Meet Iyamide House, Candidate For Bowie City Council District 3

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. Two candidates are vying for the office of mayor. Meet Iyamide House who is running for Bowie City Council District 3. House shared information about herself and why she's running for office with Patch.

What ways can people contact you with questions?
Houseforbowie@gmail.com or @HouseforBowie on Facebook and Instagram

Campaign website?
www.HouseforBowie.com

Age as of election day?
39

Place of residence?
Bowie

Family members?
I have 6-year-old twin boys and a 9-year-old daughter.

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

Education?
Johns Hopkins University (B.A. and M.S)

Occupation?
CEO of Sabanoh Mental Health and a mental health therapist

Previously held elected or appointed political positions?
None

Why are you running for office?
On June 7, 2023, the city of Bowie held its breath because an individual with a gun was spotted outside of Bowie High School. All of the surrounding schools went into lockdown. My three children were locked safely inside their school building, but my worst nightmare became a reality for my friends, neighbors and fellow citizens. Driving up to the school, not knowing where the gunman was, seeing the school surrounded by armed police officers was something out of a movie. I was terrified. I knew my three children were safe inside. Thankfully no one was hurt that day and the student was apprehended, but my children, their friends and our community were hit with the reality.

I spent that afternoon and subsequent days talking to parents processing our new reality. I counseled them on ways they could talk to their children about the lockdown and also took the time to hear their frustration. That is why I am running for the District 3 seat. The safety of our residents, especially youth, should be paramount. We need to understand the needs of our youth and provide them with resources (be it more job/training opportunities, mental health access, or even more access to participate with the council to address their concerns). Bowie has an opportunity to bring more residents to the table and decide what our post pandemic future will be. I am committed to bringing everyone together and to help plan that future.

What is the single most pressing issue facing voters?
Maintaining Bowie's appeal. Bowie is a destination in Prince George's county. We see this with all the development. However, we are building homes without roads to handle the population growth, without stores to handle the retail needs of residents, without enough grocery stores to feed the increased number of people, and with schools unable to handle the increased number of students, all while crime has increased.

Bowie residents have access to amazing city programs, we are losing the ability of our residents to stay within city limits. District 3 is the heart of Bowie–when we thrive the city thrives. That's why I want to work to create a business permitting pipeline where businesses can be fast tracked to open here in Bowie. I want to incentivize aftercare and daycare programs to open or expand within the city. To address crime I would like to help the city develop stronger community policing initiatives. Lastly, we as a council need to lead the way, together, to ensure Bowie thrives.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am the only woman in this race. I am the only candidate with school aged children. This gives me a very different perspective from the other candidates. I understand the financial constraints that many families are facing right now. The fact that the grocery stores in our district have less variety and are more expensive than grocery stores in other parts of the city, the fact that we need more employment opportunities and activities for our teens, and the fact that we do not have enough affordable daycare slots for families. I understand everyday issues and I am deeply invested in creating meaningful solutions for our residents.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
The district 3 seat is currently filled with an appointment. This is an opportunity for residents to pick a candidate who represents their needs and interests. I am a candidate who is invested in the success of the city. I do not have greater political aspirations. I want to do my part as a community member. My goal as the District 3 Council member would be to make Bowie a safe, vibrant, community for children, seniors, my neighbors and all residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Education is another issue that is important to me. Bowie has some of the best schools in the district but since the council doesn't have authority over schools it is as though education has been overlooked altogether. I believe the city needs to aggressively advocate for our schools to be renovated and rebuilt. I would like the city to incentivize growing our current after school and daycare programs, as well as making it more attractive for these businesses to open in the city.

The best advice ever shared with me was: My father, a military veteran, taught me how to create effective solutions. Whenever I had a problem he would ask, “What's your plan A? Now, what's your plan B? Come back when you have a plan C.”