Former MoCo Planner Raises Money For Wynn
Former planning board chairman Derick Berlage has gone into the political fundraising business. Berlage, who joined Venable's land use section, recently joined forces with the law firm's lobbyist Jake Seher to hold a fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Al Wynn (D-Md.) whose district includes parts of eastern Montgomery.
As Washington fundraisers go, admission to the breakfast was relatively modest. For $1,000 you could be a "friend" of Wynn," and for $500 a "supporter" and sip coffee and dine on breakfast goodies in Venable's office on 7th Street NW in the District.
Berlage, trying to drum up support for Wynn, sent an e-mail to a long list of county residents, including, it turns out, some Donna Edwards' supporters, urging them to attend the breakfast. Wynn narrowly fended off Edwards in last year's primary.
Dan Parr, who ran unsuccessfully for the school board and formerly was on the staff of council member Tom Perez (D), responded to the e-mail by criticizing Wynn. "We would be better off with a representative who protected us and not his high priced contributors---like the banking industry and the pharmaceutical industry and the credit card industry and the predatory lenders who have ruined so many lives in Montgomery and Prince George 's Counties," Parr wrote.
This prompted a reply from former council member Mike Subin, who now heads the county's criminal justice coordinating committee. "Can't you get a grip on reality and understand that not everybody thinks exactly the same. Cong. Wynn is capable of thinking, not just reacting," Subin wrote.
Stephanie Mellinger, an aide to Wynn's campaign, did not return phone calls or an e-mail asking for the amount the breakfast raised.
Meanwhile, Wynn is making his presence known in Montgomery, where his district, though primarily in Prince George's, includes about 30,000 residents. Wynn is holding a community meeting for his Montgomery County constituents next Thursday. The schedule calls for a one-hour session beginning at 7 p.m. at the Silver Spring fire station, 8110 Georgia Ave. On the agenda: everything from the Purple Line to Iraq war. He's also holding a job fair in Silver Spring on Nov. 1.
-- Miranda S. Spivack and Ann E. Marimow
By Anne Bartlett |
October 16, 2007; 2:52 PM ET
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Posted by: ooops | October 16, 2007 9:07 PM
Glad to see you read the comments before putting your mistakes in the newspaper. The Montgomery County portion of Congressional District 4 does not have 30,000 residents. That is an old number from before the redistricting in 2002.
I pointed out that there were 26,000 VOTES in Montgomery County in the 2006 primary, which would make it impossible for your estimate to be remotely correct. I stated that I couldn't find a link to show the correct number, although in fairness, I spent about five minutes looking the first time.
Today's print edition of the newspaper contains your error, uncorrected. So I spent another five minutes and poof! there is a link which shows, by precinct, the population of each congressional district. It even subtotals by County. The Internet is your friend, folks.
Here's the link:
http://www.mdp.state.md.us/redistrict/comprep_cd2602_7pm_vtd_race_18%2B.pdf
Look at pages 11-12, which breaks down CD4 by precinct and county. Per the 2000 census, the MoCo population of CD4 is not 30,000, but 251,258. I look forward to the correction, and next time, try reading the comments before going to print with your mistakes.
Posted by: ooops (again) | October 18, 2007 8:05 AM
Ooops,
thanks for the CD4 clarification, and here's more.
Berlage, now a shill for Big Al, and a former MoCo County Council member, who was voted to Chair of the MoCo Planning Board by his "erstwhile" former County Council member colleague, Subin, (now himself an appointed MoCo Big Wig), is attempting to use Subin's notorious short fuse, to amplify, what he perceives as an unjustified slur against his pimp, Big Al.
If only I could spell incestuousness, I could reveal more.
I hear the only thing shorter than Subin's short fuse, is his even shorter John Thomas. When I crave affirmation, Subin is the last guy I call.
Posted by: Count Bobulescu | October 18, 2007 11:13 PM
Over the last two days, I've seen 'pimp,' 'corruption,' and 'sleazeball' with respect to Wynn on MD Moment blog posts.
Why have I not read a WaPo expose on such an unsavory character? I'd like to hear more about what makes him the blog's Pimp Daddy -- because otherwise I might toss him a sympathy vote. I am aware of his vote on the Bankruptcy Reform bill -- which is the same as Hoyer's, but I don't see these slurs directed at Steny Hoyer.
Posted by: PGVoter | October 19, 2007 7:56 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I think you might want to check that 30,000 figure. That's probably from the old (pre-2002) District 4 Montgomery County. Last year, there were 26,000 VOTES in Montgomery County in CD4. See the Montgomery Board of Elections website.
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/elections/electionResults2006Primary/jurisdictionwide-1.htm
for the results. Turnout was low, so draw your own conclusions.
I think the current MoCo population of CD4 is more like 200,000, not 30,000, but I wasn't able to find a link to tell for sure.