Meet the Candidates: District 4
Candidates for Office of District 4 Councilmember
Vote for No More than 2
Maria E. Mackie
Education, experience and deep roots have prepared me well to serve a third term on City Council. I have a BS degree and worked as an agricultural specialist for the federal government. I spent 26 years homeschooling our five children, and later worked substitute teaching, tutoring and as a small business owner. I grew up in the City and chose to settle here in 1994. My husband and three of our children attended UMCP. Before City Council, I served on the CPW Swim Club Board, the West CP Civic Association, CPW Neighborhood Watch and on the City Board of Elections. In addition to City Council duties, I am the liaison to the Educational Advisory Committee, and advocated funding extra tutoring opportunities. I served on the Cares Act Committee to rescue CP businesses and residents. I supported the curbside food scrap pickup, worked to preserve the Paint Branch Golf Course and Guilford Wood and championed pedestrian/bicyclist trails. My most important concerns are crime deterrence, road safety, educational opportunities, environmental preservation, care for the elderly, housing costs, responsible spending, and increased opportunities for residents and small businesses. I will listen to you, and make College Park a great home – for all.
Denise C. Mitchell
My goal is to achieve transparency on the city council, serve constituents with integrity, and invite and engage a wide range of stakeholders to collaborate and implement a bold and inclusive vision of One College Park. Candidate Mitchell wants to continue working on creating avenues for our diverse populations, affordable housing for all, and getting back to "The Basics" in servicing our constituents.
Denise is a retired Early Childhood Administrator and Consultant. With her expertise in education, the former Mayor, Mr. Andrews Fellows, appointed Denise to the founding board of College Park Academy. Denise served on the City Council from 2009-2013, where she was appointed the first female Mayor Pro Team under former Mayor Andy Fellows's tenure. In 2021, she was affirmed Mayor Pro Tem and continues to serve in that capacity.
Candidate Mitchell has represented city leadership with the National League of Cities as a member of the Board of Directors, Immediate Past President for the Maryland Municipal League and the Prince George's County Municipal Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Denise and her family moved to College Park Woods in 1975. She began her service within the community by serving on the Board of Directors of the West College Park Civic Association and as a member and Chair of the City of College Park's Education Advisory Committee. Denise is also a member of the Prince George's County Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.