Kensington Elections Q&A: Peter Fosselman

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

For a complete guide of candidates and their Q&A responses,

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Name: Peter Fosselman
Age: 44
Address: 3607 Dupont Avenue
Marital status: Partnered with Duane Rollins for 15 years, with two dogs: Otis and Lenora.
Hometown/Years in Kensington: From Fairfax, VA. Lived in Kensington for 7 years.
Education: BA, Virginia Tech, Urban Studies
Profession: current mayor of Kensington, Deputy Secretary of State for Maryland. Former City of Gaithersburg’s Zoning Inspector, Chair of the Community Development Corporation for Olde Towne Gaithersburg.

Patch: Have you run for Council/Mayor Before?
Peter Fosselman: Yes, incumbent.

P: Did you serve? 
PF: 3 terms, 6 years.

P: Why would you like to be Kensington's mayor/councilperson?
PF: To continue the work on the revitalizing the town.

P: What experience do you have that would help you serve in this position?
PF: Incumbent with excellent track record and promises fulfilled. I have 25 years of land planning experience in the public and private sectors. I have strong strategic linkages to state, county and municipal officials and civic activists. I have served on numerous charity boards, Maryland Municipal League (MML) Legislative Committee and was the Montgomery MML President.

Prior to being appointed the Deputy Secretary of State for Maryland, I was a Principal at Rodgers Consulting. Earlier I served as the City of Gaithersburg’s Zoning Inspector, overseeing construction activity and assisting with draft legislation in the historic preservation and environmental arenas. I also served as the Chair of the Community Development Corporation for Olde Towne Gaithersburg.

Currently in my third term as Mayor of Kensington, I have hosted a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) in conjunction with the prestigious Urban Land Institute (ULI).

P: How did you feel about the Kensington Sector Plan?
PF: Support it 100%.

P: Were you for or against the previous Kensington council's decision? Why?
PF: The Plan is the only way to bring new life back into the Town. I was elected three times on a platform of revitalization and have kept my word.

P: What are your biggest platforms?
PF: Revitalization, safety and sound finances.

P: What issues are most important to you and why?
PF: N/A. 

P: How will you help solve these issues?
PF:N/A.

P: What do you love about Kensington?
PF: The people and the eclectic atmosphere.

P: Why should residents vote for you?
PF: I have a proven track record and kept promises. Also:

• Incumbent with an excellent and proven track record.
• Kept my campaign promises and delivered.
• Most experienced with public and private sectors.
• Have the best background needed to oversee our revitalization efforts.
• I have the relationships needed to better our Town.

P: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
PF: I've been elected 3 times as Mayor. During this time I have successfully focused on a platform of:

• revitalizing Kensington,
• making it a safer community and
• Keeping our finances sound.

The Sector Plan is finally approved and this was my main goal and promise to residents, laying the foundation for more:

• Shops,
• Dining options
• Residential choices and
• Public amenities.
• Providing new
  • Landscaping,
  • Parking and
  • Traffic solutions while maintaining our small town charm.

Our streets are safer with upgraded intersections and pedestrian improvements.

I have increased County Police presence thus keeping our crime levels extremely low.

The state of the Town has never been better with a continued $500,000 Raining Day fund; All while generating $400,000 in new revenue and securing over $1M in federal, state and county funds for various projects.

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.

WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY?

• Council Members take a more active role.
• A Council that may discuss issues in a civil manner.
• Like to get back to the basics now that the Sector Plan is over; such as Town Code revisions, events such as our annual Picnic, and continue building up the Mayor’s Counsel.