CSUN University News Clippings

Alum Marcus D. Afzali is running for College Park City Council

(October 16, 2009)

Gazette Staff |

The College Park elections will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Residents will elect a mayoral representative as well as two City Council representatives from each of the four districts. The District 1 and 4 polling location is 9217 51st Ave and the District 2 and 3 poll location is City Hall, 4500 Knox Road.

Mayoral candidate
Andrew M. Fellows

District 1 candidates
Lawrence R. Bleau
J. Seth Gomoljak
S.M. Fazlul Kabir
Christine L. Nagle
Patrick L. Wojahn

District 2 candidates
Robert T. Catlin
John E. “Jack” Perry
Robert C. Weber

District 3 candidates
Mark M. Cook
Robert J. McCeney
Stephanie E. Stullich

District 4 candidates
Marcus D. Afzali
Mary C. Cook
Karen E. Hampton
Denise C. Mitchell

Mayor

Name: Andrew M. Fellows Back to the top

Age: 50

Place of birth: Waupun, Wis.

Current occupation: Environmentalist

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Community associations: Martin Luther King Jr. Day planning committee; former City Councilman (Dist. 3), 2001-2007; former member, Calvert Hills Citizens Association, 1997-2001

Professional associations: Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, Anacostia Watershed Restoration Partnership Steering Committee

Family: Wife, Elizabeth

Campaign telephone number: 301-441-8141

Why should voters choose you?

I have great experience and the right skills to be an effective mayor, with six years of service on the City Council and decades of political leadership.

What is your top priority if elected?

Working with the council and city manager to effectively address issues of economic development, neighborhood safety, education and environmental stewardship.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Strengthen the collaboration with the county and University Police and effectively use technology and community-engagement to discourage criminal activity.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Work with student leaders and community associations to increase dialogue and positive interaction.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

A useful document and process if supplemented with action by state, county and city leaders to revitalize College Park’s “Main Street.”

City Council races

District 1

Name: Lawrence R. Bleau Back to the top

Age: 55

Place of birth: St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada

Current occupation: IT programmer/analyst

Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, University of Maryland, University College in Adelphi

Community associations: President, North College Park Citizens Association

Family: Wife, Valerie

Campaign telephone number: 301-474-1338

Why should voters choose you?

My experience as civic association president and on several city commissions for more than 10 years makes me a seasoned and effective advocate for residents.

What is your top priority if elected?

Preserve neighborhoods while enhancing opportunities for businesses in College Park, which will increase our tax base and reduce pressure on property taxes.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Enhance our contract police program, be proactive about crime and gangs, invest in technology that would improve our police effectiveness and explore ways to monitor potential trouble areas.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Treat students with respect and expect the same standard of behavior of them as other residents. Invite them to enter into the civic life of the city.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The 2002 Sector Plan has serious problems and must be replaced, but the proposed US 1 Sector Plan is flawed in many aspects (scope, vision and implementation) and must be amended.

Name: J. Seth Gomoljak Back to the top

Age: 41

Place of birth: Annapolis

Current occupation: Web and graphic designer

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Salisbury University; Master of Fine Arts degree, Towson University

Community associations: None

Family: Wife, Patricia

Campaign telephone number: 443-756-2177

Web site: http://www.votecollegepark.com

Why should voters choose you?

I am open-minded with the ability and desire to see both sides of the issues.

What is your top priority if elected?

Addressing the concerns of the residents.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Remind everyone we are in this together. When they see something suspicious or that they know is illegal, they must contact the police. They also need to tell the city government about it.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Local residents need to remember that they were young once. Students need to remember that when they are a good neighbor, they will be treated like one.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

What I have seen and read so far seems good to me. I just question is this plan or any future ones ever going to take place?

Name: S.M. Fazlul Kabir Back to the top

Age: 46

Place of birth: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Current occupation: Software development lead

Education: Ph.D. in electrical engineering, University of Manchester in England

Community associations: Secretary, North College Park Citizens Association; Sierra Club; American Civil Liberties Union; Neighborhood Watch

Family: Wife, Mahmuda, and two sons

Campaign telephone number: 301-659-6295

Web site: http://www.kabir2009.org

Why should voters choose you?

I have the most comprehensive plan addressing public safety, congestion and overcrowded schools.

What is your top priority if elected?

Working with the county and the State Highway Administration to address Route 1 Sector Plan transportation issues.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Strengthen the neighborhood watch program. Introduce an automatic crime notification program. Increase contract police presence with a long-term goal of having our own police force without raising taxes.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Introduce a focus group to identify issues (such as rent/noise control, transportation/parking, etc.) that concern both the students and residents. Organize joint forums to find solutions to these issues.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The suggested changes across Route 1 will aggravate the current traffic congestion problems, thus a comprehensive plan including road improvement, new shuttle bus services and alternate traffic routes is necessary.

Name: Christine L. Nagle Back to the top

Age: 48

Place of birth: Baltimore

Current occupation: Natural resources planner, Maryland Department of the Environment; attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Towson University; J.D., University of Baltimore

Community associations: North College Park Citizens Association; board member, College Park Meals on Wheels

Professional associations: Maryland State Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar, State Bar of California

Campaign telephone number: 240-965-0214

Why should voters choose you?

I will actively seek input from the community on issues before the city and will listen to all points of view.

What is your top priority if elected?

To ensure the revitalization of College Park evolves in a manner that respects and preserves the character of our existing neighborhoods and attracts new economic development beneficial to our citizens.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Initiate a public education campaign. Specific awareness should be directed to students and others new to an urban environment. Increase communication between community-based police officers and citizens in patrolled areas.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Increase communication between students and long-term residents. I will advocate making use of student and community liaisons that could assist in acclimating students to off-campus neighborhoods.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

Implementation needs to be phased to prevent the plan’s paradigm of land use first, transportation second, from becoming a recipe for disaster.

Name: Patrick L. Wojahn Back to the top

Age: 34

Place of birth: Milwaukee, Wis.

Current occupation: Attorney

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison; J.D., Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Community associations: City Councilman (Dist. 1), 2007-Pres.; North College Park Citizens Association; Equality Maryland, Sierra Club, American Civil Liberties Union, Young Democrats of America

Professional associations: Maryland State Bar Association, American Bar Association

Family: Partner, David Kolesar

Campaign telephone number: 240-988-7763

Web site: http://www.patrickforcollegepark.com

Why should voters choose you?

I have demonstrated my commitment to a better North College Park over the past two years, working for safer and cleaner neighborhoods, better and more local businesses and less traffic.

What is your top priority if elected?

Revitalization of the commercial areas in North College Park, by pulling together resources from the city, University of Maryland, county and state to incentivize redevelopment while limiting density and reducing traffic.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Make the police force more effective by increasing communication between residents and the police through an expanded Neighborhood Watch, a crime alert information system for residents and public safety events.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Create a better sense of community between residents and students by engaging students in important local issues and involving students in projects such as neighborhood watch and community service.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The Sector Plan is highly flawed — it creates a beautiful vision but does not adequately set forth the tools to create that vision, and does not adequately address traffic problems.

District 2

Name: Robert T. Catlin Back to the top

Age: 55

Place of birth: Akron, Ohio

Current occupation: Retired

Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degree in economics, University of Akron in Akron, Ohio

Community associations: City Councilman (Dist. 2), 1997-present.; Berwyn District Civic Association; College Park Arts Exchange; Lakeland Community Heritage Project; College Park City-University Partnership

Family: Single

Campaign telephone number: 301-345-0742

Why should voters choose you?

I have served 12 years on the council and have a keen understanding of the issues, and have found creative ways to address problems while controlling increases in property taxes.

What is your top priority if elected?

The redevelopment of the Route 1 corridor, so that future development serves the needs of our residents and provides a tax base to ensure our future financial viability.

What can city government do to curb crime?

The city is on the right track by pursuing more use of crime-fighting technology. Also, we need to continue efforts to expand the concurrent jurisdiction area for University Police.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

The city needs to continue to improve public safety and promote redevelopment that serves the community to make the city a premier college town.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

My opinion of the plan will depend on how well the county addresses the numerous concerns, issues and recommendations that were contained in the city’s comments on the draft plan.

Name: John E. “Jack” Perry Back to the top

Age: 67

Place of birth: Washington, D.C.

Current occupation: Self-employed auto parts recycler

Community associations: City Councilman (Dist. 2), 1979-1983 and 1987-Pres.; Berwyn District Civic Association

Family: Wife, Kathy, and six children

Campaign telephone number: 301-345-7526

Why should voters choose you?

My willingness to ask the tough questions, like “How much is it going to cost? Where is the money coming from? What is the projected operating cost to the taxpayers of the city?”

What is your top priority if elected?

To continue to ask the tough questions. Hopefully to insert the conservative viewpoint into the discussion.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Continue to support the law enforcement providers in the city.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Support any proposals that seek to incorporate the student population into the fabric of the city.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

There are some good things and some that are not so good for the city. It is evident to me that the State Highway plan was not consulted and the Park and Planning proposals are contrary to it.

Name: Robert C. Weber Back to the top

Age: 58

Place of birth: Battle Creek, Mich.

Current occupation: Investment manager

Education: Bachelor’s degree in resource economics, University of Maryland, College Park

Community associations: Norwich Gardens Condominium Association; member, Berwyn District Civic Association

Campaign telephone number: 301-474-2122

Web site: http://www.cgl-md.com/weber.html

Why should voters choose you?

Providing a new perspective and a fresh approach to many challenges we face. My only promise I make is to do the best I can.

What is your top priority if elected?

Security for city residents — crime prevention coupled with a fiscally responsible approach to avoid higher taxes.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Neighborhood Watch can be brought into the 21st century. Technology should be utilized to communicate problems more rapidly and assist law enforcement. The city must be proactive.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Understanding is the answer to improve relationships. When students understand the concerns of residents and residents understand challenges faced by students, we all benefit. It’s trite, but communication would help.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

I attended the charrette sponsored by M-NCPPC and took part in recommendations. What I think people do not realize are the severe constraints involved in making positive changes.

District 3

Name: Mark M. Cook Back to the top

Age: 46

Place of birth: Miami

Current occupation: Performance management and technology advisor

Community associations: City Councilman (Dist. 3), 2007-Pres.; president, Yarrow Citizens Association

Family: Wife, Sylvia, and one son

Campaign telephone number: 240-554-2231

Web site: http://www.markcook.com

Why should voters choose you?

I am committed to improving our city through increasing civic involvement, economic development and providing independent leadership focused on the common good.

What is your top priority if elected?

Making the city more family-friendly, fighting for the Purple Line and working to enforce housing codes and noise restrictions.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Promoting neighborhood crime watch groups, educating citizens to report suspicious activity and maintaining the city’s contracted police presence in our neighborhoods.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Landlords need to rent to responsible individuals who will respect the rights of others and full-time residents need to invite the new residents to become a part of their community.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The Route 1 Sector Plan is a work in progress that provides hope for the future and room for improvement.

Name: Robert J. McCeney Back to the top

Age: 44

Place of birth: Washington, D.C.

Current occupation: Teacher

Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree in education, Bowie State University

Community associations: American Red Cross

Professional associations: National Education Association, Education Week

Family: Single

Campaign telephone number: 202-538-4840

Why should voters choose you?

I will dedicate myself to maintaining and improving the quality of life in the city through involvement of citizens, citizen’s associations and businesses.

What is your top priority if elected?

Encouraging regular meetings of citizen’s associations, ensuring residents’ voices are heard.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Crime could be reduced by effective utilization of the city’s contract police officers, an effective relationship with the University Police and involving neighborhood watch groups.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

I believe in a continuous dialogue between the groups to analyze issues and produce solutions that are acceptable for all parties.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

I am concerned that the M-NCPPC chose not to conduct traffic studies of this area because of the present congestion which currently exists in this area, and would only become worse.

Name: Stephanie E. Stullich Back to the top

Age: 48

Place of birth: Los Angeles

Current occupation: Program analyst, U.S. Department of Education

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history, University of California at Berkeley; master’s in public administration, Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.

Community associations: City Councilwoman (Dist. 3), 2007-Pres.

Family: Husband, Bob Schnabel

Campaign telephone number: 301-864-6709

Why should voters choose you?

I have been a vigorous advocate for our community on many issues including neighborhood quality-of-life issues, public safety, student housing, Purple Line, high-quality redevelopment and environmental issues.

What is your top priority if elected?

To continue improving quality of life in our community through code enforcement, attract and supporting local independent businesses, and respond to constituent needs.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Sustain and increase our city contract police program, increase enforcement of traffic safety laws and work with residents to establish and strengthen neighborhood watch programs.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Focus on issues where there is a lot of common ground between students and older residents, including public safety, environmental issues and the need for unique “college-town” retail and restaurants.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The Sector Plan needs some changes, but overall is a good plan for steering future redevelopment projects to designs that create a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly downtown and Route 1 corridor.

District 4

Name: Marcus D. Afzali Back to the top

Age: 24

Place of birth: Birmingham, England

Current occupation: Graduate assistant, University of Maryland, College Park

Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, California State University, Northridge

Community associations: Committee to save College Park Woods swimming pool; former member, College Park Committee for a Better Environment

Family: Single

Campaign telephone number: 240-391-8241

Why should voters choose you?

No one will work longer or harder for the citizens of College Park’s Fourth District than I will.

What is your top priority if elected?

Increase public safety in College Park Woods and save the swimming pool. Make sure local leaders respect local views on the Route 1 Sector Plan.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Support our contract police force, which has helped reduce thefts and robberies in the city, and encourage expanding the neighborhood watch program.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Bring both students and residents together to encourage the University of Maryland to build more affordable student housing on campus.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

While it has some interesting points, the plan needs changes because it currently ignores the opinions of Cherry Hill and Autoville residents due to flawed proposals, such as connecting [north and sound ends of] Autoville Road.

Name: Mary C. Cook Back to the top

Age: 53

Place of birth: Jamestown, N.D.

Current occupation: Academic advisor, Prince George’s Community College in Largo

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Arabic, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; master’s degree in student personnel and counseling, Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.

Community associations: City Councilwoman (Dist. 4), 2007-Pres.; North College Park Citizens Association

Professional associations: National Academic Advisor Association, National Association for Foreign Student Affairs

Family: Husband, Edward Calis

Campaign telephone number: 301-345-2375

Why should voters choose you?

I look at College Park as a whole, as well as my own district. I have a proven track record for listening to the people and representing their views.

What is your top priority if elected?

To ensure that the new Route 1 Sector Plan meets the needs of College Park residents and is used in tandem with the new strategic plan.

What can city government do to curb crime?

City government should invest more time, money and energy in neighborhood watch and educating its citizens to practice safety measures.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Greatly increase opportunities for college students and off-campus residents to mix, have fun and share ideas, through “Mix ‘n Mingle” nights and volunteer projects.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The plan is not a tool which can serve the people well in its present state. Additional work is necessary if we want to utilize this plan for the next 20 years.

Name: Karen E. Hampton Back to the top

Age: 42

Place of birth: Hyattsville

Current occupation: Human resources manager, City of Takoma Park

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management, University of Maryland, College Park; master’s degree in public administration, George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Community associations: City Councilwoman (Dist. 4), 2001-Pres.; West College Park Civic Association; Prince George’s Elected Municipal Women

Professional associations: Society for Human Resources Management

Family: Single

Campaign telephone number: 301-935-5810

Why should voters choose you?

Proven leadership and experience. Impeccable integrity, hard-working, confident, committed, dependable, open and honest. I have the community’s best interest at heart.

What is your top priority if elected?

No increase in taxes; responsible development; to be an environmentally friendly city. Work with landlords and students to reduce noise and code issues.

What can city government do to curb crime?

I would like to see the council and public safety agencies work closer with neighborhood watch programs and work with the University of Maryland to expand their visibility in student-concentrated neighborhoods.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Work with the University of Maryland to create a position that will enhance college students’ and College Park residents’ relationship.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

Good start but incomplete. Failed to obtain consensus on key issues from stakeholders.

Name: Denise C. Mitchell Back to the top

Age: 46

Place of birth: Washington, D.C.

Current occupation: CEO, EEM&J Child Care Solutions

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public health administration, Rutgers University; master’s degree in early childhood education, University of the District of Columbia

Community associations: Chairwoman, College Park Education Advisory Committee; board member, West College Park Civic Association

Professional associations: Child Welfare League of America, National Family Child Care Association

Campaign telephone number: 240-413-9911

Why should voters choose you?

I am a 35-year resident that is committed to bringing my new ideas and an eagerness to work hard as a servant for all District 4 residents.

What is your top priority if elected?

Table the Route 1 Sector Plan for further review in conjunction with the Department of Parks and Recreation and Transportation and work to increase public safety in each community.

What can city government do to curb crime?

Increase the presence of the police within each of the neighborhoods; working to establish a neighborhood watch group in those communities without one, for all residents to feel safe.

What can be done to improve the relationship between college students and off-campus residents?

Roundtable discussions that promote open and honest communication in a collaborative effort with the Student Government Association to effectively address their concerns, resulting in a blueprint for action.

What is your opinion on the Route 1 Sector Plan?

The plan needs to be put on hold and carefully reviewed. At this time, it does not address the concerns of the Autoville residents, and this was expressed during the public hearings.

Publication: Gazette Newspapers - MD