Meet The Candidate: Yamil Hernández Running For Gaithersburg City Council

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Gaithersburg voters will have the opportunity to elect a new mayor and two city councilors at the Nov. 2 election this year.

Patch has reached out to all of the candidates and asked them to share with readers why they think they're the best pick on the ballot. Yamil Hernández, a candidate for City Council, filled out this survey.

Early voting for the Gaithersburg election will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23 and 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular voting will be on Nov. 2 also at the Activity Center.

Candidate

Yamil Hernández

Age (as of Election Day)

44

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

City Council

Party Affiliation

Non-Partisan Race - Democrat

Family

Wife Lismarie Hernández, and pup Albus.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

A.A. from Montgomery College — B.S., M.S., M.B.A from University of Maryland University College

Occupation

Life Sciences Entrepreneur and Executive - 20+ Years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

City: Animal Control Board — County: UCAB (Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board)

Campaign website

www.VoteYamil.com / Facebook.com/VoteYamil / Twitter: @VoteYamil.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I care deeply about the wellbeing of every City resident, and if elected, will work tirelessly to help improve the quality of life of all residents in Gaithersburg. In my youth, we did mission trips to help rebuild homes, and later in life, served my country by joining the Coast Guard. At this point in my life, I feel a sense of duty and responsibility to continue helping others reach their full potential in whatever way possible. I will utilize the skills and life experiences amassed over the years to be an effective City Councilmember.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

My top priorities for Gaithersburg are sustainability/conservation, modernizing city services to improve access to government resources, and improving transparency/accountability. If elected, I am prepared to collaborate with the Mayor, colleagues on the City Council, and with city staff to implement a vision for success that incorporates our residents’ shared priorities. My record of success demonstrates my ability to deliver on ideas that improve the wellbeing of our neighborhoods. As Chair of the Kentlands Citizens Assembly (KCA), I championed, and we implemented a composting program to make it easier for residents to recycle organic materials. Using innovative methods, we implemented a system for collecting and removing pet waste throughout the community. I have also helped to improve our local economy by advocating for matching grants for mainstreet improvement projects. The same way I have approached other tasks in my life, I am committed to working together with all stakeholders and residents to create innovative solutions that deliver real results.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe that my lived experiences, entrepreneurial successes, military service, education, and involvement in our community, provide me with unique skills and qualifications to be and effective City Councilmember.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Although the City generally does a good job, there are areas we can improve. There is a web portal where meeting agendas, documents, and video/audio are maintained and remain accessible to members of the public. Sometimes agenda topics, ordinances, initiatives, or zoning changes can be a bit opaque for those not versed in the process, and simplifying this would help increase transparency. Whenever possible, Plain English explanations should be used, and links to previous meetings on the topic should follow it along through its lifecycle. This will make searching through the record a more straightforward process.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think they struck the right balance under very difficult conditions. With a pay-as-you-go budgeting structure, the City had to make tough decisions, such as tapping into reserves and reducing overall expenses by over $3M per year. However, during the same period, the City increased spending on grants to nonprofits that served our most vulnerable populations. The impact of the pandemic is still being felt by our residents, and will be for quite some time.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Sustainability & Conservation / Improvement & Modernization of City Services / Transparency & Accountability

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Co-founding a thriving life sciences company here in Montgomery County has been a life changing accomplishment. Every day we strive to make patients' lives a little better with the medicines we distribute, and in the future, with the medicines we are currently developing. Leading our employees (some who are City residents), and stakeholders to do this, is a perpetual training ground for the skills needed to be successful in City Council. Further, my time in the Coast Guard, and when deployed to the BP Oil Spill, provided pivotal life experience which ingrained critical skills to address complex and urgent problems.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be curious, ask questions, and stay humble. It's a superpower.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Don't forget to vote! By Mail, Drop Box, Early, or on Election Day (Nov 2nd).