Record | Joeforcarroll

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.

Below, you'll find a concise record of my service as a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, demonstrating successes, achievements, and support for everything from individual rights to backing law enforcement. It will be updated from time to time.

I will be sharing another report - my official semiannual Record and Review (in PDF) - soon.

OPPOSITION TO MPRP

(MARYLAND PIEDMONT RELIABILITY PROJECT)

Resolution formalizing and establishing official County position and policy against MPRP
Pursuit of the Coordination Process with the federal government
Denied PSEG's request to access County property for surveying
Pre-filed letters of opposition to MPRP with the Maryland Public Service Commission
Filed testimony in support of the March 2027 procedural schedule proposed by the PSC
Filed letters of opposition to the Pennsylvania segment of the powerlines with the Pennsylvania Utility Commission
Coordinated with Frederick and Baltimore County in efforts against the powerlines
Coordinated with State Delegation/written testimony in support of innumerable legislative efforts to stop MPRP
Coordinated with Congressional representation against MPRP
Voted to set aside at least $100,000 to deal with opposition expenditures
Engagement with outside legal counsel against MPRP
Supported and worked with citizens groups, such as Stop MPRP, Inc., and attended their meetings and events
Attended and spoke at Stop MPRP inc. information session in New Windsor
Hosted joint County/Delegation town hall listening/networking session against the MPRP
Filed amicus brief in support of property owners targeted by PSEG for property entry

FIRE & EMS

Funding and continuing building out of the Carroll County Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFEMS), establishing a combination volunteer/career service for Carroll County citizens
Voted for funding to support Volunteer Companies, including Union Bridge and New Windsor, during the build-out process of DFEMS

Direct and financial support of Volunteer Companies through voting for bonds for purchase of vehicles; and by advocating for needs of companies

Voted for increased pensions, medical disabilities, and a DROP program for professional members of DFEMS

EDUCATION

$33-million combined additional funding above Maintenance of Effort for Carroll County Public Schools since 2023
Met with Governor and Lieutenant Governor to seek Blueprint implementation flexibility
Coordinated with and supported Board of Education and Delegation for Blueprint implementation extension
Regular combined meetings with Board of Education

Supported Board of Education's emphasis on parental rights

Supported Board of Education's book review policy

BUDGET

Balanced budgets

No property tax increases

No income tax increases
Use of grants wherever possible to offset cost of services and operations for the County
Carroll County maintains AAA credit rating, even as Maryland's has been downgraded

AGRICULTURE/AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION

Consistent support and continued funding of the Agricultural Preservation program - now exceeding 80,000 acres preserved of a formalized goal of 100,000
Carroll County Grown website – resources and listings of farmers markets, produce farm sellers, etc.
Banning of community solar installations on agriculturally-zoned land
Opposing MD PSC in overriding local control for solar installations
Ban on storage of FPR (Food Processing Residuals - a type of fertilizer made from liquefied animal carcasses)
Actively supported and testified for Maryland Department of Agriculture's restrictions on use of FPR
Partnership with, and maintaining of loan to the Ag Center
Maintenance of the Right-to-Farm code, which protects farmers and farming activities from baseless complaints and seeks to work with non-farming citizens to advise them of what to expect in the ag zone
Ownership and funding for the Farm Museum
Continued support of soil conservation and related farming resources for farmers and agricultural workers

PARKS & RECREATION

Northwest Regional Nature Park (District 1) (continued planning but currently on hold due to budget)
Charles Carroll Community Center completed and opened

Upgrading of cabins at Hashawa Nature Center
Continued development of Krimgold Park

OTHER

2035 Carroll County Master Plan process underway
Continued support for internet connectivity to hard-to-connect areas of the County

Additional funding for State's Attorney and Circuit Court for operations and security
Improved funding for Carroll County Public Library System
Consistent letters and written testimony on relevant legislation in Annapolis, in cooperation with Carroll's Delegation
Reform of Delegation of Authority strengthening responsibility and oversight of government operations by Commissioners

DISTRICT 1

Renewal of relationships and partnerships with municipalities for common goals and interests, such as cost-sharing projects
Voted to keep New Windsor Streetscape on the annual CTP Letter (the Consolidated Transportation Program letter which goes to the State, advising of the County's infrastructure priorities)
Voted to return Taneytown's Bypass to the CTP Letter (for the first time in a decade)
Voted to approve Maryland Municipal League Project Open Space fund appropriations for Park and Recreation (Union Bridge Community Center Park tennis courts and lighting; New Windsor Maple Avenue Lion's Club Park pavilion improvements; Taneytown Memorial Park expansion)
Approved use of Not in Carroll funding for youth after-school organizations and activities through the Boys and Girls Club, including support of 60 youths at Northwest Middle School
Supporting Union Bridge with local implementation of the ENOUGH Act
Keysville/Keymar/Detour/Pleasant Valley/Harney road maintenance, upkeep, and line of sight clearance improvements
Charles Carroll Community Center completed and opened (Silver Run/Union Mills/Mayberry area, and beyond)
District 1 Fire Companies continue to be supplemented by County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services staff (most recently, Union Bridge and New Windsor)
Continued supplemental funding for Volunteer Fire Companies
Ban on storage of FPR (Food Processing Residuals - a type of fertilizer made from liquefied animal carcasses)
Actively supported and testified for Maryland Department of
Agriculture's restrictions on use of FPR
Active support and cooperation for crucial companies like Lehigh Cement/Heidelberg Materials in Union Bridge, and EVAPCO in Taneytown (275 new jobs, 45,000 new square feet)
Approval of solar field site design requirements as failsafe regulations against state overruling of local zoning codes preventing solar development of agricultural land
Agricultural Preservation: Since January 1, 2025, the county settled 264 acres of ag preserved land in District 1. There are currently 796 acres in process in District 1 that may settle before the end of the year.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Excellent working relationship with Sheriff Jim DeWees, conferring and coordinating in support of Deputies, Corrections, their efforts and policies, and seeing to specific public safety requests from citizens

Direct and financial support of the Sheriff's Department and Corrections by voting for new vehicles, new technology and equipment, fully funding budgetary requests, law enforcement programs, and ensuring the Sheriff's Department has all possible tools, resources, and funding to carry out initiatives

Voted for increased pensions, medical disabilities, and a DROP program for deputies and corrections, in line with industry standards

Support of the Sheriff's Cross-Jurisdictional Deputization Agreements, whereby municipal law enforcement officers can actively cooperate against criminals beyond municipal boundaries under the auspice of the Sheriff's Department
Voted to approve participation in MCIN (Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network) allowing for interagency cooperation and sharing of information and efforts pertaining to criminal activity)
Excellent working relationship with State's Attorney's Office, including Haven Shoemaker and Alan Culver

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Lowest unemployment rate in Maryland

Creation of the DRRA Process (Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreements) whereby developers can build according to a agreement of conditions, which includes the County to require the provision of tangible benefits for citizens (such as parks, trails, etc.)

Creation of the Priority Review Process, whereby Commissioners can direct particular business, commercial, residential, or other development projects be designated priorities and expedited
Support and funding for local and small business efforts, such as grants, tourism, and platform
Expansion of Small Business Development Center and Workforce Development services, including one-on-one and group counseling with local and small business-owners
Support of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce
Support of County industry and large businesses, such as EVAPCO in Taneytown and Lehigh/Heidelberg Materials in Union Bridge
Support of Shamrock Farm Horse Training Facility and partnering with Commissioner Guerin to ensure concerns of local citizens are addressed

CITIZEN SERVICES

Additional funding for Taneytown Senior Center to complete and expand into back room
Voted for funding support for non-profits such as Boys and Girls Club, the ARC of Carroll County, and Care Healing (formerly Rape Crisis Intervention) - and more
Voted for funding for Carroll Transit System and Veterans Shuttle Service
Continued funding for annual Veterans Celebration and veterans services
Continued support and funding for senior and disabled services and activities, such as Aging Your Way Expo and Therapeutic Recreation Day
Voted for funding for emergency housing for homeless families and individuals, and family shelter at the COVE Building
Participation in homelessness outreach, communication, and Point in Time survey
Supported efforts to alleviate youth homelessness through grants and programs
Support for, and personal participation in the local implementation of the ENOUGH Act, designed to determine local poverty needs and coordinate resources