TAKOMA PARK, MD – Members of the TPSS grocery co-op will be excited to learn that their 2020 membership includes a special new benefit: extra votes in this year’s city election
“Even though the co-op has over 10,000 members and receives special interest grants and unwavering support from the Comptroller of Maryland, the threat to its existence is very much alive,” said Carol Peters. “This special offer will better balance the scale of local democracy and truly create a more equitable system for the vocal minority who put the co-op’s interests ahead of all others.
The announcement comes in the midst of a tight Mayoral race where the line seems to be drawn between long-term, pro co-op residents, and new people who have no business getting involved in local issues. The co-op’s $100 dollar membership price tag now automatically includes one extra vote in the mayor’s race, with an additional vote earned at both the 20 year and 30 year anniversary of a member’s residency. Also, on the first Wednesday of every month, members will receive 10% more time for their testimony at city council meetings, and a free Franchot for Governor tote bag.
The bonus votes earned for length of residency in the city limits are also affecting the local housing market. As residents accrue more voting power, fewer homes are being put on the market, thus creating a short supply and sharp rise in sales prices
“It’s really sad to see all these houses going for so much money to the highest bidder when Takoma Park shouldn’t be a place for giveaways to developers and free market capitalists,” said Mike Taylor, who boasted about his 30 plus year residency in the city. “To counter balance the corporate shill takeover of our city, folks can now directly purchase some individual influence for the low, low price of a $100 membership fee.
While long-term residents raved about the new perks, some were still unsatisfied. “Beyond having lived in the historic district in this life for 40 years, I’m actually a second generation resident, having previously resided in Takoma Park from 1895-1927,” said Henry Alsom, who learned about his past life after picking up a tiger’s eye stone at S&A Beads. “My 70 plus years of time here should earn me at least 7 votes, especially considering I worked directly with BY Morrison to design the Takoma Junction over a century ago. It took a bloody duel and an alliance with the city’s very first arborist, but we successfully preserved a large part of the junction for horse and buggy parking.”
