Arthur David Olson
dashdashado.bsky.social
Arthur David Olson
@dashdashado.bsky.social
ADO about nothing much.

Wan, testy, and reedy.

Takoma Park, MD, USA.

Here it's (mostly) dull live streams of city council meetings and quarterly checks of infrastructure matters. For just the less-dull stuff, see @[email protected].
For folks who can use cheering up: Edu Lobo's "Negô Maluco."

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4y7...
Nego Maluco
YouTube video by Edu Lobo - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Quarterly @mdsha.bsky.social check: still a damaged overhead sign for exit 35 on the outer loop of the Capital Beltway.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Quarterly @mdsha.bsky.social check: still "DUI enforcement areas" on some parts of the Capital Beltway, making drivers think it's okay to DUI elsewhere.

Spoiler: it's not okay.

Fix: remove all the signs and poles.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Quarterly @mdsha.bsky.social check: still a lane that's both thru and ending on I270. Second image is an artist's concept of an improved sign.

@govwesmoore.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Quarterly #TakomaPark check: multilingual "read" bike stands not replaced at rebuilt @takomaparkmd.gov library. (Instead, generic stands have been installed.)

Images from 8/27/2015 and today, 12/11/2025.
December 11, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Today's Google's Greatest Hits: sanitarium and planetarium over time.

Spoilers: planetarium ~ sanitarium now; sanitarium >> planetarium from the 1880s to the 1940s.

books.google.com/ngrams/graph...
Google Books Ngram Viewer
Google Ngrams: sanitarium, planetarium, 1800-2022
books.google.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:19 PM
#TakomaPark: and from your Department of Redundancy Department, a @takomaparkmd.gov notice.
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
#TakomaPark: odd @takomaparkmd.gov clock with a jump hour hand. (Image was captured at 5:55 with the hour hand still at the 5 position; it jumped to the 6 position at 6:00.)
December 11, 2025 at 3:57 AM
#TakomaPark council #GavelDown (actually tonight).

Next live posts: 1/14/2026, starting about 7:15 p.m. (barring an intervening Secret Session or Super Secret Session). Don't miss it if you can.
December 11, 2025 at 3:03 AM
BREAKING: on first and only reading, #TakomaPark council approves a resolution setting its winter recess.
December 11, 2025 at 3:02 AM
#TakomaPark council: on to the second and final voting item, "Resolution Providing for the City Council Winter Recess."

takomaparkmd.gov/DocumentCent...
December 11, 2025 at 3:02 AM
BREAKING: on first and only reading, #TakomaPark council approves 5-0-2 a budget priorities resolution (Councilmember Landman and Councilmember Schlegel abstaining).
December 11, 2025 at 3:01 AM
#TakomaPark council: start of hour three (given the late start).
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Landman's amendment fails on a (non-recorded) voice vote.
December 11, 2025 at 2:59 AM
#TakomaPark council: city manager believes that putting together a budget based on constant-yield plus ECI would be more difficult than putting together a budget based on the current tax rate.
December 11, 2025 at 2:58 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Schlegel wonders if other cities direct staff to produce a budget based on constant-yield plus some factor. City manager hasn't seen it in other jurisdictions.
December 11, 2025 at 2:57 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Honzak wants clarity in direction to staff; believes suggested amendment would result in less clarity.
December 11, 2025 at 2:55 AM
#TakomaPark council: city manager notes that it will be a struggle to build a balanced budget with the current tax rate; a lower tax rate would mean reductions in programs.
December 11, 2025 at 2:54 AM
#TakomaPark council: city manager states that ECI is not a perfect predictor of expenses.
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
#TakomaPark council: city manager notes that budget is a big proposal with a lot of moving parts; unclear on what "strive for" constant-yield plus ECI would mean.
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Wesolek supports language as is. Will be interested in spring to see what constant-yield rate and employment cost index are.
December 11, 2025 at 2:51 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Dyballa hopes to see a budget with a flat tax rate and to see potential cost savings.
December 11, 2025 at 2:50 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Dyballa sees a new tax rebate program as a way to address effects of increased property taxes.
December 11, 2025 at 2:49 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Dyballa regrets not having amendment available earlier. Notes that bulk of respondents to a survey were from wards 1 and 3.
December 11, 2025 at 2:48 AM
#TakomaPark council: Councilmember Schlegel notes folks talking about financial hardships in responses to a budget survey. Notes having suggested a "constant yield" tax rate last week; notes that Councilmember Landman's proposal is more modest.
December 11, 2025 at 2:48 AM