District 4 contenders discuss budget fix

At forum, County Council hopefuls debate ways to close $297 million gap

The District 4 council seat was left vacant by the death of Councilwoman Marilyn J. Praisner in February.

District 4 includes parts of Burtonsville, Silver Spring, Cloverly, Colesville, Wheaton, Aspen Hill, Olney, Sandy Spring and Ashton.

Only one candidate who had announced his intention to run for office by last week’s forum, Robert P. Patton, did not attend.

In his $4.3 billion budget plan for next year, Leggett (D) employed a mix of fees, a property tax increase and job reductions to balance the budget at a time when tax levies are bringing in less than expected, the housing market is slumping and gas prices are soaring.

‘‘I am troubled by the proposal to raise taxes,” said Praisner’s widower, Donald E. Praisner, who hopes to fill his wife’s seat.

He added that he believes in ‘‘fiscal prudence” and managing growth.

‘‘I think the most important part of the budget is accountability,” said Praisner, a Democrat.

Mark D. Fennel, a Republican from Silver Spring, said he would never vote to increase property taxes and called for a harder look at spending.

He said the county needs to curb rapid growth in its government budget, but cannot do so unless it spends less on wages and benefits paid to county workers and teachers.

Steve Kanstoroom, a Democrat from Ashton, said he would not be in favor of layoffs.

‘‘To pull the rug out from under these people, I would not support that,” he said.

Kanstoroom said he thinks the county ought to resolve its fiscal deficits without cutting services.

Other topics focused on more local issues, such as how to ensure the county housing code is properly enforced.

Democrat Patrick D. Ryan of Silver Spring said he thought it was important to ‘‘listen to the people who are affected by these problems in their neighborhoods.”

Republican Thomas J. Hardman, an Aspen Hill resident and a former member of the Aspen Hill Civic Association’s Board of Directors, called for refining and possibly restructuring the way the county carries out code enforcement.

He added that he also thinks the county should have a ‘‘full-time code enforcement court” to try alleged offenders. The county already tries code enforcement cases, but not on a weekly basis.

The candidates were also asked to identify how they thought District 4 had changed over the last 20 years and what they envision for its future.

Montgomery County Board of Education President Nancy Navarro (D-Dist. 5) of Silver Spring cited the district’s changing demographics. For example, she said, many District 4 residents speak a foreign language.

‘‘We must be able to include all the voices that are here currently,” she said.

If those voices are not heard, Navarro said the county will have ‘‘truly missed the mark.”

John McKinnis, a Calverton Republican who ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006, said the county has seen a rise in crime and an increase in traffic. He also said he thinks there should be more of an emphasis on pedestrian safety.

‘‘I think pedestrian safety is a concern that didn’t exist 20 years ago,” he said, adding that action must be taken to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities.

Afterward, Jim Zepp, past president of the Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association, said that with the primary election coming up on April 15 and the special general election following May 13, he feels it is important to get to know the candidates.

‘‘One reason why we’re here is that this district was dominated for so long by Marilyn Praisner, and I think it’s a real challenge for the residents of this district to become familiar with the various candidates that are now running in this very short timeframe,” he said.

Staff Writer Janel Davis contributed to this report.

Upcoming forums

The People’s Community Baptist Church, Alpha Phi Alpha Iota Upsilon Chapter, Montgomery County NAACP, African American Democratic Club and Montgomery County Hispanic Democratic Club will sponsor a District 4 Candidates Forum 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday at The People’s Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Call 301-384-2601.

The Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club will sponsor a debate for the Democratic candidates at 7:30 p.m. April 2 at White Oak Middle School, 12201 New Hampshire Ave. in Silver Spring.

The Sandy Spring Civic Association and the Sherwood Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association will hold a District 4 Candidates Forum from 3 to 4:30 p.m. April 6 at Sherwood Elementary School, 1401 Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Route 108) in Sandy Spring.

The Northwood-Four Corners Civic Association will hold a District 4 Candidates Forum April 9 at the North Four Corners Park Recreation Center, 211 Southwood Ave. in Silver Spring. The forum will follow the civic association’s 7:30 p.m. meeting.