Brigitta Mullican

Rock,-Mullican

Age: 70

Political party or slate, if any: Independently running, not on a slate

Current occupation and employer (if retired, list your last job): Retired federal employee

Previous work experience (up to two previous jobs before current or last one): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 36 years

Political experience (public offices held and when, as well as other unsuccessful campaigns for office): For almost four decades, am actively engaged in municipal and neighborhood concerns. Candidate for Rockville mayor in 2005, candidate for City Council in 2007 and 2015.

Campaign contact information (website, email, Facebook, Twitter, other):

1. Why are you the most qualified to hold this position?

I will provide an independent voice on the city council; not beholden to a “slate.” My years of experience at all levels in our community (volunteer and appointed) have prepared me for the Rockville Council. I am a diligent professional with true appreciation and compassion for the concerns of our Rockville residents.

As a Rockville Planning Commissioner for seven years, I participated in the Comprehensive City Master Plan; Bike Master Plan; and King Farm, Fallsgrove and Town Center planned developments. I know the importance of community involvement and how it can benefit the health, safety, and welfare of our city.

2. What are the top two issues in this campaign? What specific ideas do you have to address them?

Affordability:

Rockville’s biggest challenge is that it is becoming an expensive place to live. Rockville needs to keep its budget in line to maintain city services without increasing fees and taxes. We need a government that listens to its residents, knows the needs of the city, and makes all its residents’ concerns a priority.
Rockville should continue its Moderately Priced Unit program. To keep residential property tax from rising, Rockville needs well-balanced new development for additional revenue.

Transportation:

As Rockville’s population increases, more people need affordable and efficient means of getting around. It is a regional concern that needs to be addressed with the county and state because funding comes from federal and state transportation funds.

The Rockville City Master Plan along with the zoning codes addresses many Rockville transportation issues. When new projects are before the City Council, recommendations should be incorporated into the plan for traffic improvements. Rockville can better advocate with the Council of Governments by recommending improved local bus routes or shorter bus wait times so more people will use public transportation.

When elected, I will make sure transportation concerns by Rockville citizens are considered. I want to approve projects that will benefit the most people.

3. What has been your biggest accomplishment in office? If you have not held office, what is your biggest accomplishment that has prepared you to hold office?

I rose through the career ranks of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to the position of branch chief, Division of Commissioned Personnel (over 100 employees), providing all administrative functions. I was responsible for formulating and executing budgets that included recommending a 5% reduction to upper management.

In DHHS, I managed the funds of three programs: the Office of Disability, the Center for Faith-Based Community Initiatives, and the President’s Council on Bioethics.

I will bring my budget experience from the federal government to see that the City Council budget is in line with the city’s priorities.

4. Have the current mayor and/or council taken any actions with which you disagreed? If so, what is the most significant one and what would you have done instead?

Three issues (not one) irritated me:
1 - Dawson’s Market bailout. Other failing Town Center businesses were not assisted with tax dollars. (I would have talked with all business owners to find help without tax dollars.)
2 – Not filling the vacant City Council position showed a lack of leadership of the current elected officials. (I would have urged compromise to make a selection work and immediately have a full council.)
3 – The decision to have a “Vote by Mail Only” election. (I would have added a referendum question for the voters to decide how they wanted to vote.)

5. What went wrong with RedGate Golf Course? How should the property be used next?

Rockville could have done a better job with oversight of the RedGate Golf Course. Better maintenance of the course was needed.

I believe this property can become a multiuse parcel. In redevelopment, it must be able to sustain itself and bring in revenue to the city.

One possibility is a partnership project with Montgomery County Public Schools for an educational/scientific complex with extra sports fields. This plan could be a private/public partnership. If there is a need for another school, a discussion with the county and MCPS should be initiated, followed by public hearings.

6. How would you describe the city’s progress in revitalizing Rockville Town Center? Would you do anything else or instead? 

Rockville Economic Development Inc. and the Rockville Chamber of Commerce can be an asset to Town Center. Increased availability of parking is a critical issue for the Town Center to succeed. I believe Town Center parking should be free after 5 p.m. and on weekends.

The city needs to start a conversation with WMATA to build a multilevel parking garage on the site of its existing surface parking lot to maximize the use of limited space. It would increase patronage to both the Metro system and Town Center businesses. A partnership agreement for such a garage would benefit Rockville.