The Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) has revoked their endorsement of Brandy Brooks and instead endorsed Council President Gabe Albornoz.
The teachers overlooked Tom Hucker, who is attempting to jump from District 5 to an at-large seat after pulling back from a bid for county executive. Some may see this as a bit of a snub since Hucker had been supportive and close to labor in the past.
In their choice, MCEA went with a safe bet for re-election and also overlooked one fresh candidate, Scott Goldberg. (Note: this is a correction. I mistakenly wrote Laurie-Anne Sayles was also overlooked but she had been endorsed by MCEA previously.)
Their decision is the latest in a line of organizations, such as CASA and DSA, that have pulled their endorsements from Brooks in the wake of a former staffer’s accusation of sexual harassment. Brooks has started participating in forums again but still has not spoken directly on the issue.
The likely imminent reversal of Roe v. Wade deeply wounds any chances that the Republicans have of holding the governor’s mansion this November in strongly pro-choice Maryland.
Former Delegate and Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schultz, is running as a Hogan Republican and is seen as the more viable of the two major Republican candidates. She issued a statement designed to counter fears over abortion rights.
Thirty years ago, Marylanders voted to make abortion legal in Maryland, and any decision forthcoming on Roe v. Wade will not change that. The continued politicization of the Supreme Court is shameful and those fearmongering over Maryland abortion rights are only adding to that. While Kelly Schulz is personally pro-life, as governor, nothing will change with respect to current Maryland law on the issue.
But the statement doesn’t appear on her website or twitter feed. It’s almost like she’s trying to hide it from Republican primary voters. Her statement doesn’t mention that she was endorsed by Maryland Right to Life as a candidate for the House of Delegates.
Democrats are ready to pounce. The Democratic Governors Association has already pointed out that she sponsored a constitutional amendment to ban abortion with no exceptions and that she has previously touted her “100% solid” pro-life record.
Maryland’s governor remains the most powerful in the nation. Would Schulz use these extensive powers in ways that curtail abortion access, particularly for poor women? Is her statement conditional on the election of enough numbers of Democrats to the General Assembly to override gubernatorial vetoes, as is currently the case?
Schulz’s major opponent, far-right loony Del. Dan Cox who embraces Trump’s election conspiracy theories, has also voted against abortion rights bills in the General Assembly.
In a recent email appeal on the proposed Chevy Chase Library redevelopment, the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) wrote:
This is an opportunity to model the smart growth future of Montgomery County by mixing affordable housing and a public facility in one location near transit, services, amenities, and jobs. . . . With your support, we can win more housing and more affordable housing in a community that has been kept out of reach for too many for too long.
The CSG email gave the strong impression that this is a unique affordable housing opportunity. But there is currently no guarantee that the project on this site would consist of more than the minimum required moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs) . Most units would be market rate housing, which in this area likely means million-dollar condos or high-end rentals. In other words, you could apply this same language to Lionsgate in Bethesda or any development.
The sign-on letter to the county exaggerates the case even more:
We believe this is an opportunity to model the future of Montgomery County by mixing housing and a public facility in one location near transit, services, amenities, and jobs. This project is key to meeting the county’s goals to achieve racial equity and social justice, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
This is an area that was kept out of reach for people of color through redlining, restrictive covenants, and other public and private policies. The government must take intentional steps to reverse this history. . . . Montgomery County needs more projects like this to break down its racial and socioeconomic east-west divide and achieve housing justice.
Language like this is almost included routinely in progressive advocacy documents. In many ways, it is more a statement of faith, like reciting the catechism, than anything else. At the same time, million-dollar condos or pricey rentals in this one project just aren’t the “key” to “racial equity and social justice” or reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It’s a lot for one modest building project to carry. Even the MPDUs are moderate, not low-income, housing.
The funny thing is that, on balance, I think this project is probably a good idea. Notwithstanding its exclusion from the recently adopted Master Plan, it is near the Purple Line stop and other areas around it that are being built up. Hundreds of units are currently being delivered right up the avenue at Chevy Chase Lake, and hundreds more are proposed. But it’s not necessary to so massively oversell this as a social justice, affordable housing project to make that case.
Making the Project Work
The site currently consists of a large area of surface parking. Is there a better use for that land? Probably yes. Must parking still be a consideration? Yes. To make the project truly successful, the redeveloped library will need onsite parking.
CSG opposes parking but most people in the surrounding suburban neighborhoods cannot walk to this or any other library. You can’t rebuild it and make it impossible for most of the community to access it. Many elderly and disabled patrons who can no longer park next to the redeveloped Silver Spring Library now use this library, and it’d be a shame to displace them again. The parking lots across the street in Silver Spring are too far for those with serious mobility issues.
Getting Our Money’s Worth
Finally, the county needs to come to the table with a more knowledgeable approach so it can leverage its assets and advocate properly for its citizens. Councilmember Will Jawando has repeatedly made this excellent point. We rely far too much on analyses produced by the developer in our own assessments:
The voting on tax abatements for projects at Metro stations revealed this all too clearly. At the committee level, Jawando’s proposal to require deeper levels of affordability was voted down flat as economically unfeasible by Councilmembers Hans Riemer and Andrew Friedson. When voted on at the full council, the same amendment was adopted unanimously. As if “miraculously”, the previously impossible became possible.
If we are better informed, we can negotiate hard and get better value out of these deals, including a higher share of affordable housing. It’s not just the right thing to do. The government neglects its fiduciary responsibility if it doesn’t get maximal value for people of the county when negotiating these projects.
Conclusion
The redevelopment of Chevy Chase Library with housing is potentially a very good project and the county should work to make sure that we, the citizens of Montgomery County, get the most public value. As the idea moves forward, it should continue to pursue a vision that serves the whole community, and adds more affordable units.
There’s no need for CSG to engage in over-the-top hype as the county moves forward with exploring what was, after all, the county government’s own idea. This redevelopment project may well prove worthwhile even if it doesn’t solve all social and racial inequities, and stop climate change.
Ardy Kamali, Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher’s legislative aide has now filed to run for the Chevy Chase View town council after failing in his effort to file for delegate at the last minute after Del. Al Carr withdrew from the race. Three candidates are running for the two town council seats. Besides Kamali, Thomas George and incumbent Paula Fudge are seeking election.
Kamali still hasn’t explained how he and another Waldstreicher supporter just happened to learn that Carr had dropped out to file for county council. Hard to imagine that Kamali decided at the last minute to challenge Waldstreicher’s slate. Waldstreicher has not responded to a request for Kamali’s contact information.
County County Candidate Brandy Brooks sent a blast email an hour ago entitled “A Test of Leadership” that’ says she stands for “Leadership that is accountable, transparent, and committed to equity and justice. I also believe that the test of leadership isn’t what a leader does when things are easy, but what she does when the going gets hard, amid challenges, conflict, and stress.”
Yet neither this email nor a linked longer explanation mentions what she did or how she has been held accountable in any meaningful way. It describes a process run by her campaign manager but omits that Michelle Whittaker is her sister. Imagine what Brooks would say if a political opponent delegated handling an incident like this to a relative?
Even as she touts her transparency, Brooks explains that she asked her endorsing partners for confidentiality. She never mentions harassment let alone the sexual harassment described in the Washington Post.
Rather than taking ownership of the problem and taking decisive action, she went away for two weeks for self-care and “intensive reflection” which juxtaposes uneasily with her claims of “organizing” to promote “equity” and staying in the race for her volunteers and supporters. Disappearing for two weeks when the “going gets hard” isn’t the best advertisement for her leadership skills.
Even more strangely, despite writing about preparing some sort of statement of acknowledging wrongdoing during her two weeks of reflection, there has been no public statement of accountability on her part. All she says is that the employee complained of a “hostile work environment” but never owns it.
Instead of transparency and accountability, her email is a ultimately a whinge that essentially says “I tried” and then attempts to transform Brooks into a victim of her endorsers who didn’t keep quiet and her victim for supposedly pulling out of the mediated agreement and speaking out.
Brooks did remember to include a “Donate” button in her email.
US Rep. Andy Harris joined 16 other Republicans in voting against a House Resolution “expressing support for Moldova’s democracy, independence and territorial integrity and strengthening United States and Moldova relations.”
Moldova is a small nation just west of Ukraine where Russia carved out another pseudostate, Transnistria, much as it did in the Donbas and Luhansk regions in Ukraine, and Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia. Russia is now menacing it again. Transnistria has a mixed, Moldovan, Russian and Ukrainian population with many now fleeing to Moldova proper fearing violence.
Moldova recently elected a strongly pro-EU president and prime minister who are trying to reform and bring economic growth to one of Europe’s poorest countries. It has taken in more Ukrainian refugees per capita than any other country.
In Harris’s company in opposition to showing even moral solidarity with Moldova were Lauren Boebert, Madison Cawthorn, Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene—all extremist anti-democratic members of the Republican Caucus.
Yesterday, Metro-DC Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) revoked their endorsement of Brandy Brooks for the Montgomery County Council:
Regardless of whether Metro DC-DSA’s politics are yours, they deserve credit for not having situational ethics. The Brooks campaign continues to tout the original endorsement on their website.
When Brooks made the issue public on Twitter, she announced that she was taking a two-week period “to care for myself and to reflect with my trusted advisors.” While the episode is undoubtedly extremely stressful for Brooks, this approach put the focus on caring for herself rather than the victim. It also showed an inability to act decisively and transparently to address even an office crisis.
Though set to resume her campaign, Brooks still hasn’t explained the accusations of sexual harassment. Even as she partially acknowledged that she acted inappropriately, Brooks has attacked her accuser for supposably violating a mediation agreement. She also said statements like those from DSA as “an attempt to destroy my work and my reputation” and trying to “defame” her.
In short, Brooks is neither able to flatly deny the allegations nor take responsibility in a way that closes the issue. More organizations are considering revoking endorsements. Brooks is now hemorrhaging core supporters even as she relaunches her campaign with less staff and little money.
District 17 Montgomery County Central Committee Member Jennifer Hosey ended up unintentionally livening up Tuesday night’s lengthy MCDCC meeting to select a new nominee for the open delegate slot in District 18. After stating that “I met with every candidate today,” Hosey abstained to the consternation of several local observers, particularly longtime Somerset Mayor Jeffrey Slavin.
Here are excerpts from the Zoom chat:
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (8:09 PM): I met with every candidate today.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:32 PM): I abstained for very specific reasons. Please reach out to me with any questions.
Dolly Kildee (10:38 PM): Abstentioners go home!
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:39 PM): Dolly, That is an irresponsible statement to make without the full explanation, which I offered for myself.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:41 PM): I feel it’s a dereliction of duty for central committee members to abstain.
Dolly Kildee (10:41 PM): Jennifer, it’s irresponsible of you not to vote!
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:42 PM): We elected these people to make decisions for us. For those that abstain we will not forget on July 19.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:43 PM): The only reason to abstain is if you have a conflict of interest.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:43 PM): Dolly, I do not see you asking for my full explanation either in public or private.
Ed Fischman (10:43 PM): I would urge those who abstained in the 1st round to participate now. We might object to the committee’s role, but not exercising the responsibility to weigh in is a problem…
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:43 PM): Anyone who abstains does not deserve to be re-elected in July.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:44 PM): Ed, I do not see you asking for the full explanation in public or private.
Beth Tomasello (10:44 PM): I agree with Dolly. If you are here, you should vote. I hope that those MCDCC members who abstained will explain why in the chat. Thank you to all MCDCC members who have worked so hard to fulfill their obligations tonight.
Eric Hirschhorn (10:44 PM): So what is your explanation?
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:44 PM): Jennifer. You are making a big mistake by not voting.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:46 PM): The only reason anyone should abstain is if they have a conflict of interest. Check Roberts Rules.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:47 PM): Mayor Slavin, those voting need to fully know if there is a conflict of interest. This was prevented.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:48 PM): Jennifer, please tell us what is your conflict of interest.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:51 PM): We don’t elect central committee members to abstain from voting on anything unless they have a conflict of interest. I would submit that those who abstain do so because they are afraid to make an enemy. That’s a lack of courage.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:54 PM): Please email me at [email address] for any questions.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:54 PM): Jennifer, your lack of transparency is appalling.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:55 PM): Anyone who abstains should announce their reason.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:58 PM): We want central committee members to be clear in their convictions and to make decision where required….not to be afraid of political consequences for themselves.
Mayor Jeffrey Slavin (10:59 PM): What would happen if a majority abstained.
Jennifer G. Hosey, MCDCC Member (10:59 PM): Please email me at [email address].
Hosey never explained why she abstained. She hasn’t been more forthcoming via email. When Mayor Slavin contacted Hosey privately later, she said that he would have to make an appointment! I reached out to her but have not heard back.
As people in the chat pointed out, it wouldn’t even be a conflict to vote for a family member since central committee members can and did vote for themselves. If Hosey nevertheless felt she needed to abstain due to a conflict, I wonder why she wasted the time of the people who wanted the appointment to the vacancy.
This is not Hosey’s first abstention after meeting with candidates. She also abstained on a previous vote regarding an appointment to the central committee. Hosey faces opposition from Gloria Aparicio in the Democratic primary.
