Kristen Weaver and Silke Pope, whose biographies appear below, have completed their nomination forms and been certified by City Clerk Bonita Anderson. They join challengers Ric Gordon and Matt Inzeo. Biographies are prepared by the candidates and are published in the order they are certified and received by this newspaper.
Kristen Weaver
Kristen Weaver was born in Greeley, Colo. She earned a B.S. in computer science and psychology (2004), teaching certificate (2005) and M.A. in education (2006) all from the University of Denver. Kristen taught middle school science and mathematics in Denver Public Schools from 2005-2007. After reconnecting with her now-husband, A.J. Stephens, a friend from childhood, she moved to the D.C. area to teach middle school science in Montgomery County Public Schools from 2007 to 2013. In 2013 she started as an education and outreach specialist at Goddard Space Flight Center, first with Universities Space Research Association and currently with Science Systems and Applications, Inc.
In 2015, Kristen and A.J. moved to Greenbelt, purchasing a townhome in the Greenbelt Station neighborhood for proximity both to her work and to the Metro for his commute downtown. She was also drawn to Greenbelt’s history and cooperative ethos. Kristen soon began attending city council meetings to learn more about the planning of the walking path from the Greenbelt Station neighborhood to the Metro station. Events such as the Labor Day parade and Festival brought back fond memories of July Fourth festivities in her hometown, where neighborhood gatherings were frequent. After years of living in apartments and barely knowing neighbors by sight, Kristen was excited to find in Greenbelt the sense of community she had known growing up.
Not long after moving to Greenbelt Station, in 2016 Kristen volunteered for the new homeowner’s association Activities Committee. She initially served as secretary, then chair, a position she still holds. Kristen began to look for opportunities for involvement in the larger Greenbelt community and was appointed to the Park and Recreation Advisory Board in the spring of 2018. Simultaneously, she joined a new composting initiative at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center, progressing to a leadership role in the Greenbelt Neighborhood Composting group. Working with the composting group, as well as attending other local meetings and events, helped Kristen meet people from all sections of Greenbelt, a process she has continued by joining the Connecting Across Greenbelt organization starting in late 2020 and becoming active on their planning committee.
These activities have helped Kristen focus on what she loves about Greenbelt, but also identify ways Greenbelt can be better. As a member of Greenbelt City Council, she hopes to be part of bringing neighborhoods together and building a stronger sense of community for all city residents.
Silke Pope
Silke Pope served on the Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC) for nine years until election to council in 2009. During her tenure leading PSAC, the city saw improvements in safety including installation of security cameras at the Spellman Overpass, emergency call boxes on Metro Drive and in Franklin Park. Silke is council liaison to both the PSAC and the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee and she continues to be a strong supporter of public safety and quality of life initiatives.
Silke has served on state and national committees including the National League of Cities Public Safety and Crime Prevention Steering Committee and the Small Cities Council, which she chaired in 2016.
Silke earned a fellowship from the University of Maryland’s Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. This provided Pope with a thorough understanding of the functions of local municipalities and a strong understanding of governmental policy and ethics. Additionally, Silke completed workshops at the University of Maryland’s Academy for Excellence on Leadership and Human Cognition; Economic Development and Leadership; and
Negotiation, Government and Civility.
Pope has experience in international business relations and banking where her bilingual ability, attention to detail and
organizational skills were critical. Pope has been employed by Prince George’s County Public Schools for 21 years, first at Greenbelt Middle School and currently at Springhill Lake Elementary.
Silke Pope has lived in Greenbelt for 23 years. She came to Greenbelt with her family from Germany after her husband, Joseph, retired from the United States Army. She originally lived in Springhill Lake (now Franklin Park) and currently resides in Belle Point. Her natural tendency is one of engagement and activity in the community, taking on numerous volunteer roles and accruing accomplishments in Greenbelt over the past 23 years. When not attending council meetings and events, Silke walks her Greenbelt Animal Shelter dogs, Chip and Bambi, around the lake, and spends time with her grandchildren.
Before proudly earning U.S. citizenship in 2006, Silke became involved in several community groups in Greenbelt. A member of St. Hugh of Grenoble Church since 2000, Silke has been involved in numerous fundraising efforts, the most notable being the annual Oktoberfest where she is best known for her authentic German dishes. She served on the Belle Point Homeowners’ Association from 2006 to 2019 and joined the Charlestown Village Condominium Association in 2019. She is also a member of the American Legion, Post 136 Ladies Auxiliary.
