

Our Founding Fathers believed in the lessons of the past. They understood what Shakespeare meant when he wrote that, “What’s past is prologue” – that history matters, that it makes sense of the present, and that it can help determine the future.
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Below, you'll find my record as a member of the City Council of Taneytown, demonstrating successes and support for everything from individual rights to backing law enforcement.
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This is the kind of experience I'll use in service as a County Commissioner.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS/COMMUNITY ISSUES:
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Supported individual citizen rights ranging from urban homesteading to the keeping of chickens to fire pits
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Spearheaded, and authored the City's response against racist propaganda distributed in town
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Voted for legislation to regulate against excessive noise
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Voted for and supported floodplain management to enable vulnerable homeowners to purchase federal flood insurance through FEMA
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Supported and voted for new playground equipment at Taneytown Memorial Park
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Supported and voted for new playground equipment at Taneytown High School Park
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Supported and voted for new disability-inclusive playground equipment at Flickinger Park
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Supported allowing dogs and pets in parks
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Supported and voted for continued work on Bollinger Park
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Spearheaded and voted for legislation to restrict marijuana dispensaries, keeping them away from residential neighborhoods, parks, and schools
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Voted for legislation to restrict adult entertainment shops, keeping them away from residential neighborhoods, parks, and schools
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Supported and voted for restrictions on small cell wireless towers/technology
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Advocated for the restriction of facial recognition technology by businesses to ensure the right of privacy for citizens
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Voted to enact developer park impact fees to better fund, develop, and maintain parks.
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Has advocated against, and voted against, development which exceeds adequate public facilities and infrastructure
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Voted to support property owners in removing their land from the Growth Area in order to enter the land into Agricultural Preservation.
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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Supported and helped lead the first town-backed Halloween event since the 1990s
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Supported Councilwoman Judy Fuller's Holiday in the Park and Christmas Tree Lighting event to expand the size and scope of holiday celebrations
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Served on and supported the Taneytown Homelessness Committee
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Supported Taneytown Police Department's numerous charity and food drives
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Has supported, attended, and personally helped with countless official city and privately-sponsored community events, fairs, organizations, and causes in town, including Relay for Life, The Sober Truth, Caring and Sharing and more
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Supported Taneytown Historical Museum's efforts to relocate and find a permanent home
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BUSINESS
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Created and voted for the free customer parking pass trial program, 2020-present to encourage patronage and provide assistance to businesses during the coronavirus pandemic
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Voted for and supported resolutions and ordinances providing for business vitality, such as allowing sidewalk displays, grants for facade improvements, and tax credits
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Voted to alter the public works agreement with the Tannery Barn to facilitate their construction progress and changes in their design
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Voted for rezoning to allow Evapco to expand
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Supported and voted for free holiday parking in town, 2019-2020
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Served on the Taneytown Coronavirus Small Business Relief Committee
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Voted against a letter of welcome to a marijuana grower and processor in Taneytown
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Supported the right of gun shops to be open in town
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OTHER ISSUES
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Voted for environmentally-conscious legislation ranging from energy efficiencies to setting aside land for parks to supporting stormwater management efforts to tree and natural area preservation
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Defended Taneytown's sovereignty and borders against county zoning overreach in 2014
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PUBLIC SAFETY
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SAFEST CITIES IN MARYLAND
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Has served as police liaison for Mayor and Council since 2017, advocating for the needs and requirements of the Taneytown Police Department
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Has directly supported the Taneytown Police Department by voting for new vehicles, new technology, and equipment, fully funding the department, and by defending the police against political drama
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During protests, stood with the Taneytown Police Department and law enforcement to demonstrate the support of local elected officials, and to ensure safety, law, and order for all - including First Amendment Rights of protestors
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Voted for the transition to 12-hour shifts from 10-hour shifts for officers, at the request of the Department to improve officer morale and safety
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Advocated for increasing the number of officers consistent with the growth of the town and our population
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Served on the interview board for new police recruits, helping to oversee the hiring of four officers
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Voted for and supported an extensive, independent audit of the Taneytown Police Department to ensure transparency and the most up-to-date training, protocols, policies, and more
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Voted to donate used police vehicles to the Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company, saving them tens of thousands of dollars
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Voted for and supported TASER equipment and new cameras for the Taneytown Police Department
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Voted to give police officers compensatory stipends for additional work through the coronavirus pandemic
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Voted to increase police officer salaries to competitive levels
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Voted to support Taneytown's refusal to become a sanctuary city
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Voted to allow the Police Department to join in the county-initiated participation in MCIN
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Voted to allow Taneytown Police Officers to be deputized under the Sheriff's Department for cross-jurisdictional operations
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WATER AND SEWER/UTILITIES
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Voted for and lowered water and sewer rates, and has consistently supported the same lowered rate for the past five years.
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Authored the 2017 Policy for Use of Growth Revenue
which helped lead to the lowering of water and sewer rates.
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Initiated and voted for a reevaluation of Taneytown's finances to lower water and sewer rates.
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Voted against water and sewer rate increases
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Served on the 2015 Water and Sewer Committee to prioritize methods for accurate meter readings and fees, such as replacing failed meter batteries at no cost to residents.
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Supported and promoted innovative ideas for cutting costs over the past four years, including ideas ranging from selling excess wastewater to cheaper alternative energy options.
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Voted for the purchasing of new efficient equipment to cut utilities costs at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
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Voted for and supported the reduction of utilities loan debt to help balance the budget
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Voted for and supported inflow and infiltration abatement to improve sewer use, protect the environment, and cut costs.
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TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY
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Voted for and supported the Code of Conduct for Elected Officials
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Voted for and supported the Code of Conduct Charter Amendment providing for removal of criminals from elected office and allowing citizens to recall elected officials.
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Supported the YES effort for the November 2016 Referendum Vote on the same conduct Charter Amendment, upheld by citizens.
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Voted for and supported Campaign Finance Reform
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Supported Ethics Committee's requirements for quarterly updates and conflict of interest disclosures
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Supported the publishing of ethics documents online
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Introduced and supported the idea of legislation cover sheets to increase transparency and provide greater contextual information about the resolutions and ordinances voted on
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Supported limits on emergency powers of city managers