Issues
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“The Montgomery County Council Members we elect in 2010 will inherit deep cuts in the 2010-2011 budget. Over the next four years the Council will have to face further budget cuts if the economy and revenues do not improve in the future. This will require smart decision making, and a clear understanding of how to set priorities and best serve the people of our county. My background and training as an economist and a community leader in our schools will make a significant difference as we make the tough choices to deal with today’s realities.”
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Montgomery County’s economic base must be strong to provide the jobs and businesses that sustain our community and ensure our quality of life
We need to be proactive in attracting major employers to the High-Tech corridor and nurture the small businesses that drive employment in the county.
We must focus attention on the difficulties that residents and businesses experience getting licenses and permits, and find ways to streamline the process without diminishing consumer protections and community input.
We need to encourage collaboration and partnerships between our schools and the business community. Private industry, especially in the growing science and biotechnology fields, can help our youth to pursue viable goals toward entry into our workforce as qualified employees capable of keeping our economy going. A priority of our county government must be to facilitate these educational goals.
We must be prepared for the evolving challenges of the 21st Century workplace
Workforce development is critical for the future of our county. Education and jobs are the economic engine of the county. We need to ensure that our youth see a place for themselves in the workforce; that the workforce is prepared for the challenges of the 21st century; and that we continue to create good job opportunities for all workers.
Services, like job centers, should be available in more locations across the county. Some services have not followed the migration of people within the county, for example, the northern part of the county is currently underserved by programs which teach English to adults. By paying more attention to the connection between where people live and work and where programs and services are available, we can better align resources with need.
Government should reflect the people it serves and address the needs of current residents with an eye toward the future. We should reevaluate programs to make sure they reflect today's priorities.
We need to find creative and “green” solutions to traffic gridlock
The County must implement transportation plans that promote public transit and cultivate future generations of transit riders. Future jobs and housing should be located near transit corridors; and our focus should be on “walkable” communities where more and more people can live, work, and play without getting into an automobile.
There will continue to be areas of the county which are not near transportation corridors. We need adequate and well maintained roads to serve these areas as well as connect the residents to transit. The county’s approach to transportation planning has historically been segmented by district. I believe we would benefit by conducting the planning process across broader areas of the county.
We are invested in a transportation infrastructure which has not kept pace with growth. County leaders must work with state and national leaders to seek transportation funding but must also explore alternate funding mechanisms.
The County Council cannot afford to make mistakes in utilizing the county’s limited resources
As a vital community, the population of Montgomery County has grown and changed over the years and will continue to change in the future. To serve the needs of our people, our government must adapt to these changes and adjust programs as needed. I have been out in the community talking with hundreds of people, and I have heard their concerns.
Our population, like the rest of the country, is aging. The number of seniors in our county is expected to double in the next 20 years. We must intelligently plan for changes that will be required meet this demographic change.
While our citizens are growing older, we are also experiencing a high birth rate that is contributing to an increase in very young residents. Our geographic and ethnic concentrations have also shifted. More of us now live in parts of the county that used to be nearly empty and the economic makeup of neighborhoods has changed.
Smarter planning now, can make sure we have the capacity to train and educate more medical personnel such as nurses and home health aides as well as early childhood educators—creating jobs and meeting the needs for the future.
We must safeguard our schools to provide a world class education for all our children
A survey of community leaders in the Washington metropolitan region showed that education is the number one priority [Council on Government’s Greater Washington 2050 Study]. Our greatest responsibility and challenge as a community is to prepare our youth to be tomorrow's citizens, public employees, doctors, mechanics, engineers, artists, and parents. We must prepare them to be ready for their future roles as the leaders and backbone of our own future society.
To accomplish this, we must provide the best school environments and the best qualified teachers possible to all of our children so that all students can reach their full potential.
Despite efforts to close the achievement gap, graduation rates for students of color and students affected by poverty have fallen even more behind other students. The lack of a high school diploma affects individuals’ ability to make a good life for themselves and the economic well-being of everyone in the county. Keeping students engaged, providing support, and making sure that each student believes in their future is vital to us all.
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