Contributor Opinion By Anne Robbins: My Support For Cheryl Kagan

This Contributor Opinion is by Anne Robbins.

My support for Cheryl Kagan, the District 17 candidate for the State Senate, has become increasingly stronger as her campaign against 32 year General Assembly incumbent, Jennie Forehand has progressed. First of all, I think that 32 years is certainly long enough to represent our district and we need new perspectives on many issues especially campaign finance reform. After a lifetime in politics, (yes, I started as a little kid), very little shocks me, and yet, the findings of the research done last November by Maryland Politics Watch did, and I am talking big-time shock. I quote from their findings:

“Senator Forehand was the biggest user of “lump sums”, a finance reporting technique used to AVOID DISCLOSING DONORS. Forehand is the biggest user of this in the County and the third biggest in the state”.

No wonder that the Washington Post stated in an editorial endorsment, “The County would be better served by Cheryl Kagan”. (8-23-10).

I cannot believe in this day of openness and accountability, that Senator Forehand is engaging in a practice to hide the names of contributors. Perhaps, we are learning this because this is the first time in sixteen years in the senate that Senator Forehand has had an opponent, something extremely important for a healthy democracy to thrive. Former eight-year state delegate, Cheryl Kagan, has been pro-active in asking for more campaign finance disclosure, seeking to close the LLC loophole, and only accepting contributions of half the legal limit.

I believe that this should be enough to put Cheryl in the senate, but in addition, I have found Cheryl Kagan, to be smart, highly motivated, and open and accessible to all residents of Montgomery County. I strongly believe that a change is in order, and encourage other voters to support and vote for Cheryl Kagan.

Anne Mahoney Robbins (former Rockville City Councilmember)

This is a Contributor Opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such pieces for consideration — the more voices the better. Simply send them to hello@rockvillecentral.com. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!

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Reader’s Note By Anne Robbins: A Glorious Wedding

Sean Mahoney Robbins and Joanne Dennie Robbins

Saturday, August 14th was one of the happiest days of Dave and my lives, when our only son, Sean Mahoney Robbins, married his dream girl, Joanne Dennie Robbins; it was also one of the happiest days of their lives, as the photo shows.

You can see how debonair the groom looks, as well as his best man, his father, Dave Robbins, who is right in back of him, as well as the Rev. Glen Dameron who officiated at the ceremony.

Friends and family came from all over including his first friend, Jay Ravida, and lots of Irish cousins, including JoAnne Mahoney Gillespie from Orange County, Calif., who recited the tradition Irish Blessing.  Sean, whose godfather is Jimmy Carter, had a whole wall of a video showing him with the Carters, from baby, through adulthood; President Carter, and his wonderful wife and partner, Rosalynn Carter, are truly “the Carpenter’s Apprentices”, and have been great role models for Sean to follow.

Joanne has a big family, and they were all there “gussied up”, and looking great, particularly her little nieces and nephews.

The Big surprise of the day was the bride’s father, Bud Dennie, who cut a “mean rug,” and is really ready for primetime.  The bride’s mother was  all in silver, and my parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Mahoney, were honored by a quote from one of their letters: An Irish Marriage Proverb, which was written in Gaelic in the program, and translates, “Two Shorten the Road.” Our daughter, Brennan, and her fiancee, Dallas Albers, were part of the wedding party, and, Dallas, a singer, sang at the reception, which made everyone’s day, and reminded us, that there soon will be another wedding for the Robbins Clan.

Anne Robbins is a former councilmember of the City of Rockville.

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Contributor Opinion By Anne Robbins: Employee Compensation Program Unwise And Inappropriate

>To All: For many, many months, I have fought this massive employee compensation, and it seemed that nobody, but Phyllis Marcuccio, our Rockville citizens, and members of other governments, have listened to me. Thank you, Randy Alton, for your recognition that residents have heard the call and will respond. Sadly, our friends in other governments, will think twice when Rockville needs a handout, and that day will come. Rockville taxpayers will pay higher fees and the 4th year of a property tax reduction rate has been scuttled, (I had hoped this would be an annual policy), to fund this unwise, untimely, and inappropriate $1.7 million dollar employee compensation plan. (I exempt our employees covered by a union contract, from any reduction, as I honor union contracts.)

Mayor [Susan] Hoffmann has written about ” punishing our hardworking staff” to not give this huge compensation to the Rockville employees; nothing could be further from the truth as I recognize and honor our superior work force, many of whom, I have known for years. I believe that it would give these employees a good feeling to join other governments in making a statement that, “we are all in the same boat”, recognizing that we are all living in the worst recession since after WWII.

Anne Robbins
City Council Member

This contributor opinion is by Council Member Anne Robbins. It is in response to a letter by Randy Alton published in the Gazette.

This is a contributor opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such opinions for consideration — the more voices the better. We especially welcome people who disagree with us. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!

Contributor Opinion By Anne Robbins: Sign Of The Economic Times

>I have been hearing from citizens re our 2010 City budget; they are particularly concerned with a 3.25% cost-of-living increase for employees and most feel that this is not in tune with the economic times. Up front, I want to state that I am well aware that we have dedicated employees, bjut this is no ordinary time. Several citizens mentioned that the Income Tax Offset Credit, (given in 2008 & 2009 to owner-occupied residential property), is being excluded from the 2010 budget, but they are willing to accept that because of the economy. One long-time resident wrote: MAX 2% COLA for employees just like the 2% recommended in the President’s budget for federal employees.

I would like to schedule a meeting with Stacey and/or Gavin to discuss our 2010 budget. To be frank, there are so many bullets after many of the budget principles, that I felt like throwing my hands up and yelling, caveat emptor. I would like to get some straight answers on COLA’s, merit system raises, and the number of employees covered by a union.

Once again, I commend our dedicated employees, but because of economic circumstances, I have to join a growing list of citizens questioning a 3.25 % COLA in this terrible, terrible economic period that I believe , may last longer than we all hope.

Sincerely,

Anne Robbins

This is a contributor opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such opinions for consideration — the more voices the better. We especially welcome people who disagree with us. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central editors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!