Ward Issues - Questions for Council Candidates

Editor's Note - Sorry this was late, everybody. Welcome to sixth installment of Questions for Council Candidates. Recently, Hyattsville Patch sent a 15 part questionnaire to candidates running in this year's Hyattsville City Council election. The questions, developed with the help of Hyattsville Patch readers, probe the candidates thoughts on city policy, development, and also asked the candidates to do a little self reflection. 

Between now and May 6, Hyattsville Patch will be publishing their responses to each question to help you, the reader, make a more informed decision at the polls on May 7. Here now are the responses to the sixth question. Responses are organized alphabetically by ward.

Question - What is the biggest issue facing your ward right now, and what should be done about it?

Ward 1 Candidates:

William Jenne - Editor's Note - Jenne's response to this question was added after this post was published. Jenne, citing work and family obligations, did not submit his responses to the candidate questionnaire until May 2, well after the publication deadline, and well after the first seven candidate responses had been published.

Route 1 Development.

I believe that with my background working for 7 years at the largest commercial real estate information provider in the country, combined with my knowledge and skills as a financial advisor, make me the person most suited in this election to work on this important issue that affects Ward 1 in particular but also the entire city.

Bart Lawrence - The biggest issue facing Ward 1 is the stalled city projects, particularly the street projects at the southern end of the Ward. I’m hopeful with new Director of the Department of Public Works, Lesley Riddle, managing the projects and a new Council the two street projects will pick up steam, although questions about both projects still must be addressed by the Council. As for 4318 Gallatin, the council should accept the Program Model Approach proposed during the Nov. 13, 2012 Council meeting, which included: pause the development of a schematic design; revise existing scope-of-work and fee schedule in existing contract with Farrell McGlynn to include all services necessary for a “turnkey” building; hire a LEED Accredited Professional; and develop a programming plan for the facility.

Ward 2 Candidates:

Robert Croslin - In spite of the fact that Hyattsville is one of the safest cities around, the recent reports of break-ins in the ward and violent crimes (not in the ward) has created the perception that the city is less safe than in years past.  I truly believe that our police department has done a great job of keeping us safe. However, I’ve listened to concerns from my neighbors who witnessed vandalism or fights that break out between middle school children walking home from school. I’ve heard the concern of one neighbor that unruly conduct by some in the park makes it a less inviting place to take her children. A tad more patience on the part of residents and an enhanced police presence at strategic times and areas would go a long way towards mitigating those issues.

David Hiles (Incumbent) - The biggest issue facing Ward 2 is addressing our budget imbalance. Everything else is secondary. I do hear concerns about the new elementary school being built on Editor’s Park Drive. We can work with the Hyattsville and University Park Elementary School PTAs to help the new PTA and parent community get off to a good start. We can sponsor a series of community meetings and organizing sessions to help that come about.

Ward 3 Candidate:

Patrick Paschall - One of the most contentious issues facing Ward 3 residents are the proposed street, drainage, and sidewalk improvements in the University Hills neighborhood. As I have been knocking on doors, attending house parties, and talking to residents at community events, this issue has been the most commonly discussed. 

There have been many misconceptions about the controversy over the road improvement project in University Hills. For example, the project is not exclusively about the addition of sidewalks – the project is designed to make road improvements that are sorely needed on many of the streets in the neighborhood. These improvements include surface repaving, installation of storm water drainage systems, and yes, the installation of new and improvement of existing sidewalks. 

Sidewalks have received a lot of attention throughout this process. Some say that sidewalks should be installed on every street in Hyattsville. Others say that sidewalks should not be installed on any streets in University Hills. But these positions are really held by very few people. The nearly universal position among those I have heard from is that the question on sidewalks is not whether to install sidewalks in the neighborhood, but rather which streets are the most appropriate for the installation of new sidewalks?

It is clear that there is consensus on nearly all issues associated with this project.  In fact, proposals from Mayor Tartaro and Council Member Hunt come really close on the majority of issues associated with this project. They leave only a few issues to be addressed, such as: (1) whether sidewalks or other road improvements should be placed on Rosemary Lane (I am opposed); (2) whether to place sidewalks on one or both sides of Wells Parkway, and whether to include a bike lane on Wells (I feel that sidewalks on both sides is generally better, but may not be logistically feasible and would like more information on this from the engineers); and (3) whether to place a sidewalk on the North or South side of Stanford (the North side makes more sense, as there are large stretches of park land, which would disrupt fewer homeowners).

These issues are not insurmountable. The city has made great efforts to hear from residents on this issue and it is now time to make a decision on how to move forward. This issue will be a recurring issue as we see updated drawings from the engineers the city has hired to undertake this project, and I recommend that all Council Members (and the new Council Members that are elected on May 7) take a tour of the neighborhood and see for themselves where these road improvements would be installed before voting on any measures associated with this project.

Ward 4 Candidates:

Ross Gateretse - The city's effort to prevent crime, police response to emergencies, communication with the city residents, providing better police surveillance on trails, specially to and from the West Hyattsville Metro station. Allow clear communications with and for senior citizens. Transportation programs will help our seniors, our youth, and people with special needs to move easily around the city, and to facilitate the city parks and recreation programs. Residents expect timely trash and yard waste collection, maintenance of city streets and sidewalks, improved street lights, and making more city services available online. 

Edouard Haba - Ward 4 is a very resourceful community with a lot of potential. However, this potential is not being capitalized on by the City. There is not just one big issue but there different issues (community building, safety, economic development, etc.) that we need to address. 

On the economic side of the issues, with the County's Green Street Project that will revitalize Ager Road, I think it's also time for the City to come up with a sustainable plan for Hamilton Street and the BB&T building. When it comes to safety, we need to have better lighting and speed bumps on some streets, as well as sidewalks on streets that do have any at all. There is also the need for pedestrian cross walks at some street intersections such as Nicholson & Ager Rd, Nicholson & Queens Chappel, Lancer Dr. & Ager Rd. 

On the topic of community building, we need to create structures that will bring the residents together and nourish that sense of belonging. Things to consider are, among others, an improved playing field and a community garden in the area adjacent to Heurich Park or elsewhere in the ward. 

Ward 5 Candidates:

Pastor Herrera - Editor's Note - Herrera did not submit responses to this questionnaire before the publication deadline.

Joseph Solomon - Balancing business interests within a residential community.

Clayton Williams - A common theme from Ward 5 residents is that they do not feel heard. As these residents felt shut out, they stopped speaking out. As a result, I have heard about a number of problems and concerns for the first time while walking through the neighborhoods during my campaign. The city has to make sure attention and resources are distributed evenly across the city. It will be my job to make sure that happens, and my job to make sure Ward 5 residents feel like they have a connection to the local government.