What Contributes to Economic Development?

I guess I don't get it. If housing prices are soaring then wouldn't you think that economic development and revitalization must be working -- at least on some level?

Housing prices were not soaring when the economic trend had not started, and we had mostly pawn shops and loan sharks lining Rhode Island Avenue.

Housing prices were not soaring when the entire Nation took an economic nose dive and foreclosures were almost the norm.

So what does this statement mean: Christopherson said that he respects Miles’s work to help poor and elderly residents avoid eviction, pay bills and feed and clothe themselves. But, in his opinion, the city has not made enough economic progress as housing prices have soared and has missed opportunities, especially downtown. Washington Post, April 22.

Something to think about.

In a small city or town, much of what is accomplished is achieved through partnerships and relationships.

In addition to helping the poor and elderly residents avoid eviction, pay bills and feed and clothe themselves, here are a few OTHER things that I have done, still do and will do as we move Mount Rainier forward.

The Mount Rainier Tree Commission -- one of my points of pride and joy in the City and one of the most active. Became the first Roadside Tree Expert in the City to ensure the continuance of our tree canopy.

Recycling and going green -- this initiative was started by me back in the late 80s and early 90s. It has grown to include a green plan, green team, and certification as a Sustainable Maryland Certified (SMC). Other programs have sprung from this notion of reducing our footprint -- our community garden, tool shed, and bike coop.

Mount Rainier Call-A-Bus -- a valuable service provided to residents of Mount Rainier. This service is used by seniors, students and other residents to get to doctor appointments, after school programs, and other events. It is an ongoing need and one that I continue to work on to improve the delivery of services.

Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) -- worked diligently over the years to help make this a thriving component of Mount Rainier's economic growth. Efforts included the first website, newsletter, and featuring the businesses throughout the City.

Mount Rainier Board of Election -- once just a small committee that got together every two years to hold elections on election day. Today it is a vibrant board that is trained and fully functioning throughout the year to improve our elections, set policies and carries out elections that are efficient and accountable.

Started an annual program to recognize Veterans in our community – Having lived in Mount Rainier for years, I wondered why we did not honor our Veterans.  So, a program was developed and implemented to honor Mount Rainier Veterans for their service.  A program that is well attended and appreciated by our Veterans.

Emergency Preparedness Committee -- a group or residents and others that are committed to being prepared to help other residents in the event of a disaster or major emergency. Although this concept was introduced some years ago, it did not have the follow-through to make it happen. Today, we have more than twenty-three (23) individuals trained and working together to make our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) a reality. April 1 and 2 the Team was trained in CERT and complimented on how organized and functional they were compared to other small municipalities. This is an ongoing process.

Bike Coop/Tool Shed -- The City has won awards for these programs, and although in need of some tender loving care, they are still functional. Recently, the City was told that it needed $44,000+ to make some needed repairs.

By reaching out to the community for volunteers, the repairs are being made. Supplies are being donated, and a request has been made to the State for a grant to help get both programs back up in tip top shape. Many have told me that they moved to this City because of these two programs. Some of our children have bikes because of the Bike Coop.

Youth and Recreation program -- came out of a need to provide activities for our youth that of 12 to 21. In Mount Rainier, there are no programs for our youth or seniors for that matter. With the creation of this committee, numerous programs were implemented. The first skate park in the County was built in Mount Rainier. Seniors have enjoyed trips to the White House Gardens, on the Spirit of Washington and the Odyssey. Most at no cost to the City because of grants obtained. This program was taken over by Christopherson four years ago, and only in the past few months was it brought back alive and staffed with volunteers. No programs implemented, but this committee now has THREE MEMBERS.

Evictions and utility program -- working with the Associated Churches for Community Service (ACCS), several evictions have been stopped. Utilities have been paid, and residents are still living in their homes that would have otherwise been put up for sale. Organized and in operation since 2005.

Food baskets -- Annually, Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets are provided to residents who are in need of assistance. It is a community effort, but many of our corporate partners assist in this endeavor along with many of the churches through ACCS. Each year the number of families served increased. 2016 more than 300 baskets were delivered throughout the community.

Worked closely with the School Board representative Amber Waller to eliminate the mud and safety concern on the Thomas Stone playground that resulted in the creation of additional parking. Still working on other safety issues including the asbestos issue at Thomas Stone Elementary that was "removed" over the spring break. Also worked on and still working on issues around overcrowding in the two elementary schools in our City.

Other achievements include -- ORIGINAL IDEAS put into actions:

-- Community Programs
Mount Rainier’s Community Garden
Mount Rainier’s Green Plan
Mount Rainier’s basketball court
Midnight Basketball for youth
Mount Rainier’s Senior Program
Mount Rainier’s Veteran Day Program
Mount Rainier’s faith-based Community Program
Thanksgiving Basket Program
Christmas Basket Program
Acquiring Soccer Equipment for Thomas Stone Elementary
Mount Rainier Day Festival – annually
First trained and certified Roadside Tree Expert
CERT Trained in 2005 and re-certified 2017
First Aid, CPR, and AED re-certified 2017

--Revitalization
Purchased the Bass Property
Purchased the Dudley Funeral Home
Bought the Eastern Star/Potts Hall
Instrumental in securing the Mount Rainier Nature Center/30th Street and now on Arundel Road

--- City Improvements
Downtown Revitalization and clean up
Computers for the library
New equipment for public works
Updated cars for police department including an electric car
Revitalized the Mount Rainier Board of Elections
Created the Mount Rainier Youth and Recreation Committee
Created the Mount Rainier Green Team
Registered City with Sustainable Maryland to qualify for funding programs

--City Awards and Achievements
Banner City for municipal government every year except one
Sustainable Maryland Certified (SMC) founding member
MML Medium Cities Award for Tool Shed
MML Medium Cities Award for Bike Coop

These are a few of the opportunities that are part of what has been done and continues to be a part of what I see as making Mount Rainier a welcoming and caring community -- a destination for young, old, LGBT, Asians, Hispanics, Nigerians, Jamaicans, Europeans, Germans, and others.

As with all things, nothing was done alone (relationships and cooperation on the Council, residents, County, State, and Federal governments), but the vision, the drive, and the continued push forward have been my contributions to Mount Rainier and its economic growth.

Many of these initiatives were NOT funded by City tax dollars but from grants and other in-kind resources.

Something else to think about.