On April 15, District 4 voters will go to the polls in a special election to fill the County Council seat vacated by the passing of my wife, Marilyn Praisner. Marilyn was filled with energy, intellect, dedication and a commitment to keeping our County a great place to live, raise a family, and retire.  She fought for all of us.

So much is at stake.  Without Marilyn, the Council is evenly divided on many critical issues. Most importantly, it is divided on growth. Unless the voters elect a strong voice for controlled growth, the new, tougher growth policy the Council just adopted will be undone.

We must protect Marilyn's legacy. Someone must carry on her work for the next three years – making sure we have the roads and schools we need before development takes place.  A strong voice for fiscal prudence in the face of a looming County budget shortfall is essential for the County at this time.

That’s why I am running for County Council.  I want to bring to the County Council my decades of experience in professional life and civic activism to fight for the issues we all care about.

For thirty years, I worked as an analyst and manager for the Central Intelligence Agency. I have been a leader in the Calverton Citizens Association and served on a joint community/federal government committee focused on the relocation of the Food and Drug Administration to the White Oak area.

I am a past president and current board member of CHI, Inc., a non-profit that provides services to over 1,000 individuals with severe disabilities. As a leader of First Tee of Montgomery County, I work with young people to develop discipline and focus in sports that instill those good habits in their daily lives.

I have been blessed with three children, all of whom attended Montgomery County public schools and two of whom are teachers in the system today. And, of course, I’m the doting grandfather of three girls and one boy – who meant the world to Marilyn and mean the world to me.

My family is the root for my commitment to turn over to to every young person  a Montgomery County where, together, we build a better future for our community.  This was Marilyn's dream, too.

I need your help to protect Marilyn's Legacy.   All of us must work together, District 4 residents and activists across the county, to fight for the issues we all care about.

• We must manage growth, not let growth manage us. Preserving and improving the quality of life for everyone currently living in our county should come first. And future growth should help pay for itself.

• Tough choices lie ahead. The worsening economy leaves us facing an estimated $400 million budget shortfall. I will be a voice for fiscal prudence and cost-effective County government – and I will assure that we don’t balance the budget at the expense of the most vulnerable.

• Even in tough times, we must continue investing in our schools. As a graduate of Blair High School who attended Montgomery College and the University of Maryland, I know that a first-class public education is critical. Children are the living messages we send to the future. We must help them fulfill their potential.

• Montgomery County is growing older – and not enough is done to help people stay in the communities they helped build. We must improve access to recreation and seniors programs. We can and must do better.

Public officials from across the county know the critical role Marilyn Praisner played on Council. And they know I will carry on her tradition of independence, integrity, and hard work.

I am proud that our County Executive, Isiah Leggett, and Councilmembers Phil Andrews, Duchy Trachtenberg, Marc Elrich, and Roger Berliner, support me. Delegates Hank Heller, Charles Barkley, Anne Kaiser, and Karen Montgomery have also endorsed my candidacy.

But I need your help. As I said, the stakes are high. The time is short. Please join with me today and help reach out to District 4  by volunteering in our campaign – and by contributing as generously as you can.

I thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,
Don Praisner