Although all the results were not yet officially tallied, College Park’s new political influence showed at the primary election polls yesterday with Jim Rosapepe winning the State Senate seat and Eric Olson the County Council races, while Joseline Peña-Melnyk earned the second largest number of votes for State Delegate District 21.
“This is the most political influence College Park has had in many a year,” said City Councilman Bob Catlin.
Although Peña-Melnyk did not officially receive the results as of press time because of voting glitches in several precincts, she was excited about her position as the second top vote-getter, behind Del. Barbara Frush, and thanked her campaign colleagues for their efforts.
“This has been an awesome day,” said Peña-Melnyk who, despite running independently, garnered significant grassroots support. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to get someone elected who is not on a ticket.”
Pe̱a-Melnyk and Olson have been active in Route 1 and off-campus development Рissues that need support from upper political levels, council members said. Their vacancies on the city council would force the city to launch a special election to replace them.
“If I win, I will be very tight with the city and everyone in the 21st district,” Peña-Melnyk said. “I think the city council is 100 percent behind us and we will just have to find good people to keep our work going.”
Both Peña-Melnyk and Olson were vocal members of the College Park City Council, and although other council members regret the vacancies they leave behind, they look forward to the representation they now have in both state and county levels.
“We need activism at both levels,” said Councilman Dave Milligan. “We are glad they are moving up, because there are a lot of things in which we rely on help from the county.”
Some council members describe the success of Peña-Melnyk and Olson as bittersweet. Councilman John Krouse said he would lose a best friend and ally in Peña-Melnyk and a huge supporter in Olson, but is confident in the ability of residents to take their places.
“[The future of the city council] depends on the people that come in,” Krouse said. “There are several residents that would serve the council very well if they step up. … The council lost specific knowledge in Olson and Peña-Melnyk, but their replacements will have much of the same ability.”
Catlin was optimistic the two council members would be a help to the city in higher office, but worried about finding replacements.
“We will lose two people that we won’t be able to replace,” Catlin said. “Two new people without experience [on the council] will be challenging.”
However, the City of College Park will have representation on three influential levels, something that will assist in development and political voice.
“We have a cooperative, collaborative council that got some good momentum on issues that we hope not to lose,” Milligan said. “We are looking forward to them helping us to move forward.
Brayman celebrated his colleagues’ wins.
“The council is behind [Peña-Melnyk] and Olson winning big, though,” he said. “God bless her independent voice and mindset.”
Contact reporter Kelly Whittaker at whittakerdbk@gmail.com.
