http://www.gazette.net/stories/02192009/prinlet131101_32475.shtml

Gazette, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

Résumé for the next county executive

In 2010, the residents of Prince George's County will elect a new county executive. Below are the qualifications we are looking for in the person who will lead our county.
The next county executive must:
- Hold a college degree or higher
- Be a good communicator and have the ability to articulate a vision for the county.
- Understand the current position of the county and be a strategic thinker who can develop a plan to move the county in a new direction.
- Be a forward thinker and think outside the box.
- Be a good manager and have the ability to hire competent people to help run this county and will disclose his/or her policy for hiring the cabinet.
- Be a good negotiator.
- Be open and transparent.
- Have a strong backbone and be courageous to take on controversial issues.
- Put the citizens of Prince George's County first — not elected officials first, not outside people first!
- Have honesty and integrity, and be able to execute a code of ethics for all county employees or any individuals or groups doing business with the county government.
- Have no past remnants of corruption, incompetence or greed, and be able to cut out waste and government fraud.
- Have the ability to build relationships with leaders in the county as well as leaders in the region and be a consensus builder. That includes the ability to work with Congress, state and elected officials.
- Have the ability to lead the county during difficult times as well as prosperous times.
- Understand and be able to relate to the diversity of this county — this must include citizens in and outside the Beltway.
- Have a strong business background and run the county like a business.
- Understand the importance of technology and make it a priority for the county.
- Be fiscally responsible, understand budgets and how to increase our tax base.
- Have excellent public relations skills and be able to market the county.
- Understand economics and have the ability to focus on the economy like a laser beam.
- Understand land development.
- Understand revitalization.
- Have an open mind when it comes to our transportation system.
- Have a plan to deal with illegal immigrants.
- Have a plan to deal with low-income residents who are rapidly migrating from D.C. into Prince George's.
- Realize that a failing school system directly affects the image of the county and be prepared to move the school system from the bottom to the top.
- Have the ability to build relationships with educational institutions in the region and identify and tap into their resources.
- Be committed to deliver topnotch county services to all constituents.
- Be prepared to reduce crime and change the image of the county by putting in place a competent chief of police that will be held accountable.
- Understand the housing market, real estate and community development needs, and put in place a competent director to run the housing and community development department and hold this individual accountable.
- Understand the county's health needs and put in place a competent health director to run the health department and hold this individual accountable.
- Understand the importance of a stable hospital system and be a strong advocate for affordable health care for all citizens of Prince George's County.
- Be able to reach out to volunteers to help improve our county.
- Solicit ongoing feedback from stakeholders and have an open door policy.

- Have a systematic plan in place to keep county residents informed.
In closing, the citizens of Prince George's County are looking for new leadership who will bring positive change, one with courage to do the right thing. No more following the leader and the automatic expectation that all must vote the same. As President Obama says, we are looking for transparency, etc. It is a new day for Prince George's County, and the old games are over!

Jerry McLaurin, Fort Washington
Ruth Wright, Bowie
Sandy Pruitt, Mitchellville
Carl Allen, Fort Washington
Hellmut Lutz, College Park
Joseph Kitchen, Hyattsville
LaRhonde Patterson, Mitchellville
Terence Lewis, Upper Marlboro
Delphine Hanson, Landover
Kevin Martin, Upper Marlboro
Chrystal Williams, Accokeek