Candidate Name: Will Campos

Party affiliation: Democrat

Place of residence: Mount Rainier

Date of birth: October 7, 1974

Place of birth: El Salvador

Occupation: Elected official

Education: B.A. in Ancient Art History and Archaeology from the University of Maryland; B.S. degree in Computer Studies and Information System from the University of Maryland University College; Prince George’s County Public School System.

Community associations, involvment: Counselor for Chillum Youth Project; Council Representative to the Prince George’s Community Foundation; Parisioner at Franciscan Monastery

Professional associations: Member, County Council Public Safety and Fiscal Management Committee; Member of Council’s Health Education and Human Services Committee; Council’s Representative to the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee of the Council of Governments

Family: Not married, no kids

Web site: www.votewillcampos.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

1) Continued funding for public safety: elevate our police force to comparable levels that other similar jurisdictions our size have.

2) Work with the new CEO of the School System, Dr. Deasy, and the new School Board to bring our schools to their fullest potential. Continue full funding of the Education budget and revitalize the idea of trade schools in the County.

3) Smart growth and smart development (including much needed retail⁄restaurants never before seen in this County) that will bring the essential revenue that our County needs to provide the services that our residents deserve.

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

I rate the work of the current council as excellent. The range of professionalism in the Council from many different fields makes the council very well-rounded which is crucial when representing such a diverse community as hours. The notion of ‘‘colleague” is self-evident, and the goal of serving the County first is a prime directive.

Is the rate of growth in District 2 too fast, too slow or just right?

The rate of growth is just right currently, and long overdue!

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

Maternity and prenatal benefits for uninsured expecting mothers. With the economic growth that the County is experiencing, the commercial tax revenue and base could potentially be a significant source for such programs to help the uninsured. Studies have shown that helping an expecting mother medically through childbirth will reduce the cost both for the parent but also for the governmental entity subsidizing the benefits in the long run.

Should Washington Gas be barred from storing liquefied natural gas in Chillum? If yes, why, and what alternative location would you suggest?

The Council passed the West Hyattsville TDOZ, which currently disallows an LNG storage tank on the Chillum property. Since I sit on the District Council, the body that could ultimately decide on the outcome if the issue resurfaces, I have to be as neutral as possible in the event that the issue goes to court and returns. Currently the storage facility is not permissible, so essentially one could argue that it already has been ‘‘barred.”

Do you think there should be more regulation over food-vending trucks? If so, what would you suggest?

Yes, I do believe regulation for food-vending trucks is needed since it is out of control in parts of District 2. I am proposing a lottery system where only a set number of trucks can sell at a specified number of locations with proper Health and County permits. No locations outside the area where it is currently saturated.

What more needs to be done to quicken the development of the Gateway arts and entertainment district?

We need to get rid of the blight (empty lots and abandoned buildings) on Route 1 and replace it with smart development that has a business, residential, and most importantly an artistic component to it. Finding investors who are willing to expand on the artistic theme with the above-mentioned criteria is a crucial key.

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

In my opinion, the council could use a little more oversight on the School System. Nothing that will interfere with the oversight of the school board, but that would work as a checks and balances system during any current fiscal year.

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

At this present time, I do not believe there are any revenue-producing items that should be cut.

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

Yes I do. I believe that a responsible government should take a direct role in helping a community that is in need of work opportunities, especially when it clearly affects a significantly large number of people in a region.

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

As the current County Council Member I have learned the procedures of the legislative branch which is crucial for legislation of course, but more importantly I have been able to establish a great relationship with my fellow colleagues and government agencies. This relationship is crucial when one needs to provide the services, laws, and follow-up from the government that our residents need. I have made it a point to bring the government to my district through countless town meetings and have made myself as available and as visible to my residents as possible to let them know that they do not have to search far to get a hold of their government representative. Thus bringing a new personal touch of customer service from the County.

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

First, make sure that any bottlenecks from the County are fixed through direct communication and follow-up with the people that can make things progress properly to expedite completion. Second, establish conditions that will enhance a project and set expectations that developers have to meet to achieve a high-quality project.

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

A partnership with another entity, such as a university, would be very helpful to establish stability in the hospital. Furthermore, increased funding from the state is another factor that needs to be cemented for the hospital to be successful.

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

One of the biggest challenges to reducing crime in Prince George’s County is the cross-border issue we have with adjacent jurisdictions. Due to the proximity of surrounding areas, and the accessibility to major highways that can transport someone to Washington D.C., other parts of Maryland and⁄or Virginia in less than twenty minutes, makes cross-border crime a factor to focus on. Interoperability radios that can enable communications with other jurisdictions and cooperation from the municipal police departments, particularly those by the borders significantly aid in this challenge.

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

When you have a region like D.C. that is converting low-income areas to high-quality residential and retail developments, naturally there is going to be displacement of people. This creates periods of transition that make it hard on communities to establish unity and ownership. We need to make sure as a government that we keep up with this influx and determine where it is going, that way we can provide the adequate governmental resources to make them less transitional and more established.

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

No, I do not support slots in Prince George’s County.

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

Yes, I support an East-West Metro link. It should go exactly where the purple-line route was intended and it should be called, ‘‘The Purple Line.”

Should municipalities have more control over local zoning?

Municipality input is always crucial in local zoning, which helps keep the current process as fair and effective at the County level when dealing directly with our incorporated cities.