More News

Current board President Stephen Sonnett said he is worried that the lack of competition will spell low voter turnout. He plans to reach out to residents in the weeks leading up to the election to remind them why civic participation is important.

"When you vote, you give your explicit support to the candidates — it makes a big difference in encouraging people in office to do a good job," he said. "Go back to civics class: if you don't exercise it, you lose it."

Of the estimated 665 residents of Upper Marlboro, just under half are registered to vote, Sonnett said. In last year's election, when there was competition for the three seats, Sonnett said about 135 people voted.

Two incumbent commissioners, Sonnett and Joseph Hourclé, are running for re-election, along with newcomer James Storey.

Residents can vote at the Town Hall, located at 14211 School Lane. For more information, contact town officials at 301-627-6905.

About the candidates

Name: Joseph A. Hourclé

Age: 34

Place of Birth: Andrews Air Force Base (today known as Joint Base Andrews)

Current occupation: Programmer/analyst, Solar Data Analysis Center, Goddard Space Flight Center; Principal software engineer, Wyle Information Systems; Town commissioner, Board of Commissioners, Town of Upper Marlboro

Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering; Master's degree in information management

Community associations: Member, Friends of the Upper Marlboro Library; Member, Upper Marlboro Recreation Council

Campaign telephone number: none

If elected, what issues do you plan to advance?

Hourclé: The job of commissioner is to represent the interest of the town and its citizens. I'll try to advance whatever issues people bring to us that merit support. I would like to see more community building that gets neighbors to interact with each other, such as Marlborough Day and Park Your Arts. I've recently been talking with people about establishing a local farmer's market. I'd also like to see better cooperation between other levels of government, particularly the county and Maryland State Highway Administration, and strive for transparency at all levels, particularly when the County Council overrules recommendations of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

The town ended fiscal 2009 with a surplus of more than $200,000. What do you think should be done with those funds, if anything?

Hourclé: I don't have specific plans at this time. There are a number of recommendations in the Town of Upper Marlboro Action Plan from M-NCPPC. Some of them may be worth using the Town's money on, but almost all of the items require cooperation from the county, as they own the properties that were recommended to be improved. Many of them would require more than the surplus, so if there is support, we will have to look into which ones would give the best benefit to the Town for the cost.

What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the downtown area? How would you promote the strengths and remedy weaknesses?

Hourclé: I can't think of many things don't fall under both categories. I'm not a fan of the amount of signage in town, but the alternative is failing businesses and empty buildings. Many people complain about the majority of the businesses catering to the county and not the residents, but those same people like that the sidewalks roll up at night. One weakness is the lack of parking available downtown to support the businesses. At the request of the Town, M-NCPPC is currently performing a parking analysis, and I hope that they can make recommendations to help us.

Is it realistic and financially feasible for the town to go "green," and why? If you say yes, what green improvements would you make?

Hourclé: "Green" has a number of meanings. Many "green" initiatives are geared towards energy savings and are financially responsible if the up-front costs are offset by the reduction in energy costs. This can include changing out light fixtures and weather-proofing buildings. Some green initiatives actually mask better solutions or have other side effects, such as the heavy-metal mining to support batteries for hybrid vehicles, or recycling without looking at reducing the waste generated. When it comes time to change the street lighting, and I'd like to see the Town consider moving to dark-sky lighting where appropriate.

What is the biggest issue facing residents, and what would you do to solve it?

Hourclé: I also don't know that we've heard everyone's issues. Very few people attend the Town Meetings, and I don't know if it's because they don't have issues, if they don't feel that the Town can help them in their issues, or if they're too caught up in their issues to attend. I do know that at least two properties were foreclosed in town, and losing your home makes other issues seem minor. I'd like to see the Town continue to be fiscally conservative and not place additional burden on the citizens.

Name: Stephen Sonnett

Age and date of birth: 66

Place of Birth: New York

Current occupation: President, Board of Commissioners, Town of Upper Marlboro

Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Virginia; Juris Doctor, Georgetown University Law Center

Community associations: none listed

Campaign telephone number: none

If elected, what issues do you plan to advance?

Sonnett: My goal as Commissioner is the same as it was when I first ran for office two years ago, and that is to ensure the Town is a clean, safe and attractive place to live and work with a responsive, ethical and well-run government. We have made progress, but much remains to be done.

The town ended fiscal 2009 with a surplus of more than $200,000. What do you think should be done with those funds, if anything?

Sonnett: The list of things that the Town could or should do would cost more than $200,000. During the budget process starting in February, I hope the citizens and property owners in Town will join with the Board of Commissioners in prioritizing that list while maintaining fiscal integrity.

What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the downtown area? How would you promote the strengths and remedy weaknesses?

Sonnett: The main strength of the Town lies in its history. Many still view the Town as a quaint historic village. As the seat of the Prince George's County government and courts, its daytime population, compared to other towns its size, should be able to support diversified commercial and retail establishments. As once the commercial and retail center of the region, it has, like many towns across the nation, lost out to commercial and retail growth around the region. The current Master Plan has some good and bad ideas for the Town. What is needed is a coordinated effort by the Town, property owners, businesses, county and state to come up with an agreed-upon practical course of action for the Town. I plan to develop such an effort.

Is it realistic and financially feasible for the town to go "green," and why? If you say yes, what green improvements would you make?

Sonnett: While reinvesting our surplus in the town, if there is a realistic and financially feasible option, I will vote for that option. Reduction of energy consumption efforts is the most likely candidate for action along with increased education on recycling and efforts to increase participation in recycling.

What is the biggest issue facing residents, and what would you do to solve it?

Sonnett: Given the current economic downturn, maintaining the quality of our residential areas is important. While the Town government must do its part, the residents and property owners must join in the effort to maintain our neighborhoods.

Name: Jim Storey

Age: 63

Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pa.

Current occupation: Independent contractor working for U.S. Investigation Services

Education: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics; Master of Business Administration

Community associations: St. Vincent De Paul Society, St. Mary of the Assumption Church; Finance committee, St. Mary of the Assumption Church

Campaign telephone number: none

If elected, what issues do you plan to advance?

Storey: One thing that jumped out at me is pedestrian safety along Marlboro Pike. I think the county is putting some funds into a project right now that should address that particular issue. I‘d like to see the downtown area get a little bit more of a facelift to make the downtown as attractive as possible both for residents and potential businesses. Ultimately, that should create at tax base for the town.

The town ended fiscal 2009 with a surplus of more than $200,000. What do you think should be done with those funds, if anything?

Storey: I don't have any specific things that I'd like to see. I think I'll listen to the feedback from the citizens and put my efforts in a way to reflect what their desires are. I'd rather reflect the views of the people who show up for the meeting and give me their opinions.

What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the downtown area? How would you promote the strengths and remedy weaknesses?

Storey: The weaknesses have to do with bail bondsmen and not being able to retain businesses that would be more attractive to both residents and the workers down there. Whether its coffee shops, restaurants, things of that nature. Strengths are it's historic, it's convenient and it's a secure place I feel comfortable any time of day, and my family feels comfortable going down there.

Is it realistic and financially feasible for the town to go "green," and why? If you say yes, what green improvements would you make?

Storey: I never use the term "green." I always came from the standpoint of disciplined conservation. Whether you're talking about your own personal heating oil, or utilization of water sources...it's about disciplined consumption, it's a matter of balancing needs with resources.

What is the biggest issue facing residents, and what would you do to solve it?

Storey: I'm going to ask the residents of Upper Marlboro before I commit myself. I'm going to make myself available and listen to people. I stand with an open mind.