Gilroy announces run for La Plata mayor
The mayoral election will be held in the Town of La Plata this May, and Councilman Lynn D. Gilroy feels that he is the right person for the job. Gilroy announced his mayoral candidacy on Nov. 22 and said he is eager to gain victory and run the town as mayor.
Gilroy believes he can help make the town a better place to live and work. He said Mayor Roy G. Hale, who announced he does not intend to seek re-election, and other members of the town council have been on the frontline with some of the town’s issues and remain persistent when it comes to governing the town.
“The Town of La Plata is a great place to live, work and play. We have kept taxes low, service as a pri- ority and striving to make improvements each day,” Gilroy said.
He and his wife, Jan- ice, live in the town as do their five kids and nine grandchildren. Gilroy has served on the town council since 2013 and is also serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission as a council representa- tive.
Gilroy said he has more than 50 years of community service with fire and emergency services and has been with the La Pla- ta Volunteer Fire Depart- ment for the last 25 years.
“I’ve been in fire and EMS for over 50 years. I have even helped plan and build the current La Plata fire station. I bring a lot of experience as far as organization to my candidacy. During the last three years I’ve attended many Maryland Munic- ipal League conferences and have been speaking to folks all over the state who have a wealth of knowledge,” Gilroy said.
Since 1999, Gilroy has been involved in the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education Training Com- mission that is appointed by the governor and ap- proved by the state sen- ate. He currently serves as vice chairman of that commission and is a fire and rescue instructor at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, University of Maryland College Park. He also serves as treasurer and member of the board of directors of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department.
Gilroy attended Sur- rattsville High School and then attended Northern Virginia Community College and University of Maryland College Park, taking National Fire Academy classes throughout his college career.
“A lot of people I spoke with know me and know my history. I think I can bring to the Town of La Plata the stability, financial wherewithal to keep our taxes low, water and sewer rates under control, and I think I can bring common sense to the Town of La Plata,” Gilroy said.
He said, “[The town council] just finished a town survey and most of the people in the town are happy with how it is run. They feel safe in their homes, they are happy with the service they get and if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Gilroy said his goal is to form a council that will be good stewards of the citizens’ money and use those funds in a profes- sional way.
Gilroy acknowledged that some of his challeng- es will include making La Plata more of a walkable community, which he does hope to accomplish as mayor. He also said he understands it is important to see businesses thrive in the community.
“I am an open person who is willing to listen, and try to act on things that need to be taken care of,” he said.
Gilroy said he wants to partner with residents to make necessary changes in the community. He also looks forward to updating the town’s comprehensive plan and making sure that many of the town’s annexations are brought to fruition.
“I’m looking forward to victory and continuing my dedicated service to the Town of La Plata,” Gilroy said.