Laurel mayor touts background in bid for third term

When he was in elementary school, Craig Moe worked on his first political campaign by handing out campaign fliers for Lawrence Hogan, who was running for Congress in Maryland's 5th District. Hogan won the election and Moe went on to volunteer for other candidates' campaigns. However, he said a career in politics was not on his mind in those early years.

"I didn't think I'd ever want to be involved in politics, but my parents always told us if you are going to gripe about something, get involved and have solutions," said Moe. "As I got older, I saw a need to be involved, and I did."

To the tune of joining the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department in 1976, when he was 16; serving on the city's Fourth of July Committee, as an adult; and being elected to six terms on Laurel's City Council and two terms as mayor.

Moe is currently campaigning for a third term as mayor in a three-way race with former City Council member Michael Sarich and Laurel Ethics Commission member Valerie Cunningham.

According to Moe, when he served on the council he had no thoughts of being mayor and said it was former Mayor Frank Casula who brought up the idea.

"He talked to me about running when he left office, but then he died and I wasn't sure I wanted to do it or if I could make a difference. But I did run and won (in 2002)," Moe said. "At the time, I didn't think I'd be here as mayor this long, but I'm still enjoying it."

Moe said he's seeking a third term because there are several projects in the pipeline that he wants to see completed. A major project is the renovation of Laurel Mall. Moe's administration has received criticism for not doing more to get the project started.

"My question to others is, 'What is your plan to revitalize the mall?' I have a plan, and it's working — slowly — but working," Moe said. "I have confidentiality with the developers on some things that I can't say, but that town center is going to happen, and people will be pleased and pleased with the tenants."

Moe has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the slowness of the mall's previous developers to move forward on the mall's face-lift. But now that a new developer has taken over, Greenberg and Gibbons Commercial, Moe said he feels confident the renovation will be realized.

"Mr. (Brian) Gibbons is a breath of fresh air, and he has a record of turning distressed properties around, such as Hunt Valley (Towne Center in Baltimore). I feel confident things are in place, and I think we'll see some movement by the end of the year," Moe said.

Another project Moe wants to continue working on is his administration's efforts to bring new energy to the city's historic Main Street corridor.

"Part of the issue with Main Street is I don't own the properties but individuals do," Moe said. "The Laurel Board of Trade does a great job marketing the street, and I've got one of the best salesmen in the building, Karl Brendle," he said, referring to the city's economic development director.

Moe added, "It hasn't been easy in the worst economy we've experienced since the Depression, so there are vacant storefronts on the street. But I feel confident when things loosen up with the banks, things will happen."

The mayor established a $30,000 program last year to provide some financial assistance to new businesses that locate on Main Street.

Brendle said, "We are working with a couple of parties that are interested in applying. One party is … planning a bakery and cafe."

In addition, this year, city officials designated the C Street area, just off Main Street, as an arts and entertainment district to boost traffic on Main Street. The Venus Theatre, C Street Gallery and museum exhibit design company Quatrefoil are now located there.

City officials are also in negotiations with a company to develop the former Police Department building, also on C Street. Moe declined to name the company.

"We've done lots of research and will have something that will fit in the arts and entertainment district to bring more foot traffic on the street and spur other development," Moe said. "We're getting close to a deal with the individual we're working with."

Maintaining services

Overall, Moe said he is pleased that he and his staff have been able to maintain city services during these tough economic times, without having to fire or lay off any employees, or raise taxes. He pointed out that his administration lowered tax rates for residents while continuing services such as free movies in the park, festivals, sports and other activities for families and youths.

"We completed the community activity space at the Police Department; recycling is working well; I feel very good about the pool complex at Patuxent Greens; and we've hired 17 police since I've been mayor," Moe said.

U.S. Census data show Laurel's population is changing to reflect a minority-majority. Some candidates are saying they would move toward increasing the number of minorities in the city administration if elected. Moe pointed out that he hired the city's first black police chief in 2002,David Moore.

He added, "We want things to reflect the community, but I can't hire because of how someone looks but who can get the job done. Most of my department heads grew up in the departments and are leading them now."

Moe has spent most of his life in Laurel. His family moved to Montpelier from Riverdale when he was 5. He attended Oaklands and Montpelier elementary schools; and what was then Eisenhower Junior High, where he played soccer and baseball and was on the wrestling team; and graduated in 1977 from Laurel High School.

He didn't attend college, but trained to become a career firefighter after high school. After working as a driver for Donald Schaefer's campaign for mayor of Baltimore in the early 1970s, Schaefer recommended Moe for a position in the Maryland secretary of state's Intergovernmental Relations Office. Moe worked there for 16 years and moved up to become an assistant secretary of state. He is currently fleet manager for the Maryland Transit Administration.

Moe said it was Schaefer who instilled in him the importance of being out in the community as much as possible. He frequently accomplishes that on his bike, which he calls his mobile office.

"I keep my ears open and listen because I get a lot of good ideas from residents," he said. "In talking with people, I'm getting good responses and feeling fine about my campaign. But I know it's not over until it's over, so I'll campaign until the end and hope we have a good turnout."