BEWARE OF SCAMS

By Lori Jaffe

Last week our County Executive sent out a message that started with, “County Executive Marc Elrich continues to remind residents about the latest financial scams targeting older adults and provides resources for County services to help if you or someone you know has been a victim.” In July, Montgomery Perspective reported, “Montgomery County Inspector General Megan Davey Limarzi has found ‘wasteful spending’ in (Montgomery County Public Schools) MCPS’s electric bus contract.” There are plenty of older MoCo taxpayers who feel scammed not only by this latest debacle but by the MoCo government’s waste and poor management over the years. How can we make our voices heard about the many MoCo government scams which end up impacting us financially?

Here are a few suggestions:

Electric Bus Scam

Inspector General Limarzi sent her report to the new Montgomery County Superintendent, Dr. Thomas Taylor. You can write to him and your Councilmember to ask them how this will be avoided in the future. Please also recommend a dedicated MCPS Office of the Inspector General (see below)

MCPS Budget Scam

In the 2025 Budget, local Revenue is $2.1 Billion – the increase from the 2024 budget is $165,000,000 and it is primarily funded by us taxpayers. You can contact your County Councilmember and encourage them to work with state legislators to establish a dedicated MCPS Office of the Inspector General.

As Joan Fidler, Board member and former MCTL President said, “We need an independent MCPS Inspector General with full statutory rights to review, investigate and oversee the governance of this $3 billion enterprise –

• An IG that can investigate complaints,
• An IG that can review outcomes for heavily funded programs,
• An IG that can check for internal controls,
• An IG that can ensure that the Board receives data and information unfiltered by unelected bureaucrats,
• An IG that can question sole source contracts,
• An IG that can compel the Board to comply with its findings and recommendations,
• In sum, an IG that can hold the system accountable.”

Housing Scam

The Planning, Housing and Parks (PHP) Committee is planning to move forward with their plans for “attainable housing,” which would eliminate the naturally occurring affordable housing to create market-rate (i.e. more expensive) housing. Montgomery County is not ready for this. Tell them not to put the cart before the horse.

To keep informed, subscribe at Empowering People in Communities (EPIC) of MoCo.

Listening sessions on Attainable Housing with Councilmember Andrew Friedson and Planning Director Jason Sartori are scheduled for September. Please sign up to attend by the deadline listed for each listening session. Make your voice heard.

MoCo Budget Scam

In 2024 Montgomery Perspective reported on “Elrich’s Structural Deficit.” County council staff noted their concerns, including “The Executive’s proposed budget is not consistent with the Council’s adopted fiscal policies on use of one-time reserves.” Elrich figures he can always increase our taxes to help pay for his social welfare programs. As Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”

Marc Elrich wants to run for a third 4-year term as County Executive in 2026. As Clean Slate MoCo reports, there are many reasons to limit him to two terms. Please vote early via mail-in ballot and make that happen.

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Lori Jaffe is the Party Secretary for the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, volunteer coordinator and Member of the Executive Board. She can be reached at [email protected]