Q&A: Tim Male, Ward 2 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 2 candidate Tim Male 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 its current services because of budget issues?

I don’t believe we will need to cut the budget in FY2013.  Rather the question may be whether we will choose to invest in improving services and/or to cut the local property tax rate.  I support rebuilding of our reserve funds that allow us to pay for police vehicle and other equipment upkeep and replacement.  Beyond a few additional modest improvement in service costs, if we end up with a projected surplus and the economy and regional job market continues to struggle, I support reducing property taxes to give residents some relief.

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

Commit ourselves to the goal of cleaning up water pollution in Sligo Creek so its waters are once again a safe place to play.  Set a higher goal for our tree program and arborist but find more flexible and rational ways to achieve it through modest revisions in the City’s tree protection policies.  Evaluate police patrol activity in neighborhoods at the edge of Ward 2 that experience greater crime rates and work with the Police Chief to increase police presence in such areas as a deterrent to crime.

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?

There is a narrow window of time to get the County’s Urban Design Guidelines right – once the county puts those in place beside Master and Sector plans, the likely path of development is set.  As your Council representative, I would work extremely hard alongside the City and Mayor to make sure that the finalized plans protect residential areas next to urbanized zones, minimize traffic cut through into neighborhoods, maximize pedestrian and bicycle access and offer significant small store and restaurant retail space.  Changes like these in what the County currently proposes will deliver improvements that enhance the livability of our City.

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

The problems of the Junction have been with us for decades.  We talked about them on the Safe Roadways Committee I served on in 2003 and the same problems are still being discussed today – there is no silver bullet solution that is going to fix all the problems there and make everyone happy.  However, if Council is willing to lead and take on bigger fixes that would address more of the Junction’s problems, I believe that we have the statewide political leadership resident in Takoma Park to get state funding and attention to significantly improve conditions.  We should start with small changes that improve light timing, bus bay configuration and pedestrian safety, but longer term we need new tax revenue generated from development of the City-owned lot, and redesign of the street pattern in the Junction to make traffic flow more efficient, pedestrians safer and to give businesses on the southwest side of Carroll Avenue a greater chance to survive and thrive.

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?

The City’s trash/recycling program needs to be improved because although it may arguably be a slightly cheaper service it is not a better service than the County’s.  An immediate fix would be for the City to provide larger, rolling recycling bins so that all residents, especially older ones, have a more convenient way to recycle than our handheld yellow bins provide.  The next step is to start testing how the City could save on fees to dispose of waste by building a municipal kitchen composting pickup program as 90 communities around the country have done.  We used to be a national leader in our trash services and recycling program – let’s get there again.

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.

I have been honest and transparent throughout this campaign in talking about the realistic, practical things I would focus on that would make people’s lives a little bit or a lot better.  That is what this election should be about – ideas and concrete changes a candidate can deliver to maintain or improve services and conditions in the City.  With a professional background and years of state, local and national experience in successful environmental restoration efforts, I will champion improving our tree, sanitation and other environmental programs in smart ways.  I will also focus my attention on improving the transparency of the City to you – providing better information on what the City does, why it does it and what we get for our tax dollars.  And I will help lead the City’s efforts to get New Hampshire Avenue and Langley Crossroads planning done right.  I will listen and lead on behalf of the busy majority of Ward 2 – I’ve heard your call for a representative who takes action and is not beholden to the voices of the few who serve on Committees to make decisions and get things done.