Why We Support Tom Gagliardo for Mayor
“This city needs someone who’s willing to fight for things, who’s willing to stand up for principles we believe in. Tom will fight for them. You need to go out and fight for Tom. ”
“Tom has the values and expertise to lead Takoma Park, and he is committed to listening to his neighbors and communicating about our government.” — Jessica Landman · City Council Ward 1“
“Tom has always listened, encouraged, and embraced public participation and offered practical, carefully considered solutions to benefit our community.” — Nina Aldrignetti
“Tom is a humanitarian. He'd make a great Mayor. “–Dorothy Sharp
“In these divided times, imagine a mayor trained as a mediator. Just what Takoma Park needs”. –John Cavanagh
“Tom embraces equity, versus lip service, respecting all residents of our town. “–Denise Jones
“I am supporting Tom because as a former Takoma Park City Attorney and currently as a lawyer he can instill: integrity, accountability, and transparency as a fresh alternative to the incumbent's status quo of: closed meetings, gagged responses, no applauding, and controlling style of government leadership.” –Byrne Kelly
“I am supporting Tom because his values and visions for Takoma Park align with mine. He wants to preserve our city for everyone, not just wellheeled residents and he celebrates the diversity of our community and its political values. I was an attorney for over 40 years and I have great respect for Tom as an attorney as well.” –Debby Luxenberg
“I am supporting Tom for mayor because he is sincerely interested in our ideas and in finding out what matters to us. Tom believes in a government “of, by and for the people” and wants the city to be more responsive to its residents. He will encourage us to get involved and to debate the issues. One of those issues is the city budget, which has been on the rise, causing a substantial increase in our property taxes. Tom was the city attorney and he knows a lot about Takoma Park history. He is well-informed, conscientious and a good listener. In turbulent times such as this, having a leader who really listens — to everybody — is especially important. “–Jeannine Anderson
“Tom shines a light on our shared challenges, invites everyone to the table, and inspires confidence that together, we can achieve solutions that put people first.” — Roger Schlegel · City Council Ward 3
"You want someone with experience, good judgment, who listens, who isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right, and who gets things done.” — Thais-Lyn Trayer
“As a professional city planner who has worked in local jurisdictions for 30 years, I support Tom for his embrace of robust public participation, his welcoming but appropriately sceptical attitude towards new development, and his long professional experience in negotiating. I believe that he will bring competence and sensitivity to this job, and will be able to make the hard decisions necessary for political leadership while respecting all sides.” –Farroll Hamer
“Advocacy, activism and integrity — that’s why I’m supporting Tom Gagliardo for mayor.” –Saul Schniderman
“I am supporting Tom Gagliardo because Takoma Park needs a mayor who listens and acts based on openness, transparency and public input; a mayor concerned about reigning in the city budget, reducing the tax burden on property owners and maintaining the City's diversity through policies to attract and retain tenants. Takoma Park needs a change in administration and Tom represents the long-overdue need for a responsive mayor (and council) that govern the city in a fiscally responsible manner. “–Robert Goo
“He was persistent and relentless in demanding that the Mayor and City Council remain transparent about the issues surrounding the sexual harassment case, the City settled for $1million. Furthermore, his deep knowledge of the law—particularly regarding what is acceptable under the Maryland Open Meetings Act—will be a major asset in ensuring our city government operates as transparently and lawfully as possible for the good of the community.”–Elizabeth Forbes Wallace
“Tom is the real thing when it comes to leadership, insight and soul. “–Steve Whitney
Doug Tarman of Ward 2, who has known Tom since 1992
Doug and Tom served together on the city’s redistricting committee, and then again on the One Takoma 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.”
Donald McKoy, Sr., a resident of Victory Towers
Donald knows Tom through his volunteer work helping neighbors get where they need to go through Village of Takoma Park.
He talked about meeting Tom when one of his sons was having trouble getting the wages he had earned at work. “Just meeting Tom, that meant something to me.”
Tom’s daughter, Laura Gagliardo
“I really love Takoma Park. I grew up here.... I’m just excited for what we continue to do here as a community.”
Dorothy Sharp, a resident of Victory Towers
Dorothy got to know Tom through conversations on the rides he gives members of the community through Village of Takoma Park. What has impressed her most, she said, is the way he continues to spend his time helping other people. “It’s good to be retired, but we’re not expired.”