Why I am running for Mayor of Takoma Park
I am humbled to be able to say that I have served on the Takoma Park City Council representing Ward 5 for five consecutive terms. Takoma Park is a great community, and it has been an honor to be given the responsibility to represent the residents of Ward 5. But it's time to chart Takoma Park’s future. I want to show our great city a new perspective on leadership which is why I am running for Mayor.
I will take our city back to the basics. We will be fiscally responsible, we will demonstrate competence, and we will be focused and deliberate about everything that we do. If an initiative isn’t a priority of our city and our residents, we will not commit resources and time to that initiative. For me, it will be that simple.
Together we will re-invigorate our community priorities, and assess city services necessary for quality of life for all of our residents. We are a full-service city, which is important. We can still provide weekly trash and recycling removal, have a recreation department, a library, and a world-class police department, within our current revenue.
I will take our city back to the basics. We will be fiscally responsible, we will demonstrate competence, and we will be focused and deliberate about everything that we do. If an initiative isn’t a priority of our city and our residents, we will not commit resources and time to that initiative. For me, it will be that simple.
Together we will re-invigorate our community priorities, and assess city services necessary for quality of life for all of our residents. We are a full-service city, which is important. We can still provide weekly trash and recycling removal, have a recreation department, a library, and a world-class police department, within our current revenue.
What Jarrett's Thinking...
Property TaxesCity Council just raised your property taxes! Over the next 3 years, I will limit the city's tax rate increase to the state-generated Constant Yield.
The Budget ShortfallOur city has not balanced its budget in 9 years; therefore, the city constantly uses "rainy day" funds to pay its bills. There will be accountability with how our city uses its money moving forward by questioning how each dollar that we spend.
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All In Takoma!Diversity is who we are in Takoma Park. Diversity is an asset. There is data everywhere that shows that diversity in thought, actions, businesses, representation, makes organizations and institutions stronger. I am committed to a #AllinTakoma platform.
Developing New HousingOur great city has the only rent stabilization program in the entire state of Maryland. Therefore, it is equally important that our city implements new multifamily housing of all types. Under my leadership, Takoma Park will introduce a new multifamily housing policy that in the coming years will see new construction. Additionally, I will revamp the office of economic development that will deliver on new businesses, multi-use properties, and overall real estate in our city.
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The Heart of the CityOpportunities for development in parts of our city are available for us to redevelop as a team. The Washington Adventist Hospital property is an immediate opportunity. I will ensure that we make the most of this 14.5 acres, and work together to achieve something the community is proud of!
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#AllinTakoma
Leadership Experience
- President, Montgomery Chapter, Montgomery County Municipal League (MML) - 2018
- Board member, Montgomery Chapter, Montgomery County Municipal League (MML)
- Board of Directors, Maryland Municipal League (MML) 2021-2022
- Vice President, Montgomery Chapter, Montgomery County Municipal League (MML)
- Statewide Annual Conference Committee Chairperson, Maryland Municipal League (MML)
(Positions within the greater MML organization are secured by an election statewide, and Chapter positions are secured by election with representatives of the 21 jurisdictions
in Montgomery County)
Find out more about the campaign
Takoma Park is my home
A Little About Me...
My interest in politics and community participation because of my upbringing by parents and family members who served the United States with distinguished careers in military and government. I am the son of an Army major, who was commissioned in 1967 and served 20 years as an Intelligence Officer with distinction and was awarded the Bronze Star of Valor 2X, a Silver Star and Legion of Merit, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and was a Prince Hall initiate. I grew up with strong examples and an expectation of service and leadership, to family, to the community, to the country.
I remember traveling to many different parts of the United States and various countries because of my father's Army deployments. This gave me the opportunity to see the United States in comparison to other countries as well as through the "lens" of service. I always had the propensity to want to be a leader. Therefore, as I became an adult, my interest in service and community continued to grow.
In 2005 I moved to Takoma Park and became involved with the Takoma Park Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs (COLTA), the Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee (WAHLUC), and Accion USA. My business and personal interest in real estate led to my appointment to the Chairperson role of COLTA for 2 consecutive terms until I was elected to City Council in 2012 for Ward 5. Being involved with COLTA which is the body that adjudicates and mediates issues between Landlord and Tenant Relationships in the city of Takoma Park was an important step for me as the commission also rules on petitions for rent increases above the rent stabilization allowances as well as decides appeals on City Manager decisions to deny, suspend, or revoke a rental license for housing or commercial use. Moreover, COLTA is the most important commission to the city of Takoma Park due to to the fact that approximately 50% of Takoma Park residents are renters, and my involvement gave me a breath of knowledge about the community and residential legislation. With my rulings always based on evidence and the law, during my tenure, the decisions I made on cases brought before me were the least overturned by formal court appeals over the 3 year period that I served as chairperson.
I remember traveling to many different parts of the United States and various countries because of my father's Army deployments. This gave me the opportunity to see the United States in comparison to other countries as well as through the "lens" of service. I always had the propensity to want to be a leader. Therefore, as I became an adult, my interest in service and community continued to grow.
In 2005 I moved to Takoma Park and became involved with the Takoma Park Commission on Landlord Tenant Affairs (COLTA), the Washington Adventist Hospital Land Use Committee (WAHLUC), and Accion USA. My business and personal interest in real estate led to my appointment to the Chairperson role of COLTA for 2 consecutive terms until I was elected to City Council in 2012 for Ward 5. Being involved with COLTA which is the body that adjudicates and mediates issues between Landlord and Tenant Relationships in the city of Takoma Park was an important step for me as the commission also rules on petitions for rent increases above the rent stabilization allowances as well as decides appeals on City Manager decisions to deny, suspend, or revoke a rental license for housing or commercial use. Moreover, COLTA is the most important commission to the city of Takoma Park due to to the fact that approximately 50% of Takoma Park residents are renters, and my involvement gave me a breath of knowledge about the community and residential legislation. With my rulings always based on evidence and the law, during my tenure, the decisions I made on cases brought before me were the least overturned by formal court appeals over the 3 year period that I served as chairperson.