Kensington Election Guide: Meet the Candidates

The for mayor or councilmember in the 2012 Kensington elections have agreed on at least two things: They love the town they live in, and they'd like to restore civility to a community that's been divided by issues .

Mayoral candidates Peter Fosselman and Stowe Teti and councilmember candidates Glenn Cowan, Tracey Furman and Sean McMullen have each responded to a questionnaire provided by Patch, answering questions ranging from where they grew up to their campaign platforms. 

The 2012 Kensington Town Council elections take place from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, June 4, at the .

Click on the links below to find each candidate's full response.

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KENSINGTON ELECTION GUIDE

Mayoral race

Councilmember race

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While incumbent Mayor Fosselman is seeking his fourth term, his challenger, , will make his second attempt at joining the council after for a councilmember seat in 2011.

The is a long-term redevelopment of the town’s business district, addressing issues such as land uses and building heights, changing the town's traffic patterns and preserving the area’s historic character. In the works for nearly five years, the approved plan amends the 1978 Sector Plan for the town.

Fosselman said in his response that the Sector Plan is the only way to revitalize Kensington. He won his last three terms based on that principle, he said, and hopes to reunite the council and community so that development efforts can move forward. 

"During my next term, I intend to focus on mending fences between differences of opinion and chaperoning our first redevelopment projects through the approval process," he wrote.

Opposing the speed at which the council approved the plan, Teti said it was poorly conceived but can still bring prosperity to the area, thanks to improvements made as a result of community input.

"I designed the Village Center concept, which is now part of the Sector Plan," he wrote. "I also introduced the idea of an open charrette for residents to participate in, which is now a requirement if Konterra wishes to move forward."

Konterra rankled community members when the Montgomery County Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee voted 2-1 to support  on its property in exchange for public amenities such as a parking structure or a walkway across the train track.

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A longtime resident and local activist, Furman will attempt to unseat one of the two candidates seeking re-election as councilmembers. Sean McMullen and Glenn Cowan are both running for their third full term on the town council.

Touting organizational and communication skills, Furman said she has put her work ethic to good use during her 32 years as a resident of Kensington.

Furman said she has made an effort to attend town council meetings and serve on committees throughout the community, and is no stranger to the Sector Plan debate.

"There is no hiding the fact that some of our recent debates have been challenging in tone, but we need to look forward," she said. "I believe we can revitalize our business district while preserving the unique character of the Kensington we all love."

McMullen, the incumbent who has served two terms plus four months, when he replaced then-councilmember Del. Al Carr (D-Dist. 18) in 2007, said financial stability should be the town's No. 1 priority.

The Sector Plan is a good, solid plan, but there's no need to rush it, he said.

"We have to remember that it is just a plan, and that there is more work to be done, including putting together the town’s own design guidelines and mounting an outreach effort so that the town can try to attract the kind of development we want under the plan," he wrote.

Cowan is a 20-year resident of Kensington and served as a councilmember for two terms, from 2001-2005. He said he would apply his skills in planning and development toward the Sector Plan, disagreeing that the proposed mass transit hub for a MARC train station is of the same scale as a METRO station.

And, like the other candidates, Cowan offered a willingness to restore peace in civil discourse.

"I will listen to every voice and treat differing opinions with respect even if I disagree," he wrote.

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