Q&A: Kay Daniels-Cohen, Ward 3 Candidate

Throughout this week we'll be running Q&A's with candidates in the Takoma Park City Council election. Any of the candidates that responded to our questions will be posted.

Ward 3 candidate Kay Daniels-Cohen sat down with Patch to answer questions before the Nov. 8 election.

1. Where would you cut the budget? Can the city progress with programs or does it need to simply maintain it's current services because of budget issues?

I would not cut the budget nor reduce City services.  I am living on a fixed income and understand the challenge of paying for the Takoma Park services.  Right now the staff does 90% of the work on the budget and makes 90% of the decisions and the Council has 6 weeks of involvement with no involvement from the voters and taxpayers. Therefore, I would set up a year-round committee process that finds savings.  A Budget Committee would formalize the process, look at long term budget planning, relying on the City staff but also adding the diverse expertise of the people that live here.  If we plan ahead and eliminate inefficiencies, we can add to the public safety, environment and recreation without raising taxes…in other words get the biggest bang for the buck!!!

2. Name three things you would propose as a council member to improve livability in Takoma Park.

1)  I have already developed a Teen/Youth Community Garden using help from the SS Carroll Neighborhood Association and a grant from the Takoma Foundation.  I think that expanding that to a larger area, perhaps working with PEPCO to use their grassy space across the street from the Community Center not only as a Teen/Youth Community Garden but also as a fenced in playground.  That would really be multi-tasking and get very good publicity for PEPCO.  In my community canvassing during this campaigning period, I have discovered a WSSC space that could be developed as a Tot Lot and continue as a WSSC facility as well, more multi-tasking.  I believe in community gardens and would like to see more of them in Takoma Park, either for flowers or for vegetables, because a vegetable garden can be aesthetic and productive at the same time.

2)  I would support continuing the keeping Takoma Park ”Maryland’s Most Walkable City” by making sure that the sidewalks are in good repair for folks of all ages and abilities. 

3)  My third livability improvement would be to continue our quest for improvements in storm water management by locating areas that need rain gardens in our very hilly community and then building them to keep our earth where is should be and not washed away because of all of the concrete that surrounds us…rain gardens are both beautiful and functional.

3. With the County Council adopting the CR Zone what would you like to see happen to the Takoma Langley Crossroads? Where is the balance between development and livability?

I would like to see a vibrant Community at the Takoma Langley Crossroads, with full integration of transit options (buses, Purple Line), exciting commercial areas with a mix of businesses to serve all of the area, incorporation of green spaces and recreation, sensitivity and protection of single-family home adjacent neighborhoods, rational parking plans, traffic calming, incorporation of office and housing space in a plan suitable for a location on a transit center.  I would also make sure that there was as much input from the Community as possible and that all sides of any change were discussed, heard and whenever necessary compromised on.  These are changes that need community support.    

4. How do you see the Takoma Junction developing? How would you quell the traffic issue?

As the President of the S.S. Carroll Neighborhood Association, my overall vision for the Junction is a pedestrian friendly area that extends from the Takoma Park Fire Department, down Carroll Avenue to Lee Avenue, including the Co-op and B. Y. Morrison Park.  In that geographical area my revitalization recommendations are as follows: attractive development of City-owned lot, including green areas for "people gathering", facelifts on existing structures, pedestrian friendly walkways, and ease of parking.  I am seeking to make the Junction a local and non-local destination and ensure financial support from the community for the long term.

In achieving this vision three major concerns must be addressed: (1) pedestrian safety, (2) traffic flow, and (3) business vitality.  These same concerns were addressed in a study completed over 10 years ago by the City of Takoma Park and clearly support the SS Carroll message.

The traffic flow issue is one that exists in every urban neighborhood with State highways and major streets running through it.  Proper timing of the lights at Sycamore, Carroll /Ethan Allen and Carroll/Philadelphia will go a long way to solve moving the traffic through the area.  The City has taken major steps to see that this is happening right now at the strong urging of the Takoma Junction Task Force. The Takoma Junction Task force will be presenting its report covering all of this in detail and the next Council will act on its findings with high priority.

5. With tax duplication being such a big issue with residents, how would you make city services worth the extra money residents currently pay? If the county is providing a better service do you think the city should drop that service?

I would continue the education of the citizens by things like Mayor Williams Budget Game which was a very innovative way to begin to understand the budget equation including both revenue and expenditures. Residents often only look at the expenditures and may not understand the revenue side of the budget equation.   “Better” needs to be defined because I am not sure which County services might be “better” than the ones that we are receiving right now.  I have lived within a County system of service delivery.  There was either no response or response so slow that by the time it happened the issue had dissipated.   During many big snowstorms the only way out to a main road was to have the citizens living on the street dig it out themselves and that included me and this was an urban area.

Much groundwork has been done by our citizens and elected officials on the tax duplication issue.  I will continue to pursue it until a decision is reached and implemented on a formula which will solve this issue fairly.

6. What issue is most important to you? Just speak your mind on this one and let the readers know why it is important for you to be sitting at the dais after the November election.

The City of Takoma Park is what is important to me and that it’s residents are supported and cared for in a manner which becomes them!!!  This means as a Council Person making sure that the Ward 3 residents and the City at large know when, where and how to get their services delivered to them.  I believe the disconnect is with the residents not knowing who/where to go to find out how to solve a problem or even offer a solution to one.  I propose a central identifying area that people can call or email that can triage their problem and direct them to the proper City Department.  I also believe that Government is a two way street of responsibility.  If I need help and it is slow in arriving. I need to also be responsible for the follow-up.  If it’s going to be, it’s up to me!!!   That is the kind of Ward 3 Council Person I will be, an advocate for my Ward and my City just like I have been for the S.S. Neighborhood Association.  That is a way that community is built, through one to one communication.

As a long time resident,  the Takoma Junction (we used to call it the First Traffic Light) has gone through some significant changes.  I have served on the Takoma Junction Task Force for over a year and I am passionate about seeing some of the suggestions that will be presented in the final report come to fruition.  It is a hub of interesting activity and special niche shops that many aren’t aware of and I want to see it thrive and be a central part of the Community including the use of B.Y. Morrison Park.

Takoma Park is a wonderful place, filled with exciting, intelligent residents with a strong tradition of guiding the City to a place of “leading edge” progressive thinking and actions.  It is part of our core, our DNA, and our international reputation.  I have lived that philosophy all of my life and can’t imagine this City without progressive activism.  I love our way of being and always enjoy a debate with others who may question it.