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Council Candidates
Jerry Burgess
Juan Arango Millan
Julia Reardin
Estevan Ginsburg
5. Glenn Harris Jr.
6. Natalie Guerra
7. Julia Elrod
Jerry lives in Brentwood with his beloved wife Liz and enjoys the uniqueness, strength and diversity of the local community. After several decades of volunteering in local initiatives, Jerry believes there are two effective ways to make a difference: through community-organized grassroots activism and through participation in community governance. Jerry is running for another term on the City Council to continue working towards improving public services, increasing community cohesion, and achieving environmentally friendly development that improves the lives of our fellow citizens.
Jerry has been a scientist and educator for 30 years and is currently Director of the Environmental Science program at Johns Hopkins University. After years of teaching students of all ages, Jerry has developed a talent for working with diverse perspectives, balancing multiple interests, and reaching consensus with patience and humor.
In his spare time, he and his wife enjoy the outdoors: hiking, caring for kittens, gardening, exploring and restoring green spaces that preserve nature and serve our neighborhood. Throughout his studies, career and civic engagement, Jerry has wanted to contribute to making the world a better place. One thing he has learned during his time on the Council is that progress is always a group effort. Over the past few months, he has seen solid efforts to keep Brentwood safe, as well as to improve its social cohesion through support of cultural arts events, green team activities and farmers' market initiatives.
During his time on the Council, he has focused on creating policies on environmental regulations that have resulted in initiatives such as green purchasing policies, multiple Tree City USA awards, the first Sustainable Maryland recognition, social protections such as the senior tax reduction, a welcome to the city ordinance, and leading the initial Strategic Plan initiative. However, much remains to be done. The outgoing City Council Council made great strides in securing outside grants and promoting strategic initiatives, as well as hiring a highly respected Chief of Police and City Manager. These efforts should be supported and endorsed. Jerry believes that Brentwood's future lies in celebrating the city's historical significance, embracing the needs and values of the growing diversity of its members, and developing the community along paths of social justice and ecological wisdom. Jerry is running to support Brentwood residents, to make all of our voices heard, to protect and enhance our environment, and to help develop a stronger, more cohesive community. Jerry has made strides while on the Council to be an accessible and thoughtful steward of our collective vision for the future and will work to ensure that your voice is heard. Jerry respectfully asks for your trust, support and vote.
Juan Arango Millan is a 26-year Brentwood resident, public servant and community advocate running for Brentwood City Council. He has held senior positions in the Maryland General Assembly and Montgomery County Council, where he worked on multi-billion dollar budgets, helped develop and pass effective policies, and helped residents access housing, health care, senior services and other essential resources. He also worked to ensure that residents' rights were upheld and respected, especially in housing and tenant protections. Juan is running to bring visible and responsive leadership to Brentwood, based on service rather than politics. His priorities include improving the lighting system and sidewalks, expanding youth programs, and making sure local government accommodates the needs of residents, especially seniors, immigrants and working families. He believes that public service begins with listening - and that every resident deserves to feel seen, heard and supported.
Julia Reardin has lived in Brentwood since 2017 with her dog, Copper. She is from Bloomington, Indiana, and grew up in a community that valued connection, service, and independent thinking. She has a degree in Film and Digital Media from UC Santa Cruz and a background in photography and media storytelling. She works for a non-profit community media organization in DC, where she oversees media education, runs a program for local non-profits, and supports community storytelling. In Brentwood, she previously served on the Green Committee and is passionate about sustainability, walkability and neighbor-to-neighbor outreach. She is stepping up to serve Brentwood in a new capacity, committed to listening, learning and making a difference at the local level.
Hello neighbors! My name is Glenn Harris Jr. and I am a proud Brentwood resident with an unwavering commitment to progress, equity and opportunity for all. I am running for Brentwood City Council to bring innovative solutions, bold leadership and a results-oriented approach to our beautiful and diverse community. I am a graduate of Morehouse College with a bachelor's degree in political science and a lifelong vocation of public service. I have worked on affordable housing and youth development initiatives in Chicago, and was the director of Organize for America during the 2012 Obama campaign in Southwest Philadelphia. Brentwood is a small but mighty city, full of culture, ambition and potential. I have been inspired by our community's entrepreneurial spirit, appreciation for the arts and commitment to inclusion. As your representative on City Council, I will be a dedicated resource for all neighbors and a tireless advocate for your voice. My priorities include:- Job Development - I will bring federal, state and business resources to Brentwood. This will include monthly business development workshops and connections to job training programs that lead to sustainable jobs.- Educational Opportunities: I will work with local institutions to expand access to training programs, job readiness and youth initiatives that prepare our residents for growing careers.- Community Investment: I will support initiatives that enhance public spaces, promote the arts, and expand access to safe and affordable housing, ensuring that Brentwood remains a vibrant and welcoming place for all. Above all, I will be an advocate for a Brentwood for All, a community that embraces diversity, supports small businesses, empowers young people, and ensures that everyone has opportunities to succeed. Let's make it happen-I humbly ask for your support.
Estevan Ginsburg is ready to bring fresh ideas and effective leadership to make our city a welcoming, safe and vibrant place to live. A Brentwood resident for three years, you may have seen Estevan at Green Team events or walking around the neighborhood with his partner, Sarah, their young daughter, Violet, and their dog, Indigo. Estevan has a strong public service background, with experience in politics and education. He previously worked as a fifth grade teacher in North Las Vegas, and was Legislative Director in the California State Senate, leading efforts to advance juvenile justice reform, public transportation and affordable housing development. He currently serves as Deputy Policy Director at NewDEAL, a national nonprofit focused on supporting state and local leaders to implement practical, impactful policies.
Julia Elrod is a local non-profit professional seeking to advocate for the residents of Brentwood through serving on the town council. She believes the government has the power to be a force for good when leveraged by caring, authentic, and transparent leadership. A first generation college-graduate, Julia has a Master of Public Administration from the School of Public Affairs at American University (AU) where she studied social policy, issue advocacy campaigns and lobbying, and nonprofit management. During her time at AU, she served as the Community Service Chair on the School of Public Affairs Graduate Student Council and was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida with focuses on public administration, international relations, and leadership studies. Julia has lived in the Washington, DC Metro region since 2012 bringing her diverse set of professional skills to her tenure with area nonprofits seeking to bolster their strategic operations, communications, and impact on their respective constituencies. Previously, she worked for the federal government at the Orlando VA Medical Center ensuring our nation’s veterans received safe, quality care. Julia has called Brentwood home for over five years where she and her husband Greg, a Social Studies teacher for Prince George’s County Schools, are raising their 6-year old twins Lincoln and Oran. She enjoys everything pop-culture, cooking and baking, and learning new forms of art.
Natalie Guerra is running for Brentwood City Council. Born in Washington, DC, but raised in Brentwood, MD, Natalie is one of four siblings. She is of Bolivian and Guatemalan descent, and currently resides in her family home that has seen four generations grow up. Brentwood is not just a city, it's home. Growing up, Natalie saw the good and the bad, but her best memories are the neighborhood kids gathering and coming to play on her parents' backyard swing set. After many years living in Brentwood, she has decided to take the next step - for her family and her community - to join the city council and make a difference. Natalie has experience working for government and the private sector, striving for excellence and finding solutions, following procedures, and giving back to the community. From 2021-2022, she volunteered for the Brentwood Public Works Committee, and was the past president of the University of Maryland Latinx Alumni Network (2020-2022).A vote for Natalie is a vote to foster a better community and embrace diversity, obtain resources for residents, improve public safety and infrastructure, care for our seniors and children, and beautify our city. Natalie is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Philosophy.