Dear voter,

 

In these days of economic stress, Rockville will have to make many hard choices. I am the person who will provide clear, strong, and respectful leadership.

I will be "A Leader for Our Times".

Since 2007 the annual City budget has increased from $95 million to $102 million. However, we now are facing lower revenues for the first time in years. Now more than ever, Mayor and Council will need members who know how to work through a budget and weigh priorities in a fair and systematic way. Rockville needs effective members who can work in a collaborative manner, without the lack of civility too often seen.

I believe I am the person Rockville needs, and for these reasons I declared for a seat on the Rockville City Council. I ask not only for your vote, but for your support.

Since well before I ran for Mayor in 2007 I have been working hard to learn the ins and outs of Rockville's government and its budgetary process in particular. Too often the current Mayor and Council react to City staff priorities. With tough fiscal times coming, our elected officials need to be thoughtful, proactive, and effective. The Council needs people who know how to forge solutions to difficult issues and bring people together.

I have demonstrated these qualities in the Peace Corps, as president of the College Gardens Civic Association, and as president of the Town Center Action Team. A statistician and systems analyst, I am a Senior Fellow at Mathematica Policy Research Inc. I field complex data collection systems in support of federal government policy evaluations. I know how to organize people and resources in order to make things work. As a Rockville Council member I will draw on these diverse experiences to serve you.

I am also an environmentalist; my house has 4 rain barrels, a rain garden, and a push mower. I ride my bike to the Metro year-round. I believe the City can encourage energy efficiency more aggressively and work for increased pedestrian safety, better bike transit, and more green open spaces. Finally I will work for a more transparent government. Never again should the state call out the City for making policy behind closed doors!

Please help by donating, volunteering to help, and voting for me on November 3.

I thank you very much. Yours truly,

Mark Pierzchala, your neighbor in Rockville