Peter Whitesell

Social Services People experiencing homelessness are dealing with instability that makes nearly every other problem harder to solve. I support the “Housing First” approach, and the creation of the housing supply necessary to make it workable. It’s extraordinarily difficult to address health needs, mental illness, addiction, unemployment, or reentry while living on the street or cycling through temporary shelter. Criminal Justice / Public Safety I will push clear policies for local law enforcement to monitor and intervene against illegal actions by federal agents in Montgomery County. Education Where I want to concentrate most is proactively forming a consensus with parents about how school renovation decisions should be made. There are tremendous disagreements at the individual school level, so it is crucial that we establish a process grounded in shared values and clear criteria. Housing That means changing zoning rules that currently make it illegal to build anything but the lowest density housing in most of the county. It doesn’t require compromising our environmental standards, housing quality, or local character. What it does require is an honest appraisal of what inclusivity means, not as a slogan, but as a reality. We cannot be an inclusive county if we make it impossible for most people to live here. Education On the operating side, that means strong overall support for MCPS, along with careful attention to where additional resources can have the greatest impact. In particular, I want to look closely at evidence based approaches to early reading instruction.