michael mcardle
-
The Basics
-
michael on Patch
-
More Stuff
Comments
-
On the article Council Discusses Term Limit Referendum
-
On the article Melford Amendment Clears Bowie City Council
michael mcardle
6:23 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
ReplyThis is an epic mistake, made by a mayor and city council who other than one or two members are way out of touch with the very strong feelings of their constituents. It is now up to the public at large, perhaps spurred on by the dedicated and astute social media commentators such as those on Bowie Patch, to inform Bowie residents about how and by whom they were sold down the river for a few pieces of silver.
Of course, by that particular choice of words I am speaking riguratively . . ..
Of course. -
On the article City Staff Recommends Approval of Melford Amendment
michael mcardle
4:17 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
ReplyThis mayor and council are banking (yes, I chose that word intentionally) on Bowie having gone to sleep regarding its future. Transportation, public safety, education, and other infrastructural buildout planning has once again taken a back seat to opportunistic political pandering to a property owner who could care less about the impact of this project on the people who live here.
This is a huge mistake that I predict will define this group currently serving on the council, including his honor the mayor, as the weakest and least effective city council in the history of Bowie.
-
On the article City Council to Vote on Melford Amendment Monday
michael mcardle
6:38 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
ReplyThis is a total and complete capitulation by a mayor and city council who lack the acumen and the political savvy of past mayors and councils. To permit 2.500 residential units - over THREE TIMES the current 800 plus - while calling it necessary for "senior housing" is, well, an abdication of the oaths of office each of these council members made when sworn into office.
Bowie as we know it is about to change, permanently, into Rt. 1 in Laurel, or Rt. 301 in Waldorf. -
On the article Maryland County Execs Fear Sequester Effects
michael mcardle
4:40 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
ReplySequestration is the direct result of an ineffective president - and a profoundly cynical White House - foolishly deciding to play chicken with a Congress that they neither control, nor seem to have even established a working relationship with. Sequestration was at the administration's impetus; it survived the doubt and disbelief of most rational observers of the scene that it could actually occur; and now we find ourselves collectively poised at the edge of one of the most unthinking, foolish legislative endeavors in the history of the republic. Surely this will result in yet another short term "deal" that will kick the can down the road again, but that does not mitigate the sheer stupidity of the leaders of our legislative and executive branches at the moment.
-
On the article Bowie City Staff to Draft Amendment to Melford Covenants
michael mcardle
8:27 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
ReplyExactly correct, Barbara.
Like a bad penny, the plan to abandon the Maryland Science and Technology Center concept featuring signature office buildings that would add to the tax base without further damaging the quality of life in and around Bowie turns up yet again.
Mr. St. John took the property subject to the covenants; as such, he and his partners have suffered no loss of value associated with their investment. There is NO reason for the covenants to be materially changed or removed, but unless the citizens of Bowie arise in serious opposition to this latest effort, Mr. St. John's cynical attempt to surreptitiously push this through could actually succeed. My suggestion is to get as many council members and the mayor on record now, opposing a non-transparent process is commendable but not the leadership we need to successfully oppose this.
-
On the article PGPD Chief: Post Editorial on Student Beating 'Misleading'
michael mcardle
2:55 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
ReplyMark Magaw has been an outstanding Chief of the Prince George's County Police Department. The Washington Post editorial in question concurred, exculpating him personally - as well as his professionalism and his leadership - from the criticism leveled against the Department.
But effective leadership means you have to be willing to take on the mantle of the organization that you represent, whether you personally agree with and support every decision and decision maker down the organizational line. Chief Magaw did just that; it is regrettable the Washington Post editorial board members involved in this editorial did not. As spokespersons for what used to be the Newspaper of Record for the Washington, D.C. Metro area (in addition to its national role), they let the paper - and the public - down in this matter by the hysterical tone of the editorial, as well as the glaring inaccuracies. It does suggest personal viewpoints and experience got in the way of their leadership role in this particular instance.
-
On the article O'Malley Announces $336M for School Construction
michael mcardle
2:33 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
ReplyThe ethos that reforming our school systems is predicated on throwing more construction and infrastructural funding is a faded fallacy that has, unfortunately, been visited upon us once again in the Free State. Our governor knows only how to try to buy his way to national prominence, pandering more to the national mainstream media and the teacher's union bosses than to education reform organizations and experts, who understand and are advocating a major curricula and student performance overhaul to catch us up to the rest of the civilized word - rather than more unthinking, unaccountable spending and publicity seeking political payoffs.
-
On the article POLL: Are You For or Against the Gas Tax?
michael mcardle
12:05 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
ReplyOne needs only to look at the big picture here - casino enabling referendums, increases to the gas tax, more tax increases contemplated - to fully understand the degree to which we are paying the price for one party politics in Prince George's County, as well as in Maryland.
I served as Assistant Secretary and Senior Advisor for Higher Education in Maryland during the Ehrlich Administration following the tuition controversy (2004-2006). Governor Ehrlich braved the headwinds associated with supporting cost containment programs in higher education, and when I arrived, the controversy was in full cry as a result of the courage of his convictions meeting the highly partisan, as well as institutional higher education community opposition.
We already knew what the outcome would be - the lesson is that the average citizen tends to oppose tax increases in general, until it comes time to manage cost reductions and containment in programs they like or have come to rely on such as state aid to higher ed.
We need to take this fight to the average citizen, and make SURE they understand there has been NO serious cost containment for the state programs funded by the gas tax, and THAT should be the approach here, NOT MORE TAXES. -
On the article Councilwoman Stripped of County-Owned Vehicle
michael mcardle
6:33 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
ReplyAs heinous as her action was - and it certainly is yet another example of the "we are not mere citizens, we are the elite and don't have to follow THEIR rules" mentality, we should all be focused on the TRUE threat to this county, and this city.
Casino gambling - advocated by our own state senator, to the detriment of his own constitutents - is an even greater threat than speeding councilwomen.
I urge everyone here to refocus their ire on what will truly impact on their quality of life - casino gambling in our county must be stopped, befor
michael mcardle
12:39 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
The mere fact that the council would once again docket a discussion of this matter, something the citizens of Bowie have already spoken to loudly and clearly, is indicative of an agenda by Mr. Turner that is not citizen and community directed.
Perhaps if he stopped doing State Senator Peter's work as Peter's representative on the Bowie CIty Council long enough to hear what is really going on in Bowie, he would actually do HIS job representing residents of the city at the city council level.