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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Baltimore County Council District 8

DUTIES: Members of the Council pass legislation, adopt the budget, set the county tax rate and exercise planning, zoning and subdivision responsibilities. The Council makes appointments to the offices, committees and commissions that are directly responsible to the legislative branch.SALARY: $69,000 for council members and $77,000 for council president.TERM: Four years with no term limits.HOW ELECTED: The county is divided into nine council districts. Each district is represented by one council member who must reside in that district and who is elected by only those citizens who reside in that specific district.

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    Jack Carmody
    (Dem)

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    Crystal Cody
    (Dem)

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    Sharonda Dillard-Huffman
    (Dem)

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    Josh Sines
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

QUALIFICATIONS: How do your skills and experience prepare you to perform the duties of County Council?

ISSUES: What are the most pressing issues facing the county now and in the future?

BUDGET: What are the priorities for the county budget while keeping it balanced?

HOUSING: How would you balance housing issues such as affordability, fair housing, and preservation of green space?

EMPLOYMENT: How could the county government encourage economic development and job growth?

INFRASTRUCTURE: What policies would you support to address the county’s aging infrastructure?

Campaign Phone 443-847-0256
Campaign Instagram Jack Carmody For District 8
Campaign Mailing Address 1 Manifold Ct
Middle River, MD 21220-3531
I am currently studying accounting as well as performing procurement and budgeting duties for my job. I also work as a barback, so am very capable of juggling many tasks at once in a high-stress environment. While I haven't chaired any committees or headed any organizations, I think it is very important that someone brings a fresh perspective to the council. Quite frankly, I feel that the current average age of the council makes it difficult for younger constituents to relate to them.
Infrastructure and NIMBY zoning regulations. Other candidates have zeroed in on housing but neglect to address that existing infrastructure is inadequate for the current constructions let alone new ones. Simply building out housing makes no sense when the roads are full of potholes, water main breaks occur regularly, power lines are obsolete, and the city water resources can only support so much capacity. Without addressing these things first, nothing will improve with housing.
I would like to increase the allocation of existing funds for road and water main repairs and increase allocation for the district fire departments. I do not want to raise taxes on an already heavily taxed district. I will re-allocate funds for the BCPD to the FD, and while I do not want to reduce services, unfortunately must make some cuts to senior services. I do not see the point of funding these if nobody can get to these services because our roads are unusable.
I would force a quota of current single-family lots to be changed to multifamily. This has been proposed before, and regularly shot down by the same tired, rehashed excuses. Too much traffic, the schools are too full already, etc. In reality these are nothing more than dogwhistles for greedy homeowners saying,"we don't care about basic human needs, only our property values." As a homeowner myself, I do not believe this is a valid excuse to deny a human right. I have 0 tolerance for NIMBY's.
I would encourage a county-level FDR New Deal. Since the county's infrastructure is in dire need of improvement and upgrades, I believe increasing the county maintenance workforce would kill two birds with one stone. I would also propose tax breaks for trades-contractors that have training programs for and hire local residents. I can't think of anyone better to hire to improve the district than those that would personally benefit from those improvements.
Increasing budget allocation to hire county maintenance personnel as well as bonuses and tax credits for these employees in addition to private sector contractors. It is important the private sector be given an incentive to perform jobs well, so these would only be dolled out at the satisfactory completion of jobs. The goal would be to help grow contractors that are known to the county to do good work. I would also create a blacklist of any contractors known for shoddy work or unethical behavior
Campaign Website http://www.crystalcody.org
Campaign Phone 443-692-7228
Campaign Email info@crystalcody.org
Campaign Mailing Address 405 Colindale St
Baltimore, MD 21220-2006
My 20 year career rooted in public service accountability, modernization, and legislative advocacy has prepared me for the County Council. Experience with complex budget oversight, creating policy resolutions, and coordinating multi-million dollar initiatives across federal, state, and local agencies will allow me to deliver results for families and use data to address the root cause of issues our communities face. I am already an active voice for District 8 and the communities that shaped me.
Budget challenges, infrastructure readiness, landfill capacity, and housing shortfall are pressing issues facing the county. Schools are at 110-150% capacity. With a $1.3B maintenance backlog we must prioritize policies that fund schools impacted by new development. Our 52% rent-burdened households is an economic emergency. Connecting residents to high-quality job hubs, modernized transit, and infrastructure that protects green space and our waterfront ecosystems encourages residents to stay.
We must grow county revenue and encourage smart business growth by revitalizing vacant commercial corridors. We must pursue federal grants to address critical needs to reduce tax burden on residents. Our budget prioritizes funding for classrooms, emergency, veteran, and homeless services. Fully funds infrastructure improvements for roads, sidewalks, and flooding. Reduces cost burden for seniors, expands free transit, improves recreation access, and supports community development organizations.
We can address the housing shortfall without compromising the character of established neighborhoods or the Urban–Rural Demarcation Line by retrofitting underutilized commercial corridors for mixed-income, walkable communities. We can repurpose aging or abandoned housing stock for inclusionary options like duplexes and tiny homes and pair density bonuses with mandatory affordable units to ensure teachers and first responders can afford to live in the communities they serve.
Economic development must be measured by job quality and career access. We strengthen sector-based workforce pipelines in IT, healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, and green infrastructure by partnering with CCBC, local businesses and unions. We expand free transit connectivity between our residential neighborhoods and job hubs like Tradepoint Atlantic, Towson, and Johns Hopkins. We incentivize local hiring and support small businesses to ensure that residents benefit financially.
Infrastructure must be as robust and reliable for the people who rely on it. By modernizing capital planning we move from reactive repairs to proactive resilience. I support proportionate community investment strategies where development projects set aside dollars for the impact growth has schools, roads, urban runoff, and county services. I would prioritize watershed and green space policies to mitigate coastal flooding, incentivize electrification, and scale our solar and electric energy grid.
Campaign Twitter D8huffman
Campaign Website http://SharondaHuffman.con
Campaign Phone 4435797910
Campaign Facebook http://Facebook.com/D8huffman
Campaign Instagram @d8huffman
Campaign Twitter Handle @D8huffman
With 30 yrs of experience, I regularly testify at Council meetings and understand how county government operates. The Redistricting Commission’s training modules were based on a curriculum I provided to the Council Attorney. I am a Law Dept. Manager, ensuring housing and workplace programs comply with federal civil rights law. I am as a Planning Ambassador, board member of a local chamber of commerce, housing committee chair, and was a union steward and served on the County Commission for Women.
Affordability is a major concern in Baltimore County, including housing, taxes, utilities, and the cost of education. The county must also address aging infrastructure such as water, sewer, and transportation systems. Access to quality schools and housing for residents, particularly for people with disabilities and seniors is critical. Government transparency, accountability, and equitable economic development will help ensure District 8 communities receive investment and opportunity.
The budget reflects our values. The County Executive proposes the budget, and the Council reviews and approves. I will advocate for systems modernization; fair employee wages; education; libraries; Essex CDC; fire houses; food, energy and mental health resources, infrastructure investment; and addressing environmental hazards in District 8. I will pursue earmarks and balanced investment to elevate District 8. I support a tax equity analysis related to properties inside versus outside the URDL.
Housing should be addressed through a multilateral, holistic approach guided by the county master plan, supporting residents from unhoused individuals to renters, homeowners, and landlords. We need to focus on redevelopment in aging communities and mixed income housing. I support the new state voucher program and HUD 811 supportive housing. Comprehensive outreach and education on housing options and fair housing laws help create stable communities and save green space. This is my career field.
Economic development should support small businesses, workforce development, and attract new investment. Partnerships with chambers of commerce, labor organizations, and schools can connect residents to good jobs. The county should invest in infrastructure and attract essential services such as grocery stores to underserved areas. I plan to attend conferences focused on grocery development to help bring these businesses to our communities. We also need to invest in marketing like Elevate East.
We need to invest in water, sewer, roads, transportation, and government buildings. I will require a comprehensive review of ADA compliance and prioritize fixing the biggest issues and low hanging fruit. I support pursuing state and federal funding and have worked with partners on legislation to create a National Infrastructure Bank to finance major projects. We must also collect development impact fees so growth pays for infrastructure and avoid approving data centers that strain resources.
Campaign Phone 4109136872
Campaign Instagram Instagram.com/friendsofjoshsines
Campaign Mailing Address PO Box 247
Chase, MD 21027
I am a lifelong District 8 resident, small business owner, farmer, and community leader who understands how county decisions affect families and neighborhoods. Through my work leading civic groups and working with public safety officials and state leaders, I have focused on solving problems and bringing people together. I bring real world experience, common sense, transparency, and a commitment to accountable, community focused leadership.
District 8 families face rising costs and property taxes that strain seniors. Traffic, overcrowded schools, and public safety concerns are reaching a breaking point in Essex, Middle River, and White Marsh. We need responsible planning that manages resources carefully, ensures government remains responsive, and guarantees our neighborhoods finally get their fair share of county investment.
A balanced budget requires careful planning and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Public safety, schools, infrastructure, and essential services must remain priorities. We should strengthen oversight, improve efficiency, and ensure transparency so residents can trust that their tax dollars are being used wisely.
Housing policy must balance affordability with thoughtful planning. Development belongs where infrastructure can support it not at the expense of our green spaces or rural character. We must prioritize policies that protect longtime residents from being priced out of their homes and ensure that new growth respects the unique identity of established District 8 communities.
The county can encourage job growth by supporting small businesses, streamlining processes, and investing in infrastructure that attracts responsible employers. Strengthening commercial corridors and encouraging sustainable economic development will create opportunity while maintaining the quality of life that residents value.
The county must address aging infrastructure with long term planning and responsible investment. Roads, schools, stormwater systems, and public safety facilities must keep pace with growth. Clear priorities, consistent oversight, and strategic capital planning will help modernize infrastructure and protect taxpayers from future costly repairs.