Since 2005 I have worked hard on behalf of the residents of the 3rd Council District and the City of Bowie on the important issues facing our City. Below is a partial listing of the accomplishments and efforts we have had together:
Communication/Constituent Service
- Hosted regular bi-annual Town Hall meetings to seek community input
- Established a Legislative Email list to provide information and regular communication
- Annually attended each civic and homeowners association in the 3rd District
- Hosted annual 3rd District Community Days (2006 & 2007)
- Hosted first 3rd District Business Roundtable Breakfast (2007)
- Personally handled over 2,000 constituent related calls, emails and problems
Public Safety
- Supported the creation and implementation of the new Bowie Police Department
- Supported the hiring of a diverse group on Bowie Police Officers, now numbering over 52 Officers
- Supported speed reducation program in City school zones and adoption of traffic calming policy in City neighborhoods
- Assisted with the creation on two (2) Neighborhood Watch Groups (Northview section)
- Supported annual City funding to Bowie Volunteer Fire Department
- Supported County construction of new Northview Fire/EMS station on Health Center Drive
- Voted to place future home to the new Bowie City Hall/Police station at Bowie Town Center
- Authored the City’s Hate Crimes and Bias Incident policy
Education
- Advocated for our first new school in thirty (30) years, Northview Elementary, opened in 2007, including installation of traffic signal and crosswalks for the safety of our children
- Advocated for new 1,800 seat Bowie High School on Mitchellville Road
- Served as Principal for a Day and participated in annual Back to School and Career Day programs
Roadways
- Supported expansion of MD 197 to four lane section between Kenhill Drive and new MD 450
- Supported State Highways Administration future alternative for $250 million improvement to US 301, including roundabouts on MD 197, from US 50 to Mt. Oak Road
- Supported annual City Public Works funding for street resurfacing ($1 million annually)
- Requested review of potential City takeover of County roads within City limits
- Primary drafter of County Church Road Task Force report, resulting in over $10 million in planned County improvements, including scheduled intersection improvements at Mt. Oak, Woodmore and Church Roads and “S” curve section
Community
- Secured agreement to keep 75 daycare spots in Bowie by keeping YMCA in the former Meadowbrook School
- Supported turning Meadowbrook School into Not-for-Profit center, with youth oriented focus, including YMCA, Mitchellville School, Mitchellville School of the Performing Arts and the Bowie Boys and Girls Club programs
- Supported additional City funding for the Bowie Emergency Aid Fund and Food Pantry
- Supported the Joint Use Agreement and annual funding for the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts
- Supported formation and recommendations of a BGE Citizens Task Force, to review electrical reliability in the City, resulting in $25 million in improvements
Recreation
- Served as City Council Liaison to Community Recreation Committee
- Voted for funding for improvements our recreational facilities, including Church Road Park, Allen Pond Park and Bowie Ice Arena
- Supported County Parks Department construction of new 362-acre Greenbranch Park just south of Prince George’s (Baysox) Stadium
Responsible Financial Policies
- Support responsible fiscal management and practices that resulted in no City tax increase in FY 2008 & 2010
- Only Councilmember to opposed tax increase in FY 2011
- Supported retirement of all City debt – 1st time in 40 plus history of City
- Opposed over $2 million in additional project costs for the new Bowie City Hall/Police Station
- Opposed 30% Mayoral pay raise
Development & Growth
- Supported establishment of Bowie Business Incubator program, in partnership with Bowie State University, to encourage small business growth in the City
- Advocated for and adopted uniform City annexation and growth policy (R-12-06)
- Prime sponsor for re-sale of City owned Hohensee (Swanson) property to the Trust of Public Land for $3.2 million to preserve 318-acres of environmentally sensitive land along the Paxuxent River (R-10-06)
- Voted for land swap with County Park & Planning Commission of Cora Bowie property for a 69-acre site on Mt. Road Road for future City park facility (R-01-07)
- Opposed development of approximately 775 rental units in the City (Bowie Town Center, Health Center Drive and Huntingdon Ridge)
- Opposed commercial development of car wash/quickie lube shop at critical MD 197/US 301 intersection and secured State funding to purchase 2-acre property for future roadway improvements
- Supported responsible and public discussion on future uses at Melford (formerly Maryland Science and Technology Center)
