2021 Bladensburg Election Voters Guide

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The town election was on Monday, October 4, 2021. The offices of the Mayor and Council were up for election. Top issues for the election included accountability, development, community service, and taxes. Our candidate guides compile vital sections of each candidate’s platform, initiative, social media profile, and pertinent public information.

Vote in the 2021 Bladensburg Town Election with ease with kBoulevard’s voting guide for Bladensburg’s Town Election.

Visit Official Bladensburg Town Election Page
Candidacy by Position

Compare candidates for each election race for the Bladensburg Town Election. kBoulevard highlights key initiatives between the Mayor and Town Council candidates side-by-side for better context.

Bladensburg Town Election Candidates

The Bladensburg Mayor and Town Council is the legislative body responsible for determining policies, setting ordinances, approving the annual budget, establishing the tax rate, public improvements, public health, safety, and welfare of the community, and developing goals and vision for the Town.Visit the Bladensburg official homepage and social media for additional up-to-date information.Official Election Page

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Mayor

S. Donnie Bridgeman

Challenger

Environment

Touts’ environmental sustainability such as water mitigation and reducing the carbon footprint
Proposes the implementation of solar streetlights
Advocates for a Composting program

Finances & Taxes

Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners

Public Safety & Works

Advocates for twice a week trash disposal

Takisha D. James

Winner

Finances & Taxes

Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021

Public Safety & Works

Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing

Youth Services

Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

S. Donnie Bridgeman

Challenger

Environment

Touts’ environmental sustainability such as water mitigation and reducing the carbon footprint
Proposes the implementation of solar streetlights
Advocates for a Composting program

Finances & Taxes

Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners

Public Safety & Works

Advocates for twice a week trash disposal

Takisha D. James

Winner

Finances & Taxes

Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021

Public Safety & Works

Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing

Youth Services

Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 1

Trina D. Brown

Winner

Govt Accountability

Cites compassion, moral integrity as qualifications for their candidacy
Assures to be visible, listen, accessible and communicate and follow-up
Pledges a commitment to serve the Bladensburg community

Alban A. Merino

Challenger

Finances & Taxes

Cites Auto, Homeowners, and Renter’s Insurance premiums are high due to the Administration’s failure

Public Safety & Works

Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Daina L. Shephard

Challenger

Govt Accountability

Cites tenure, experience, knowledge, and active involvement in the Bladensburg community as qualifications
Pledges to advocate for families and neighborhood schools as a stakeholder

Quality of Life

Inspires to ensure Bladensburg continues to thrive as the home-based community

Trina D. Brown

Winner

Govt Accountability

Cites compassion, moral integrity as qualifications for their candidacy
Assures to be visible, listen, accessible and communicate and follow-up
Pledges a commitment to serve the Bladensburg community

Alban A. Merino

Challenger

Finances & Taxes

Cites Auto, Homeowners, and Renter’s Insurance premiums are high due to the Administration’s failure

Public Safety & Works

Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Daina L. Shephard

Challenger

Govt Accountability

Cites tenure, experience, knowledge, and active involvement in the Bladensburg community as qualifications
Pledges to advocate for families and neighborhood schools as a stakeholder

Quality of Life

Inspires to ensure Bladensburg continues to thrive as the home-based community

Candidates for Bladensburg Town Council Ward 2

Landus M. Burroughs

Challenger

Community Services

Spear-headed the Bladensburg Waterfront Park cleanup committee
Hamlet Woods Homeowners Association President

Finances & Taxes

Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants

Transportation

Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

Carletta L. Lundy

Incumbent

Community Services

Performs community services at Victory Grace Center covered under the First Baptist Church of Glenarden

Health & Human Services

Co-sponsor of the Town Vaccination Clinics and other town events
Facilitated and lead the 2020 Census Initiatives

Youth Services

Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde

Winner

Community Services

Volunteers at nursing homes and church
Chaplain for Parkview Bladensburg Apartments

Senior Citizens

Seeks to enrich the lives of seniors to ensure access to healthcare instituting programs for physical, mental wellness, and nutritional meals

Youth Services

Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Landus M. Burroughs

Challenger

Community Services

Spear-headed the Bladensburg Waterfront Park cleanup committee
Hamlet Woods Homeowners Association President

Finances & Taxes

Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants

Transportation

Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

Carletta L. Lundy

Incumbent

Community Services

Performs community services at Victory Grace Center covered under the First Baptist Church of Glenarden

Health & Human Services

Co-sponsor of the Town Vaccination Clinics and other town events
Facilitated and lead the 2020 Census Initiatives

Youth Services

Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde

Winner

Community Services

Volunteers at nursing homes and church
Chaplain for Parkview Bladensburg Apartments

Senior Citizens

Seeks to enrich the lives of seniors to ensure access to healthcare instituting programs for physical, mental wellness, and nutritional meals

Youth Services

Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

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Bladensburg Town Election by Topic

Candidates sometimes campaign on initiatives that may not be relevant for the office they are running for. kBoulevard provides a more in-depth look at each candidates’ platform, categorizing initiatives, giving you the opportunity to pick the candidates that share your values.

Click Candidates Name to See Initiatives

Candidates on Bladensburg Finances & Taxes

Initiatives centered on fiscal policy, property taxes, property assessments, and government revenue matters are highlighted in this section. Candidates here are considered to be heavy on fiscal policies.

S. Donnie Bridgeman – Mayor

Advocates for renters and businesses to increase investment in the public safety and public works
Cites housing assets and real estate are highly undervalued
Cites advocacy for tax cuts for homeowners

Takisha D. James – Mayor

Sought federal funding for Bladensburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Town received $600,000 in 2020 through the CARES ACT and has been awarded an additional $7.8 million in 2021

Landus M. Burroughs – Ward 2

Supports the 75% Refundable Property Tax Credit and $2k Renter’s Tax Credit
Advocates for $4k Home Renovation Grants

Candidates on Bladensburg Public Safety & Works

Topics on crime reduction, waste disposal policies, and utility management are highlighted in this section. Candidates here are considered to be on crime and government services.

S. Donnie Bridgeman – Mayor

Advocates for twice a week trash disposal

Takisha D. James – Mayor

Successfully advocated for funding from Prince George’s County to address cleanup and maintenance of a ditch that flows through the Town to prevent flooding – funding is slated for the FY22 County Capital Budget
Continued to improve public safety with the appointment of the new Chief of Police who embodies the 21st Century Community Policing

Alban A. Merino – Ward 1

Proposes the use of bait cars, bait packages, aerial drones, and other innovations in crime reduction
Supports a “zero crime” strategy

Candidates on Bladensburg Transportation

Initiatives highlighted here center on traffic alleviation, public transportation initiatives, and pedestrian-focused policies. Candidates here have a passion for addressing the region’s traffic-related problems.

Takisha D. James – Mayor

Finalized and approved the Master Plan for the redevelopment of Annapolis Road/Route 450 intersection

Landus M. Burroughs – Ward 2

Cites credit for bridge construction to alleviate the plethora of railroad crossing and traffic chokepoints

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Candidates on Bladensburg Youth Services

Topics here focus on community services for the youth. Education policies are typically under the county and state’s authority. Municipals oversee youth programs, summer camps, and learning equipment.

Takisha D. James – Mayor

Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

Carletta L. Lundy – Ward 2

Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde – Ward 2

Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Candidates on Bladensburg Youth Services

Takisha D. James – Mayor

Secured $585,000 in computer donations for Bladensburg schools from the State of Maryland Department of General Services to bridge the digital divide for local students

Carletta L. Lundy – Ward 2

Facilitated the student summer school internships and career day at Bladensburg schools

Carrol H. McBryde – Ward 2

Empowers students to broaden their college and career experience, including Youth at Work Programs
Seeks to provide children with access to quality education and before/aftercare

Bladensburg Town Agenda

Townhalls, community meetings, and government newsletters are a great way to keep abreast of your local government affairs and priorities. We know sometimes it’s hard to make those evening and weekend meetups, but you still want to participate in your town election.

kBoulevard provides a more in-depth look at Bladensburg’s strategic planning and budget appropriations, giving you the insight you need to catch up with your community leaders and the town’s future plans. Town agendas are the best way to determine if the current administration understands their constituents’ needs.

Town agendas are the best way to determine if the current administration understands their constituents’ needs.

Affordable Housing
Community Services
Public Safety & Works
Redevelopment
Transportation
Affordable Housing

Weatherization Funding
The funding from the MEA program assists low to moderate-income homeowners with rehabilitation through energy-saving measures. The recent changes to apply for the MEA funding have made it more difficult for the Port Towns to compete for funding.

Homeowner Assistance
Assist with identifying rehab programs for homeowners. Identifying incentives for first-time homeowners will increase homeownership and result in more families locating in the Port Towns.

Community Services

Bostwick House Funding
The Town of Bladensburg is seeking funding from the Maryland state government to repair The Bostwick House’s historic house.

Waterfront Park and Trails System
The Town of Bladensburg seeks to capitalize on the Bladensburg Waterfront Park & Trail System to attract residents & visitors. Enhanced safety features will encourage trail usage via bike to and from work and take advantage of the trails as a recreational asset.

Bladensburg Community Center
The Town of Bladensburg seeks discussions with the appropriate County & State legislatures to help expand the Bladensburg Community Center, an essential asset for the community. The center offers multiple fitness, sports programs, summer camps, after-school activities, and classes designed to improve the quality of life for residents of all ages.

Public Safety & Works

Anacostia Dredging
The Town of Bladensburg seeks to identify funding to dredge Anacostia Waterfront, a vital asset to Port Town. The Town plans to advocate for funding from the county, state, and federal governments.

Law Enforcement Bill of Rights
The Town of Bladensburg seeks the authority, within local jurisdictions, in the disciplinary process to address police officers’ misconduct. A reporting system needs to be made available at all levels for the complaints files and final resolutions.

Redevelopment

Quality of Life and Town Image
The Town of Bladensburg plans to initiate a branding/marketing campaign to help define Port Town’s identity and promote the benefits of living, working, and visiting the area. A strong identity will also strengthen the ability of our partners to attract resources resulting in better and improved services and programs for our residents.

Strip Mall Improvements and Small Business Growth
The Town of Bladensburg is seeking to increase grant funding for facade improvements to strip malls. Aesthetic improvements for small businesses and aging commercial centers will attract investment and provide increased retail options for the Port Towns.

Port Towns Redevelopment
The Town of Bladensburg is identifying incentives to attract capital investment to encourage redevelopment of the Port Towns. Attracting developers and capital investment is critical for the continued growth of Port Town.

Transportation

Call-A-Bus Expansion
The Town of Bladensburg seeks to expand and improve the Call-A-Bus service to improve the mobility of seniors and disabled residents.

Peace Cross-Traffic Management Plan
Assist with facilitating the discussions with SHA and other State and Federal officials on improving pedestrian & bicycle infrastructure at the Peace Cross Intersection. A study is needed at this intersection to help identify alternatives to move pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles safely.

Click Tabs to See Town Agendas

Bladensburg Town Profile

Here we provide a sample of regional statistics that correlate directly with offices up for election.

9,402
Bladensburg Pop. 2019
(6th Largest in Prince George’s County)

4,375
Bladensburg Employed Pop.
(1.9% increase – 1yr)

9,402
Bladensburg Pop. 2019
(6th Largest in Prince George’s County)

4,375
Bladensburg Employed Pop.
(1.9% increase – 1yr)

$1,351
Average Gross Rent
(Prince George’s County Avg: $1,515)

11.15%
increase in property value – 1yr
(4.2% growth in Prince George’s County)

$1,351
Average Gross Rent
(Prince George’s County Avg: $1,515)

11.15%
increase in property value – 1yr
(4.2% growth in Prince George’s County)

13.6%
10% decrease in poverty rate – 1yr
(Prince George’s County Avg: 8.4%)

3.8%
growth in median household income – 1yr
(3.9% for Prince George’s County)

13.6%
10% decrease in poverty rate – 1yr
(Prince George’s County Avg: 8.4%)

3.8%

growth in median household income – 1yr
(3.9% for Prince George’s County)

Bladensburg Crime Statistics

Crime statistics come with a margin of error and may over or under-represent what is actually occurring. Simply, data rarely tells the whole story. Crime statistics are usually recorded as a per capita metric, showing the number of a type of crime committed per person in a given area. Typically, you may see a higher per capita crime rate in locations with a large influx of people.

Overall, reported violent and property crime has seen a steady decrease in Bladensburg, since its peak in 2003 – 2005. Violent and property crimes are slightly higher than state averages. There has been an uptick in auto theft since last year, and the murder rate was significantly up in 2019 compared to 2018.

The Mayor and Town Council have recently hired a new Chief of Police and look to refine community policing efforts. The Town of Bladensburg seeks more authority from Prince George’s County regarding the disciplinary process of police officers’ misconduct.

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important things you should know

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities and counties do your guides cover?

Our guides primarily cover municipalities in the DMV area. This includes: Washington D.C., Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Alexandria City, and Fairfax City.

We have covered elections at request, such as the 2020 Congressional District 7 Special Primary Election for the Baltimore City area.

Where do you source your information?

Primarily, each region’s respective board of elections and each candidate’s website. Additional sources may come from social media profiles, town-halls, and other reputable publishers. We also cite our sources at the bottom of each guide.

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Guides are typically published 30 days from the election date. We have produced last-minute guides at request. We compile vast amounts of information on many candidates and races in the region, we do not publish every guide.

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We cover all reputable political party candidates for down-ballot elections. Guides are crafted by individuals with a wide range of political ideologies. Some races may seem more lopsided with information; however, not all candidates run thorough campaigns. We can only publish what we can find or are given.

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Sources

Below are the primary sources for kBoulevard’s candidate guide for the 2021 Bladensburg Town Election.