Kensington Elections Q&A: Sean McMullen

The 2012 Kensington Town Council elections take place from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, June 4, at the .

For a complete guide of candidates and their Q&A responses,

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Name:  Sean P. McMullen
Age:  46
Address:  3423 Wake Drive
Marital status: Married to Karen Schleifer with two daughters: Izzy 12, and Sadie, 9
Hometown/Years in Kensington:  I grew up in New Jersey; I’ve lived in the Washington DC area for about 20 years; 10+ years in Kensington.
Education:  J.D, William & Mary; A.B. Harvard University
Profession:  Attorney in private practice

Patch: Have you run for Council/Mayor before? If so, did you serve and for how long?
Sean McMullen: I have served as Council Member for over 4 years; 2 two-year terms, plus four month remainder of term when Delegate Carr went to Annapolis

P: Why would you like to be Kensington's mayor/councilperson?
SM: I am running because I want to continue to serve the Town in trying to preserve all of the great things about the Town, while looking for ways to make improvements where possible and to solve problems as they arise.

We are doing well in maintaining Town services in the face of reduced funding from the State and County, while still conserving a healthy amount of the Town’s surplus. I would like to make repairs and improvements to our roads, parks and pedestrian safety measures as finances permit.   

P: What experience do you have that would help you serve in this position? 
SM: I have served on the Council for over four years, and I have been the Council Member with the responsibility for overseeing finance and budget matters working with our Town staff during that time. 

In addition, in my law practice, a good portion of my work relates to dispute resolution, so I spend a great deal of time trying to find solutions to client’s problems.

P: How did you feel about the Kensington Sector Plan? Were you for or against the previous Kensington council's decision? Why? 
SM: Having been on the Council during the four years leading up to the final passage of the Sector Plan, I think it is a good, solid plan—it is the result of a great deal of collaboration and back-and-forth among many parties.

We have to remember that it is just a plan, and that there is more work to be done, including putting together the Town’s own Design Guidelines and mounting an outreach effort so that the Town can try to attract the kind of development we want under the plan. 

P: What are your biggest platforms? What issues are most important to you and why? 
SM: As noted above, my biggest concern is in keeping the Town on sound financial footing, while maintaining and improving, where possible, the Town’s services and infrastructure. I would also like to find ways to promote more civil discourse regarding disputed issues and within the Town generally and to heal any rifts that have developed over the course of time and through the Sector Plan process. 

P: How will you help solve these issues?   
SM: I hope to continue my strong working relationship with the Town Staff in monitoring expenses and the day-to-day needs of the Town.  Regarding civility, I think we need to keep in mind that there are more things that Town residents have in common and that bind us together. 

In addition, as we move away from considerations of the Sector Plan, I hope that we move forward to projects and matters of common concern to the Town.

P: What do you love about Kensington? 
SM: I love the family-friendly, walkable nature of the Town.  We are lucky and blessed to live in a community where one can raise a family, where our kids can attend good schools, and walk and scooter to parks and to shops, and where neighbors help one another, carpool, or just get together to enjoy each other’s company.

P: Why should residents vote for you?  
SM: I have served on the Council for over four years and I bring that experience and institutional memory and knowledge to Town issues going forward.

I know that our residents have busy lives that keep them from attending Council meetings and even keep them from staying current on issues. I have those people in mind whenever I approach a new issue or problem, and I always strive to act in such a way that, when I have a chance to give residents an update on recent issues, I can look them straight in the eye and tell them, "this is what we did and why."

P: Do you have anything else you would like to share?  
SM: If I am elected to another term on the Council, I am really looking forward to continuing to work with our Town staff. In the time I have served on the Council, we have converted to a Town Manager form of government, and we are lucky to have a very committed and talented Town Manager and staff to serve our residents.