QUALIFICATIONS: Currently I am a real estate broker-owner, licensed appraiser, and, when the State legislature is in session, spend weekly hours-long sessions reviewing legislation for the Maryland Association of Realtors, the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors and the Carroll County Association of Realtors. I have helped write State legislation and testified in committee hearings. Currently serving on the Republican Central Committee as the representative from Baltimore County Councilmanic District 4. Having lived and worked in legislative District 10 for over 60 years, I feel I am eminently qualified to represent the citizens of this district. Randallstown has one of the highest per capita incomes in the area yet lacks decent restaurants and similar upscale amenities usually seen in similar high income areas. Woodlawn is home to two of the largest Federal employers in the area (SSA and CMS) yet has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of foreclosures around. All of this has to stop. I am a "mover and a shaker" and I intend to do all that I can to turn things around so that the citizens of District 10 can be proud of where they live instead of frustrated that they have been forgotten.
PRIORITIES: Return our government to fiscally responsible operations and protect Maryland citizens’ rights to own their own home free from onerous taxes and unconstitutional, unwarranted government interference.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation priorities should be formulated to promote the growth of business without sacrificing residential sanctity, funded by those who use or enjoy the benefits of the transportation hubs. As with everything else in government, all transportation projects should pay for themselves.
BUSINESS TAXES: Maryland’s business tax structure definitely needs changing. Businesses are the heart blood of our economy, providing the income we need to clothe, feed and house our families. We should do all we can to encourage businesses to locate and thrive in Maryland.
SAFETY NET SERVICES: I am not so sure that increasing taxes is the answer to any of our problems. I have seen wonderful results, however, from partnerships with religious organizations in this area of concern.
EDUCATION: Once again, I am not so sure there is a crisis in funding for public K-12 education. Instead, I believe we are once again trying to throw money at a problem, with disastrous results. I believe more emphasis needs to be put on thinning out top-heavy administration, demanding and rewarding quality teaching, and allowing teachers to actually teach. The General Assembly should pass legislation allowing parents to use tax credits, vouchers, or education savings accounts to enable children to attend any public, private, or home school. Education and awareness training for children, and the adults who care for them, is one of the most effective methods for the prevention of child abuse. The General Assembly should mandate such training in public and private institutions that primarily serve children.
APPRAISAL ISSUES: Appraising is a highly evolved proficient profession requiring complex skills. It is not a profession to be taken on casually by any and all who have opinions on value. It needs to be treated as such, with pay that recognizes the skills and training required and an independence that allows one to devote the time necessary to produce a competent appraisal.
REALTORS: Selling real estate has become a highly complex, technical profession requiring long hours of continuing study and great thought and care throughout the process. Realtors daily take on great risks and expertly and successfully negotiate transactions, protecting and advising their clients tirelessly along the way. They earn and deserve the rewards of such care and do not deserve to be considered a source of additional income to pay for substandard financial decisions of our elected officials. I will tirelessly work to protect their hard won income from all attacks.
ENERGY: Our energy needs, like all our needs, should be solved in Maryland and should encourage the growth of Maryland businesses and support our neighborhoods. (continued)
