<p>Takoma Park is a great place to live and raise a family. We are a <a href="https://takomaparkmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7054/pr20250910_Welcoming-Week" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">welcoming city</a>, and Jim wants to work with you to keep it that way. Together, we can implement better policies that calm traffic on our streets, keep the city's finances stable, maintain the services that make our town unique, and keep Takoma Park a clean, green, and livable city.</p>

<h1>A Takoma Park for all of us</h1>

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<p><strong>Jim's campaign is now underway.</strong> If we are making news in Ward 2 or there is coverage or developments in the city campaign, we will share it here. Also included are some background articles on Jim's work and experience on key issues.</p>

<h2>Latest Campaign Developments</h2>

News

<p><strong>Jim would love to hear your views about the future of Ward 2 and Takoma Park. </strong>The best way to do this is to meet or interact with him in person or online, either one-on-one or with neighbors, and tell him what you are thinking. If you haven't seen any events here that suit you, go to the contact page to suggest a place, platform, and time to meet.</p>

<h2>Let's chat, meet, or talk</h2>

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<h2>Jim's priority issues</h2>

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<p><strong>Jim completed Takoma for All's election questionnaire for city candidates.</strong></p><p>Click "Read More" below to read his answers to a variety of questions on housing, transit, safe streets, and climate.</p>

<h4>2026 Takoma for All Election Questionnaire </h4>

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<h4>TEXT: Start a text chat with Jim</h4>

<p>Not all events are accessible, including for those with visual or hearing impairments. This campaign does not have professional translators, including for American Sign Language. However, Jim is ready to have one-on-one exchanges via email, text, and Google Translate. To start a conversation: email (<a href="mailto:jim@jimforward2.com">jim@jimforward2.com</a>) or text (240-606-4571).</p>

Set up a time to text chat with Jim

<p><strong>We just submitted our first campaign finance report on Monday to the Takoma Park Board of Elections (BOE). &nbsp;</strong></p><p>More than just compliance, it was a good exercise to take stock and look back at the campaign so far. And so while we wait for our gold star from the BOE, we are also digging into other campaign metrics.</p><p>Check out our report card below!</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #5</h4>

<p>Parents, let's talk about some neighborhood issues while the kids play. </p>

<h4>PARK MEET-UP: Coffee, donuts, and discussion</h4>

A meet up with coffee and donuts in the park.

<p>Jim for Ward 2 is hosting a meetup at the park! Come have coffee and donuts at shady Becca Lilly Park and learn about the campaign. Kids are encouraged to attend! In addition to the playground and creek, we will have toys/games/chalk, etc., to keep kids busy. If you can't make it, email Jim (<a href="mailto:jim@jimforward2.com">jim@jimforward2.com)</a> to find a time that works for you. </p>

Long Branch Walk

<h4>MEET-AND-GREET: Beer, brats, and meeting with Jim</h4>

<p>Stop by for beer, brats, and conversation with Jim about what matters to you and your neighbors. All neighbors are welcome. Hope a particular topic gets covered? Email Jim at jim@jimforward2.com.</p>

Beer, brats, and meeting with Jim

<p><strong>It was a soggy day for the Folk Festival, but the organizers pulled off the retreat indoors admirably.</strong></p><p>Jim and his merry band of volunteers, some of whom are pictured above, manned a campaign table all day.</p><p></p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #6</h4>

<h4>QUESTION TIME: Jim at the TKPK Farmer's Market</h4>

<p>The Takoma Park ballots are coming into our mailboxes. Jim will be around the Farmer's Market and Laurel Avenue streatery for a few hours to listen to your concerns and answer any questions as you prepare to vote. Come and say hi!</p>

QUESTION TIME: Jim at the TKPK Farmer's Market

<p><strong>Both contenders vying for the open Ward 2 city council seat </strong>view their candidacies as natural extensions of their community advocacy.</p>

<h4>Takoma Record: Ward 2 nominees bring own advocacy backgrounds</h4>

<h4>COME AND MEET JIM: Takoma Park Street Festival</h4>

<p>Come and say "hi" at Takoma Park's biggest event of the year, presented by <a href="https://mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/takoma-park-street-festival/">Main Street Takoma</a>, and held on Carroll Ave. As postal votes are getting ready to go out, Jim will be ready to answer any last questions. More details on the Street Festival are <a href="https://mainstreettakoma.org/featured-events/takoma-park-street-festival/">here</a>. </p>

Takoma Park Street Festival

<p><strong>Affordable housing matters in our community because about half of our neighbors are renters, and many of our older homeowners have fixed incomes.</strong> When thinking about affordable housing in Takoma Park, we need to have a broad understanding of the city’s role in supporting stability, quality, and choice, and how decisions by the city council and our modest budget can help.</p>

<h2>A city with affordable housing</h2>

<h4>MEET-AND-GREET: Hopewell Ave</h4>

<p>Jim is coming back to the triangle across New Hampshire Ave to listen to residents of this unique neighborhood about their concerns and answer their questions. </p>

MEET-AND-GREET: Hopewell Ave

<h4>LBSCA ANNUAL MEETING: Candidate presentations</h4>

<p>The Long Branch-Sligo Community Association (LBSCA), as part of its annual meeting, has invited Mayoral and Ward 2 candidates to speak to residents. Each candidate will speak briefly, followed by a Q&amp;A session moderated by the LBSCA president.  Jim will be present after the event for conversations.</p>

LBSCA annual meeting: Candidate presentations

<p><strong>From Takoma Park, Jim has worked on some of the world's most challenging humanitarian crises. </strong>This analysis looks at the plight of Myanmar's Rohingya people who have fled to Bangladesh.</p>

<h4>Reading between the lines of the Bangladesh-Myanmar MOU</h4>

<p>Welcome to the Jim for Ward 2 campaign update, where I will be sharing news from the campaign. </p><p>I’ve just capped off the first two weeks on the trail, and the campaign is in full swing. See below for a recap of what I’ve been up to, and what comes next!</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #1</h4>

<p><strong>Jim has been working with people seeking asylum and refuge for more than 30 years.</strong> This article covers his work with young Timorese escaping persecution in the 1990s.</p>

<h4>Break-ins and breaking news: the Timorese fence-jumpers of Jakarta </h4>

<p><strong>Jim completed Takoma for All's election questionnaire for city candidates.</strong></p><p>Click "Read More" below to read his answers to a variety of questions regarding the city's relationship with its unionized workforce.</p>

<h4>AFSCME Local 3399 Candidate Questionnaire</h4>

<p><strong>In Takoma Park, the Board of Elections runs our polls. </strong> There's more information from the City's website about this independence body here.</p>

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<h4>About the Board of Elections</h4>

<h4>MEET-AND-GREET: Long Branch-Sligo neighborhood</h4>

<p>Our Long Branch-Sligo neighbors are hosting a casual meet-and-greet for Jim. This is an opportunity to have a longer conversation, dig into issues affecting us all in Ward 2, and share your thoughts on what matters most to our neighborhood, ward, and city. All neighbors welcome. Light refreshments and snacks will be served.  No RSVP is necessary.</p>

Meet-and-Greet with Jim: 

<p>It was a wide-ranging interview with Jim about his campaign, living in Takoma Park, and even Billy Bragg. Jim was the first candidate Talk of Takoma host Eric Bond interviewed this election season on his regular topical news show on WOWD-FM. You can listen to the full interview <a href="https://soundcloud.com/bondography/talk-of-takoma-jim-della?si=3c92cc96770a4bcb8da0bc86f557e0b4&amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

<h4>Jim speaks to Talk of Takoma on WOWD-FM</h4>

<p><strong>Jim Della-Giacoma is an advocate for affordable housing,</strong> from volunteering on the Habitat for Humanity project on Garland Avenue to speaking in support of the Minor Master Plan Amendment. </p>

<h4>Takoma for All 2026 Endorsements</h4>

<p><strong>Jim has responded to Community Vision for Takoma's 2026 Candidate Questionnaire. </strong></p><p>Click "Read More" below to see his answers to a variety of questions about the budget, affordable housing, term limits, and the environment.</p>

<h4>Community Vision for Takoma 2026 Candidate Questionnaire</h4>

<p><strong>Ballots are out across the city. Whether yours is in your mailbox, on your coffee table, or lying on the counter, you know what you have to do - vote for Jim for Ward 2!</strong></p><p>Drop boxes for completed city ballots are available in front of the Takoma Park Library and Recreation Center. You can also mail your ballot back using the city-provided, postage-paid envelope. &nbsp;</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #10</h4>

<h4>VIRTUAL: Hold an online chat with Jim</h4>

<p>We all have busy days, and these events won't work for all residents. If you would like to set up a time for an online chat, reach out to me directly via email (<a href="mailto:jim@jimforward2.com">jim@jimforward2.com</a>) or text (240-606-4571). I would be happy to meet one-on-one or in small groups on your preferred online platform.</p>

Hold an online chat with Jim

<p><strong>Candidates for the open Ward 2 council seat found many areas of agreement at their Oct. 8 forum</strong>. </p><p>But Jim Della-Giacoma and Suzy Stimler disagreed over city spending and how the city should respond to ICE raids.</p><p><br></p>

<h4>Takoma Record: Candidates split over ICE, taxes</h4>

<h4>MEET-AND-GREET WITH JIM: Devonshire Ave</h4>

<p>Jim will briefly speak about his experience and priorities, then take questions about neighbors' priorities for the remaining time. All neighbors welcome. If there's anything in particular you hope to be covered, please let me know.</p>

MEET-AND-GREET WITH JIM: Devonshire Ave

<p><strong>Jim and his opponent, Suzy Stimler, participated in a city-supported candidate debate. </strong></p><p>Hosted by Talk of Takoma's Eric Bond, they spent more than an hour respectfully discussing, and sometimes disagreeing on, the approach we should take to key challenges facing our city. Watch it on City TV <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpWyiRyLZW8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

<h4>Takoma Park Candidate Forum</h4>

<p>Election season has started in earnest after Ward 2 Councilmember Cindy Dyballa announced she wasn’t running for re-election, which guarantees at least one new face on the Takoma Park City Council next year.</p><p><a href="https://www.jimforward2.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jim Della-Giacoma</a> — a community volunteer and international consultant – has officially thrown his hat into the ring for election to Ward 2 council seat.</p>

<h4>Takoma Record: New face for Ward 2 council seat</h4>

<p><strong>Mail ballots are working their way through the postal system right now and should be delivered by the end of the week.</strong></p><p>Drop boxes for completed city ballots are available in front of the Takoma Park Library and Rec Center. </p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #9</h4>

<h4>PRE-CAUCUS MEETUP: Let's gather together ahead of the nominating caucus </h4>

<p>Stop by 6930 Carroll Avenue, Ste 910, for some food &amp; drink (from Olive Lounge) before the city's nominating caucus at 7:30pm. We will walk / drive down to the caucus together after the event.</p><p>Guests can park in the building's visitor lot. Doors and elevators will be open until 6pm. If arriving after 6pm, please call 202-380-6480 for access.</p>

Pre-Nominating Caucus Meetup

<h4>JIM-O-WEEN: Come and get the last of the campaign candy</h4>

<p>Jim will be out in front of his house giving away all the campaign candy we have accumulated from past events. He promises not to scare parents and will only talk about municipal budgets and policies if you want. The campaign's kids' favorite, the find-your-ward map with an animal sticker game, will make its last campaign appearance. </p>

Jim-o-Ween

<p>Jim Della-Giacoma — a longtime community volunteer and secretary of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Committee — today launched his campaign for the Ward 2 seat on the Takoma Park City Council in the fall 2026 municipal election.</p>

<h4>Jim Launches Campaign for Ward 2</h4>

<h4>COFFEE IN THE PARK: Colby Neighborhood Park</h4>

<p>In the latest of his<em> In the Park meet-and-greets</em>, Jim will stop by the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/UH7zcj54wpZMivQA8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Colby Neighborhood Park</a> in the South of Sligo Creek (SOSCA) neighborhood to meet residents and hear your views on what matters to our neighborhoods, ward, and city. <strong>There will be coffee, donuts, and tea.</strong> No RSVP needed.</p>

Jim in the Park: Meet-and-Greet

<h4>WALK AND TALK: Let's imagine a new community at the Washington Adventist Hospital site</h4>

<p>Join us for a walk around the old Washington Adventist Hospital site to learn more about what is being done there and talk with neighbors about imagining what it could become. While oriented towards adults, children are welcome. We will meet at the bottom of Garland and Flower Avenues on the Sligo Creek Trail near the park. </p>

WALK AND TALK: Let's imagine a new community at the Washington Adventist Hospital siteTitle Here

<p><strong>The weather is not cooperating with Takoma Park’s festival season, but Jim for Ward 2 and the community took it in stride.</strong></p><p>Despite the weather, we were thrilled to interact with so many neighbors throughout the day. And our soggy spirits were buoyed by the overwhelming support we received from our volunteers, some of whom are pictured above.</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #7</h4>

<p>RSVPs are not necessary, but if you would like to receive email updates from the campaign, please leave us your details.</p>

<h4>WALK AND TALK: Old Hospital Site</h4>

<p>The old Adventist Hospital will soon be demolished, and Washington Adventist University will take over the site. What's happening and what will come next? I have scheduled another walk and talk for Saturday, October 3, between 4 and 5:30 pm. Meet on the trail at Flower and Garland Ave, near <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/dHBaeKtkKzLNgUBe8">Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park</a>.</p>

WALK AND TALK: Old Hospital Site

<h4>MEET-AND-GREET: Forest Park neighborhood playground</h4>

<p>Outgoing Council Member Cindy Dyballa will host a meet-and-greet at the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/bGazGpRh52ECq5cd6">Forest Park playground </a>with Jim to give neighbors the opportunity to talk to him before the official start of the campaign season, after the city's nominating caucus on September 15. In case of rain, Cindy will host the event in her house across the street.</p>

MEET-AND-GREET: Forest Park neighborhood park

<p><strong>These are challenging times for our household and city budgets.  </strong>Many in our community have lost their jobs and have struggled to find work.  We need to balance the taxes we collect with the services we provide. In the longer term, we need to diversify and broaden our tax base to rely less on property taxes on our homes by promoting growth on the old hospital site and the New Hampshire corridor.</p>

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

<h2>A financially stable city</h2>

<p><strong>The mayor told a resident to show “respect” and be quiet during a council meeting. Now he’s running against her.</strong></p><p>“One of the things that my opponent doesn’t necessarily understand is that asking you to comply with the rules of order does not mean that you’re taking away someone’s freedom of speech,” she said in an interview.</p>

<h4>In Contentious Takoma Park Race, Civility Is a Campaign Issue</h4>

<p><strong>We can do this by calming traffic. </strong>We<strong> </strong>can take an informed and citywide approach to making our streets safe. This would make our streets safer for children, cyclists, dog walkers, people with disabilities, and older adults. This includes building sidewalks for underserved streets.</p>

<h2>Safer streets</h2>

<h4>WALK AND TALK: Let's imagine a new community at the Washington Adventist Hospital siteTitle Here</h4>

<p>With each walk, I have learned from neighbors about Sligo Creek, and their questions have led me to seek fresh information about the hospital project. Now that it's cooler,  join me for a walk along our creek and around the old hospital, starting at the bottom of Garland &amp; Flower Avenues on the trail near the <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/GiuhpHdDaN5JUP4g9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sligo Creek North Neighborhood Park</a>.</p>

<p>No need to RSVP. See you there if you can make it. If not, and you would like to set up a time to meet, email Jim directly at <a href="mailto:jim@jimforward2.com">jim@jimforward2.com</a> to suggest a time and place that might work for you.</p>

<h4>MEET-UP IN FOREST PARK: Coffee, tea, donuts, and discussion</h4>

<p>Jim will be in <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/dgxBkfzhPFxVxHby9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Forest Park</a> with some coffee, tea, and donuts. He would like to hear from you what the important issues are for your block, street, ward, and the city. This will be an informal opportunity to talk, but if you can't make it, email Jim (<a href="mailto:jim@jimforward2.com">jim@jimforward2.com</a>) to find another time to meet that works for you.</p>

Meet-up in the Park: Meet Jim at Forest Park

<p><strong>Outgoing Councilmember Cindy Dyballa endorsed Jim at this week’s city nominating caucus (more on that event below). &nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>In her own words (lightly edited for length and clarity):</strong></p><p><em>I’m the current city councilmember and I do know something about what it takes to do the job. And so I support and second the nomination of Jim for city council.</em></p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #4</h4>

<p><strong>Jim and his opponent Suzy Stimler had a wide-ranging and respectful debate at the city’s Election Forum last Thursday night. </strong></p><p>A good crowd was present in the city auditorium, including Jim for Ward 2 supporters donning their orange and white campaign T-shirts, while many others watched from home. </p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #8</h4>

<p><strong>On September 15, six Ward 2 neighbors stood up to support Jim's candidacy at the Takoma Park Nominating Caucus. </strong></p><p>Watch from the 27:30 mark as Matt, Becky, Mike, Amena, John, and Cindy describe in their own words why Jim is the best choice to represent Ward 2.</p>

<h4>Takoma Park Nominating Caucus</h4>

<h4>Takoma Park Ward 2 Candidate Forum</h4>

<p>Join Jim at the Takoma Park Candidate Forum for Ward 2 on October 8 at 6:30 pm. The event will be at the Takoma Park Community Center Auditorium and will also be broadcast live on City TV and YouTube. WOWD-FM Talk of Takoma host Eric Bond will host the forum.</p>

Takoma Park Candidate Forum

<p>All neighbors are welcome to the official launch of Jim's campaign. Come share some coffee and a muffin and meet others supporting Jim's run for city council. There will be a short speech from Jim to say why he is running for city council and how you can help.</p>

<h4>COFFEE &amp; MUFFINS: Campaign Launch</h4>

Jim is launching his campaign for Ward 2 with coffee and muffins.

<p>Join Jim and his supporters for some teen-made muffins, cupcakes, coffee, and tea from 10 am. There will be a short speech to launch the campaign at around 10:30. This will be an opportunity to meet new and old neighbors and to talk to Jim about neighborhood issues that concern you. It looks like it will be raining, so this will be an indoor event.</p>

Campaign Launch

<p><strong>Services need to work well for all of us.</strong> Beyond collecting trash and maintaining our streets,<strong> </strong>what makes Takoma Park a great place is our library, support for the arts, recreation programs, Tree Takoma, and assistance to our most vulnerable residents. We need a balanced approach: living within our means while always asking how we can take small steps to improve the city we call home.</p>

<h2>Reliable services</h2>

<p>School starts today across Montgomery County, and I’m wishing parents, kids, and teachers a great first day.</p><p>This campaign has been a great learning experience for me, and like all good students, I have had my listening ears on these past two months.</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #2</h4>

<p>Join us for a walk around the old Washington Adventist Hospital site to learn more about what is being done there and talk with neighbors about imagining what it could become. While oriented towards adults, children are welcome.</p>

<p>Join us for a walk around <a href="https://www.adventisthealthcare.com/campaigns/wah/campus-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the old Washington Adventist Hospital site</a> to learn more about what is being done there and talk with neighbors about imagining what it could become. While oriented towards adults, children are welcome.</p>

Washington Adventist Hospital site walk

<h4>COME AND MEET JIM: Takoma Park Folk Festival</h4>

<p>Come and meet Jim while enjoying the music and other activities at this signature Takoma Park community event, held at <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/xdTavPc2eKyVJB8v7" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Takoma Park Middle School</a>. Look out for Jim and his supporters at their table and tent. Any questions about Jim's candidacy? This would be a great time to ask them. More details on the Folk Festival are here: <a href="https://www.tpff.org/">https://www.tpff.org/</a></p>

Takoma Park Folk Festival

<p><strong>In Takoma Park non-citizens and young people over the age of 16 can vote.  </strong>There is more information here from the City's website.</p>

<h4>Eligibility in the City of Takoma Park</h4>

<p>Labor Day is over and the nights are cooler. The season is changing, in more ways than one. Yes, fall is coming. But so is campaign season!</p><p>While our campaign has been working hard all summer, energized by our early supporters, now is the time when city elections enter the spotlight.</p>

<h4>Campaign Update Issue #3</h4>

<h4>ELECTION DAY: See you at the polls!</h4>

<p>The Community Center is the only place to vote in person on Election Day, November 3, for city elections. If you are voting for the federal, state, and county elections as well, you will have to go to two different polling stations. All city residents over 16 can vote. Same-day registration is available if you bring your ID and proof of residency.</p>

Election Day

<p><strong>We have made progress in promoting clean energy and keeping our city green.</strong> Takoma Park can continue exploring ways to promote clean energy use, including further electrifying its fleet and expanding its electric-vehicle charging infrastructure. Our stormwater spending can improve the water quality in our creeks, and our commitment to our urban forest canopy makes for a livable city.</p>

<h2>A clean and green Takoma Park</h2>

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Takoma Record

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WOWD-FM

Jim for Ward 2

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