The four candidates campaigning to be the next Montgomery County Executive were quizzed on economic growth, affordable housing, the school budget and even which three famous people they would like to invite for dinner at Friday morning’s 37th Annual Legislative Breakfast at Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda.
It’s an event organized by the Committee for Montgomery, which draws out local and state level business and political leaders each year.
The county executive candidates panel discussion featured Councilmembers Andrew Friedson, Evan Glass and Will Jawando and Mithun Banerjee. moderated by Josh Kurtz, founding editor of Maryland Matters.
“We are in a crisis moment,” said Jawando, noting that it “creates an opportunity” to make changes in the educational system, affordable housing, childcare costs and economic growth.
Banerjee vowed to offer free childcare and a pre-kindergarten education while reducing taxes and donating half his salary to the financially troubled Montgomery County Public Schools. He also would cut governament salaries, specifically mentioning audience member MCPS superintendent Thomas Taylor, Ph.D. who makes $360,000 per year.
Friedson said he’d focus on dealing with county problems and improving the relationship with state legislators to bring more money to Montgomery County. He would “fight together” with the public and nonprofit sectors, businesses and the county council.
Glass said he would make it easier for people, especially immigrants, to open businesses in the county by reducing regulations. He said he would work to make it easier for former federal employees, who were fired or laid off, to get back to work.
The three councilmembers agreed that affordable housing needs to be addressed. “We are in a housing crisis. Our kids and grandkids are not moving to Montgomery County,” Glass said, noting he would prefer to see more duplexes than “McMansions.”
Banerjee said he was running for executive, not a seat on the 11-member council, so he could create solutions, rather than just talk and cast one vote out of 11.
All the candidates agreed Montgomery County Public School buildings need expensive repairs but also that there has to be more transparency for what school board members are allocating funds.
Friedson called for stronger leadership, more accountability and a multiyear approach to handle the numerous issues the school district faces. Banerjee said he would reach out to the marketplace and have an open bidding process for any work that is done.
Kurtz then lofted some “rapid fire fun questions.”
When asked which three famous people they would like to have dinner with, Friedson listed Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa; President Barack Obama and television host Oprah Winfrey.
Glass said he would invite former Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Obama, plus Pope John Paul II. Jawando expressed interest in dining with Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa. Banerjee chose former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Obama and Bill Clinton.
As for their favorite television shows when they were young, Jawando chose “He-Man,” Banerjee said “Superman,” Friedson said “Seinfeld” and Glass picked “Sesame Street.”
Following this panel, newly minted Council President Natali Fani-González served as the closing speaker, sharing her top priorities, which include insuring all residents feels safe, increasing affordable housing and ensuring students and teachers can acheive academic excellence. Fani-González also spoke about the need to spend $100 million to repair the Glenmont Police Station.
Prior to the executive candidates’ panel, U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Rep. April McLaine Delaney discussed the effects of the federal government’s firings and cutbacks in social programs. That panel was moderated by Markette Sheppard, head of news and public information at Montgomery Community Media.
