Candidate Profile: Billy W. Bridges Running For County Executive

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Candidates in the Democratic and Republican parties will be competing on Tuesday in their respective primaries to see who will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Patch has asked each of the candidates running in select races to fill out a questionnaire, sharing facts about themselves and why voters should choose them to represent their party in November.

Let's start with your name.

Billy W. Bridges

What email should be used to contact your campaign?

bridgesforus@gmail.com

Does your campaign have a website?
https://www.bridgesforus.org

What city or town do you live in?
Cheltenham

What office are you seeking?
Prince George's County Executive

What is your party affiliation?
Democrat

Please share with us with your education.
B.A. -Political Science; Masters- Public Administration (MPA); M.S. - Leadership (Fire/Emergency Management); M.A. - Pastoral Counseling

What is your occupation?
Political Scientist (40), Educator (9), IT Specialist (15)

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.
Two adult daughters who attended and graduated from the Prince George's County Public Schools; Both have earned their Masters Degrees, and still reside in Prince George's County.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?
No

How old will you be as of Election Day?
61

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking office to offer my services to my fellow citizens. I have observed and analyzed the inequities, deficiencies, and the inability, or unwillingness, of establishment politicians to adequately address the concerns of all citizens. A public office is meant to be a public service and a public trust. However, far too long the establishment politicians have catered to their big money donors and ignored the safety, health, economic, and educational needs of the general population.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Economic Inequities. I will create an Office of Urban Planning to facilitate the pooling of investment money by citizens of all income levels, in projects that range from franchise purchases, low to moderate income housing construction, all the way to manufacturing. This will create generational wealth, give families a buffer against hard times, raise self esteem, and spur higher wage paying jobs.

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

I try to avoid comparison with other candidates. My biggest distinction is that I put forth The New Prince George's County Plan, which not only lays out what needs to be done, but also exactly how to do it. In the 2018 campaign for this office, I offered this Plan and gave dire warnings of what would happen if we continued down the same path of ignoring citizens. Unfortunately, all of the issues we are experiencing today, were alluded to four years ago.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?
Once again, I try not to focus on what the others are not doing, but rather I keep the focus on what must be done. In referencing a statement by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I already warned four years ago that ignoring and delaying justice for our citizens in the economy, community safety, and education, would amount to denying justice to those citizens. Thus, the rise in crime, poor law enforcement relations, struggling families, and failing schools, were to be expected.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

The New Prince George's County Plan addresses the economy; transitioning from police department to public safety department, to develop safer communities; reorganizing our school system to develop a safe and effective, learning and working environment; rolling out a robust, mobile health department to reach citizens in all communities, especially those at higher risk (mental health included); turning loose citizen investments to build all the required low to moderate income housing; upgrading roads, water lines, and other infrastructure; and creating an Office of Inspector General to deal with inefficiencies and corruption.

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

As a two term military veteran, I was entrusted as early as age 17 with upholding the Uniform Code of Military Justice in the performance of my duties. This required the highest integrity and honesty to stay the course. My 24 years in the Prince George's County Public Schools required me to teach, lead, and find solutions for students and staff. If you were to ask any of thousands of students that have crossed my path, or the hundreds of staff, they would tell you that my honor, values, and integrity do not waiver.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Never change who you are.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want the voters to know that I hear them loud and clear. I am not running for an office, nor am I running against anyone. I am running to offer my services to address the issues that are so dear to them. I am a political scientist and not a politician. I accepted no donations and stayed clear of any form of corruption, either by money or big endorsements. As a devout Christian, my intent is to serve only one term in this office. I want to set foundations in place from The Prince George's County Plan, and then move aside to let someone else continue with The Plan.