Meet your Wicomico County Executive candidates for 2022

From Daily Times Staff Reports
·4 min read
In this file photo, in-person voting for Maryland's 2022 Primary Election continued Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland.

Candidates for Wicomico County executive share their views on leadership and their vision for strengthening the future.

Delmarva Now/The Daily Times sent questionnaires to each of those running for the post.

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. Their answers are published unedited.

Who are the candidates?

Republican: Julie Giordano

Democrat: Ernest Davis

Libertarian: Muir Boda

What makes you the best candidate for this office?

Giordano: I am the best candidate for this position because I bring forth a unique set of skills that no other candidate possesses. I have experience in the private sector as a human resources manager and events coordinator, but most importantly in the public sector as a 17-year veteran teacher.

I have also formed a great rapport with our state and local leaders. I have a vision for our county and want us to thrive and prosper.

Davis: Lifelong resident of Wicomico County. Created and maintained two businesses in Wicomico. Democratic Central Comm. 2010-2014. County Council 2014-2022, VP 2022. School board building committee 2018-2022, LMB, 2014-2022.

I have been able to work with all parties on council. I have a good vision on how the county government works. I have been around long enough to see what it will take to move forward on the issues facing our county.

Boda: With over 28 years of management experience including managing complex retail environments, hundreds of employees, and with seven years on the Salisbury City Council, I bring the leadership and experience to handle complex issues such as water & sewer, restructuring the county government, and planning out the next 25 years of the future of fire & EMS service in Wicomico County. Served as the president of ESAM, representing 56 towns and cities on the Eastern Shore.

What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?

Giordano: The top issue is the lack of leadership. We have had a stagnant administration. This has led the executive office to a major disconnect with not only the state leaders, but also the town municipalities, first responders and county citizens.

We have over 80 vacancies, underpaid employees, and a lack a vision for growth and development. My plans to address this issue are to be actively involved in our county and improve relationships with local and state officials.

Davis: Broadband, water, sewer, attract, compensate and retain government employees and educators, Promote economic development. Advertise to fill all the vacate government vacancies, which would include a grant writer.

Create a Sanitation Department with a director so they can head the development of the water and sewer plan. With the new grant writer, go and obtain any and all federal funding for broadband and water and sewer. Work close with the school system to retain teachers.

MORE:Maryland Election 2022: Get to know the candidates for State House, Senate in District 38

Boda: Water & sewer is the number one issue facing our residents. Create a Water Works Department divided in Water Department & Sewer Department, and hire directors for each position. Fire service - implement county-wide EMS service with County Finance Department managing the EMS billing. Create a Fire Service Commission to plan the future of fire & EMS in Wicomico County for the next 25 years.

What steps would you take to increase transparency in your office?

Giordano: One major step would be an an increase in communication. The Executive Office should be in consistent communication with state and local officials. We will also be an active administration, keeping the media and county citizens informed through improved social media presence and press releases.

Lastly, I would like to travel the county with my department heads, hosting town halls. Citizens could attend and ask questions directly. We want to improve civic engagement.

Davis: Keep the County Council updated on projects that my office is working on, so they don't get broadsided with anything that is brought before them.

Boda: 1. Reinstate the Public Information Officer. 2. Implement a Constituent Service program with an online portal where citizens can submit their issues to get routed to the specific department. Each issue would have a ticket number attached to it for tracking and escalated if it is not addressed. 3. Quarterly meeting with each member of the County Council. 4. Quarterly meetings with each municipality. 5. All county fees would be assembled in one document, submitted as an ordinance during the budget.

Candidate bios

Julie Giordano

  • Age: 40

  • Twitter: @giordano4CE

  • Online: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076140556402

  • Occupation: Teacher

  • Primary residence: Hebron

Ernest Davis

  • Age: 58

  • Occupation: Self Employed-Transportation

  • Primary residence: Salisbury

Muir Boda

  • Age: 49

  • Occupation: Asset Protection/Elected Official

  • Primary residence: Salisbury

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Election 2022: Wicomico County Executive Q&A