20060908 KDDC So just what are the facts

So just what are the facts?

In regard to the recent deluge of negative ads and fliers (see the previous post below) - - just in time for the Carroll County Primary election next Tuesday, September 12^th, 2006, just what are the facts? Best government is facilitated by an informed electorate. It is important that accurate information be disseminated in order for you to make the best vote possible for the future of Carroll County.

Just say NO to negative advertising.

When you receive a negative flier or read a negative ad, please compare it the flowing information obtained by KDDC – and spread the word:

Education

In the last four years, seven major educational buildings have opened or begun the construction process. Parr’s Ridge Elementary – open

Ebb Valley Elementary – under construction

New high school in North Carroll – site under negotiation

New middle school in South Carroll – site under state review

Nursing and Allied Health Building, Carroll Community College – open

Classroom #4, Carroll Community College – architect selected

Finksburg Library – under construction

*More than $20 million spent to provide full-day kindergarten countywide

Roads

In the last four years, the Commissioners have spent or committed more than $36 million to resurface or rebuild 216 miles of roadway, including new roads and bridge projects. Included are:

Rt. 32 between Rt. 26 and Malcolm Drive/Piney Ridge Parkway (County is paying $2.5 million, or half of the total cost); South Pleasant Valley ($2.3 million), Obrecht Road, from 97 to White Rock ($2.3 million); Piney Ridge Parkway ($400,000); Shepard’s Mill Road ($4.77 million); Gorsuch Road roundabout

Commissioners also facilitated construction of the Hampstead Bypass.

Parks

In the last four years, more than $11 million has been approved for new recreational facilities. Large projects include: Leister, Krimgold, West Carroll Regional parks, as well as Bark Hill ball fields and a gymnasium for the new South Carroll Senior Center.

Other projects:

Ball field improvements at 20 parks or schools

Playgrounds at 5 elementary schools

Walking trails at 3 parks

Cape Horn Park

North Carroll Senior and Community Center

Hap Baker Pistol Range

Piney Run new pavilion

Equestrian Center ring improvements and new storage unit

Hashawha renovations

Equipment for the Carroll Arts Center

Water

Once system expansion is complete, the county will have an additional 4.5 million gallons of water capacity from Liberty Reservoir and new wells. In addition, the Commissioners are seeking required state and federal support for Gillis Falls and Union Mills reservoirs.

Salaries

Department heads in Carroll County earn at least 20% less than their counterparts in neighboring counties. Only 3 county employees earn more than $100,000. All have 20+ years of service. They are the chief of staff, director of general services, and director of public works.

In 2002, two people served as chief of staff (executive assistant and special assistant). Together they earned $155,377. In 2006, the sole chief of staff earns $116,439.

Pension plan

Under the Carroll County Pension Plan, a person with 30 years of service earning $30,000 would receive an estimated $525 a month. A State of Maryland employee with the same salary and years of service would receive $1,350 a month; a Frederick County employee would receive $1,500 monthly.

Hotels

County employees who attend conferences that require overnight stays are allotted $240 per night. Any expense over that amount is reimbursed by the employee. (Copies of personal reimbursement checks are attached to credit card statements for verification purposes.)

Special assistant Tim Feeser has never stayed at the Hyatt in Cambridge.

Credit cards

Credit cards have been issued by the County since the 1980s. They are not for personal use. They are for the sole purpose of paying for budgeted items. The Comptroller monitors and approves all payments.

$119 spent at the Treat Shop was for a hospitality basket purchased by the Department of Economic Development to welcome a new business.

The County paid for representatives of Standard & Poor, Moody’s, and Fitch bond-rating agencies to eat at the Antrim in Taneytown. The bill for 17 people totaled $1,579.43. The county’s positive bond rating allowed taxpayers to save at least $1.5 million in interest that year.

Travel

The County has not funded any oversees travel by Commissioners in the past four years. As an elected officer of the National Association of Counties, Commissioner Gouge represented Maryland at an annual conference in Hawaii in 2005. She provided her own air fare and meals. The County paid for the registration fee and hotel room for her during the conference.

Access to public records

As required under Maryland’s Public Information Act, all requests for information are fulfilled within 30 days. Access to public records is not restricted. Visitors to the County Office Building are allowed to enter any department. Bailiffs were assigned at the building’s entrance following 9/11 for the protection of the public, public records, and county employees.

Taxes

The Board of County Commissioners lowered the amount a homeowner’s property taxes can increase by 3 percentage points. They instituted a tax credit for senior citizens. They have never proposed legislation for a personal property tax.

Growth

The number of new housing units permitted has dropped from 1,294 in FY03 to 737 in FY06. Buildings approved for construction under the previous board will continue to be built into 2008.

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