Never Forgetting My Community Roots



Two years ago, I made the difficult decision to quit my job in the federal government to run for the Baltimore County Council.   My family stood by me, despite the threat to our livelihood.   We ran with strong community support and pinched pennies to buy the yard signs, bumper stickers, and handouts needed for a successful race.

Many of my contributions in that first race, and over the past year, have been from friends and neighbors who made small donations because they believed in me.  

I have never forgotten my roots as a community leader.   Anyone who has read the Patch--especially the stories written by the regional editors--knows of my work over the past 20 months:

During the rezoning process, we limited growth on 417 acres, the most downzoning in the Fifth District in two decades.

I worked with my colleagues of both political parties to pass legislation that created the first open space zoning in Baltimore County history.  Then, we applied it to 173 acres, more than in any other County Council district.

We banned panhandle building lots in the environmentally-sensitive Carney and Cub Hill areas.   During the rezoning process, our work eliminated homes from being built behind Summit Avenue and a 7-11 convenience store from being approved at Magledt Road near the snowball stand.

Many of my decisions have not been popular with developers and landowners, but they were best for our communities.

I am very proud of the good work we are doing for our communities, and of the many friends and neighbors who believe in me.   I will never forget my local roots, which is why I work nearly six or seven days a week to make our neighborhoods better.   Thank you for your support.