Frederick Politics – Page 9 – frederick local yokel

Oh what a coinkydink!

August 18, 2016September 4, 2016 fclocalyokel2 Comments

195hwt — Cinnamon, we really don’t know where you come up with these crazy ideas!!! Nobody could possibly believe that!!!

Tuesday will bring us dueling human trafficking events. In one corner we have this:

That’s right! It’s finally time for Blaine to face a judge over his prostitution arrest. Some may say that he’s irrelevant here in the county, seeing as how Jan trounced him in the last election. However, many birdies have told us that he wishes to become the shiny brand new District 5 Council representative once Kirby gets his butt whooped in the County Executive contest. So as long as he keeps trying to creep back into elected office, we will be here to remind you what a catastrophic mistake that would be.

The second event is an attempt to deal with the very real problem of human trafficking here in Frederick County:

We highly recommend that you read through these pages and become educated on the problem. For this is a subject that is very dear to your Lady Yokel’s hearts. We firmly believe that no person such be forced into any kind of slavery, sexual or otherwise.

Our faithful readers will remember back when a vote was taken on having this workshop. Billy voted against it because, and we quote, “There are groups both for and against this.” Jerry and Jessica were both incredulous as were we! (Of course we kinda suspect this was all a cover to protect Blaine and his transgressions). There couldn’t possibly be people in favor of human trafficking, could there? We are very sad to report that Billy may just be right. For those of you who are not yet acquainted with the watchdog group Frederick County Council Watch Watch you need to click on over and take a look. This page watches the Frederick County Council Watch page, and believe it or not they have found people who think this whole human trafficking workshop is a huge conspiracy. Including a few people who are running for public office in these here parts.

Look what you did to Spongebob and Patrick! Aren't you ashamed people! — Look what you did to Spongebob and Patrick! Aren’t you ashamed people!

As always, we’ll let you know the outcome of both the trial and the workshop. There is never a dull moment in Frederick politics.

And the torch passes to Tony…

August 12, 2016 fclocalyokel1 Comment

18to92

You’ll remember a few weeks back when Kirby threw a fit about his leaseback idea not getting any traction. Somehow he thought it was within his authority to disband the entire task force. Well, Jan said no way Kirbo! Just because you didn’t get your way Mr. #, doesn’t mean the investigation process is over. So who is going to take up the torch that Kirby tried to extinguish? Today’s Political Notes answers that nicely:

Frederick County employees met with Councilman Tony Chmelik (R) this week, as plans are underway to revive a county task force that was examining options for leasing schools.

The meeting between Chmelik, Council Chief of Staff Ragen Cherney, and county finance and budget officers took place on Tuesday — when the School Build Lease Buy-Back Task Force was scheduled to meet.

Chmelik is taking the helm of the task force, which Councilman Kirby Delauter (R) said last month he was dissolving. Maybe.

Despite sending a confusing press release that he was disbanding a task force created by the county executive and notifying at least some of the members ahead of time via email, Delauter said he was not. Instead, he was no longer pursuing a specific leasing plan after the proposal was panned by County Executive Jan Gardner (D) as being too costly.

Gardner, at the time, said she intended for the task force to continue its work — with or without Delauter on board.

What do you mean? Work is going to continue with or without our precious # at the helm? So just because his one idea didn’t pan out that means the task force should continue investigating other ways of bringing down school construction costs?

We don’t understand this world of logic and problem solving y’all are throwing our way. Perhaps we’ve been stuck inside the Shrelauter echo chamber a little too long ourselves.

Ever wonder why Shrelauter hates the FNP?

August 10, 2016 fclocalyokelLeave a comment

If you missed last Sunday’s edition of John Oliver’s show, it really is a must see. In his main segment, Mr. Oliver laments the decline of local media coverage. Over a year ago, we cried into our coffee over the shutting down of the Gazette, and reminded y’all to support the Frederick News Post . We here at the Yokel heavily rely on the reporting in the FNP, because let’s face it, we aren’t journalists. You won’t find your Lady Yokels calling anyone up or doing a face to face interview with Shrelauter or Blaine. The press is truly the 4th branch of our government. They are our eyes and ears when we can’t be there. They are the ones who investigate corruption when we don’t have the time. They are the ones who hold our leaders accountable for their actions and expose them when they do wrong. We know that national news is sexier, especially this election season. Just for a moment, though, think about the consequences of losing a local paper as so many other cities across the country already have. If you are having trouble imagining this, or think it’s not that big of a deal let the creator of The Wire and a former Baltimore Sun reporter, David Simon, imagine that scenario for ya:

“The day I run into a Huffington Post reporter at a Baltimore Zoning Board hearing is the day that I will be confident that we’ve actually reached some sort of equilibrium.There’s no glory in that kind of journalism, but that is the bedrock of what keeps [corruption at bay]. The next 10 or 15 years in this country are going to be a Halcyon era for state and local political corruption.. one of the great times to be a corrupt politician, you know I I really envy them. I really do.”

Just think about that folks! Imagine our own local government officials with absolutely no accountability. No reporters to sit in on their meetings or workshops. No one around to investigate claims of impropriety. You think the former BOCC was bad, imagine a world where none of their transgressions were ever called out! We hope we have your attention now. So no matter your feelings about the Frederick News Post, we hope you’ll jump on over and sign up for a subscription. For without them there would be no Local Yokel!

New Poll: How likely are you to vote for Blaine Young ever again?

August 5, 2016August 5, 2016 fclocalyokelLeave a comment

First things first! We always like to close out our old poll before introducing a new one.

Looks like the lawyers will be busy in Old Fredericktowne!

Seriously Kirby, you may want to seek out other council.

The Ole Yokel inbox keeps filling up with tales of Blaine running for Kirby’s seat once he files for County Executive. Wonder why he thinks the good people of District 5 would want him to represent them. Take our poll so we can tell Blaine whether or not the people want him back in office.

Voting is open! It’s time to show the Yokel just what we mean to you!

August 5, 2016 fclocalyokel2 Comments

A few weeks back we let y’all know that we had been nominated for the Frederick News Post’s 2016 Best of the Best! Now’s the time to show your Local Yokel just what we mean to you. From now until August 21 you can vote for your favorite place to stay informed on Frederick politics. Just go to www.fredericknewspost.com/bob and then follow our directions laid out below in pictures:

Once you are at the website, click here for ballot!

Then click on the side bar for Entertainment.

Finally, select Local Blog and choose us!! We hear that a few of these blogs don’t even originate here in Frederick so make sure you choose local!

You will have your Lady Yokel’s undying gratitude and affection should you choose us!

Are your crystal balls getting this?

August 2, 2016 fclocalyokel2 Comments

Your Yokels have mentioned that good ole Hashtag is planning to run for County Executive in 2018. But hold onto your hats, because rumors are swirling that local disgraced (yes, disgraced!) former BOCC President Blaine Young is planning to run for the Council seat for District 5.

We know you all remember this guy, who promised to disappear from politics after losing County Executive to Jan. This guy, who had an affair with a subordinate. This guy who was arrested for solicitation in a sting operation. This guy who seems to continually blame everyone else if they aren’t a big enough person to forgive him for his transgressions.

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Well, I’m not sure how many chances you should get in your personal life, but in your professional life your chances are all used up. How can we trust you? You know the saying, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”, well no one here is getting fooled.

20160801_114301

As of right now, Mr. Has-been doesn’t even live in District 5. Maybe he is going to move in with friends. Watch your women folk District 5. We’ve heard he has turned over a new healthy leaf and has put all his energy into getting a super hot body to better recruit you to his cause. But, a leopard doesn’t change his spots. Still a good ole boys looking out for his own hide.

To read or not to read, that is the real question.

August 1, 2016August 1, 2016 fclocalyokel1 Comment

Come on Oprah, we don't want to take that home! — Come on Oprah, we don’t want to take that home!

Sorry Yokels, it seems as though we have to usher in each month with Kirby’s latest diatribe about how our county and country is going all to hell. You can read the full post here, but ours will be much more fun!

This month he’s trying oh so very hard to explain why he encouraged J&J Trash to sue the county. How could a council member possibly defend this behavior? BEHOLD:

My answer is simple. We are elected to represent county citizens, all of them. When a constituent can’t be heard by an arrogant council president, and I feel they have a cause/issue worth hearing, I am going to encourage every means possible to have them heard. If a lawsuit is what it takes, so be it.

Well, we of course covered this workshop and Kirby was told, on more than one occasion, that if he thought a county law needed to be changed, he in fact could do that. You know being that he’s on a legislative body and all. Now apparently Kirby was not listening to what was being said because this whole writing legislation is all news to him:

I think once the county heard J&J was preparing to sue and I would be willing as a council member to testify on its behalf, the internal discussions began within the county. It was brought to my attention that a legislative bill may be the answer to this situation.

This was NOT the point at which this was brought to his attention. He was told over and over and over again that if he did not like the legislation that he could write a new law. Then J&J would have the opportunity during the subsequent public hearing to testify. PER PROCEDURE. And Billy we better not hear you utter the word, Elitist. Or we swear upon Helena’s high throne we will pull out that Thurmont parade picture again!

Now we need help, dear readers, parsing this next bit. Because WHOA NELLY, what the hell is going on here?:

While I totally disagree that making a new law/ordinance to add to an existing “sufficient” law/ordinance is totally ridiculous and unnecessary. However, if that’s what will right this wrong, that’s what I may have to do.

Okay, so it’s ridiculous that he disagrees that he should make a new law to add to a “sufficient” law. (Do the quotes mean it is or is not sufficient?) But dang it, if you people are going to actually make him do his job then I guess that’s what he’s going to be forced to do! Oh the horror!!! Seriously though, that has got to be one of the most confusing sentences we Lady Yokels have ever come across. EVER!

The diatribe continues with more insults hurled at Bud Otis and us, his dear county residents!:

The sad part I’ve found out in my six years in local politics is that most people don’t give a rat’s fanny about their neighbors’ plight until they themselves have an issue that effects them.

That’s right you selfish county residents!! When are you going to care about someone other than yourselves? You big bunch of jerks! And council man, we think you mean affect, not effect.

And you county employees didn’t think you were getting off easy did you? Because Kirby has THE words for you as well:

Politicians come and go but staff members are the ones who typically make policy; and, in most cases, they make policy that makes it easier on themselves and harder on those who dare to challenge them.

BAM! Take that you lazy staff members! Stop making policy that makes your jobs all cushy and care free! Kirby’s got your number! Wait, who writes the laws again?

We end this month’s tome with a grave warning. We can only guess that Kirby watched the Cleveland 2016 Scare-A-Thon with rapturous attention in order to pound out something like this:

It is important who we elect because with 45 years of incremental degradation of our rights and our freedoms, if we continue on that path, at some point you may not be given the option to choose.

Frederick Politics can sure be dramatic!

What’s going on at Councilman Billy Shreve’s Facebook page? More than you can imagine.

July 31, 2016August 1, 2016 fclocalyokel1 Comment

Now look what you've done Billy! You've gotten Sweetums in a tizzy! — Now look what you’ve done Billy! You’ve gotten Sweetums in a tizzy!

If you want to keep up on Billy’s perspective of what’s going on in the county, then please look up Councilman Billy Shreve’s page on Facebook. Don’t worry you don’t have to friend him, it’s public for all the world to see. We decided to hop on over and see how his gun safety class went. And according to his posts, which include videos, not so good! First off, we have a TV segment about the class in which it appears that only Billy and one other person showed up. And secondly, if you have about 10 minutes, you can watch Billy shoot in the dark and get reprimanded for not following instructions. You’ll have to scroll down a few posts to see it.

Another post that caught our eye was some more wedding venue drama. It has to do with the property in Emmitsburg that we wrote about a few weeks back. We asked why Billy and Kirby weren’t championing this cause. Well, Kirby hasn’t piped up, despite this property being in his district, but Billy sure has:

Frederick County Council Member Billy Shreve said he believes someone is targeting event venues in the county, trying to get them shut down.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Shreve said. “It’s bad for business, and it’s bad for Frederick County.”

And…

Shreve said the blame rests with County Executive Jan Gardner.

Jan’s response?:

Egendi (sic) Estates near Emmitsburg sought approval in 2014 for a wedding venue and was unanimously denied by the Frederick County Board of Zoning Appeals after a public hearing process. Neighbors opposed this application. Until Egendi has an approval by the Frederick County Board of Appeals for a special exception use, they cannot legally operate as a wedding venue. To the best of my knowledge, they have not applied for a new approval from the Frederick County Board of Appeals. It is important to recognize that the denial of this business happened during the prior administration (not this administration).

Well, well, well it’s a good thing Billy is out there playing the blame game. For how else will we ever see results in this county? It’s really perplexing to us why any business would seek Billy or Kirby out to help them out with Frederick politics. For it seems they could only be hurting their cause. Edit: we have no reason to suspect that this business has sought Shreve’s attention; only noting that those who have sought it out may want to carefully consider whether this buffoon does them more harm than good.

However could this be?

July 30, 2016August 5, 2016 fclocalyokel2 Comments

Happy weekend to you Yokels! On the front page of the FNP today there is a nice little story entitled: “Delauter Backs Off Of Leasing Strategy”. We’ve written about his workshop and were all so skeptical on how building a bunch of schools now and then incurring $102 million extra in debt was advantageous. Somehow between that meeting and today the plan was re-written to include “only” $50 million more in payments. Still a perplexing proposal from someone who claims to “govern like a taxpayer today.” Now who do you think Kirby is blaming for the dissolution of his idea? We are sure you don’t have to think too hard on that one!

“There was a disagreement on the finances and costs associated with the possibility of privately funded schools,” Delauter wrote in Friday’s news release. “We have been dealing with concerns for school construction for the past 20 years. I was diligently seeking ways to build schools in the future with the least amount of impact on the Frederick County taxpayers. It has become clear to me that the County Executive is stuck in yesterday’s thinking where you always turn to the taxpayers to pay for everything. I am truly sorry to the taxpayers that we were not able to work to find new solutions to an old problem.”

How in Poseidon’s blue ocean is this plan not turning to the taxpayers?! Just because we aren’t putting the money up right this very second, doesn’t mean we aren’t going to being paying out the wazoo for this later! It’s clear from every meeting and discussion of this topic this idea will cost us more. Not today, but surely tomorrow. WAIT! Have we finally discerned the meaning of the “govern like a taxpayer today” slogan! I think we have. Whew, that took a few years but we finally cracked the code!

Now, with this idea laid to rest, hopefully some more realistic solutions can be found to solve this very real problem. And quickly because this same article ended with this:

Delauter has said he’s seriously considering running against Gardner for the county executive spot in 2018.

Hey #kirbydelauter, can we have your number?

July 22, 2016July 22, 2016 fclocalyokel1 Comment

Little Lucy has some things to say... — Little Lucy has some things to say…

The Ole Yokel inbox was afire over a certain council member’s outrage over being asked to hand over his cell phone at meetings. It started off like this:

And continued along these lines:

Has our elite education failed us? All of us here at the Yokel took political science and not one of us remembers being asked to keep your face out of your cell phone during a meeting a tenet of socialism. And if he likes to hear from the public, then what about us? If Bob Miller gets your number #, what about your Lady Yokels? We want to text you during meetings as well! What say you #kirbydelauter? Email us at fclocalyokel@gmail.com. We promise to keep it to ourselves.

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