Primary Council Niemann art 1Name:  Doyle Niemann

Age:  67

Day Job: Maryland State Delegate (D-47); Assistant State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County

Civic and Community Involvement:  Mount Rainier City Council, 1983-1987; Democratic Central Committee, 1986-1990; Prince George’s County Board of Education, 1996-2002; House of Delegates, 2003-present; Prince George’s Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee, 2003-present; Board, Prince George’s Swimming Pool, 1983-1997; Prince George’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, 1985-92; Maryland Citizen Action, 1982-94; Maryland League of Conservation Voters, 1981-88; Task Force on Delinquency Prevention, 2007-09; Task Force on Career Technical Education, 2007-09; Board, Prince George’s Bar Association, 2008-09

After 12 years in the House, six years on the School Board, four years in city government, and the last 16 years as a criminal prosecutor — as well as a long history of professional work in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors — I am running for the County Council because I believe the varied experience I have accumulated in all those arenas and careers will make a difference there.

I understand the problems of local government and local communities and I know how to bring the resources of the state and county to bear on them. I am independent and not tied to any other politician or special interest.

Most important, I have a proven record for bringing people and groups with different points of view together to pursue a common goal. That is important at a time when our county is poised for much better things.

On the County Council, I will focus on making our government more accountable and efficient, on improving our schools by establishing a new and more cooperative relationship between the county government and the School Board, and cleaning up blight in our neighborhoods.

Specific ideas about how this can be done, along with information on the work I have done in the past, can be found on my website: www.doyleniemann.com. Questions can be addressed to me personally at doyleniemann@verizon.net.

Having lived in Mount Rainier the last 34 years with my wife, a retired Prince George’s County teacher, I know Hyattsville and surrounding areas well. My children attended local public schools, including Hyattsville Middle School. I was an HMB coach and my children participated in HMB activities. I am a Friend of the Hyattsville Library and follow activities and issues in the city.

I ask for your vote on June 24.

Primary Council Taveras artName: Deni Taveras

Age: 41

Day Job: Legislative Aide for Maryland State Senator Victor Ramirez (D-47)

I am running for County Council because we deserve better public schools, quality jobs, and safer and cleaner streets.

I understand the struggles of those with limited resources.  Orphaned at age 8, I was raised by my grandmother who taught me the value of hard work. I worked as a housecleaner and daycare provider to sustain myself through college, earning degrees from Barnard College, University of Utah and Princeton University.  The last degree was a dual Master’s in public affairs and urban regional planning.

I am a person of action.  I went to work at the Environmental Protection Agency to help keep our families safe.  Later, I joined FEMA as a [Hurricane] Katrina relief worker helping families get back on their feet after disasters, staying on to help states, counties and townships also recover from disasters.  I then came back home to save my homeowner’s association from bankruptcy and to work for Senator Victor Ramirez as his chief of staff.

As president of my homeowner’s association, I increased reserves, reduced delinquency rates, and improved public safety.   As a key staffer in Annapolis, I helped pass legislation that made a positive difference for working families.

Here in District 2, it is time for a new face, fresh energy and new ideas. I am a driven individual with a vision for a better Prince George’s County.  With the Purple Line coming, our community needs to prepare for the continued population growth.  We need to improve our schools, bring quality jobs and improve county service delivery.

If you share my vision, I humbly ask for your support and vote.