PUBLIC MONEY

FOR PERSONAL,

POLITICAL GAIN

EPIDEMIC CONTINUES

TO UNFOLD ON

THREE COASTS

The saga of the use of public money for personal and political gain continues on three coasts this morning. In Bell, California, a scandal of high council and employee wages has now led to the arrest of current and former councilmembers and other officials.

Several quotes in the Los Angeles Times tell the story:

'Eight current and former Bell city leaders were arrested Tuesday on charges of misappropriating more than $5.5 million from the small, working-class community as prosecutors accused them of treating the city's coffers as their personal piggy bank.

The charges follow months of nationwide outrage and renewed debate over public employee compensation since The Times reported in July that the city's leaders were among the nation's highest paid municipal officials.

"This, needless to say, is corruption on steroids," said Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley in announcing the charges. "This was calculated greed and theft accomplished by deceit and secrecy," Cooley said.'

But wait, there's more!

Let's return across the Atlantic, as a familiar controversy unfolds there as well! Writing in the UK's Telegraph newspaper, Philip Johnston criticizes the out-of-control-government-employee-salary-in-exchange-for-political-election-support tactic so familiar to residents of Montgomery County!!!

"Something has clearly gone seriously awry when pay for the top five per cent of earners in the public sector has risen by 51 per cent in the past 10 years. How has this happened?

Moreover, whereas work in the public sector used to be less well paid than in the private sector –a shortfall made good by greater job security and an enhanced pension –senior public servants now earn salaries that would not look out of place in the corporate world: today, they get both the salaries and the perks.

These high salaries have helped create an unhealthy "them and us" situation, with many in the private sector feeling that they are paying for generous remuneration and pension packages which they no longer enjoy themselves.

Even more galling is that we were told that public sector bosses deserved high salaries to stop them leaving for (or to attract them from) the private sector, and to ensure the best people are running our services. [<---Wait a minute, there's that George Leventhal argument again!!!]

Yet, while the costs have gone up, we have not seen a commensurate improvement in services or in efficiency."

As they attempt to "buy" council seats with six-figure developer/special interest campaign accounts - and tens of thousands of dollars in union and out-of-county donations - Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer represent the vanguard of a new movement: one that requires you, the private citizen, to subsidize superior compensation for public employees, even as you struggle under the burden of Montgomery County's recession and Draconian taxes.

It's outrageous.

Send a powerful message to them, by VOTING for a fiscally responsible and ethical county council on November 2nd.

GOVERNOR MOONBEAM

TO

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL:

"YOU CAN'T"

Adding to yesterday's report on the attempt by my Democratic opponents to "buy" the At-Large seats on the Montgomery County Council, using tens of thousands of dollars in union and out-of-county contributions - and hundreds of thousands more from developers and special interests:

As you know, these politicians are now indebted to those unions, developers and special interests. This means they will not be restructuring employee compensation, which accounts for 80% of county expenditures.

A similar case in California caused a near riot in the town of Bell. This town, like Montgomery County, was overpaying government employees with six-figure salaries, and councilmembers were enriching themselves personally (salaries) and politically (campaign contributions). And like Montgomery County, this information had not been shared with the public.

When it was finally exposed, the public - understandably - was not pleased, to say the least. Now, former governor - and current Attorney General - Jerry Brown is suing the city council, and demanding that employees return the loot to the city.

Brown had harsh words that could serve as a wake-up call for our Big Spenders, Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal, and new partner Hans Riemer, who are all "in the money" with massive union donations, received in exchange for promises they've made that are simply unsustainable:

"You can't just take the public's money and give it to yourself or give it to your friendly employees or members of the...council just because you want to. There's a standard and that standard is that the pay must be commensurate with the duty and the work."

These actions were "possible violations of various state laws and [a] waste and misuse of public funds."

- Jerry Brown

The use of public funds to win over county employees and employee unions is a common practice not only in Montgomery County, but across the ocean, as well.

Check out this bulletin from the Bournemouth Echo newspaper yesterday:

'A BBC Panorama investigation, screened last night, revealed that there are more than 9,000 public workers in the UK earning more than David Cameron’s £142,500-a-year.Dorset County Council leads the way for local authorities, with its five top officers on salaries of £119,000 upwards. Chief executive David Jenkins’s pay from April 1 was £164,306.

A county council spokesman said: “The council is the largest public sector employer in Dorset and has a budget running into hundreds of millions of pounds, so the chief executive role has huge responsibility. “We pay at the necessary level to attract and retain suitable candidates in a very competitive market.” [<-- Wait a minute! That is exactly what George Leventhal always says when he faces a question about the massive compensation packages he and his colleagues voted for!!]

At Bournemouth council, chief executive Pam Donnellan is paid £125,373, with John McBride at Poole council paid up to £124,951. Martin Baker, chief constable of Dorset Police, saw his pay rise to £133,068 this month. In the education sector, at least one headteacher in Dorset earns £120,000.'

Where's the outrage? Where is the press coverage and criticism? Why are these Big Spenders who have violated the public trust, and mismanaged the county's finances for their own political gain, receiving newspaper and Chamber of Commerce endorsements? What's going on here?

It is vital that you get out and vote on November 2nd, to ensure that council seats are won, not bought with massive special interest contributions and donations from outsiders who don't even live in the county. We must restore ethics to our electoral process and our county council. You - not the special interests - have the power to do that with your vote. Exercise it, and tell everyone you know to exercise their right, as well.

FIDEL CASTRO

MORE FISCALLY

CONSERVATIVE THAN

MONTGOMERY COUNTY?

Say it ain't so! Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, speaking on behalf of himself and the County Council, and the budget they collaborated on and passed, recently made a startling statement.

When asked about the county's lack of lawnmowing of highway medians and rights-of-way, Mr. Leggett said, "If I mow the lawns, then I have to fire people." Wow. Let me give you a chance to think about that one. The question is, is this a government that serves the people? Or is it a charity? Obviously, it is supposed to be the former, but Mr. Leggett and my Democratic opponents believe it is the latter - as well as a personal political machine that can generate tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions at the 11th hour of the election.

This is yet another fundamental difference between myself and my opponents. They believe you must pay more - even as you are hurting financially with the recession and the high cost of living in Montgomery County - to provide even more money, perks, and job security for elite county management and employees. Meanwhile, county residents face the threat of layoffs and devastating furloughs from their own employment every day. Talk about a council that is out of touch with the real world!!

How "out there" are Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, and George Leventhal, as they collect record energy taxes and - along with running mate Hans Riemer - personally reap the financial rewards through massive union cash contributions?

The Castro regime in Cuba has just announced it is laying off 500,000 government workers. This means that your county council is now less concerned about government finances than Fidel Castro. Fidel Castro! You can't make this stuff up. Have your election day decisions been affected by this news bulletin?

THANK YOU!

Thanks to all who voted for me on Tuesday. I cannot win on November 2nd without your continued support.

My Democratic opponents, and their friends in the local media, are already trying to prop up the absurd idea that the election is over. Good luck!

There's a contested election on November 2nd, and a full half of the county electorate has yet to weigh in on the Democratic nominees. With their record of failure, these incumbents cannot expect a cakewalk.

YOU'RE NOT

READY TO

VOTE...

...for Montgomery County Council At-Large,

until you've watched these entertaining and informative videos!

THEY HAVE FAILED
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKRcgN3urGs

ROBERT DYER BLASTS MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL FOR FAILURES IN CLARKSBURG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSmjTPE15xk

WELCOME TO FANTASY ISLAND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhY-VbIbI7U

ROBERT DYER FISCAL PLAN TO FIX STRUCTURAL DEFICIT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEyFD3XbOZs

STAY CLASSY, MONTGOMERY COUNTY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9SugybAWNo

ROBERT DYER ON "SMART GROWTH"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzzZCOUqY8

ENJOY!

MORE PHOTOS

FROM

VAPIANO

BETHESDA ROW

VIP GRAND

OPENING PARTY

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

Here are more pictures from Tuesday night's event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertdyer/

ROBERT DYER

ON

"SMART GROWTH"

IN

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!!!

Those who promote a particular twisted version of "smart growth," that allows massive overdevelopment without any infrastructure to support it (in fact, this version of smart growth says you don't even bother about the impact on road capacity or school overcrowding[!!]), have taxpayer-funded TV channels, newspapers, and blogs to advocate for their cause.

They announce that - one day - everyone will live right where they work, and janitors will telecommute, cleaning buildings over the internet.

Thousands of video hours, newspaper words, and blog entries try to condition the public to accept Carmageddon projects like Science City and White Flint as normal - and the resulting gridlock as something you'll "just have to deal with," if you refuse to spend two hours on an un-air-conditioned Metro car to get to work.

And I debunk it in just 90 seconds.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEzzZCOUqY8

If you want a councilman who will protect our suburban neighborhoods from being annexed into urban town centers, I'm your candidate! If you want to reduce the amount of time you spend commuting during rush hour, elect Robert Dyer! I will not only support Ride On and rail transit, but - more importantly - will build the roads that were called for in the Master Plans of the county. Roads like M-83 upcounty, upon which our explosive growth was predicated, and yet were inexplicably and irresponsibly never built.

VAPIANO

GRAND OPENING

AT

BETHESDA ROW

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

It's not every day that my name is on a VIP guest list with Lady Gaga, Katherine Kennedy and Kate Michael. Or that I am making a red carpet arrival at 7 p.m. at Bethesda Row.

The Grand Opening party at Vapiano was a decidedly different affair from other openings in the area. In a nice gesture, VIP invites to the exclusive party were sent out to local celebrities and notables, bloggers and social media gurus. This was also a smart marketing decision. Recognize influential people in the community, provide a positive first experience, and - as a result - generate favorable publicity. And it will be sincere, as opposed to artificial hype. Some other places just-sort-of-open as an afterthought, and the result of that is, they miss out on a lot of potential buzz online and off.

When I arrived, they asked for my name. The List was on an iPad rather than paper. Then it was a short walk on the red carpet, to the revolving door. A photographer was taking pictures as guests arrived. Once inside, guests were welcomed at the host desk, and given a brief explanation about how the restaurant works: There are several "stations" at the long counter in front of the kitchen. Each one is labeled for a different type of food, ranging from pizza to pasta to salads and panini. As the restaurant's spokesman pointed out during a brief speech given from atop the bar, it is not a self-serve cafeteria. Rather, the setup allows the diner to control what ingredients are included in each order, and every order is made fresh. All ingredients are made from scratch at the restaurant, including bread and pizza dough.

Speaking of pizza dough, you can stand right at the counter where the pizzas are made, and the giant pizza oven is right there, too.

About 2/3 of the restaurant space is devoted to the food counters and seating, which ranges from small tables to larger, communal ones. A comfortable lounge and bar area occupies the remaining third. Last night, there was a DJ playing techno music. Which was appropriate, given the European origins and atmosphere of the restaurant. Vapiano began in Germany, although the cuisine is Italian. And, by the way, they have Peroni.

The staff was exceedingly polite and welcoming, and offered tray after tray of the aforementioned free food and generously-filled glasses of wine. This included tomatoes and cheese, a sort of rolled up sandwich, bruschetta, pizza slices and small squares of a chocolate dessert. Of course, one could also get pasta and other items from the counters.

Decorwise, there is a lot of wood, Italian-themed art that wraps around the interior walls, and creative use of lighting. The underside of the bar counter is lit, for example. Wood floors and tables - and even two trees in the section by the Woodmont Avenue windows - add to the natural-wood theme. Outdoors, wood tables offer curbside dining.

The addition of Vapiano and the Equinox building really transforms this square block of Bethesda. There is now virtually a continuous zone of activity all the way around the block, and it better links the Shoppes at Bethesda to Bethesda Row. A minor logistical roadblock would be to figure out a way to relocate the large dumpsters between the two properties on Hampden Lane. But a Ferrari parked outside the Hampden Lane windows of Vapiano indicated the transformation of a formerly dark corner.

Inside the restaurant, "K Street" Kate was there. So was Angie Goff from WUSA 9. Lady Gaga was in town, but didn't appear as far as I could tell. That didn't stop the restaurant from hoping she might, though. Well, the red carpet was ready.

A different kind of grand opening, and a different kind of restaurant. The unique concept is a great addition to Bethesda Row, much like Taylor Gourmet, the Mussel Bar and Georgetown Cupcake. The bar and lounge seem like a great place for after-work happy hours, and the upscale-yet-casual theme would make Vapiano perfect for dates and small groups.

It was a great event, and I look forward to my next visit.

Here are some photos from last night's event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertdyer/

WELCOME TO

FANTASY ISLAND

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!!!

The Labor Day weekend is here! Start it off by enjoying this entertaining video from last night's Montgomery County Council At-Large debate, at the 4-H headquarters on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. The moderator was Charles Duffy of Channel 16's Political Pulse.

This debate will be televised 5 times on Channel 16 before the September 14 primary, but you can get an exclusive preview right now by clicking on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhY-VbIbI7U

The incumbents made the mistake again of claiming that there will be no budget shortfall next May. It was up to me to set the record straight, so click on the link right now to take a front row seat at the debate!

CHEVY CHASE

DEBATE TONIGHT!

Come out to the 4-H headquarters on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase tonight for a Montgomery County Council At-Large candidate forum, sponsored by the Town of Chevy Chase and 1000 other civic associations and municipalities.

The debate begins at 7 p.m., and will be moderated by Charles Duffy of Channel 16's Political Pulse.

This debate includes Republicans, unlike the private debate the Democrats had last night.

THEY

HAVE

FAILED

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!!!

It's Friday morning, so as the weekend arrives, why not entertain yourself with this enjoyable video of me speaking frankly about how the County Council has failed us over the last 4 (8!!) years?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKRcgN3urGs

ROBERT DYER

BLASTS

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL FAILURES IN

CLARKSBURG

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive Video!!!

Enjoy one of the great moments from Tuesday night's debate, which was co-sponsored by the Greater Goshen, Laytonsville and Clarksburg Civic Associations.

Exclusively on the Robert Dyer Channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSmjTPE15xk

If elected, I will be the advocate for Clarksburg on the County Council.

I went to Leisure World yesterday afternoon for a candidate forum that was well-attended. It included candidates for County Executive, County Council At-Large and District 4, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Register of Wills, Sheriff and Board of Education.

This was the second debate in a row that had an audience of mostly "real" voters, as opposed to those where the audience was largely staff members of Democratic campaigns.

It was held in the Ballroom which has a huge chandelier. When it was my turn to speak, I focused on the issues important to seniors. I don't believe seniors are so much concerned about how many establishment groups have endorsed a candidate, as they are in knowing that the bus they take to the grocery store won't be eliminated by the council next week. Or that their Pepco bill won't double next month because the council passes an Energy Tax increase. Alas, the council actually did those terrible things. And this November 2nd is the citizen's chance to hold them accountable.

Now it appears to be official that another threat to the safety and well-being of seniors - the dangerous Ambulance Fee - will not be on the ballot this fall. It is now clear that the basic right of the citizen to take direct action through a ballot question has been eliminated. This is a dark turn of events. How can one petition for a recall of a crooked politician if all signatures and petitions will be struck down through an impossible-to-meet criteria? It appears that the political establishment knows that they are going to have to expand their current practice of governing against the will of the citizens. And are taking direct action to protect their radical legislation, massive tax increases and their own "divine right" to their offices from any and all challenges. They reflect a regional and national trend that smugly suggests you the citizen lack the intelligence to know what is best for you, or to understand the issues. Therefore, you should have no direct ability to decide major issues, and that power should reside solely in our wise, and all-knowing elected officials.

That should be of concern to all voters. It's time that we, the citizens, take "direct action" and elect a new County Council on November 2nd.

Voters I spoke to after the forum were concerned about the county's finances and failure to bring jobs to Montgomery County. Fortunately I have a plan for both of those, as you can find on my website at www.RobertDyer.net. The Fiscal Plan is actually in a video form, which you can review at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEyFD3XbOZs

LAX ADA

ENFORCEMENT

REQUIRES NEW

LEADERSHIP ON THE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL

USA Today published the results of a survey of Americans with disabilities this week. It asked participants whether the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, had made a difference in their lives. The answer might surprise you.

61% said "No."

Is this because the law was ineffective? No, I believe it is because it has not been adequately enforced.

We can find this to be the case here in Montgomery County. I've filed numerous complaints about ADA violations here in the county, some of which related to county facilities. Most recently, I reported here - and brought to Councilmember Mike Knapp's attention - ADA violations at Damascus ES. I was promised that those violations would be corrected this summer, and I guess we'll find out if that was true soon enough!

This is in addition to the county council's reductions in services for the disabled, including transit cuts and a 50% cut in subsidized taxi coupons for the disabled.

And the many violations of the ADA include the county's refusal to clear sidewalks for days or weeks after a snowstorm. This has a tremendous impact on the ability of those in wheelchairs, for example, to get around or to access Metrobus and Ride On at snowed-in stops.

This is why, if I am elected, disabled residents will finally have an advocate on the council, as will those with special needs.

I have promised that, if elected, I will appoint one staff member to specifically handle disability and special needs issues.

These issues extend to the programs offered in public schools, and the current shortcomings in that area call for new leadership on the council.

STAY CLASSY,

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!!!

Exclusive video from Tuesday night's debate in Rockville:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9SugybAWNo

UH-OH,

BETTER SKIP

MAC0

Councilmembers Decline to Attend Ocean City

Vacation, er, Conference, but

Leggett and others Escape to Beach Week...

...on Your Dime!

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

You may have read the Gazette article about the Montgomery County Council skipping this week's MACo Conference in beautiful, sunny Ocean City, MD.

The council's cancellation is certainly a smart political move, considering the bills they've racked up at taxpayer expense over the last 3 summers.

This abrupt cancellation may have had, oh, a little bit to do with something I said at this debate a few weeks ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfgdu6y4dXE

I don't know. Maybe. You think?

Oh, and the politicians are not going to party at Seacrets - Jamaica USA - at your $12000 expense again this year. Darn.

So Ike Leggett and Timothy Firestine, Chuck Short, Vicki Buckland, Tom "Keeping Myself Moving Safely... to Ocean City!" Pogue, Jeff Dunckel, Melanie Wenger, Sheila Sprague and R.C. Bates are heading to Ocean City without the council, according to the Gazette.

They'll be working hard at all kinds of boring workshops and seminars, right?

Well, I thought you might like some further details about the trip you're paying for!!

So grab your SPF 15 and check out what you could be enjoying - for FREE - if you were a county official:

"Sea Kayaking Trip" - "The group departs from the West Ocean City Public Boat Ramp, and paddles to the north end of Assateague Island, approximately 1 mile each way. It includes a short hike on Assateague Island to investigate barrier island ecology, seine for fish and aquatic life, and visit ponies."

Will Ike Leggett's bodyguards (you're paying $1366 for them to go, too!) row for him? Do they wear Hawaiian shirts?

This morning at 10:30 am: "Oyster Shuckers - demonstration and free samples"

Yes, that same old business trip Continental breakfast like us average citizens have, right?

12:00 – 1:30 pm Steel drum band - “Caiso”

Now, how did these guys end up getting scheduled right at the same time as Ben Cardin is going to be giving one of his inspiring, motivating, powerful and entertaining speeches? By the powers vested in me as an elected official, I'm calling on the PSC to investigate!

"Sunrise Yoga and Ice-Cream Break" - "There's no better way to start a day at the Conference at a Sunrise Yoga class on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6:00 am outside on the pavillion facing the Bay at the Convention Center. Yoga will be provided compliments of MAC Wellness. And, the Thursday afternoon ice cream break has been transformed to a Health Break, featuring yummy and healthy beverages and snacks. Not to worry, ice-cream lovers, you'll have an opportunity later."

Never believe a politician when he or she promises you'll have anything "later."

"Public Safety Reception on Thursday afternoon in the Bayside Sunset Room. There's a live band, and a Mystery Celebrity Guest planned, with a photographer on hand to capture your picture with him (or her!)"

I just have to know who the Mystery Celebrity Guest is!!

6:30 pm—8:30 pm President’s Reception - “Groovy Sixties” theme. Music by the Charlie Parker Band

Forget Step Up 3-D, can they keep the photographer on hand for this?

Now, how about tomorrow. I mean, after the sunrise yoga?

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm "Clowns, Snacks, Goody Bags"

[insert your own joke here]

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm Governor’s Cabinet Reception (by invitation only)

Did Peter Franchot get an invitation? Just wondering.

5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Crab Feast - Music by The Klassix (rain or shine)

By the way, don't forget to sign up for the Golf Tournament!

Here's what you get, if you're ready to take on 18 holes even when we're in a budget hole:

"FORMAT Scramble! Check In 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start 9:00 a.m.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES Included in your golf registration are continental breakfast and beverages and snacks from two golf carts circulating on the course that day.

PRIZES First, second and third team prizes and Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive for both men and women. Great giveaways at the Awards Ceremony."

Finally, you might expect that RobertDyer.net would also let you know who your elected officials will be clinking champagne glasses with...

AFSCME/MD Public Employees/Council 67

Well, there's a shock.

Comcast
Constellation Energy
U.S. Reps Cummings, Ruppersberger,
Sarbanes, Kratovil
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin
(sorry, I can't hear you! Steel drum band "Caiso" is playing!)
and...

Pepco Energy Services, Inc.

Oh, my. Hmm.

Wait a minute... Is that Rodney the Lifeguard in downtown Rockville?

Last night I participated in a Montgomery County Council At-Large candidate forum, sponsored by 17 Asian-American organizations at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. The debate focused on issues of interest to the Asian American community in Montgomery County.

This debate had the best turnout of the 3 I've been in so far. More actual voters than campaign staff in the audience. It was also the first to cover the issues of education and transportation, although I did not get the transportation question. However, you can read about my transportation plan at www.RobertDyer.net.

I did answer questions about education (I'm the only candidate who supports full Maintenance of Effort funding for MCPS), after school programs, language accessibility, public safety, and was asked to give an example of when I have interacted with the Asian-American community in the county.

The best example, as I discussed in response, was in my advocacy against the attempt by developers to "redevelop" downtown Wheaton. There are many successful small businesses there - many owned by Asian-Americans - and they could be forced out by construction and high rents. Replacing them will be the usual national-chain suspects, of course. I'll talk more about the specifics of this issue in the coming days. But I got some applause when I promised that, if elected, I will ensure that any "redevelopment" benefits those who live and own businesses there now. The benefits should not all go to the developers and some hypothetical group of future residents. The response showed that attendees really did come from all over the county, as opposed to just Rockville. The Wheaton Sector Plan is a huge issue, and it will be decided by the next county council. That makes this a crucial vote for those who live in the Wheaton area (much like those who live in Long Branch, Damascus and the Westbard Sector).

I talked to a lot of voters afterward, and even ran in to a former teacher from high school. The debate was very well organized -they even put a tablecloth on the cafeteria table the candidates sat at. I think those who turned out were able to learn a lot about where the candidates stand, and what we will do if elected. It's great to see 17 groups getting involved in the process, and giving their members a chance to question and hear from those competing to represent them on the council. I strongly encourage other community groups around the county to hold these type of events, so that their voices and concerns can be heard before Election Day.

PRIVATE DEBATES,

PUBLIC MONEY

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

It's interesting, with the local media only covering the private, Democrat-only Montgomery County Council At-Large debates, that your taxpayer dollars are now being used to promote yet another private, Democrat-only debate!

Montgomery County Government is promoting an August 23, 2010 debate featuring only the Democratic candidates for the council at-large! And, it is going to be broadcast at further taxpayer expense on MC10, the Montgomery College Channel.

That sounds fair and ethical, doesn't it?

Whatever questions this particular debate and its promotion raise, the critical question ahead of us is (aside from when are the TV, internet and print local media going to start covering the debates when Republicans are included?!), will the League of Women Voters, the Montgomery County Civic Federation, Montgomery College Alumni Association and MC-10 sponsor and televise an equivalent debate - moderated by Lon Anderson of AAA, no less! - for the 8 General Election candidates for County Council At-Large before November 2nd?

There's a debate tonight, in Rockville, at Richard Montgomery HS at 7:00pm. The Republican candidates for council at-large have been graciously invited to participate. I, in turn, invite the Washington Post, Gazette, Sentinel, etc., to attend and publish stories about this debate.

DOES IT REALLY

DO THAT?

Montgomery County Office of Consumer

Protection Takes on a New Responsibility:

Labor Law

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

If you tune in to CCM 6 on a regular basis, you are probably familiar with the Director of the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection, Eric Friedman. He is one of several "stars" of Channel 6 who receive quite a bit of screen time - but nobody can beat the screen time that our County Council and Executive get on this, and half-a-dozen other taxpayer-funded channels.

In a time of reduced revenues, Mr. Friedman and other departments have tried to appeal to the taxpayers via television, to make the case for the importance of what they provide to the community. Such a department can play a useful role, if that role is defined. For example, this office can help bring various local consumer scams to the attention of residents. At the same time, simply announcing recalls is duplicative of Federal product recall announcements, which anyone can easily subscribe to online.

But in a time of tight budgets, I was surprised to hear about a new role for the OCP: assisting domestic workers in court cases against their employers. This particular case was hastily brought forward, after the Gazette published an article revealing that no one had ever filed a complaint using the county's domestic worker protection law. After all of the taxpayer expense of legislating and promoting the law, it turned out that it was yet another County Council Solution-in-Search-of-a-Problem Law.

So now they've rounded up a customer. Let's allow the legal process to play out before passing judgement on the complaintant. Having said that, it is interesting to note that, according to the Gazette, the Montgomery County Police Department and the U.S. Justice Department both investigated the case, and declined to bring charges against the accused family. Again, I'm not here to defend the accused without having the case files in front of me. But what does it tell you about a case, when the highest law enforcement authorities in the county and the nation both say there's nothing there to pursue in court?

The real issue here is, what does a domestic worker complaint - a labor issue - have to do with an Office of Consumer Protection at any level? Who is the "consumer?" What was the "product" sold?

This makes no sense at all.

If the OCP has this much time, energy and financial resources to put toward non-consumer-protection related pursuits, is it not an indication that there are more budget cuts to be found in this department? This is a time to narrow activities to the most essential, not branch out on a pro-incumbent councilmember political quest at taxpayer expense. Such a case should be left to the appropriate authorities to investigate.

So when a puff piece featuring Mr. Friedman and Channel 4 consumer reporter Liz Crenshaw appeared the same week as this Gazette story... ...I just had to ask, regarding an Office of Consumer Protection entering into labor disputes, "Does it really do that?"

Yesterday morning, I attended a continental breakfast hosted by the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce.

It was an easier than usual trip on East West Highway. Until I tried to park at the AFI Silver Theatre, that is. As you know, there are a couple of county garages that are fairly convenient to the Downtown Silver Spring shopping and dining areas. But none are convenient to the Theatre. Maybe there's a secret garage where you pull up and give the attendant the secret handshake. I'm a Republican, so we don't get those kind of perks in Montgomery County.

Anyway, I tried to get to the garage near the Macaroni Grill, the fountain, etc. You know what I'm talking about. But some big truck and a bus forced me into the wrong lane on Colesville, and there was so much traffic, and no way to turn off safely, that I was carried out of town. Then I had to fight my way back into town in a traffic jam.

So just after 8, I finally got there. But, fortunately, it was just getting started. Fellow Republican At-Large candidate Brandon Rippeon was there, as well as Kurt Osuch (State Senate, Dist.18), Pat Fenati (State House, Dist.14), and some other Republican candidates who I had not met before. I saw former Rockville Mayor Susan Hoffmann (who is in charge of Downtown Silver Spring as a county employee), almost all of the incumbent councilmembers, the District 18 General Assembly delegation, and a couple of their Democratic challengers. The only one of the challengers I recognized was Vanessa Atterbeary, who is running for the House of Delegates.

It was great to talk to actual businesspeople and members of the Chamber, as opposed to a political PAC. Every businessperson said they are being hit hard by the council's outrageous Energy Tax increase. One representative from a major apartment management company said they are being devastated by the tax, because many of their apartments come with utilities included. So the company has to pick up the tab for every one of those units. And, of course, the council chose to do this just as the heat wave hit. What a disaster!

My main point was to push my detailed Fiscal Plan. We can't accomplish anything until we fix our structural deficit. Don't forget, you can watch a video and "PowerPoint" presentation about my fiscal plan here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEyFD3XbOZs

And also don't forget to email the video to all of your friends in Montgomery County!

I also talked quite a bit about my economic development plan, which will make Montgomery County the new space industry capital of the world. It won't be as difficult as it sounds. My plan builds on our existing aerospace firms such as Lockheed, the end of NASA's human spaceflight program, the new need for defense firms to make up for the unwise proposed DOD cuts, and - most importantly - our proximity to Goddard Flight Center, multiple air bases and proving grounds, and the Wallops Island launch facility.

I don't know of any other part of the country that can boast all of those advantages.

The time to act on this visionary plan is now, and we can't rely on the same old failed leadership that has missed opportunities like this in the past.

That's why it's time to

ELECT ROBERT DYER!

Visit my website at http://www.robertdyer.net/ for more information and videos on the Robert Dyer Channel, accessible from the Main Menu on the home page!