Thursday, September 06, 2018

Riemer a no-show at Council debate

Coward of the County

Montgomery County Council President Hans Riemer continued a historic streak of not showing up for major candidate forums yesterday, when he blew off a morning debate sponsored by the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce. A packed house of business owners turned out to hear from the candidates for Montgomery County Council At-Large. But Riemer was a no-show, leaving myself, Gabe Albornoz (D), Evan Glass (D) and Shelly Skolnick (R) to have a substantive discussion of the issues our business community faces in our moribund economy.

Riemer has not attended a general election debate since I destroyed him in a forum televised live by Montgomery Community Television/MyMCMedia in 2014. He did not show up to the next and final debate that year, which was hosted by the Greater Olney Civic Association. Riemer's action was a historic first in Montgomery County politics - the first time a sitting councilmember had skipped a formal general election debate hosted by a prominent community group. After Wednesday in Clarksburg, his record streak is now up to two.

No Council sessions were scheduled yesterday; in fact, the Council's lazy, endless summer doesn't end until next Tuesday, September 11. But you can understand why Riemer would be hiding. He has failed to deliver any of the priorities the residents and businesses in Clarksburg have sought. And Riemer vehemently opposes their top two priorities - building the M-83 Highway, and widening I-270.

Hans Riemer's failure to show up was an insult to the taxpayers who pay his $137,000 salary, and to the democratic process. Once again, Hans has demonstrated he doesn't care about his upcounty constituents.

But again, it's understandable Hans would be hiding - he has a lot to hide, with so many controversial questions about him still unanswered, and to be investigated by the press:


- Why does so much of his campaign cash come from outside the County, and largely from Wall Street crooks who caused the Great Recession, and their K Street lobbyists?

- Why has he accepted campaign checks from Mitt Romney's Bain Capital and Mitch Rales' Danaher Corporation, two pioneers in outsourcing American jobs overseas, while claiming to be a "progressive Democrat?"

- Why did he fail to disclose illegal activity in the County Department of Liquor Control he was aware of in October 2014 until after Election Day, when he was safely reelected, a violation of his oath of office?

- Why did he vote to create a $360,000,000 federal tax shelter for his sugar daddy Mitch Rales, after receiving at least $4000 in campaign contributions from Rales?

- Why has he repeatedly touted his role as "Obama's Youth Vote Director" in Barack Obama's 2008 victory, when a source from the Obama campaign has said Riemer was actually out of that position in the spring of 2008 - long before Mr. Obama had even clinched the nomination, much less his general election victory?

It's astonishing that Hans Riemer was able to win election, and serve two full terms, without any scrutiny by local media on these and other controversies. With at least two debates remaining, it's time for Hans Riemer to man-up and face the music on his scandals and utter failure in office. For now, he's earned his title as the "Coward of the County."


71 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why not write about what you, Gabe Albornoz, Evan Glass and the lovely and talented Shelly Skolnick had to say at the debate?

Also, shouldn't you note that your two other running mates, Chris Fiotes and Penny Musser, were also no-shows?

Anonymous said...

"Why did he vote to create a $360,000,000 federal tax shelter for his sugar daddy Mitch Rales"

The County government cannot create a "federal tax shelter". And one Councilmember out of nine certainly can't do that.

Anonymous said...

Great to see women in the field this cycle with Shelly Skolnich and Penny Musser leading the way.

Anonymous said...

Riemer knows he's not going to get the Clarksburg vote so that's why he didn't show up. He needs Silver Spring and Takoma Park to win.

I'm not voting Riemer, that's for sure. If he wins again this time, is he term-limited out after that?

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen a cogent argument anywhere as to why someone should vote for Reimer. Apparently he doesn't want to make the argument himself either.

Anonymous said...

It is disrespectful for Riemer to no-show. Dyer is right about that.

Anonymous said...

10:40 AM Yep, it is news if two months before an election, an incumbent candidate refuses to participate in community forums around the county.

Elm said...

8:46 AM
Christ, you have way too much time on your hands to be able to compile lists everyday of the most useless press releases and posts from your favorite blogs. Unemployed or underemployed I assume?

Elm said...

11:46 AM Nope, I'm talking about you, Sir. Care to answer my question or actually comment on this article?

Anonymous said...

Well, it's going to be hard to respond to you, "Elm", if Dyer is going to keep deleting my responses.

Baloney Concrete said...

Why doesn’t Mr. Dyer say a single blessed word about the “substantive discussion of the issues our business community faces” at the debate?

I’ll tell you why: Because he couldn’t care less about the issues. He’s giddy to have an excuse to bring up his personal, jealousy-fueled vendetta against President Riemer, and that’s enough. He can’t even be bothered to tell the whole story. A reasonable person would assume Riemer was the only no-show when that’s simply not the case.

This is why Google News will forever relegate the “Suburban News Network” to hobby blog status, and why County voters will never put Mr. Dyer anywhere near the Council dais.

Robert Dyer said...

3:46: The other no-shows were not sitting Councilmembers.

Riemer's no-show was even more relevant because he skipped another major debate in Olney in 2014.

What's embarrassing is that only in our area is a no-show by a sitting Councilman at a major debate sponsored by a major community group not news. This is standard election news fare in any other city.

In fact, Bill Turque even wrote a short piece (online only, of course) about Riemer's no-show in Olney in 2014.

This is why Google News is known as corrupt and biased towards socialists, because they prominently feature outlets that align with their views, and exclude news sites like mine that actually investigate and report corruption in Democratic-controlled areas. Just as Google search also bumps up anti-GOP stories. Regulation needed, and it's coming.

Baloney Concrete said...

3:56:

“In fact, Bill Turque even wrote a short piece (online only, of course) about Riemer's no-show in Olney in 2014.”

As usual, only telling part of the story. Your laser-focus on the guy who walloped you in the election is painfully obvious. Why not mention the other council members who declined to participate? Is someone really a “no show” when they have a prior engagement? If someone is busy, are they obligated to drop everything just because a “major” civic group thinks they should? Speaking of...

“Major debate”, “major community group”

What is your threshold for “major” in this context?

Baloney Concrete said...

“Regulation needed, and it's coming.”

There you have it, folks. Robert Dyer wishes to dispense with the First Amendment.

Robert Dyer said...

4:15: Actually, that's you. You believe all major online platforms should only promote certain political viewpoints, and that all others should be censored. That speakers should be censored if you disagree. That people should be fired from their jobs or kicked out of restaurants if they don't agree with you. It's YOU who wish to dispense with the First Amendment (and the whole Constitution, if you are to be honest with us).

Anonymous said...

Dyer @ 4:29 PM - Who is "us"?

Baloney Concrete said...

There you have it, folks. Robert Dyer is completely delusional.

Robert Dyer said...

4:53: You claim to "work in D.C." What job allows you the time to troll my website all day and all night - are you a parking garage attendant?

4:38: Myself, and my readers. Not the royal "We" as Bethesda Now used to use, before it went bankrupt and folded, unable to compete with my site.

Anonymous said...

I can't find any record of Bethesda Now filing for bankruptcy. Are you using your blog to engage in libel again?

"Myself, and my readers."

You mean that poor obsessed guy who commented at 6:28 AM, 6:54 PM, 11:33 AM, 11:34 AM, 11:35 AM and 11:49 AM? (All times in Dyer Standard Time)

Robert Dyer said...

7:51: Never said they "filed" for bankruptcy, but when you run out of cash and your angel investor pulls the plug on capital, you are officially bankrupt whether you file for relief or not. They folded.

Thousands of daily readers are more than one "guy," moron. Shouldn't you be oiling the exit gate arm at your parking garage or something.

Anonymous said...

Bethesda Now was one guy who used "we" often. Apparently that fooled enough people to think it was an entire newsroom covering the latest TGI Fridays opening.

Baloney Concrete said...

Note how Mr. Dyer has plenty of insults and ad hominems at the ready, but not a single answer to the substantive questions posed here.

Anonymous said...

Look, dipwad, the facts are that a sitting Councilman with tremendous name recognition doesn't have to show up for a "debate" with Little Mr. Opinions who lives in Mom's basement in his mid-40s, making up crap to post on the internet (nobody in Bethesda news went bankrupt, for example). Reimer has this tied up in a bow, and your delusional, mean-spirited rantings only strengthen his position.

Please grow up. Honestly, you're closer to retirement than teenagerhood. It's really time.

Anonymous said...

5:19am is the County's oldest and least paid intern weighing in

Mean spirited? Yes, plenty of anonymous mean spirited comments here just because a journalist is asking tough questions.

Boyce Bowles said...

Back on topic: will our county's self proclaimed journalists ask Riemer when he plans to debate the issues?

Even the folks obsessed just with process stories should be covering this.

Anonymous said...

4:58am Why doesn't Riemer show up for a substantive debate of issues? Surely a disservice to voters not to, right?

What is mean spirited about wanting debate?

Anna said...

When the anon posts don't do enough, he brings out the Boyce.

Anonymous said...

All the snarky and mean spirited anonymous comments. Why is anonymous so angry on a Friday? Lighten up.

Reimer declining to debate is a big story.

Anonymous said...

Why isn't Fiotes and Musser declining to debate, a story?

Anonymous said...

6:31 AM Riemer is a sitting councilman and has a track record of declining to debate. If Hogan said Jealous had no shot of winning and is a clown unworthy of debate, that would be a big story, right? That's happening right now, right here in our county with Riemer.

One of his supporters posted here this morning that Riemer believes the other candidates (including Mr. Dyer) are not worthy of his time to debate. That is a strange argument.

Apparently MoCo is like Russia where Putin is expected to win so no coverage or debate needed. How do we get a more lively democracy back?

Anonymous said...

Google doesn't need to be regulated for search results. If people don't like the results, there are many other search engines out there they can use. The cost of computing power is extremely low these days, so there's little barrier to entry for someone to make a competing product.

Besides, why would Google offer up biased results if it turns people away from using their search engine? That's bad for business if they are losing audience.

Dyer, of all people, I'm surprised you are pushing for more regulations, especially of a tech company. It's just not necessary.

Anonymous said...

All the "libertarians" are now calling for regulation of the Internet since Alex Jones got booted off of Twitter yesterday. It's funny to watch.

Anonymous said...

If this debate is so bleeping important, then why didn't Dyer actually report on what the candidates said there?

Anonymous said...

Dyer's paranoia just keeps on growing...

Comment on his Facebook campaign page, sharing this article:

Robert Dyer for Montgomery County Council At-Large: "I notice Facebook was able to detect this was a post critical of a current Democratic elected official, and it was shown in fewer feeds than the average post on this page. Shameful censorship by Facebook."

Anonymous said...

"In fact, Bill Turque even wrote a short piece (online only, of course) about Riemer's no-show in Olney in 2014."

Actually it was all four Democratic candidates - Elrich, Floreen and Leventhal, in addition to Riemer - who skipped that debate. Elrich had originally committed to attending but then cancelled at the last minute.

Link to Turque's article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/civic-assocation-fumes-over-moco-democratic-no-shows-at-candidate-debate/2014/10/29/d67e17ba-5f7f-11e4-9f3a-7e28799e0549_story.html

All four Democratic candidates were elected that year.

Again, why do you make everything about Riemer?

Anonymous said...

9:57am Reimer is the incumbent and has a poor record in two terms. I'd focus on his failure too.

Baloney Concrete said...

Here’s something interesting: The “major debate” Dyer describes here wasn’t promoted as such by the sponsoring organization. It’s listed on their website as the “September Monthly Breakfast Meeting.” Description: Meet the Montgomery County At Large Candidates.

This wasn’t a “major debate,” it was a meet and greet over coffee and muffins.

Anonymous said...

10:40am instead of defending Reimer's record, you went right to ad hominems

Anonymous said...

Hans Riemer Arrested

Anonymous said...

7 comments deleted by the guy who whines about being "censored" by Google.

Baloney Concrete said...

10:27 Riemer is the incumbent who bodyslammed Dyer through the electoral coffee table several years ago. No need to over analyze. This is a jealousy-fueled vendetta, plain and simple.

This is a repost of a previously-deleted comment. "Regulation is coming!"

Robert Dyer said...

10:48: Here's something interesting, you claim to "work in D.C.," but mysteriously have unlimited time to troll my website on behalf of the MoCo political cartel. It absolutely was a major debate. It was not a "meet and greet," but a standard debate format, with the four candidates who showed up seated at the front and answering questions posed by the audience (which Hans Riemer was too scared to do).

9:30: No paranoia - Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube censorship of conservatives is a hot topic of conversation at the highest levels of government right now. Where have you been?

7:31: Wrong. These sites have become utilities - they are where the voters are. Restricting conversation to only those views you agree with is censorship. Are your ideas that weak, that you will wilt away if your opponent's views can be heard? Clearly they are.

Anonymous said...

"Facebook, Twitter, Google, YouTube censorship of conservatives is a hot topic of conversation at the highest levels of government right now. Where have you been?"

Of course it's a "hot topic of conversation now". And it's also insane paranoia.

Anonymous said...

"It absolutely was a major debate. It was not a 'meet and greet,' but a standard debate format, with the four candidates who showed up seated at the front and answering questions posed by the audience."

So why don't you report on anything that was said during this "standard...major debate"?

Also, why no mention that two of your Republican running-mates, Chris Fiotes and Penny Musser, failed to attend, as well as Democratic candidate Will Jawando?

Robert Dyer said...

7:02: "Insane paranoia?" Have Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon been banned from any of those platforms after endorsing the violence of domestic terrorist organization Antifa?

Which prominent Democrats and left-wing commentators have been banned from those platforms?

What specific tweet content justified banning Alex Jones?

Anonymous said...

Will Riemer debate at all during this election cycle? Why not?

Anonymous said...

I am voting for Riemer mainly because I agree with his proposals and support for the development of the dusty Westbard. I like the developer's proposals and that area needs a flourishing shopping district and the neighborhood be well-served. I find your distaste for Hans to be baseless, personal, petty, and rooted in your insecurities and jealousies. Constantly repeating that you are a "native" is the dumbest reason to ask for a vote. You are a native who has poor communication skills and lacks basic life experience to understand the needs of even a small condo community. God help anyone if you're in charge of repping a segment of a county. Stick to your fast food hunts.

Robert Dyer said...

4:45: Up early, Hans? LOL

The shopping center could have been updated decades ago without turning it into an urban area nowhere near a Metro station. That was really dumb planning, but hey, you did get your check from the Westbard developer in exchange for your vote!

Anna said...

How about Alex Jones tweet(s) attacking the relatives of children killed during the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, which he has called a hoax and accused the parents of victims of being actors.

Baloney Concrete said...

Mr. Dyer, you still haven’t explained why you did not report on the “substantive discussion” that took place over breakfast.

Anonymous said...

In the unlikely event that Dyer is elected, I see a lot of "Mr. Dyer moved that...The motion died for lack of a second" coming in the Council minutes.

Anonymous said...

Westbard is 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro station. It is within 2.0 miles of three Metro stations.

While that is out of the 0.5 "walkshed" of any of those three, that hardly makes it "nowhere near a Metro station".

And has been noted earlier this week, the "transit" in "transit-oriented development" does not refer only to rapid transit.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous" said...

"It is disrespectful for Riemer to no-show. Dyer is right about that."

11:33 AM

"Anonymous" said...

"10:40 AM Yep, it is news if two months before an election, an incumbent candidate refuses to participate in community forums around the county."

11:34 AM

"Elm" said...

"8:46 AM Christ, you have way too much time on your hands to be able to compile lists everyday of the most useless press releases and posts from your favorite blogs. Unemployed or underemployed I assume?"

11:35 AM

3 comments in 2 minutes. LOL

Boyce Bowles said...

No one seems to be giving a positive reason to vote FOR Riemer. After nearly a decade on the Council, you'd think he'd have a solid list of accomplishments to run on. If not, why give him another 4 years?

Why won't Hans debate?

These are all legit questions. Why won't anyone cover them? There's an article in each legacy media outlet everytime Floreen breaks wind. Folks, there is a Council race.

Anonymous said...

What is a positive reason to vote for Robert Dyer?

He has no resume to speak of, and his campaign platform seems to consist solely of "Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer Riemer!!!"

Also, why doesn't he give any support for his Republican running-mates, Shelly Skolnick (whom I recently learned is male, not female), Chris Fiotes and Penny Musser? He's not going to get anything done if he is elected but is outvoted 8-1 on every single issue.

Anonymous said...

Local news publisher, community activist, musician...pretty good resume to a Councilman I'd say. Can't think of anyone more involved in issues around the County than Dyer. He's doing the work, attending community meetings. Life long resident.

Why won't Riemer attend community meetings as well? This isn't normal.

Robert Dyer said...

12:28: I won't be outvoted on every issue. There are plenty of issues 5 Councilmembers will be able to come to an agreement on. For example, there haven't been enough votes to move the full recommendations of the County Executive's Tenant Work Group, because there have been too many fake progressives like Riemer on the Council.

"No resume to speak of?" LOL - I've been an activist in the County for over a decade. I've been involved in all the major issues that led up to term limits being passed. None of the other people on the ballot were engaged on any of those issues. What's their record? There isn't one.

9:11: You can't seem to tell the truth. FH Metro is 2 miles from Westbard development, Bethesda Metro is 3 miles away. TOD is restricted to a maximum of half-a-mile from a rapid transit station. Westbard doesn't even come close to qualifying.

8:40: If a Republican like me were to win, you would see a significant shift toward the center by the new Council. Every Democrat would know they were now in danger of losing to a Republican. That's the ONLY way anything will change in the next four years. The question is, do Democrats want change, or do they just want to keep slouching towards Gomorrah with an all-Democrat Council, no matter what the consequences?

5:09: I agree the claim that the shooting never happened is outrageous and absurd. But he said that in 2012, so that clearly wasn't the offense that got him banned, because Jack Dorsey was delighted to keep Jones and his profitable base of fans on his website for another 6 years after he said that.

Anonymous said...

"You can't seem to tell the truth." Followed by "FH Metro is 2 miles from Westbard development, Bethesda Metro is 3 miles away."

From Friendship Heights Metro station, along Willard Avenue, River Road, Ridgefield Avenue, Westbard Avenue to the middle of the shopping center is 1.5 miles. What weird route did you take?

From Bethesda Metro station, along Edgemoor, Arlington Road, Little Falls Parkway, River Road, Ridgefield Avenue, Westbard Avenue to the middle of the shopping center is 2.0 miles.

From the Bethesda Metro station, from the new south entrance, along Elm Street, Woodmont Avenue, Capital Crescent Trail, River Road, Ridgefield Avenue, Westbard Avenue to the middle of the shopping center is 1.75 miles.

From the Tenleytown Metro station, along Brandywine Street NW, River Road, Ridgefield Avenue, Westbard Avenue to the middle of the shopping center is 2.0 miles.

Why can't you be honest about anything, Dyer?

Robert Dyer said...

10:16: Even if your numbers were accurate, NONE of them would place Westbard within the required quarter-to-half-mile from a Metro station to allow TOD.

Why can't you be honest about that? You lost the debate a long time ago, and now you are going to lose the election.

Anonymous said...

Why can't you stop lying about "TOD" relating only to "a quarter-to-half-mile from a Metro station"?

Anonymous said...

"Even if your numbers were accurate"

What weird route did you take from Friendship Heights Metro to Westbard that took 2 miles?

Anonymous said...

"'No resume to speak of?' LOL - I've been an activist in the County for over a decade"

So you're a NIMBY who attends meetings. Congratulations. But when was the last time you had a paying job?

Robert Dyer said...

6:29: Right now. And I attend meetings - interestingly, the other candidates were not at those meetings fighting on behalf of residents. "You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." - Henry Ford

When you speak of people who live in other neighborhoods as NIMBYs, you only emphasize that you are a radical outsider trying to impose your fringe views on someone else's neighborhood. If something affected you in your dingy, MoCo cartel-funded apartment, you'd be just as big of a "NIMBY" whining about it.


6:22: "What weird route did you take" from Bethesda Metro to Westbard that took only 2.5 miles? Google Maps shows it's farther than that.


6:09: Because any professional planner or new urbanist would laugh if you tried to use your absurd definition of TOD, which would allow urban density even in rural farm areas. Hope Floreen saved one of those golden shovels - you're going to need it to get out of that hole you're in.

Anonymous said...

"No Council sessions were scheduled yesterday; in fact, the Council's lazy, endless summer doesn't end until next Tuesday, September 11."

Dyer, do you believe that the only part of a Council member's job is attending Council meetings?

Robert Dyer said...

10:11: For this low-energy Council, yes. And they have hardly any meetings compared to other bodies.

Anonymous said...

Here is the meeting schedule for the Montgomery County Council:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/calendar.html

Here is the meeting schedule for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boardofsupervisors/2018-board-meetings

Looks like the Montgomery County Council meets more often than the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. A lot more often.

Maybe you should just stop making wild claims off the top of your head, Dyer.

Robert Dyer said...

4:56: Is Fairfax the only other legislative body in the region? LOL. Maybe you should stop cherry picking to support your wild claims, hobo.

Anonymous said...

What's "cherry picking" about citing Fairfax County? They are the most similar to Montgomery County both in terms of size and in demographics.

Let's see you provide a counter-example.

Robert Dyer said...

8:36: You're the one who needs to come up with something - you haven't acknowledged the Montgomery County Council took a long, lazy summer off despite the overwhelming number of urgent issues facing the County.

No one is talking about Fairfax - they've whipped our ass in every way by every measure. Our underachieving Council can't afford to take long vacations like they have this summer.

Anonymous said...

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors:

"August 2018 - No meetings scheduled for this month."

"September 2018 - SEPT. 18"

Robert Dyer said...

9:50: What's your point? Fairfax is doing light years better than us, and apparently needs fewer meetings to do so. What does that have to do with Montgomery County's Council taking a long summer vacation in the midst of crisis?