I will be seeking reelection to the Baltimore County Council in 2018. I look forward to continuing my record of bipartisan and independent leadership for the citizens of the Fifth District.
While other governments are embroiled in partisanship and stalemate, we have worked across party lines to deliver unprecedented results for the Fifth District—three new schools, eight new parks, and neighborhood improvements from Charles Street to the Harford County line. These results include:
A complete renovation of Dumbarton Middle School, the air conditioning of every public school in the Fifth District, and construction of Perry Hall’s first new school in a quarter-century.
Eight new parks in the Fifth District, including the first along the Loch Raven Boulevard corridor in a half-century; Towson’s first new park in a quarter-century, Radebaugh Neighborhood Park; and Angel Park, a community-built playground and amphitheater constructed to accommodate all children, including the disabled.
The downzoning of thousands of acres of land to lighten school overcrowding and preserve green space, including the most land ever downzoned in Towson, Carney, and the Cromwell Valley.
Passage of the social host ordinance, a nationally-recognized law that is reducing unruly disturbances in neighborhoods near Towson University.
Construction of new fire stations in Towson and Kingsville.
The revitalization of Downtown Towson and areas along the East Joppa Road corridor, including the Raytheon site, which had been derelict for more than a decade.
As a lawmaker, I’ve championed major pieces of legislation that passed with strong bipartisan support. My legislation created the Baltimore County Charter Review Commission; expanded public input during the development process; required architectural metrics for new construction in Downtown Towson; established the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee; designated the Perry Hall commercial revitalization district; and put in place Neighborhood Commons, a zoning designation that protects open space.
I always try to find common ground, but at the same time, have never hesitated to be an independent voice on the Council on issues of conscience and good government—opposing bad developments and standing up to County Executive Kevin Kamenetz when he is wrong.
Three years ago, for example, the Kamenetz administration proposed hiking parking rates in Downtown Towson, which would have hurt many of our restaurants and other small businesses. I fought back, and the rates were reversed.
When the Kamenetz administration wanted to exempt developments in Downtown Towson from providing funds for open space, I pushed back. We worked with both developers and community leaders on a legislative package that boosted open space funding and provided money for improvements, such as the expansion of Towson Manor Park.
And in 2016, I opposed legislation that would have saturated communities with Section 8 housing, a major issue particularly in Seven Courts and Carney.
I am proud of this record of bipartisanship and independence. It provides a foundation for the work we can get done with a new County Executive. In fact, we have already brought key stakeholders together to plan for many of these projects so they will get done when the new administration is in place.
Over the next four years, we will have tremendous change in Downtown Towson. With a new County Executive, I will push for a circulator to improve mobility, and for Greater Towson, the construction of a new Towson High School, the stabilization of the Herring Run watershed, and resurfacing of major routes such as Bosley Avenue and Stevenson Lane that was put on hold by the Kamenetz administration.
In Loch Raven and Carney, I will push to resurface the Joppa Road corridor.
In northeastern Baltimore County, we have made tremendous progress toward eliminating school overcrowding. With funding allocated for two new elementary schools and a new middle school, we will push for a new northeastern high school. We will complete the renovation of the Perry Hall Mansion and a new regional recreation center at Mount Vista Park.
I want to thank all those who have supported me over the past seven years, especially my family and friends. It has been an honor to serve you.