Campaign Phone
4433963078
Campaign Instagram
@rebeccabfordistrict3
I’m running for County Council because I believe local government should listen to people and respond when something isn’t working. As a special education teacher, I work inside complex systems every day, advocating for students and families, solving problems, and pushing systems to do what they’re supposed to do. I’ve also volunteered in the community and served on the Central Committee, which has given me a deeper understanding of local issues and the responsibility of public service.
I’ll listen closely to the people in District 3 and make sure their concerns are heard, but I also understand that decisions have to work for the whole county. Good leadership means weighing both. My goal is to advocate for my community while supporting policies that are fair and responsible for everyone.
I’ll look at whether new land use proposals make sense for our roads, schools, environment, and existing neighborhoods. Growth should honor the communities and green spaces that are already there. I will absolutely seek input from District 3 residents through community meetings, individual conversations, and clear communication so people understand what’s being proposed and have a real chance to weigh in.
I support policies that help create good, stable jobs and make it possible for people to afford to live where they work. That means investing in infrastructure, supporting job training and apprenticeship programs, and making sure development actually benefits the community, not just outside interests.
I support building housing so people who work in our county can afford to live here. That includes townhomes, smaller starter homes, and workforce housing so teachers, firefighters, and other essential workers can live in the communities they serve. New development should be planned alongside roads, schools, and services so growth doesn’t overwhelm existing neighborhoods.
One of the biggest challenges in the county is traffic and infrastructure not keeping up with growth, especially on roads like Mountain Road. We need better planning so new development includes road improvements and infrastructure keeps up, instead of putting more strain on communities that are already dealing with congestion.
It has been a privilege to serve on the County Council representing District 3 since 2018. That experience, coupled with my legal background as a litigation attorney, allows me to effectively and zealously advocate for my constituents and their priorities within our county government.
Balance is gained by listening to all sides, gathering all possible information, and anticipating as many potential outcomes as possible. That is how I’ve worked to balance these interests in my time on the County Council representing my constituents.
Anticipating how land use changes will impact the fabric of our community has been, and will continue to be, the number one criteria in my assessment of new legislation. That includes seeking constituent input, as I did when blocking any development of the Mountain Road Golf Center, and pushing the developer to build only where roads could handle it at Spencer Glen. Development should only happen where it makes sense and the infrastructure can handle it.
Fortunately, Anne Arundel County has some of the most important economic drivers in the state already - NSA, BWI, and Arundel Mills. Unfortunately, we also have some of the highest costs of living in the entire country. My focus has been and will continue to be on how to make Anne Arundel County more affordable for the people who live and work here.
The biggest problem with adding more houses is ensuring the infrastructure can handle it. Over the last eight years, the County Executive and the majority of the County Council have passed initiatives that do not adequately take that into account, despite opposition from myself and the rest of the Council. The burden of those decisions unfairly falls on those of us already here. I will continue to push for development only where the infrastructure exist to support it.
Our County faces many competing priorities and demands for services. But most people who live here chose this county because of its unique character. We do not want to be Montgomery County, Prince George's County, or Baltimore City. The biggest challenge we face is retaining our unique Anne Arundel identity. As a lifelong resident of our County, I will continue to fight to protect the only home I’ve ever known.
