Candidates:

Viet H. Doan (R)

No response

Natali Fani-González (D)

Council District: District 6

Website: https://www.nataliforcouncil.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NataliFGonzalez

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalifanigonzalez/

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, absolutely!!! I’m a strong advocate for public transit, including dedicated lanes for BRT.

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. As the former Planning Board Vice Chair, I have a strong track record supporting high density housing near transit. I have worked on over 20 land use plans, including the downtown Bethesda master plan where I successfully advocated for more affordable housing near the metro.

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. This is a must do to ensure we are supporting our most vulnerable communities.

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 done this work on behalf of tenants when I worked for CASA. Housing is a human right and we need to ensure everyone has a healthy and safe place to call home.

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. Teachers need to make a living wage with full benefits. My stand on this help me earn the teacher’s union endorsement.

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, absolutely. Education is key and we must ensure that every kid has the resources needed to succeed.

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. Early childhood education is fundamental to ensure kids are ready for kindergarten. Every family should have access to high quality and affordable child care.

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

YES. Child care is so expensive and so many families can’t have access to it. Plus, this is an issue that impacts women directly as if there is not a safe and affordable place for children to be, then women are the ones who usually have to stay home with them, hence leaving the workforce. Let’s ensure we have pre-k for all families.

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, absolutely!

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. Early childhood tooth decay has become the most common chronic childhood disease, impacting more children than asthma. Dental health is fundamental for people’s general well-being at any age and we sure work to ensure we have an effective dental care system for all.

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?

We need mental health care professionals at EVERY SCHOOL from elementary to Montgomery College! That needs to be prioritized.

Democracy with Accountability

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

Yes. I am a strong believer on public engagement to create transformative policy changes to empower our community. I am hoping that when I get elected, YOU and your members commit to finding the time to meeting with me so we can get things done!!!

Omar Lazo (D)

Council District: District 6

Website: https://www.omarlazo.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lazo4council

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazo4council

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lazo4council

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)?

I am 100% dedicated to keeping Ride-on free and to create dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit. The amount of fees we collect from fares is negligible and may actually more expensive to collect than what we actually take in. This will also help towards equity issues. I have been a very vocal proponent of dedicated bus lanes from Wheaton to Glenmont among other routes. The only way to get cars off the road is to make sure that we have a more expensive and more efficient public transportation option that also includes increased frequency.

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?

I am committed to encouraging high density housing around transit hubs. This will cut down on the use of vehicles on our roads, the traffic on our streets, and allow access to quality of life for many of our underserved. That being said, I would be very careful in the implementation of the upzoning on the condition that checks, and balances are in place to make sure that we offer affordable housing. My district includes the Glemont and Wheaton Metro. I have been very vocal and following closely the development of the Gateway project on the corner of Veirs Mill Road and University Blvd. We must ensure that it will be constructed in a way that will not be detrimental to the surrounding neighborhoods. We also have to make sure that all our residents regardless of socioeconomic status have access to this housing. The Glenmont shopping center is currently a very large eyesore. We need to see if there are ways we can talk to the landlords and maybe even consider land swaps.

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 am willing to work with AIM to make sure that our residents have access to low affordable housing. This includes making sure that not only do we increase the amount of affordable housing, but that we preserve the existing affordable housing. In Wheaton we had a program for small businesses affected by the redevelopment where if you could show a loss of revenue due to the taking away of parking on the triangle, then you could apply for a grant from the county to offset the losses. I would definitely doing something similar for our residents. It is unfair that people that have created a community for sometimes 50 years, are now being forced to leave due to increase in rent.

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?

Growing up in Washington, DC in the 80s, I had personal experience combatting a lot of the same issues that our residents are going through right now. I would advocate for all of our renters to make sure that are provided adequate living conditions. This should not be something only for the well off. Hiring more bilingual staff is also a must. District 6 largest plurality is the Latino population. We have more than 51,000 Latinos in my district that pay taxes just like everyone else. They should have a say in how their money is spent and hiring more Spanish speaking county employees is long overdue.

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 have three daughters in Montgomery County Public Schools and the lack of access to extracurricular activities is completely lacking. My daughters have signed up for classes only to be told that not enough people signed up for classes, so they had to cancel it. Schools in more affluent areas don’t have these issues. I am on the Board of Trustees for Montgomery College and on the Black and Brown Coalition for Equity and Education Excellence. The experience with these organizations has really opened my eyes even further to many of the discrepancies. I am completely for increasing compensation as long as we have accountability to show that the money was spent in an equitable fashion.

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?

As long as I was sure that the services provided are equitable, I would be willing to support.

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 believe in Universal Pre-K for all and would do all I could to make sure that all our children have access to a quality education. When I paid for my daughters Pre-K it was a hardship on our household. Childcare is extremely expensive and those that qualify for Headstart don’t receive enough education in the few hours taught to our children. I commit 100% to working with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all 4 years olds in Montgomery County. Studies have shown that the benefit of providing quality Pre-K greatly outweigh the costs. Children are more successful in general throughout their collegiate journey when they start at 4 years old.I agree that we need to make the 529 plan more accessible to low-income families. As far matching the states contribution, we must make sure that we focus on increasing economic development in the county to make sure we have the funding for our programs. My priority would be Universal Pre-K and assuring equity in our schools.

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

I commit 100% to working with AIM to offer Universal Pre-K to all 4 years olds in Montgomery County. Studies have shown that the benefit of providing quality Pre-K greatly outweigh the costs. Children are more successful in general throughout their collegiate journey when they start at 4 years old.

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?

I agree that we need to make the 529 plan more accessible to low-income families. As far matching the states contribution, we must make sure that we focus on increasing economic development in the county to make sure we have the funding for our programs. My priority would be Universal Pre-K and assuring equity in our schools, but if we can budget the contribution I think it’s something I would definitely champion.

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 think healthcare in general needs to be completely looked at. We lost too many people due to the fear of a Doctor’s bill. Dental costs are ludicrous and should be considered an essential service. I would be very interested in working to find a way of providing quality dental care to our underserved.

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

I would definitely fund our safety net clinics and more specifically our community partner clinics like Mary Center, Proyecto Salud, and others that came together under the Salud y Bienstar umbrella. Supporting our community partners that have spent decades building the trust of the community is crucial. We must find ways to reach our underserved and underrepresented.

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?

We currently received funding for wellness centers in our schools. We must make sure that these programs are fully funded. In the long run, we need to look at creating a pipeline that will pay for our student’s mental health careers as long as they commit to staying here in the county. We must tap into the wonderful residents that we have right here in Montgomery County.

Democracy with Accountability

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

One thing about me is that I am a very accessible person. That is why I have built the trust and confidence of my community. They know that my heart is in it for the right reason. I would be willing to meet with AIM and anyone that can help make my district a better place.

Maricé Morales (D)

Council District: District 6

Website: https://www.maricemorales.com/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/morales4moco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morales4moco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morales4moco/?hl=en

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 to both

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 for both

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?

We must increase school mental health services for our youth. As a council member, I would collaborate with the Board of Education and Department of Health and Human Resources to recruit more psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers to work in schools. I would also work with the nonprofit sector funded by the County that offers wrap-around services for at-promise youth.
I would fight for funding to create more crisis centers, in East, Down and Upcounty, as well as funding for mobile crisis centers placed in strategic areas where youth congregate. I also support channeling mental health calls through a social services pipeline as opposed to immediately involving law enforcement. I believe that by implementing these reforms from a stance of nurture and care, our youth experiencing mental health issues will have better outcomes.
I am committed to meeting with members of Action in Montgomery to ensure they have a voice during the Council’s decision-making process on these issues.

Democracy with Accountability

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

Yes

Brit Siman-Tov (D)

No response

Steve Solomon (D)

Council District: District 6

Website: www.VoteSteveSolomon.com

Twitter: @SteveSolomon

Facebook: Facebook.com/VoteSteveSolomon

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)?

Yes. BRT expansion to Veirs Mill and eventually New Hampshire avenue and 355 will require dedicated bus 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, I believe the biggest part of our solution to housing is to build near metro and BRT hubs, and especially affordable housing.

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, Excel Beyond the Bell is a great program that has impacted many children’s lives. Compensating teachers and staff is important to keep it successful.

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 it will take time to expand to more schools. We’ll need to keep building public/private partnerships to make sure there are adequate staff and resources if we keep expanding.

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?

Expanding mental health access involves working with all the agencies involved. MCPS has done well to expand programs to address mental health, although I believe we still need to do more about bullying in schools. For adults there are several crisis centers, support groups, and hotlines that are already in place in Montgomery County.

Democracy with Accountability

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

Yes

Christa Tichy (D)

Council District: District 6

Website: ChristaTichyforCouncil.com

Twitter: Christa_Tichy

Facebook: ChristaTichyforCountyCouncil

Instagram: ChristaTichy4CountyCouncil

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 and PRT

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 ,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 with rental/lease costs

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 Matching is good

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

Mark Trullinger (D)

No response

Vicki S. Vergagni (D)

Council District: District 6

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)?

I am not one to “permanently” fund any program; however, I will advocate for free rides on Ride-On during times of need by the general population, and at all times for individuals who have qualified for public assistance. I would suggest that the County fund free rides during times of need by the general population (which can be re-visited annually). I also would suggest that the County provide a variety of approaches to “free and reduced-cost trials” for transit use to encourage folks to at least try public transit.

I will support dedicated bus lanes for Bus Rapid Transit.

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?

While I support high-density housing near transit hubs, I do not support a “blanket upzoning” of all neighborhoods near these hubs. The character of neighborhoods is important, so I would collaborate with residents of those neighborhoods on acceptable approaches for increased density.

I will commit to developing high-density affordable owned housing on public land near transit, with less affordable rental housing than affordable owned housing. The County has failed to recognize the long-term impact of focusing nearly exclusively on affordable rental housing and how that damages our citizens. Focusing on affordable rental housing is like offering a food program that fills bellies but lacks nutrition. We must find ways to assist families in building legacy wealth – through housing and entrepreneurship. When homeowners hit their “golden years,” their homes are paid for; they will not face homelessness due to increased rents and smaller incomes.

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 will support geographically specific rent stabilization for low-income residents provided that the landlords are in agreement prior to accepting subsidized rental payments.

I will support compensation for tenants whose housing is being redeveloped. That compensation should be resolved with developers prior to the approval of any development plan.

I will support requirements for developers to provide the market-rate support that is necessary to resettle households in the same or a similar County community.

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?

I will support varying frequency of housing inspections based upon each rental home’s baseline inspection. A home with a “95%” score may be inspected four years from the initial inspection while a home with a “50%” score may be inspected one year from the initial inspection. As the score goes either up or down, the inspection frequency should change. I also would support an immediate inspection upon change in property ownership or property management.

It is critical that inspectors have clear communications with tenants, so would support securing the translation services for tenants of any culture whose first language is not English.

Landlords should be given adequate time to address identified problems. If there are significant problems with any party, I would support mediation between landlords and tenants, as well as mediation between landlords and tenants’ associations to assure fairness to all parties.

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 not familiar with the total compensation package for teachers and recreation staff within the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program. However, I will commit to a total compensation package that is comparable to that earned by other professionals within those career fields.

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?

Assuming that the Excel Beyond the Bell Elementary Program continues to provide latch key children of lower-income families with exceptional support, I would support its inclusion in every Title I Elementary School in the County. While I understand that the Program offers an incredible return-on-investment, I am reluctant to make a blanket commitment to four schools annually without an understanding of the cost to establish the program in each of the schools.

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 would advocate that pre-K through Head Start, MCPS or Judy Centers be available to every student whose parents are interested in that opportunity for their child.

As an individual with a successful track record of streamlining government administrative processes, I would commit to collaborating with education administrators and parents to make the application for subsidies less cumbersome. Whether parents are employed or not, the child should not be punished by denying him/her this opportunity. If one of the parents has no other responsibilities (i.e., no part-time job, no younger siblings for whom to care), we should explore that parent volunteering in the classroom, participating in a jobs program, attending GED classes to get a diploma, etc. — some type of personal development that provides a hand up instead of a hand out. What an enhanced role model the parent then is for the child!

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

I am committed to Universal Pre-K for all four-year-olds in the County — no later than 2026.

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?

I will work with AIM to make the state’s 529 plan accessible to low-income families by advising the parents of the opportunity and offering them that option each year as part of the student’s school registration paperwork.

I will commit to working with AIM to secure contributions from the County based on monies available in the County coffers — hopefully matching or exceeding State contributions.

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 will work to create an effective dental care system for the uninsured so that those needing dental care can be seen at least once per year around their birth date. Additional care can be provided as necessary; however, I would support critical dental care for certain procedures being provided on a triage basis without long wait times.

I am concerned that individuals should receive adequate, commonly-needed, specialized dental services (e.g., root canals) via the safety net and County dental clinics, so would support increased funding for such services.

I definitely support establishing a patient record system so that patient records can be shared across the safety net and with County clinics when a patient is referred to a different dental provider.

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

I would support funding by 2025 an emergency medical and dental health crisis fund for the safety net clinics.

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?

It is truly sad that we have to wait until an individual in the public eye has a crisis so that we as a society focus on the importance of mental health. We must reach out and educate young people of all cultures about the equal importance of physical and mental health – and that just as there is no shame in having a broken leg, there is no shame in having broken mental health. While hot lines run by capable individuals have recently received excellent publicity as being tremendously helpful, we must employ more tools to address mental health issues. Similar to the County’s current drug education campaigns, I would commit to collaborating with AIM on a campaign related to diagnosing and treating mental health issues that is targeted to young people of all cultures.

Democracy with Accountability

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

I am willing to meet with representatives of AIM upon taking office and on a regular basis thereafter because I am committed to positively addressing AIM’s issues and their approaches to them.