Barry Jackson

Jackson has lived in Rockville for almost 20 years with his family and is the president of the King Farm Citizens Assembly, he wrote in an email to MoCo360. He works as a communications advisor in the Office of the Chief of Staff at AARP and is on the Board of the Rockville Area Village Exchange (RAVE), a non-profit organization that helps seniors socialize and age in place. According to his campaign website, he has been an active voice advocating for pedestrian safety and increased police coverage.

Why are you running for this position?  

From my time as King Farm President, my work with seniors and my career in legislative advocacy at the TN Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and AARP – I have the experience, leadership skils and real results to take onto the City Council. I found that I like hearing people’s concerns, finding common ground and moving solutions forward. I want to do that on the City Council. 

What makes you the best candidate (qualities, attributes, experience, skills, etc.)? 

Putting aside my work with the Neighborhood Villages, the disability community or my career in legislative advocacy I am president of the largest HOA in Rockville – the King Farm Citizens Assembly. There are approximately 10,000 people in King Farm, 1400 homes, townhouses, condos and apartments – the HOA has a multi-million-dollar annual budget, has streets, sidewalks, alleys, landscaping and runs pools and a community center. It’s like a small town – nearly 1/7 of the total population and area of Rockville. I work with the Mayor and Council and city staff including the Rockville City Police Department on a regular basis.  

What would be three priorities for you if elected? 

Public safety – we must get that right. The nation has a shortage of police officers. We have an innovative Police Chief and a fine police department. I want to make sure that we don’t allow others to take away our best officers or our best recruits. .  

Neighborhood businesses – I understand Town Center is a concern but I am aware that businesses around Rockville need support and promotion too.  

Affordable/adequate housing – I believe that more housing is needed in Rockville. But we should do it in a thoughtful way to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods. 

What is the most important issue happening in the city, and how do you plan to address it? 

Public safety –The nation has a shortage of police officers. We have an innovative Police Chief and a fine police department. We must not allow others to take away our best officers or our best recruits. I’m also very concerned about the County’s recent efforts to shift 9-11 calls onto the backs of municipalities such as Rockville.  

The worrying rise of anti-LGBTQ, anti-Asian and anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions. The city should do everything possible to work with schools, non-profits and others to ensure that our city continues to be diverse and inclusive and a space where everyone can be themselves.  

What is the best aspect of the city and how will you enhance it? 

Our diversity – of neighborhoods, of ethnicities, religions, nationalities, ages and sexual preferences is something Rockville should embrace. It not only makes sense from making our communities vibrant but also from entertainment, cultural arts and economic development it is hugely important to help women, people of color, the disabled community, older adults and others start small businesses in Rockville’s neighborhoods. If we work with REDI, the Chamber of Commerce and other groups to expand our offerings – trainings, grants and reducing hurdles to starting and sustaining businesses – if we truly embrace diversity, I think we create an environment where businesses thrive.  

There are four referenda questions on the ballot this election for Rockville voters: Lower the voting age to 16, Permit noncitizens to vote, Set term limits, Create representative districts.   Where do you stand on the four referenda questions?  

• 16 year olds voting. NO  
   
• Non-citizens voting. YES – but with numerous caveats. Non-citizens pay taxes, they use services – they are a part of our community. However, anyone who is undocumented should not be able to vote. Both because of the law but also because to be able to vote you must register. I really don’t want to have a database in Rockville that can be used by some future federal administration. I think there are a number of issues that need to be worked out.   

• Terms limits. YES.  

• Representative Districts. YES. 

In July, the County Council passed the rent stabilization bill, which will go into effect in Spring 2024. However, Rockville is exempt from the law. Where do you stand on the issue of implementing rent stabilization in your city? 

I know that residents are having their rents raised by 15 or 20 or 25%. I think that is unsustainable. I think some form of subsidy or credit or other way to address these rent increases could make sense. I am hesitant to implement rent control for the reasons laid out by the current Mayor and Council and the Gaithersburg Mayor. We have to build more housing to bring about rent stabilization. That is a longer-term solution – we need to also address right now where people are being priced out of their homes or apartments. 

Lastly, a fun question: Where is your favorite place to grab a bite to eat/favorite recreation place in Rockville? 

Pho Nom Nom (love their Pho and Bahn Mi). Mission BBQ (get the brisket). Fontina Grille (great neighborhood gathering place in King Farm). Wang Manor and Bob’s Shanghai (I love spicy food and these both are the bomb). For chili – Hard Times Cafe.  

And for breakfast – Original Pancake House and Fresh Baguette. And who can forget Carmen’s Italian ice on hot days.