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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
     

  • 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
     

  • Supported and voted for new disability-inclusive playground equipment at Flickinger Park
     

  • 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
     

  • Supported and voted for restrictions on small cell wireless towers/technology
     

  • Advocated for the restriction of facial recognition technology by businesses to ensure the right of privacy for citizens
     

  • Voted to enact developer park impact fees to better fund, develop, and maintain parks.
     

  • Has advocated against, and voted against, development which exceeds adequate public facilities and infrastructure
     

  • 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
     

  • Voted for and supported resolutions and ordinances providing for business vitality, such as allowing sidewalk displays, grants for facade improvements, and tax credits
     

  • Voted to alter the public works agreement with the Tannery Barn to facilitate their construction progress and changes in their design
     

  • Voted for rezoning to allow Evapco to expand
     

  • Supported and voted for free holiday parking in town, 2019-2020
     

  • Served on the Taneytown Coronavirus Small Business Relief Committee
     

  • Voted against a letter of welcome to a marijuana grower and processor in Taneytown
     

  • 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
     

  • 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
     

  • Has served as police liaison for Mayor and Council since 2017, advocating for the needs and requirements of the Taneytown Police Department

 

  • 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
     

  • Voted to increase police officer salaries to competitive levels

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  • Voted to support Taneytown's refusal to become a sanctuary city
     

  • Voted to allow the Police Department to join in the county-initiated participation in MCIN
     

  • 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
     

  • 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.
     

  • Supported the YES effort for the November 2016 Referendum Vote on the same conduct Charter Amendment, upheld by citizens.
     

  • Voted for and supported Campaign Finance Reform
     

  • Supported Ethics Committee's requirements for quarterly updates and conflict of interest disclosures
     

  • Supported the publishing of ethics documents online
     

  • Introduced and supported the idea of legislation cover sheets to increase transparency and provide greater contextual information about the resolutions and ordinances voted on
     

  • Supported limits on emergency powers of city managers

 

By Authority: Raymond Vigliotti, Treasurer

Friends of Joe Vigliotti

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Taneytown, Maryland 21787

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