Crowded field of Washington County commissioner candidates answer questions
There are 15 Republicans and two Democrats running for party nominations for Washington County commissioner.
That number includes four of the five incumbent commissioners, all Republicans, as well as a few former commissioners mixed among the newcomers. Terry Baker chose not to seek reelection, instead seeking a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates.
The primary is July 19, but early voting runs from July 7 through July 14. Voters will be asked to pick up to five candidates from their party they'd like to see move on to the Nov. 8 general election.
The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown sent questionnaires to the Republicans and Democrats seeking to be among the five members of the county board of commissioners.
Included were basic biographical questions, as well as opportunities to list websites and social media accounts so voters can learn beyond just answers to the questions we asked. Responses were limited to 500 characters — the equivalent of more than two tweets.
The questionnaire was sent in early June.
Republicans
John F. Barr
From: Clear Spring
Occupation: Retired
Age as of July 19: 69
Victoria Beachley
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Demand planning manager
Age as of July 19: 32
Campaign website: votebeachley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/victoriabeachleyforwashcocountycommissioner
Ron Bowers
From: Maugansville
Occupation: Retired, civilian and military
Age as of July 19: 79
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RonBowersforCommissioner
Bob Bruchey
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Automotive consultant at Hagerstown Ford
Age as of July 19: 63
Campaign website: bobforcountycommissioner.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079459388474
Charles Burkett
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Ministry support staff
Age as of July 19: 55
Campaign website: charlesburkettforwashingtoncounty.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CharlesBurkettForCountyCommissioner
Jeffrey A. Cline
From: Williamsport
Occupation: County commissioner
Age as of July 19: 65
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068747146547
David Wayne Ebersole
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Motor equipment operator
Age as of July 19: 61
Derek Harvey
From: Smithsburg
Occupation: National security consultant
Age as of July 19: 62
Campaign website: votederekharvey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/votederekharvey
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/colonelderekharvey
Wayne Keefer
From: Hancock
Occupation: Financial controller, community banker; county commissioner
Age as of July 19: 36
Campaign website: www.waynekeefer.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/CitizensforWayneKeefer
Jamie B. Lawrence
From: Sharpsburg
Occupation: Videographer
Age as of July 19: 37
No photo provided for Lawrence
Valerie Oliver
From: Smithsburg
Occupation: Front desk for WBO Health & Fitness
Age as of July 19: 57
Facebook: facebook.com/friends4valerieoliver
Kaden S. Snyder
From: Williamsport
Occupation: Substitute teacher
Age as of July 19: 19
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070448409567
Michael Lynn Sprecher III
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Equipment operator, Washington County Roads Department
Age as of July 19: 30
Facebook: www.facebook.com/69barracuda69
Brian Tana
From: Williamsport
Occupation: Plumber
Age as of July 19: 55
Campaign website: vote4tana.com
Randall Wagner
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: County commissioner, Realtor
Age as of July 19: 72
Facebook: www.facebook.com/randy.wagner.372
Instagram: @randywagner2534
Democrats
Sterling Sanders
From: Hagerstown
Occupation: Security officer
Age as of July 19: 25
Campaign website: www.citizensforsterlingsanders.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sterlingsandersforwashingtoncounty
Dave Williams
From: Smithsburg
Occupation: Retired WCPS library media specialist
Age as of July 19: 67
Campaign website: electDaveW.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/electDaveWilliams
Tax policy: Cutting rates or investing in the community
Which is more important, cutting taxes or investing tax dollars in the community?
Barr
Investing tax dollars back into our community is important. Public education, public safety and infrastructure is the primary goal of local government. With the fluctuation of taxes, along with state/federal/COVID monies and resources, it is wise and prudent to invest in short term savings to be prepared for the years of less than anticipated income due to recession and any down turn of the economy, also to be prepared for unexpected needs in the three primary entities of local responsibility.
Beachley
You cannot easily say cutting taxes or investing tax dollars into the community is the right option both short and long-term. We need to be smart with taxpayers’ money and this means taking care of the community and investing in necessary areas that contribute to citizens’ quality of life. However, when we get to a state where we are unjustifiably building surplus then we need to reduce taxes to allow taxpayers to keep more of their money.
Bowers
My first priority is to use the resources taxpayers provide to create meaningful economic opportunity for all of Washington County. Addressing the budget needs for agriculture, education, public safety, recreation, senior citizens, infrastructure and the capital budget are essential to strengthen our Communities and Commerce. After our budget line items are in place and the income stream becomes reality, which it will, I could support a property tax reduction of not less than 5 cents!
Bruchey
Investing in our community is important to the quality of life for citizens. There are other ways of returning a budget surplus to the people that would put money in their pockets. Adequately funding and budgeting for public safety and emergency services is paramount to being fiscally responsible. The public demands protection of life and property. Although cutting taxes plays well in an election year, it does nothing to prepare us for future costs of public safety infrastructure and education.
Burkett
Short answer, both are important and why can’t they be? As the county grows and prospers, why not allow our citizens' pockets to grow and prosper? In two years, our county has seen a $64 million surplus. It shows a major tax overreach. To correct this overreach, I led the way, pushing for a property tax cut which this county has not seen in 40 years. Fact is, I have voted for 3 tax cuts in just the last year. Additionally, we invested 31M of surplus in WC. We can and did do both.
Cline
The effective and efficient use of tax dollars to invest in our community is essential.
Ebersole
They are both equally important and we can do both. We just have to be a little smarter on how we are spending taxpayers money and we can cut taxes and invest back into the community. And l would like to cut out all property tax for senior citizens 70 and older and due to higher gas prices legalizing ATVs on our roads. This would be great for farmers. Today this is nothing but a dream. If I get elected it only takes two more commissioners to make it a reality — just something to think about.
Harvey
That is a false choice as it is not an either or situation. The county requires funding and additional investments to support community needs but we should be prudent and fiscally conservative in our approach. For example, a targeted and meaningful senior citizen property tax relief package or investment in EMS is more important than a largely symbolic reduction in the property tax rate that provides little relief to any homeowner; particularly when assessments and revenues are rising.
Keefer
I'm surprised this question is asked, and find it insulting for taxpayers. When we allow taxpayers to keep more of their hard earned tax dollars, the taxpayer directly decides how they want to invest in their community. Perhaps it means a business can expand, hire more employees, or pay higher wages. Maybe it means a family can afford to upgrade their car, or take their kids on vacation. Make no mistake — dollars not taken from taxpayers doesn't mean investment won't happen in a community.
Lawrence
Investing tax dollars in the community
Oliver
Cutting taxes would put money in our citizens pockets. Some of our citizens wanted this to happen and it will happen this coming 2023 budget. Investing tax dollars to the community will help out the community. This could help with seniors, Day Reporting Center, the health clinic, etc. Some of our citizens would like this to happen. When elected I will sit down with the budget and finance CFO to look at the budget.
Snyder
Why not both? I am in favor of cutting taxes and putting money back into the pockets for the citizens of Washington County. I also believe that if we as a county government spend our money wisely we could fund all kinds of things. Fully funding public safety is my number one priority. However local investments can also be made while at the same time lowering taxes.
Sprecher
It all starts depending on where your money is going. Seeing results of our taxes going to work. That is the investment. The County Roads, drains, bridges, water, and sanitation around us need maintenance and resurfacing. We cannot keep pushing this off. Show the citizens what their money is doing for them.
Tana
Investing tax dollars into the infrastructure of the community, fire, EMS, sheriffs dept., water, sewer, and storm
Wagner
Public Safety/First Responders, [Fire, Police, EMS] has to be always adequately funded and staffed. Infrastructure, bridges, roads and utilities have to always be maintained. I have been tasked with providing services and Public Safety to our Citizens along with a Fiscal responsibility to be aware of the opportunities and funds to reduce taxes. I just voted as a current County Commissioner to lower income and property taxes along with no increase in water and sewer fees.
Sanders
Investing tax dollars in the community because smart investments will save taxpayers money in the long run.
Williams
Wisely investing the tax dollars we have is more important than across the board tax cuts. Government uses our taxes to do the big things we can’t do as individuals: hire a deputy, paramedic or EMT, put a counselor in every elementary school, end the waiting list for Meals-On-Wheels, or pave a road. While the county still has these and many other legitimate needs, taxes shouldn’t be cut. However, tax relief in the form of rebates or credits should be targeted to aid low-income taxpayers.
Funding adequacy of Washington County Public Schools
Do you believe Washington County Public Schools is adequately funded? Why or why not?
Barr
No, I do not believe they are fully and properly funded. There is such a tremendous growth potential and ever increasing need, teacher retention, teacher pensions, maintaining and operating of 47 properties and facilities throughout our community requires constant attention and long-term planning. Particularly this community needs to be forth-right in replacement as to not put us in a position that all 47 facilities become obsolete, outdated, unsafe and inadequate for quality public education.
Beachley
This is a really good question that I think we’d all like the answer to! I’m not ready at this point to say I believe WCPS is adequately funded or not. The county gives a lot of money to WCPS but I would say the state does not give sufficiently to WCPS. I have sat with a couple of the members of the BOE and certainly would like to develop a collaborative relationship to be able to understand budgetary request that come to the county from the BOE. Education is a priority of mine!
Bowers
Support for public education should be broken down into categories for through discussion; salaries, curriculum and programs, future new schools on the books and new schools yet to be considered. We need to enhance the relationship between the BOE and the BOCC so that both sides are heard from the constituents they each represent; it’s more about deepening the relationships and trust. Based on measured successes like attendance, test scores, graduation rates, I could support additional funding.
Bruchey
I believe there’s always room for improvement. There are actions that can relieve the BOE of some fixed costs, such as School Resource Officers. The County could pick up that cost again and save the BOE roughly $1MM. It is going to take a concerted effort of real compromise to satisfy the BOE’s funding request and what the County can fiscally support. I support finding solutions so that the County can help to improve the overall fiscal health of the BOE.
Burkett
Overall yes, but after spending time in our schools last fall, two issues I heard over and over from teachers was behavioral and safety issues. As we have seen recently, I foresee needing more support for safety. A concern I expressed this past year to board members and Dr. Michael is it seems they fight every year with the county, but never with the state. It would be nice for them to make some of the same demands of the state that they do of the county which has less resources.
Cline
The elected Board of Education is charged with the responsibility to assign priorities and to manage funding.
Ebersole
Yes I do believe Washington County schools are adequate funding the school board receives (a significant portion of the) overall budget for the whole county so that means the rest of all the other departments has to operate off of (the remainder) of the budget. And something to just think about: most county employees will not receive enough salary income to cover the cost of living, and the cost of living has increased 8.4% since January 2022 and some employees will get to work from home due to higher gas prices.
Harvey
No. Adequately funding schools is essential for a successful county that depends on quality schools and an educated population. We need to examine the budget to find savings and better align to priorities. Basic cost of living is increasing but the school budget has not kept up. We see aging buildings and rural schools without equivalent resources. To be competitive, teachers and staff must be adequately compensated. Additional funding may be needed for building maintennance and sports fields.
Keefer
During my tenure on the Board of County Commissioners, WCPS has not once seen a decrease in funding from one year to the next. The same cannot be said for every agency the county funds. The more I speak with parents, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators ... and even students, the more I believe the issues facing public education have more to do with proper discipline and parental involvement, and less to do with monetary issues. God and parents need to be allowed back into the classroom.
Lawrence
County schools haven't been adequately funded for many years due to the current administration not seeing students as a priority.
Oliver
When elected I will meet with the superintendent and board of education to see what the student to teacher ratio is, and how many teachers, aides and counselors are needed. Yes, we as a county can improve more with the schools, but a more detailed budget needs to be given to the county commissioners to make the right decision.
Snyder
No. To start WCPS is only one of two school systems that pays to have resource officers in their buildings. I believe that is the responsibility of county government. Teachers are really struggling to do their job because of the lack of staff inside of the schools as a result of the past two years of covid. As a Commissioner I will vote to fully fund WCPS.
Sprecher
Yes, at this time we need to be innovative and reevaluate how they are allocated. I strongly believe we should hire, Highly Qualified Teachers. In doing this we can shrink the teacher-to-student ratio resulting in extended 1-on-1 time. I think this will bring the average GPA up tremendously. In the future, I can see we will have to raise the budget for the Public Schools so we can stay ahead of the populace and curriculum.
Tana
I do believe they are funded adequately. The resource officers shouldn't be part of the school budget. Every department in the county tells the commissioners where their budget will be spent except the school board and they are being particularly funded from the county and the rest from the state. The amount they get from the county should be itemized as to where it's going to be used.
Wagner
As a current County Commissioner I always agree to fund per the State guidelines adhering to the required Maintenance of Effort required funding and have contributed extra funds to the WCPS Capital Budget.
Sanders
No. I believe that funds for the WCPS should be increased above maintenance of effort level funding but I also believe that we are obligated to hold our Board of Education accountable ensuring that all funds are spent properly in the minds of the majority of the taxpayers.
Williams
NOT adequately funded. More than ever, kids today need counselors, social workers, behavior specialists, and psychologists. Salaries must be increased to head off a staffing crisis across all employee groups. Class sizes will go up and some may be taught by non-teachers. School buildings are aging and on an 80-100 year replacement cycle. The county must commit enough up-front capital money to take full advantage of state matching funds. Otherwise, millions of state dollars go to other counties.
Development vs. rural character: Where's the balance?
With a number of warehouse projects blooming across Washington County, how do you propose to keep investment coming into the county while still maintaining its rural, small-town character?
Barr
First, most if not all of the new warehouse projects are in the planned growth areas. This was wise thinking by previous administration for the infrastructure of services and growth. Secondly, most if not all buildings are being built with tremendous capability of mechanical and electrical systems. These facilities can be easily converted for manufacturing, research development, engineering and high-tech opportunities. These facilities will poise Wash Co as opportunities present themselves.
Beachley
Being a supply chain person, I know how awesome this area is for warehouses (from a purely logistical perspective) yet, I’m not sure continuing to build huge warehouses is what we need more of. One of the things I love about Wash. Co. is the rural, small-town character so we need to focus on attracting high-value industries. These industries could include specialty manufacturing, consulting firms or software businesses. These industries bring good paying jobs and diversity to our workforce.
Bowers
Development and Land Use are becoming a major topic of conversation; we cannot continue to be dependent on "warehouse/distribution" development. We need to recruit diverse businesses (health, education, bio, entrepreneurs and start-ups). Emphasizing and promoting our ORT zoned land classification, OFFICE, RESEARCH, AND TECHNOLOGY, the infrastructure already in place and ready to build! A new vision working with the Industrial Foundation (CHIEF) will keep investment coming into the county!
Bruchey
Simple, ensure that they are only being located within the Medium Range Growth Area, thus utilizing existing infrastructure. With the millions of square feet being developed, I believe it's time for a study to see if we are at peak square footage in our County. I realize we're in the perfect location with I-70 and I-81 crossroads, but when is enough, enough? Even we can only support so many.
Burkett
As a lifelong WC resident, I love our rural, conservative lifestyle. It’s important we do not disrupt this way of life. In some areas businesses are built to compliment the community and we should look to these practices. We won big with Hitachi choosing WC as its place to manufacture its trains. On the flip side, we cannot allow outside developers to come into our area, making land grabs, thinking they can develop whatever they want. I am proud to have denied some of these attempts.
Cline
Warehouse projects are being constructed in designated areas zoned for that industry near infrastructure. Washington County is approximately 300,000 acres in land mass with over 100,000 acres in some sort of a preservation program.
Ebersole
I'd just like to say with all these warehouses being built around the county we will have to spend millions of dollars for upgrading our roads and intersections to accommodate tractor and trailers and that’s not a bad that’s it’s just a inconvenience and I’d like to try to get some manufacturing companies to come back to Washington County and I'd like to see some kind of tourist traction to bring out of state visitors to the county and for your small-town character that ship's about ready to leave.
Harvey
I will provide the tested conservative leadership that will fight for the history, values, and principles that make our County a great place to call home. I will improve the responsiveness & accountability of county government to include zoning processes. We can and we must be better at supporting agricultural preservation and managing development, creating good paying jobs and smartly aligning new infrastructure while protecting the rural character, values, and history of our county.
Keefer
We need to prioritize re-development of urban city and community town centers over the over-development of rural Washington County. When we allow warehouses and truck stops to go into rural communities and forever change the fabric of the neighborhoods, we are at the same time encouraging blight and abandonment of our city and town centers. I support tax credits that redevelop and repurpose old and worn buildings in all of our communities and municipalities.
Lawrence
By investing into schools and students so they can become the next generation of business owners and creatives that lead the county into the future.
Oliver
We need to hold onto our agricultural land for food, dairy and cattle. The county was built on this. We need to have manufacturers, tech and office jobs come into our county. Washington County Business Development needs to promote more to these businesses. Would work with this department to see what could change without giving too much away in tax credit, water & sewer, etc. Would visit our county towns to see where we could help to invest with keeping and promoting businesses for them also.
Snyder
For decades Washington county was a manufacturing area but unfortunately it has rapidly become a distribution hub. I believe that we should bring back some of those manufacturing jobs that have a longer tenure span and a higher wage. Agriculture jobs would be amazing to bring back as well. Many people moved here and love living here because of the small town and rural areas here. As a Commissioner I will fight to make sure that Washington County doesn't become warehouse county.
Sprecher
We are developing extremely too quickly. The infrastructure is not ready to support the influx we are going to endure. It's convincing the unemployed to get up and go to work. These warehouses are going to bring in workers from other counties other than filling the current jobs we currently have. Who benefits? That will be the real question. Especially when 15-20 years down the road and the companies leave. Skilled trades, engineering and our own manufacturing is what this County needs!
Tana
We need to set boundaries for where these warehouses can go. They need to stay within "X" number of miles to the interstate so we can maintain and preserve our county as much as possible.
Wagner
I closely monitor Zoning on all projects and I am very considerate of what is allowed by our zoning laws and I examine any Zoning changes requested. Washington County currently has 97,600 Acres of Land protected in a County with 299,000 acres. That is about 1/3 of our County is protected. My Goal as a Commissioner is to continue to vote for and continue to support Land preservation, I currently sit on the Ag Preservation Board and the Planning Commission.
Sanders
I believe that it is government responsibility to focus on revitalization and/or demolition of existing structures that are not historical instead of destroying agricultural land. I propose investing in our communities instead of building around them.
Williams
Continue helping projects navigate bureaucracy and offer economic incentives if appropriate. Meanwhile, the current Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2002, must be updated. Review zoning requirements to make sure projects only go where they have the least impact on our rural character. Protect our rural, historic, agricultural, and scenic areas by adding a “heritage buffer” requirement to properties eligible for development that are adjacent to homes and landscapes we want to preserve.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Washington County commissioner candidates talk taxes, schools
