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The League of Women Voters

 The responses will also be printed in the August 23rd edition of the Calvert Independent newspaper (1/2 of them) and the other half in the October 25th edition of the Calvert Independent Newspaper.

1.  Lack of Affordable Housing:  What action(s) would you propose to help solve Calvert County’s affordable housing problem, including providing housing for our workforce?    Action including continuing use of currently available tools; use County and community partner resources to build mixed rate units in town centers; encourage residential over commercial (with less restrictions); decrease the minimum lot size; give incentives for inclusion of affordable units in developments.

 
2.  Business:   How can Calvert County attract more high-technology and clean industries to enlarge our tax base?  

Calvert County offers extensive help to businesses locating and/or remaining (see Smart Business Growth).  Tax incentives and loans are available.   Continue the practices that make ours the fastest growing commercial tax base in the state.  Continue an aggressive marketing campaign.

 
3.  Openness in Government:  Government decision making bodies: 1)must protect the citizen’s right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions; 2) hold open meetings in reasonable locations for those who want to attend; and 3) make all public records accessible.  Comment on your commitment regarding these principles.  

I am committed to open government including using the county website to relay as much information as possible to the public.  I voted for streaming video tied to the agenda (coming in approx. Sept.).  I attend most public meetings, even though to do so is not standard.

 
4.  Priority Setting:  What are your priorities if elected? 

Adhering to the Comprehensive Plan including limiting residential build out, maintaining the town center concept, preserving farms, forests, fishing.  Strengthening our quality of life including an indoor pool and a range of housing.  Providing a topnotch education, smart business growth, wise use of tax dollars, traffic solutions.

 
5.  Transportation:  How can the Board of County Commissioners facilitate the process to provide more park-and-ride sites to coordinate commuter bus systems to reduce the number of vehicles on Routes 2-4?

Calvert County can continue to work closely with the state to locate and purchase park and ride lots.  Calvert County can provide a pilot bus run to the Washington metro to demonstrate ridership, encouraging the state to provide more runs linking to the metro.

 
6.  Taxes:  The assessed value of homes in Calvert County, which continues to increase, has resulted in added tax revenues for the county.  How do you propose to reduce the real estate tax burden to county home owners?  Please see Wise Use of Your Tax Dollars. Continue to seek efficiencies in county government operations, work smarter, be creative, utilize fiscally conservative policies.  Reward staff for cost saving measures and ideas.  Base policy on sound fiduciary reason, not emotion.  Spend wisely.