By Sophie Gorman Oriani 

Michelle Lee is one of the new faces on the Hyattsville city council, representing Ward 4 alongside long-time councilmember Eduoard Haba. 

In a June 22 interview with the Hyattsville Life & Times, Lee said she was born and raised in Prince George’s County. She grew up primarily in Riverdale and attended Bladensburg High School, but has lived in Ward 4 for ten years. “I have a love for PG county,” she said. 

This theme of loving the community you live in carried through the rest of our conversation. Lee said she has met many of her neighbors through walking her five year old Shihtzu, Lew. The human-to-human connection involved in local politics is important, Lee said. “You’re not gonna see President Biden at Giant,” she joked. “You may see me at Giant.”

Lee said that Ward 4 is unique as it doesn’t have very many businesses, but is primarily houses and apartments. It’s a very connected area, Lee said, noting that many of her neighbors live down the street or around the corner from their family members. However, many residents struggle to feel connected to the city of Hyattsville itself.

“I’ve always been a community-oriented person,” Lee said. While on council, she is excited to learn about the behind-the-scenes aspects of city government. She also wants to focus on listening to constituents and helping Ward 4 residents feel connected to the broader Hyattsville community and become more engaged in the civic life of the city.

Lee encouraged Ward 4 residents to reach out to her with any concerns. “I will never say I have all the answers,” she said–but that won’t stop her from trying to get them.