Candidate name: Eric Olson

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: College Park

Date of birth: July 5, 1970

Place of birth: Westfield, Massachusetts

Occupation: Director, Healthy Communities Campaign, Sierra Club

Education: B.A., Elmira College; M.A., University of Maryland

Community associations, involvement: Calvert Hills Civic Association; College Park Education Advisory Committee; University of Maryland Alumni Association; Progressive Maryland; MaryPIRG; Sierra Club; Equality Maryland; Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line Board Member; University of Maryland Master Plan Committee.

Professional associations: Member, Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee; Member, Metropolitan Washington Transportation Planning Board.

Family: Wife, Sarah; One daughter

Campaign office address and telephone:

PO Box 78, College Park, MD 20741

301-442-6409

Link to candidate’s website, where one exists:

www.ElectEricOlson.org

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

1. Improve public education; 2. increase public safety; 3. attract quality revitalization and Purple Line light rail.

How would you rate the performance of the current council: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Good. This Council has fully funded the Board of Education’s request for schools and they have taken steps to rein in poorly planned development, while seeking methods to ensure that police and emergency response are not stretched more.

Is the rate of growth in District 3 too fast, too slow or just right?

We need to be cautious about growth. Instead of new, sprawling development, we need to reinvest in our downtowns, commercial areas, and near Metro stations, creating more walkable redevelopment where people can rely on non-auto transportation. Any development must be done with public involvement and protect our environment.

What programs would you add to the budget and how would you pay for them?

I’d like an expansion of public transportation, especially shuttle buses that serve Metro stations and shuttles that provide seniors with efficient transportation. I would seek to add public works employees dedicated explicitly to taking down illegal roadside signs (like ‘‘We Buy Houses for Cash,” ‘‘Work from Home,” etc.). Community health care and mentoring programs should also be expanded. Developers should be paying for improvements to our transportation system, and we can tap into local business for mentoring assistance.

Do you support having big box stores open along the Route 450 corridor? Why?

I have a long record supporting quality economic revitalization both as a city councilman and professionally. The Route 450 corridor (among others) needs revitalization of commercial areas. I will work to bring as many independent businesses, restaurants, and quality commercial redevelopment as possible to this and other corridors as my first economic priority. Large chain stores, however, should respect the community, workers and the environment.

Does the council have too much, not enough or the right amount of oversight of the school system?

The Council’s role is to provide funding to the Board of Education, to build and maintain facilities, and to collaborate with the Superintendent, the Board, and other stakeholders in the public schools. I would not look to upset this arrangement, however, the Council must focus as much of its attention as possible to lifting public schools within their authority.

Are there any programs, taxes or fees that should be cut? What would you do with the money from the savings?

I’d explore property tax credits for those on fixed incomes. The savings would go to the individual seniors.

Do you support day labor centers in Prince George’s County?

My approach to development and other issues that affect particular communities is to engage the community, ensure there is public input, and address concerns. That is the approach I would take to the issue of a potential day labor center.

What qualifications do you possess that make you a worthy candidate?

I have nine years experience representing people as a member of the College Park City Council. In that time, I have had success getting more police on our streets, fighting for quality schools, addressing neighborhood quality of life and code enforcement, attracting better retail, and revitalizing some of our commercial areas. Professionally, I am a Sierra Club advocate for greater investment in public transportation, for vibrant communities, and against sprawl. I have worked as a legislative aide in Congress, and was deputy director of an organization working for voting rights and election reform.

What would you do to ensure the success of the county’s key economic development projects?

I believe in bringing together stakeholders – citizens, businesses, labor, and environmental organizations – to work together for the best projects possible. I have had success recruiting small business, and will continue to work to attract good businesses to Prince George’s County.

What must be done to ensure the long-term success of Prince George’s Hospital Center?

We need to ensure that Prince George’s Hospital Center stays open. This must take collaboration with the state, and could involve an arrangement with the University of Maryland Medical Center or another entity. Frankly, we need to work to include health centers in the community and in the schools, so that emergency care is not the only health care that vulnerable members of our county receive.

What are the biggest challenges to significantly reducing crime in Prince George’s County?

In addition to needing more police officers and more 911 operators, we need to address the root causes of crime. We need to attract and retain good teachers and school administrators, and provide mentoring programs for youth, where responsibility and self-confidence are instilled. We also need to ensure that job training, vocational and technical education, and good jobs are available in Prince George’s County, and that substance abuse programs and other support systems are accessible.

How would you address the population shift from Washington, D.C., and the problems it poses for Prince George’s County?

This – as well as other issues like transportation, crime, and housing – needs a regional approach. I would like to see a summit of the region’s elected bodies come together to address issues of a regional nature. I sit on the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Board and the regional Transportation Planning Board, and know that the Metropolitan Council of Governments could help to facilitate such a meeting. Clearly crime, schools, housing, the hospital, and other aspects of Prince George’s County are affected.

Do you support allowing slots in Prince George’s? If so, where?

No. I oppose slots.

Do you support an east-west metro link and where should it go?

I support the Inner Purple Line as a light rail system, and have been a leader promoting it, particularly as a member of the Board of the Coalition to Build the Inner Purple Line. I will ensure community involvement and seek to reduce any impacts on existing communities. The Purple Line in Prince George’s would include stops at the University of Maryland; the College Park station; Riverdale Park; and New Carrollton Metro Station. I would also like to see it extended to Prince George’s Community College and across the Wilson Bridge.

Should municipalities have more control over local zoning?

I support allowing municipalities that want more control over zoning to gain that authority. I believe in local government, and the ability of citizens to make good decisions for our communities. It is not uncommon for municipalities to have zoning powers. I would also ensure that municipalities that do not want zoning authority would not be obligated to have it. Many municipalities would prefer to rely on the county.