I am running for my 5th term as County Commissioner. I feel I am knowledgeable and qualified to give another 4 years in Public Service to the citizens of Washington County.

There are two distinct areas of the current budget with a tremendous need in our community: 1) Fire & Rescue are struggling to keep their doors open, particularly due to inflation and cost factors. We need to supplant professional paid operations and encourage volunteers working in the local fire and emergency services in our nine municipalities. 2) The School Board continues to struggle with push backs from the state; support staff is needed particularly in the elementary schools.

Continue to encourage cooperation between our school system and Hagerstown Community College- both as an encourager and financial support, seeing that students have the best college and career opportunities.

We need to keep a viable and active Economic Development Department staffed with appropriate and knowledgeable professional individuals and to work with local, state and private sector to encourage job and growth development and employment.

Water & Sewer have been and continue to be a major concern for our county. We need better work arrangements for both entities. We need state cooperation and develop both a local water and wastewater authority to cover all municipalities in our county that is in the best interest of public utility service to all the citizens of Washington County.

All public servants are accessible by phone, e-mail, text messages, personal interaction and social media. We feel these means are adequate if civility and decorum are demonstrated and followed.

As an entrepreneur I built 3 successful business in Washington County. I operated each for 25, 16, and 10 years. Each business had its unique qualities and challenges. Over the years I employed hundreds. I took care of all areas of business administration, including, day to day operations, payroll, marketing, budgeting, etc. I also served as County Commissioner for 2 years fulfilling a term of a commissioner who resigned. I currently serve on the W Washington County Board of Education.

I believe governments first and most important priority is public safe. Public safety was a high priority for me when I last served and will continue to be my top priority. As a current School Board member I would like to see if we can find creative ways to increase what we give to the school board.. I would also like to see us address the increasing property tax we’ve been seeing in Washington County.

Marylands Blueprint has placed financial burdens on the schools and local government with unfunded mandates. I would like to see us work with the state to fix this. I do think we could increase what we are providing to our local school board. As a current school board member, we are developing programs to address the ever changing needs of employers and have developed some great new programs. I’m really excited about the ROTC programs, one of which starts in Hancock in the 2026/2027 year.

I am a firm believer that a good economy is a diverse economy. We need to do a better job at diversifying our economy and work to attract higher paying manufacturing and white color jobs. For a long time we have seen many warehouses being built in our area. Although these can be good paying jobs, they are not what I would consider middle class wages. I was apart of bringing Hitachi Rail to our area, which as I have said, is this generations Mack Track for our area.

One of our biggest infrastructure problems in our county is our water system or lack thereof. This is going to take hard work and thinking outside the box to address. Right now the county is at the mercy of the City of Hagerstown when we need water. I would like to see us expand our support to the public safety training facility and get that project completed and encourage more fire and rescue volunteers. Our schools are getting really old and are in need of serious upgrades/replacement.

Recently, public comment was removed as an avenue for the public to address their elected officials. I believe it’s important for all citizens, whether I agree with them or not to have a physical voice at the table. There were a few times while serving the last time, that listening to people during public comment helped me in my decision making. The public needs to be able to trust its government.

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I am new to this sphere of activity but I am very passionate about helping our community. I have my B.A. in political science from University of Florida, I was once a high school chemistry teacher and for the past ~7 years I have been a computer programmer. I am a father of three and would throw myself into the responsibilities and requirements for this role.

My priorities are the people of this county. I intend to focus on the current cost of living crisis by focusing on: 1. Affordable housing for all 2. Food security 3. Livable wages and increasing job variety 4. Childcare and Education 5. Infrastructure improvements geared towards the first points. I don't think our money is being used efficiently and I think we are leaving opportunities for further funding on the table.

100% behind this. I have three children and am not satisfied with our current school system. I want to make our schools something that draws people to the area and I want our teachers taken care of so we have long term retention of talent. I also agree that we have local resources that could be integrated for better career training i.e. Agricultural, medicine, EMS, teaching, and a variety of others.

I think you address this by meeting the needs of the community. We could open several more Amazon-like factories and it wouldn't help this be a place that people are thriving. Addressing housing and food, livable wages, education and then making use of mixed infrastructure to make it easy to transition from house, to career, to fun/relaxing 3rd spaces. These are ways to take care of people and when people thrive that is when you have a sustainable economy.

This is something I actually want to hear more about from several local sources to make my first call. I think all of these are vital and interconnected and as such I do not think we could cut corners for funding. Clean air and water, reliable internet/electricity and safety are human necessities. I am confident we could maintain and expand in these areas.

I do not think the current commission listens at all based on several recent events so the bar is pretty low. However, I want to find ways to here from as many groups as possible and receive recommendations, long term projections and plans from the wide range of groups who are so invested in our county. I am a public servant whose jobs is to listen, synthesize and implement the information I am receiving from the public, I do not intend to force my own agenda into this space.

My appointment to county commissioner in April of 2025 has allowed me to use all of my experience as a life long resident of the county. I have drawn extensively on my 20 years of service with the USAF and 36 years of experience with Fire, EMS and international rescue work. My involvement as a pilot at Hagerstown Regional Airport and benevolent work have also helped to prepare me for my role as commissioner. For the last 39 years my wife and I have lived on a small farm in Fairplay.

Washington County’s recent history includes performance that has resulted in superior bond ratings and excellent audits. My intention is to continue this tradition. As our responsibility to deliver quality EMS and Fire service demands that we hire and train personnel, I look forward to assisting in the strategic placement of those employees. Additionally, I intend on showing our senior citizens the consideration that they deserve as we navigate our budgets.

Maryland’s Blueprint for Education has determined the proper course and funding model to achieve the highest academic success possible in our schools. My personal focus is to purse the goal of having every third grader reading at grade level. It is imperative that children learn to read so that they can then read to learn. This is a challenge that I do not direct at our educators but rather to the family of each student.

Economic development is a long term commitment. Small business owners and corporations need to be sought after and respected for their ultimate commitment to locate in our county. Because of our strategic location in the tri-state area, we compete with surrounding jurisdictions where it is less expensive to live and operate a business. It will be challenging, but safe communities that are welcoming and close to workplaces is paramount.

Water distribution and sewer accessibility are the life blood of any growing economy. Their maintenance is often ignored until problems arise with their operation. Replacement and upgrades should be performed continuously. Thoughtful development and plans for future growth demand spending that can be financed with the issuance of bonds if necessary. I will make the installation of water and sewer systems a priority in areas that demand the service now and in the future.

Public engagement in county government has always been important. Public forums, access through emails as well as personal meetings are to be encouraged. Over the past several years, county meetings have been interrupted by individuals who seemingly have no message to deliver. Their attacks on county personnel and commissioners has resulted in a temporary pause in the opportunity for public comment. Hopefully these disruptions will disappear and public comments will resume in the near future.

As a pastor, small business owner, and community advocate, I have spent my life bringing people together to solve problems. I lead Impact Ministries, served as Vice President of the Washington County NAACP and the Hagerstown Area Religious Council, and have run Les Energy, LLC for over 12 years. I understand family needs, small business challenges, and fiscal responsibility. My experience in service, leadership, and collaboration prepares me to put people first and deliver practical results.

I would prioritize funding for education, workforce development, infrastructure, and public safety while protecting taxpayers. Investments should align schools with job opportunities, expand transportation, and support responsible housing growth. I would look for efficiencies before any tax increase, reduce waste, and ensure transparency. Every dollar should strengthen families, grow the economy, and deliver measurable value to residents.

Strong schools should prepare students for careers, not just tests. I support aligning education funding with local workforce needs, expanding career and technical education, and building partnerships between schools, employers, and community organizations. I will advocate for safe schools, strong teachers, and wraparound supports like mentoring and mental health services while ensuring accountability for outcomes and responsible spending.

We need purposeful growth that benefits working families. I support expanding small business opportunities, modernizing zoning to increase housing near jobs, and using targeted tax incentives tied to job creation. The county should invest in infrastructure, streamline responsible development, and partner with local employers to grow industries that offer living wages. Economic development must be inclusive, sustainable, and community focused.

Transportation, broadband access, and water and utility upgrades are urgent, especially for rural areas. We must expand transit routes, improve roads, and ensure infrastructure supports housing and job growth. I would pursue state and federal funding, leverage public private partnerships, and prioritize projects with clear economic and community benefits while maintaining fiscal accountability and transparency.

Residents deserve a voice in decisions that affect their lives. I will support open budgeting, clear reporting, and accessible public meetings. I will hold community listening sessions, engage faith and neighborhood groups, and require transparency in development proposals. Meaningful engagement builds trust and ensures policies reflect the needs of families, seniors, workers, and small businesses across Washington County.

As a former Federal employee with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for 37 years, my experience has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved in preparing budgets, justifying them, ensuring compliance, conducting reporting, overseeing fiscal matters, and analyzing. Additionally, I possess exceptional written communication skills and am adept at engaging with the community.

I would advocate for allocating resources to Washington County Public schools to ensure they have the necessary tools and support to provide quality education to our children. I recommend allocating funds to maintain the operations of crisis hotlines and substance abuse centers on a 24/7 basis. There has been concern expressed regarding the allocation of hotel rental tax funds. I recommend conducting a thorough review of this matter and making necessary adjustments to the allocation of funds.

I would advocate for increased funding for schools by raising the current budget. Additionally, an increase in the Board’s budget would enable our schools to provide better resources through enhanced technology, textbooks, and facilities. Furthermore, there may be a need to consider hiring dedicated staff to monitor truant students who miss 10 or more days from school (code 50) and those who are missing and involuntarily withdrawn and subsequently fall under code 50.

Enhance and revitalize the county’s infrastructure to render it more appealing to prospective businesses seeking to establish operations within our community. Concurrently, implementing job training programs would foster job creation, particularly when we attract new businesses that necessitate a workforce.

Public safety and our water systems are the most pressing concerns. Public safety and crime are genuine concerns, and it is crucial to allocate resources to both law enforcement and the community. Water system upgrades are essential, and meeting the demands of the county has been an ongoing issue. These concerns encompass the maintenance of the main plant and water pressure. Infrastructure investments can be funded through various means, including tax bonds, loans, grants, and federal funds.

Consistently disseminate comprehensive information regarding government activities, decisions, policies, and updates through readily accessible channels. Reestablish public comment sessions at County Commissioner Board Meetings. Establish a dedicated email address where the community can communicate concerns to commissioners and promptly respond to these emails, ensuring timely communication. Foster community engagement in decision-making processes and soliciting feedback.

I was born in Wash. Co, Hospital and been a resident most of my life. I attended Lincolnshire Elementary, NMS and NHHS. I’m a college graduate from Shippensburg University. I’m a mom whose kids graduated from public schools in our county. I’m employed as the Director of People, Culture and Resources for Conservit, Inc. a scrap metal processor. I’ve also worked for other employers in our community including DM Bowman and Hospice of WC. I also serve in volunteer roles in our community.

Education- top priority. Universal student aides in every classroom in the county. Educators can create better learning environments for our young people if they have the resources they need. Community is another priority, investing more in our non-profits, youth services, recreation, culture is a way to bring focus to the people of our county. Public Safety: transportation is another area we need to emphasize. A minimal cost/ free & expanded bus service can be invaluable to workers & students.

Listening to students, parents, educators and employers shows interest and support of our system. As an HR professional, I’ve always believed in the power of collaborating with our school system. Tomorrow’s future starts with the youth of today.

Showcasing our strong financial profile and convenient location will assist in encouraging businesses to look at Washington County. Focus on a labor first agenda to entice skilled workers, including investment in recruiting members of the professional class, combined with a good tax incentive to lure new technological businesses, including biotechnologies.

Water. Full stop. Water Resource Systems in partnership with the city should be a top priority as well as emergency services/operations. Funding should continue to be paid for by the current tax system, or the implementation of a new structure.

We need to strengthen transparency, public trust and civic engagement. I vow to be an open book and will encourage your feedback on any subject affecting the county. I will urge citizens to share openly their comments on agenda topics for the BOCC. No question or problem will go unabated on my watch. I may not have the answer, but I will fight tirelessly to research and find a solution. You may not always like what I have to say about a topic, but you can trust that I will always be honest.

I bring both a unique personal perspective and professional experience to local governance. I faced homelessness as a single mother of children with disabilities, which gives me empathy and a real-life understanding of our community's needs. In the Human Services field, I've gained knowledge of how to navigate complex systems and of how policies affect families. I have built strong relationships countywide, allowing me to collaborate across differences to problem solve and find solutions.

I would prioritize our county's most pressing needs; water capacity, public safety, housing, seniors, and schools. To reduce costs, I would drive collaboration with local municipalities and streamline processes. We can meet these needs without increasing costs for residents by exploring alternative revenue and maximizing non-tax revenue streams like impact fees and grants. It is possible to manage our budget in a way that invests directly into our community.

Honored to be endorsed by the Washington County Teachers' Association, I'll shift public safety costs for School Resource Officers into the county budget, freeing up funds for competitive teacher pay and living wages for paraprofessionals. To modernize aging HVAC and school infrastructure, I will propose a dedicated fund from commercial real estate fees over $500k. I will also establish a Joint Education Liaison Committee to align budgets and expand student mental health services.

I will propose shifting economic strategy away from warehouse expansion toward high-value growth. Developers must pay upfront traffic mitigation fees for roads and infrastructure. I'll tie county tax breaks to a $30/hour wage benchmark with claw back provisions for missed goals, and prioritize zoning for advanced manufacturing. Receiving county incentives will require training partnerships with local workforce resources to ensure our residents get high-paying careers.

Water capacity is the county's most urgent infrastructure need. A deficit threatens fire safety during simultaneous emergencies and creates friction over high water industrial proposals. To expand capacity without raising cost to residents, we should update fees so that commercial developers cover the cost of their water impact, mandate closed loop recycling for high user industries, leverage state and federal grants, and foster a collaborative partnerships with municipalities.

To ensure transparency and public engagement, I will reinstate open public comment during meetings. Commissioners should focus their comments strictly to county business. I will propose full disclosure for all intergovernmental meetings, acknowledge all constituent emails, and host rotating evening town halls across all municipalities. As a commissioner, I will hold office hours to be available to meet with constituents.

Forty years as a WCPS public-school librarian prepares me with strong organizational, leadership, problem-solving abilities, respect for research and preparation, the ability to facilitate meetings and work collaboratively, and the background to effectively monitor the education budget allocation. As a former candidate, I continue to closely follow the BOCC and how it functions. Over the past year I’ve met and spoken with citizens from across the county about their local and national concerns.

Public safety, education, infrastructure, and critical services are among the priorities for funding increases. The county must always strive to identify across-the-board savings that don’t sacrifice services. Some budget areas will be held to current levels but, as far as I know now, there are none to prioritize for cuts. One possible exception is the commissioners’ discretionary fund. The budget/tax challenge is to support responsible growth and show a good return on the taxpayers’ investment.

The BOCC historically funds the BOE at or near the lowest amount allowable by law. I’ll advocate for the funding required to support the true needs of the school system and not just enough to maintain the status quo. I’ll encourage collaboration and meaningful joint meetings between the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education. The commissioners need to recognize the correlation between excellent schools, economic development, and quality of life.

Offering appropriate economic incentives and help navigating bureaucracy will spur economic development. Further, to attract and retain good paying jobs the county must have an educated workforce. Proper education funding is essential to build that workforce, to demonstrate that the county values education, and to ensure the quality of life we want for our citizens and prospective employers. When businesses look to relocate or expand, community support for education is an important factor.

Infrastructure projects are detailed in the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. A portion of any budget surplus should be dedicated to these projects. State and Federal funds should continue to be pursued. All elected representatives must continue to work for I-70 and I-81 upgrades. The county must plan NOW for the replacement of schools and the sewer, water, and landfill needs of the next 50 years.

Steps: Restore public comment to business meetings, schedule evening business meetings so more citizens can attend, institute work sessions where issues are discussed publicly, establish communication norms requiring meaningful responses to citizen questions, and codify meeting rules and procedures after citizen input and public discussion. I pledge to be accessible, reply to calls, emails, and letters with meaningful responses, and adhere to the letter and spirit of the Open Meetings Act.

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