- Cindy Dyballa is an enthusiastic long-term Takoma Park resident. She moved here from the Boston area with her spouse Steve Nadel.
- Cindy has served as city council member representing ward 2 for 3 terms, since 2017.
- She's a proud parent of adult daughter Marcy, who attended local public schools (Rolling Terrace, TPMS, Kennedy) and now lives, works and votes in Tucson, AZ.
- Cindy brings to city council the passion, leadership and commitment that she demonstrated before being elected to represent ward 2. Cindy's long record of engagement in community affairs includes efforts in environment and sustainability, community building and recreation issues, as well as stints on both the city recreation and environment committees, and coaching youth soccer.
- A water resources professional with federal and state experience (U.S. EPA, Dept. of the Interior), and a master's in natural resources policy from Cornell University, Cindy has had her own consulting practice, Sligo Creek Resources, on water and energy issues. Her favorite job was with the Cooperative Extension Service, on community development issues.
- Daughter of an immigrant blue collar worker and the first in her family to complete college, she was raised in a small town on then-rural eastern Long Island, New York state.
- Cindy is passionate about hiking, dancing, the shore, and making a difference.Over the years, before her election to City Council, Cindy’s been active in several areas: Sustainability and Environment, Community Building, and Recreation.
- As part of serving on the City Council, Cindy has been active in areawide and national groups to further City issues:
- Metro Washington Council of Governments Climate Energy & Environment Policy Committee,
- National League of Cities Board (former NLC committee chair for energy & natural resources),
- MD Municipal League Board and
- Chesapeake Bay local government advisory committee.
Before her election to City Council, Cindy was active in several areas over the years: Sustainability and Environment, Community Building, and Recreation.
Sustainability and Environment
Takoma Park Environment Committee, co-chair 2013-17, when the committee:
- Created a sustainable energy action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions city-wide
- Pushed for Council adoption of cutting-edge ordinances and policies, such as: green purchasing for city goods and services, pesticide-free lawns, polystyrene ban, plastic bag ban, other programs
- Implemented energy efficiency programs for all residents--renters and owners
- Mobilized residents city-wide for the home energy challenge
- Achieved Sustainable Maryland certification, with highest point total of any City in MD
Home Energy Challenge
o One of the co-leaders of award-winning Forest Park neighborhood energy challenge team
Dorothy’s Woods
o Co-led effort for City to acquire this 2.67 acre wooded and sloped area at tax auction, to raise resident funds towards its purchase, and to coordinate ongoing volunteer efforts to remove invasive species and restore woodland health.
Recreation
Takoma Park Recreation Committee, former vice chair and member, when committee focused on:
- Founded community youth demonstration gardens
- A founding Commissioner of Takoma Basketball league
- Advocated for more programs for active “boomer” seniors
- Organized New Hampshire Ave Recreation Center beautification days and advocated expanded programming
Soccer coach for MSI and TPNYS, ten years, girls and coed teams
Community Building
M.L. King Celebration, organized annual food drive, served as one of day-of-service coordinators
Celebrate Takoma, founding member of this now-annual city celebration
Takoma Foundation, former Board member and grants committee member
Azalea Award Tak-tivist winner, 2016
City Manager Selection Committee, 2013
Casa de Maryland, periodic volunteer with DACA applicants and other immigrant programs
2010 U.S. Census outreach worker to Hispanic community
Kennedy PTA, organized free in-school practice SATs
