Green Oakwood posed the same six sustainability focused questions to our City Council candidates. We are posting the Questions and Answers weekly, verbatim from our candidates, so you may get to know their knowledge, experience and positions on topics that may be important to you, your family, and our community.

This week’s question: What are your top 3 priorities related to sustainability for our city?

Answer from Candidate Leigh Turben

1. Continue Oakwood’s robust recycling program—According to Montgomery County Environmental Services, Oakwood recycles more, per pound/per person than any city or township in the county.
2. Maintain the quality of Oakwood’s water system—The water in Oakwood is tested annually, and consistently meets or exceeds federal and state safety standards. The challenge Oakwood faces in the future is meeting the proposed EPA legislation that would require all lead service lines, public and private, be replaced within 15 years. Should this become legislation, the estimated cost to the City and residents would be more than $29M. Oakwood has already begun lead remediation planning, but there are still many challenges ahead.
3. Shrink our carbon emissions by embracing technological innovations—Oakwood has begun the transition by replacing an existing gas-powered police vehicle with an all-electric vehicle, installing the electric vehicle charging station in the Orchard Drive parking lot, and encouraging the use of solar power for home use. The City recognizes the growing interest in electric and battery-powered alternatives, and the potential environmental benefits. We need to further these efforts and move towards a more sustainable future.

Answer from Candidate Sam Dorf

A more sustainable Oakwood means a more efficient Oakwood. Sustainable government practices and investments in efficient infrastructure promote better health and wellness, build community, and save money. My top three priorities (in order):

1. ensure that sustainability is central to the new City of Oakwood comprehensive plan. As the city starts to think about developing a new comprehensive plan, we need to make sure that questions of sustainability, and being good stewards of the environment are not an add-on to our city’s roadmap to the future, but rather a critical component of all departments and programs to make Oakwood more environmentally sustainable for the future. That means getting input from residents, businesses, the schools, library, city staff, and the visitors who use our parks and shop here. The city should articulate clear priorities and goals for sustainability in a comprehensive plan as this document will literally be our roadmap going forward. My other two priorities are programs worth exploring collaboratively as part of a comprehensive city sustainability plan
2. investigate the possibility of offering curbside composting for residential customers.
3. advocating for the Oakwood Beautification Awards to include a sustainability category to recognize and celebrate property owners who make commitments to and who invest in sustainable and energy efficient improvements to their property (i.e. solar panels, pollinator gardens, native plants, rain barrels, etc.).

Answer from Candidate Sarena Kelley

My top three sustainability priorities for Oakwood are:

1. Restoring and modernizing city maintenance practices to reduce chemical use and improve oversight, particularly in landscaping, while integrating environmentally sound methods like native planting, integrated pest management, and invasive species monitoring.
2. Creating a community-based sustainability infrastructure, including a city-run composting program, legalizing beekeeping, expanding support for community gardens, and launching homeowner education programs—so that residents are empowered to be stewards of their own land.
3. Preserving our historic homes and landscapes with green principles, ensuring that sustainability and architectural integrity go hand in hand. This includes advocating for restoration over replacement, when possible, especially with features like original windows that have proven longevity and lower long-term environmental impact.