ROCKVILLE — A candidate forum for the Montgomery County executive race took place on Sunday at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville. Five Democratic candidates and one Republican candidate attended the event to present their policy platforms ahead of the June 23 primary election.
County Council member Will Jawando, a Democratic candidate, discussed barriers for businesses. "They continue to face a number of barriers like complicated regulation, the fees are too high, someone says yes, the other person at permitting says no." Jawando said. "Lowering the barriers will be an important role for the county executive who appoints the heads of agencies, like permitting, like procurement."
Fellow County Council member Evan Glass, also a Democratic candidate, sponsored legislation to create a task force to study the impact of data centers. "When I introduced the six-month pause, again, there were no co-sponsors. I introduced six months to get something done, not to make a headline." Glass stated.
County Council member Andrew Friedson, another Democratic candidate, addressed energy costs and public safety. "I propose that they generate their own energy to protect your energy bill. I don’t think we should socialize the cost on each of us while they privatize the benefits." Friedson said. He also stated that youth mental health issues and after-school programs are necessary components of public safety, adding, "We have been working on that, we have to do more, but it requires an all-hands-on deck approach."
Esther Wells, a Republican candidate, commented on support for families. "If we are going to provide these families with free housing, free daycare, free healthcare, free food, that they need to ensure that the children that they are entrusted with that they know where they are." Wells said. Mithun Banerjee, a Democratic candidate with a technology background, stated his intention to create an environmental committee. "I will create an environmental committee that works and have global and local leaders to ensure environmental protection." Banerjee said. Democratic candidate Peter James, who owns a robotics and artificial intelligence business, discussed traffic and income. "I will create a paradise. There will be no traffic. I will eliminate that." James said. James also stated a plan to generate hundreds of billions of dollars of income for county residents if elected. Early in-person voting for the primary begins on June 11 and concludes on June 18.