The change we want.
The mayor we need.
These are difficult times. The world is on fire and Trump is trying to destroy America as we know it. But we can't afford to ignore the government that is closest to us.
We deserve a government that is open, values candor, and embraces public input. As a longtime community activist and former Takoma Park city attorney I know that keeping residents informed and involved works. Takoma Park thrives when elected officials listen and act with transparency and accountability.
Smart spending that meets community needs, slowing the rise in property taxes and protecting tenants are key.
As your Mayor I will keep you informed so you can be involved. Let's work together to keep Takoma Park the kind of diverse community we value.
Get involved. Join the campaign.
Thanks.
Tom Gagliardo
Thais-Lyn Trayer, Tom’s next-door neighbor in Ward 1, talked about the kindness and support she and her family have experienced from Tom over more than a decade. She also spoke about his years of work as an employment attorney, his knowledge of Takoma Park government, and his commitment to transparency, accountability, and practical solutions.
“I moved to Takoma Park a little over a decade ago into the house right next to Tom’s.... When I met Tom, the first thing that struck me was how kind he is.”
Thank you, Thais-Lyn, for sharing such a personal perspective on a joyful night of neighbors, community, and local democracy.
One of the most beautiful parts of Takoma Park’s nominating process is that we nominate one another. Friends and neighbors stand up to speak about a candidate’s character, their commitment to Takoma Park, and their desire to serve the people of our community. It’s a wonderful reminder that local democracy is, at its heart, about the people we know, the trust we place in one another, and our shared love for this city. Here are a few videos from Tom’s nomination!
There was a lot of Takoma Park history in the room on nomination night.
Ward 2 resident Nina Aldrighetti grew up here and has known Tom since childhood, when Tom served as Takoma Park City Attorney and her father, Rino Aldrighetti, served on the City Council.
Nina spoke about growing up in a community that valued diversity and public participation, moving back to Takoma Park with her own family, and watching Tom remain involved in the city throughout those years.
“Tom always shows up for our family when it matters most, and today, I’m so happy to get to return the favor.”
A lovely moment connecting generations of Takoma Park families, civic participation, and the local democracy that makes this community so special.
Doug Tarman of Ward 2 brought more than 30 years of Takoma Park history to nomination night.
Doug first met Tom in 1992, when they served together on the city’s redistricting committee. A few years later, they worked together on the One Takoma effort, the complicated community campaign that ultimately gave Takoma Park residents the opportunity to vote on which county the city would join.
Doug remembered the enormous amount of planning and coordination it took to make that vote happen and described Tom as an integral part of the effort.
“It’s the most important thing I’ve ever participated in in Takoma Park, and Tom was one of the key leaders of that event.”
More than three decades later, Doug was there again, this time to second Tom’s nomination for mayor.
A wonderful reminder that local democracy is built over years, through neighbors who keep showing up, participating, organizing, voting, and caring about their community.
Sometimes the most special moments are the ones you don’t plan.
Tom’s daughter, Laura Gagliardo, hadn’t expected to speak at nomination night. But after listening to neighbors talk about Takoma Park, their community, and the people they care about, she decided to add her voice.
Laura grew up here, remembers running around City Council meetings when she was just two or three years old, and later chose to come back to Takoma Park and make her home here as an adult. She talked about how much she loves this city, her excitement about seeing neighbors participate in local democracy, and what it has been like watching her dad become so excited about the campaign.
“I really love Takoma Park. I grew up here.... I’m just excited for what we continue to do here as a community.”
A sweet, spontaneous moment on a happy night celebrating neighbors, community, participation, and Takoma Park democracy.
Dorothy Sharp of Victory Towers brought warmth, humor, and one of the best lines of nomination night.
Dorothy talked about getting to know Tom through conversations and the rides he gives members of the community. What has impressed her most, she said, is the way he continues to spend his time helping other people.
And then Dorothy summed it up perfectly:
“It’s good to be retired, but we’re not expired.”
Thank you, Dorothy, for making everyone smile and for being part of such a happy celebration of community participation and local democracy.
Another beautiful moment from nomination night came from Haven, a resident of Victory Towers who knows Tom through his volunteer work helping neighbors get where they need to go.
Haven talked about meeting Tom and about a time when one of his sons was having trouble getting the wages he had earned at work. His memory of Tom was simple and personal: Tom immediately wanted to help.
“Just meeting Tom, that meant something to me.”
That is what makes local democracy feel local. Neighbors knowing neighbors, showing up for one another, sharing their stories, and coming together as a community.
It was a happy night celebrating participation, friendship, and the people who make Takoma Park home.
Tom Gagliardo
County Executive Marc Elrich
Takoma Park Council member, Roger Schlegel
Takoma Park Council Member Jessica Landman
Julia Kahn
Former Moco Council Member Tom Hucker and Susan Katz Miller
Upcoming Events
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Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
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https://www.friendsofsligocreek.org/home/who-we-are/committees/sweep-the-creek/
Sweep the Creek Fall 2026
Saturday Sept. 19 & Sunday Sept. 20
Clean Up Times and Locations
Saturday Sept 19, from 9 – 11:00am
Section 2: (Maple Ave to NH Ave) Meet at Flower Ave. & Garland Ave. at Sligo Creek North
Neighborhood Park.
Section 3: (Piney Branch to Maple Ave) To be done as a group cleanup in October. Please
choose another section for the Sweep.
Section 4: (Wayne Ave to Piney Branch) at the parking lot by the tennis courts just upstream
from Piney Branch Rd.
Section 5: (Colesville Rd to Wayne Ave) in the parking lot along Sligo Creek Parkway just
upstream (north) from Three Oaks Drive.
Section 6: (Forest Glen to Colesville Rd) in the Dallas Avenue parking lot.
Sections 7 & 8: (University to Forest Glen Rd) at the Dennis Ave Rec. Center.
Section 10: Upper Long Branch Meet at the corner of E. Wayne Ave. and Long Branch Parkway
at Long Branch-Wayne Local Park.
Sunday Sept 20, from 1 – 3:00pm
Section 1: Downstream of New Hampshire Ave at Hillwood Manor Park.
Section 9: (Upstream from University) Kemp Mill Shopping Center at the intersection of
Arcola Ave. and Lamberton Dr.
Section 10 - Middle Long Branch Meet at the Long Branch Library parking lot (8800 Garland
Ave.) near Arliss Local Park.
Section 10 - Lower Long Branch (Carroll Ave and Piney Branch Ave) Meet at the entrance to
Rolling Terrace Elementary School (705 Bayfield St.).
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Sunday, September 27, 2026
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Takoma Park Middle School (map)
Music, food, art, neighbors and one of Takoma Park’s favorite traditions. What could be more Takoma Park?
The Folk Festival is one of Maryland’s oldest recurring folk festivals, bringing our community together for a full day of music, arts, crafts and community.
Come for the music. Stay for the neighbors. Meet Tom along the way.
Festival details at tpff.org
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Join Tom in supporting Tommy’s Pantry a cherished local charity founded to support families struggling with food security.
4-6 pm in Takoma Park. For more information go to https://tommyspantry.org/2026-fall-fundraiser/ -
@ Church of the Ascension, Parish Hall, 633 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910
Parking is available on the street and in the East Silver Spring Elementary School parking lot behind the church. Accessible parking is available in the circle drive.
Presented by Church of the Ascension, Carpe Diem Arts, Tommy’s Pantry, and Silver Spring & Takoma Park Mutual Aid.
Reserve your free ticket HERE ---so we have an idea of how many chairs to set up.
NOTE: We now have a donation link to help fund the honorarium for our featured song leader each month. Please consider supporting the Sings with a contribution.
We will be celebrating:
The life and poetry of Wendell Berry (see attached song settings of 2 poems)
Hispanic Heritage Month---with special guest song leader Valeria Stewart
Fall of Freedom October 2-4---a nationwide creative resistance movement. See attached flyers with more info re. Carpe Diem Arts' offerings.
OPTIONAL SONG WORKSHOP
From 6:00-6:45pm, we invite you to join us before the Solidarity Sing to learn 1-2 of Malcolm Dalglish's song settings of Wendell Berry's poetry: "For the Future" and "Peace of Wild Things." If you already know the song(s), please come and be one of our ringers!
Here is a video of our ad hoc Carpe Diem community choir rehearsing "For the Future" for the Impact Silver Spring event in April 2014:
Rehearsal of For the Future with Jody Marshall and Bob Novak at SS Civic Bldg April 2016 for Impa...
Attached is a recording of the song c/o the Carpe Diem Community Choir at Strathmore, April 2010.
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Sunday, October 4, 2026
10:00 AM 5:00 PM
Main Street Takoma Carroll Avenue Takoma Park, MD (map)
Find Tom at the Street Festival!
Come out for one of Takoma Park’s biggest and most beloved community traditions, the Takoma Park Street Festival!
It’s free, and Carroll Avenue will be filled with live music, great food, local artists and makers, shops, community groups, and plenty of fun for the whole family.
And while you’re enjoying the festival, find Tom! Stop by, say hello, talk about what matters to you, and get to know Tom Gagliardo, candidate for Mayor of Takoma Park.
Music. Food. Neighbors. Fun. And a chance to talk with Tom!
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Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
-
Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
-
Come meet Tom for a neighborhood meet and greet.
Tom has been spending a lot of time listening to neighbors about what they want for Takoma Park, what they think the City Council could be doing better, and what ideas deserve a closer look. Come hear some of what he’s been thinking about, bring your own questions and ideas, and join the conversation about the future of the city.
It’ll be an informal evening with neighbors, conversation, and a chance to get to know Tom a little better.
Space is limited. RSVP to receive the location.
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Free show on Halloween at 8 PM, corner of Cedar and Tulip.
Event is being organized by:
Alice and Steve on Cedarz
Kate and Stephen on Maple
Carla and Steve on Cedar
Brunino Family on Manor Cir
Ramsdell Family on Maple
Willman Family on Maple
Sadek Family on Maple
Hanrahan Family on Takoma
Zogby Family on Ray
Kelly and John on Tulip
My whole life has been spent challenging unresponsive officials — as a VISTA volunteer right after college, as a labor, employment and civil rights lawyer for an entire career, and as a community activist. And now as a candidate for Mayor of Takoma Park because the incumbent is not meeting the challenges confronting us. I have followed the Mayor and the City Council for many years and understand what we need to do-- stop the rapid rise in property taxes, end unwise and unnecessary spending, protect tenants, support construction of housing (market rate, missing middle and affordable) on Hospital Hill, and reassess what we realistically need to be a safe community. It is every elected official's obligation to protect our neighborhoods, to share information and educate the public, to encourage and promote community involvement and to meet in open sessions.
We're all in this together. We need to work to make our City better.
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A Mayor Who Leads
Reassert the Mayor and Council as the body that sets policy based on community needs and sees that policy is carried out. The City Council is not a rubber stamp
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Spend Smartly
Control expenditures. Projects and programs that meet community needs and are affordable will get funded. Those that don’t won’t.
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Rein in Tax Increases
Property taxes are increasing too fast. When property taxes increase faster than the rate of inflation, it’s time to find new ways to get things done. Some of our neighbors on fixed incomes, often older neighbors, have already left Takoma Park because of high taxes.
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Be Frank About Safety Needs
We deserve a frank assessment of what we need to be a safe community. This is about right-sizing the police force and not defunding it. ICE, not TPPD, needs to be defunded and replaced.
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Build Housing
I have long supported construction of multifamily housing (market, missing middle and affordable) on Hospital Hill. In 2022, I testified to the County Council saying so. The challenge is meeting housing needs without displacing our neighbors who rent their homes. The challenge isn’t theoretical, it’s imminent. As this is being written, Edinburgh House is proposed for demolition and replacement leaving 45 families facing possible displacement.
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Face the Climate Emergency
There can be no letting up on the work that so many in Takoma Park have done to mitigate the disastrous impact of climate change. Electrifying city vehicles, installing solar, managing storm water, and preserving tree cover are all parts of the solution.
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Protect Tenants' Rights
Stable rents = stable communities. Takoma Park’s longstanding rent stabilization ordinance has kept our City racially and economically diverse. We need to enhance the law, not weaken it.
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Listen to Each Other
Promote and embrace public input. As Mayor I will assure that people can ask questions and get answers
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Read About It
Revitalize the City Newsletter as provided in the unanimously adopted City Council resolution that has long been ignored.
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Resist ICE
It is essential to the survival of our democracy for each of us to speak truth to power. While some have cautioned that speaking out could provoke retaliation against us, consider what might happen if we don't t. We are one community regardless of citizenship or immigration status. An injury to one is an injury to all.
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Inform and Involve
I will keep you informed so you can be involved. This starts with enforcing the 1992 unanimously adopted resolution requiring the newsletter to contain substantive news about plans prior to consideration by the Mayor and Council. You have the right to weigh in before decisions are made.
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Speak Up. I’m Listening
One of the most important things one can do in a democracy is to speak truth to power. I value people who take the time and make the effort to speak up and speak out. If you ask a question, you will get an answer.
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Sunshine not Secrecy
There have been at least 16 closed sessions regarding the $1million settlement of the lawsuit brought by a civilian employee of the police department who was sexually harassed by a Sergeant. We deserve to know, among other things, why the harasser remained employed in the Police Department for more than two years.
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Stop Over Spending
The library renovation started as a $3 million renovation and ended up costing $15 million plus debt service. That’s five times the original budgeted amount. The City is now seeking bids to expand police department offices. How much is that going to cost over budget?
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Support and Defend Immigrants
Montgomery County Immigrant Rights Collective, Peace Park, TPSS Community Safety Network, and many others are resisting the Trump Administration’s cruel policies. As a caring community we can never quit resisting no matter how tired, how frustrated, how afraid we may feel. I know I won’t.