for Eastham's Exxon's building.
I tell him he didn't need to be so mean in his reply and I get hit with "My tone and style are no nastier than David Alpert or Dan Reed."
Well I don't know who those people are, so I ask (no reply) then go look them up. Same thing with GGW, the Petworth guy, etc. The only reason I know about these other sites is from Dyer and his sheepshills tossing their names around.
Now I'm sure to get deleted or attacked. Just for being real. Sigh.
Roll call...
Robert Dyer, signed and unsigned - CHECK
Anna - CHECK
Suze - CHECK
Lil' Ol' Yours Truly - CHECK
So where are Dyer's other two readers?
Blogger Anna said...
Careful folks...
Dyer's got this thing about how Dan Reed lives.
When I asked the same thing about Dyer, it started the tantrum of the decade
on this board. Vicious unwarranted verbal assaults on me. I can probably find
the link to it if anyone wants to read.
8:19 AM Delete
8:46: "Realtor" is something unemployed people put on a resume. I haven't seen any marketing or home sales by Mr. Reed. Yes, a mystery. He just became a realtor, also.
You're the one saying "no one else can write about x." Not me. You said he wasn't in the same space as me. If he can write about Westbard, you're damn right I can write about East County. I was on the ground daily in Wheaton, Aspen Hill, Glenmont for many years growing up. I know the area quite well, thank you very much.
Guess what, I've been publishing this blog since 2006. I am extremely knowledgeable about planning, MoCo government, transportation, etc. Yet, I am not allowed to appear in the various foruns that welcome Mr. Reed. Despite great success in hyperlocal news, the Post and Washingtonian refuse to recognize my presence here. In fact, the Post on at least two occasions has plagiarized my articles without citing me as the source (Whitman crash, Marriott/Tastee Diner scoop). It's childish and ridiculous.
If anyone else, including Mr. Reed, were publishing my sites, they would be toasted as blogger of the year. All I get is a bunch of abuse from nasty trolls.
See, classic Dyer.
Delete what I posted.
Claim I said horrible things.
Call out the sheep to question my existence.
Call me mentally ill.
Rinse and repeat.
Anna Van Horn said...
proving Rugby wrong
That's me as Rugby @8:04
Do you need some ketchup with that crow New Rugby?
Since Dyer is going on about Dan Reed's source of income, what is Dyer's source of income?
Now I'd love to stay and post more links but those bird feeders don't fill themselves and those Goodwill donations don't take themselves to the dropoff.
Where did Robert Dyer work that time he listed "Administrative Assistant" as his position?
I said you wrote in two different spaces - as in, he focuses on transit, development, etc., while your focus is broader. You then posted an angry comment about how he encroached on your space by writing about Westbard and downtown Bethesda - though still in the context of development. I then pointed out that it is rich to talk about encroachment when his East MoCo blog started 7 years before yours. Now you're saying that doesn't matter because - what, you're older than him? And your Bethesda blog is the same age as Just Up the Pike? You keep moving the goalposts to explain why you're right and I'm wrong, and this whole stupid debate started because you made a dumb dig at Dan Reed after a troll insulted you.
I think you genuinely provide a good service for the area - your reports on openings and closings are helpful, and I acknowledge that you do a good amount of pounding the pavement to get these stories. But I also think that you've lost a lot of credibility due to your hatred of the County Council - especially Hans Reimer - and your paranoia about scoops and plagiarism. Not to mention your insults and over-the-top reactions in the comment sections of your articles. Why would Kojo invite you to speak when you have a history of lashing out against negative feedback AND constructive criticism? Why would anyone risk you insulting them and their listeners the moment someone disagrees with you?
9:13 AM Covering the council with skepticism (as a journalist should) doesn't equal "hating" anyone.
I don't listen to Kojo. Does he invite folks with different opinions? Seems to be the same stew of like minded people I see touted as guests.
9:13: Strange that so many of your phrases sound familiar "moving the goalposts" "because we post crazy comments on your blog, you are therefore crazy."
"Paranoia" about plagiarism that is easily documented as fact? Please. How does holding officials accountable get described as "hatred?" Did Woodward and Bernstein have a "hatred" of Nixon? Talk about hyperbole!
You do realize that Hans Riemer is the only of the at-large members running again? Of course there will be more coverage of him than the retiring members. Is the Post "losing a lot of credibility due to its hatred of Donald Trump?"
I don't have a "history" of anything other than high-quality investigative journalism. Again, trolls posting crazy comments and attacks reflects on them, not me.
In fact, Dan Reed has a "history" of trashing Bethesda and "NIMBYs" so bad that it cost him the chance to serve on the Planning Board. That was HIS WRITING, not just trolls coming in posting crazy attacks, HIS WRITING. A history.
Yet, Kojo welcomes him with open arms on his program. Surely he can welcome a pioneer of hyperlocal news and longtime civic activist - and proven skilled debater - onto his program. Or does he just want to hear one side of the story from MR. Reed and Bethesda Magazine, the relentless positivity about our inept Council and failed agenda?
That's an echo chamber, not a dialogue.
Maybe Kojo will invite you on his show after you take some voice lessons and you wash your trench coat.
@9:28, it is disingenuous to say that Robert's attitude toward the Council is just skepticism. Here's a handful of headlines and quotes from his recent articles about the MoCo government:
Riemer seizes Council presidency, declares war on his constituents
"Riemer's Trump-like reputation for falsehoods was on full display in yesterday's speech."
"What raised eyebrows among many who follow the County budget closely yesterday was the petulant insistence by some councilmembers that they would not make major budget cuts." (emphasis mine)
"A third major effort to kill the long-delayed eastward extension of Montrose Parkway to Veirs Mill Road is underway. The war-on-cars Montgomery County Council is due to vote on the funding for the project in January."
These are just from December. Even in articles where he is right to be critical - the budget shortfall, for example - he resorts to petty insults instead of reasoned arguments. I don't approve of everything the Council does. I think the soda tax that Hucker and Reimer are discussing is a TERRIBLE idea. But do you see how I said that without, say, calling them imbeciles?
As for Kojo, I unfortunately rarely get the chance to listen to his show since its on while I'm at work. I did take a look at NPR's site for the topics over the last few weeks, and it does seem that he gives airtime to a variety of opinions. The most striking one I see is a recent discussion on VA's HOT lanes, and his guests include VA commuters plus the secretary of transportation - and I bet they have VERY different takes on the new toll lanes.
Dyer's been after Riemer since way before Riemer's latest re-election bid.
Anna, stop attacking Robert. If you hate his take on Bethesda, go join the circlejerk over at Bethesda Beat.
10:11 AM Weird comment. Stop posting as me.
9:42: None of the MoCo cartel and Councilmembers Kojo has on exactly sound like Shadoe Stevens the last time I checked. I don't even own a trenchcoat, old sport.
9:45: There's no difference between my coverage of the Council and the way the Post covers Donald Trump. If anything, I'm more cordial than the Post.
Who is it in the Post - Margaret Sullivan? She said no more false equivalency, relentless fact-checking, and for reporters to immediately identify a lie right after it's quoted in the previous sentence.
If Riemer lied, as he did, he has to be called out on it. If he delivers a divisive speech in a snarky tone, with a smirk on his face, the reader needs to know that. It's part of the news that Riemer doubled down on, and fully embraced, urbanizing the suburbs. He made clear that he doesn't like the qualities of the County that have made it a success before Riemer ever drove his U-Haul here from California.
Yet, the Post and Bethesda Magazine simply accepted his speech at face value, leaving out these details and context that alert the reader that this man does not have the best interests of you and your neighborhood in mind.
People want the real story, and I'm giving it to them.
10:10: You neglect to mention that it was Riemer who made the first move, as part of the Bethesda Now effort, to wipe out my website. Instead, I ended up beating the massively funded Bethesda Now, and it folded, sold for a dollar to the small and slightly-failing magazine.
Fake (adj): a thing that is not genuine; a forgery or sham
The document is not “fake.” (For anyone just tuning in to the ongoing exposure of the “$22k surveillance system” #FakeNews: Refer to the last page of this document.)
"Councilmembers Kojo has on exactly sound"
Wut???
Is their any proof bethesda now was sold for a dollar?
Bethesda Now certainly wasn't highly valued for its editorial content- several years without a single investigative piece and its top story by traffic was about a girl ordering a burger with a "F ton of mayo"
It was simply sold for a dollar for the social followers they purchased.
I wonder how they would have covered the arrest of Hans Reimer?
Here's Riemer's "divisive" speech: https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=21643. In it, he praises our leafy suburban cul-de-sacs and great educational system, while also noting that more and more County residents want walkable neighborhoods that are vibrant and metropolitan. He addresses some of the issues our County faces, and some of the criticisms the County Council faces, but also praises the rise in civic engagement and touts the new "subscribe" tool that will keep people apprised of issues as they go to hearing.
If you have video that shows him smirking and snarking, by all means share it. But based on the words alone, it sounds pretty inclusive to me.
2:01 PM I'm sure Hans likes his leafy suburban neighborhood in Tacoma, but he doesn't give a damn about the quality of life anywhere else in the county. Not opinion- look at his voting record.
It's odd that a "lifelong resident of Bethesda" doesn't know how to spell "Takoma", or understand the distinction between "Takoma" (Washington DC neighborhood) and "Takoma Park" (municipality within Montgomery County, Maryland).
I wouldn't describe the strip along River Road in Westbard, or the shopping center there, as "leafy". However the streets of Bethesda and Chevy Chase east of Wisconsin Avenue and west of Old Georgetown Road and Arlington Road are quite leafy.
Well folks, I tracked down the video from the famous $22k camera hearing. You'll be shocked -- SHOCKED! -- to hear that the report on this blog is filled with inaccuracies and falsehoods.
Details at 11, as they say!
5:25: I was at the hearing. They clearly said $22000+ for the surveillance system. It wouldn't have been worthy of an article if they hadn't. That was the whole damn point. Surprised it takes you months to track down a Council video, when you're an employee of a councilman. Enjoy the video.
2:12: You've obviously never been there then. There are tall, mature trees visible in every direction you look. It's also 90% low-rise and low-density.
2:01: It was not inclusive. Watch the video on YouTube on Council channel. It was a snarky speech delivered with a smirk and sneer in the voice throughout. He knew exactly what he doing. Interesting how this week's increased troll activity parallels the ramping up of the Riemer campaign (including banner ads on his favorite news site), slick graphics from Dan Reed promoting turning the old Silver Spring Library over to private developers, and new hires at developer-funded "blogs."
The game's afoot.
"slick graphics from Dan Reed promoting turning the old Silver Spring Library over to private developers"
Why is this a bad thing? Silver Spring has a wonderful, new, more centrally located library now. Should we just leave the old drab library standing their vacant, wasting valuable urban land?
8:35: Nobody is suggesting leaving the library there. The question is what use the land will be put to now. One suggestion has been to use it as parkland.
2:06 PM Come on. Isn't he hard at work supporting the rights to grow Backyard Lentils? (I thought I read that in the glossy mag.)
"It was a snarky speech delivered with a smirk and sneer in the voice throughout."
And Hans Riemer's photos wink at Robert Dyer every time he looks away.
6:39: The difference is, one of your sentences can be verified by watching the video of his speech.
Why don't you just call these tempo stores what others do "Pop-Ups"? That's just what they really are, nothing the temporary holding stores until a legitimate retailer can be secured.
Since you refused to link to the video despite my request, I went and searched the Council's YouTube page. If this video is the one you're talking about, you're clearly letting your hatred of Riemer overwhelm any sensibility you have. He's not scowling... so that's a smirk? And having heard him speak many times, he's using the same tone he always does. Maybe it's a Bitch Eating Crackers thing - you hate him so much that even something innocuous comes across as unacceptably obnoxious.
I'm sorry you think I'm a troll, but I'm genuinely not - unless you define a troll as anyone who disagrees with you. In that case, guilty as charged. I'm also not a carpetbagger, I was born and raised in Montgomery County and I still live and work here today. I also do not work for Riemer, for any of the current Councilmembers, or for any of the people currently in the running for Council or County Executive - though I've met and spoken with many of them. I'm a local who's interested in local news and politics, and while I appreciate the work you do, I strongly disagree with many of the stances you take. Many times that disagreement has been civil on both ends; consider our discussion about Montrose Crossing East. But I don't like it when you insult and drag other people that I respect, and I think your hatred of the Council is ruining what is otherwise a very helpful blog.
As to earlier points about the Post and how they write about Trump - please point me to an article that demonstrates those points, because I cannot think of a single one that is written with the same vitriol and exaggeration that you use when you write about the Council.
The only "scowling" I see is by Nancy Floreen @ 0:29.
7:27: You obviously don't read the Washington Post! LOL
What is "hatred" of the Council? It appears that operatives for, and the handful of residents who adore, the County Council are not used to hard news coverage of their heroes. The Post, Gazette (R.I.P.), Bethesda NOW (R.I.P. LOL), Sentinel, Bethesda Magazine, etc. have provided loving, cheerleading,, obsequious coverage of the Council for years.
The genuflecting at Council President news conferences is both obscene and hilarious to watch. But along with the yes-men the Council surround themselves with, the effect has been poisonous to the County.
Being told you're fabulous and infallible by staff and reporters alike for 4 years, it's hard to believe when you are suddenly held accountable. "Wait a minute, I'm perfect!"
Witness only the latest example of incompetence and folly, the $120,000,000 budget shortfall. The Council doesn't want to admit that the cause is the flight of wealth. Interestingly, Bethesda Magazine doesn't push back and bring that into the article. Instead, they simply parrot the explanation the Council gives. Their report indicates just how serious the flight of the rich is = just 50 taxpayers pay $21 million in taxes by themselves annually. Imagine, then, the impact of large numbers of the ultra-wealthy moving to Loudoun or Fairfax.
Why is that politically-damaging explanation not in the magazine article?
Here's the kicker: my explanation of rich flight is *documented* by data, including the specific amounts of wealth relocated to each surrounding county from MoCo in recent years.
In contrast, Jacob Sesker of Council staff is simply speculating that he "thinks" tycoons in the County might be waiting to open their capital gains to taxes until the Trump plan passes.
Again, this is just one example of many.
I can't imagine what merit you could find in this Council, unless you simply are committed to have 9 people with a "D" after their name filling the chairs, even if the County goes down in flames as a result.
The Post calls Trump a crazy person, a white supremacist, a bigot, a Nazi -- and you think calling the Council "inept," "incompetent" or "impotent" is "hatred?"
It's called journalism, and holding our elected officials accountable. Local media has failed to do it for decades, and I can understand that real news coverage of the Council can be a shock to the system for those who wish everyone would continue to compliment the Emperor on his new clothes.
7:34: I never said "scowling." I said Riemer had a "smirk," and you can see it in the video yourself. Don't take my word for it, watch it yourself.
The Post calls Trump a crazy person, a white supremacist, a bigot, a Nazi -- and you think calling the Council "inept," "incompetent" or "impotent" is "hatred?"
Citation needed.
I've been doing the work of pulling relevant links when I raise my points, and you refuse to do the same. Please link to an article in the Post where the writer directly says any of the things you accuse them of. I'm not talking quotes from other people - I'm talking the journalists themselves editorializing and calling Trump a supremacist or a Nazi. And no, editorials don't count. Find me a news article that does what you are accusing them of.
I clearly did watch the video for myself. I was the one that said he was not scowling - he has a neutral to mildly pleasant expression on his face, and you somehow think that's a smirk.
say Quesadilla 3 times fast retard
"The Council doesn't want to admit that the cause is the flight of wealth."
Because it isn't. That's your made-up reason.
The real reason -- confirmed by the state comptroller's office -- is that more residents than anticipated have delayed filing their income tax returns. This is a pretty simple explanation, no conspiracies necessary -- but since it doesn't fit your pre-established narrative, it's simply ignored.
P.S. I didn't overlook the fact that Suze asked you for examples of Post articles you allude to, and your response was basically "LOL!"
So what was the "backroom deal" that enabled #HelpfulHans to "take over" the Council, Dyer?
8:24: Unlike the trolls, I don't have all day to go back through 2 years of Post articles. That's what's so suspicious about the trolling on here - only someone who's getting paid to sit there can compile a report, complete with hyperlinks, on some off-topic subject. Nuts! You either read the Post, or you don't.
Your boldfaced reason is not what the Council or article said at all. It said exactly what I cited - Sesker is speculating about capital gains. Nothing said the comptroller reported unfiled tax returns.
Meanwhile, the elephant in the room is the flight of wealth.
Reamer arrested and presides over a massive revenue shortfall. Why does he have any support?
Guess again, Old Sport.
"Nothing said the comptroller reported unfiled tax returns."
False.
Exhibit 1: "In the letter to the council, Leggett stated that the shortfall in revenues is “primarily driven” by a nearly 30 percent drop in income tax revenue due to taxpayers filing extensions on last year’s taxes. The letter stated the Maryland Comptroller’s Office has reported other jurisdictions in the state are experiencing similar reductions and a check with the comptroller’s office indicates that characterization is accurate."
Exhibit 2: "In a Nov. 30 memo, chief administrative officer Timothy Firestine said the shortfall was driven primarily by a nearly 30 percent decline in income tax revenue from taxpayers filing extensions for tax year 2016. The memo cites the Maryland Comptroller’s Office as saying other jurisdictions in the state are shouldering a similar burden."
9:45: If those were really the primary reasons, why were delayed filings never mentioned in the magazine article? They got it totally wrong, in other words?
How could filing extensions reduce revenue this much? You still have to send in money when you file an extension.
I've heard nothing about a massive shortfall in Frederick or Carroll county. Adam Pagnucco's analysis on the Seventh State blog doesn't blame "tax extensions" either. In fact, like Sesker, he is mulling the possible explanations.
You're struggling, man. You're struggling.
So your position is that whatever Bethesda Magazine reports should be accepted as record? Fascinating! Didn't realize you recognized them to be the leader in local news coverage.
10:04: No, just that you claim they're the magazine of record, yet according to you, they got it totally wrong! LOL
I never made any claims about them being the magazine of record. LOL
The magazine of waiting rooms maybe.
reeeeeeeeeeeeeetaaaaaaaaaaaaaarddddddd
Post a Comment