Meet Craig M. Muckle, Candidate For Bowie City Council

BOWIE, MD — The office of mayor and six councilmembers for Bowie will be on the ballot Nov. 7. There are at least two or more candidates running for Districts 1-4 and the two at-large seats, including Craig M. Muckle who is running for District 4 City Council. Two candidates are vying for the office of mayor.

What ways can people contact you with questions?
My email address is cmuckle4bowiee@gmail.com and my cell phone number is 202-365-7400.

Campaign website?
Www.facebook.com/CraigforBowie...

Age as of election day?
64

Place of residence?
Grovehurst community in South Bowie

Family members?
Wife Yolanda, three children - Michele, Madison, Christopher

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

Education?
B.A. in Communications, University of Dayton

Occupation?
Currently the senior director of communications for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)

Previously held elected or appointed political positions?
None

Why are you running for office?
I am a 25-year resident of Bowie and am interested in serving my community in a larger way than I have previously done. I’d like to be more involved with helping to chart a course for our city.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. I believe most residents are concerned about how we develop our city and public safety. While they are clearly separate issues, they also have some connectivity. I would like to see us to a better job in repurposing or redeveloping existing structures that may be vacant or rundown instead of continually having new land cleared. That effort can also include how can we connect our communities through greater walkability and, hopefully, requiring less use of cars. We also need to create greater accountability for those who wish to develop here. We should be requiring developers seeking tax breaks to use those funds to improve needed infrastructure and ensuring they are bringing higher-level amenities (restaurants, retail and recreational).

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I believe everyone has beneficial ideas, but I believe my professional experience offers me a different perspective than the other candidates.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
I was disappointed the proposed recreational facility was scrapped. In my opinion, that was an opportunity to attract people from the surrounding jurisdictions and beyond to come to Bowie and, hopefully, patronize our local businesses.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I spent two years on the city’s BGE Task Force that helped address issues around power infrastructure. I am the only candidate to have chaired both the city and county Chambers of Commerce (with a combined 35 years of service as a board member) so I believe I have a good sense of the business climate locally.