​Fiscally Responsible Tax Management

Fiscally Responsible Tax Management: Over the next 3 years I will manage the City’s tax rate to the state-generated Constant Yield Tax Increase. Taxes within our city have been a very controversial topic. A constant yield tax rate means that a jurisdiction would only be able to impose the same amount of property tax revenue in a fiscal year as it received in the previous fiscal year. This also means that our annual revenues should not be out of line with our current expenses. It is not fiscally responsible to utilize unassigned dollars in our city’s budget meant for emergencies, etc. (also known as “rainy day funds") every year to balance our budget.

Multifamily Housing & Economic Development

Our great city has the only rent stabilization program in the entire state of Maryland. While this is something we are proud of, it has also put the city in the middle of the real estate market. Takoma Park doesn’t just enforce state and federal housing laws but determines the amount of revenue landlords can receive each year. Since our city’s government adopted this policy, it is as equally important that the city implements new multifamily housing, of all types. Under my leadership, Takoma Park will introduce a new multifamily housing policy in the coming years which will see new construction increase. Additionally, I will revamp the office of economic development that will deliver new businesses, and multi-use properties in our city such as retail, medical, fitness, restaurants, offices, and boutique hotels.

Universal Connectivity

Over the past 2 years we have made small strides with American Rescue Plan money for families to access the internet and free computing equipment provided by the library. However, we must be determined as a community to ensure that we guarantee meaningful universal connectivity, especially for the most vulnerable. By this I mean that anyone in our city regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender, disability, or any other differentiating demographic has affordable services and devices to connect to reliable, safe, and quality internet. I want the city of Takoma Park to view Universal Connectivity as a policy priority in everything we do. It must be a service the city guarantees so that we can ensure adequate participation of all of community members in the digital revolution that began in the latter half of the 20th century. The digital revolution has impacted everything. I will commit to ensuring every Takoma Park resident is digitally & socially connected.

Purple Line Construction Project

The new Purple Light Rail Station will be 1 block away from Takoma Park’s intersection of Piney Branch and Flower Avenue.  This light rail project will connect Montgomery County to Prince Georges County.   While light rail was selected because of its cost and operational efficiency, it will have an impact on longtime residences and small businesses that are located along that corridor.   This area is the perfect location to be reimagined. I envision a mixed use up-to-date modern destination with retail, multi-family living, a medical facility, and restaurants. This four-corner area will be a great location to show off Takoma Park and what the city has to offer.

WAU Site Development

​​The WAH site has a lot of potential opportunity for our community. There currently is a Mini Master Plan being developed by the county’s Planning Department. The lead staffer is talking to interested parties, including residents who live near the campus, about what they want to see
on the site.  I have said since WAH filed a Certificate of Need with the Maryland Healthcare Commission that whatever is built on the campus should be driven by community input. New zoning on the site can lead to senior housing, rental and ownership multifamily, student housing, new
Washington Adventist University academic buildings, and a small retail footprint. However, I want to see community amenities that enrich all residents, not just university students.

My Vote to End the NDC Development Project in 2018

I sent a note to the community explaining my rationale for casting a “no” vote regarding the Takoma Junction. I voted “no” then, and I have maintained my position up until now. I have felt NDC's site plans did not incorporate the community’s vision for the Junction. Additionally, it did not adhere to Takoma Park’s traditional usage of green space, the assurance that the Co-op’s long-term home is in Takoma Park, and there is still uncertainty surrounding improving traffic conditions around the Junction location.  I’ve worked for and supported small business for years and will continue to do so; therefore, I
think this is the time to support the backbone of American business once again, which is neighborhood businesses.

​Plastic Bag Ban and the Flower Avenue Green Street Capital Construction Project

Sustainability, renewable, and organic when referenced to maintaining a “green planet” are not just words. I continue to be very involved in projects and initiatives in Takoma Park that are meant to keep America “green”. My personal health, the health of Takoma Park residents, as well as all Marylanders, is paramount. When we participate in recycling efforts, clean water & air activities, carpools, energy preservation, hunger and malnutrition abatement, organic food selection, and the use of environmentally friendly agricultural products we are in fact ensuring a green community. Being involved directly with Smart Growth America and partnering with governments, public and private sector organizations, and universities, to further green communities will continue to be important to me. My legislation to ban plastic bags in Takoma Park passed unanimously, because of how important it is to end the use of plastic. Here is a WJLA news story on this historic piece of legislation -  bit.ly/NoMoreBags .

Smart Planning and Development

I am very active in the Maryland Municipal League (MML) and during one of the of annual conferences I was fortunate to participate with Maryland's former Governor Glendening in a panel discussion on "The Fiscal Benefits of Smarter Planning and Development". The panel was held by the Smart Growth America Organization which is led by former Governor Glendening. This national 220-member organization is  the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for, and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to communities nationwide. To this organization a smart growth community is a healthy community with strong local businesses, schools, shopping, various transportation options, and jobs that pay adequately. The organization’s efforts toward ensuring smart growth include Coalition Building, Policy Development, and Research.

My presentation topic was: “Smart Growth America in Takoma Park”, and our execution of the $2.3M Flower Avenue Green Street re-development in Takoma Park’s Ward 5. A summary of my presentation was featured in the November issue of the Municipal Maryland magazine.

​Lunch and Learn

The Lunch and Learn program is something that we all know is near and dear to my office as your Ward 5 Councilmember. The program is 9 years old, and started very small only in Ward 5, but is now citywide. The program now has an Executive Director and receives funding from Montgomery County, and I am proud to say went “virtual” due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Montgomery County Community College Scholarship

I asked my Council colleagues to start including $5,000 a year in the city’s budget which started in the 2017 budget for the purpose of creating a scholarship award for college students.  Since its inception, scholarship recipients have gone on to enroll in schools like the University of Maryland and are completing 4-year degrees.

Library Re-Development Project  ​

The original proposal for the library development project was estimated to be approximately $2.5M. Based on the proposed site plan I was completely supportive of this project. However, the current proposed amount to complete the same project is now $12M. My position is and continues to be that this is a very expensive bad decision for our City. I maintain that the original plan for re-developing the library at $2.5M is more prudent for a city the size of Takoma Park.

Police Department Retrofit

There is a “wish list” item that is built into the FY23 budget to do a $1M retrofit project within the police department. This project would create more office space. My position on this expenditure is that it is not a necessary project and without a true professional assessment, even the $1M set aside for the project is not solid and does not merit a line item.