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Democrat
Tiquia Bennett (Information not submitted)
Sidney Katz
What office are you running for? County Council
Political party: Democrat
Where you live: Gaithersburg
Date of birth: March 24, 1950
Current occupation and employer:
Montgomery County Council member, District 3
Political experience:
Gaithersburg City Council, 20 years; mayor of Gaithersburg 16 years; member of the Montgomery County Council two terms
Website: https://www.sidneykatz.com
Email: sidneykatz@earthlink.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatzForCouncil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatzForCouncil
Why are you running for this office?
Experience. At least five of the 11 of the next County Council will be new members and they will need the experience that I bring as we navigate the challenges and opportunities in front of us. I am a consensus builder and problem solver. I am a lifelong resident of Montgomery County and I care very much about its future.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
There are so many important issues but if I had to choose just one, I would choose public safety which includes our concern for mental health. It is so very important that everyone feels safe on our streets, in our schools and in our neighborhoods. I am the chair of the Public Safety Committee and it is of utmost importance to me that everyone is treated fairly and that our first responders are well-trained, well-managed, and well-compensated.
What is one criticism you have received while in office and what is your response?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness. Less than half of these adults ever receive treatment. The link between mental health, substance abuse and crime has put enormous stress on our criminal justice system. In Montgomery County we needed additional resources to help people with an underlying mental health condition. I worked to bring both a District and Circuit mental health courts to Montgomery County to help those individuals. I have proudly attended several court graduations and to witness firsthand how we are achieving our goals.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
I owned and operated a small business, Wolfson’s Department Store, in Olde Towne Gaithersburg (which was started by my grandparents in 1918). At the same time, I served in a part-time capacity as mayor of Gaithersburg and before that on the Gaithersburg City Council. During that time in Gaithersburg I was involved in every major project that you see today, from the Kentlands to Downtown Crown. As a member of the County Council I have been elected to be the vice president as well as the president.
Robert Wu
What office are you running for? County Council
Political party: Democratic
Where you live: Gaithersburg
Date of birth: April 22, 1977
Current occupation and employer:
Corporate Counsel, Northrop Grumman (2020 to present)
Senior Attorney, U.S. Government Accountability Office (2013 to 2020)
Judge Advocate and Civilian Attorney, U.S. Army (2003 to 2013)
Political experience:
Council member, Gaithersburg City Council (2015 to present)
Website: https://www.voterobwu.com
Email: rob@voterobwu.com
Facebook: facebook.com/voterobwu
Twitter: @MrRobWu
Why are you running for this office?
I am running to give voters a choice on the direction of the county and to address the significant issues we face. My work on the Gaithersburg City Council over the past seven years has only grown my passion for service to our community. Montgomery County is where we have chosen to live and raise our children, and I want to bring my dedication to service to the county that I call home.
What is the most important issue in this race and what specific plans do you have to address it?
The long-term economic viability of the county. Certainly, we are faced with issues spanning education, jobs, housing, safety, equity, and the environment, but the ability to advance solutions in these areas all tie back to the success of our future economy. We should leverage our strengths to become more regionally competitive: a highly-educated workforce, proximity to Federal agencies and research institutions, desirable mixed-use communities to attract/retain workforce talent, and a robust education pipeline to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. By building on what we have, we can advance the priorities that we have not yet achieved.
What is one major issue that has been handled poorly and what would you have done differently?
If there was one area where I think the current council could have handled an issue better, it is in the area of public safety. Sitting from the vantage point of a municipal official in a city that has responsibility for hiring, training, equipping and retaining its own police force, I am concerned to see the recruiting and morale difficulties faced by our county law enforcement officers; some of which has been attributed to actions of the council. More of a focus on our public safety workforce may have been warranted, and it will be my focus if elected.
What experience (work, political or other) has prepared you to hold this office?
My service on the Gaithersburg City Council over the last seven years has certainly prepared me for this role. Moreover, the entire arc of my professional career is relevant to this office. As a U.S. Army Judge Advocate, on active duty and in the reserves, and a longtime public servant with the U.S. Army and U.S. Government Accountability Office, I have specialized in governance, procurement and innovation. I currently work for a Fortune 500 company focusing on the development of cutting-edge technology. I would bring a diverse resume, a different perspective and experience to the County Council.
