Demonstrated Commitment to Public Service & the Community

• Attorney, Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Treasury Department, Washington, DC
• Vice-Chair, Montgomery County Landlord-Tenant Commission, Rockville, MD
• Vice President, Fallsgrove Civic Association, Rockville, MD
• President, Fallsgrove Condominium Association, Rockville, MD
• President, Upper Montgomery Assistance Network, Gaithersburg, MD
• Adjunct Faculty, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
• Volunteer, St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, Rockville, MD
• Reserve Officer, Metropolitan Police Department, Washington, DC
• Former Intern, Hon. Andrew L. Sonner, Maryland Court of Special Appeals, Rockville, MD
• Former Law Clerk, Delaware Attorney General’s Office
• Former Intern, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office
• Former Intern, Congressman David Dreier, U.S. House of Representatives

Family Background

• Travis is married to Kathryn Nelson, a Ph.D. Candidate in Clinical Psychology and pre-doctoral fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health. Travis and Kathryn live in Rockville´s Fallsgrove community with a dog and two cats, where they hope to one day raise their children.

Educational Background

• Juris Doctor, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
• B.S. in Economics, Villanova University, College of Commerce and Finance

Candidacy Summary

Rockville is a wonderful place to live, work, and play. The decisions we make today, and the leaders who make them, will determine whether Rockville continues to be great for the next generation. If you will trust me with your vote, I will build a strong foundation for all of Rockville´s families.

Travis´ Priorities:

• Build an appropriately planned Town Center that does not adversely affect the character of the surrounding communities.
• Address traffic and safety concerns before new development is approved.
• Encourage economic development only as part of a broader community pride development.
• Create a fiscally responsible government that empowers citizens to achieve their fullest potential.
• Respect the right of neighborhoods to control their own development.

On the Issues

Traffic & Safety: Over the last several years our city and region have experienced significant growth in the residential and commercial markets, and yet city planners have left many traffic and safety concerns unchecked. Traffic and transit is not just a Rockville problem. it´s a regional problem, therefore we must work with regional authorities to find innovative solutions to traffic issues. Any traffic plan must put pedestrian safety above commuter convenience. Recent growth has put more congestion on residential arteries and has turned many neighborhood streetways into speedways -- threatening the peace of our communities and the lives of our children. I will direct the resources of government to reclaim the quiet of residential communities.

Community and Economic Development: We must pursue economic development only as part of an overall plan of community development, for even if we build a vibrant Town Center, we will have failed if our residents lack the job skills to work for Town Center businesses or if they have to walk through unsafe streets to get to Town Center. We must continue our efforts at revitalizing our city center area with minimal adverse impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. I do not believe that the peace and serenity of Rockville´s historic districts should be casually disrupted in the name of progress.

While development of Town Center is an important issue, we must realize that Rockville was not designed to have one "central business area." Rockville´s business district is Rockville Pike, from Montrose Road to Shady Grove Road. Instead of wasting money on a building something new in one part of the city, I believe we should concentrate on renovating existing storefronts along Rockville Pike to make them more attractive to area consumers.

I am a strong believer in public-private partnerships, and I have seen the success of those endeavors throughout the country. I will work with local businesses and financial institutions to encourage greater investment in Rockville-based community development organizations in order to create fiscally responsible community enhancement projects, such as refurbishing worn shopping centers, rehabilitating low-income housing, investing in small businesses, providing credit counseling, job training, community development research, and providing technical assistance services to non-profits in our city.

President Kennedy described a rising tide that would lift all ships, however when your ship is already sunk, the rising tide only makes salvage more difficult. Over the past ten years our region has enjoyed great prosperity and growth, however there are many in our community that have been left behind, and it is these people that need help the most. I will work with local and regional leaders to promote job training and employment opportunities for all Rockville residents.

Government Spending: The role of the Mayor and Council is akin to that of a corporate board of directors -- it is responsible for overseeing the City Manager´s use of City services and treasure. The current council members have not fulfilled this role, resulting in a deficit of almost one million dollars, which had to be taken from reserve funds.

I promise to hold government accountable, making sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely. As the president of a nonprofit corporation, I achieve a balanced budget, oversee paid and volunteer staff, coordinate operating committees of the board of directors, and ensure that the organization´s clients are well served. I will bring this deep sense of fiscal discipline to City government. My promise to you: No more wasteful projects.