Tom Dernoga* (D)

Office Sought: Prince George's County Council, District 1
Age: 47
Residence: West Laurel.
Education: BA, University of Maryland; JD, Univ. of Maryland; MA, taxation, Georgetown University.
Occupation: County Council chairman; lawyer.
Web site: http://www.tomdernoga.org
E-mail address: tedzone@starpower.net

Elected offices/civic activities:

Member, Prince George's County Council, 2002-present; past president, vice president, West Laurel Civic Association, 1989-2001; past member, Commission 2000; past member, Committee of 100; past secretary, past member, Bond Mill Elementary School PTA.

Why should voters elect you?

"For five years, I have demonstrated hard work and commitment, an understanding of complex issues and effective teamwork."

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

"The county needs to focus on crime reduction — through increasing public safety staffing and deploying the increased staff intelligently to create a proactive approach to policing. Also, the county has to get serious about improving education. We need to get the best teachers and principals and give them more freedom to educate, but with accountability for results."

-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.

Back to the Race: Prince George's County Council, District 1