Cheryl Kagan's Campaign Blog

In The Dark About PEPCO?!

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:33:20 -0400

In The Dark About PEPCO?!

Post #76

For too many of us, this has been the summer of the power outage in Montgomery County -- full of blackouts, melting food, and sultry, un-air-conditioned nights. (This was after the outages we all experienced during the snow storms last winter!) In response to the resulting public outrage, the Maryland Public Service Commission tonight held a public hearing on PEPCO�s sorry standard of service. I walked over to the County Council Building from our headquarters in downtown Rockville to participate, because I thought it important to hear from leaders and members of the community I hope to represent again. In addition, I had written testimony I was prepared to deliver on my own experiences with our electric utility.

Although it is obviously difficult just two weeks before an election to disconnect any public appearance from my candidacy, it was as a PEPCO ratepayer and former member of the House of Delegates that I went to the hearing. As a ratepayer, I wanted to share the story of how my neighbors and I successfully demanded better service from PEPCO, for the example it would provide to those in attendance. As a former Delegate, I wanted to recount the efforts of some of us in the legislature to maintain adequate public control of electric utilities at a time when the idea of power-company deregulation was sweeping the nation. The dire effect of deregulation on rates and service since then-- here and elsewhere-- has proven that those entities charged with providing a vital public service must not be regulated by the marketplace alone.

The Council chambers were packed, and there was a long list of people who wanted to testify. Virtually every elected official in Montgomery County, from U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen and County Executive Ike Leggett to various town officials, thought it worth their time to come and participate. They shared their own ideas and experiences as well as those of their constituents. My opponent, Jennie Forehand, was a notable exception-- apparently she had something better to do tonight.

Power outages are not only a nuisance, but waste refrigerated and frozen food, and are a drag on the economy because of all the electronic devices (and businesses!) that stop working. They can also be life-threatening to those reliant on certain medical devices.

I live in a neighborhood that suffered frequent power outages, often for no discernible reason. I finally got fed up. I drafted a petition to PEPCO and went door-to-door, talking to my neighbors and collecting signatures. We insisted that the company replace the outdated equipment that contributed to the problem. Because we were united in our effort and persistent in our demands, PEPCO listened. The company made the necessary upgrades. Now, I am happy to say our neighborhood suffers fewer outages than average for our service area. Our success can be replicated elsewhere if neighbors work together.

At the government level, progress can also be made by holding PEPCO accountable. Tonight�s hearing was a good example of that kind of public oversight. In fact, the whole idea behind the Public Service Commissions established early last century was to ensure that power and other monopolies were providing good service at reasonable rates. That simple idea was somehow lost in the deregulation fervor of the �90s, at great cost to the ratepayers and the economy. Too few of us in the Maryland legislature envisioned a decline in service and an increase in rates if electric utilities were deregulated; we opposed that initiative but take no satisfaction in having been right. If anything good comes out of this summer of power outages, perhaps it will be a return to a more balanced approach to regulating our public utilities.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What advice or request would YOU have wanted your State Senator to deliver to PEPCO this evening? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#76) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

The Important Post

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:05:52 -0400

The Important Post

Post #75

Earlier this week, I was honored to receive the endorsement of The Washington Post. They wrote:

DISTRICT 17: Sen. Jennie M. Forehand is a beloved figure, or rather fixture, in Annapolis, having served 16 years in the state Senate and, before that, 16 years in the House of Delegates. Alas, she is not really an influential one, despite good work on human trafficking, transportation and other issues. The county would be better served by Cheryl C. Kagan, a hard-charging former state delegate and nonprofit executive.

Why is this endorsement so important and so prestigious? I would suggest that there are four reasons:

1) Unlike businesses, unions, or other advocacy organizations, regional newspapers take a broader view and have an interest in a wide range of issues. Focused on issues that range from economic development to transportation and education, newspapers are invested in the success of our community.

2) Because they observe the workings of government closely, editors have insights as to the effectiveness of our political representatives. They see them in action (or inaction!) and know how they are perceived by their colleagues.

3) Newspapers take the long view. A newspaper like The Washington Post is over 100 years old, has seen many elected officials and issues come and go, and tries to assess the deeper impact of officeholders and policies on our community.

4) A paper with the prestige of the Post knows that readers take its opinions seriously. It therefore takes a very deliberative approach to endorsements and never makes a choice lightly.

Each of these reasons makes receiving the endorsement of The Washington Post all the more gratifying.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Do you pay attention to endorsements from regional newspapers like the Post? Why? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#75) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Can You Hear Me Now??

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:53:10 -0400

Can You Hear Me Now??

Post #74

Earlier this year, Congress approved a historic overhaul of our health care plans. Virtually no one was happy with the outcome. Some liberals were unhappy with the fact that the public option was never seriously considered. Conservatives were dissatisfied with the number of provisions they advocated that were included in the final version. Very few constituents were satisfied either � although not necessary because their opinions didn�t prevail, but because they felt their voices weren�t heard.

Something similar happened locally. After much deliberation, the County Council and Planning Board approved the Gaithersburg West Master Plan, also known as �Great Seneca Science Corridor.� While Johns Hopkins has advocated the expansion of its campus on the Belward Farm, many neighbors (in addition to the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville) have expressed serious concerns about the proposal. People observe � either from the sidewalk or inside their cars � the current levels of congestion, and wonder how the area can absorb more. This issue is a common one I�ve heard during the 13+ months I�ve been door-knocking throughout the district. And the common complaint I�ve heard is that no one seems to be listening.

In this economic downturn, many are desperate for jobs. If they are good-paying, as many are � and promise to be � in the I-270 tech corridor, all the better. The technology sector � developing new ways to treat disease, live a more green lifestyle, better communicate with our world � is vital for both societal and economic benefit. Such jobs are important for sustaining our families, providing tax revenue for education, transportation, and other priority government programs. The Hopkins expansion would also enhance the prestige of Montgomery County as a technology and educational showpiece in the national and international arena.

However, governments at all levels must better at listening to residents. It is a common reality � too often ignored � that people are at peace with a decision they disagree with if they feel at least their views were truly heard and considered. If elected to serve as your Senator, I pledge to listen to divergent viewpoints. I�ve been building consensus on tough issues since before I served eight years as a State Legislator. It is how I live my life � not just my political career.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What ways have you found especially effective or frustrating when it comes to getting your point across to elected officials? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#74) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Pick a Team, Any Team

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:40:44 -0400

Pick a Team, Any Team

Post #73

As I�ve talked to my neighbors in District 17 over the past 13 months who are actively involved in various issues, I am reminded of the small fraction that will actually help pick their State Senator this fall. Many voters consider themselves to be independent thinkers and prefer not to be categorized; they choose not to register with either major political party. They tell me that they �vote the person, not the party.� I completely agree with that sentiment. Nonetheless, those choosing to remain unaffiliated should be aware of two facts.

First, they are willfully disenfranchising themselves in 50% of the state (and federal) elections for which they are qualified to vote. By waiting to vote until November, they may be unhappy with their choices. This causes further cynicism and frustration with the political process.

Second, the reality is that in Montgomery County, most electoral decisions are actually made in the Democratic primary elections. By the time of the general elections, there are very few (if any) contested local races left to be decided.

The September 14^th primary for D/17 State Senate, contested for the first time in 20 years, underscores the reality of those two facts. Those hoping for a more effective advocate in Annapolis will fail to make their voices heard if not registered as a Democrat.

The reality is that a small fraction of the nearly 120,000 people I hope to represent again will actually cast a ballot this fall. Many smart people with well-reasoned opinions and a great deal of commitment to their community are unlikely to turn out.

Earlier this year, Governor O'Malley signed a bill that extended the deadline for Marylanders who would like to align themselves with either the Democratic (I hope!) or Republican parties to Tuesday, August 24^th. It is only if you have identified your preference as one of those two choices* that you will be able to help nominate our next Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, County Executive & Council, and state legislators. Pick a team, either team ... but be an active citizen-- and come out to vote in September!

* There are voters who choose to register as �Green� or other non-major political party. At this point in our democracy, those smaller parties either don't field candidates at all... or they don't have contested races from which you would be choosing. In November, voters from any party (or no party) can support any person on the ballot, regardless of affiliation.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Have you thought about switching from unaffiliated to one of the two established parties as a way of increasing your impact on the political process? What has stopped you from doing so? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#73) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Go To Hell?!

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 22:43:27 -0400

Go To Hell?!

Post #72

Earlier this week, a supporter and I were campaigning door-to-door in part of District 17. A man was outside, working in his garden. I approached him and introduced myself and indicated that I was running for the State Senate. He asked whether I was �one of those baby-killers.� I stated my belief that women should have reproductive choices, and that I suspected that we could find many other issues on which to agree. After I offered a few examples, he replied that none of those programs would be needed if we kept killing all the babies. This conversation was clearly not going to get any better or any more constructive. I wished him well and started to walk away. He then shouted out to my friend and me that we should both �go to hell.� Two children (presumably his) were playing in the yard.

This so-called exchange surprised and disappointed us both. Surely, people of strong convictions on any side of any issue can still be civil. We can respect another viewpoint or agree to disagree and change the topic to a less inflammatory one. He chose to do neither, though I gave him the opportunity.

Instead, his belligerence and disrespect provided his impressionable school-aged kids with an unfortunate role-model for rudeness and close-mindedness. Are we then surprised when neighbors have trouble resolving disputes about pets, trees, boundaries, or noise amicably? That people have trouble listening and seeking to understand a person from another faith, race, or ideology?

This incident emphasizes the importance I have placed on running a civil campaign, avoiding �going negative� as much as possible. My opponent and I disagree on several key topics � many involving this tough economy and job situation too many of us face. For example, I strongly feel that Montgomery County has too long been allowed to be the �piggy bank� to address the state�s economy woes. Nonetheless, I�ve always tried to emphasize what positive attributes I�d bring to the Maryland Senate � rather than beat the drum about shortcomings of the incumbent.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! What do you think prevents people from acting in a respectful manner towards others when they disagree? How have we reached the point where issues are so polarizing that compromise is virtually impossible? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#72) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Door to door to door to�

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:45:24 -0400

Door to door to door to�

Post #71

For over a year, I have spent countless hours walking throughout District 17, knocking on doors. When I am lucky to find someone home and available to chat for a few minutes, I�ve been able to hear their concerns and ideas as well as share my own.

Sometimes, people feel put on the spot when I ask which issues particularly concern them. Unlike some of us who constantly focus on policies, politics, and budgets, most people are too busy living their lives. How are the kids doing in school? Will I get caught in traffic on the way to work? Is my job secure? Will my health insurance cover the procedure my doctor is recommending?

Once you get someone talking, it�s amazing how passionate and well-informed they tend to be! On a recent outing, I heard about issues ranging from mental health to Medicaid coverage to funding for Metro to transportation to magnet school programs� and so much more. Sometimes, I have personal experience on an issue and can share my background. Often, I just listen and try to learn as much as possible.

Separate from the issues, I am privileged to catch a glimpse of prospective constituents� lives. I meet their (usually!) friendly pets, greet their adorable children, and get a sense of the priorities in their household. Sometimes, there are toys and books scattered everywhere in a happy, kid-centric home. Other times, I�m see the cherished photos showing loved ones grown and on their own. Elsewhere, a large home renovation project might leave them apologetic for not inviting me inside. Our wonderfully diverse community is often reflected in the ethnic smells and sounds drifting to the doorway.

When I first ran for (and was elected to) the House of Delegates, a mentor who served in both the state legislature and in Congress gave me great advice. He told me that I would enjoy the opportunity to learn more about my neighbors and the broader community during the campaign than at almost any other time. He was right. And while it�s time-consuming and sometimes pretty tiring, I just love it. So when I ring your doorbell, I hope you�ll answer it and we can chat!

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Is your voice being heard by your elected officials? Do you see them in your neighborhood (and at your door) or mostly at ceremonial events? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#71) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Most Common Questions, Part Two

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:59:56 -0400

Most Common Questions, Part Two

Post #70

In this post, I�ll discuss the second of the two most common questions I�m asked while campaigning: Why am I running? The brief answer is the tough times we�re facing. I believe we need a more energetic, effective advocate to work on behalf of the voters of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Garrett Park.

We�re facing what may be a $2 billion state budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year. The governor and legislature will have to cut programs and raise revenues. But which ones, and by how much? Also: if history is any guide, Annapolis will look to Montgomery County-- the state�s traditional �piggy bank�-- for extra sacrifice at both ends of the budget equation.

I want to be part of those budget decisions, to protect our County, our interests, and our values. Spending should be scrutinized closely, but public investments in education, economic development, roads and mass transit, and the environment must be defended. Taxes and fees should be carefully targeted and be borne by those best able to pay.

We have to look after the fundamental needs of Montgomery County. We face challenges here that we didn�t have just a few decades ago, and can no longer be expected to bear such an outsized share of the state budget burden.

I�m gratified that the need I perceive for more effective advocacy has been echoed by countless voters, scores of current and former elected officials, and ten important organizations. These endorsements are particularly significant considering that my opponent is a 32-year incumbent. Concerns about public safety prompted my endorsement by police and fire fighters. Concerns about the economy and jobs prompted my endorsement by the SEIU. Concerns about the environment prompted my endorsement by the Sierra Club and Maryland League of Conservation Voters. (The full list of my endorsements is displayed in a rotating list on each page of this website.)

In my interactions with the public, I am always surprised by how many voters don�t know and/or have never met our current State Senator. How can you lead if you aren�t even known? So that�s why I�m running: to be a State Senator the people of District 17 will know, trust, and count on. Especially in tough times like these.

Please join me in these final weeks of the race: by donating, volunteering, displaying a lawn sign. And I hope I can count on you for your vote September 14.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader. Have you ever felt prompted to take a more public role because the times demanded it? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#70) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Most Common Questions, Part One

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:50:36 -0400

Most Common Questions, Part One

Post #69

While knocking on doors the past 13 months, two questions were asked most often. In this post, I'll deal with the first: why I left elective office after (only) two four-year terms in the state legislature.

I was honored to win election to the House of Delegates in 1994. I enjoyed being an enthusiastic advocate for people, and making a difference on key issues affecting both mid-Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. (Click �About Cheryl� on my website to learn more.) After completing my eighth session/year, I decided not to seek re-election. It surprised many; a strong track record of accomplishments was reflected in my facing no serious opposition, as well as having raised sufficient campaign funds to help ensure re-election.

Don�t get me wrong: I loved my time in the legislature. It�s just that I�ve witnessed how often elected officials presume that, once elected, the seat is �theirs� for life. To me, this ignores my experience that most voters say they dislike �career politicians� and support term limits. I've always said that elected officials can limit their own terms � if the voters don�t do it for them! Therefore, I saw my election victory as though the voters had hired me for a four-year contract. It wasn't until my third year of my first, four-year term that I decided to seek re-election, and essentially ask the voters for a renewal of my four-year �contract� in the House of Delegates. As my second term wound down, I decided to �walk the walk� about letting someone else take a turn working on our state's issues.

My activities since leaving the legislature showed that there are other ways of making a difference in our community. First, I helped elect Chris Van Hollen as our Congressman. Then, as Executive Director of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, we contributed over $1 million annually to hundreds of local, nonprofit community groups. We expanded food pantries, helped recovering addicts get jobs, trained day-care workers in life-saving techniques, sponsored training for hospice volunteers, underwrote a bilingual play on the immigrant experience, and provided art classes for senior citizens. In addition to the satisfaction I got from these financial grants, we also collaborated with Montgomery College to create a Nonprofit Leadership Training Institute. We identified outstanding, emerging leaders in the sector and provided networking, skills training, and practical learning opportunities.

Did I miss being a member of the House of Delegates? Not very often. The friends I made there were (and still are!) in my life. I still worked for progressive causes and candidates. I trusted others to work on important issues.

So, why am I seeking an opportunity to return to Annapolis? That�s the second most commonly asked question! Look for my next posting to read the answer.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader. Do you think it�s the responsibility of elected officials or the voter to determine how long someone stays in office? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#69) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Remembering Carl

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 11:55:18 -0400

Remembering Carl

Post #68

Today, Carl Henn died. Whether or not you knew him, if you lived in Rockville, he made your world a better place.

Carl was a preeminent advocate for bike trails.

He was instrumental in the establishment of Rockville�s three community gardens.

He led the Hungerford Citizens� Association as its president for the past 3 years and was just reelected.

He ran for the City Council three times�credibly but unsuccessfully both times.

He was passionate about our environmental future and about �peak oil� as policy issues.

He was an introvert who forced himself to knock on doors, testify before Mayor and Council, and build relationships with other leaders.

In politics and community activism, it�s rare to have the privilege of working with someone who operates 100% of the time from principle. He wasn�t focused on narrow self-interest or any agenda other than what was right for the greater good of the broader community.

I was honored to have Carl�s support in my State Senate race. We knocked on doors together in his neighborhood just a few weeks ago. I saw firsthand the respect with which his neighbors held him. Nearly all welcomed him warmly and trusted his judgment implicitly.

Carl Henn was a loving husband and father, a committed employee at NIH, and a community leader who made measurable improvements in his neighborhood and in the whole City.

For him to be taken from us all at the age of 48 is just so sad. Perhaps we can take comfort in the fact that he was outside, had been biking that day, and was celebrating one of his proud achievements, the City�s community garden in King Farm. Unfortunately, I can�t find much comfort in any of those things right now. I was hoping to rely on his counsel and ideological purity for many years to come.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Did you know Carl? How will you most remember him? Please send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#68) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.

Before we lose power�

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:30:00 -0400

Before we lose power�

Post #67

Yesterday�s powerful storm uprooted trees, downed power lines, and left intersections dangerously unregulated by traffic signals. An estimated 200,000 PEPCO customers lost electricity.

For some, this is cause for panic. How can they watch their favorite program, work on their computer, or even read? From a health perspective, nutritious food was lost, and those with health challenges needed to find respite from the heat.

Others see an outage as an excuse for a romantic evening with candles and a return to conversation.

Since I was knocking on doors when the storm blew through, I saw another result of the power outage. An apartment building I approached could only be accessed with a magnetic pass that was not functioning. Buzzing someone into the building wasn�t an option, as this was electrically controlled as well. How was the young couple I encountered at the front door to get into their home?

Fortunately, we spotted a woman sitting out on her balcony. She kindly agreed to come down to the first floor to let us into the building. Her kindness and good luck made this work out just fine.

But what would have happened if a frail resident needed an ambulance? How could a paramedic have entered the building, especially in the middle of the night? What if it takes a few days to restore power to this [unnamed] community? How will residents return to their apartments?

These are the kind of questions that should have been asked when the building�s security system was designed, but obviously weren�t. When I served District 17 in the House of Delegates, I was well-known for asking questions about any proposal-- and expecting thorough answers from those responsible. I�ve found that�s the only way to find flaws in a plan and figure out how to fix them before it�s too late. Asking questions is what led me to work to defeat a plan (and coming within six votes of doing so!) for purchasing new voting machines that wound up wasting over $100 million in taxpayer funds. It�s a pattern I would continue in the State Senate if elected this fall.

We are lucky to be living in an age that offers speed, comfort, innovation, and so much more. But we should always ask plenty of questions about any new idea before putting it into effect. I hope that building owner is crafting solutions now so residents are never stranded in the future.

I would love to hear from you, dear Blog reader! Are there devices or processes in your daily life that wind up offering less that promised because no one thought through all the implications of their innovation? Do you think government does a good job of asking the tough questions about new programs, procedures and spending plans? Send an email to Blog@CherylKagan.org or click on the "Comments" link below to express your views. Please be sure to indicate which post (#67) you're addressing.

Thanks for reading. I will post again soon.