Meet Dennis Brady, Candidate For Bowie City Council At-Large Seat

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 Dennis Brady. Two candidates are vying for the office of mayor.

Brady shared information with Patch about himself and his interest in running for office.

What ways can people contact you with questions?
Email: Dennis.Brady@Brady4Bowie.com.
Cell Phone: (301) 908‐6903

Campaign website and Facebook?
Brady4Bowie.com
Brady For Bowie

Age as of election day?
69

Place of residence?
15916 Paisley Lane (The Pointer Ridge or “P” Section of Bowie) since December 1987.

Family members?
Spouse Kathy Brady. Married since November 1985.
Kismet and Webster – our furry four‐legged family members.

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

Education?
Bachelor of science (BS) degrees in electrical engineering and in nuclear engineering from North Carolina State University (NCSU)
Master of science (MS) degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Occupation?
Retired federal employee (30 years) – electrical engineer
US Navy Veteran (submarine service – USS Alexander Hamilton SSBN 617)

Previously held elected or appointed political positions?
Bowie City Councilman – District 6 from April 1994 to April 2002.
Bowie City Councilman – At‐Large from April 2003 to November 2015.
President – Maryland Municipal League (MML)
President – Prince Georges County Municipal Association (PGCMA)
Member – Bowie Advisory Planning Board

Why are you running for office?
Love of Bowie. My parents instilled in me the importance of duty, service and civic responsibility. That is why I served six years in the U.S. Navy. And why I previously served for nearly 22 years as a Bowie City Councilman. Institutional knowledge is lacking on the current council as well as the ability to identify and solve problems. As a result of my years on the council and my continued engagement in the city, I will provide the missing element of institutional knowledge. And, as demonstrated over my previous time in office, I have the strong ability to analyze problems and determine the best, most effective solution. I will put my engineering training and expertise to excellent use in the next council.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
There isn’t a “single pressing issue” but rather three interrelated issues: budget, public safety and economic development. The last few years have seen a strain on the city’s budget, with the reserves at an all‐time low. The cancellation of the ice rink resulted in nearly $11M being lost from the city’s treasury with nothing to show for it. As a result, the quality of our excellent core services may be negatively impacted in the near future.

The Bowie Police Department is nearly 20 years old. There is the possibility that the city will see a large number of retirements in the near future. The next council must be diligent to ensure that this turnover does not negatively impact the quality of the services that the residents have come to expect.

Economic development has languished. Part of the recent problems are attributable to the impact that the pandemic has had. Part of it is a result of challenges presented by our lack of planning and zoning authority. Unlike municipalities throughout the country, we do not control our own destiny. Unfortunately, we are too heavily dependent upon the county and on park and planning.

As a member of the next council, I will act to address the underlying problems with future budgets. Having been involved with the startup of our excellent police department, I will act to ensure that the three Rs (retirement, retention and recruitment) are addressed in a way that maintains the high quality of our department. And I will continue our pursuit of expanded authority in planning and zoning. Finally, I will support good, high‐quality development within the city.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
Experience, institutional knowledge and approach. Experience and institutional knowledge as a result of nearly 22 years of service on the council. And an analytical approach to evaluating problems and to determining solutions as a result of my engineering training and experience.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
I will not pass judgement on the incumbent. He was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Councilwoman Ingrid Watson won election as County Councilwoman. He has been in office for six months. I would just ask that voters compare what I accomplished during my 22 years on the Council and what I have to offer the citizens of Bowie to his brief record.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Transportation – we need to press State Highway Administration to complete MD‐197 between Kenhill Drive and MD‐450 and to press the county to improve Church Road in the vicinity of Church Road Park.
Recreational amenities – need to complete the replacement ice rink and plan for a second gymnasium.
If past is prelude then I offer the following accomplishments: South Bowie Library, Church Road Park, Bowie Dog Park and Holding Room for stray pets, establishment of the Diversity Committee. All of these were the result of my direct effort and/or advocacy. Additionally, as a member of the council, we also accomplished the following with my strong support: Senior Center, Gymnasium, Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, City Hall, establishment of the Bowie Police Department, Skateboard Park and the preservation of Belt Woods and Nash Woods.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
Be true to yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
My wife, Kathy, and I are big dog lovers. Specifically, Old English Sheepdogs. Kismet and Webster are our current four‐legged, furry family members. This is what motivates me to act positively on issues related to pets. And our environment.