Paula Bienenfeld – Candidate for District 4 County Council seat (Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series)

This post is part of the Moderately MOCO Candidate Introduction Series. Candidates who did not receive the questionnaire via email or need more information can get access through our contact form. The information in this post was submitted directly by the candidate and does not represent the views of Moderately MOCO or its publication.

Basic Information

Political Party: Democratic Party

Campaign Website: www.paulaformoco.com

Social Media: paulaformoco on FB

Why Are You Running For Office?

I am running for office because after decades as an activist volunteer, working with my neighbors and my community, trying to make change, I realize the adage is true: you are either at the table or on it. It is past time for residents to have a real say in how our government operates, makes decisions, and affects our neighborhoods and our communities. I am not a professional politician and my only goal is to represent my community. I follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Praisner and others who came before us: to focus on our county so it fulfills the promise to be a beautiful, welcoming place to live.

What Is The Biggest Issue Facing Voters In This Race?

Affordability is the biggest issue. Thise means housing, typically the biggest household budget item, but transportation and food costs can break your budget too. Lack of good paying jobs is part of the affordability issue too. I will work to keep property taxes, recordation and other fees low. Attracting new businesses to the County is also a key issue. I will work to bring high-target companies with high-paying jobs, which will increase incomes and our tax base. Just as important is the protection of our immigrant residents. I will work with the other council members to make sure we spend available budget on our safety net services, and keep our immigrant families are safe and secure.

What Experience Best Prepares You For This Role?

I have a dual experience that prepares me to represent the District 4 residents: my professional career as an environmental protection specialist and archaeologist/historic resources specialist in the private sector; and my decades-long experience as a volunteer activist working with MC-DOT, the planning department, MCPS, and county council to get things done for my community, including traffic calming; pedestrian and bicyclist safety; and increasing government transparency. I was president of my neighborhood association, and president of the Montgomery Conty Civic Federation. I was a member of the White Flint Sector Plan Advisory Group, and a member of the county Historic Preservation Commission, the first archaeologist on that commission. I was a member of the MCPS Antihate/Antiracist Bias Advisory Group. As an archaeologist, I have studied how societies and communities grow and succeed over time, or don’t. With this in mind, I am eager to maintain Montgomery County’s best traditions and to build on them as we address current and future challenges.

What Would You Like Voters To Know About You Personally?

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself to the voters of District 4. I have lived in the county for almost 35 years, first in Rockville in the West End neighborhood, then in North Bethesda in Luxmanor, for over 25 years, and now in Silver Spring, in the Seven Oaks neighborhood. We raised our children here, both attending MCPS public schools from kindergarten through high school. We spent time living in South America, in Bolivia, so I know what it’s like to be a stranger in a community, one who doesn’t know the language but who must navigate a new community and make new friends. My children went to local schools in Bolivia, learning Spanish, and making new friends. Both my professional career and my decades as an activist working on local issues make me the most qualified candidate in this important race. This is a critical election – the next council will see substantial change, thanks in part to term limits I helped put in place for the executive and council members. Much depends on this election, so please vote and make your voice heard.

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