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To
the best of our knowledge, long time Bowie city resident Diane Polangin sets a new city election record by embarking on her
unprecedented third campaign bid for a Seat on the Bowie City Council.
The "Old Boys Network" of Bowie successfully
blocked her District 2 bid in 2005. Incumbent Jack Jenkins had a special relationship with Blade News editor John Rouse bartering
movie review columns written by his wife, Connie Jenkins, in exchange for Blade News political endorsements. Cronyism and
ethics lapses at the Blade News at its very best. Ironically, Polangin has long been an advocate for Equal Pay For Woman,
so the "Old Boys Network" blocking Polangin's 2005 election certainly denied Equal Pay on the Bowie City Council for this
competent woman.
Over the years, I would read Diane's many letters to our local media outlets raising public awareness
about the issue of Equal Pay For Woman. I always knew Diane was right about this issue. For you see, after the 2005 City election,
I shared with Diane a copy of my Master's thesis "Income Differences Between Men and Women" that I wrote while earning my
MBA degree at Drake University in the late 1970s.
And, for the benefit of any sexist pigs out there in Bowie Cyberspace
(and, I won't mention any names because they know who they are), Equal Pay For Woman is a FAMILY issue, NOT a Women's issue.
I don't want my daughter or other female family members earning less in life because of the sex they were born. I think most
people would agree, and Diane Polangin has been the one person in Bowie raising this family issue.
Incumbent Councilman
Kevin Conroy's decision to switch races, vacating his At-Large seat and running for the District 2 seat makes no sense to
me. He received the highest vote total in the At-Large Council race in the last election. It should be noted, however, that
At-Large Councilman Dennis Brady outpolled Conroy in District 2 albeit through the Brady/Jenkins Rouse "the louse" editorial
slate.
Already, Conroy is communicating his incumbency in the District 2 race by using the words "Re-elect". No,
Kevin. Although you are an incumbent Councilman, you are not the incumbent in District 2 seat, so the words "re-elect" are
not technically correct.
I smell the "Old Boy's Network" of Rouse and Robinson at work influencing Conroy to switch
Council races throwing the uninspiring Dennis Brady a lifeline and creating a new incumbent block. I have been told my sense
of smell is very good!
Everything Robinson touches he corrupts and pollutes.
In District 2, we now have two long
time friends and former political allies running against one another. As recent as 2006, Diane was campaign treasurer for
Kevin's mother, former State Delegate Mary Conroy. Does loyalty have any rewards, even in politics?
Then, there is
James Golato. A nice man, but Golato's 2005 campaign payment written out to Blade News writer Judge Gerard Devlin smacked
influence peddling to me. Even Golato said "That doesn't look good". Yep. And, shame on Devlin for touching the money and
taking the payment. Another ethics lapse down at the Blade News.
Notwithstanding the influence peddling, it is hard
to support and vote for an adult still living at home with his parent(s). Jim, isn't it time to grow-up, leave the nest and
get out on your own?
Another thing confusing about Golato is that he is reported to be a MBA. Yet, at last report,
he is a liquor inspector by profession. What's with that?
Golato's yellow campaign signs give us a signal for good
reason. Proceed with caution!
Then, at press time, I receive reports that Katie Costello has filed for District
2. What's with that? Perhaps to take some women vote away from Diane? Where did Costello's candidacy come from?
Diane
is a polished, savvy business woman and tax professional. We need someone of her professional background on the Bowie City
Council.
I recently sat down with Diane (electronically) to discuss the issues important in 2007, and we are publishing
her District 2 interview in this edition of the Bowie City Activist.
Let's right a wrong that occurred in 2005 and
say NO to any sexist pigs out there in Bowie land by electing Diane to City Council in 2007.
In 2007, The Bowie City
Activist website again endorses Diane Polangin for City Council in City District 2.
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Greetings Friends!
Welcome to The Bowie City Activist
website www.bowiewatch.org - the first website ever to blog a Bowie City Council election in 2005.
We kick off the
2007 District 2 City election race with an endorsement of three time candidate Diane Polangin. She is the best candidate for
District 2. Here are the highlights of this webpage edition:
• CITY ELECTIONS RETURN TO BOWIE
• DIANE POLANGIN
CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 INTERVIEW
• GEE FRED FLINTSTONE'S PHONY FINANCE FUSS
• DAHMS ANNOUNCES BOWIE MAYORAL
CANDIDACY (Added 9/10/07)
• FAR AHEAD OF MY TIME - Faces from the 1992 Bowie City Election (Prince Georges Journal)
The
schools are back in session. The city election is heating up. Let's get busy in Bowie!
CITY ELECTIONS RETURN TO BOWIE
Editor's Note: This blog original appeared on the Bowie City Activist in the August 12, 2005 webpage. It has been
updated to reflect the current 2007 city election:
Once upon a time, city elections were a proud tradition in the
City of Bowie. City elections were held every two years in the spring of even numbered years. That proud tradition of democracy
at the local city level was erased by Mayor Robinson in the most self serving actions ever taken by a Bowie public official.
The City of Bowie went 3 ˝ years without a general election thanks to Bowie's "Political Dragon" Fred Robinson . Two years
ago, while I was sparring with the Mayor at Prince Georges Stadium, he gave me some BS about how the elections had to be changed
because of the new city district election system. Yeah, right, and pigs fly!
Readers should go to the Bowie City Activist
June 14, 2005 edition and read “The Politics of a Bowie Police Force” for the real reason why the Mayor hijacked democracy
in Bowie and altered our traditional city elections. Tyrants in third world banana Republics and Fred Robinson have much in
common!
In this article, I would like to offer some perspective on our Bowie city elections. City Council elections
are barometers of public sentiment. In the City of Bowie, elections are non-partisan; however, there are often partisan overtones.
City elections held in the spring of even numbered years were often viewed as forecast indicators of the forthcoming fall
elections at higher levels (County, State, and even National). The Bowie City Council elections held in the spring were “litmus
tests” for the fall general election and were followed by partisans outside of the city. In recent years, the Mayoral campaigns
have been the most partisan.
City elections often have little to do with the inner workings of the city administration.
For example, I don’t ever remember any candidate running for city council with a pledge of a better way to pick-up your garbage,
improve the city’s public works, or offer a better fire works show at Allen’s Pond on the 4th of July. Yet, these are the
things our city government does. The City Council is the corporate board of directors of the City of Bowie and is responsible
for the aforementioned city services. The CEO of the city is the City Manager and allegedly reports to the Council.
City
elections often vent about issues the city has no control over. For example, the city has no zoning authority, yet some past
candidates in prior years have acted as if they could stop all the excessive development. I remember one candidate, who linked
his candidacy to Mayor Richard Logue and Fred Robinson, saying he would be a catalyst for education funding. Yep, and pigs
fly again! The City of Bowie is not responsible for County schools. Bowie voters turned that candidate down. Of course, parading
through my neighborhood with Dick Logue and Fred Robinson turned a lot of my neighbors off toward this would be “catalyst
for education funding”. The Logue/Robinson team was being a little too obvious about their attempt to stack the Council deck
and astute Bowie voters were able to discern it.
City elections can be entertaining! In the words of Al Golato, the
moderator of the 1992 candidate forum shortly before the live broadcast commenced on Bowie Cable Television before the vast
home audience of 5 or 6 people, “We don’t care what you say as long as you entertain us”. No truer words were ever spoken.
City
elections force our council incumbents to face their constituents and face off against any opposition candidates. I still
smile at the memory of Councilman Jack Jenkins sitting between opponents Michael McArdle and Mark Hammet in a 1998 candidate
forum. It was amusing to see the refined looking Jenkins sitting between two articulate men - one sporting a pony tail! Council
incumbents who snub their noses at you and attack your local dance studio during their term suddenly become your best friend
for three months.
City elections can help the city decide important issues like should Bowie implement a police force?
City
elections have produced a number of sincere well meaning one-time challengers. After all, doesn’t democracy require candidates?
In the last 20 years, one-time challengers who never returned to city politics following their city election defeats include
Kevin Mowles, Carlos Sera, Joe Violante, Joe Hines, DJ Campbell, Ted Chambers, the late Jim Twigger, Rocky “the Mailman” Hoffman,
Tom Clabby, Kay Kline, Jerome Joyce, Ed Conroy Jr., Frank Enty, Bernie Nolan, John Thompson, Alan Kolski, Becky Sunday and
Burt Oliver to name a few. We owe these one-time candidates our thanks for making democracy work in local city elections.
Troy
Stewart is again running for the District 4 seat in 2007. He was known as the "write-in" candidate during the 2004 District
4 special election which produced Councilman Michael Lyles, and then he challenged Lyles for the seat in 2005. During the
last election, The Bowie City Activist website broke the story about the inappropriate comment made by Mayor Fred Robinson
directed at Stewart.
Fewer city politicians have ever comeback following an election defeat to challenge again.
It takes a certain amount of seriousness and commitment to comeback following an election defeat. Successful second time candidates
include Gail Booker Jones and Gary Allen. To the best of my knowledge, in modern times only candidates Michael McArdle, Philip
Schmidt, Dick Nacewicz, Mark Knestout, Betsy Burian, Diane Polangin and yours truly - Richard Dahms - have faced Bowie voters
twice – and lost.
Only one candidate, Diane Polangin in 2007, will face Bowie voters for a third time after two previous
election defeats. You have to admire Polangin's determination.
Doug Peters, Paul Ellington, Leo Green, Jr., Kevin
Conroy, Todd Turner and Michael Lyles (in a special election) were recent Council candidates that won office on their first
Council bids. Contrast any of the aforementioned individuals with Michael Bannister, who won city council election by three
votes on his very first try for Council only to become the first to resign in disgrace from the Bowie City Council, and you’ll
learn the next thing about city elections: City voters are allowed to make a mistake. Bannister’s opponent, Frank Enty, was
by far a better choice.
City elections rarely unseat the incumbents. Historically, new blood on the Bowie City Council
has been filled by open races where the incumbent doesn't run for re-election or by Council appointment. The advantage of
incumbency is great. Even today, certain incumbents owe their longevity to their earlier political years when the city was
smaller before the city changed its election system under threat of a NAACP lawsuit. Fred Robinson, a product of the political
system that couldn't withstand the legal threat, ran unopposed in his South Bowie ward in the 1980s and early 1990s. Mollie
Geiseman’s challenge win over incumbent Walter Planet in 1990 was an exception to this rule. More recently, Bill Aleshire
and Gail Booker Jones were incumbents ousted in the 2005 city election.
Our City Council consists of dedicated people
who decide on issues that impact the quality of life here in Bowie such as city taxes, city improvements like the Senior Center
or Gymnasium, and implementing a police force. It is the policy board of the city of Bowie. The City Council has control over
city law known as the Code of Bowie.
Bowie city elections are important because this is our city and our community.
Council elections are the barometers of local public sentiment. Fred Robinson selfishly took away a proud tradition in our
city to further his own incumbency and his own self interest. He hurt Bowie when he did this. With the return of city elections
following the unusual 3 ˝ year Council term from April 2002 to November 2005, let’s hope a new tradition of city elections
can now begin.
Let's hope Bowie never again has a "Political Dragon" like Fred Robinson with selfish schemes to steal
the peoples' elections.
DIANE POLANGIN CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 INTERVIEW
DAHMS: Diane, I have
seen you going door to door recently. How is it going? What are the concerns of the people of Bowie?
POLANGIN: It
is going fine! I have been conducting a survey while knocking on doors and talking with our neighbors in District 2. I am
asking what the citizens feel is their top priority/problems in their neighborhood and the city. Crime is still a concern
and supporting our new city police force is the top priority, followed by fire and EMS Services, speeding on local streets
and education.
DAHMS: The City Police Department is now a reality. What are your thoughts about our new police department?
POLANGIN: Richard, as you know I felt it was very necessary for Bowie to have its own police force so I supported the
referendum question in 2005. Although our crime rate is not that of the County as a whole, I wasn't complacent waiting until
Bowie was a hot-bed of crime before we did something about it. So, I was very vocal in my support for the referendum question
in 2005. As we grow, we will never be free from crime, but we can certainly protect ourselves and have the crime rate as low
as possible.
DAHMS: Diane, my favorite question: Fred Robinson spent over $72,000 targetting the C&C Dance Company
in District 2 to uphold the validity of the Melford land covenants. Are you smart enough to know Bowie taxpayer's don't pay
taxes to put a reputable dance company out of business?
POLANGIN: Yes, I am smart enough to know better! I understand
that the City needed to enforce the validity of the covenants for the Melford property; however, I believe that the process
could have been better managed. I would have been intimately involved in what was happening to the C&C Dance Company and
the developer. Both sides would have been at the table to work something out, rather than the way it was handled. Something
like this should have never happened. The money could have been better spent on city services, such as teen and elder services.
It was an embarrassment to the city, and we are no farther along than where we were three years ago - the city has the covenants
and the developer has the land. The two parties need to come to the table and negotiate an acceptable plan for the parcel.
DAHMS: What would you envision for Melford?
POLANGIN: Melford - A place to live, work and play.
The city
should address the developers issues directly with the developer to achieve the optimum development favorable to the city
and its residents. A mixed use development has many facets that needs to be investigated as to their impact on the entire
entity. No single element can be planned with out affecting the others, whether it is environmental, transportation or any
specific use. Negotiation is the only approach that provides the city and the developer the opportunity to achieve their respective
goals. The validity of the Covenants upheld by the Court puts the city in the drivers seat in these negotiations, however,
some compromise and conditions on both sides will be required.
DAHMS: Bowie is one of the highest taxed cities in
America (all taxes combined: City, County and MNCPPC). Are taxes high in Bowie?
POLANGIN: We are contributing much
more in revenue to the County than we are receiving in County services. Indeed, taxes in Bowie are high, especially since
we don’t receive full benefit for our contribution. Bowie is double taxed for Parks since we have both MNCPPC Parks and City
Parks, but we don't receive a tax credit from MNCPPC for the overlap with City of Bowie provided parks.
DAHMS: Diane,
what do you bring to the table to make a better Bowie?
POLANGIN: I have always held a special passion for Bowie and
its Citizens. I have grown so much with the city. I went to school here, my children went to school here and my grandchildren
went to school here, (until jobs took them elsewhere). One of my daughters went to Bowie State University. I have my business
here on Mitchellville Rd. Bowie has been good to me and I would like to give back some of what Bowie has given to me.
I have the leadership abilities necessary for a political position gained from 35 years of business experience as well
as being an activist on local, state and national issues. I am known for my straightforward approach to sensitive issues
and am a persistent fighter for a just cause. I believe I also have the vision and integrity to serve as a councilperson
to represent the goals and aspirations of my constituents.
DAHMS: Thank you Diane. You certainly have had a harder
hurdle than any other city candidate. We wish you success.
GEE FRED FLINTSTONE'S PHONY FINANCE FUSS
I have
been laughing about all the fuss the "Old Boys Network" here in Bowie have been making about campaign finances in the 2007
city election.
People doing the bidding for Mayor Gee Fred Flintstone include long time resident and activist Ruth
Ann Snyder, and of course, the Blade News cronies Judge Gerard "let the murderer out" Devlin and John Rouse "the louse". What
kicked this phony campaign finance fuss was Mayoral Candidate Michael Lyles statement that he had raised $20,000 with a goal
of $100,000.
Fred Robinson is quoted in the Bowie Star as saying, "Even if I could raise $100,000, I don't know if
I would want to". Yeah, right Freddy Flintstone. And pigs fly. That quote gave me a good laugh. As I said on my e-mail update
blind copy distribution, after decades of political corruption and incumbency, I am not sure $100,000 is enough to create
a whole new voter base.
Fred Robinson would love to keep the 2007 city election a little secret with limited participation!
Then,
there is the laughable calls for transparency and the creation of voluntary campaign finance reporting. So, according to Mayor
Gee Fred Flintstone's logic, who has sat on the city council for decades with ample opportunity to change the City's Campaign
Finance laws, we haven't had transparency in city campaign finances all these many years? Well, there is yet another good
reason to throw Robinson out!
Mayoral candidate Michael Lyles is following existing City campaign law - the same rules
Robinson has followed these many years. Of course, let's see if Gee Freddy Flintstone remembers to certify his campaign financials
this time around. Readers of the Bowie City Activist will remember we caught Robinson violating his own election law in 2005.
Mayoral Candidate Michael Lyles has stated he is open to changing the rules AFTER this election. That's only fair.
PRESS RELEASE (Added 9/10/2007)
DAHMS ANNOUNCES BOWIE
MAYORAL CANDIDACY
CALLS BOWIE “AMERICA'S CITY - THE CROWN JEWEL OF MARYLAND”; PROPOSES CITY PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS; TAKES PAY CUT & OFFERS CHANGE TO CITY RESIDENTS
Long time city political activist Richard A. Dahms
of Kenilworth announces his Mayoral candidacy. “We are blessed to live in Bowie, Maryland - America’s city. Bowie represents
the very best of America, and I’m very proud of my hometown of 46 years”, said Dahms. .
“I am placing my name on the
ballot as Kenilworth's "favorite son" mayoral candidate in opposition to incumbent Mayor Fred Robinson. The truth be known,
and you certainly won't ever get the truth from Fred Robinson, the Mayor of Bowie is a ceremonial figurehead who runs the
city council meetings. I can run a city council meeting and be the city's ceremonial figure head better than Fred Robinson,
and I am smarter than Robinson since I know Bowie taxpayers do not pay taxes to put a reputable dance studio out of business".
With regards to Council policy, the Dahms agenda for Bowie includes:
• Proposes city property tax relief for
Senior Citizens
• Pledges to work with Bowie State University officials to annex the historic University into the corporate
city limits of Bowie.
• Pledges to ensure Nash Woods preservation by annexing the wooded treasure into the corporate
city limits of Bowie.
• Pledges to save the C&C Dance Company at Melford.
• Proposes new citywide anti-litter
program to help fight urban decline.
"I am very sensitive to our senior citizens, and I do not want them adversely
harmed by the looming huge city tax increases which Fred Robinson is hiding from the public until after the city election.
Therefore, I will work with my council colleagues and city staff to provide city tax relief for senior citizens".
“All
taxes considered, Bowie is one of the highest taxed cities in America". Dahms said he will take a pay cut as mayor of Bowie.
"If elected, I will take a 30% pay cut in Mayoral salary saving taxpayers' money, and I challenge Fred Robinson to do the
same".
In other city matters, Dahms says he has pledged to make English the official language of the city. I have
heard the concerns of my community, and the American melting pot works best when we can all communicate in the same official
language, and that language is English so I am sure no one will object to the city formally making English the official language
of Bowie.
"The 2007 Mayoral election is not an open race, although it should have been following Fred Robinson's third
failed County Council bid in 2006. However, I am here to serve my hometown of 46 years by placing my name on the ballot for
anyone to vote my vision of Bowie".
Bowie is “the crown jewel of Maryland. We are the All-American city. I would
be honored and humbled to serve my hometown of 46 years”, said Dahms.
ABOUT RICHARD DAHMS: An early employee of MCI
Communications Corporation holding various management and senior management positions, and former Vice President of Financial
Operations at e.spire Communications, Inc. responsible for $200 Million in annual billing and $80 Million in telecommunications
expense management.
Since 2002, Dahms has been semi retired and the head of his own management consulting firm, The
Dahms Group, LLC. He is an original pioneer resident of Levitt Bowie moving to the city with his family in 1961, ran for Mayor
of Bowie in 1992 and 1998, and was a write-in Mayoral candidate in 2005. He was a member of Kenilworth Elementary PTA. A flamboyant
city activist, in 1992 he ousted the City Manager by threatening the City with a Freedom of Information lawsuit for the City
of Bowie's misconduct under the Maryland Public Information Act while Fred Robinson sat on the City Council. He holds a MBA
degree from Drake University and B.S. in Finance from University of Maryland. He is publisher of the Bowie City Activist website
www.bowiewatch.org blog since 2004.
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