Democracy in Montgomery Village ticked upwards with the confirmation of all four candidates for the MVF Board election at its January 9 meeting despite an unpleasant incident that took place involving a prominent MVF Board member. I would like to commend some real heroes who took a stand in winning back democracy in Montgomery Village. Chaired by dutiful MVF Board member Dennis Clark, the Nominating Committee confirmed all four applicants as candidates for the 2013 MVF Board election.
You might ask, why is this so heroic? It is heroic because MVF Board President Bob Hydorn made an improper appearance at the candidate confirmation meeting, ambushed me immediately upon my arrival urging the committee to deny my candidacy, then withered under my ensuing rebuttal, failed to make the case, left empty handed, and claimed to be acting as an individual not as MVF Board President. Kudos to the Nominating Committee for not being intimidated and confirming the candidacy of all of this year’s applicants. These committee members are the heroes in winning back democracy in the Village.
Short lived, democracy in Montgomery Village has now taken a tick downwards. In his ”Time to vote in Montgomery Village” blog, MVF Board President Bob Hydorn is again sticking a finger in the eye of democracy in Montgomery Village when he urges people to vote... and then tells them whom to vote for.
Again the question must be asked, "Is Bob Hydorn speaking as an individual resident or is he speaking as the President of the MV FBoard." When speaking as President of the MVF Board, there are expectations, one of them being that he represents the views of MVF Board.
The question can be answered by reviewing the President's Message in the February 1, 2013 MV News on page 5 from which the bulk of the language for this blog was drawn except that here he did not presume to tell Village residents whom to vote for. In his MV News President's Message, Bob Hydorn was clearly speaking from his position on the MVF Board. Since the language on this blog is largely verbatim, the conclusion is that Bob Hydorn was speaking for the MVF Board.
It is improper for the MVF Board to conduct a free and open election while at the same time its President is working to tilt the results in this manner. Once again, democracy in Montgomery Village is being trampled upon.
I call upon Bob Hydorn to publicly declare whether he launched this blog as an individual resident or as the President of the MVF Board.
Wrong answer! The statement, "… this is supposed to be a question and answer period", appeared in the resident's rant posted verbatim by Derek above. Despite knowing this, the resident did not pose a question. How was Pam Bort able to decipher a question from this resident's rant?
Yes, as an electronic post. As you pointed out again, Bob Hydorn did misspell "Flourish", the Montgomery Village brand. This appeared in the Scott Dyer promotional Patch blog in which you were a participant. Here's why it's a problem. The Flourishing brand initiative spent $10,000 in 2012 to initiate and promote its use internally within the Village. Another $40,000 expenditure is planned for 2013 to promote the brand externally across the region. Care must be taken in promoting a brand and protecting this investment. Misspelling the brand only jeopardizes all that. On "friend" versus "fiend", good pickup. You live by the sword; you die by the sword. Well done!
individuals at the front table to take cheap shots at people who are sitting in the audience. I request that Mr. O’Neill withdraw his statement." Is that not the question Ms. Hydorn asked of you? Rant? I read it as a comment and question.You really know how to spin it.
In the past eight days I have attended the following community meetings dealing with external threats and impacts to Montgomery Village: 1. Greater Goshen Civic Association meeting in opposition to M83 Option 4 Modified with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 5. 2. Nike Missile Site meeting at Lake Marion CC on Preliminary Plans and Environmental Assessment on February 11. Other candidates vying for a position on the MVF Board did attend these meetings. One of these candidates made it clear at the Candidates Forum that he preferred to devote his energies to internal issues which the MVF controls. Unfortunately, we are entering a period where the real issues facing the Village are external. Montgomery Village must be able to anticipate, avoid, withstand, and mitigate the adverse affect they impose. 1. Government affairs issues with the County and State include Town Sector Zoning, Gaithersburg East Master Plan, M83 Midcounty Selection, Goshen Road widening, Webb Tract development, and Lake Whetstone dredging. 2. Business development issues involve the Nike Site, Golf Course, Professional Center, Shopping Center, and Watkins Mill Development. 3. We need to promote an economic development environment for the community businesses that serve the residents of Montgomery Village. As a candidate for a position on the board, I am well equipped and committed to attacking these challenges on behalf of Village residents.
March 1 at 5:00 p.m. is the closing of balloting. The ballots will be counted on Saturday morning, March 2. Ballots may be mailed back in (they are postage paid) or dropped in the secure mailbox at the MVF parking lot.
Any and all individuals are welcome to attend to watch the ballot counting process.
Not one of those running for office mentioned long, overdue interest or concern that reality. Not one candidate stepped up to the plate putting 'children of the Village' who reside near Lake Whetstone as priority. Has been hush hush since meeting regarding playground w/apparently the hope that this parent/grandparent would suddenly forget the 'needs of children'. Sorry but that hasn't happened no matter how silent my representatives remain on this topic. So, it will be another summer where children of Dockside, Mill Race and Nathans Hill find no other play equipment but the improvised use of mailboxes, street signs, & residents' brick walls & fences as 'playground and means of exercise'. Shame on all of you for dusting this 'need' under the carpet during all your political bio boasting(s), repetitive platform promises (that seem to go by the wayside after ballots are counted) & rants and raves particularly on PATCH. Think of the accolades as well (since there are some on Board who have been shown to have exaggerated egos) how much praise and 'glorification' you would receive if such a playground was constructed @ Lake Whetstone & one that incorporated play equipment as well that accommodated those children in OUR VILLAGE who are physically disabled!!!!
Food for thought here. Have you thought about a "wish list" of equipment you would like (keeping in mind a reasonable budget) for that area? Often (in the Village and other communities as well, we are not immune), playground areas tend to sometimes (I say "sometimes" as always is not the case and in some areas, never) turn into "hangout areas" for older teens afterschool and that is intimidating to the younger children to which they are intended. Outside of the parents (older than the teens obviously) being with the children, do you see any thoughts on the children attending the area unattended? I am neither a parent or grandparent so your thoughts are better on this particular subject.
The point of my letter to the editor of the MVF News is that the MVF Committees need to be revitalized. The Village faces a shortage of volunteers needed to populate its many committees. However, residents appear reluctant to undergo the MVF Board scrutiny associated with volunteering to serve on a committee. What is needed to stimulate and reinvigorate volunteerism in Montgomery Village is to accentuate a policy for open committee membership coupled with the promise of an independent committee operation.
MVF Committee membership requirements need to be more well understood by the MVF staff administering the staffing of these committees. Dedicated residents need only to volunteer to serve on a committee where being a Village resident, having no architectural violations, and being current on assessments are the only prerequisites. The MVF Committee Application makes no mention of these essentials. Instead, the MVF Committee Application asks an applicant for the following information departing the essential prerequisites: 1. Please outline your educational, profession or volunteer experience that particularly qualifies you for membership on the committee of your choice ( a resume may be attached): 2. Please explain briefly why you wish to serve on the particular committee for which you are applying for membership: Again, what is needed to stimulate and reinvigorate volunteerism in Montgomery Village is to accentuate a policy for open committee membership coupled with the promise of an independent committee operation.
You got your wish. The Village Foundation election results are: Sharon Cranford: 3,942 Scott Dyer: 3,894 Elena Peterson: 3,074 Don O'Neill: 1,254
Unfortunately Bob Hydorn was against the playground around the lake. He appeared at the meeting with other representatives about playground (same meeting when Sharon brought all the brochures etc), meeting which I attended as well. He was shouting loud and clear that there will never be a playground there, and what's more he suggested to remove other playgrounds. Also another member of the winning "hydorn" team (won't mention the name here) was shouting at a meeting before that, that there is no budget for playground - period. I am sorry to bring it up, but it seems to be (after 7 years of asking for the playground) that your grandson will be a grown up man with own children, and the playground still won't be there. Also as a remark - I moved out to a different community - and we have 3 beautiful playgrounds around - all 3 renovated within last 6 months. In other communities, you don't need to ask for neccesities.