Public Safety – Safer, Walkable, Bikeable Communities in Rockville
– Strong advocate for efforts and incentives to recruit and retain officers to ensure adequate staffing and public safety.
– Supported first mental health specialist to serve as a resource for when Rockville City Police encounter persons with mental health issues
– Advocated for the development of the city’s first vision zero action plan focused on improving pedestrian and bike safety across the city.
– Led an effort to identify the most dangerous areas in the City where more than 54 serious crashes and fatalities have occurred and continues to advocate for resolution with the state highway administration.
– Accelerated implementation of the 2017 bikeway master plan which was only 8% in 2020 and is now more than 50% in 2023.
– Prioritize the city’s budget to align to accelerate pedestrian safety across the City
– Supported more inclusive approach to transportation infrastructure to include ADA considerations in city infrastructure plans.
Fiscal Responsibility
– Voted against a potential increase in Rockville taxes and helped to reduce spending to stay within budget.
– Co-led efforts to create a grant position dedicated to finding additional grant revenue sources into the city from non-tax- payer sources.
– Significantly contributed to community input by 300 percent on our City of Rockville budget priorities survey to ensure that we were representing the needs of all of Rockville. I helped transform our approach to identify what parts of the City were contributing and where more input was needed to ensure greater representation.
Housing & Smart Growth
– I have advocated to make the citywide policy for moderately priced dwelling units on new developments to 15% citywide to create workforce housing opportunities for police, teachers, and other residents to be able to afford to live in the City. New units will now stay affordable for 99 years, creating long-term affordable housing in the city.
– Advocated for the development of transit-oriented development and having been helping to accelerate opportunities for adaptive reuse on office buildings and other types of buildings
– I voted to create a city employee housing program that will encourage our police and other essential employees to live in our community.
– Helped to ensure that Rockville’s growth planning is factored into Montgomery County Public Schools forecasting to help address potential overcrowding in schools and to plan for more capacity
– Successfully advocated to reduce the permit pricing for the development of accessory apartments within existing resident homes to help expand housing options
Environment and Sustainability
– Proposed the creation of Rockville’s first composting program.
– Drafted the first ever Rockville EV Resolution to help convert Rockville’s fleet to renewable energy.
– Adapted zoning to allow for reductions in parking in exchange for more green building attributes.
– Advocated for mass transit options and alternatives in lieu of proposed expensive toll lanes on 270.
– I serve as liaison to the Environmental Commission and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Climate Energy & Environment Policy
Economic Development
– Worked with ready and the City leadership, Rockville Chamber of Commerce, and Rockville Economic Development Inc (REDI) to plan the City’s first Business webinar to help companies navigate through COVID and access resources to survive the pandemic.
– Led discussions on Council and with REDI to create resources and approaches to help the City support greater economic development, including the first welcome kit to attract new companies to come into the city, Explore Rockville, among others.
– Supported zoning changes that help to attract more biotech and life science companies to the city of Rockville.
– Helped drive strategic discussions to change the culture of business engagement from responsive to proactive outreach to attract companies to be in the City.
– Advocated to a change to the City’s incentive fund to support businesses across the city as well as to leverage to attract net new businesses to the city beyond retention.
Supporting Youth and Seniors
– Effectively advocated for additional school capacity in Rockville elementary schools, and helped support the development of the newest school in Rockville, Bayard Rustin Elementary, which helped to remove portables from College Gardens, Beall, Ritchie Park
– Championed the effort to create the City’s first Education Commission to strengthen efforts to help proactively engage school communities and identify issues that impact the Rockville Community’s education and leadership opportunities.
– Helped to address the issue of waitlists in Rockville Youth programming, by supporting additional teen programs and services to support our children with positive activities and alternatives.
– Supporter of strong senior services and Rockville Villages program to help seniors thrive, connect, and age in place
“I have worked closely with Monique through the Maryland Municipal League and can attest firsthand to her determination, thoughtfulness, and consensus building leadership style that yields concrete results. That’s why I am enthusiastically supporting her for Mayor of Rockville,” said Ryan Spiegel, State Delegate, District 17 and former president of MML.
“I have worked alongside Monique and have seen firsthand how she brings her expertise in negotiations, collaboration, management and strategy to address complex issues. She cares deeply about Rockville and all its stakeholders and works to ensure all are represented. She also has the depth of expertise to support the diverse needs of stakeholders from residents, to businesses, and nonprofits. She will be a fantastic Mayor and I look forward to working with her in that capacity as well,” said Sidney Katz, Montgomery County Councilmember.
“Monique has proven herself to be a tireless, compassionate leader in Rockville and Montgomery County. I have seen her in action working effectively with other elected officials in Montgomery County and Annapolis to advance our communities. She shows up for the hard work of making policy, getting into the details, and bringing stakeholders together. I look forward to her continued leadership,” said Kate Stewart, Montgomery County Councilmember and former Mayor of Takoma Park.
“Monique Ashton is a brilliant and gifted leader. I’ve watched her bring people together to get big things done, both in Rockville and beyond. She consistently works to find the best solutions and practices to bring to bear in her community. I know that she is 100 percent dedicated to making Rockville the very best that it can be,” said Jud Ashman, Mayor of Gaithersburg and Founder and Chair of the Gaithersburg Book Festival.
“As a former municipal official, I wholeheartedly endorse Councilmember Monique Ashton for Mayor of the City of Rockville. Councilmember Ashton’s vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to our community make her the ideal candidate to lead Rockville into a brighter, more inclusive future. Let us unite for her transformative leadership and make history together,” said Laurie-Anne Sayles, Montgomery County Councilmember.
“The City of Rockville, my city of birth, will always hold a special place in my family’s history. It is with great confidence that I support Monique Ashton for Mayor and her vision to lead this City to its rightful future,” Lisa Henderson, Councilmember City of Gaithersburg.