Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Riemer seizes Council presidency, declares war on his constituents

A backroom political deal culminated Tuesday with a unanimous vote by the Montgomery County Council naming Councilmember Hans Riemer Council President for the final year of their current term. In a rambling seven minute speech, Riemer took aim at the County's established suburban neighborhoods of "cul-de-sacs," which he described as "appealing, if exclusive, suburban communit[ies]" that are home to "those who already have every advantage."

Delivered with a sneering tone and slight smirk, Riemer's remarks echoed those of his colleague George Leventhal a few years ago. Leventhal declared the suburbs "a mistake," and during the Westbard sector plan battle, told residents angry about the plan to urbanize their neighborhood they should just be glad they were "lucky" enough to live there.

"People used to come here to get away from the city," Riemer said Tuesday, announcing a new "metropolitan" identity for a County where a majority live in leafy, suburban neighborhoods. Riemer appeared delusional when referring to the visceral anger displayed by residents toward the Council in the last several years - a backlash that culminated in the passage of term limits by an overwhelming margin in November 2016. Despite having his own term limited by that vote, in Riemer's world, "emotions in our community are charged" because of Donald Trump, not his own votes for tax hikes and urbanization of existing rural and suburban neighborhoods.

Riemer's Trump-like reputation for falsehoods was on full display in yesterday's speech. Moments before casting a vote to pass the controversial Westbard sector plan in 2016, Riemer claimed the Westbard community was "a mile from two Metros." That was a four-Pinocchio whopper, given that Westbard is at least two miles from any Metro station, nowhere near the quarter-to-half mile distance universally agreed upon for "transit-oriented development."

On Tuesday, Riemer stated that the Purple Line would place the University of Maryland "minutes away" from Montgomery County residents. In reality, the light rail's average speed between Bethesda and College Park will be less than 19 MPH. He came up with a new definition for the County's longstanding achievement gap between white and Asian students, and their black and Latino peers. Stunning observers active on education issues, Riemer falsely described Montgomery County Public Schools' gap as only affecting those between the ages of "zero and five." A clever scheme to absolve failed County officials from any blame, but unfortunately, completely false.

Riemer was more honest about the County's hated government-controlled liquor monopoly, which he took steps to strengthen and preserve during his current term. "We may have a reputation for liquor control," Riemer acknowledged. That control has frustrated restaurant and bar owners, who are forced to pay higher prices while getting poor selection and service from the County. Meanwhile, residents are among the few in America who cannot purchase beer and wine from grocery, drug and chain convenience stores.

Riemer's disdain for his suburban constituents, who represent a majority of County residents, raises questions as to how he intends to get anything done this year. It also brought to mind a quote from chef Anthony Bourdain:

"He’s a classic example of the smirking, contemptuous, privileged guy who lives in a bubble. And he is in no way looking to reach outside, or even look outside, of that bubble, in an empathetic way.”

44 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:53 AM

    Where does hans reimer live?

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    1. Anonymous6:02 AM

      @ 5:53 AM - Rent-free in Robert Dyer's head.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous6:02 AM

    How did you find out? What news source did you get your news from?

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  3. 6:02: It was broadcast on the County Cable Channel.

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    1. Anonymous6:39 AM

      Sounds like a good primary news source to get info from!

      Delete
  4. Anonymous6:46 AM

    "Meanwhile, residents are among the few in America who cannot purchase beer and wine from grocery, drug and chain convenience stores."

    This is the law throughout the state of Maryland. How many times must you be told this?

    And why do you want to see Talbert's shut down?

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  5. 6:46: A classic canard from the MoCo cartel. The ban on sales at grocery stores, etc. can be changed in Annapolis just like any other liquor law change already requested by the Council. Why haven't they moved on it? Answer: Because they don't want to change the monopoly.

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  6. Anonymous6:53 AM

    6:46 AM What is "state law"? If you're talking about liquor control, you a dead wrong. This is a law only in MoCo.

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    1. Anonymous7:32 AM

      6:53 - It is you who are wrong. The prohibition against "purchasing beer and wine from grocery, drug and chain convenience stores" applies throughout the state of Maryland, not just in Montgomery County.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous7:17 AM

    Have you ever been to Pennsylvania. They have only allowed beer to be sold in specific grocery stores for about 6 years now. Maryland is still way ahead of that other Montgomery County up north.

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  8. Anonymous7:30 AM

    @6:53 - frustratingly, you're both right: it's a state law, but it's a state law that only applies to Montgomery County. So, the state would have to pass a law that says supermarkets in MoCo could sell liquor (or that the county could sell licenses for private entities to sell beer/wine/whatever).

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  9. Anonymous7:34 AM

    Robert, that is a beautiful picture of Hans. Is that from your personal collection.

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  10. Anonymous7:53 AM

    Looks like this is the only story on the "Network" today, other than a 3 AM photo of a flagpole.

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    1. Anonymous7:59 AM

      Only two "local" stories on the rest of "The Network" this week.

      East County: 3 AM "construction update" (Monday)

      Rockville: Aldi's (Monday; uncredited)

      Upcounty: 0.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:01 AM

      What's funny is that both of Dyer's "countywide" stories - this one and the County budget shortfall - were both a day late.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:33 AM

      The moribund upcounty blog hasn’t had a “hyperlocal” story in nearly two months!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous10:03 AM

      8:33 AM - Last one was October 23, next-to-last was September 18. Moribund indeed.

      Delete
    5. Lots of jealousy and bitterness here over the successful Suburban News Network. It's so "moribund" that Bethesda Magazine had to scrap its whole business model to copy mine. More copycat competition funded by the MoCo cartel on the way. In a backfire, they'll end up just reducing revenue and market share for the small and slightly-failing magazine. Baba Booey!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous9:37 AM

    Congrats President Reimer. Are you flattered or totally creeped out that Dyer is obsessed with you. Having a 50 year old man that lives with his mom as The person that’s most interested in you, is better than nothing....right?

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    1. 9:37: You're 50 years old, and live with your mom? Hans Riemer is probably to blame, given the moribund economy he's delivered to us since 2010.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous9:39 AM

    If Dyer lost to Hans by better than 40k when he was just a Councilman, what do you think he will lose to him by now that he’s president, 100K votes. Dyer’s nonsensical rants and obsession with Hans does nothing more than push people ever farther to the left.

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    1. 9:39: Riemer has no base in the County beyond the few lapdogs whose agendas are so extreme, they find a carpetbagger like Riemer to be the ideal empty vessel for "change." His only sources of victory have been the party label next to his name, and the cemetery precincts coming in strong for him both times. I've beaten him among actual living voters, legal voters, twice.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous9:48 AM

    I was laughing at you at the start of the article, Robert, but by a couple of paragraphs later I just felt sad. You have some serious issues. Maybe try speaking to someone about them.

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    1. 9:48: Give me a break, "ya big baby." Does David Fahrenthold have serious issues regarding Donald Trump? Does Mitt Romney have serious issues regarding Roy Moore and Donald Trump.

      It's called political analysis, and I'm the only local journalist to provide any of Riemer's speech yesterday so far. It's one reason people turn to my websites, because they won't just get a regurgitation of the Riemer Ascension press release.

      You're melting into an inconsolable puddle because the facts are being reported. Sounds like IT'S YOU who needs professional help, "ya big baby."

      Delete
  14. Anonymous10:06 AM

    It took me a while, but I finally realized that the sad, lonely man typing in the dark, repeating his litany of grievances, is my now-former hero Robert Dyer.

    Will Robert reveal to us the genesis of his inner pain?

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  15. Anonymous11:49 AM

    "Narcissistic rage is a reaction to narcissistic injury, which is a perceived threat to a narcissist's self-esteem or self-worth. Narcissistic injury (or narcissistic scar) is a phrase used by Sigmund Freud in the 1920s; narcissistic wound and narcissistic blow are further, almost interchangeable terms. The term narcissistic rage was coined by Heinz Kohut in 1972.

    "Narcissistic injury occurs when a narcissist feels that their hidden, 'true self' has been revealed. This may be the case when the narcissist experiences a "fall from grace", such as when their hidden behaviors or motivations are revealed, or when their importance is brought into question. Narcissistic injury is a cause of distress and can lead to dysregulation of behaviors as in narcissistic rage."

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  16. Anonymous1:09 PM

    Using baba booey is gross, outdated and cringeworthy. What's next? Some Greaseman-esque comment about "hydraulics?"

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  17. Anonymous1:13 PM

    Where is Anna? I heard a rumor that she had to go to the ER because she couldn't stop laughing for three hours straight.

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  18. Anonymous1:13 PM

    It's Dyer who gets triggered. Every time.

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  19. Anonymous3:43 PM

    "A backroom political deal culminated Tuesday with a unanimous vote by the Montgomery County Council naming Councilmember Hans Riemer Council President..."

    So which of the other eight Councilmembers, whom you also passionately hate, do you feel was unfairly denied the role of Council President, through this alleged "backroom deal"?

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  20. Anonymous6:09 PM

    Robert Dyer is a fictitious person created by Hans Riemer in an effort to highlight how smart, successful, and all-around good Hans is.

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  21. Anonymous7:11 PM

    Sheepshill Sockpuppet is strangely quiet today.

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  22. Anonymous7:27 PM

    Honestly I hope people don't actually admire Hans and are saying this to just troll Robert. Hans is absolutely destroying this area. I am all for inclusion, but destroying the suburbs just because he believes it's a wall to people of color ruins the ability for someone who has worked for years to afford a home in an area outside of DC that was an easy commute to and from the city.

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  23. Anonymous5:32 AM

    I would vote for Mr. Dyer any day

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  24. Funny, 1:13PM. :) Truth told, I'm not a big Riemer fan. He and Dyer are alike in that they can take an interesting thought or idea and carry it to ridiculous conspiracy or convoluted crap.

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  25. Anonymous9:25 PM

    5:46AM You can always unfollow Dyer and stop visiting his Network of local news sites.

    - take a hike
    - pick flowers
    - read a book

    Yet you are HERE, hating on Robert. Think about that.

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  26. Anonymous10:44 PM

    Hans Riemer was bad enough before this speech. Now he's the new George Leventhal, specializing in criticizing his constituents. Won't be voting for Riemer in 2018, and hope that a majority of MoCo voters will follow my lead.

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  27. 9:25PM Out of all the comments here, you choose to focus on mine? Why? I made one comment on this thread, and only as a reply to someone mentioning me.

    I've made my thoughts perfectly clear, numerous times
    "I don't dislike him, I just don't like him. Which is quite different."

    Here's a thought, don't read my comments if they upset you so much.

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  28. Anonymous5:13 AM

    Hans Riemer's plans for his next term: increasing our taxes, banning stuff and maybe get arrested again. It's nuts folks are supporting him.

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  29. Anonymous6:02 AM

    "Banning stuff"

    What a retarded conservative talking point.

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  30. 6:02: At least conservatives don't still use the R-word, like Hans Riemer's supporters. Shameful.

    It's interesting that the only people who still use it are Montgomery County elected officials and Eminem. Very similar intelligence levels.

    You can't deny the fact that this Council regularly "bans stuff" because they can't do anything else, and banning things is an easy move that costs them little money, and makes them look busy while they collect their $137,000 salary from taxpayers.

    #LockThemUp

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  31. Anonymous7:20 AM

    Eminem is said to have an IQ score of 135-140.

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  32. 7:20: LOL. Have you read his lyrics?

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  33. Anonymous8:15 AM

    Yes. Very subtle genius. Don't take my word for it, read Forbes, Rolling Stone, Money, Billboard.

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