Marissa Valeri On Nov. 7 Ballot For Rockville City Council: Profile

ROCKVILLE, MD —Marissa Valeri is a 46-year-old physician outreach specialist with more than 25 years experience working for non-profits in the areas of health policy and good governance. She's also on the Nov. 7 ballot in the Rockville City Council race.

Valeri is one of 12 candidates running to fill seven seats on the city council. The other candidates are Danniel Belay, Kate Fulton, Richard Gottfried, Harold Hodges, Barry Jackson, Ricky F. Mui, David Myles, Anita Neal Powell, Paul Scott, Izola (Zola) Shaw, and Adam Van Grack.

Rockville City voters will also be casting ballots in the mayor's race, with Monique Ashton and Mark Pierzchala running for that office.

Related: Ballots For Rockville City Election To Be Mailed To Registered Voters

Patch invited each of the candidates running in the Rockville City Race to fill out a questionnaire about their campaigns. Patch does not edit the responses of candidates to its election questionnaire. The following are Valeri's responses.

Name

Marissa Valeri

Position sought

Rockville City Council

Age (at the time of election)

46

Campaign Website

www.MarissaForCouncil.com

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

My husband, MCPS high schooler son, two rescue dogs (Anna and Bailey, both 10) and two rescue cats (Telesphore and Vin, both 2) live in the Twinbrook neighborhood of Rockville.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, County government in a non-political position

Education

I’m a graduate of Montgomery College and the University of Maryland. My occupation is listed under Education

Occupation - Please include years of experience

Physician Outreach Specialist, Montgomery County Medical Society with over 25 years experience working for non-profits in the areas of health policy and good governance.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

I'm running for City Council because I have the skills, character traits, and real-world experience needed to hit the ground running on day one. I've done the work in the City through my time as president of the Twinbrook Community Association (TCA) and as the co-founder and chair of the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC). I want to use my expertise and experiences to create meaningful change in every corner of the City

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As a Councilmember, I will have to juggle more than one pressing issue so it is tough so choose just one. However, I believe that pedestrian and public safety is extremely important and affects the lives of everyone in the City.

I am the only City Council candidate with a proven track record of consistent leadership on safe and walkable/bikeable street issues, and when I am elected I will continue to focus on these issues. I co-founded and chair the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee (RPAC). I work closely with the chairs of the Rockville Bicycle Advisory Committee (RBAC) and Transportation and Mobility Commission on a wide variety of safe and walkable/bikeable street issues including the development of the Vision Zero action plan.

I will ensure that the Vision Zero Action plan is implemented and that it does not sit on a shelf somewhere in City Hall. I will disseminate a neighrbohood street safety audit template first developed by me for Twinbrook, so that every neighborhood can easily share actionable pedestrian needs with City staff.

My heart is inextricably linked to the families and friends of pedestrians and bicyclists who have been killed or seriously injured on streets in Rockville. Through my work with RPAC, I helped create a Memorial Vigil during Walktober in their memory. I will continue to hold this vigil each year as a reminder of those we have lost. We must remain committed to making our streets safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers alike.

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

For the last 6 years, I have watched every Mayor and Council meeting in person, via streaming, or recorded video. I have read every line of every City budget during that time. I had to do this in order to be the best possible advocate for the Twinbrook community. As president of TCA, I was accountable to all the residents of our neighborhood, which is the largest neighborhood in the City of Rockville.

Finally and most importantly, this election isn't a stepping stone for me but the culmination of my deep commitment to Rockville and every resident here. My journey as an elected official will begin and end in Rockville

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My family and I have lived in Rockville for the past 13 years. We would have been permanent residents of East Rockville if our property manager had not significantly increased our rent which forced us to move. At that time, the housing options in East Rockville were not affordable for a single-income family of a 5-year-old. I have truly lived the housing crisis that many families are experiencing. We have to make it affordable and attainable for all people who want to make Rockville their home.

As a City, we must do better by our youth. We can do this on a global scale by implementing the Rockville Climate Action plan that was passed by the current Mayor and Council. Closer to home, I support the creation of a Youth Center with a variety of programs and resources for young people. Youth centers can be safe havens for many teens in particular who are struggling with mental health challenges or in need of academic tutoring

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

I was president of TCA when the Twinbrook Quarter development along Rockville Pike was first proposed. I determined along with our board that we need to use these moments to build relationships, not create enemies. I facilitated interactions so our community could share their feedback in a civil manner and encouraged the developer to include amenities that the entire neighborhood could benefit from.

I am proud to say that my advocacy has resulted in tangible progress to build a pedestrian/bicyclist connection bridge over the WMATA and CSX tracks from the residential neighborhood to the site of Twinbrook Quarter. A project long wanted by the community, the bridge would reconnect the community in an intentional and enjoyable way. This work continues even to this day as we advocate for a bridge location that works best for the residents.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be yourself. The temptation is always there to try and change things about yourself depending on your situation. It's a natural human reaction. I have used this wise advice from my parents many times during my campaign, and I believe voters appreciate my authenticity.

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

It's easy to talk about the issues during a campaign. It takes empathy and a strong work ethic to do the work when no one is watching. And that's just what I will do. It will take hard work to ensure that every resident of Rockville thrives and not merely survives.

As President of TCA, I made it a point to listen and learn from my community and bring their concerns forward to City Hall. I had to: it's been over 16 years since a candidate from Twinbrook was elected to City Hall. That has to change.

I know what it is like to not feel seen or heard at City Hall. It's frustrating. It makes people cynical. I commit to holding monthly listening sessions at every community center in the City so that residents can connect to their elected officials and feel empowered.

We can be a united City but it is going to take Councilmembers with sincere intentions to serve the people of Rockville. I have them, and I hope that the voters of Rockville send me to City Hall on November 7.