
A flyer distributed to College Park residents is critical of Patrick Wojahn’s “radical social agenda.”
Many College Park residents have walked outside their homes in the days leading up to Tuesday’s election to find door hangers urging them to vote for “Efficient, Ethical Leadership for a Better College Park.”
The fliers present residents with a fake ballot. The candidates for each district vary depending on the home’s location, but each has the spot for mayor filled out with District 4 Councilwoman Denise Mitchell’s name.
Lee Havis, a 72-year-old District 3 resident, said he came up with the slogan and helped organize the fliers’ distribution. He said he supports Mitchell over District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn.
If elected, Wojahn would be the first openly gay man to serve as College Park’s mayor. He has lived in North College Park with his husband for 12 years. Havis said he does not “think homosexual marriage is real” and that Wojahn has “his own agenda.”
“I want to move away from this radical social agenda which has nothing to do with making a little town good for taxpayers and new businesses,” said Havis, president of the Northern Prince George’s County Republican Club. “I don’t think it’s the business of the government to be promoting the value of homosexual marriage.”
While on council, Wojahn led an effort to change the city’s charter, adding a provision stating that with regards to employment, housing and public accommodation, the city would not discriminate based on religion, gender or sexual orientation, among other bases.
Both Wojahn and Mitchell voted in February to authorize City Council support for an amicus brief filed with the Supreme Court that “explains to the Court the harm to families and communities resulting from marriage discrimination,” according to city documents.
“People may say the reason I promote fairness and equality is because I’m gay, but my colleagues also supported this,” he said. “I want to promote equality for all residents and create a fair community in College Park.”
Wojahn said his sexual orientation has nothing to do with how he plans to run the city, if elected. Wojahn’s platform has emphasized bringing high quality businesses and amenities to College Park, improving sustainability efforts and strengthening the city’s partnership with the university.
“The only agenda I have is improving the quality of life for residents of College Park,” he said.
Wojahn counts founding College Park Day, creating a community listserv, establishing the College Park Community Foundation and his efforts to improve rental and vacant properties as his biggest accomplishments.
College Park resident David Keer said he feels homophobia has been a major issue throughout this election.
“This is a flagship university community and yet, being here in North College Park, it almost feels like we are in a community that still has too many issues around bigotry,” Keer said. “Patrick is a good government guy. He’s been an excellent councilman.”