Candidate Statement

Mount Rainier residents are lucky to live in a place with such a great sense of community, where most of us not only know our neighbors but are actually friends with them.  Over the years we have lived here we’ve been welcomed by long-time residents, and we in turn have welcomed the young families that are moving in.  The city’s civic spirit caught me early on and I’ve been involved with things like the Mixed Use Town Center Plan, the Environmental Protection Board, and helping the city with grant applications.  With your support I would like to continue that engagement by serving in the Ward 2 council seat that is opening up due to Bryan Knedler's retirement.


I work at the Bladensburg-based non-profit Anacostia Watershed Society where, as Director of Advocacy, I work with local, county, and state elected officials to clean up the Anacostia River and its tributaries.  A big part of my job is advocating for high quality redevelopment in Prince George’s County communities, like Mt. Rainier, that were built out years ago and are struggling to find the right kind of reinvestment.  I believe in a triple bottom line approach - people, planet, profit - because in these tough economic times we must use our precious resources, whether tax dollars or clean water, more wisely.  I bring a background in public administration, law, and city management that I believe will be an asset to the council.  I am engaged in the future of the county through my membership in Leadership Prince George’s.


Over the last several years the city has accomplished great things.  With a new town center plan and city ownership of key properties, the time is right to complete the revitalization of our main street.  The economic health of our city - implementing the town center plan and retaining and attracting businesses - is my top priority.  I will also work to increase public safety in the town, cleaning up the town center so our businesses can thrive and making our homes safer through partnerships between police and neighborhood watch.  Finally I will focus on “green” initiatives such as the Mayor’s work with Sustainable Maryland and Councilmember Thompson’s vision of a comprehensive plan for our infrastructure budget.