I am running out of time to appraise, in depth, would be readers of all the issues relevant to this years mayoral election in the City of Rockville. Thus, I am forced to offer an abbreviated synapsis to contrast the position of incumbent Mayor Susan Hoffman and challenger 2-term councilmember Phyllis Marcuccio.
The issues to be touched upon will include; Once-weekly trash service with single stream recycling, Cost of living raises for city employees, and RedGate Golf course.
Please refer to prior diaries for my analysis of fiscal year 2010 budget and Beall's Grant II affordable housing development.
TRASH SERVICE: During the election of 2007, instituting once weekly semi-automated trash removal with single stream recycling from standardized city provided containers was probably the biggest issue, one that probably cost Bob Dorsey his City Council seat. Skyrocketing gas prices had ensured that municipal trash collection was no longer breaking even, so a plan to reduce the frequency from twice to once a week was instituted and graqdually rolled out through Rockville's neighborhoods, although some neighborhoods have yet to be converted.
Hoffman: She was on the city council at the time and consistantly voted with then mayor Giammo to move the plan forward. Hoffman emphasizes the cost savings, relative to the former system, are such that fees for removal will remain flat for the next five years. She asserts that the citizens are happy with the service based upon the miniscule number of complaints received thusfar. In addition, she asserts there is less trash blowing around and fewer animal encroachments due to the attached lid format of the city provided receptacles. She goes on to point out that recycling has increased and trash volume has decreased.
Marcuccio: she was always against the reduction to once-weekly trash removal because it repreented a reduction in services without unit reduction in costs though she does grudgingly allow that costs to the city were reduced. Ironically, Marcuccio voted against continuing the five year fee freeze promised previously by city council upon adoption of the once weekly plan.
Enterik: I'll be blunt here, in my opinion, Marcuccio has been wrong on this issue since the beginning, and her position reflects a profound lack of judgement needed to administer a city. The new system is cleaner, greener and more efficient. Maqybe 5% of the houses in my development ever used the second-weekly pick-up and not for much. Now those same residents are using larger containers. The system is even costing everyone less money, which is usually Marcuccio's overarching concern.
For how the legislative fiasco played out and the plan's subsequent success, on this issue alone, I am inclined to vote for Hoffman AND to vote against Marcuccio.
CITY EMPLOYEE RAISES: Some are retrospectively criticizing the $1.7 million Cost-of-living-adjustments and mert-based raises for City employees for FY2010 was suggested as a way to anticipate meeting the city's balanced budget rule. In the end, the Mayor and Council decided to leave certain city posts vacant and to postpone a variety of capitol improvement projects. Thus the FY2010 was balanced without renegging on the city's contractual obligations to it's employees.
Hoffman: Voted for the raises. She asserts that the raises actually emphasize Rockville's fiscal responsibility, as we are still able to balance the budget despite the raises. State and County officials can be assured that funds will not be diverted from their intended purpose.
Marcuccio: Voted against the raises. She says it is wreckless and sends a signal to state and County that the City doesn't need money they might provide.
Enterik: I think it is petty and small minded to make employee cost-of-living-adjustments the first target of belt tightening measures, especially since the city was able to balance the budget without much duress.
I give a big practical and idealogical advantage to Hoffman on the issue of City Staff raises
REDGATE GOLF COURSE: Is a municipally subsidized facility that has been losing money for years despite attempts to reverse that trend. In the last year, the City entered into negotiations with Montgomery County Revenue Authority, and in so doing violating the Maryland Open Meeting Act. Subsequent citizen opposition and faltering economy have delayed that process and the deal fell through.
Hoffman: As Mayor and in conjunction with city staff, Hoffman has been at the center of the efforts to transfer responsibility of the course to the MCRA but asserts that a citizen informed process will continue after the elections but will be funded at least through fiscal year 2009 (ending June 2010).
Marcuccio: Raises two questions in order to suggest that RedGate is not actually in the red. She asks why RedGate is subjected to different accounting practices than other municipally facilities (such as swim centers) which have been granted standing operating budgets by the city, and may or may not run a deficit (she doesn't say). Marcuccio also wants the cell tower fees to be accounted as part of RedGates revenue stream.
Enterik's take: Of the Recreation and Parks facilities subsidized by the City of Rockville, RedGate Golf Course seems likely to service far fewer residents per dollar spent than other facilities. However, I believe that the accounting should include the cell tower revenue to be fair and I think the public hearing process should be more transparent (aka legal). I deem this issue as a draw between the candidates because they both make good but separate points.