PEPCO DOES IT AGAIN

Electricity Rates to Skyrocket

This Summer with Full Consent and Approval of

Democrats in Rockville and Annapolis

Once again you will be receiving a massive increase in your electric bill this summer, courtesy of PEPCO and their friends Martin O'Malley, Bill Bronrott, Bill Frick, Susan Lee, and the Montgomery County Council and Executive.

Without competition or regulation, the monopoly utilities continue to steamroller the citizens of Maryland into bankruptcy. Governor O'Malley's efforts have been all talk and no real savings for the consumer. But you wouldn't know that from the reports in his party's house organs.

The Washington Post and The Gazette continue to leave out the vital reason that deregulation failed: Democrats kept the rates charged by the monopolies (PEPCO, BG&E, Mirant, etc.) artficially low to save themselves from defeat each election year since 1999. As a result, no competitor could ever afford to enter the market. Instead of having a smaller increase and minor pain at the turn of the century - which would have led to lower rates in a few years, as competitors moved into Maryland and had to offer a lower price and better service - we now have to accept a seemingly endless surge in electricity rates. It's outrageous.

And don't forget, your above-mentioned officials negotiated a deal for customers elsewhere in the state - but let PEPCO drop the hammer on you with no refunds, credits, etc. It might have something to do with that fat check they get every year from PEPCO. Once again, with the latest massive increases from the WSSC and Comcast, my quest for competition for our monopoly utilities is vindicated and strengthened. There will be no competition until we elect officials who are not beholden to the monopolies.

DEMOCRATS CUT STATE POLICE

CRUISER BUDGET BY OVER

$800,000

"Believe It... or Not!"

Soft-on-Crime Agenda Continues While

Bronrott, Frick, Lee, and O'Malley Approve

$1 Million State IT Department and Pay

Prisoners to Earn Diplomas With Your Tax Dollars

The outrages continue in Annapolis as our far-left Governor, Martin O'Malley, and Democrat allies, Bill Bronrott, Bill Frick, and Susan Lee further dismantle the Maryland State Police Budget. Their latest scheme was to slash the force's budget for new police cruisers by over $800,000!

At a time when we are experiencing a violent crime wave that the above-mentioned Democrats have completely ignored, facing potential terrorist attacks in the state of Maryland, and when interstate transportation of illegal narcotics is at a new high along I-95, the last thing an intelligent elected official would do is slash the State Police budget, right? That would be beyond belief, wouldn't it?

Well, don't be surprised to encounter the ghostly spectre of our old friend, Jack Palance, wandering the halls of the State House. When it comes to the dangerous, reckless, and unapologetic pro-criminal agenda of O'Malley & Co., one just has to examine the facts and

"Believe It... or Not!"

Alas, the outrages are true. Not only are state troopers not receiving the latest equipment, but now they cannot even maintain current levels as old cruisers cannot be replaced under the new O'Malley-Bronrott-Frick-Lee plan.

It's outrageous.

The same day, after putting Maryland's Finest in danger by slashing their infrastructure, command structure, and equipment funding, our soft-on-crime Democrats approved the new poster child of government waste in Annapolis, the new state IT Department. This costs over $1 million dollars - $200,000 more than what was just cut out of the police cruiser budget! It's outrageous.

We can only pray that our Democrats' dangerous public safety cuts do not result in harm to the citizens or the law enforcement personnel who risk their lives each day and night to protect them.

And then we can get ready to vote in 2010, and replace our dangerous Democrats with new leadership that recognizes that funding and supporting law enforcement and public safety is the highest priority of any elected official. Our current lawmakers and governor should be ashamed.

BLATANT PRO-DEVELOPER

VOTE ON ROOFTOP GREEN SPACE

AFFIRMS AGAIN THAT HANSON &

PLANNING BOARD SERVE AT THE

PLEASURE OF DEVELOPERS

Royce Hanson and the Montgomery County Planning Board are as unapologetic about their love for developers as our elected officials are about their pro-crime agenda.

Unbelievably, and blatantly, Hanson & Co. voted down an amendment introduced by County Councilmember Marc Elrich that would have ended the developers' outrageous practice of counting rooftops as "green space." In some cases, the roof was the only green space on the lot!

It's outrageous.

Thanks to our Planning Board, and with a rubber stamp from our County Council, developers will continue to exploit this loophole and damage our environment with the full approval of these Democratic elected officials.

ROBERT DYER

BRINGS ACCOUNTABILITY TO

COUNTY CABLE MONTGOMERY

O'Malley-Brown Free Political Ads

Pulled From Taxpayer-Funded Channel 6

After Questions Raised By RobertDyer.net

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!

Just weeks after holding Attorney General Doug Gansler accountable for his lack of action against polluters in Maryland, which resulted in a prominent Washington Post article on that topic, I've apparently done it again.

You may remember a posting on this blog entitled, "County Cable O'Malley?" not long ago. It was the first and only public questioning of the almost 24 hour free political ads Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown were able to run on Montgomery County's "County Cable Montgomery," at taxpayer expense.

That's right. Your county tax dollars were providing round-the-clock propaganda ads for state-level Democratic officials. This had gone on for months. There was virtually no time of the day that one could tune into Channel 6 and not find puff-pieces entirely about O'Malley or Brown in place of regular programming.

I also pointed out that Gov. Bob Ehrlich and Lt. Gov. Michael Steele were never featured on Channel 6 when they were in office. This is a county channel, funded by you the taxpayer, and it has always been an information source about county programs, parks and recreation, senior citizen issues, County Council hearings and coverage, and news such as our favorite Doug Duncan ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Days after my report was posted, the O'Malley-Brown ads have all but vanished on Channel 6. After tuning in at various times of the day, and asking others to do so, I can report that we have now returned to regularly-scheduled programming on County Cable Montgomery. They even had a County Council meeting on! It's been awhile.

Apparently, the free ads for the state Democratic Party would have continued as long as "no one noticed." Well, Robert Dyer noticed, and now we have once again witnessed a very rare thing in Montgomery County and the state of Maryland: Democrats being held accountable to the public for their actions.

O'MALLEY, BRONROTT, LEE, &

FRICK TO CLOSE ANNAPOLIS

STATE POLICE BARRACK

Soft-on-Crime Democrats Continue to

Dangerously Undermine Public Safety

Even as questions remain regarding Bill Frick's qualifications to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee, he and his fellow Democrats are poised to close the Annapolis State Police Barrack. The savings grand total for this catastrophic blow to public safety? A whopping $327,000. You mean these "leaders" can't come up with $327,000 for our state troopers while their budget and government are filled with waste?

O'Malley, Bronrott, Frick, and Lee have a new idea for a state IT department. Cost? Over a million dollars. Hmm... A new department that is not needed for $1,000,000? Or a state police barrack in the state capital?

Which one would you choose? To me, it's obvious: the barrack as a victory for public safety, and giving the appropriate respect and support for Maryland's Finest in these dangerous times - and at only 1/3 the cost of the IT department.

Democrats' choice? The wasteful IT department.

In 2010, the voters get to make a choice.

KUMAR BARVE:

DEMOCRAT DRUNK

DRIVER OF THE WEEK

Barve Featured On DLC Website

No Mention of House Majority Leader's

2007 DUI Arrest

The Democratic Leadership Council, a Clinton-affiliated Democratic think-tank, has named Democratic Maryland House Majority Leader Kumar Barve its "New Dem of the Week." You know, as opposed to an "Old Dem of the Week." Right?

The DLC website touts Barve's "bold" pseudo-scientific, regressive-taxation environmental legislation, which he introduced this year. It says Barve will try to find the cheapest way to make Maryland less competitive, and to put Maryland companies and employers out of business. Of course, it doesn't put it in those factual terms. Rather, it gives the usual hogwash about developing new technologies, working with the business community, etc., etc.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Quick, hand your wallet over to Big Government and "green" megacorporations, so we can forestall the inevitable End of The World!!

Notably missing is another of Barve's "bold" moves, this one in 2007: Barve's arrest for DUI in Gaithersburg. Now that was a bold move. Going the wrong way out of a parking lot. Crossing over the center line in his vehicle. Putting his own constituents, women and children, in mortal danger by operating his vehicle while intoxicated. Then using a Gaithersburg police cruiser as his personal limo.

Bold, yes. Legal? No.

Also missing, yet again, is a condemnation of Barve's drunk driving escapades by District 16 delegate William A. Bronrott, Chairman of the Committee on Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Mr. Bronrott has claimed time and time again that drunk driving is an important issue. So why is he silent on the Barve DUI arrest?

The message from Democrats in Annapolis continues to be that they are above the law. It applies to you. It just doesn't apply to them. Perhaps that is part of what being a "New Dem" is all about?

$50 MILLION FOR

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLEANUP

DISAPPEARS IN DEMOCRATS'

AMATEUR MAGIC ACT

"Magic" Martin O'Malley Gives Henning and

Copperfield a Run for Their Money as

Bay Cleanup Will Not Be Fully Funded

Democrat Environmental Hypocrisy

Exposed... Again!

It's Outrageous

This just in... Democrats who sold their souls in the Maryland Democratic Party's Faustian bargain with the gaming industry touted a $50 million Chesapeake Bay cleanup fund, promised to them by Gov. Martin O'Malley. Now O'Malley and our Democratic delegates are going back on their promise! It turns out that much of the $50 million will go not to cleaning up the bay, but instead to the Democrat special interests.

Once again, it is business-as-usual for Democrats in Annapolis, as our environmental crisis continues without real leadership on the major causes of bay pollution. For shame, for shame. It's outrageous.

NEW VANITY PLATES FOR

KUMAR BARVE

Special Tags Proposed for

DUI Convicts

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Committee Chairman Del. William A. Bronrott, and other Democrats in Annapolis, have yet to publicly criticize Democratic House Majority Leader Kumar Barve for his dangerous 2007 DUI escapades. Perhaps they will take this opportunity to present Mr. Barve with a very special set of new Maryland vanity plates.

The special plates proposed in the House today are yellow and feature the letters DUI in red. Surely, a pair of vanity tags can be prepared! Mr. Barve's constituents have a right to know, and a right to an explanation, an apology, and the same consequences for Mr. Barve that the ordinary citizen would have to accept. Or does this mean all drivers now get a free pass on DUI and DWI offenses?

When does this case go to trial? What is taking so long? Why are the Washington Post, Gazette, and Examiner ignoring this story? Are Democrats in Annapolis above the law?

WESTWOOD GIANT REMODELING:

WHEN WILL IT END?

We are in the midst of the second remodeling of the Westwood Giant in 5 years, and the store is a real mess. There has been everything from blueberries to mystery puddles on the floor. Now they are digging into the ground inside the store(!). As you can imagine, this is generating a lot of dust and dirt into the air. It is quite odd that the company would do this type of work during hours of operation. The customer deserves a better environment than this.

YIRASAI SUSHI RESTAURANT

FEATURED IN WASHINGTONIAN

MAGAZINE

Speaking of Westbard, congratulations to Yirasai Sushi on the other side of the street for being named one of the top neighborhood sushi bars in the D.C. Metro area by Washingtonian magazine.

BRONROTT AND FRICK

HANG OUT ON FACEBOOK

WHILE RECALLED MEAT IS

SERVED TO CHILDREN IN

COUNTY SCHOOLS

Democrats Continue to Neglect Children and the

Major Issues in Annapolis

What better way to follow up novelty legislation, than to hang out on social networking site Facebook? The Gazette has a prominent puff piece today on local legislators who are active on Facebook, including our own Democratic delegates, William A. Bronrott and "The Gambler," C. William Frick.

This would not be noteworthy, had our delegates been working hard on the major issues in Annapolis. But they have ignored those issues, as usual, and Facebook appears to be their new way to kill time on the taxpayer's dime. We didn't send these legislators to Annapolis, and pay them $150,000 in taxpayer money, to have a vacation.

Once again, children's issues have been entirely ignored by our Democratic delegates, who have introduced legislation to make walking the state exercise, to make taxpayers pay for their campaigns, and to ban "texting" while driving. Nothing has been done on early childhood education and nutrition, domestic violence and abuse, dangerous and toxic portable classrooms in our public schools, and now the serving of recalled meat in Montgomery County public school lunchrooms.

It's outrageous. Food safety is increasingly a critical issue in America, and Annapolis has avoided it altogether. Now the lack of leadership has come home to your children's school cafeteria.

Our radical delegates and county councilmembers have acted as food police at a loud volume over the last year and two months. Now it turns out that George Leventhal, Bronrott, Frick, Lee, and Co. have presided over the largest and most unprecedented food safety scandal in Montgomery County public school history.

For shame, for shame. As I have always said - priorities and values, priorities and values. Isn't it time you had elected officials who share yours?

FORGET OBAMA AND PATRICK:

VAN HOLLEN QUOTES ROBERT DYER

Speaking of my phrase, "priorities and values," Congressman Chris Van Hollen recently stole my line when he spoke about the District 1 congressional race. Interestingly, Mr. Van Hollen was in the crowd one of the times I said this, at a 2006 candidate forum in Glen Echo. As in, "Isn't it time you had a delegate who shares your priorities and values?"

Mr. Van Hollen, if you need any more material, call me.

FINALLY, SOMEONE ELSE IS

ON BOARD FOR

RAIL SERVICE TO

ANNAPOLIS

Republican Delegate Introduces Ambitious

Legislation to Connect Capital with D.C., Charm City

Ron George, a Republican delegate from Anne Arundel County, has introduced long-overdue legislation to study rail lines to Annapolis from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

If I had been elected in 2006, I would be signing on to this bill if I hadn't introduced it myself already.

I've pointed out many times that Maryland is virtually the only state in the union without rail service to its capital. It's outrageous. And these are just some of the rail lines that we need to build to bring our transportation system into the 21st century.

MIRANT MISHAP DUMPS

THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF

DIESEL FUEL INTO

POTOMAC RIVER STORM DRAINS

Environmental Consequences Unknown

After Fuel Truck Accident at Alexandria Plant

Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel entered storm drains connected to the Potomac River at Mirant's Alexandria electric plant, after a tank truck struck a dumpster(!). This latest environmental incident reveals again that the Maryland General Assembly is totally off-base with its extremist, irrelevant environmental agenda. And that its good friend Mirant is likely to face little criticism in Annapolis, as one of the biggest financial contributors to lawmakers there.

Governor Martin O'Malley's new carbon plan is simply a plot to drain the wallets of working taxpayers and pump new cash from state and energy company coffers into the Democrats' large, corporate campaign contributors. Don't be fooled. Carbon emissions have nothing to do with rising or falling global temperatures. Nor do they have any connection whatsoever to rising sea levels. In the 1930s, it was hotter than it was during the 1980s. And now it's hot again. So what? The Thames River in England was once much higher. So what? Well, those are scientific facts based on actual data. Something Brian Frosh, Mike Miller, Michael Busch, and O'Malley have yet to consult before making pseudo-scientific pronouncements.

So let's start asking the real questions about pollution in the state of Maryland.

The only question O'Malley seems to keep asking is, "What's in your wallet?"

O'MALLEY ADMINISTRATION DENIES

PROPERTY TAX BREAK FOR TRIMPER'S

State Flip-Flops on O'Malley's Promise to

Protect Historic Ocean City Amusement Park from

Outrageous Property Taxes

The administration of Gov. Martin O'Malley has gone back on its pledge to save Ocean City's historic Trimper's amusement park from closure due to skyrocketing property taxes. In response to the governor's flip-flop, Worcester County is now prepared to offer tax credits to the park's owners.

Trimper's will still owe the state property taxes on its land, but apparently that could be offset by a tax credit from the county. If this sounds unclear, it is. Even county commissioner Virgil L. Shockley expressed some confusion over whether or not this solution is actually going to solve the problem.

Stay tuned as we continue to defend Trimper's from a developer land grab, and protect wildlife from the proposed wind farm that would destroy the natural scenery off the coast of Ocean City.

DEMOCRATIC HOUSE ORGANS

FIRE UP TO BUILD THE

BILL FRICK BRAND

Washington Post Gambles on

"The Gambler" with Front Page

Metro Puff Piece

I have not been offered a job with a psychic hotline yet, but frankly I'm surprised about that. Once again, my predictions were correct. A few months back I told you that The Washington Post and The Gazette would do everything they could to give exposure to District 16's controversial, non-elected delegate, C. William Frick. And it has begun, with a front page Metro section puff piece about some minor credit legislation "The Gambler," Bill Frick, introduced in the House.

The merits of the legislation are a separate issue; but regardless, it was not worthy of a large, prominent, front page placement. Many major stories, including deaths, murders, scandals, etc. or involving prominent elected officials, are hidden in the back pages of the Metro section. To have such a minor story on the front page is a clear case of Democrats desperately trying to build the Bill Frick brand.

Desperate because, if you've followed the Bill Frick saga, a substantial percentage of Democrats in District 16 are still furious about his appointment. Women are furious because he was appointed over a more qualified female candidate, Regina Oldak. Slots opponents are furious because "The Gambler" Bill Frick's law firm lobbies bigtime for the gaming industry on Capitol Hill.

And the Democratic grassroots organization is furious, because Ike Leggett's choice, Bill Frick, meant that two loyal activists who had done so much for the party were just thrown overboard by their own Central Committee. I'm talking about Reggie Oldak and Don Mooers - and so are the Democrats! Nobody is going to forget this anytime soon. Thus it is critical that the house organs, the Post and Gazette, get everyone back on board by 2010.

Desperate also, because virtually no one - even within the party - had ever even heard of Bill Frick. So, as predicted, the papers have to get the phrase "C. William Frick (D - Bethesda)" on a macro, and on those pages - fast!

What an odd situation for the Post, and I guess we can expect more front page coverage for The Gambler in the not so distant future.

DOBSON'S CHOICE:

MIKE HUCKABEE

One of the great shocks of the last few weeks was the decline of the conservative talk-radio host. After most of them endorsed Mitt Romney, Republicans went ahead and voted for John McCain anyway. There is one man who still has credibility in the social conservative movement: Dr. James Dobson.

Every American has the right to be heard until the voting ends. Every vote counts. Of course, we should support Sen. McCain if he is the nominee. He may not agree with us on every issue, but he is a fine American, a hero, and is certainly well-qualified to defend our nation against the threats of our time. But until it is official, Republicans are allowed to support the candidate of their choice. That is part of the process, and I encourage everyone to vote on Tuesday.

I hope you'll consider voting for Gov. Huckabee, who is a staunch defender of the right to life, and of our 2nd Amendment rights. He also opposes the destruction of human life through stem-cell research. Importantly, he has spoken out on the real economic issues in our country today: we are losing jobs through "free trade" agreements, taxes are too high, and not everyone is doing well. In order to turn this around, we need a president who actually can diagnose the problems! With over a decade of executive experience as governor of Arkansas. And we need someone who can inspire and uplift people across this country, just as Ronald Reagan did.

That's why I am supporting Mike Huckabee on Tuesday, and I hope real conservatives will join me in Maryland and in the rest of the country where Americans haven't even had a chance to vote yet!



Conservatives Still Have a Candidate

VOTE FOR MIKE HUCKABEE ON

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12!!

BRONROTT HAS

ONE STANDARD FOR YOU,

ANOTHER FOR BARVE

The hits just keep on coming from District 16 delegate Bill Bronrott. He has made a public announcement regarding liquor sales at the new taxpayer-funded concert venue in Silver Spring. Once again, the issues of alcohol and drunk driving are being used for personal publicity and political gain.

It was just 2 months ago that Mr. Bronrott's Democratic colleague, Delegate Kumar Barve, was arrested for DUI after leaving Growler's Pub in Gaithersburg. Exactly the same crime that Mr. Bronrott is now speaking out on - but one problem! - he did not have these concerns when it was his fellow Democrat, Barve, who was committing the crime!!

Keeping in mind that Mr. Bronrott had not a single comment or criticism of Mr. Barve's reckless, potentially-fatal, drunken escapades, examine these quotes from today's Gazette:

A lawmaker’s concern over public drunkenness delayed a vote over changes to liquor license laws that would affect the county’s controversial agreement with Live Nation to open a music hall in Silver Spring.

Hold on, here's where it really gets hypocritical:

‘‘The concern I have is with the possible unintended consequences of allowing people to consume alcohol from the time they enter the venue until the time they leave,” said Del. William A. Bronrott (D-Dist. 16) of Bethesda. ‘‘There is a possibility for accidents, and with the county working towards pedestrian safety and safe driving this is something we do not want to see happen.”

Unbelievable. Because Mr. Bronrott's colleague, Kumar Barve, consumed alcohol from the time he entered Growler's until the time he left. As a drunk driver, Barve faced a real "possibility for accidents." Yet Mr. Bronrott, strangely, did not make these public comments when Barve's DUI arrest occurred.

So here's the score: According to Bill Bronrott's words and actions, it is ok for a Democratic official such as Kumar Barve or T. Eloise Foster to drink and drive. But, he believes, it is wrong for you - the average citizen - to do so. That's called a double standard. Do you agree with Mr. Bronrott? Do you believe that you must follow the law, but that Democratic elected officials are above the law?

Developer Power Grab Alert!

KNAPP VOWS TO

"TAKE ADVANTAGE"

OF DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

VACANCY

Marilyn Praisner passed only 5 days ago, and Montgomery County Council President Mike Knapp has already announced he might "take advantage" of the empty chair on the council's Development Committee by appointing himself to fill it.

Remember, Knapp is a member of the developers' "End Gridlock" (no chuckles please) team, and received the 2nd highest amount of developer money in the 2006 election. He was only surpassed by Nancy Floreen.

Best of all, Knapp said that, in his opinion, voters did not give a slow-growth mandate in the 2006 election. (Remember what I said about chuckles).

RADICAL AGENDA

WASTING TAXPAYER

FUNDS FOR MONTGOMERY

COUNTY SCHOOLS

Litigious Superintendent's Judicial

Adventures Threaten to Overshadow

Weast's Record of Academic Success

During my 2006 campaign, I did a partial audit of spending by the Montgomery County Public School system. In one case, the renovation of Bells Mill Elementary in Potomac, I found a waste of $500,000 in taxpayer funds. This surplus amount should have been returned to the taxpayers of Montgomery County. Instead, it was used for non-intended purposes.

The other shocking discovery was how much of your tax money was being wasted on fighting predictable lawsuits which resulted from Superintendent Jerry Weast - and the School Board's - radical agenda. Weast was spending about $82,000 a month in court to keep flyers for after-school Bible study out of kids' backpacks. When you consider what else is going into kids' backpacks - drugs, weapons, etc. - in many county schools, you have to be on an anti-Christian crusade to spend even a second worrying about Bible study flyers.

But Weast spent more than a second; he spent over $82,000 a month fighting that lawsuit. We don't have the total number, nor was any verdict ever announced in the case. What we do know is that the school system did not have a lawsuit-proof flyer policy.

Now, why would they not write a lawsuit-proof policy? Well, it could be that they were legally and organizationally incompetent. In that case, the officials responsible should be held accountable. Why should money be taken instead from low-income students around the county?

Of course, the other possibility is that Weast has a radical social agenda, and a "bring 'em on" attitude towards any citizen or group who would dare step up and oppose him.

Witness Weast's latest display of legal jujitsu in the lawsuit against the county's new health curriculum. Schools funded by taxpayer money should not be presenting any one side of a particular argument in these classes. To say that a negative opinion is a "religious" opinion is absurd when the school system is presenting an equally "religious" favorable opinion on the same issue. Because some religions are more liberal and take that favorable position. The only "non-religious" opinion, then, is to stick to the scientific facts.

Why would they go beyond the scientific facts? Because they want to push the envelope through activist judges who will legislate from the bench. In other words, they intentionally put a controversial policy in place in hopes that it will attract a lawsuit. The goal is to get a court decision that will solidify that policy not only in the county, but statewide through the judicial precendent.

What does such a personal and political crusade have to do with Mr. Weast's mandated responsibility to educate the children who attend public school?

Absolutely nothing.

Mr. Weast should stick to improving academics in school, which he has proven to be quite successful at, and should be commended for. And our legislators in Rockville and Annapolis must put aside their own far-left agendas, and begin to require Montgomery County to spend its taxpayer funds on exactly what the citizens expected it to be spent on.

SUSAN LEE WANTS

YOU

TO PAY FOR HER

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN

Bill Would Give Montgomery County

Executive and Council Candidates

Taxpayer Money to Run for Office

Law Would Not Address Unfair Media

Advantage Enjoyed By Democrats

District 16 Democratic delegate Susan Lee has introduced a bill on behalf of Montgomery County Councilmember Phil Andrews that would create taxpayer funding for county executive and council races in Montgomery County. The bill is carefully structured to keep money out of the hands of average-income citizens who run for office, so it is not evening the playing field. It furthermore does not address the strong liberal bias of newspapers such as The Washington Post and The Gazette. These papers are the primary source of news and give extensive, favorable coverage to Democrats only. Maryland Republicans are rarely mentioned in these and other local media outlets.

So the Democrats will still have a strong advantage, but Republicans who can raise big money will have lost their place in the public dialogue. This is not only absurdly unfair, but also a violation of the 1st Amendment. (Of course, you know Democrats are experts at violating Constitutional amendments).

The grand irony of this is that Ms. Lee is the member of the District 16 delegation who takes the least special interest money. She has the largest number of small contributions from ordinary citizens and small business owners of any Democrat in the district.

Obviously, we would like to have big developer money out of elections. But unless a new law requires Equal Coverage in the press, it is patently unfair to the average citizen who runs for public office. Fundraising is an extremely unpleasant part of politics; but unfortunately that is the system which allows the most freedom of speech. Government has no business meddling in free speech and free elections.

IS JANE FAIRWEATHER

THE ONLY REAL ESTATE

AGENT IN TOWN?

Post and Gazette Use Realtor as

Main Source for 2 Articles in 48 Hours

Bethesda realtor Jane Fairweather was used as the main source for 2 separate articles in the Post and Gazette within 48 hours. These articles were on the housing slump, or lack thereof, in the expensive neighborhoods of Bethesda.

Now there are an infinite number of realtors in our area, such as Matthew Maury, Brian Maury, and even my brother, Scott Dyer (whose real estate website, I must add, will be online soon at http://www.scottdyer.com/ ). So, why Jane Fairweather? Honestly, I have no idea. But the Post Co. should diversify its real estate sources. One person does not have all the answers.

But this reminded me of something that is relevant to this blog and the impending redevelopment of the Westbard Sector.

I recall Ms. Fairweather as being a driving force behind the purchase of the Kenwood Place condo property by its residents - a deal that was bad for the residents, in my opinion. The condos would initially be harder to sell, with any prospective purchaser having to add that additional debt to his or her new mortgage.

While it was positive to keep the Kenwood Place as a residential buffer for the neighborhood, I don't think it was a good deal for two other reasons.

First, the complex could wind up on the back side with loading docks for a new Capital Properties mixed use development. I say that because outsiders and newcomers are, for whatever reason, appalled that the rear of the shopping center faces Westbard Ave. They don't understand the reason this was originally done, so they are determined to change it.

Second, the complex is beginning to age rapidly and will be quite expensive for the residents - now owners - to maintain.

Here are excerpts from the Washington Post in 2005 on the Kenwood Place saga:

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage agent Jane Fairweather presented an analysis of the prices of comparable units and of future condo demand. She estimated that Kenwood Place units were selling for 26 percent less than similar condos, and that the situation would only worsen as the lease expiration date approached.

Her report concluded that if the condo association didn't buy the land, "it will remain the 'step sister at the ball that never gets to dance.' "

One other relevant point from that story, was that CP's Richard Cohen offered pennies on the dollar for the Kenwood Place property! That was absolutely ridiculous, given that houses sell for up to $2 million in Bethesda. Kenwood Place is a huge piece of property, with substantial green space and parkland. In that pre-sale situation, and with rubber-stamp zoning changes available on-demand from Royce Hanson and the county council, the whole Kenwood Place complex was worth multiple fortunes.

But this is in line with the absurdly low price that Cohen paid for all of the Westbard Sector properties. You would think just about anyone could get investors to join in for more than he paid for a potential real estate goldmine like Westbard. Unanswered questions, unanswered questions.

WOMEN CRITICIZE

BILL FRICK APPOINTMENT

AS FEMALE LEGISLATORS IN

ANNAPOLIS CONTINUE TO

BE REPLACED BY MEN

In Each Case, Democratic Committee Chose

Male Candidates Over Qualified Women

Montgomery County Democratic delegate Karen S. Montgomery and others criticized again the 2007 appointments of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee, which replaced retired or deceased women with male legislators.

Maryland has now dropped from 1st place nationwide to 8th in the number of female legislators serving in the State House and Senate.

District 16's controversy erupted when Marilyn Goldwater retired in 2007, after failing to cast a single vote that year. Most Democrats supported Regina Oldak as her replacement. This made sense not only in terms of gender, but also because of Ms. Oldak's almost-successful 2006 primary campaign in which she almost defeated Goldwater fair-and-square. In other words, she had actually run for the office, acquitted herself well in the results, and had a base of support among actual District 16 Democratic voters.

In a shocking turn of events, the Democratic Central Committee selected "The Gambler," C. William Frick. Mr. Frick's law firm is well-known for its strong lobbying efforts before Congress on behalf of the gaming industry. Obviously, Democratic activists were outraged, but those in charge apparently believed they would come back aboard by 2010.

Now the controversy has reignited as all departing women have been replaced by men.

‘‘It’s kind of like a crisis now,” said Del. Mary Ann Love (D-Dist. 32) of Glen Burnie, in today's Gazette.

It's no wonder women's issues such as healthcare and job training for low-income pregnant mothers, and domestic violence have been on the backburner in recent years in Annapolis.

HUCKABEE IS RIGHT:

THERE IS

"A WORLD OF HURT"

OUT THERE

Jobs Go Abroad, Housing Out of Reach;

Annapolis and Washington Out of Touch

When Gov. Mike Huckabee speaks about his concern for the "people who carry the bags, who drive the trucks," he is addressing real issues that have been ignored by other Republicans.

As I repeatedly said during my 2006 campaign, we have a housing and employment crisis in our area. Of course, the wealthy don't know it's happening, because it doesn't impact them. And, believe it or not, not everyone in Montgomery County is wealthy!

Our Democratic delegates have done nothing on the issue of affordable housing. And they have not protected jobs in our district nor in our state. The latest large employer to close is Ourisman Ford right here in Bethesda! So now they've not only chased our GM plant out of the state, but the dealerships are next!! It's outrageous. And it was assisted by the passage of the Clean Cars Act, which raised the price of the average vehicle by $3000 at a time when auto sales were already in a slump.

You hear much about jobs. Well, the real jobs are going, and the "job creation" is limited to "McJobs:" minimum wage service jobs, retail & restaurant jobs, administrative assistant, secretary, sales jobs, etc. John McCain's apparently winning message, that the jobs aren't coming back, and he will "retrain workers" hurt by the now-obvious damage of NAFTA, makes little sense in real terms. Are we going to retrain well-paid auto factory workers to do these "McJobs?" Or are they going to get free medical and law school tuition?

Sometimes you just have to acknowledge the facts. Not only the fact that we have to rebuild our industrial sector and restore solid backing to the U.S. dollar. But the facts about good jobs going overseas and ending the American Dream for many who played by the rules, only to be victimized by "globalization," NAFTA, and an economy built on a fantasy stock market and Google ads.

Well here are some facts:

According to USA Today, we lost 212,000 factory jobs in the last year. Those are 212,000 people who may have lost their homes, can't pay the bills, and whose tax contributions have disappeared from the federal and state treasuries. You can push the "little guy" around only so long before the economy takes a hit.

That's why tax cuts are so vital, but also why we are headed into, at best, a tough recession. Unless the American people buy into the propaganda on CNBC and "get back in the market on Monday," a strategic gambit that has worked like magic so many times before for the status quo. Remember, when the market starts to tank a certain amount now, the computers shut down and stop all trading. This allows the CNBC/media machine to work that magic so you'll be ready to "get back in" when they turn the computers back on the next day.

It appears that, to preserve the status quo, the status quo is going to decide the election before 90% of Americans have even voted. On this course, it is hard to believe we will restore our industrial base.

So it is up to the states. That's why I have proposed ways we can preserve and restore factory jobs in Maryland. And create high-paying jobs by building needed rail-transit infrastructure and developing new industries.

I am pleased to report that help is on the way. In the future, I will be unveiling proposals to develop two new high-tech industries in Maryland, one of which will have research facilities based in our I-270 corridor. These will create jobs with high-wages and career potential. And we will be turning kids from neighborhoods where there seems to be no future into the scientists of tomorrow. Most importantly, we will be doing this with private-sector funds for the most part.

This is exciting. This is innovative. This is leadership. Stay tuned.

WESTBARD GIANT

RENOVATION BEGINS

Westwood Shopping Center

Store to Add New Features

I was there last week when the construction began. Or deconstruction. Apparently, the remodeling will occur during shopping hours. The first sign of the renovation was a trailer/boxcar which was left in the parking lot over by the RiteAid. Then a larger, fenced-off area was created with signs that say, "No Trespassing" around the fence.

The first night of the renovation, a gate on that fence was opened, and men were going in and out. Suddenly, the parking lot began to fill with pickup trucks, work vans, and small vehicles which were driven into, and inside, the store.

Inside, sounds of hammering filled the air. The wall over the meat, bakery, and seafood counters was being stripped. It did say M E A T high on the wall over the meat counter. Then the big T was carefully removed and brought down. M E A. M E. M. And then it was just blank.

A mailing has gone to all customers with 5% coupons for each week, and for free eggs, free Skippy peanut butter, and a free, reusable Giant bag. It also lists the new amenities that will be added to the store during the renovation: a new prepared foods area near the front of the store for takeout purposes; a Starbucks in the store (I hope they have decaf because I've not much use for coffee at night); a new system that supposedly will allow you to check out items as you put them in your basket, and then you pay at the front when you are finished; and an expanded selection of "natural foods." I guess that is supposed to compete with Whole Foods down on River Road. It seems like most people in the neighborhood shop at both stores anyway.

Out in the parking lot, a man carried the old wall panels to the fenced area and took them into the gate. Most immediately, it remains to be seen how disruptive, dirty, and/or noisy the renovation will be during shopping hours.

When the project is finished, then the question will be: were the renovations enough to compete with not only Whole Foods, but Wegman's and Harris Teeter, the upscale grocery stores that cater to a wealthy demographic. The thing that seems to be missing, is the in-store fine dining that Wegman's and Harris Teeter offer. At those stores, customers can sit down either at a counter on stools, or at restaurant-style tables, and order gourmet food and fine wines by the glass. These include fresh seafood, fresh sushi -as opposed to the pre-packaged grocery store sushi; and other upscale menu items.

The renovations will probably be acceptable for those of us who are long-time residents and customers. But newer residents may be expecting more. Without the critical in-store dining option, the "new" Giant still will not be a cutting-edge, first class, upscale grocery store. I really hope that Giant examines adding that in the future. Of course, with the impending redevelopment of the Westwood Center and Westbard Sector, we really don't have much information yet on what the future holds.

VIOLENT CRIME WAVE

CONTINUES

Montgomery County continues to experience an increase in violent crime. Four more violent crimes occurred in the last week alone.

SUSHI-KO CHEVY CHASE

LOCATION TO OPEN IN

FEBRUARY?

There have been many delays but the new location of Sushi-Ko in the Chevy Chase Center (near Clyde's, Potomac Pizza, Lacoste, etc.) is rumored to be opening in February. There is plenty of paid parking but you can also take the 23 Ride On bus to the Friendship Heights Metro Station across the street.

COUNTY CABLE

O'MALLEY?

Montgomery County Government TV

Content Heavy on O'Malley, Brown

County Tax Dollars Used to Promote

Democratic Administration

What's going on at County Cable Montgomery (Channel 6)? It wasn't long ago that the county-run operation was home to traffic cameras, County Council sessions, information on county services and facilities, and - most of all - countless Doug Duncan ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

But now, it seems like every time I turn to Channel 6, I find Governor Martin O'Malley or Lt. Governor Anthony Brown on the screen. There's this long program that consists of, apparently, 100 episodes, of Lt. Gov. Brown going on and on about the most cliched, feel-good, irrelevant, "state-government-working-for-you," time-killing filler you've ever heard.

You'd fall asleep, except that whoever filmed this just discovered the invention of the video camera. And just opened a new box of video-editing software.

This person proceeds to run the Brown video through every built-in trick, bell, and whistle he or she has on the menu. Brown is two pictures at once. One freezes, and he continues talking in the lower square. Then the cameraperson lays on the floor and points the camera up at Brown. Then he or she zooms in on Brown's hands. Then the picture changes to black-and-white. Goodness gracious. It's a veritable tour-de-force.

Anyway, why are the Governor and Lt. Governor being given so much exposure on a county channel? I don't recall them having Bob Ehrlich or Michael Steele on often, if ever, when they were in office. This raises questions. Why are Montgomery County tax dollars being spent on what are essentially political ads for O'Malley, Brown, and the Maryland Democratic Party?

Whoever thought that the day would come when we'd miss Doug Duncan and his scissors?

ROBERT DYER

BRINGS ACCOUNTABILITY

TO GANSLER, DEMOCRATS

ON ENVIRONMENTAL INACTION

Washington Post Article Defends

Democratic Ally Gansler after

Questions Raised by RobertDyer.Net

Polluters Continue to Get Away as

Attorney General Takes Out-of-State Getaway

On Party Business for Obama

Breaking News!

A www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!

You may recall that just recently this blog questioned the lack of progress by Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler on Chesapeake Bay pollution in his first year in office. You may also recalled that Mr. Gansler loudly grandstanded on this issue during his 2006 campaign against Republican candidate Scott Rolle. The questions I raised recently were all the more relevant when Mr. Gansler made a prominent media event out of his trip to Iowa on behalf of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

Keep in mind that I was the only person criticizing the AG office's lack of results in a public forum. Lo and behold, the Washington Post today has something of a rebuttal, since I raised the issue. It addresses exactly the concerns I raised two weeks ago. As further evidence, the environmental groups quoted have little or no criticism of Mr. Gansler. So who did raise the questions? I did, unless someone can show me another critical statement from recent times.

Mr. Gansler claims that the reason for his inaction is that the pollution going into the Bay is legal. Of course, this is complete hogwash. There are two illegal toxic waste dumps on PEPCO property: one near the Potomac River, and one by the Patuxent River. Montgomery County and the O'Malley administration, at last report, are taking no action on those dumps.

There are 3 coal-fired electric plants in this area of the Potomac River: Dickerson (PEPCO), Alexandria (Mirant), and one at the Nice Bridge (Mirant) on the Potomac in Charles County. These plants could be doing more to reduce particulates and emissions that they are currently discharging. And don't forget the smokestacks that are firing around the clock in Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Eleven nuclear reactors discharge into the watershed of the Bay.

My search of Maryland Department of the Environment records revealed an MTBE fuel spill and chemical contamination in the industrial zone adjacent to the Westbard Sector. Ours and other nearby neighborhoods were never informed of these environmental incidents. In both cases, these MTBE products and contaminants were in soil and groundwater near Willets Branch, by which they inevitably went to the Potomac River. Which flows into the Bay.

Then there is the major issue I talked about over and over again during my campaign: illegal medical waste, runoff, and toxic waste that originates in Pennsylvania and comes downstream to the Bay here in Maryland. I said in 2006 that we need to deliver an ultimatum to the state of Pennsylvania: clean up your act, or we'll take you to court. Mr. Gansler has failed to do so:

But more troublesome to some environmentalists is that Gansler's term has produced no legal blockbusters, no mega-suits against the Chesapeake's villains.

"I just don't know what he has done yet," said Ed Merrifield, executive director of the environmental group Potomac Riverkeepers. "Until he's willing to take polluters to court, it's hard for me to know what he's done for the environment."

-The Washington Post, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008

Once again I am vindicated. I said Marilyn Goldwater would be unable to serve if reelected, and she cast no votes in 2007, leaving our district with only 2/3 of our representation in Annapolis. I said crime was going up, and reports proved that crime is up in our area. In fact, a woman was violently assaulted in Chevy Chase Village just last night. I said police need more protection against violent criminals. A year later we had the highest number of police officers killed in the line of duty in history. I said our current elected officials were driving jobs out of our district. Now Ourisman Ford is closed. Forever.

And now Robert Dyer has brought accountability to the Attorney General's office and the Democrat extremists in Annapolis, who continue to give the real polluters a free pass. This is the type of leadership we need in Annapolis: someone who is right on the issues in advance, and has real solutions for the serious issues. But in Annapolis, the serious issues are the last thing on anyone's mind right now.

WSSC TO SOAK

THE POOR WITH

50% RATE INCREASE;

$20 MONTHLY FEE

Latest "Pay to Live" Action to Drive

Poor and Working Class Citizens

Out of Montgomery County

Robert Dyer's Call for Competition in

Utilities Sounds Smarter Than Ever

Bronrott, Frick, and Lee M.I.A. as

Monopoly Utilities Pound Montgomery

Residents with High Electric and Water Bills

Unbelievable! Outrageous!! WSSC is calling on the Montgomery and Prince George's County councils to approve a whopping 50% increase in water bills. To top it off, they want to charge you $20 a month ($240 a year). This is due to their mismanagement of the water and sewer infrastructure.

Much as Democrats in Annapolis, and their friends at the Washington Post and Gazette, neglect to mention that high electric bills are the result of Democrats keeping competition out of Maryland after deregulation, so too does the WSSC and the media exclude the facts on this issue.

The issue is that the system has been allowed to deteriorate, and now they want you to pay for their failure to properly maintain and manage their infrastructure. It's outrageous. What's more, the proposal was put forward by the lame duck head of the board who is departing within the month.

Competition in utilities is long overdue. What you get with true competition is low prices, excellent service, and accountability. Because if you don't receive those 3 benefits, you can switch to a competing company. We call this the Free Enterprise System here in the United States.

Unfortunately, we won't have competition in utilities until I am elected. So in the meantime... Please contact your county councilperson, and tell them to reject the WSSC proposal. It's not fair to the elderly, the poor, and to working families on tight budgets.

DEVELOPER-BEHOLDEN

ROYCE HANSON AND

PLANNING BOARD LAUNCH

BLITZ IN WESTBARD SECTOR

121 Housing Units Approved on

Washington Episcopal School Campus

Off River Road and Little Falls Parkway

Eight Story Building Claimed as "Senior

Housing;" But No Guarantees

"All the Financials Were Beneficial."

You Can Say That Again!

Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Royce Hanson and his fellow board members rubber-stamped the first major development in the Westbard Sector last week. It approved 121 "senior housing" units in a proposed 8 story tower on the property of the Washington Episcopal School.

They are also trying to get a traffic light at Lindy Lane and River Road. Question for State Highway Administration engineers: How many stoplights can you have in a single block? There are three in this block of River already.

What will the view of this tower be from our neighborhood or the Kenwood neighborhood? We don't know because the developer, Sheridan Development Company, never came to us with any details on this project. They simply greased the wheels of government and we've been victimized by the Royce Hanson-Developer Planning Tank again on the outer fringes of the Sector.

And remember, there is no guarantee that these units will be senior housing now or ever. Don't forget, Park Bethesda started as a luxury apartment building and became an American University dorm overnight.

This is the last stand against developer excess in the county. Developers are putting the final touches on the Twinbrook and White Flint plans, guiding hands and greasing government palms all the way. Once the action moves to Westbard itself and the other side of River Road, the battle will be joined.

Martin O'Malley

Approval Rating:

33%

Maryland Governor Rates Lower Than

President Bush in New Poll

Majority in Maryland Disapprove of

Special Session and Democrats'

Massive, Historic, Regressive

Tax Increases