Councilman may vacate District 3 seat

A District 3 College Park City Council member said Sunday he may step down in December to take a seat on the county school board.

Mark Cook, who joined the council in 2007 and was elected to a second two-year term last November, said he received "a lot of support in this community" to run for the school board and is concerned for the educational future of his 2-year-old son, Wyatt.

"I'm a father now, and one of the greatest shortcomings that people perceive about our community is education," Cook said. "I hope that I can bring my skills and my experiences to the school board and begin the long, hard work of recovering our education system."

If he wins the school board race this fall, Cook would be constitutionally required to leave the city council; and there would be a special election to fill the vacant seat on the nine-member body.

His school board opponent, Peggy Higgins, is also a city official: She is the director of College Park's community resources department. As a non-elected city employee, Higgins would not have to leave her position if she wins.

Cook said in his time on the council, he helped manage the city's budget and facilities, increase police presence and drive construction of the new downtown parking garage, which he said would "bump up the economy" for the city.

"I think it's been very rewarding," Cook said of his tenure. "I've achieved many of my core objectives."

Cook added that he hopes his initiatives would live on even if he were to step down.

"I feel I brought a sensitivity to the needs of the people who live and have jobs in the city to the council," he said.

Stephanie Stullich — the council's second District 3 member, which includes the Old Town neighborhood, Fraternity Row and some of the Knox Box housing — said she understood Cook's interest in moving on.

In fact, Stullich herself was first elected to the city council in a 2007 special election to replace Councilman Eric Olson after he was elected to the Prince George's County Council.

"It's not uncommon," Stullich said. "People step down for different reasons."

Robert McCeney, a Montgomery County teacher who ran against Cook for the city council in November, said he would definitely consider running for Cook's seat should he step down.

"I certainly wish him the best of luck," McCeney said. "I think if a better opportunity presents itself, you should go for it."

Cook and other officials said they weren't sure who else might run if Cook's seat opened up. District 2 Councilman Bob Catlin said finding a replacement for Cook should he leave mid-term "shouldn't be a problem" because District 3 has reliably produced city leaders, including current Mayor Andy Fellows and his predecessor, Steve Brayman.

Catlin added that Cook — who has also been active in state and national politics — was unique in the experience he brought to the table as a councilman.

"He is someone who has been more politically active in the community prior to the council," Catlin said of his colleague. "It did give him a different perspective."

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