Citizens of Ward 2, and all of the city,
Today I am announcing that I do not intend to run for
re-election in the May 2015 city council election. As you know, city council is
a part-time position and the majority of us have other careers. I just accepted
a new position as regional director at a national non-profit, so the timing is
right to put my focus into that.
Serving the citizens of Mount Rainier has been my
privilege, and for that reason it is hard to step back. But I will continue to
be an advocate for this city and its citizens. At this time of transition, we
need to focus on the things that make Mount Rainier great - our diversity, our
working class roots, our sense of community, and our shared vision of the
future. We can and should look for new development that improves our tax base
and brings in much needed retail and services, but we must not do so at the
expense of this community's soul. I hope you will join me in being vocal about
preserving our community's personality as well as it's character, because I
know that together we can build an inclusive, more financially stable Mount
Rainier. After four years I can tell you that the council doesn't hear from the
community nearly enough.
I want to thank all of the people that do give their
time, energy, and love to Mount Rainier, and in particular those who volunteer
on city committees. You are not recognized enough for the work you do on behalf
of this city. Thank you to the members of the Mixed Use Town Center Committee
and the Green Team that I have been fortunate enough to work with over the last
4 years.
I am very proud of everything we have accomplished in
the last 4 years:
Public safety improvements including pedestrian and
bicycle improvements
• Increased police enforcement at
Route 1 bus stop aka "The Circle"
• Permanent barricade blocking high
speed cut through traffic at Perry and 31st Streets
• Improved pedestrian facility on
Eastern Ave at Bunker Hill Road through outreach to Council of DC
• Bike infrastructure master plan
• Installation of new bike racks
throughout the downtown area
• Work with ATHA to improve bike
infrastructure throughout the Route 1 corridor and promote bike tourism for our
businesses
Sustainability initiatives to save the city money and
go green
• Sustainable Maryland Certified
municipality - highest scoring of first four certified communities
• Green purchasing policy
• Green infrastructure master plan to
plant trees and gardens that reduce runoff and flooding from city roads, etc
• Buchanan St green street grant
• Arundel Road green street as part of
county levee project
• Pervious pavement at city hall
parking lot and adjoining alley, to reduce runoff and flooding
• Capital Improvement Plan to begin
addressing infrastructure needs including roads, bicycles, and green
infrastructure for flooding
Revitalization of our Town Center
• Promoting a vision of livable,
walkable, sustainable Mount Rainier that is safe and productive for all our
citizens
• MUTC Committee has used our new town
plan to improve the signage and facades of our businesses
• Promotion of Arts Lives Here and
mural projects throughout the city
• Better Block Project - demonstrating
the potential of our commercial district
• Increased outreach to Mount Rainier
Business Association and new businesses
• Engaged Rhode Island Ave NE Main
Street to build cross border partnership
• 3300 Rhode Island Redevelopment -
"The Singer Building" - RFP awarded
• Perry Street Townhouses - breaking
ground in 2015
• 3200 Rhode Island Redevelopment
• Hiring an Economic Development
Director
I'm confident that the new council and staff will keep
up the momentum.
Thank you for the confidence you demonstrated in me
four years ago, and thank you for all the kind words and support you have
offered during my term.
See you around town,
Brent
Brent Bolin
Council member, Ward 2
Mount Rainier, MD
(301) 744-9465
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