The candidates running in the primary shared their ideas on those topics and others in response to eight questions from The Herald-Mail. Their reponses to the first four questions are in today's Herald-Mail. Their remaining four responses will run in Monday's newspaper.
The candidates were asked to keep their reponses to 100 words or less. Except for editing for length, and some tweaking for clarity's sake, the responses are running as they were written by the candidates.
Only three of the five incumbent commissioners, John F. Barr, Terry Baker and Kristin B. Aleshire, are running for re-election. Commissioner James F. Kercheval will become executive director of the Greater Hagerstown Committee and Commissioner William J. Wivell is running for state delegate. His wife, Robin Lynn Wivell, is running for a commissioner seat.
Aside from the three incumbents, only three of the 11 other commissioners candidates have held public office before: school board member Ruth Anne Callaham, former commissioner John Munson and former Williamsport Town Council member Jeff Cline.
Profiles of the candidates are available at http://www.herald-mail.com/elections.
Some candidates submitted written answers to a separate set of questions from Citizens for the Preservation of Pleasant Valley. Those responses can be downloaded from http://upshotmd.org/events/20100721/Commissioner-QA.pdf.
UNOPPOSED, NO PRIMARY RACE
Kristin Aleshire, 35
incumbent
1217 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown
Democrat
Joe Lane, 46
12030 Hippan Hill Road, Smithsburg
Green Party
REPUBLICANS
Question: Do you believe the county should balance its budget by cutting expenses or by raising taxes? Why?
Terry Baker, 54
Incumbent
12068 National Pike, Clear Spring
Republican
The County should balance its budget with revenues collected. With more and more fiscal responsibility being mandated from the state of Maryland back to the Counties, the Commissioners will have to be accountable more now than ever with the citizen's tax dollars. For me, these new mandates will have to be accomplished with no tax increase on real estate or income tax. The Commissioners need to help working citizens and families keep more of the money they earn. The average for the last 4 years is already a reduction in internal operating costs for the county.
John F. Barr, 56
Incumbent
12404 Rocky Fountain Lane,
Clear Spring
Republican
These economic times are challenging each and every entity of society both public and private individuals alike. It is extremely important for all public government entities including county to control spending, cut costs and to encourage volunteerism and public service in the line of concern for others. Increasing taxes and spending are not the answers under any circumstances to our economic woes. I am opposed to increases in any taxes and/or initiatives to disguise a tax increase. Increased taxes are an extreme detriment to economic development. However some increases in governmental services need to be evaluated.
Ruth Anne Callaham, 60
1317 Lindsay Lane, Hagerstown
Republican
Cutting Expenses. The balance in a budget requires a well focused plan to maximize revenue without raising taxes while minimizing expenses without reducing services. As a strong believer in "balanced budgets," I will work to prioritize all government expenditures and use existing revenues to pay for those expenses that are the top priority. Expansion of programs or new projects should not be planned unless a "bill payer" can be identified within existing revenue streams.
Jeff Cline, 53
13 S. Artizan St., Williamsport
Republican
The county should balance its budget by managing all county resources effectively, efficiently and by reducing expenses. The citizens of Washington County are already burdened with taxes, fees and government revenue programs at all levels. It's time for county government to lead the way and "to live within its means." Fiscal responsibility should be the norm not the exception.
Walter C. Frazee, 52
23506 Leathers Road, Smithsburg
Republican
