Crime, veterans are focus for Ahmed Ali

Ali is one of seven newcomers to join City Council race

Ali, 35, the founder and owner of a small defense contracting firm in Bethesda, is one of seven newcomers vying for three spots on City Council to be vacated in November by incumbents Stanley J. Alster, Geri Edens and John B. Schlichting.

He is not related to fellow candidate Shawn Ali or state Del. Saqib Ali (D-Dist. 39).

Though he said he is not running on a slate with candidates Ryan Spiegel and Carlos Solis, Ali said they share perspectives on most issues.

Ali said he met Spiegel through friends, and met Solis through Spiegel.

Ali said he hopes to heighten Gaithersburg’s focus on veteran’s affairs and remembrances.

Another key issue for Ali is reducing crime, which Ali said he will address through boosting the Gaithersburg city police force by 10 percent, or about five officers, if the budget allows. The department is authorized for up to 52 officers, but currently has 47.

City leaders have done ‘‘a fairly good job so far with a balanced budget,” Ali said, adding that he would continue that by keeping taxes stable and through scaling back on city projects if faced with a revenue decline.

For encouraging affordable housing, Gaithersburg’s homeownership assistance program for tenants displaced by redevelopment was a good first step, Ali said.

The program offers loans ranging from $20,000 to $10,000, depending on the family’s income and where the new home will be purchased. Ali said those amounts should be increased, but did not say by how much.

On the illegal immigration debate, Ali said he knew it would be an issue, but didn’t realize how strong of an issue it is for Gaithersburg residents.

‘‘I thought it was a non-issue because the day-laborer center is outside our city limits,” he said.

Ali said he supports keeping the day-laborer center at its Crabbs Branch Way location, as it prevents people from congregating in front of churches and shops.

Still, Ali said he strives to not take an opinion on subjects without first hearing what the public wants.

‘‘I’d consider myself very balanced, kind of like in a courtroom when a judge is selecting candidates for the jury. Someone willing to hear out the issues,” he said.

Though he has not held a public office before, Ali said he will bring a positive dynamic to the council.

Ali moved to Maryland with his family from Bangladesh in 1976.

He graduated from Walt Whitman High School in 1990 and later received a bachelor’s in information systems management from the University of Maryland and a master’s in network security from Capitol College in Laurel.

He lives with his wife Fatema and his two young children, in Quince Orchard Park.

Ahmed Ali

Gaithersburg City Council

Age: 35

Experience: Disabled American Veterans member since 2006

Top Issues: Veterans affairs, crime, fiscal responsibility

For More: ahmed1919@gmail.com