DON'T TAKE A

RISK:

ELECT

ROBERT DYER

TO ENSURE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

WILL WEATHER THE

SECOND RECESSION

My opponents have proclaimed that Montgomery County faces a gloomy, dystopian future of poor services, high taxes and a dysfunctional, outdated transportation network.

They are correct - if Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer are elected this Tuesday!

But if we elect me - Robert Dyer - for County Council At-Large, I have a more optimistic prediction.

Montgomery County is potentially the most powerful jurisdiction in the United States, if not the world. We have the most educated and skilled people in the nation residing within our borders. We have outstanding small businesses that will grow tremendously if we simply elect the right people, reduce taxes and spending, and attract the large aerospace employers my jobs plan seeks, that will lift all economic boats.

So why are we in stasis and a state of paralysis? Because of our failed elected officials!

What if they are reelected? I predict things will not only go the way they have warned us, but even worse.

The recession is not over. On recent weekend evenings, I have ventured to the Kentlands and the Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg. I found both commercial centers to be nearly dead on a Friday evening! Where have all the people gone?

The signs are all around us. Bobby's Crabcakes just closed its doors in the struggling Rockville Town Center. Unemployment is up, and will continue to rise if my opponents are elected. A second recession is coming. Nobody wants to admit it, but all the indicators are there. People are spending less, especially in less-wealthy areas of the county.

County businesses are hurting, and so are many of our residents. My opponents believe everyone here is rich, and can afford to pay a 300% Energy Tax increase, an 8% property tax increase, and even a new Development District Tax!

Without new leadership on the council, and a Fiscal Plan such as the one I've proposed, our county will be hit hard by the second recession. Only responsible fiscal policies can put us in a position to prosper during tough times, and continue to provide essential services. The incumbents have proven that they cannot make those responsible decisions. If they were capable of doing so, they would have done it already! Do you really believe they were just holding back until their next term? Give me a break!

It's time for you to deliver a Wake Up message to the Ritz Carlton County Council this Tuesday!

Don't vote for Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal and Riemer...

...VOTE FOR ROBERT DYER!

My detailed Fiscal Plan (read about it, or watch the video at www.RobertDyer.net) will balance our budget so we can reduce taxes, and have more money for services, economic development and the most vulnerable.

As the only candidate who supports FULL FUNDING for MCPS, you can trust that I will not let our schools go backwards by cutting education funding. Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal and Riemer are all on-the-record supporting bigger cuts to MCPS with each coming fiscal year, larger class sizes, more portable trailers, and removing all of the 9 remaining county police officers who protect our schools - putting your child's safety at risk!

I would never take such an irresponsible action, and that's what this decision boils down to for you on Tuesday: Who do you trust?

Who do you trust to manage the public's money and the county's finances?

The ones who ran the finances into the ground and have no clue what they're going to do about the deficit if reelected? (Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal, Riemer)

Or the man who has a detailed Fiscal Plan, and is ready to tackle the deficit on Day One?

(Robert Dyer)

Elect Robert Dyer, and we will not only weather the coming financial storm, but exceed all previous economic accomplishments, by putting the full resources of our county to work.

That requires leadership, and I am prepared to take on this responsibility on your behalf should you choose to elect me this Tuesday.

So please visit my website and examine my detailed plans, and then consider that my opponents have not given you similar details about what they would do if elected. Doesn't their lack of specifics worry you, when combined with their record of failure?

In unsure times, cast a sure vote for a safer, more prosperous Montgomery County: Robert Dyer for the Montgomery County Council At-Large!

BRING THE

ROBERT DYER

VICTORY PARTY

TO YOUR

NEIGHBORHOOD!

Special Announcement!

If I win an At-Large seat on the Montgomery County Council this Tuesday, there will be a Robert Dyer Victory Party sometime after Election Day. To recognize my most die-hard supporters, the party will be held in (or in the vicinity of) the precinct in the county that has the highest number/percentage of votes for Robert Dyer! (I add percentage, because it is more fair to those who live in precincts with a smaller number of voters).

So don't forget to vote on Tuesday - and bring your neighbors to the polls to vote for Robert Dyer, too!

Which neighborhood in Montgomery County wants change the most? Which neighborhood will have bragging rights to the highest turnout for the candidate who will transform our government into one that serves the people, not the other way around?

We'll find out Tuesday night!

There's still time to round up those voters who have told you they're going to sleep through the election. There is too much at stake for people to stay home - traffic gridlock, keeping my Democratic opponents from taking our schools backwards with less money and larger class sizes, bringing JOBS to Montgomery County, and fixing our fiscal crisis before the county goes into bankruptcy.

Show Montgomery County where the real power is - turn out the highest vote for Robert Dyer and replace the county political machine on the "kingmaker" throne, delivering a mandate for balanced budgets, traffic relief and high-wage aerospace jobs:

ELECT ROBERT DYER!

ROBERT DYER

SLAMS OPPONENTS'

CLAIM THAT THEY

"KNOW WHAT TO DO"

TO END FISCAL CRISIS,

DESPITE 4 YEARS OF

INACTION

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!!!

The weekend is just about here, so start it off by watching this entertaining video from the Montgomery County Council At-Large debate sponsored by the Citizens League of Montgomery County.

This was one of the best moments from the debate, now in an exclusive video for your enjoyment:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVS9tJjJt5U

Enjoy your weekend, and get ready to vote for Robert Dyer on Tuesday!

ROBERT DYER

ON

TRANSPORTATION

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

ROBERT DYER

ON

DISABILITY AND

SPECIAL NEEDS

ISSUES

If I am elected, those with disabilities and special needs will finally have an advocate on the council. Whether it is ensuring snow is removed from county-owned sidewalks, or that we have a full spectrum of programs in our schools for special needs students and their parents, disability issues will be among those at the top of my agenda.

To that end, as I announced back in April, I have pledged that - if elected - I will have one staff member who will be appointed to work on disability issues.

Here is a video with more of my comments on the need to finally have an advocate for the disabled on the Montgomery County Council:

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

This video also has an update on the Americans With Disabilities Act violations at Damascus Elementary School, for those of you who have been following along on here about that since last year. The update is very encouraging.

Have a great day, and don't forget to vote early tonight, or on November 2, for Robert Dyer for the Montgomery County Council At-Large!

WHEATON

SECTOR PLAN

Exclusive www.RobertDyer.net Video!

One major issue coming before the next council will be the Wheaton Sector Plan. If elected, I will ensure that any "redevelopment" benefits the people who live there now. There is no need for a full-scale "redevelopment" of this vibrant, diverse downtown area. It would be much cheaper for the taxpayer if we would help keep the properties well-maintained, and address crime and transportation issues. The worst thing that could be done in these terrible economic times would be to allow developers to come in like a wrecking ball, and force out current residents and small businesses. Many are Asian-American and Latino-owned, among the variety of ethnic backgrounds represented. We've already lost some of the best restaurants and shops in Wheaton, thanks to our developer-beholden County Council.

Hear about my different approach in this video from an Asian-American candidate forum this past August:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWJesoO4QFY

If you live, work or own a business in Wheaton, you have a clear choice in this election: Elect me, and I will represent your interests on the council when the Wheaton Sector Plan is voted on. In contrast, my opponents want to replace what's there now with a Disneyland of mixed-use towers. They aren't working for you; they're working on behalf of a hypothetical new, wealthy group of residents they believe will move to the "new" Wheaton after the "old" one has been replaced.

That's why it is critical that you get out and vote - early, or on November 2nd. Without Robert Dyer on the council, developers will run wild in Wheaton. They're even going to eliminate a park dedicated to our veterans!

It's outrageous.

I think we have a great community in Wheaton. I've spent quite a bit of time there during my lifetime in Montgomery County. I've patronized the businesses. I've walked, driven and taken Metrobus through Wheaton a million times. That's one of the problems you have, when candidates like Hans Riemer are new here, and don't know the history of the area. I do.

The challenges in Wheaton can be met without massive redevelopment. Those problems came from the failed leadership on our county council, such as the terrible tax and regulation regime they've created, and their failure to take the real problem of gang activity seriously for years.

I'm confident that we can help Wheaton reach its full potential, and retain diversity, without creating a climate where rents for apartments and business tenants force people to leave, and we end up with five new Starbucks and empty luxury condos in Wheaton Triangle. That's my opponents' plan.

I hope you'll consider voting for me instead, because I believe we can only move this county forward if we all move forward together.

PUNK'D AGAIN

Is it ethical for Ashton Kutcher to serve on the editorial boards of both the Washington Post and the Gazette at the same time?

I'm afraid that their County Council endorsements have been the grand demise of whatever relevance either paper had in the area - they simply have no credibility left.

What a joke.

FINALLY!

NEW VIDEOS!

Just in time for Early Voting, I have two new videos for you this morning.

One is on the massive amount of outside-the-county funds that Marc Elrich, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer have accepted, and are using to "buy" council seats.

Elrich and Leventhal have $16,000 from unions outside of Montgomery County. This was reported once by the Post, but the media has ignored it since. Not only is there the issue of outsiders meddling in our elections, but Phil Andrews has raised the question of whether or not this was an attempt to evade the $6,000 limit on contributions.

And then, you have Hans Riemer's massive donations from K Street lobbyists, from whom he has received checks as large as $4,000 each (!). Think about it: why would someone who doesn't live in Montgomery County be concerned enough that Hans Riemer be elected to the council that they would write a check for four thousand dollars?!

Obviously, they want Mr. Riemer to do something for them once he is elected. What would that be? Riemer, Elrich and Leventhal did not answer the questions I raised in this opening statement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw5TE3kgjsM

Then, I spoke about how we can help small businesses in Montgomery County:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ-7r2i0L4c

If you are voting early, you can watch these - and many other - videos on my website, www.RobertDyer.net and also read about my positions on the major issues there.

When using the electronic voting machines at your polling place, MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE SUMMARY SCREEN before you finish voting, to make sure the candidates you voted for are all listed on the summary page!

RIEMER GOES

OFF HIS

ROCKER

Democrat Calls Republicans, Tea Party Racist at

MoCo Citizens League Candidate Forum

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

I participated in what was mostly an excellent debate last evening, until one candidate brought things to a wacky close with some truly "out there" comments.

Democratic County Council At-Large candidate Hans Riemer cracked under pressure during last night's MoCo Citizens League debate, held at the County Executive Office Building in Rockville. In his closing statement at what had - up to that point - been a substantive debate on fiscal and transportation issues, Riemer suddenly and bizarrely launched into a rant about "racism." He said the Republicans in the race were not "Connie Morella Republicans," and - in an apparent attack on my Republican colleague Mark Fennel - asked the crowd to "think about that for a moment. What would it be like to have a Tea Party candidate on the Montgomery County Council?" And went on to say that, in his opinion, "the Tea Party is associated with racism."

You can read the first mainstream media account of the moment here:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2010/10/riemer_stumbles_over_tea_party.html

I would disagree that this was merely a "stumble" or "gaffe" by Mr. Riemer. Rather, it was an outrageous attack on Republicans, using one of the most highly=charged rhetorical weapons in the English language: "racism." Nothing remotely related to race had even been discussed during the forum.

In my years in politics, and as a county resident, I've never witnessed a candidate charge another with racism, especially when there was no factual justification for doing so.

This was a firebomb thrown by Riemer, and this sort of inflammatory language is not part of a civil discussion in Montgomery County. I don't know how they debate in California, where Riemer recently relocated here from, but we have some level of civility here in the county.

My personal analysis is that, first of all, this reflects the fact that Riemer is new to the county, and hasn't acclimated himself to politics Montgomery County-style.

Secondly, Riemer's outburst demonstrates something about his character and potential operating style on the council. When a candidate who is - according to the local media - a frontrunner in an election can go off the handle like this when keeping quiet would be the best strategy, that indicates something about his or her judgement. When unsubstantiated charges can be thrown about at whim, that is not the type of level-headed councilmember we need in these challenging times.

This might have become apparent sooner, had Riemer been challenged by the media during the preceding months, or had he had to participate in more debates like this after the primary. Instead, the League of Women Voters and other groups damaged their reputations (and should be in danger of losing their IRS tax-exempt status) to help the vulnerable Democratic candidates get through this election. That is shameful.

I have to say that at least Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen and George Leventhal did not stoop to this level of attack. And I commend Mark Fennel for his mature and even response to an outrageous smear by Hans Riemer. He came out the better man of the two in this episode.

Finally, may I suggest that Riemer's trash TV-style attack indicates desperation on his part? Hans Riemer - and Nancy Floreen, who was practically shouting by the end of the debate, for that matter! - are hearing footsteps. It's the sound of myself, Brandon Rippeon and Mark Fennel catching up behind them.

Stay tuned for video from the debate (I don't have video of Hans Riemer's George Allen-style moment, however - thanks to me inviting reporters - we have media witnesses to the incident).

There should be a firestorm of controversy about Riemer's outburst in the closing weeks of this election. This type of behavior is just completely unacceptable in Montgomery County politics. There was booing, hissing, shouting and more from both Democrats and Republicans in the audience. Several attendees got up and left the room in protest when Riemer continued his attack.

I think there will be a bipartisan reaction to this at the voting machines on Nov. 2.

MAIN EVENT

Please attend the biggest event in the final weeks of the campaign: a Montgomery County Council At-Large debate, tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7:30 PM, in the county Executive Office Building Cafeteria (near East Montgomery and Monroe St. at ground level).

This is your only chance to hear the candidates (including me) debate the issues before Election Day.

If you cannot attend, you can visit www.RobertDyer.net to read my detailed plans for fixing our structural deficit, transportation, education and other issues - and watch videos from previous debates!

PUNK'D

I'm sorry, I didn't know Ashton Kutcher was on the editorial board of the Gazette.

I'll comment on the Gazette endorsements, just as soon as I'm able to stop laughing.

THE

WASHINGTON POST

ARTICLE THAT

BECAME A SCANDAL

Elrich Puff Piece an Example of

Media Overkill, Desperation to Save

Endangered Establishment Democrats

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

I've been getting a lot of positive feedback on my post yesterday about this Washington Post article that seemed to have been written by the Marc Elrich campaign itself.

Read my detailed desconstruction of the piece here:

http://robertdyer.blogspot.com/2010/10/marc-elrich-advertorial-in-washington.html

I have some additional thoughts today on this example of journalistic activism on behalf of the county Democratic Party by the Washington Post.

Thinking about the article, I realized that there was little to no original material or reporting involved. It is simply a fleshed out version of speeches Mr. Elrich has given all summer at candidate forums. The talking points are precisely the same as the ones in those speeches. Since when does journalism involve articles based on the talking points of the subject?

Again, when does a piece change from an article into an in-kind contribution to a campaign?

Then there is the issue of this vulgar display of power by the Post. We're in the final weeks of the campaign. Marc Elrich has over $100,000 in campaign contributions. The Post has written articles featuring his quotes every week this year. He's "gotten his message out" beyond all reasonable measure.

Why the need for this heavy-handed, victory puff piece?

It suggests that Mr. Elrich and his colleagues are far weaker than the "prevailing wisdom" suggests. And rightfully so. They have a record of utter failure. They've offered no new ideas or even any specifics of what they will do if elected/reelected.

Sounds like they and the Post are scared. And they've been running scared. They have yet to agree to a single debate this fall, and they just threw senior citizens overboard, demanding that organizers of a long-scheduled senior issues debate tomorrow cancel it. Of course, they'll never admit that, but, come on, this was scheduled months ago. Only they could have stopped it, as all Republicans were going to attend.

You can give them a real scare by voting Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal and Riemer out of office on November 2.

MARC ELRICH

ADVERTORIAL IN

WASHINGTON POST

A "RADICAL REVISION,"

INDEED

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

This morning's "article" on incumbent councilmember Marc Elrich (D - At Large) is not only another example of the local media's continued policy of featuring only Democratic candidates in the At-Large council race. Moreover, it is a blatant whitewash designed to boost Elrich in the upcoming election, at the expense of his opponents.

Most notably, the advertorial - by Steve Hendrix - completely covers up the fact that Mr. Elrich is under investigation by the Montgomery County Ethics Commission. It characterizes Elrich's ethics scandal as a personal and private disagreement between him and County Executive Ike Leggett. Leggett then goes on the record to say he not only still supports Elrich, but is making a personal contribution to a candidate under an ethics investigation.

What Hendrix and the Post failed to mention, is that this is an ethics scandal, not a disagreement. I am opposed to the Fillmore project. The difference is, I'm not getting paid to oppose it, as Mr. Elrich is. The Fillmore's competitor has made a recent $2500 contribution to the Elrich campaign. In other words, Elrich's actions on behalf of this business stand to profit that competitor, from which he is accepting money. This is a clear ethics violation.

It is also one that the local media is avoiding like the plague.

As for Elrich's radical transformation into a pro-developer councilman, that is easily explained, but the reporter didn't bother getting into the details.

You know, such as that Elrich's Bus Rapid Transit could be used to "radically" redevelop areas like Aspen Hill and Olney into dense, urban centers. And that, oh, there were those little matters of Elrich voting "YES!" on Carmageddon East (White Flint Sector Plan) and Carmageddon West (Science City), which included a resounding endorsement of a 9 mph top speed for rush hour travel.

And, gosh, Mr. Hendrix is just completely unaware that Elrich received $8000 from unions outside of Montgomery County. Gee whiz, who knew?

The article also claims that Elrich is wildly popular in Poolesville. Hold on a minute. I'm laughing so much, I have to stop typing here. Okay, they didn't mention that only Democrats were voting in the Democratic primary. Minor detail. I would like Mr. Hendrix to present Elrich's agenda on a wide variety of issues to a large group of Poolesville residents, and then quote their responses in the Post. Wildly popular in Poolesville? Mmm, not quite.

This is yet another piece of work from the Post that really demands reporting of a different sort: reporting on Mr. Elrich's campaign finance records as an in-kind contribution from the Washington Post. And another example of the local media's truly strange obsession with giving Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer unlimited, free publicity. Despite the fact that they could probably launch their own newspaper with the massive, six-figure campaign accounts they all have.

The only question as pressing as the Post's motivations in helping Mr. Elrich return to office despite his and his colleagues' records of utter failure, is when are the Republicans in the At-Large race going to receive their own puff-piece prominently presented in the Washington Post?

Having contacted the Post's ombudsman twice about their total blackout on the Republicans in the At-Large race, I have received no response. The ombudsman admitted weeks ago that the Post did not provide adequate coverage of the campaigns, beyond the favored incumbents and Hans Riemer. Yet he and the Post have taken no action to correct this. In fact, the problem continues to get worse. I've found the "ombudsman" to be a weak one, who can barely criticize the newspaper that employs him.

I laugh when people claim TBD (I think it stands for To Boost Democrats) is a "Post-killer." TBD could only succeed if it provided the hard-hitting coverage the Post does not in Montgomery County. Every time I complain, they tell me to contact the reporter for the county. When I do, she never writes anything or covers any event. Don't even get me started on Bruce Dupuyt, who - as one of many self-appointed armchair kingmakers in Montgomery County - believes he doesn't even have to answer messages from the unwashed masses regarding his failure to have an At-Large council debate on his program.

TBD is not a serious news outlet. It is a cross between Next Door News (remember that?) and a Twitter feed. Is your elected official incompetent or corrupt? You won't find out from TBD. You will find out that there is a hipster street fair going on somewhere in DC, and that the donuts are ready at the Krispy Kreme down the street. Gee, thanks guys, I couldn't survive without knowing that.

This is why you have to come here, to this blog, to find out what's really going on in Montgomery County - because the local media is too busy trying to elect Democrats to report on the real stories.

"And that's the way it is."
"And so it goes."
"Good night and a good tomorrow."
"Good luck and be well."
"Good night and good luck."
"Good evening, I'm Chevy Chase and you're not."

Pulitzer, please. Oh, by the way, the donuts are ready.

Last night I participated in a candidate forum sponsored by the CHI Centers and Arc of Montgomery County at the Lone Oak Center in Rockville.

This was an important forum for me, as I have been an advocate for the disabled over the last decade in the county. The primary focus was on developmental disabilities, and the lack of funding for service providers. State and local governments are both to blame, and there is a massive waiting list for DDA services.

The first thing I pointed out was my pledge to have one member of my staff - if elected - who will focus just on disability issues. With 1 in 10 residents of the county having a disability, you can understand the need and benefit of having such a staff member in my office.

I had to stay on message about my Fiscal Plan (read it at www.RobertDyer.net), upon which every thing we want to fund in any budget will depend. If the new council fails to pass such a plan, we will continue slouching forward as we are now, with less money for schools and the most vulnerable each passing year.

I hope to have some video from the forum uploaded for you soon.

We know that the current At-Large members of the council have failed the disabled. They've cut taxi coupons for the disabled by 50%. They've reduced Ride On service. They don't clear sidewalks after snowstorms. They even froze their contract for public garage cleaning with the Arc of Montgomery County! Remember, Ike Leggett and the council said that developmentally disabled workers had to lose their hard-to-come-by jobs in order to keep golden government employees on the county payroll!

It's outrageous.

It's time for a change on November 2nd, and a new council that actually advocates for the disabled. Make sure to get out and vote. Protect the most vulnerable by voting out these most politically-vulnerable failed councilmembers.

HALLOWEEN COMES

EARLY TO

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Leggett, County Council Offer Fright Fest to

Spook County Voters into Approving Ambulance Fees

Beholden to developers and public employee unions, and unable to fundamentally restructure government in the manner my Fiscal Plan (read the plan at www.RobertDyer.net) would, County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council are now threatening to continue their scorched earth budget cuts that again put public safety and seniors at risk. All for political gain.

Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Reimer all support the dangerous Ambulance Fee. Elrich and Leventhal received $16,000 from unions outside of Montgomery County. And all four have received tens-of-thousands of dollars in cold, hard cash from the employee unions. Add that to their six-figure campaign accounts, courtesy of the developers, and you quickly understand why this outrageous pattern continues.

Because they dare not offend the developers, unions and other special interests that get them elected, Elrich, Floreen and Leventhal have left 80% of county expenditures off the table when cutting the budget. As a result, they could only cut 4% out of the
$4,000,000,000 FY-11 budget(!!) And since they avoid the fat and cut essential services instead, county residents are less safe, and the vulnerable more vulnerable, than they were 6 months ago.

Here we go again.

Now Leggett and his council allies are proposing new cuts, if you dare to vote against Ambulance Fees.

Despite spending $17.2 M on a gas station and dive bar, $172M+ on the Webb Tract, $5M on an infantile pedestrian safety campaign, $2M on a log cabin, etc., etc., they now claim they are in need of $12M!

That's some new math for you.

As you read in my previous post, they've already put our lives at risk with their cuts to the police budget.

Now they're going after fire and rescue resources, putting more lives in danger. Will you vote on November 2nd for councilmembers who are willing to put your life at risk, for their own political gain?

Here is what the Washington Post reports will be cut, if you choose to elect Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal and Riemer:

"roadwork, sports academies for at-risk teens, services for elderly residents, library hours and drug treatment"

"15 ambulances (110 firefighter positions); two rescue squads (eight firefighter positions); six engines (84 firefighters); and five ladder trucks (52 firefighters)"

They are also going to further their ongoing attack on our volunteer firefighters by cutting $1M from their budgets. Hard to believe that newspapers, organizations and chambers endorse candidates who live on Fantasy Island, and believe that one day the county will be able to afford 100% career firefighter staffing of fire stations countywide. Not to mention their complete ignorance and disrespect for the central roles many volunteer departments play in their communities. Try getting through the week without our volunteer firefighters on duty - it's not possible. Think about that before you vote for these Democrats.

This continues the pattern of outrageous political tactics by Leggett and Elrich, Floreen and Leventhal. For shame, for shame.

On November 2, you have the power to put Safety First once again in Montgomery County.

Halloween may be arriving early for Elrich, Floreen, Leventhal and Riemer, but if you make the critical mistake of voting for them on November 2, they will only have tricks for you and your family.

But when you come out to vote, you will make throwing these people out of office a real treat for the citizens of Montgomery County.

Cast a sure vote for public safety, volunteer firefighters and to stop the Ambulance Fee - permanently! - by voting for Robert Dyer!

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

LESS SAFE AFTER

COUNCIL'S CUTS TO

POLICE BUDGET

The Montgomery County Council has once again put the safety of the public at risk for political gain.


Cuts to the police budget ended up in the pockets of developers, non-public safety county employees and other special interests.


Now officers are forced to tell the public about the disturbing results. Not only have I heard directly from officers regarding the effect of the council and executive's reductions, but also in news articles, such as one on the recent crime wave in Montgomery Village, reported by the Gazette.


Officer Diane Tillery, with the community services division of the Montgomery County Police, led a neighborhood watch training Monday night for South Village, Sharon Woods, East Village and East Gate, communities where residents said they are feeling increasingly unsafe.

"We are no longer a patrolling police department. We are a responding police department," she said. "We respond to calls for service. We've lost the luxury of being able to simply drive around. We don't have the manpower."

Is this a situation you feel comfortable with as a county resident? One where officers recognize a shortage of man/womanpower and resources, but elected officials are apparently out of touch with reality? Including an increasing gang population which, if this council is reelected, could one day present a threat such as residents of Baltimore now deal with on a daily basis.

Is this what you want? To be less safe in Montgomery County, just to have a (D) after every councilmember's name? I don't believe the voters are that partisan, to put politics before safety, as the council has.

It's time to make a change on November 2nd, and elect a council that will put safety first.