I am Mary Jane Coolen and I have been your neighbor in Cheverly since 1991. I really love our town and wish to serve as a member of the Town Council for Ward 2.
Cheverly is one of the finest communities in Maryland. My goal is to maintain all that is good with our town and work to make Cheverly even better in a fiscally responsible way. Two of our greatest assets are our Police and Public Works departments. I will work hard to help our exemplary public servants realize efficiencies while ensuring they have the resources they need to maintain the many amenities we have come to appreciate.
Still, all good things could be better. The closing of the Giant grocery caught many of us by surprise. The town needs to be more engaged with our local businesses, making them feel part of the community and encourage them to become better citizens.
I believe we need to continue our efforts to redevelop and beautify our commercial corridors, both on Tuxedo Road and Route 202.
My background uniquely qualifies me to serve in this capacity.
I worked as a legislative aide in Annapolis for several sessions of the General Assembly where I developed valuable relationships and experience in state and county government. In 2006, Governor O'Malley appointed me to his Juvenile Services Transition Team because of my work with Prince George's Safe Passages and Baltimore's Mountain Manor Juvenile Treatment programs.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Cheverly Community Market and co-chair Progressive Cheverly. I also teach therapeutic horseback riding to special needs students at the County’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro.
I am Vice-Chair of the Board of Joe's Movement Emporium community performing arts center in Mt. Rainier, serve on the Route 202 Coalition with State Senator Joanne Benson and the Battle of Bladensburg Bicentennial commemoration. I have come to know many folks in town through my community involvement during the past twenty years.
I look forward to speaking with you in the coming days and hope I can count on your vote on May 2nd.
