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This story was corrected on Sept. 7, 2010. An explanation follows the story.

Frustrated by what he sees as "politics as usual,'' Michael Heney has decided to throw his hat into the ring for the state District 18 delegates race.

"I'm one of those people who doesn't satisfy himself with complaining out loud for too, too long," he said. "The decisions being made are not the best decisions. [Politicians are] not thinking them through properly, and I thought, ‘Well, I can do better than that,' so I decided that I would run."

This election marks Heney's first venture into public office. Heney, an on-site contractor at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, describes himself as a fiscal conservative and social liberal who could help create a more open, transparent legislature.

He was especially driven by the teacher's pension issue, where there is debate over whether to transfer the burden of paying for teacher's pensions from the state level to the county. He said we need to keep our promises to the teachers, but he said he also sees pensions as a 1960s solution to a 21st century situation. Another issue he is passionate about is using innovations in technology to improve transportation, such as using iPhones to organize carpools, he said.

From there, he said he started to notice the short attention span of politicians who want to get past the next election. He said one thing he's learned in science is that action is not always the best solution; if you have the tools in place, the problem may take care of itself, he said.

Heney has lobbied to U.S. Congress on citizens' space issues for nonprofit ProSpace and has been a member of Toastmaster's public speaking organization for 11 years, he said.

Sandra Coles-Bell, of Takoma Park, who is in the same chapter of the Toastmasters as Heney, said he is a passionate leader who will hear the other side out.

"He's very judicious," she said. "That's the thing I most admire about Mike. His ability to stay objective, even when he may totally disagree or when somebody disagrees with him. And then he explains his point, very logically without belittling."

Heney recognizes his background is in science and engineering rather than politics, but said he thinks he's cut out for the job.

"I'm not going to Annapolis because I'm looking for a long-term political career," he said. "I'm in my early 50s. I see a job that needs doing, I think I can do a good job of it, so I'm asking people to vote for me."

jderbedrosian@gazette.net

The original version of this story incorrectly identified candidate Michael Heney's job title. Heney is an on-site contractor at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

-Residence: Silver Spring

-Age: 53

-Party: Democrat

-Education: bachelor's degree in computer and communication sciences, University of Michigan, 1983; graduate studies in computer and communications sciences, University of Michigan, 1983-89.

-Work experience: IT Security Coordinator for Science Systems and Applications Inc., 1993 - present; Senior systems administrator for Computer Sciences Corporation, 1983-1993; Vice president of Information Technologies for Applied Space Resources, 2001-2002.

-Family: Wife of 18 years, Susan, a Sign Language Interpreter; and four daughters: Rachel, Kimberly, Tricia and Carolyn

-Top three issues: Bringing the budget under control, ensuring excellence in education and spurring innovation in transportation.

-Previous political experience: Active since 1995 in policy development and lobbying the federal government on commercial space policy through the Space Frontier Foundation and ProSpace.

-Other affiliations: Executive director, ProSpace (current); director and chairman of the board, Space Frontier Foundation (1997-2002); president, Forest Knolls Elementary School PTA (2007-2009); district governor, Toastmasters International (2006-2007); Teachers in Space (volunteer); Partnership for Animal Welfare (member).

-Website: http://mikeheney.org