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Suitland resident Antonio Faunteroy wants to bridge what he views as a communication gap between residents and state politicians as a contender in the District 25 House of Delegates race.

Faunteroy, 28, a bus operator for the county's transit system, The Bus, is running against incumbents Aisha Braveboy, Dereck E. Davis and Melony Griffith, and challengers Erek Barron, Davion Percy and Michelle Wright. District 25 includes Forestville, Largo, Mitchellville and Suitland.

The filing deadline was July 6. Primary elections are scheduled for Sept. 14, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Faunteroy is running on a campaign centered on increased community interaction between politicians and residents. He said that if elected he promises to be visible not just during the election season but to hold community wide forums and "District Days" to learn about what District 25 representatives are doing for them.

"I'm actually in the community all the time," Faunteroy said. "You can definitely walk down the street and actually bump into me."

Faunteroy is also an advocate for universal pre-kindergarten, which would guarantee access to all children regardless of income, and more community policing. He said he would advocate on behalf of his district for state funding to develop monthly community nights that unite police officers with residents. He said he realizes that funding new programs requires tax money, and he would review the state budget to see what ineffective programs could be cut rather than raise taxes.

"I think a lot more crimes would be solved if we knew the police in our community and had a relationship with them," Faunteroy said.

Forestville resident Deborah Barr, who has known Faunteroy since he was 5, said he is active as a neighborhood tutor and could be instrumental in advocating for state funding for extracurricular youth programs such as dance and science camps.

"That keeps their mind focused and keeps them out of trouble," Barr said.

Suitland resident Melinda Coles, a childhood friend of Faunteroy's, said he has always had the attitude of "let's not talk about it, let's be about it," and has remained active through mentoring young men at Union Temple Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. and helping organize "UNIFEST" the church's annual community festival.

"I think that what he'll bring is a commitment to people, and I think that's really refreshing," Coles said.

nmcgill@gazette.net

Antonio Lee Faunteroy

-Position sought: Delegate District 25

-Party affiliation: Democrat

-Place of residence: Suitland

-How long lived in county: 28 years

-Age: 28

-Place of birth: Clinton

-Current occupation: Bus operator for The Bus through Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation

-Education: Graduated with honors from Bowie State University, Public Relations Degree. Currently enrolled in Bowie State University Masters Program, Public Policy

-Family: Bryanna Faunteroy, 11; and Jalayla Faunteroy, 4

-Campaign telephone number: 202-361-5820

-Website: www.antoniofaunteroy.com