Families are drawn to Smithsburg because it encompasses many of the qualities they seek in a community. It boasts reputable schools, ensuring a quality education for children. Additionally, the town prioritizes safety, creating a secure environment for families to thrive. Furthermore, Smithsburg offers a variety of well-maintained parks, facilities, and events, catering to individuals of all age groups, fostering a sense of community and well-being.
I’ve been a strong advocate for our parks. In the past year alone we’ve made over $600,000 in improvements, the vast majority of that was funded through grants. These improvements include a new accessible playground, renovated basketball court, renovated pavilion, and improved lighting, among other improvements.
I want to continue building on what we have, by dedicating a significant portion of the remaining ARPA funds to address dilapidated sidewalks throughout the town. This will ensure a safer and more accessible pedestrian experience, reducing the risk of tripping hazards for everyone. I want to see a comprehensive system of walking and biking trails established. These trails will connect parks, schools, and neighborhoods, enhancing walkability and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for residents of all ages.
Finally, I want to continue fully funding our police department, allowing them to build on their community-focused mission and maintaining a safe environment for all residents.
Many of us have chosen Smithsburg to raise a family because of its charming small-town atmosphere. We live in a desirable area, so some growth is inevitable. However, with growth comes challenges. My goal is to strike a balance between preserving Smithsburg's unique character while honoring land owner’s rights in a way that addresses the needs of a growing community. This requires managing growth responsibly to avoid straining the town's resources and infrastructure.
As your elected representative, my priority has always been and will continue to be serving the citizens of Smithsburg. I remain committed to making decisions that align with the best interests of our community, rather than being swayed by developers who make empty promises they have no intention of fulfilling.
Smithsburg's ongoing issues with rising water and sewer rates have sparked much debate. I have steadfastly opposed water and sewer rate increases because I believe it’s unfair to expect you to pay more without first doing everything we can to reduce our costs. This includes tackling water loss and providing customers with water usage monitoring tools. While the town has made some progress with smart meters, I support the idea of allowing homeowners to connect third-party monitoring devices to their meters. My goal is to empower every customer with the resources to track their water consumption, enabling early problem detection and water usage reduction. This will not only benefit individual households but also contribute to overall water conservation efforts.
Even with the ability to monitor water usage, instances of unexpectedly high water bills may still arise. To address this issue, I propose establishing a Utility Appeals Board. This board will have the authority to reduce bills under specific conditions. The board will consist of one member from the public, one staff member, and one council member. If an individual receives a higher-than-expected bill, they can file an appeal with the board and seek relief.
These solutions will alleviate some concerns, but they do not address the fundamental issue of purchasing water from the City of Hagerstown. Without consequences, Hagerstown can increase rates arbitrarily. They've recently announced plans to increase our rates by 48% over the next 3 years. This is why I advocate for investigating alternative water sources so that we will have more control over our rates and a backup if Hagerstown's aging water system fails.