Challenger Alex Zajac and incumbent Judith Davis are among the final six candidates to complete their nomination forms now certified by City Clerk Bonita Anderson and have sent their biographies to the News Review. The others are incumbents Emmett Jordan, Colin Byrd and Rodney Roberts and challenger William Orleans.
Biographies are published in the order they are certified and received by this newspaper.
Alex Zajac
Alex Zajac moved to Greenbelt with his wife Michelle in 2016 after completing his undergraduate studies in physics and government and pursuing his law degree at Georgetown University. The newlyweds were immediately drawn to the city: the neighbors were friendly, the amenities were top-tier, and the history was captivating. They quickly went all-in on its unique identity – becoming members of the local Co-op and the Old Greenbelt Theatre and recently joining the New Deal Café in support of its new partnership with the Co-op. Alex can often be spotted around town picking up groceries, supporting local vendors at the Greenbelt Farmers Market, enjoying a cup of coffee and the week’s Greenbelt News Review, or getting a haircut in Roosevelt Center.
Although he has long been an avid writer of letters to local and state politicians on various policy issues, Alex has never aspired to be a politician. He has come to believe, however, that Greenbelt deserves a higher caliber of local representation. This great city is in dire need of a representative who is an attentive listener; a representative who is willing to engage with, debate and fight for the issues that the people of Greenbelt are passionate about; and most importantly, a representative who can do all of this with grace and candor. Alex humbly seeks the permission of the great residents of Greenbelt to be that representative.
In his professional life, Alex works as a patent attorney, and he wants to use his experience with the legal system and his background in scientific research to help draft evidence-based, legally sound policies for the city that address the concerns of everyday citizens – concerns like reliable public transportation, clean parks, safe streets, timely trash collection and functional sidewalks. He knows that the most important issues to Greenbelt residents are not national- or state-level political spats but rather day-to-day matters that directly impact the community. The Prince George’s County logo may be Semper Eadem (“ever the same”), but Alex is looking to the future, fighting for a city council that listens to residents and working to usher in a new era of Greenbelt City Council representatives who are more responsive to residents’ needs.
Judith F. Davis
Judith F. “J” Davis is in her 14th term on council. Currently serving as councilmember, J formerly was mayor for 16 years, Greenbelt’s longest continuously serving mayor, and mayor pro tem for eight years. Prior to her election to council, she was appointed to the Advisory Planning Board for 10 years and was chair for four. Recently, J was appointed to the county’s Commission for Women and to the Central Maryland Transportation and Mobility Commission.
After moving to Greenbelt in 1975, J became active in local affairs. A Greenbriar condominium owner, she served on Phase I’s board of directors for 14 years. She was the Labor Day Festival Carnival chair for 18 years. J was on the Project Design Committee for Greenbelt Intergenerational Volunteer Exchange Service (GIVES) and became a charter member and officer.
J has honed her leadership skills and expanded her experience and effectiveness by serving tirelessly in many roles. As mayor, J was the council’s representative to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) board of directors. In 2005, she was elected chair of its board and, in 2010, was its corporate president. J is a member of COG’s Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee, on which she has served since its inception. Since 2005, J has been appointed to the National League of Cities’ Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee. With her focus on environmental issues, J has brought back innovative ideas and best practices to be incorporated by the city. To ensure that Greenbelt remains aware of what is going on in Annapolis, J has served many years on legislative committees.
J served as president of the Maryland Municipal League after 11 terms on its board of directors. She is a past president of the Maryland Mayors Association, the Prince George’s County Municipal Association and the Prince George’s Elected Municipal Women. J strongly advocates Greenbelt’s positions at all governmental levels.
In 2011, Davis was presented COG’s highest honor, the Elizabeth and David Scull Metropolitan Public Service Award. For her environmental work, J was given the Greenbelt Green Man Award in 2010.
J actively supports many Greenbelt organizations, including Friends of the Greenbelt Museum, Friends of Greenbelt Theatre, Golden Age Club, Greenbelt Lions and Greenbelt’s American Legion Auxiliary.
An educator for 35 years, J retired in 1999. J enjoys traveling with her significant other, her sister and her niece.