As the College Park City Council prepares for its upcoming election in November, several members have decided not to rerun for office.
District 2 council members Susan Whitney and Llatetra Brown Esters, as well as District 3 council member John Rigg, will not seek reelection for the upcoming two-year term.
Here’s what’s next for them.
District 3 council member John Rigg
After eight years on the council, District 3 council member John Rigg is ready for more personal time.
Rigg, who is chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said he ran for the council to have an impact and get things done.
“One of the big reasons why I’m not running anymore is I feel like I’ve accomplished the things I set out to accomplish for the most part,” he said.
Although proud of accomplishing some bigger initiatives, it’s the smaller impacts that stick with him, Rigg said. Over the course of last year, the city replaced all the playground equipment.
“Just going out there and seeing these little members of our community just having a ball on some new playground equipment, that is just pure goodness,” he said.
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Rigg added he’s most proud of improving relationships between long-term residents and students in his district. He said the current relationship between the University of Maryland and the city is much more harmonious than a decade ago.
Rigg is the father of two soccer players, one in high school and one in college. With not serving on the council, he plans to catch as many of their games as possible, he said.
He also hopes to stay civically active in College Park and spend more time reconnecting with his creative side through music.
District 2 council member Llatetra Brown Esters
Prior to running for council, District 2 council member Llatetra Brown Esters was involved with the city’s Advisory Planning Commission. Former council member PJ Brennan asked her to consider running in the special election to fill his seat.
She did, and in December 2020, Esters joined the council. Nearly five years later, she said her decision not to seek reelection comes down to balance.
Although she said serving on the council has been a meaningful experience, she would like to focus on other priorities, including work and family life.
Esters, who is associate vice president of student success and dean of students at the University of Baltimore, said she has prioritized fiscal responsibility, safety and economic development.
She added that building a sense of connection and trust with residents, especially in the Lakeland community, has been one of her biggest accomplishments.
“I think where you have a community that has felt such trauma over a period of time, it is no small feat to build some level of trust and to help to support and advocate,” she said.
Public service will continue to be a part of her life, even if it’s outside of elected office, Esters said. Post-council, Ester plans to spend more time volunteering, particularly with food pantries, and fulfill a long-standing goal of learning Spanish.
District 2 council member Susan Whitney
Elected in 2021, District 2 council member Susan Whitney served on the first majority-female council in College Park’s history, a milestone she said she’s especially proud of.
After two terms, Whitney said she decided not to seek reelection because she may be unable to give the position the attention it needs, especially with increasing family and job responsibilities.
Whitney is the budget and operations program manager for this university’s special events office. Before joining the council, she served as treasurer for council member Esters, who later suggested Whitney run for the other seat in District 2.
During her time on council, Whitney focused on environmental sustainability, serving as the council liaison to the Committee for a Better Environment. She also helped pass a plastic bag ban and a tree preservation ordinance, she said.
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She’s especially proud of the progress made toward seeking restorative justice for Lakeland, Whitney said.
“I really wish I had the bandwidth to stay on for a couple more years to really see that through, but I also know that they need somebody who has all their attention,” she said.
She added it’s the relationships she built, with fellow council members and residents alike, that she’ll remember most.
“It’s been a wonderful experience really getting to know people in my community, like I feel like I live in Mayberry now, or something.”
Whitney plans to spend more time with her family, help out with more cooking at home and reconnect with friends and neighbors after stepping down.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misstated that District 2 council member Llatetra Brown Esters joined the city’s Advisory Planning Commission after former council member PJ Brennan asked her to consider running in the special election to fill his seat. She served on the Advisory Planning Commission before she was asked about running for council. This story has been updated.
