Week in Review: Riemer Surprises Field With At-Large Bid

This was a week of firsts in Takoma Park. Blair won its first game and Hans Riemer, a newcomer in the Montgomery County political scene who lost four years ago to Valerie Ervin for the Dist. 5 council seat, was one of four candidates to win the Democratic bid for the at-large council seat.

Wednesday night's meeting in Silver Spring between Wheaton and Blair marked a matchup of two football teams still looking for their first win of the 2010 campaign.

After trailing for much of the game Wednesday, Blair rallied for a 43-42 victory over Wheaton and earned their first win of the season.

In political news, the big surprise for the Montgomery County at-large council seats was Hans Riemer, a challenger who came in second behind Marc Elrich.

Marc Elrich (D-At Large), with 45,008 votes, challenger Hans Riemer, with 38,437 votes, Nancy Floreen (D-At Large), with 36,973 votes and George Leventhal (D-At Large), with 36,385 votes, are the four candidates who will move on to the general election in November. Incumbent Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large), with 32,505 votes, was in fifth place. In the at-large race, four of the 10 candidates will move on to the general election in November.

It was a long and rewarding day for Riemer, who got up at 4:45 a.m. and rounded out the night at Jackie's Sidebar in Silver Spring.

And in arts news, just a week ago, despite the rain, many faithful folksters came out to celebrate a diverse selection of music at this year's Takoma Park Folk Festival that was held Sept. 12 at Takoma Park Middle School. The acts ranged from traditional to country to ethnic dancing and the food ranged from vegetarian fair to barbecue to Philly-style cheesesteaks. What started out 33 years ago with one stage and no vendors has been built up to seven stages and vendors selling food and crafts.