Campaign Phone
4102597509
Data centers are part of modern life. What we must do is plan for them. Before any permits are issued adequate water must be assured. Sufficient energy should be secured, without the use of a spider web of long distance power lines. Residential communities must be protected from noise pollution. Agricultural and historic properties must be preserved. This all requires input from planning commissions and citizens. Economic growth is important but not at the expense of our quality of life.
Currently Maryland produces only 60% of the electricity is uses and the cost of power transmission is cited as a factor in recent consumer cost increases. We must explore ways to generate our own power. Here in Carroll County, solar is one viable option. I would propose a comprehensive survey of all our land and buildings in order to identify the best options for installing solar arrays.
We need only look at the success of solar in Hampstead as a model that could work for more of our county.
Access to jobs is key to raising the standard of living for all Marylanders. Many citizens also have limited access to healthcare or live in "food deserts". Public transportation and more residences with easy access to it, are key to improving the quality of life across the state. This problem exists in urban and rural parts of our state so we need to explore a range of systems. Carroll has a large senior population that will also benefit from public transportation.
My three priorities are education, public safety, and livable communities. Education is the key to raising the standard of living for all. Public safety funding is critical in Carroll following our 2023 transition to the CCDFEMS. Livable communities encompass affordable housing options, rec and parks, libraries, and services for our senior and disabled populations. All are essential to keeping our community a desirable place for residents, and the businesses that will employ them, to locate.
I retired from the Foodservice industry. Immigrants fill many of the jobs that keep our farms, seafood processors, and restaurants running. We must have adequate seasonal migrant worker permits. We must also create a path to permanent residency and eventual citizenship to immigrants who want to build a life in our country like my grandparents did. In the meantime, these workers must be kept safe and have access to needed services in our community.
Campaign Phone
667-272-5566
Data centers can bring economic benefits, but they also place real demands on electricity, water, and land. Any proposal should be carefully evaluated to ensure it does not increase utility costs or strain local infrastructure. LOCAL governments and residents should have a strong voice in deciding whether and where data centers are appropriate.
Utility costs are rising due to supply shortages, regulatory mandates, aging infrastructure, and growing demand. Maryland has closed reliable power plants before adequate replacements were in place, increasing dependence on imported electricity. We need a balanced energy policy that restores in-state generation, supports emerging technologies like small modular nuclear reactors, and ensures reliable, affordable power for Maryland families.
Transportation policy should reflect the needs of different regions. In many rural and suburban communities, residents rely primarily on safe and well-maintained roads and bridges. While public transit is important in some areas, the state must ensure transportation spending is balanced and that the infrastructure most Marylanders depend on is properly maintained.
Maryland must return to responsible budgeting that protects taxpayers and focuses on core priorities. My priorities are strong schools, safe communities, and fiscal discipline. Taxpayers deserve accountability. Hundreds of millions flow to programs and nonprofits with limited oversight. I support stronger transparency and a statewide, nonpartisan Inspector General to ensure tax dollars are spent responsibly.
A compassionate immigration policy must also be a lawful one. When immigration laws are ignored, vulnerable people are drawn into dangerous journeys and exploited by traffickers and criminal networks. Clear rules and consistent enforcement help deter that exploitation. When people arrive through lawful pathways, they are far more likely to integrate successfully and contribute to Maryland’s communities and economy.
