I encourage growth in the county north and east of Queenstown and I will stop new development on Kent Island. To limit growth, I want term limits of 2 terms on all boards and commissions. This will allow for balance over time, not the same old same old build build build. We must never lose our unique charm to overgrowth.
I will save the county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars by eliminating the lifetime health insurance benefits the Queen Anne's County Commissioners gave themselves after just 8 years of part time service a few years ago.
I will look into the budget for possible areas of savings as well as reviewing our procurement processes.
I will look for creative ways to bring business into our county in hopes of increasing our commercial tax base.
I will continue to support the conservation programs already in place. I will listen to the watermen and others directly involved with the bay for common sense advice. I will support action that causes our bay and wetlands to thrive.
Road congestion already exists and unfortunately we are left with few real options. We could have a dedicated local turn lane or thru lane but overdevelopment has left us with this problem. Much is up to the state of Maryland.
Queen Anne's County should be a place where the average wage earner can enjoy the lifestyle our county offers.
I am very interested in the potential of 3D printed homes and other structures. 3D printing provides a cost effective time efficient means of building homes or commercial buildings. Planned Communities of traditional frame built smaller homes up to 1500sf would provide starter homes where young families can begin to realize their American dream.
I haven't seen public transit pay for itself, it is a notorious money loser. Without taxpayer subsidies the system runs at a loss almost every time nationwide. Perhaps a program for low income residents through local lenders for qualified car buyers to get their independence started.
We could offer tax credits for county employers who provide transit for employees or medical systems offering transportation to their patients. I believe this would result in a savings to the taxpayer.
Campaign Phone
(410)647-7273
Campaign Instagram
www.instagram.com/LizFilter4QAC
I support the moratorium on residential growth in Districts 3 and 4, and would argue for continuance beyond its summer expiration so that residents can be heard at the polls. Commercial growth should be directed to vacant properties. I would halt development at the Rt 50 Rt 8 junction until public safety and current traffic issues are addressed. Any county development must include binding community benefit agreements, especially for noise pollution and traffic management.
First, budget transparency: applying zero-based budgeting at the start of the next quadrennium to identify any inefficiency, and maximize every dollar. Second, audit utility agreements, and provide public testimony to PSC on behalf of residents. Third, use education funding to attract young families and workers by expanding KI High School, and supporting county-based trades programs - especially in the maritime and agricultural sectors.
I support expanding public water access and programming that connects residents to the Bay: if you can’t appreciate the water, you won't protect it. I'll defend working waterfront zoning for our watermen, oppose developer-driven rezoning of productive farmland while supporting landowner-led transitions to solar. I support wetland buffers to address flooding and subsidence. I'll demand road improvements along our corridors as a condition of any ferry or new Bay Bridge plan.
Standardize the development approval processes to reduce confusion and resulting costs passed to buyers. Review regulations that inflate construction costs, including the sprinkler requirement for single-family homes. Require affordable units in new developments and update zoning to reflect workforce housing needs, by attracting essential services like childcare, healthcare and grocery options, reducing residents' travel time: making QAC more affordable beyond just housing.
Connectivity starts w/ basics: completing sidewalks and trails, improving signage, repainting lane markings, and modernizing traffic control. The broadband project needs to be completed & the grant program should include fiber access and satellite options. QAC should be a place where we can live AND work w/ access to essential services nearby. I support a mass transit lane for the new Bay Bridge, and promoting “locals” discount toll rates while instituting “congestion pricing” on beach traffic.
The Comprehensive Plan directs all County Codes and Policies to ensure that residential and commercial growth occurs within the County's designated Growth Areas and incorporated Towns. Close coordination with the Towns and support of annexation proposals are key to focusing growth within designated Growth Areas. Through the recent Moratorium, the Commissioners are ensuring that careful planning is in place to support the County Growth Areas by assessing and prioritizing infrastructure.
1) Public Safety: New replacement ambulances, continuing support to FEC/VFD's, Public water line interconnector (Kent Narrows to Grasonville) to improve water system reliability and fire protection
2) Public Education: Meeting State Blueprint Requirements, New QA Tech Center at Chesapeake College, Replacement of Centreville Middle School,
3) Quality of Life for Residents: Future Recreational Center, South Island Trail Extension, PED Bridge design to connect South Island Trail to Cross Island Tr
In 2014 QAC started removing 1600 failed septic systems on Kent Island. This reduction of pollutants put QAC ahead of every other county in the States mandated pollution diet. I plan on expanding this program. Since I was elected we have preserved over 90,000 acres of Farm land, which now leads the State in preservation of tillable land. I plan to work with the State on closing more exits in the Rt. 50 corridor on Kent Island from Memorial day to Labor Day, while we wait on the new Bay Bridges
We recently approved a budget amendment expanding funding for programs that help residents achieve homeownership and support the County's critical workforce. The amendment increases funding for the County's Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Loan Program by $200,000, allowing additional loans to be made available to first-time homebuyers. Continued support of accepting MPDU fee in lieu of payments allows the County to create workforce housing opportunities while maintaining flexibility for all.
The comprehensive Plan directs the County to examine Growth Area infrastructure and identify deficient infrastructure. Accordingly, many studies are underway including the Moratorium, the Bay Bridge to Ocean City, MD 18 Planning and Environmental Linkages and, Bay Crossing Study Tier 2. The County also enacted the Kent Is. Transportation Plan. The County not only advocates for multimodal connectivity for its residents, but also for the resolution of local traffic issues caused by through traffic
Campaign Phone
410-490-2370
A majority of growth and development in Queen Anne’s County is focused on Kent Island
creating congestion while changing its character. I support a more balanced approach to
development spreading growth. Attracting larger employers to the county would increase
revenue and make the county less dependent on residential property taxes. Approximately 44%
of county residents commute out of the county for employment .Zoning appeals that relax
zoning and development restrictions be more scrutinized.
Although Queen Anne’s County has a relatively low property tax rate, it ranks in the top half of
income tax rates in the state. I would work to reduce this rate so residents keep more money in
their paychecks. I would advocate for raising the county’s Homestead Tax Credit Cap from 5%
to 10% to give tax relief to homeowners. Lastly, I would advocate to establish a county level
inspector general. Even in a part time capacity, this would help to identify waste and potential fraud.
Regarding the Chesapeake Bay, ensuring the county’s wastewater management and discharge
is as clean and efficient as possible which is essential to the bay's health. Residents and
conservation groups should not be the ones identifying environmental violations, it's the county’s
responsibility. Regarding agricultural land preservation, I would continue to advocate for
conservation easements. I would work with state officials in developing comprehensive traffic
management plans.
What I hear routinely from our teachers and public safety workers is that they are in need of
affordable homeownership, not affordable rental apartments in this county. I would propose
removing the fees associated with homebuilding as it would apply to workforce housing and
create flexible zoning so developers can develop lower cost land to keep workforce housing
cost down and more affordable. The Critical Workforce Home Loan Program’s limited funding
unfortunately benefits few county workers.
Queen Anne’s County is the only Eastern Shore county considered part of the Baltimore
metropolitan area. Unfortunately, we do not enjoy the benefits the Maryland Mass Transit
Administration brings to other counties. There are only a few MTA commuter routes connecting
to the western shore, mostly leaving from Kent Island Park and Rides. I would advocate bringing additional MTA services to the county which does not incur additional costs to our county.
