Community Corner

RCA Candidate Forum Highlights a Variety of Issues

Mayor candidates get another chance to state their cases.

In introducing the four mayor candidates and moderator Drew Crandall before Tuesday's Rockville Community Alliance election forum, RCA president Jim Sendrak could not resist tooting the organization's horn a little.

After all, if it draws people to Downtown Rockville - or down the hill at at Maple Street School it is likely the RCA has something to do with it.   

"We are a small army," he said. "Imagine what we can do if we had a larger army?"

It many not have been a large army, but the crowd at the Senior Center for the RCA forum was at least the size of a regiment.

About 150 residents gathered to hear Democrat Pauline Schaefer, Republican George Apel, and petitioning candidates James Krupienski and Gordon Paterson address issues like budgeting, development and Rockville.

Crandall ran a polite (that's his nature) but tight ship - applause was not allowed during the forum - but also gave the candidates plenty of time to address questions formulated by the RCA and submitted by an audience member.

Audience members not only heeded his call, but were glued to the candidates, intent on every word.

One topic was making the most of development opportunities:

Schaefer: "I think we all have to work together and do what is right for the town - do what is best for Vernon. We have a lot to offer - a large commercial district, natural resources and a historic district. We need to work together on development, especially Rockville. It seems like there is a new plan every five years. - one plan after another another to revitalize Rockville. It never seems to work, and that is one area where we have to work together."

Apel: "First of all, we have to recognize that we have some of this group in different buildings within the town - the PZC, building official, fire marshal. We need them all in one building. We need that one-stop shopping. We also have to put a marketing plan together and aggressively look for development. It is easier to sell Rockville or Vernon if we have a plan in hand and letting the staff and developers know this is what we are going to do. We have some very desirable properties and we I-84, but we have to be aggressive."
 
Krupienski: "The Most important part of it is that we have bogged ourselves down. We need a pre-application process in which applicants can come in and get citizen input and environmental input … this way no one is surprised when an application comes down."

Paterson: "We need a pre submission process, an opportunity for different interests like business, conservation, and neighbors to sit down at the table - the same table - and work through some of the preliminary issues. What this does is identify issues early, reduces conflict and eliminates problems during the approval process. That, in a way, expedites the process and makes it less-costly for developers. This can be a model for what we do in this town."

On Rockville's strengths and liabilities: 

Paterson: "Without a doubt, a strength is that Rockville is the seat of town government and 100 years ago, it was the center of industry for the region. I consider it the heart of Vernon. It's got beautiful architecture, a river runs through and it has a strong community volunteer base, which I am impressed with every time I come down here. All these things are very strong and not fully utilized.

"Liabilities? It's a commercially depressed area if that makes sense.

"We have to maximize Rockville's assets."

Krupienski: "Rockville's biggest strength also happens to be one of our weaknesses. We're too spread out and we need to bring everything together. A lot of it has to do with perception. We need our buildings looking good and bring the staff together."

Apel: "Assets - two courthouses, the center administration building, this building, Town Hall, a hospital, a library. What we need with all this is a  professional center that can be maximized and become very important to this town. It would keep people here in the center of town. The future of Rockville is great. Liabilities? It's perception. I grew up Rockville. This town is a beautiful town and we really have to go out emphasize our positives."

Schaefer: "An asset it its people. I have lived here for many, many years and my husband's family for five generations. Rockville Superior Court can give us a bad name. All the arrests show that they are coming to Rockville and people do not understand the crimes do not actually happen in Rockville."

On mandatory attendance at budget deliberations:

Schaefer: "We are serving on a volunteer basis and things do come up. As a responsible council person, I reviewed all the deliberations. For our 43rd Wedding anniversary, my husband surprised me with a trip and we were out of town. I made it a point to listen to all information made available."

Paterson: "Yes, it should be required. I say that with the understanding that circumstances may arise to prevent someone from attending. In terms of Town Council responsibility, it is probably No. 1 and if you go through the time and effort to get yourself on the council, you should attend."

Krupienski: "That's an easy question to answer because I made a decision when I ran for council that I would be at every meeting."

Apel: "I think when anyone runs for the Town Council, that person has the responsibility to be there for the budget - the most important document in town."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here