Photo of the candidate courtesy Alexandra Arkoian.
Why are you running for County Council?
I’m running for County Council to stand up for the average citizen, NOT the special interests groups. I want to LISTEN to citizens and use my analytical, detail-oriented, common sense approach to solving problems. I “talk the talk AND walk the walk,” having volunteered for many non-profits (40 years) and in many Montgomery County schools (18 years) and at Montgomery College (six years).
What are your qualifications for the position?
I’m a former linguist/intelligence research analyst at the National Security Agency (Russian and Arabic languages). I now consider myself a community volunteer, civic activist, and general nudge. I co-founded the Greater Goshen Civic Association in 1989 and served many years as president, vice-president, immediate past president and board of director member. I follow the issues facing Montgomery County and have testified and emailed/written numerous times to the County Council and Planning Board. I truly am ready from “DAY ONE” to be a County Council Member. I’m honest, hard working, persistent, a good negotiator, and a “CAN DO” person.
Are you using public financing, yes or no? If yes, have you qualified for matching funds?
Yes, I’m using public financing. I have not, as yet, qualified for matching funds. I’m still receiving donations.
What specific policies and/or programs would you propose to expand the county’s tax base?
I would concentrate on marketing Montgomery County as a business-friendly place for small, medium, and large businesses. I’d cut the red tape for start-up companies and have mentors to help them. I’d use some of our empty, commercial buildings for these start-ups. I’d work on KEEPING businesses we have now with some incentives.
I’m an average voter, interested in doing my civic duty but not an avid follower of county politics. Convince me that I should vote for you over all the other candidates.
I believe you should vote for me because I have the time, energy, interest, and passion to SERVE and LISTEN to ALL Montgomery County citizens, coupled with my leadership skills, my intelligence, my caring and compassion, and my PERSISTENCE in solving problems. I’m a “people person” and can speak several languages to communicate with our diverse population. I believe in a government of, by, and for the people.
Rosemary Arkoian is a graduate of Boston University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Russian language and literature. She later received a paralegal studies certificate, with honors, from Montgomery College (and was elected to Montgomery College Alumni Board of Governors for six years). She is a former linguist/intelligence research analyst at the National Security Agency, specializing in Russian and Arabic languages. She was recognized by the state for her volunteer work in leadership positions at five county public schools, and as co-founder of Greater Goshen Civic Association in 1989, served for many years as president and vice president of the association. She also has done volunteer work for Olney Theatre, the county’s Citizens’ Police Academy Alumni Association, Hospice Caring, the County Council’s Airpark Liaison Committee, the Goshen Historical Preservation Society, and her church.