Darin Bartram
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On the Blog Post BLOG: WeAreMoCo—Who We Are and Why We Are Doing What We’re Doing
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On the Blog Post BLOG: WeAreMoCo—Who We Are and Why We Are Doing What We’re Doing
Darin Bartram
9:26 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
ReplyWow, Donna, you seem to be as insulting and condescending as our local "civic activists." I'm not saying that your letters weren't meritorious--maybe they were. If you read what I wrote, you'd could not possibly conclude that I believe "resident's concerns should not be incorporated." I'm simply trying to make the point that, however well you articulate the position of 500 residents from 70 different subdivisions, there is no basis to say that those views represent the concerns of the entire (or substantial part of) the residents in those subdivisions. Jeez.
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On the Blog Post BLOG: WeAreMoCo—Who We Are and Why We Are Doing What We’re Doing
Darin Bartram
9:01 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Teresa, When an individual is 1 out of a million residents, or even 500 out of a million (0.05%), how much "power" is it reasonable to give them? I completely agree that if they write thoughtful letters to the county elected or appointed leaders, those letters should be read and considered. I'm suggesting, however, that it is not reasonable to expect the county to consider those letters to be the prevailing view of residents throughout the 70 different areas Donna refers to.
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On the Blog Post BLOG: WeAreMoCo—Who We Are and Why We Are Doing What We’re Doing
Darin Bartram
8:32 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
"represents almost 500 people from over 70 different areas and subdivisions in the county" What is the total population in those 70 different area? I imagine that the people who you represent are a small fraction of that area. I see this as something of an attempted power-grab by these groups. My experience in Kensington is that the groups meet behind closed doors--they even describe themselves as "not an official group with by-laws but a fluid group who have held many meetings and discussions about the issues." Quite honestly--I don't want these groups to be given extra consideration by the county leaders, because their views cannot be said to be representative of the broader community's. They are, instead, representative of the "500 people from over 70 different areas." Certainly, you should expect to be heard and have your views considered. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that the plans should be changed to incorporate your views.
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On the article Kensington Elections Q&A: Stowe Teti
Darin Bartram
8:40 am on Friday, June 1, 2012
Stowe--you say, "No one in Kensington wanted the extra height," but as Dennis points out below, the committee vote (including mine) was 10-2 in favor of exploring the additional height. You talk about an ability to negotiate solutions among competing sides, but you seem to have a deaf ear when it comes to residents who support this project.
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On the article Candidates Focus on 'Mending Fences' During Forum
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On the article Photo Challenge: Name This Kensington Place
Darin Bartram
3:34 pm on Thursday, May 10, 2012
ReplyIt kind of looks like the picture was taken where that little circle is on the map to the right.
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On the article Update: Fosselman Discusses Campaign Contributions
Darin Bartram
5:55 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
jivan, I think you are mistaken that the "system is closed." Exhibit A: Stowe Teti ran a campaign that was very critical of the Mayor during last year's election. (Note his ongoing (and in my view, unfair) criticism above.) Yet, notwithstanding this, the Mayor added Stowe to the Revitalization Committee. This demonstrates to me that he welcomes the kind of diverse views you accuse him of being closed to.
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On the article County Council Votes in Favor of Kensington Sector Plan
Darin Bartram
1:01 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2012
ReplyI'm relieved the sector plan has passed. I'm optimistic about the future--that we'll get some new people who, with the existing ones, will support our local businesses. I think the town council, county council, and planning board did an excellent job producing this first step in the process towards revitalization.
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On the article Update: Gunman Dead; Found In Rockville Home
Darin Bartram
10:36 pm on Tuesday, March 13, 2012
This is a sweet-spot for Patch news. Micro reporting, almost in real-time. Thanks!
Darin Bartram
9:42 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Fine lots of people agree with you. But all of the residents elected leaders (who directly or through their choice of staff) to make decisions. It's a reprentative democracy. If your views are meritorious and appealing to the broad community, elect leaders who will implement them. Otherwise, weigh in through letters, but understand that the elected leaders represent all of us, not just those of us who join local civil activist groups.