Help Us By Providing Questions And Suggestions For The Candidate Forum
Oct 14, 2009 17:37 - 31 Comments
As you know, the Rockville Central candidate forum is coming up in just a couple of weeks. It’s Saturday morning, October 24, at 9:30 am at everyone’s favorite Thomas Farm Community Center.
We are trying to make this forum a little different than other forums, in part because by the 24th everyone will be all forum-ed out!
More to the point, we want the format and content to be strongly influenced by the voice of Rockville Central readers — as has been our tradition from the beginning. This is a community space and we want to make sure the candidate forum reflects community concerns while at the same time being helpful to people who are still making up their minds.
So, Cindy and I are very hopeful that you will help us out:
- Suggest questions or topics you think should be covered — especially ones that are off the beaten path but that are still important; and
- Suggest formatting elements that would be interesting and useful.
Just go ahead and add them to the comments below. The more input, the better this will be!
We are also actively looking for volunteers to help out on the day of. We can’t do it all ourselves! Let us know via email ([email protected]) if you can help out.
Subscribe in a reader
Extra points for answers that rhyme.
Vote for me on November 3.
Carl
Carl gets an extra point!
A gentleman who haled from King Farm,
(And not always praised for his charm)
Said: “City budget must shrink
Else our Rockville will sink;
We can do this without causing harm!”
Is it necessarily virtuous or the city government’s business to promote growth and commerce and “public spaces” sprawl? Is there maybe any value in encouraging citizens to stay home, spend time with their families or even just in their yards and their communities, rather than always bustling about, traveling, consuming stuff about town, while their beautiful, comfortable, resource-consuming homes sit empty? What about the folks who can’t afford to go out? Or have trouble getting out? What does commercial redevelopment do for them? Can Rockville continue counting on the conspicuous consumption patterns of its citizens and of out-of-town visitors when we’re all supposedly trying to save, for once in a long time? While it’s hard at this time to argue against the economy needing to grow while so many are out of work, should we consider making parks or fields or lawns or gardens the centerpiece of future community development plans, which would probably better fulfill the vision of being a destination for foot traffic than more competition for all the shopkeepers we already have dividing up the shrinking pie? Is busier always better? Is this a too-thinly-veiled rant?
OK, a question for candidates, one that I’d be curious to see the probably wide and hopefully meaningful variety of answers to:
What is your personal vision for Rockville? What do envision Rockville looking like 5 years from now, 10, 20, 50?
Kind of a backhanded way of asking what priorities as office-holders would be., I guess.
For awhile there was a lot of discussion/information about the reopening of the gate between Princeton Place and Montgomery College. It seems that the negotiations are at a standstill. I would be interested to know the view of the different candidates on addressing viable options for the smoking ban and restoring access to Montgomery College from College Gardens via Princeton Place.
What are key elements of City acquiring AAA Bond rating?
Regarding the AAA Bond issue I would like to have the candidates respond to my point.
Having an AAA Bond rating is similar to me have great credit. However, I don’t need to use the credit I have available. Regardless how low the interest rate it, I still need to pay back the loan.
It is our City Council who approves to float a bond on the taxpayers’ credit. Why can’t we hold on to the good credit for future?
1, Are you in favor of a 4-year term versus a 2-year term. Why?
2. Should the City Council increase in size? Why?
There was a question asked at the WECA debate that deserves repeating and more solid answers. What percent of your campaign contribution dollars comes from Rockville residents and what percent of your donors live in Rockville? Should voters be concerned about candidates that have the majority of their funds coming from people that live outside the city limits, rather than fron City residents?
For sake of full disclosure, I am an active Marcuccio supporter.
During the Chamber of Commerce forum/debate, I was extremely disappointed and troubled by Mayor Hoffman’s demeanor whenever Councilwoman Marcuccio spoke. To summarize, the Mayor behaved unprofessionally, to the point of rudeness toward a sitting member of the Rockville Mayor and Council. Specifically, she rolled her eyes, smirked, and made eye contact with people in the audience while doing so (as if to emphasize her eye-rolling and smirks). This demeanor is not atypical of how she has consistently acted toward some Council Members during Mayor and Council meetings. Even if she cannot change her basic attitude toward people with whom she disagrees, her advisors should at least coach her about on-camera behavior!
Therefore, my proposed question for the forum is “Mayor Hoffman: This question is about your demeanor during the Chamber debate whenever Councilwoman Marcuccio spoke. During those occasions, you were alternately smirking and rolling your eyes, and attemping to communicate non-verbally with members of the audience while doing so. Please explain this.”
Since many cities including D.C. are revising their animal control regulationsto encourage residents to keep one or two chickens for eggs and companions, would the candidates be in favor?
This is always a fun question: “Once voters have cast their ballot for you, who should they vote for next?”
Or: “Who do you support for Mayor?” (This is better asked of the council candidates.)
Tom, let the fun begin…who are you supporting for Mayor? Once you cast your ballot for yourself, what other council candidates will you vote for next?
I have two questions.
1. Will you sign a letter of support for Beall’s Grant II, regardless of whether the WECA citizens group has a signed memorandum of understanding with Montgomery Housing Partnership, the owner?
2. As a follow-up, if elected will you stand up to NIMBIES and organizations like WECA that have become so powerful they can subvert the laws of the city? Beall’s Grant II has an approved site plan, but has been unable to break ground due to the opposition of a few well-heeled residents, who include council candidate Bridget Newton and who support Phyllis Marcuccio.
What role SHOULD these organizations play, vs.the job of elected and accountable city officials?
For those who don’t know, NIMBY is not in my backyard.
and to Jon, a candidate forum is not a public meeting and I think that Phyllis gives as good as she gets!
And I am supporting Susan.
If I may, I think there should be a question about whether the candidates support changing the form of government to a strong mayor and council, like there is in other cities (DC, Newark).
People in Rockville seem confused. Our mayor and council are part-time and we have a paid, professional, full-time city manager. This is a strong city manager form of government, with a necessarily “weak” mayor and council component. Their roles are limited, yet people keep ascribing duties to them that properly belong to the manager and city staff.
@Bill: Nice try! The discussion here is to generate questions, not answers. You can find out my dynamic answers to these and *many* more exciting questions at the Rockville Central candidates’ forum on Saturday morning, October 24, at 9:30 am at the Thomas Farm Community Center.
If I’m going to have to be shaved, showered, and sociable on a Saturday morning, you should, too! See you there!
Theresa,
Great question regarding the prevalent confusion over our form of City Government. I suggest the respective roles of Mayor & Council vs. City Manager & staff is I hope it is asked is a critical issue as we go forward.
Also, thanks for your other thoughful, obviously sincere comments. This includes the one you posted about my “demeanor” comment (my first ever on a public forum.) I feel that all candidates, whether I support them or not, have a professional obligation to behave with the utmost courtesy during others’ comments. Jon
Ms. Defino, what is it you are implying by stating there are people in the West End that support Phyllis Marcuccio for Mayor? I read your sentence several times and I don’t get the connection.
If you are going to include Phyllis’ name in the context of NIMBY and “well-heeled” residents, please be clear what it is you are suggesting.
It was over a year ago that Phyllis supported the idea of citizens and MHP getting together and working out a compromise on BGII. For over a year, people gave freely of their time and energy to work out a compromise. Phyllis and other council members attended the meetings. When it came time to sign the MOU, at the very last minute, MHP said they wanted three addendums added to it. That was the end of any good faith agreement or negotiations.
Phyllis Marcuccio sat as a member of the Rockville Housing Authority for ten years. She is on record as being in support of affordable housing and senior housing. Her only caveat, and one shared by any reasonable person, is the size, density and scale should fit the location. Despite what you and others say, this is what was objectionable with Victory Housing. It was never about NIMBY, or not wanting the housing…it was always about the scale.
I am not looking to have a debate with you on BGII or Victory Housing. I am asking you to go on record and explain what difference it makes if any West End resident supports Phyllis for Mayor and what role you think she played that was any different than Susan Hoffmann or any other council member.
And while this is a comment in response to something you wrote, and not an editorial or opinion piece, I’ll remind those who might have forgotten, I am managing Phyllis’ campaign to be elected Mayor.
The Stop Beall’s Grant people have sent an email, as I stated at the end of my post, that said support Phyllis and Bridget.
Perhaps you are not aware, but I was one of the people who gave “freely” of their time to work on this a member of BGII committee and do not share your version of events or agree with your assessment of why people have opposed it.
Victory Housing is not too big and if you have attended any of the meetings, you would know that size is hardly ever mentioned by the opposition. It’s like 1 reason out of 10 they have given for trying to oppose the project.
Perhaps at candidate forums both mayoral candidates will have a chance to more specifically state their positions.
I love the way y’all know it all wonks split your infitives…….goes great with your logical fallacies that abound ad nauseum!!!
Question for each candidate: Why are you running for Mayor/Council? What issue(s) have motivated you to run for office (or run again)?
@Saul: your criticism is duly noted, but have you (y’all?) any actual questions for the candidates? It’s apparent that you have many opinions, and even though due to your age you cannot yet vote, I would be interested to know what substantial questions you might put to those you so glibly criticize.
I would like to ask the council candidates that as the mayoral camps seem to have drawn lines in the sand, if “your choice” for mayor is not elected, how will you insure that the next Mayor and Council handle business in a manner that is not only civil but that keeps the cities and citizen’s need above personal agendas and egos; and I keep hearing candidates speak about “what is wrong” but very little about what “they will do.” I would like to know, from the mayoral candidates, the top, concrete thing that they will do as Mayor to FIX any of the cities identified problems (and I hope that one thing will be more than the obvious fall back, that budget. There is also construction, traffic, over-population, environmental concerns created by all the construction, traffic and over population. )
Brad et all,
I am not going to be able to attend the RC forum this weekend due to a funeral in NC. I would like to have a statement read if possible and would be happy to respond to the questions via email before or after the forum. Thanks again for putting this together. Trapper
Trapper, I’m sorry to hear of your loss. You will be missed on Saturday. Safe travels next weekend.
My observation of some Rockville residents is that they are either: 1) willing to allow change which will benefit a much needed housing need, or 2) will use any rhetoric to fight a city project. Of course, some are willing to compromise. Thank goodness we have them.
The concern is that all facts (and process) are not understood and people are not willing to learn or listen to all the issues. Yes, there are Nimbi’s in Rockville. I welcome them in the process, but they should also be reasonable.
Whoever gets on the Rockville City Council, the City will continue to function as it has in the past. Some council members have represented us better than others. The choice of candidates boils down to who each individual believes will represent them best.
I don’t agree with both mayoral candidates on all issues so I decide on my most important issues. It has always been how the budget process is handled that keeps my interest. Past City Councils have stated they are for fiscal responsibility, but I believe they have failed to ask proper questions. The questions need to come BEFORE the budget proposals are printed. Yes, it takes homework and discussion.
Does anyone remember the discussion of the $200,000 cost for the Hometown Holiday Band and what was the reaction to this high cost for one event? Only when the cost was questioned this cost did the council discuss the outrageous obligation.
Extra points for Pig Latin. Carl?
I have a question for the mayor candidates
Which is the real Rockville - Ms. Marcuccio’s, facing a dire economic crisis, about to go down the drain? Or Ms. Hoffmann’s, where we’re doing great? I am not sure which one I live in.
Could each of you come to the forum with three financial facts that support your position. enquiring minds want to know…..
My suggested question for Carl Henn:
Mayor & council civility has been a major concern of residents for several years. During your time as President of Hungerford Civic Association, you’ve sometimes used arguably extreme rhetoric (e.g., drawing parallels between the ICC and the Holocaust). If elected, where would you draw the line between zealous promotion of your personal views and civil interaction with those who disagree?
With all the talk about the need for a return to “civility” on the M&C, I have been wondering if it’s reasonable to think that five people who (hopefully) represent the diversity of Rockville’s citizenry will all just happily get along for two years. We constantly bring contentious issues before them, making each one of them stake out positions that are likely to conflict with their colleagues. I think there will always be dissention - unless we go back to the “Slate” method like in the old days.Don’t most government bodies have all kinds of dissagreements along the way to that final vote? Maybe some RC folks who watch closer than me could say, but I wonder if there isn’t more talk about incivility, than actual bad behavor, on the M&C?