I declared my candidacy for Cumberland City Council because I want to make a difference.  I believe that my vision and energy can help the City, and with my record, there is no question about my level of dedication to this community.

Many people have referred to me over the past year as an idealist.  It’s true.  I’m an unabashed idealist.  I believe that people should be honest, responsible, fair, and ethical.  I believe that a better future is possible, and I believe in positive change for our city.  I want to be a part of that.  I want to put my vision into action and help facilitate a better Cumberland, and I believe that I can.

I plan to continue the work that I have performed on a volunteer basis, interacting with and assisting community groups in any way that I can.  I have a strong record of community dedication and volunteerism and there is no question that I am committed to making a difference.

For me, this is an opportunity to do more and give back.  It’s an opportunity to make an impact and make a difference.  I want to be the next City Councilman because I care about Cumberland and what is just around the corner in our City’s future.  I bring new energy and enthusiasm to the table and I represent the next generation of Cumberland residents.

I believe that the real action in any city takes place at the individual level.  As Councilman, I intend to work together with citizens and community groups to pay closer attention to what is taking place in every neighborhood in Cumberland.

The City must do more to support the work of neighborhood and community groups.  I have met with or communicated with such groups as the Chapel Hill West Neighborhood Association, the South Cumberland Business and Civic Association, the Rolling Mill Neighborhood Association, the South Side Crime Watch, the North End Crime Watch, the Westside Crime Watch, the Decatur Heights Neighborhood Association, and the Virginia Avenue Betterment Committee.  We must support the efforts of these groups – we must have an exchange of information about activities in these communities and what the city is doing or can do better to improve these neighborhoods.  I believe we need more citizen involvement with these groups, as well.

I will support efforts to protect the unique character and quality of life in Cumberland and support growth through redevelopment of existing infrastructure.  I will work diligently to preserve, repair, and rebuild City streets without adding to the burden on residents.

I will work to make doing business in the City easier, both for businesses and for individuals.  I plan to reduce the hurdles and hoops that currently prevent expansion, growth, and redevelopment.  I aim to make the city government more responsive to the needs of citizens.

I plan to support and encourage the continuation of City traditions that give Cumberland its small hometown feeling, while working to implement new technologies and environmentally friendly programs.  I wish to move Cumberland forward into the 21^st Century while protecting City traditions.

I will fully support the public service units in Cumberland, including our police department, a critical component in reducing crime and drug use in the City, and the fire department.  I believe that the Cumberland public service units are an important part of our infrastructure and must be protected.

We must provide information to the police department about suspicious activities and listen to the police department’s recommendations about how we can help them.  Tip lines such as 1-800-TIP-US-OFF are available for providing information about criminal or drug activities.  Please use them.

We must hold irresponsible and derelict landlords accountable.  We must eliminate structures that are unsafe for habitation.  We should raze buildings that serve as drug houses.  We must destroy the eyesores around Cumberland.  We have to eliminate the circumstances that permit drug use and criminal activities in our community.  We cannot allow absentee landlords to prey on our poorest citizens.  We cannot just treat the problems of drug use and blight – we have to cut it off at the roots and that means going after the owners of crime ridden, blighted, and drug infested buildings.

I will also take a stand against higher taxes on Cumberland residents.  Assessments continue to climb and residents are already paying higher taxes every year, without increased tax rates.  The residents of Cumberland are already burdened with enough taxes.

As I have walked the streets of Cumberland, I have recognized an unusually high number of properties for sale.  The reality is that people cannot afford to pay their bills with such high assessments and burdensome tax rates.  I oppose saddling the residents of Cumberland with greater burden; I oppose saddling businesses with higher taxes.  Businesses that would pay higher taxes will pass that burden on to consumers – the residents of Cumberland. 

We must have an economic plan that achieves two key goals: we need to find additional revenue sources and increase the tax base without raising taxes and we must cut expenditures where possible.  Higher taxes are not the answer to our economic problems – they are part of the problem!  We must seek grants that pay for existing expenditures to free up that money for other infrastructure improvements, including roads.  We should consider all possible annexations that will increase the tax base.  And, we must review all expenditures in all City departments, to cut anything that we can.  There is no silver bullet cut that we can make in Cumberland – instead, we must make minor cuts.   Every day I empty my pockets of change into a jar.  The change in my pocket amounts to little or nothing, but once or twice per year when I empty the jar, I have a sizeable amount of cash.  Making minor cuts where possible will do the same – all of those minor cuts will add up to a significant amount of funds to be invested in our infrastructure.

The economic situation in Cumberland is not like the rest of the nation.  The cost of living is increasing, the cost of gas is increasing, home utility bills are increasing, and assessments are increasing, yet Cumberland residents are not making more money.  We cannot add any extra burdens on city residents during this economic crisis.  We cannot forget about and neglect the citizens who live on a fixed income.

For Cumberland to progress and grow again, we must reinvest in our existing infrastructure.  Our streets are a critical part of our infrastructure.  Our water system is an important part of our infrastructure.  Buildings are a key piece of our infrastructure.  But our infrastructure is also our small businesses, our citizens, and our character.  We must pay very close attention to the needs, thoughts, and concerns of Cumberland residents.  The key to rebuilding, promoting and growing our community is to focus on reinvesting in what we already have, first. 

Born and raised in the City, I learned first-hand about Cumberland pride.  I graduated from Fort Hill High School, Allegany College of Maryland, and Frostburg State University, where I earned a Bachelors Degree with a double major in Justice Studies and Political Science, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree.  I have chosen to pursue an education, a job, and a life in my hometown.  I work full-time at Rocky Gap State Park as a Park Ranger, where I manage a staff of twenty-four, four facilities, and an operating budget of over half a million dollars.

The General Election will be held on November 4.  It is important that every voter participate in this election and I urge everybody to cast votes in the Presidential and Congressional elections. 

To those who share my vision for a positive, brighter future, I need your help.  I am willing to give my time and energy to help our community, but I need your support on Election Day and I need your support today to fund my grassroots movement for a better Cumberland.  Please consider sending a contribution of whatever amount you can afford and as much as you can give, up to $250.00, to the address below.  Or, you can make an immediate contribution online, now.

We’re all in this together, and together we can make a difference!