BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Born on July 8, 1925, in Washington, D.C., Sidney Kramer graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in 1944 and entered George Washington University where he obtained baccalaureate degrees in physics and chemistry. In 1957, he became the owner and operator of Automatic Car Washes. When he moved to Montgomery County in 1960, Mr. Kramer joined and actively participated in the local parent-teacher associations, the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, and the Montgomery County Citizens Planning Association.

A life-long Democrat, Kramer served on the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee from 1965 to 1966. In the 1966 election, he lost a bid for a seat in the Montgomery County Council. In 1970, however, he successfully gained election to the Council and served as a member until 1974. In 1978, Kramer was elected to a seat in the Maryland State Senate where he served for eight years as Chairperson of the Montgomery County Delegation. In 1986, he returned to the County and subsequently defeated then-County Council Member David Scull in the race to become the third County Executive of Montgomery County.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder.

PROVENANCE

Not applicable.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The papers in this collection comprise 1.33 cubic feet and cover the years Mr. Kramer served on the County Council, from 1970 to 1974. The collection consists of correspondence, public hearing records, and photographs. Topics discussed included public works projects, landlord-tenant relations, rent control, and consumer protection. The record group also contains personal calendars from 1971 to 1974.

The collection has been arranged into five series:

Series I: Calendars

Series II: Correspondence Files

Series III: Landlord-Tenant Relations Files

Series IV: Photographs

Series V: Rent Control Files.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I: Calendars, 1971-1974 (1 file)

This series contains the appointment calendars of Sidney Kramer from 1971 to 1974. The calendars note both political and social meetings.

The series is arranged chronologically.

Series II: Correspondence Files, 1970-1974 (1 cu. ft.)

This series contains correspondence and newspaper clippings relating to budgetary matters, law enforcement, and public works projects. The records also include biographical information on Mr. Kramer.

This series is arranged alphabetically, by subject.

Series III: Landlord-Tenant Relations Files, 1971-1973 (.16 cu. ft.)

This series contains constituent correspondence and response letters from Sidney Kramer's office. Topics discussed include landlord-tenant relations, rent control, and the proposed Landlord-Tenant Legislation Bill 19-71.

This series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Photographs, 1974 (1 file)

This series consists of one photograph dated January 29, 1974, depicting County Council Vice President Sidney Kramer as he officially files his candidacy for United States Congress in Maryland's Eighth Congressional District in Annapolis with the State Board of Elections. The photograph was removed to Record Group 19, Photographs.

Series V: Rent Control Files, 1973 (.15 cu ft.)

This series is comprised of public hearing records and general correspondence concerning Bill 19-71, as well as a draft of the proposed legislation. Also included within the series is a July 1973 survey of apartment dwellings within Montgomery County.

Records in this series are arranged chronologically.

Box 1

Series I: Calendars

Calendars, 1971-1974

Series II: Correspondence Files

Agriculture, 1973

Airpark, 1971

Animal Boarding Places, 1972-1973

Animal Control, 1973-1974

Arcola and Kemp Mill Traffic Light, 1970-1973

Assessments, 1972

Board of Education, 1971-1974

Budget, 1974

Building Code, 1973

Condominiums, 1974

Consumer Protection, 1972-1974

Container Legislation, 1973-1974

Corrections-Detention Center, 1971

Courts, 1970-1974

Crime Conference, 1974

Drug Abuse, 1971-1973

Emergency Medical Service, 1973

Emergency Telephone Communication for the Deaf, 1973

Energy Crisis, 1973

Environmental Protection Department, 1971-1974

Financial Disclosure, 1973

Fire/Rescue, 1971-1974

Friendship Heights, 1973-1974

General, 1971-1974

Handicapped, 1972-1974

Health, 1972-1974

Holy Cross Hospital, 1973-1974

Housing, 1971-1972

Invitations, 1971-1974

Juveniles, 1971-1973

Landlord-Tenant, 1973-1974

Law Enforcement-Region IV LEAA, 1972-1974

Library, 1972-1974

Lora Mackie-BCC Rescue Squad, 1974

Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commision, 1972-1974

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 1972-1973

Metrorail, 1971-1974

Montgomery College, 1971-1973

Naval Ordnance Lab, 1971-1973

Outgoing [Correspondence], 1971 to 1974 (5 folders)

Parking, 1971-1972

Personal Correspondence, 1971-1974

Personal Papers, 1970-1974

Police, 1972-1974

Proclamations, 1972-1974

Public Works-Tilden Lane Bridge, 1970-1971

Recreation, 1974

Rent Relief, 1974

Rockville Freeway, 1972

Sewer Request-Gaithersburg Plaza, Bailey Property, 1973-1974

Social Services, 1971-1974

Solid Waste, 1973-1974

Solid Waste Disposal

Avery Road, 1971-1973

Germantown, 1971

Gude, 1971

Sovereign Immunity, 1974

State Highway Administration, 1971-1974

Suburban Hospital, 1973-1974

Sunshine Company, 1973-1974

Taxes, 1971

Transportation -- County DOT, 1971-1973 (2 folders)

Twenty Year Needs Study, 1973

WSSC, 1973-1974

Zoning-Falkland, 1971-1974

Box 2

Series III: Landlord-Tenant Relations Files

Bill 19-71

Correspondence, 1971-1973 (2 folders)

Work Sessions, 1971-1972 (3 folders)

Series IV: Photographs

Photographs, 1974

Series V: Rent Control Files

Correspondence, 1973 (4 folders)