Local leaders weigh in on what they would like to see from new president

As the country prepared for the inauguration of its first black president on Jan. 20, several Catonsville community leaders expressed their hopes and expectations for the new administration in Washington.

The local group included state and county elected officials as well as a university president, a community association president, a longtime Catonsville pastor, a chamber of commerce board member and the chief executive officer of one of the town's largest and oldest nonprofit organizations.

Politics aside, each described President Barack Obama's inauguration as a historic event with the potential to change America for the better.

Freeman Hrabowski

University president

"From the perspective of UMBC, we are especially excited about investments in higher education," said Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, since 1992.

"It's fairly apparent that this new administration understands the important role that colleges and universities can play in building the economy," said Hrabowski, who was named one of "America's Best Leaders," by U.S. News and World Report in 2008.

"I'm excited about the new president's emphasis on education, both at the K-through-12 level and in higher education," said the Birmingham, Ala., native.

"It's clear to me that the new Secretary of Education (Arne Duncan) understands the challenges that many American children face, and that the Obama team is recruiting to Washington the best thinkers.

"And from my perspective these new leaders will add substantially to the resources used for education," he said.

"I'm also encouraged because so many Americans are optimistic about our future," he added.

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Sam Moxley

County councilman

A president and Congress "working together for the good of the people" tops the wish list from Baltimore County Councilman Sam Moxley, a Democrat who represents Arbutus, Baltimore Highlands, Halethorpe, Catonsville, Lansdowne, Oella and Relay.

The scenario would call for President Obama and federal lawmakers to "put their political differences aside and work for results," Moxley said.

"And I'm hoping they do a stimulus package that would help home buyers, but not allow lending institutions receiving federal money to revert to the crazy lending practices that have hurt this country and our community," he said.

In particular, Moxley said he hopes for an economic stimulus package that would give jurisdictions federal money to "jump start" building projects that are in line and "ready to put the shovel in the ground."

Such actions would help stabilize the economy by providing jobs and increasing tax revenues, Moxley said.

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Ed Whetstone

Minister

"My politics are quite liberal," said longtime Catonsville pastor Ed Whetstone. "But I hope Obama will seek to serve a wider swathe of the country, not just those who agree with me."

Describing Obama's inauguration as a "time of being proud to be an American," Whetstone said he hopes for an administration that is respectful of varying points of view.

The election and the inauguration are "very healing events for America," said Whetstone, who has served the Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church since 1977.

"I think that, in great part, my hope for the new administration is that there would be a very broad commitment to life, life sustaining issues -- a determination to reduce poverty, reduce the number of abortions, end the death penalty and have a bias against war."

He also noted improved stewardship of land, air and water as an important goal.

"I do have great hopes and I think we need to press for those things," Whetstone said. "But in a way that is more respectful of varying views in our country."

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Adrienne Jones

Maryland House of Delegates

"One of the refreshing things seems to be a man who wants to listen to all ideas -- he does not have a 'my way or the highway' mentality," said Del. Adrienne Jones, a Democrat, and speaker pro tem of the Maryland House of Delegates.

"I think he really wants to solve problems, not just put them off," she said.

Jones added that Obama's background as a community organizer likely will have him interacting as much as security allows with citizens outside of his administration, possibly by way of e-mail.

"I think he really likes to hear from ordinary people, not just the people who surround him," said the Cowdensville native, who graduated from Lansdowne High School and UMBC. "That is refreshing to me."

Also refreshing, Jones noted, is the new president's apparent interest in stimulating the economy and creating new jobs.

She said Obama's willingness to hear all sides of an issue and consider new ways of dealing with it also made an impression on her.

"He is open to ideas," she said. "You will see a very diverse cabinet."

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Brian McFarland

Attorney

"They seemingly have a mandate, so let's hope they can use that," Catonsville attorney Brian McFarland said of Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

"It is a very historic event and that's where the mandate, hopefully, comes from," he said, noting that Obama, the first black president in U.S. history, won a "landslide" victory in the Electoral College.

"He has the momentum, and hopefully he can make that momentum work," McFarland said.

A member of the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, McFarland is chairman of a chamber committee that serves as a liaison between the business community and county, state and federal governments.

He said the Washington political scene has been polarized for well over the last 10 years, through the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

"Let's hope that both parties recognize the depth of the problems that this country faces and stop playing politics," McFarland said, citing the economy and foreign policy as prime examples.

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Andre Cooper

CEO, The Children's Home

"From the perspective of a nonprofit that has served children for many years, I look forward to his dedication and commitment to children and families of all kinds, types and backgrounds," said Andre Cooper, chief executive officer of The Children's Home on Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonsville.

Known as the General German Orphan Home when moved from Baltimore to Catonsville in the 1920s, Cooper took the helm of the nonprofit about eight years ago.

He said he was "awe-inspired by Obama's leadership and role modeling as an African-American man."

"I personally aspire to the leadership qualities and characteristics that I've seen throughout (Obama's) public service and campaign, including organization, genuineness and integrity," Cooper said.

"And finally, I support a goal of his to ensure that all children see opportunities for higher leadership roles in their own lives, such as the presidency of the United States."

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Steve Whisler

Community activist

Steve Whisler, president of the Coalition for the Preservation of Southwest Baltimore County that includes community organizations from Arbutus, Catonsville and other parts of the southwestern portion of the county, said coalition members had several expectations for the Obama administration.

The president of the Westview Park Improvement and Civic Association said a national public works program and an "intelligent" health care policy are high on that list.

Whisler said he shared the coalition's hopes for a comprehensive review of federal programs to eliminate wasteful spending, a thoughtful start on a long-term energy policy that includes renewable resources as well as other options such as "clean coal" and nuclear energy, encouragement for entrepreneurship and small business development, a plan for maintaining the financial viability of the social security system and a continued focus on protecting the county against terrorist attacks.

"Hopefully, Barack Obama can really bring about the change he talks about and change the way government spends money," said Whisler, who had a 20-year career in the Navy.

"The bottom line is, I want him to be successful," said the Florida native. "It is important; otherwise, we all suffer."

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