QUALIFICATIONS: What skills, experience, and motivation will you bring to the office of County Commissioner?

I bring more than three decades of dedicated service with Calvert County Government, offering voters a proven record of leadership, institutional knowledge, and results-driven public service. Throughout my county career, I gained extensive experience in county operations, budgeting, procurement, policy compliance, and public safety initiatives.
 

These decades of hands-on experience have given me a practical, behind-the-scenes understanding of how county government operates. I have also written and published a book, an effort that reflects my interest in thoughtful communication, reflection, and sharing experiences that may be helpful to others.
 

I am ready to implement and continue my service by using the knowledge and experience I have gained to better serve the residents of Calvert County.

 

CONSTITUENTS: Recently many public hearings have been held during work hours rather than in the evening. How will you assess your constituents’ opinions on major issues?

This is one of the main priorities of my campaign. Over many years, I have seen firsthand the lack of public participation in public hearings, and a major reason is the time of day they are held. Meetings scheduled during normal work hours are often not accessible for working residents.
 

I want to work with county staff to develop a plan that allows more public hearings to be held in the evening, especially when important issues require broader community input. Ensuring residents have the opportunity to participate and share their perspectives will help Commissioners make better-informed decisions that truly reflect the needs and concerns of the community.

TRANSPARENCY: Are you satisfied with the current level of transparency in Board of County Commissioner discussions and decision making? Why or why not, and what changes might you recommend?

I believe that all Calvert County Commissioner boards, both past and present, have at times fallen short of providing residents with 100% transparency. Often this is unintentional and occurs when the board only follows the minimum legal requirements rather than going beyond them to keep the public fully informed. The board needs to find better ways to notify residents about important issues. Many concerns arise when residents learn that decisions have already been made before they even knew the issue was being considered by the board.
 

Unfortunately, there is a perception among many residents that the current board is more secretive than previous boards. Whether that perception is accurate or not, it is a concern that should not be ignored because it reflects how residents feel about their local government. I believe that when taxpayer dollars are involved, government business should be conducted as openly as possible. As a commissioner, you must set aside personal biases and focus solely on what is best for the community. The decisions made by the Board affect many people, and you cannot make well-informed decisions without meaningful participation from the residents who fund those decisions.

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My goal for improving transparency is straightforward. The Board of County Commissioners must:

1. Ensure that important issues are explained in a way that everyone can understand.

2. Make public hearings, work sessions, and presentations more accessible for working residents.

3. Develop better ways to notify residents about important meetings and issues beyond what is legally required. One idea would be a voluntary alert system similar to emergency notifications used for weather, road closures, infrastructure repairs, and community events. Residents could choose to receive these alerts or opt out.
    

Ultimately, transparency should empower residents and put more information and more involvement back into the hands of the people.

 

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS: What is the proper role for Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in County affairs? If the Board of County Commissioners signs an NDA, when and how should the public be informed about it?
 

This has become a hot topic recently as it relates to the NDA entered into by the Board of County Commissioners with a company regarding potential data centers. NDAs are a common business practice and have been used by the County for many years. However, if an NDA prevents taxpayers from being aware of or participating in discussions about important, potentially life-altering decisions, then that practice needs to be carefully reviewed. At the very least, residents should be informed that an NDA is being entered into and why, without disclosing the proprietary information, the agreement is meant to protect.
 

The Board of County Commissioners could simply make a brief statement during a public session. For example:

“The Board of County Commissioners has been asked by an organization to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement to protect the interests of that business. This organization has expressed interest in potentially doing business in Calvert County. This NDA does not commit the County to any agreement with the organization, other than keeping the identity of the company confidential at this time. The purpose of the NDA is solely to allow the organization to explore the feasibility of operating in Calvert County. Additionally, this exploration does not involve County-owned property. The Board will provide additional information once we are no longer bound by the requirements of the NDA.”
 

Residents should also be informed whether the NDA was approved unanimously by the Board, by a majority vote, or just by the authorized signatory of the BOCC, the President. A simple public explanation like this could go a long way toward eliminating the perception that important information is being kept from taxpayers.

 

DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE: What are your priorities for the county’s land use policies?
 

I understand that growth is necessary for a community to prosper. However, Calvert County has made some poor decisions in the past regarding development design and its impact on transportation. There are more complaints about traffic in the major town centers than anywhere else in the County, with Prince Frederick being the most problematic. The number of back-to-back traffic stops makes commuting frustrating for residents trying to get to work or return home after a long day.
 

If there were a way to go back and change what was created, I believe many people would. I do not believe the individuals responsible for land use decisions at the time fully understood the long-term impacts those designs would have. It’s also important for residents to understand that any decisions made by prior boards cannot be reversed by a new board.
 

Moving forward, I support making thoughtful and smart changes to current land use policies. However, those changes should not encourage unchecked growth or negatively impact the environment and rural character that make Calvert County unique. Careful planning is essential to ensure that future development balances economic opportunity with transportation needs, environmental protection, and preservation of the County’s character.

 

DATA CENTERS: What is your position on data centers locating in Calvert County?
 

The answer to this question is more complex than simply being for or against data centers. Under the current zoning law, data centers are allowed in Industrial areas. If a company begins the process on privately owned property and meets all legal requirements, I do not believe the County has the option to stop it outright, although it may have the ability to regulate it. This would be a consultation with the County Attorney to determine exactly what options the County has.
 

In every decision that is made, it is important to thoroughly investigate and research every aspect of the issue. There will always be differing views, those who support it, those who oppose it, and those who are somewhere in the middle. That is exactly what we are seeing in Calvert County with data centers.
 

As a commissioner, you must block out the noise and do your due diligence to find solutions that bring all sides closer to common ground. It is your responsibility to research the questions and concerns raised by all sides. You cannot approach an issue with blinders on. You must consider everything that is presented and remove your own personal bias from the equation. No one can make a well-informed decision by hearing only one portion of the story.
 

Too often, especially in positions of power, decisions are made too quickly because of urgency, personal feelings, or someone else’s agenda operating in the background. There is a fine line to walk in making sure the public receives the right information while the issue is being carefully and fairly considered.

 

EDUCATION: What are your priorities for supporting the school board and public education?
 

Counties in Maryland are required to comply with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. While reviewing the work of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education that led to the Blueprint, I found it interesting that the commission was not made up primarily of classroom teachers. In my opinion, teachers should have had a stronger role in shaping a program that directly affects their classrooms and their students. Many of the decisions appear to have been made largely by policymakers rather than those who work in education on the front lines.
 

Fortunately, Calvert County was ahead of many other counties in implementing the Blueprint’s requirements. I am proud to live in a county where the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has consistently made education a top priority. The largest portion of the county’s budget supports the Calvert County Public Schools Board of Education. In many years, the county has funded the schools above the required Maintenance of Effort (MOE) level. I believe we must continue providing the Board of Education with the resources needed to deliver excellent educational opportunities for students while also ensuring fair and competitive pay for teachers.
 

In past years, there has sometimes been a disconnect between the BOCC and the Board of Education. Stronger communication and collaboration between the two are essential. I do believe we are currently moving in the right direction.
 

Looking ahead, I would like to see teachers more directly involved in discussions related to programs like the Blueprint and in conversations surrounding budget priorities. Teachers bring valuable, real-world perspectives that can help inform better decisions. One way to encourage this could be through regular roundtable discussions with teachers. These conversations could help teachers better understand the county’s budgeting process while also giving county leaders and staff a clearer understanding of the day-to-day challenges teachers face in the classroom. Open dialogue like this can lead to better solutions and stronger partnerships that benefit students, teachers, and the entire community.

HOUSING: What policies would you like to see, if any, to increase housing that is affordable for working Calvert citizens, in all areas of the county?
 

Organizations such as Patuxent Habitat for Humanity and C4 (Calvert Concept Charitable Corporation) are already helping address housing needs in our community. Habitat for Humanity continues to seek buildable land and donated homes or properties that can be rehabilitated to provide affordable housing. C4 is developing creative approaches to improve financial stability for residents. In addition, the Housing Authority administers programs that provide housing assistance and support senior housing opportunities for those who need it most.
 

The County should continue to support and strengthen partnerships with these types of organizations and agencies that are already working successfully to increase affordable housing opportunities. By assisting with access to land, encouraging rehabilitation of existing properties, and supporting programs that help working families and seniors remain in the community, the County can help expand housing options without dramatically altering the character of our communities. Affordable housing solutions should focus on practical, community-based approaches that support working residents while maintaining the balance and rural character that Calvert County values.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE: Should Calvert County do anything related to climate change? Why? If yes, what?
 

Calvert County is already addressing many climate-related concerns through several existing policies and planning efforts. These include the County’s Comprehensive Plan, the Critical Area Program, hazard mitigation and flood planning, shoreline protection initiatives, agricultural preservation efforts, and sustainable communities’ programs.
 

While these plans are not solely focused on climate change, they do address many of the issues associated with it, such as flooding, shoreline erosion, environmental protection, and long-term land use planning. These efforts represent important and practical steps toward preparing the County for environmental challenges while protecting our natural resources and communities.

Moving forward, the County should continue to support and strengthen these programs. By maintaining strong environmental protections, planning responsibly for development, and protecting agricultural land and shorelines, Calvert County can responsibly address environmental concerns while preserving the character and resources that make our County unique.
 

PRIORITIES: What are your top 3 priorities for this work, and why?
 

Working as a single commissioner these are my top three priorities.

1. Better communication with residents. There is currently a lack of connection between the Board and its constituents and improving that relationship is essential for effective local government.

2. Clearer messaging to residents. Information from the County should be communicated in a way that everyone can easily understand, so residents are fully aware of the issues that affect them.

3. Making public hearings more accessible for working residents. Public hearings should be scheduled in ways that allow more people, especially those who work during the day, to participate and ensure their voices are heard.
    

Working with the full Board of Commissioners, these are my top three priorities.

1. Public Safety. The safety of our residents must remain a top priority. This includes ensuring that our law enforcement, volunteer fire departments, EMS services, and emergency management teams have the resources, equipment, and support they need to effectively serve and protect the community.

2. Fiscal Responsibility. County government operates using taxpayer dollars, and those funds must be managed wisely and transparently. Careful budgeting, thoughtful decision-making, and ensuring that expenditures are necessary and beneficial to residents are essential responsibilities of the Board.

3. Infrastructure Upgrades. As the County continues to grow, we must ensure that our infrastructure is up to date. Investing in roads, schools, public safety facilities, and other essential services helps maintain the quality of life residents expect while preparing our community for the future.
    

It is important to recognize that no single commissioner can accomplish these goals alone. Each commissioner carries only 20% of the vote, and it takes at least three commissioners, 60% of the Board, to pass any measure. Achieving these priorities will require collaboration and agreement among the Board.