CAMPAIGN WEBSITE ADDRESS: http://www.evanslaughenhoupt.com
1. BUDGET: What are the top budget priorities for the next four years?
Government growth and government pension requirements concern me and need more effective management in the upcoming years. Public Safety, an essential function of local government and Education comprise the largest share of the General Fund, are also top priority considerations, and cause the most public discussion.
2. TAXES: How do you propose the county address the problem of reduced tax revenue – cut spending or raise tax rates? Be specific – what expenses, what taxes?
County tax rates should not be raised. Just as families reduce expenses during times of reduced income, the county government must also re-evaluate priorities and reduce spending. Activities currently performed by the government which the private sector could perform need reviewing for reduction, or handed-over to the private sector.
3. TRANSPORTATION: What are your best ideas for solving the traffic backups in Solomons on the Thomas Johnson Bridge in Solomons, and on Routes 4 in Prince Frederick and Dunkirk?
Before the pending bridge replacement in Solomons, we should offer incentives for the private sector to enhance busing or even a ferry operation. Establish a goal of improved safety and traffic flow (i.e., longer acceleration and deceleration lanes accompanying a legal U-Turn) that include closing deadly at-grade cross-overs.
4. CHILDREN AND YOUTH: Children currently lack afterschool activities and families are under more stress. Should the county fund the use of schools for afterschool activities?
No. Children and youth need greater influence of families, churches, and charities playing a larger role. There is a relationship where greater presence and involvement of government means a weakening of family, church and charity. That relationship is out-of-balance and needs changing to strengthen families, churches, and charities.
5. EDUCATION: The county’s formula for funding education is 50% of the total General Fund budget. Do you think it should be more or less than that? If you think it should be more, what other expenses would you cut?
I advocate revising the current funding formula whereas the county recently decided to continue with the same flawed formula. Pending a newly constructed formula, I would leave the current percentage unchanged. More so than money, authoritative parenting is most strongly related to higher achievement according to objective studies.
6. BUSINESS: How can Calvert County attract more high technology and clean industry and businesses to enlarge our tax base?
Maryland and Calvert County need to become more business friendly. County staff needs to become customer focused, define and deliver a process flow that guides would-be business owners, enhance and actually implement an improved Ethics code, and ensure citizens are treated fairly in an environment of transparency.
7. ECONOMIC GROWTH: What is your plan to facilitate the funding and building of an adequate conference and convention facility in Calvert County within the next five years to meet the needs of Calvert citizens? Do not use lack of funds to explain your answer.
Such a facility could negatively impact hosting events and activities at the Calvert Marine Museum and St. Leonard Firehouse. However, one approach other than Capital Improvement (tax dollars) would offer incentives for a private developer to construct such a facility centrally located on county-owned Prince Frederick property.
8. TERM LIMITS: What is your position on term limits for the BOCC? Explain.
Term-limits limit the right of citizens to choose representatives. Term-limits also deny citizens representation by talented individuals willing to serve. However, the single most effective means of term-limits is through an educated and enlightened voting public since politicians know when to enter politics, but not when to leave.
I APPROVE FOR PUBLICATION MY RESPONSE TO THIS QUESTIONNAIRE.
Signed: Evan K. Slaughenhoupt, Jr. Date _____July 17, 2010_____
