How Takoma Park Government Evolved

by Diana Kohn

Much has changed in Takoma Park's government since its incorporation in 1890. Successive generations have added their tweaks to how Takoma Park is governed.

In the early years, the Mayor and Council worked side by side with the Takoma Park Citizens Association to improve town life. The creation of the new retail district at Laurel and Carroll in the 1920s prompted the formation of a Chamber of Commerce, under Fire Chief J. Walter Dudley. With a focus on economic issues rather than political ones, the Chamber spearheaded the push for a new Carroll Avenue bridge over Sligo Creek (opened 1932), widening Piney Branch Avenue (1934), and a New Hampshire "super highway" between the District and University Ave, which resulted in eight new subdivisions along the eastern edge of Takoma. .

1931 Mayor and Council of Takoma Park, MD, in session
From left to right: Councilmen M. F. Iverson, Peter Remsen, H. I. Rogers, Mayor B. G. Davis,
Councilmen J. R. Adams, I. H. Ware, R. G. Sherburne,
Town Clerk Bryan Davis, Reporters Howard Fisk, E. M. Greene, J. W. Coffman

Following WWII, the Chamber was determined to modernize the town's political administration. Led by John Coffman, editor of the Takoma Journal, and city councilman Robert Hefner, Takoma Park officially became the "City of Takoma Park" in 1948, and joined the Maryland Municipal League. The Volunteer Fire Department was reorganized under the city, a Recreation Department was created to oversee eight city parks, and Montgomery County handed over police duties to the city. After years of meeting in the Fire Station, the purchased the old Adventist school at 8 Columbia Avenue renovating it as our first Municipal Building. Voting machines were introduced for city elections, and city administration was modernized. Although Mayor William Miller was the prime force behind construction of the municipal building on Maple Avenue, he died weeks before the officially opening in 1972.

First Takoma Park Municipal Building at 8 Columbia Ave

Part of those changes included a shift away from the Mayor-Council form a government to the Manager-Council model, though it took until 1961 to implement. The Council continued to make policy, but the City Administrator ran the city operations.

By the 1980s, residents, roused by the need to fight against the ten-lane freeway and threatened demolition of the oldest section of town, pushed for changes in Council representation. The replacing of at-large seats with a ward system greatly expanded the diversity of views on Council.

Finally, the City Charter of 1988 formalized the government system we recognize today: City Manager in charge of staff and budget, Council elected by wards, Mayor allowed to vote (for the first time in Takoma Park history). This balance of professional management and elected government prevails in roughly half the municipalities across the U.S.

The most remarkable achievement was the decades-long effort to bring the Prince George's County section of Takoma Park into Montgomery County. The Unification vote of 1997 made us truly One Takoma.

Of course, Takoma Park adds its own quirks on how to govern. The residents insist on their share of participation on committees and in policy debates, and voting rights are extended to non-citizen residents and 16-year-olds.