@$:Councilman Piotr Gajewski wants to provide Rockville with a new brand of leadership.

Though he admits the city’s mayor has no de jure role different than other council members, the mayor still serves as the city’s spokesperson and face.

“To be an effective spokesperson, obviously there needs to be good communications with the council members so that he or she relays the feelings of the council accurately,” he said.

Gajewski said he would focus on rebuilding the city’s relationships with other organizations such as Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College and the state. He also wants to focus on economic development while also preserving the city’s neighborhoods.

Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio and council candidate John F. Hall Jr. have suggested that the best way to protect Rockville’s neighborhoods is by either strengthening or preserving Rockville’s growth law. Gajewski does not think the law has been effective in preventing overcrowding in schools.

“If you look at the increase in students as a result of new development it’s just totally insignificant,” Gajewski said. “Especially when compared to other things like generation turnover and people pulling their children out of private schools. If we focus on passing laws that constrain redevelopment, we are just spending time incredibly ineffectively.”

Gajewski also said he supports the city’s efforts to attract Choice Hotels, which recently moved to Rockville, and Rockville Economic Devlopment Inc. (REDI). He sees both as essential to keeping pace in a competitive environment that includes redevelopment efforts in White Flint to the south, and development efforts to the north.

“Rockville is essentially a fully developed city,” Gajewski said.“We have to develop positively; it’s absolutely crucial. REDI has been at the forefront of bringing in new businesses.”

snorris@gazette.net