Gottfried makes first run for City Council position

The 46-year-old Twinbrook resident regularly pitches financial ideas during the Citizen’s Forum portion of council meetings.

He successfully called for a reduction in the refuse fund’s reserve account. He has also made other proposals that the council has implemented, such as using the general fund to subsidize the ailing refuse fund, which is designed to be self-sustaining.

Gottfried jumped into the City Council race at the last minute, something he initially said he would not do. The change of heart came after he tested the waters further by knocking on doors, he said.

Gottfried says people like his message for more infrastructure funding and less ‘‘subsidies” of private development.

‘‘The primary purpose of city government is to enhance and protect its most important assets — its livable, affordable and historic neighborhoods,” he said.

To Gottfried, that translates to catching up on infrastructure needs created by new development. He wants a new developer fee to pay for the added infrastructure.

Adequate pedestrian walkways should be in front of every school, Gottfried said, referring to recent complaints regarding the approach to the new Richard Montgomery High School.

On trash policy, Gottfried is not as critical of the incumbent council members as some of the other challengers. He supports the newly created commission on refuse and recycling, but is noncommittal on whether the city should have weekly or biweekly refuse collection.

If elected, he wants to study possible strategies to end projected operational shortfalls for the pubic parking garages in Town Square.

The shortfall for about 1,000 city-owned spaces supporting the mixed-use development is estimated at $950,000 for this fiscal year, and is projected to cost between $600,000 and $900,000 annually once revenues are fully realized, city staff indicates.

Gottfried says an advisory group could be formed to study how to make up the shortfall, but would not elaborate further.

At the same time, he wants to waive hourly parking fees about to take effect in the city garages in Town Square. The yearlong free parking extension he wants could cost the city about $1.2 million in revenues in this fiscal year, according to staff.

A city resident since 2001, Gottfried is outreach chairman for the Twinbrook Citizen’s Association. He has worked for non-profit and public accounting firms. He holds a master’s degree in taxation from Georgetown University and is an adjunct professor at Montgomery College Continuing Education Department.

richard A. Gottfried

Age: 46

Experience: Outreach chair, Twinbrook Citizen’s Association; certified public accountant.

Top Issues: Development, infrastructure and public safety.

For more: richgott@erols.com or 301-717-9558.