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 third question.
Question 3: What particular expertise do you bring to council and in what specific ways would you use it to advance your priorities? Give concrete examples.
Frankie Santos Fritz
I have extensive experience in diverse areas of public policy, labor and housing organizing and community engagement that offer unique perspectives in the crafting of legislation, budgets and implementation and review of new and existing city programs.
I have worked for three years as legislative staffer for the Montgomery County government covering issues of public safety and social housing. I helped draft legislation that prompted a nearly 70 percent reduction in severe housing code violations across Montgomery County.
As a labor organizer I have extensive experience with public sector collective bargaining from both the labor and management perspective. I have organized around tax and land use policy issues including a campaign in Annapolis at the General Assembly for parity between tax assessments for private country clubs and higher assessments for homeowners. I aim to bring more participatory processes to public budget and land use decisions in the future.
Kevin “Coach K” Lockhart
I know the community.
I am the community. Living in Franklin Park as a single dad and coaching the neighborhood kids for the past 15 years has allowed me to engage closely with parents and young adults. I understand their wants and needs because I live with them every day. There’s no better person to represent this community than someone who hasn’t just read about its issues but has actually experienced them. People talk to me because they know I’m one of them. For example, I organize food giveaways and often get calls from parents, especially single mothers when they’re struggling with their child’s behavior. I listen, support and advocate for everyone.
Kristen L.K. Weaver
From years as a middle school teacher and now science communicator at Goddard, I bring a strong sense of organization, attention to detail and analytical and data-driven thought processes to everything I do. Only weeks after being elected in 2021, I helped council organize a review of police practices by tracking suggestions during the discussion. My science communication background provides experience in distilling important points, assessing where confusion is occurring, and explaining concepts clearly, skills helpful for community outreach as well as ensuring meetings run smoothly and outcomes and next steps are identified.
Since joining council, I have leaned into areas of passion, making connections beyond Greenbelt by serving on the Sustainable Maryland Certified Executive Committee, as well as the Transportation Planning Board and the National League of Cities’ Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee, bringing subject matter knowledge back to the city to improve our environmental and transportation practices locally.
Amy Knesel
Community building has been the throughline of my work long before I joined council. I have a deep understanding of how to connect people with opportunities to contribute ‒ whether that’s ideating with Scout groups on how kids can impact our city’s function, strengthening partnerships between mutual aid groups or supporting renters and small businesses, co-ops, and nonprofits. I see community as Greenbelt’s greatest asset, and I use my experience in outreach and organizing to help residents plug in where they’re needed most. On council, that means investing in people-first programs, improving communication between residents and staff and ensuring every voice has a place in shaping our city’s future. After nearly two years of service, I now better understand how council functions ‒ and I’m ready to translate those ideas into practical, lasting action for Greenbelt.
Bill Orleans
I suggest no expertise. I know nothing (at least not anything with a certainty not open to suasion, the only constructive form of coercion), save that maybe I have a heightened perception to recognize the pretense common to our species.
Only one thing separates elected council and residents who elect it: council votes on the questions before it, residents do not. Council should conduct the city’s business substantively, not superficially, and of course participate in the discussion of any agenda item, but not presume to dominate it. Residents’ right and opportunity to engage in the discussion should be recognized and encouraged, more so. Council is not, nor are its individual members, special. The people should be wary of electing anyone to any office who would see themselves as such, and who want it too much. If elected, my first priority would be to ensure greater participation from more engaged residents.
Emmett V. Jordan
As a Greenbelt city councilmember, I bring broad expertise in municipal budgeting, external relations and community development – positioning us to advance Greenbelt’s priorities.
Years on council and as mayor sharpened my ability to advocate with state, county and regional leaders, ensuring Greenbelt’s interests are heard at every level. My professional experience in nonprofit management has built our city’s capacity to secure grants and community development funding.
For instance, my persistent advocacy with council and city managers led to hiring a grants writer, which rapidly increased city revenues and support for local programs. Through my service on the National League of Cities (NLC) board, we secured Bloomberg Philanthropies funding for the Greenbelt Business Alliance directory and joined the NLC Local Infrastructure Hub for additional resources.
I am dedicated to delivering sustainable solutions for our community through strategic partnerships and collaboration. My steadfast commitment and deep local knowledge will guide every decision.
Jenni Pompi
As an editor and former journalist, I bring to council expertise in clarity, collaboration and process discipline that directly supports Greenbelt’s priorities. In my day job, I regularly translate complex information into clear, actionable language, which is vital as a councilmember when evaluating legislative policy, budget proposals or public safety initiatives. I also regularly guide experts through problem-solving; a skill I use on council to tackle the economic and safety challenges facing residents.
With roots in journalism and public communications, I know how to engage diverse audiences and earn trust through transparency. I apply that to making council decisions more accessible and understandable to all residents. Whether expanding EV infrastructure, advancing pedestrian safety, strengthening inclusion efforts or mitigating constituent concerns, I act as a translator between staff, experts and constituents – turning plans into action, while keeping Greenbelt’s core values of cooperation and equity at the center.
Silke I. Pope
I believe understanding our community’s needs is crucial to my success and translating them into practical solutions is my strength. I use my skills to enhance public safety and advocate for improved intra-city transportation such as a circulator bus. With my experience in banking and international business relations, I will ensure responsible financial planning that protects city services while planning for Greenbelt’s future. I am looking forward to collaboratively finding new ways to fund our infrastructure projects and other fiscal responsibilities that we must accomplish in the upcoming years. Finding additional tax-based income opportunities will be vital for our community’s future. Fiscal restraint is essential to our future successes. My approach is grounded in listening, teamwork and fairness for all. I believe that by working together, we can maintain Greenbelt’s unique character while improving the quality of life for all residents today and in the years to come.
Rodney M. Roberts
At age 8, my father, a mapmaker, carpenter and builder, began teaching me construction trades: carpentry, masonry, roofing, plumbing, etc. He said, “it’s a sin to waste a good building.” I’m also a master mechanic, welder, fabricator, etc. with 50 years’ experience on all types of equipment and vehicles. This experience directly informs my decisions on the expenditure of taxpayer dollars, including projects like the Armory.
A lifelong Greenbelt resident, 34 years on council, chair of Committee to Save the Green Belt (CSGB), 37-year provider of Pumpkin Walk hot chocolate and apple cider. I credit Pumpkin Walks, started in 1988 by the CSGB Activities Subcommittee, with passage of the Forest Preserve Ordinance. That personal outreach led to huge resident turnouts at many important council meetings. I hope to use that experience to achieve National Park status for BARC, Goddard, Patuxent Wildlife Refuge and the adjoining forest to benefit future Greenbelters.
Danielle P. McKinney
My career has been devoted to helping people and organizations adapt and thrive in a changing world. As a senior leader in learning and development at Marriott, I focus on preparing people for the jobs of the future – building skills in leadership, service, technology and resilience in an era of rapid change. That experience, spanning both the public and private sectors, includes: managing budgets and complex multi-year projects, overseeing contracts and vendor relationships, analyzing data and facilitating cross-functional teams to achieve measurable outcomes.
I bring those same skills to city government to strengthen programs, improve efficiency and ensure resources align with residents’ needs. Whether advancing workforce development, expanding food access through Greenbelt Grows or promoting sustainable growth initiatives, I lead with collaboration, fiscal responsibility and inclusion. As the first Black woman to serve on council, I’m committed to ensuring that every voice helps shape Greenbelt’s connected, equitable and resilient future.
