Kristen Weaver is proud to have served on the city council as mayor pro tem since 2021. Beginning amid the pandemic, she immediately saw the importance of bringing together the strengths of the community, and ways that city leadership can guide and support efforts larger than individuals alone, such as the innovative programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Weaver was born in Greeley, Colo., earned a B.S. in computer science and psychology, a teaching certificate and an M.A in education, all from the University of Denver. She moved to Maryland in 2007 after reconnecting with her now-husband A.J. Stephens, a childhood friend. She previously taught middle school math and science, and since 2013 has worked as an outreach specialist at Goddard Space Flight Center, currently with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. She has lived in Greenbelt since 2015.
Weaver has advocated for reducing Greenbelt’s carbon footprint through electrification of the city fleet and providing for additional public EV charging infrastructure. She is also eager to implement the Save As You Throw by-the-bag pricing, which will incentivize reduced trash generation, saving on tipping fees while promoting environmentally sustainable behaviors. Weaver has served as Greenbelt’s representative on the regional Transportation Planning Board, as well as the National League of Cities’ Transportation and Infrastructure Services committee, and looks to bring that experience to local projects.
Council approved the Buddy Attick Master Plan in May, and next steps are gradual implementation of that plan as well as developing a broader plan to address the disparity in amenities across Greenbelt’s neighborhoods. A start is the 20,000+-square-foot indoor recreation space promised to the city with the Beltway Plaza redevelopment, and eventually the possibility of making the Dora Kennedy building a Greenbelt West community center.
Weaver supports efforts to increase voter engagement, including the recently implemented all-resident voting, and further ideas such as this year’s advisory referendum on ranked choice voting and mailing ballots to all voters in future elections, while still allowing in-person voting.
We face economic and social disruption caused by the haphazard and cruel policies of the current federal administration, which will bring new challenges to Greenbelt and surrounding communities. If re-elected, Weaver will work to enact policies to provide as much support as possible for all our residents. She hopes to continue to be part of bringing neighborhoods together and building a stronger sense of community for all city residents.
