The News Review, as it does for every city council election, asked the candidates to respond in writing to questions. Answers are limited to 150 words. If an answer exceeds the limit, the answer is cut off at that point. Responses are published in various orders to avoid favoring candidates. Here are the answers we received to our second question.
Question 2: Given current economic challenges facing city residents and facing the city, how would you change what the city spends its resources on?
Bill Orleans
As much as the next guy, I like a pretty landscape. (Just how much of public works’ budget is directed to pruning the flowering shrubbery outside the Municipal Building and elsewhere?) Public safety is certainly a concern. No one should fear mugging by a bully wanting their coat, cash or car. Likewise, no one should fear mugging by bullies wanting their home. We should invest less in the latest capital-intensive policing technologies, frequently surveillance technologies, and more in car, bike and foot patrol, and more in processes availing residents’ recourse when their right to continue living in their apartment, condo, house is challenged by managements or boards-of-directors. Council had an opportunity to utilize Greenbelt’s ARPA funding to establish a fund, supplemented in successive years’ budgets, which would provide degrees of assistance beyond the end of Covid’s emergency rental and foreclosure assistance. It should have done so.
Emmett V. Jordan
Given the current economic uncertainty, I will prioritize investments in our residents and local economy. Partnering with the county and state for career resources is important. By investing in retraining and upskilling programs for displaced federal workers, youth and older adults, we help residents remain in Greenbelt. Supporting grassroots efforts and fostering innovation will drive stability, creativity and growth.
We may need to revisit support programs that aided our community during the pandemic: food distribution, emergency mortgage and rental assistance, counseling and family services.
To strengthen our economy, Greenbelt must work with organizations like Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce and Greenbelt Business Alliance to build on local strengths and address weaknesses.
Redirecting undesignated funds toward workforce development and deferring capital improvement projects may be necessary to achieve these goals. A balanced, forward-thinking approach ensures no one is left behind, positioning Greenbelt as a resilient city of opportunity for all.
Amy Knesel
The power and strength of Greenbelt has always been its people. I believe our city’s spending should prioritize people-first programs that keep our community strong and stable. That doesn’t mean neglecting deferred maintenance ‒ putting off repairs only makes them more costly later ‒ but it does mean being strategic. We should continue pursuing grants and outside funding to free up city resources, and invest in small, local businesses so more office space is filled, business tax revenue grows and residents have good jobs close to home.
We must also stay mindful about housing, doing everything we can to help people stay in their homes. When residents are forced out, we lose more than neighbors – we lose community. The stronger and more connected we are, the better our city functions. When residents are engaged and supported, everyone, including our staff, benefits.
Danielle P. McKinney
Greenbelt’s $40.1 million budget should reflect both fiscal responsibility and the values that make our community strong. Nearly 75 percent of the budget already supports essential services – public safety, housing stability, health programs and food access – that protect residents and preserve our quality of life.
As costs rise and state and federal funding decline, we must make every dollar count. That means using remaining ARPA funds through 2026 to support infrastructure, phasing capital projects, leveraging community partnerships, automating systems and sunsetting programs that no longer meet community needs. Greenbelt should prioritize implementing its Economic Development Strategy and maintaining initiatives with measurable community impact and sustainability.
I will continue to champion partnerships, grants, food access and workforce development initiatives – like apprenticeships and job transition programs – that strengthen residents’ stability and our local economy. Balancing efficiency with compassion should protect the Greenbelt we cherish while preparing for a vibrant, inclusive, resilient future.
Jenni Pompi
To address current economic challenges, the City Council should prioritize funding our vital social services, including counseling, food distribution and emergency rental aid. In addition, we should strategically invest in workforce development for residents and economic development to strengthen Greenbelt’s job market. Maintaining the city’s vibrant public parks and community amenities also will be important to help residents maintain quality of life.
To maintain and increase the social services out-of-work residents may require, the city will need to defer some expensive capital projects and replacement spending on items such as fleet vehicles and other equipment. Greenbelt also will need to explore new grant opportunities to boost revenue and consider increasing collaborations with neighboring municipalities to split costs on shared services.
It also will be essential for council to be transparent about the city’s budget forecast and planning and work to engage the community on formulating solutions.
Rodney M. Roberts
We need to stop wasting money on things we don’t need! Examples: A $16,000 truck engine; replacement of a $270,000 loader that had nothing wrong with it; $700,000 for a trash truck that we did not need; replacement of a $150,000 rollback tow truck that needed only minor repairs.
We have a budget request of $500,000 to replace the outhouse at the Lake Park, that in my estimation needs less than $5,000 in what should be routine maintenance.
There’s a push for a new municipal building for many millions of dollars because we need more office space, while at the same time we want to tear down a beautiful, structurally sound building that would more than meet our needs (the Armory).
We rely more and more on contractors and consultants. Instead, let’s invest in our people with education/training so we can do more ourselves for less!
Silke I. Pope
We must be financially prudent and strategic in allocating the city’s resources. A careful review of all programs and spending should be done to determine which are most effective and which need to be realigned to reflect our current financial situation. Priority should be placed on investing in services that provide the greatest value and benefit to our residents.
Looking ahead we must plan for long-term stability by diversifying our revenue sources. Relying primarily on property taxes is not sustainable. It is important for us to find creative ways to grow our city’s revenues without increasing the tax burden on residents.
Pursuing grant opportunities is essential. The redevelopment of the Greenbelt Armory site presents an opportunity to strengthen our local economy and expand our tax base. Thoughtful planning and wise financial management can ensure that Greenbelt remains fiscally strong, resilient and well-prepared for the future.
Kristen L.K. Weaver
Instead of one disruptive change, Greenbelt is best served by finding small efficiencies to make the necessary savings. Recent examples include: implementing electronic financial systems; bringing online Greenbelt’s solar farm; and uncovering Pepco overcharges for streetlights. Switching to LED streetlights would save even more. I also support Save As You Throw unit-based pricing for trash, in part, because it could reduce the city’s landfill fees by 40 percent based on reduced trash generation. Small economies added together allow us to maintain vital city services as costs rise.
Council also needs to continue advocating to the county for increased tax differentials. Greenbelt provides certain services, such as police and public works, that are also provided by the county. Greenbelt citizens should not be taxed twice – once by the city and once by the county – for these services. Increased tax differentials lower residents’ county taxes in recognition of this.
Kevin “Coach K” Lockhart
Given the economic challenges in Greenbelt, the city council should shift its spending priorities to directly support residents by expanding existing programs focused on affordable housing, job training and community services. Public engagement should be a critical part of this process, allowing residents to advocate for changes and provide input during the budget cycle.
Here are some ideas that are already in place but may not be widely known among residents, especially in the West side of Greenbelt (Franklin Park):
– Expand direct financial and social support: Develop programs that provide immediate and tangible relief to residents facing economic hardships.
– Create emergency assistance funds.
– Support food assistance programs.
– Increase funding for Greenbelt CARES.
– More police engagement in the West side.
Frankie Santos Fritz
As recent tragedies show, public safety will continue to be a core concern. Shootings and violence impact our quality of life and feelings of safety, and evidence-based investments in prevention and deterrence, especially for youth, must be considered alongside measures for timely accountability for violence.
We need to center economic development, including phone service improvements, and enhance transportation to diversify our economy and be an enticing home for new residents.
The city should do more to engage residents in existing community-driven mutual aid and organizing efforts. For example, supporting and partnering with neighborhood and tenant organizations to educate residents about rights and responsibilities under the law can increase the effectiveness of our complaint-based enforcement staffing.
Finally we should regularly review and track the effectiveness of the various city consultants and contractors, and look at ways to cooperatively procure external services with neighboring jurisdictions and agencies to find savings.
