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Read more: The 2024 Budget Vote, When the Reformers Failed Us
The 2024 Budget Vote, When the Reformers Failed Us
Andrew Friedson is by far a more compassionate, thoughtful, and caring member of the County Council than its progressive members, and CM Marilyn Balcombe has earned well deserved credibility as an advocate for a much neglected up-county population. Tragically, when it came to their votes for the 2024 budget, both let us down. Before we…
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Read more: Was It Truly a “Great School Year” Worth Celebrating for MCPS?
Was It Truly a “Great School Year” Worth Celebrating for MCPS?
Last week, MCPS sent an email to parents wishing them well for the summer and “Celebrating the End of a Great School Year!” See screen capture below. This email came the last day of school for students, which was June 16th, 2023. But, was it truly a “great school year”? Even by MCPS’s historical standards? …
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Read more: MoCo Retiree Healthcare Plan (“Post Employment Benefits”) is Badly Under-Funded
MoCo Retiree Healthcare Plan (“Post Employment Benefits”) is Badly Under-Funded
Montgomery County’s Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust (the fund used to pay out retiree healthcare expenses for former MCPS and Montgomery College employees, among other county retirees) is under-water and has less then 50% of the assets needed to satisfy projected liabilities/claims in the years ahead, per official reporting issued by Montgomery County government and…
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Read more: Looking for Someone to Admire? Try Esther Wells.
Looking for Someone to Admire? Try Esther Wells.
Of Montgomery County’s approximate 675,000 voters, less than 1% (far less than 1%) are Libertarians. That means pretty much everyone reading this column isn’t familiar with a pro-choice stream of consciousness, so I’ll share with you mine as I take an escalator down to a Metro station. “Why am I paying $7.50 to get to…
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Read more: Mandatory Reserve Studies: Another Blow for Affordable Housing
Mandatory Reserve Studies: Another Blow for Affordable Housing
In 2021 there was a terrible collapse of a condominium building in Surfside, Florida. The subsequent investigation revealed that as far back as 2018 an engineer had warned of cracking in the pool deck which could result in a catastrophic structural failure. The condo association did not take any corrective action until April 2021, when…
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Read more: Let’s (not) talk about mental health
Let’s (not) talk about mental health
A question: Would you like your child doing therapy with school teachers or administrators in schools (public or private, I care not)? Perhaps I’m projecting, but I’m assuming the answer is, “no.” Why does it seem like there are quite a few parents, mothers and fathers, asking for schools to focus more on mental health?…
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Read more: Is Not Allowing Opt-Out Even an MCPS Policy?
Is Not Allowing Opt-Out Even an MCPS Policy?
In September of 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) published its Gender Identity Guidelines. This document was written to: As a school district, we are committed in recognizing and respecting matters of gender identity; making all reasonable accommodations in response to student requests regarding gender identity; and protecting student privacy and confidentiality as we strive…
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Read more: Stewart’s Cognitive Dissonance Regarding Constructive Evictions
Stewart’s Cognitive Dissonance Regarding Constructive Evictions
Council Member Kate Stewart recently stated that “any rent increase over 10 percent is known as a constructive eviction. Constructive eviction is a landlord’s effort to remove a tenant through means other than a formal eviction.” This comes from someone who just voted to raise property taxes by 10 percent. That move, presumably, has nothing…
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Read more: Selective “Ranking” Promotion by County Politicians – Why Not Show the Whole Truth of How MoCo and MD “Stack Up”?
Selective “Ranking” Promotion by County Politicians – Why Not Show the Whole Truth of How MoCo and MD “Stack Up”?
“Selective Outrage” was a term made popular by the recent Chris Rock comedy special on Netflix, wherein he details “the Oscar’s slap” and aftermath for himself and Will Smith. His broader point from the comedy special is on-point too, as he showcases time and again the “selective outrage” (hypocrisy and faux-sanctimonious behavior) of select people,…
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Read more: Silence is Agreement
Silence is Agreement
As Kristin Mink’s statements cause waves of outrage both locally and nationally, there is a group of people that have remained strangely quiet – the Montgomery County Council. Outside of the County Council President, Evan Glass, responding to a question from a local reporter, there have been no formal press releases or statements. Not a…