Candidates:

Brian Anleu (D)

No response

Fatmata Barrie (D)

Council District: District 5

Website: www.fatmatabarrie.com

Twitter: @barrie4council

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatmatabarrie4council

Instagram: @fatmatabarrie4council

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Yes. Throughout my campaign I have been advocating for both permanent free Ride-On service and dedicated BRT lanes.

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

Yes. However, as we develop East County, we must ensure that current homeowners and renters are not priced out of their homes. The central tenet of economic development should be about people, not just about attracting investment. In fact, I have advocated for future transportation projects to be built around population centers that already exist.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

I have advocated for all these approaches and will work with any organization that adopts affordable housing solutions for all residents, including the underprivileged and underserved. Over the years, I have participated in many of AIM’s advocacy efforts fighting for affordable housing and other asks. I will continue working with AIM for this and other issues.

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Yes. I have lived in White Oak for 20 years. I have been a renter and a homeowner. White Oak has a very high density of multifamily rental properties and over the years, I have been a staunch advocate for consistent county inspections. During my 6-year tenure on the East County Citizens Advisory Board, this was one of my major asks. Many of our apartments in White Oak are woefully maintained by the owners. We have many that have mold that is so bad that you can smell and taste it in the back of your throat. I worked for years to bring that to the attention of the county as a member of the ECCAB and request inspectors and accountability. As a Council Member, I will work with AIM and other organizations to draft and support legislation that will maintain and strengthen tenant rights.

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes. I have been advocating for higher educator salaries so they can afford to live in Montgomery County near where they work. Our children spend their formative years in the care of educators more than even the parents. So, it makes sense that we ensure our educators are well taken care of.

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

Yes. When on the council I will work to expand this program. As a Special Education Law Attorney, I know how important it is for low-income and at-risk children to have access to wrap-around services; especially since District 5, which includes East County, has a high percentage of immigrant and low-income families. I believe every title I school should have the program. It’s necessary to help close the opportunity gap. We have spent too many years talking about the need to close this gap but yet we continue to take baby steps to attack this huge issue.

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

I agree that the process needs to be streamlined and non-discriminatory, so that more children have the oppoorutnity to get a good start towards a positive educational experience. Yes, I will work with AIM, MCPS, County Executive and county colleagues to achieve this goal.

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

I am running on a platform of equity and inclusion. We know that there are many improvements to be addressed throughout the MCPS system, particularly in low-income locations. Although my focus is to ensure that all students, regardless of their zip code within the county, have access to the same programs and opportunities as students in other areas of the county, I want our District 5 children to get the same attention as other children and for all children to have access to Universal Pre-K.

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

Yes. As I said, I want all school age children and youth in Montgomery County, regardless of their zip code or economic status, to have access to the same programs as all other students in the county, including the 529 Plan. I will certainly explore the potential for a county match.

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

Yes. Dental care is an important part of a preventive healthcare program and contributes to an individual’s well-being. We know that low income, Black and Brown and immigrant communities are greatly impacted by lack of or below standard services. On the council, I would love to help create a comprehensive healthcare safety net for uninsured and underinsured residents, particularly children.

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes. I would love to work with council colleagues to ensure this goal is met.

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

Again, I am running for the county council to advocate for change that creates equity and inclusion for all District residents, particularly those who have been underserved, regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, economic status, or citizenship. Also, as a Special Education and Immigration Attorney for 20 years, I have been on the front lines working with the needs of young people. I believe that counseling and mental health services should not stop when students leave school. Wrap around services should also be offered through Community centers and home health programs.

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

Yes. As a champion for transparency in government. I will not only be embarking on listening tours across the county, I will have an open door to organizations that do good work.

Chris Bolton (D)

Council District: District 5

Website: Bolton4you.com

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

As long as it is supported by the budget

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Yes

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

Yes

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

Yes

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

Yes

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

Definitely yes

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

Not only hiring mental health professionals but getting a mentor ship program in place for people that don’t necessarily need mental health but maybe just somebody to talk to

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

Yes

Daniel Koroma (D)

Council District: District 5

Website:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Instagram:

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Absolutely. Promoting mass transit is one of my central campaign planks. It carries the dual benefits of
helping to lessen traffic woes while promoting a cleaner environment.

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

Yes. This is a continuation of the smart growth policy championed by former County Executive Ike
Leggett. As with the mass-transit question, the smart growth policy has many benefits, including
making for walkable communities and providing for housing that will be more affordable for many.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

Yes. Making housing affordable, whether for renters or home buyers, is another of my top three
priorities. There are many strategies for doing that, and AIM has listed several good ones. Others
include support for down payments and the use of Tax Incremental Financing, which allows for the use
of public funds for private projects.

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Absolutely. We have seen the tragic results of failures of inspections and those should never be
repeated. The County needs experienced and knowledgeable inspectors to keep tenants safe, along
with a mechanism for connecting them with tenants who wish to report problems.

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes, taking into account that the County Council only has control over the Recreation Department piece
of the budget. MCPS controls its own budget.

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

I can’t commit to a specific number of schools each year, but will commit to making sure the program is
in every Title I Elementary School.

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

Absolutely. Those programs and activities are vital to the development of students.

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

Universal Pre-K is absolutely a goal we should strive to meet according to the Blueprint for Maryland’s
Future. However, the funding is up to MCPS, not the County Council.

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

That is a worthwhile goal I would be proud to pursue with AIM.

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

I would certainly support expanded dental services. I would have to look more closely at privacy
concerns regarding dental and other records.

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

I would urge the County Executive to include that item in the operating budget and would support it on
the Council.

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

The County should work closely with MCPS and a full range of providers on access to mental health
care. We know this population is particularly vulnerable yet hard to reach, so our efforts would be of
great importance.

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

It will be my pleasure to meet with AIM on issues of mutual interest and to listen to your advice and
wise counsel.

Cary Lamari (D)

Council District: District 5

Website: www.carylamari.net

Twitter: Cary lamari

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carylamari.net

Instagram: N/A

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: No

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Yes, I want to see a re-imagining for Ride On, Look at routes and make them convenient to those who will benefit, It has been over 30 years since our county has re-evaluated where our routes are, we need to put bus stops where our residents in need benefit. 2nd I want to double scheduling so people are comfortable they will get to their destination on time without long waits. 3rd I want bus service free so our residents do not have to own an automobile, maintain and automobile, spend their hard earned dollars on gas and they will not need to pay insurance. Instead more ridership reduces congestion reduces our carbon footprint and saves the county on maintenance of our roads as fewer cars will run the roads. With respect to dedicated lanes. Where possible. I do not support destabilizing families with property takings.

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

(2a) yes (2b)On Public Land yes. Housing is a complicated issue. I support multiplex housing within the context of Master Plans where potential consequences and guardrails are put into place to protect the environment, protect from displacement of Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing, Proper consideration of racial equity Social Justice Concerns and finally will have an affordable element as the Council of Governments report indicate we will have a need for housing for 200,000 more people to our County in the next 30 years of which 75% will be in need of affordable housing.

Note: we currently have 43,800 housing units approved in the pipeline, either in process for construction or awaiting permits. This reflects housing for 130,000 people and has approx. 12% affordability. It is imperative we find new ways to increase affordable housing CLT housing can produce large numbers of affordable housing for our first time homebuyers.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

Yes, However to be clear, Market Rate is not Affordable Housing. I was on the HEAT group addressing attainable housing. The planning Real Estate staffer said Market Rate Housing in Multiplexes will start at $700,000 dollars which in no way is affordable. I support CLT housing which could reduce costs for first time homebuyers as much as 30%. I will work with AIM to find solutions to all these issues. I believe we must find reasonable solutions to stabilize housing demand. Increases to the Housing Initiative Fund, New Community Land Trust Housing, Restructuring of our MPDU program to meet the new dynamics of infill development and to provide rent relief for those in need. It is the government’s responsibility to help those in need and to provide appropriate safety nets.

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Yes these seem reasonable, I also believe the housing courts may be complicated and time consuming which only creates problems for both the tenant and landlord. We must create a mediation board to extract immediate solutions for both without creating angst between landlords and tenants. The sooner we find solutions to these problems and mitigate them the better the relationship between parties are and there will be fewer evictions IMO as a consequence. Mediation is better than controversy

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes, today our Public Schools have devised a free Tutoring On Demand program. The pandemic has created severe disparities where children have fallen behind. We must come together and find and expand programs so our children may meet and excel at-grade learning and beyond. Also we must provide for recreation and athletic programs which helps our children develop and learn to experience real world challenges. Athletics has been proven to give children opportunities to thrive and learn how to compete in the world.

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

Yes.

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

Yes. Studies have shown Pre K helps families and students. It should be provided in all schools.

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

Yes.

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

Yes.

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

(1a) Yes, (1b)Yes, (1c) If the records address HIPAA compliance laws and protect patient confidentiality. I believe all residents deserve respect towards their privacy and they should agree to any sharing of information.

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes and we should also look to the public and faith based communities to find volunteers which could offer their services as well.

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

I led the Counties first Mental Health Forum in 2001 for the Montgomery County Civic Federation. We included Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Reps of State Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, the warden of the Clarksburg Jail and advocates for the homeless as well as clients. We learned 1 in 5 people in our nation experience some sort of mental health related issue. Over 80% of people in jail and many homeless can’t get treatment. Mental disorders are the second-leading cause of disability and premature death in our Country. These people are our neighbors, friends and family. We learned, today there are many treatments and drugs which may help people to have normal lives. However many cannot afford services because of limitations in Medicare and some Medical insurance coverage. This led to Blair Ewing creating the blue ribbon task force which developed a comprehensive report.
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/council/Resources/Files/agenda/cm/2009/090624/20090624_HHS01.pdf

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

I not only commit to meeting with AIM I would expect a consistent working relationship so together we may build for a better tomorrow.

Kristin Mink (D)

Council District: District 5

Website: www.kristinmink.com

Twitter: @kristinmink_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mink4MoCo

Instagram: @kristinmink_

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Yes.

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

Yes.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

Yes.

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Yes.

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes.

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

Yes.

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

Yes.

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

Yes.

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

Yes.

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

Yes.

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes.

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

Yes.

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

Yes.

William “Chip” Montier (D)

No response

Jeremiah Pope (D)

Council District: District 5

Website: https://www.citizensforpope.com/

Twitter: @CitizensforPope

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citizensforpope

Instagram: @CitizensforPope

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

Yes, I will support housing that fits the character of our community and provides for opportunities for new and legacy residents.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

Yes

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

Yes

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

Yes

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

Yes

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

Yes

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

Yes

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

Yes

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

– Ensure access to quality affordable health care that covers mental health without gaps
– Increase school-based mental health support
I will partner with AIM on exploring these ideas to deliver results for our youth.

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

Yes

Kate Woody (R)

Council District: District 5

Website: www.votekatewoody.com

Twitter: n/a

Facebook: n/a

Instagram: n/a

Attended AIM Candidate Action?: Yes

Housing, Transportation, and the Environment

Will you work with AIM to make Ride-On permanently free to riders and create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

To an extent as it is good for the county.

Will you work with AIM to encourage high density housing near transit hubs, including bus rapid transit, Metro and the Purple Line through upzoning to allow increased density within a half mile of these hubs? Will you commit to prioritizing high-density affordable housing development on all public land near transit?

To an extent as it is good for the county.

Will you work with AIM to stabilize market rate affordable housing in places at risk for significant price increases through strategies such as geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents, compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped, and requirements for developers to provide the support necessary for households to resettle in the same community?

To an extent as it is good for the county.

Will you work with AIM to provide more protection for tenants including: following current legal requirements for frequency of housing inspection every 1-3 years; hiring inspectors bilingual in Spanish and English; requiring landlords to address identified problems quickly and work with tenants’ associations to establish a tenant hotline via 311 (the county’s information line) in Spanish and English?

To an extent as it is good for the county.

Education and Childcare

Will you commit to work with AIM to increase compensation for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program?

I am in favor of increasing compensation for teachers and recreation staff.

Will you commit to expanding the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program to four new schools each year, until it is in every Title I Elementary School in Montgomery County?

I am in favor of funding for before and after school enrichment programs.

Will you make pre-K available to more students by: expanding the number of full-day pre-K seats through Head Start, MCPS and Judy Centers; and making the application for subsidies less cumbersome and not contingent on proof of employment?

I will enthusiastically support to the extent it is good for the county.

Will you commit to work with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all four-year-olds in Montgomery County by 2026?

I will to the extent as it is good for the county. I certainly feel these programs are helpful.

Will you work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible and nearly automatic for low-income families to sign up for each year as part of their school registration paperwork, and will you commit to working with AIM so that the county matches the state’s contribution to the program?

yes

Healthcare, Dental Care, and Mental Health

Over the next 4 years, will you work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured such that those who need dental care can be seen twice each year without waiting 3 months for an appointment? Will you commit to increasing funds for dental services such that common specialized services such as root canals can be addressed in the safety net and county dental clinics? Will you establish a patient record system such that patient records can be shared across the safety net and County clinics when a patient is referred to a different clinic?

Yes

Will you include funding by 2025 for an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund to county safety net clinics?

Yes. Maryland DDA funded Personal Service Professionals should be able to participate in insurance systems for state employees.

What ideas do you have to increase equitable access to mental health care for young people and how will you work with us to explore these ideas?

Have staff at the schools that is trained in mental health red flags in the same office with the school nurse.

Democracy with Accountability

Do you commit to meeting with AIM within a month of taking office, and on a quarterly basis subsequently?

To an extent it is good for the county.