By RILEY BOMGARDNER
The three candidates for the vacant District 3 City Council seat said Wednesday the city should help federal workers who have lost their jobs.
In a 90-minute candidates’ forum at city hall, Michael Meadow, Ray Ranker and Gannon Sprinkle suggested that the city could offer financial assistance, job search resources and referrals to mental health agencies in the community. College Park is home to a large number of federal workers who have been fired or are expecting to be as part of an effort by President Donald Trump to scale back the size of the federal government.
“I believe that we need a strong safety net, and there have to be city programs in place to both help people find new employment and to stop as much of this bleeding that we can,” Sprinkle, a University of Maryland (UMD) junior who served as the student liaison to the city council last year, said.
The forum, hosted by College Park Here & Now and moderated by WTOP anchor Shawn Anderson, came less than two weeks before a March 11 special election to replace former councilmember Stuart Adams, who resigned in January. A full council election is scheduled for November.
Trump also has called for the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion–or DEI–initiatives at federal agencies. So far, the order has not extended to cities that receive federal funds, but Anderson asked the candidates what the city should do if it does.
All of the candidates said they would oppose any effort to dismantle the city’s DEI programs.
“Absolutely do not scrap” DEI programs, Meadow, who works for the federal government, said. “I also believe diversity is the strength of our democracy, and I think that we should never forget that.”
Ranker, a chaplain who leads the UMD Lutheran Campus Ministry, said he would “like to have it both ways: continue doing [DEI] while still retaining federal dollars and support.” He said the city could “draw less attention” to diversity programs if necessary.
The candidates agreed they would not vote to raise residential property taxes–the city increased taxes last year for the first time in 10 years–but each suggested new projects they would like the city to take on.
For example, Sprinkle suggested a tax credit for homeowners, while Meadow said he would like the city to create “third spaces”–places like coffee shops, bookstores and a library, where residents can spend time outside of home or work.
Ranker and Sprinkle said they would add eco-friendly bike and walking paths.
Ranker, who lives in College Park Estates, said he is running for office to bring the community together.
“I’m passionate about building community,” he said during an opening statement. “I’m passionate about connecting people.”
He promised to make College Park feel like home and build a community that works for everyone.
“We’re living in uncertain times,” Ranker said. “In these times especially we need to be able to lean on each other to support one another.”
Sprinkle, who lives near the campus, said he is running “to bridge the gap between long-term residents and student residents here in the city of College Park.”
He added: “I won’t stop until we have done it.”
And Meadow, a lifelong resident of Old Town, said his aim is to grow the city in a sustainable way, support local businesses and make decisions that benefit city residents.
“We’ve had some real bangers … that have been wonderful pillars of the community,” Meadow said about small businesses like The Bagel Place that have closed because of rent increases or been displaced by construction.
All three candidates said they would oppose the creation of a city police force, noting the high cost of starting one.
The special election will take place on March 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall.
District 3 residents can vote by mail until March 11 but must apply for an absentee ballot in person at City Hall.
