TheWorldJournal.com

Hyattsville, Md. City Council Member Reflects on Current Term
By Philip Dzikiy, TheWorldJournal.com

Stuart Eisenberg has never been one to rest on his laurels. Elected to the Hyattsville City Council in May 2001, Eisenberg feels he has made significant contributions to the city.

"I've stayed focused on issues that drove me to run for city council," Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg has long considered himself a civic activist. He climbed the environmental ladder until he became chairman of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Environmental Advisory Committee.

"It got me even more interested in city government," Eisenberg said. "I got the bug and started attending all the city council meetings."

As for why he decided to run, Eisenberg said, "I felt there wasn't a strong hand in development."

Eisenberg felt he could fill the void and help stop the city from crumbling. The voters agreed, as Eisenberg won a council seat in Ward 2. He defeated his opponent, Robert Croslin, by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio.

Eisenberg credits his wide margin of victory to a campaign that he claimed to be "more focused" than Croslin's. According to Eisenberg, Croslin, an African-American, thought racism was a factor in the election. Eisenberg said that Croslin wrote a letter to The Gazette; the letter said Hyattsville wasn't ready to elect an African-American.

"I have nothing but respect for (Croslin)," Eisenberg said. "But I think he has a cultural axe to grind that doesn't have a place in municipal affairs." Croslin was not available for comment.

In 2002, Jon Lewis gained election to a Ward 5 city council seat, making him the first elected African-American official in Hyattsville history. Lewis won a special election, and Eisenberg supported him during his run.

Eisenberg is proud of what he has accomplished so far. Voters now have the ability to change their own charter in Hyattsville, thanks to him. Currently, Eisenberg is working to find a way to re-pave the city's roads in a reasonable fashion, but he seems pleased to be working for Hyattsville no matter what he's doing at the moment.

"It's very rewarding," Eisenberg said of his work. "I love helping the city meet future challenges."

© April 28, 2003