|
Press Releases
Press Release: Special assistant 7/26/10
Press Release:
Today I have filed for election as
County Commissioner 06/08/10
Press Release: After the General Election
11/14/06
Press Release:
After the Primary 09/13/06
Press Release 7/26/10
Recently one of the District 5 candidates has questioned my
decision to hire a full time special assistant when I was skeptical of
such hires several years ago. His attack ignores a simple reality of
what happened during the General Election of 2006.
The other two Republican primary winners in 2006 rejected the GOP
voters’ choice for me to stand for election in November of that year.
Instead they teamed up with one Democrat and proceeded to attack me
with nasty mudslinging and made up garbage. They used a political
action committee to run personal attack ads and put up bill boards all
over the county.
The people of Carroll County saw through these attacks and added me
to the Commissioner Board to serve as a check on the majority.
In this environment would it be logical for me to let Commissioners
Gouge and Minnich select my office assistant? Obviously, I needed
someone working for me and the tax payers who would watch my back and
stand up for my approach to serving the public. An approach of putting
the interest of the people first.
Each Commissioner has the choice of whether to hire a full time
special assistant or a part time assistant. With the work schedule I
intended to maintain, I knew that a full time special assistant would
provide the level of support needed.
My special assistant Amanda Boyd Miller has proven herself to be an
incredibly valuable asset not only to me but also to the people of
Carroll County. I can count on her to help me in the area of
constituent service. We receive calls on a regular basis with concerns
that some aspect of county government may not be functioning
correctly.
Another key duty area for Mrs. Miller is conducting independent
research into substantive policy matters. She manages my schedule
which is a huge task. She attends various meeting on my behalf. With
her prior experience in state government in the General Assembly and
with the Ehrlich Administration, she’s offered me keen insight into
our Board interaction with Annapolis.
Each Commissioner should choose for her or himself what level of
support each believes is needed to serve the people effectively. It is
way more complicated than simply how many hours someone works. The
real question should be what value any Commissioner or any staff
brings to serving the people?
The election of 2010 is the opportunity for the people to express
their judgment on my service. I will respect their verdict even as I
seek their votes in the Republican Primary on Sept. 14th.
Press Release 6-8-10
Today I have filed for election as County Commissioner to represent
the people of Eldersburg and Sykesville in District 5.
The past three and half years it has been an honor and privilege to
serve as Commissioner elected in an at large election in 2006. As the
county moves into this new district based form of government, it is
time to take stock of those things that are working well and need to
be maintained and those things that are not working as well and need
significant change.
In general we have a wonderful county with many strong families,
businesses and institutions. We can take pride in an excellent school
system. Our schools spend less per pupil than our neighboring
counties, but achieve superior results. We have an outstanding library
system that just gets better year after year. We have strong law
enforcement services from both our Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland
State Police.
However, we have some key areas that need improvement. One of the
key areas for improvement would be in the area of taxes and spending.
In my campaign for Commissioner four years ago I discussed common
sense relief from taxes and common sense reductions in spending.
As Commissioner, it has been my consistent goal to bring meaningful
tax relief to the citizens. Unfortunately, the other two Commissioners
have been slow to embrace this calling. Earlier this year the entire
Board did vote for a reduction in the cap on the homestead tax credit
from 7% to 5%. This is a helpful step that will benefit the citizens
of the county when the real estate market recovers.
In the area of spending reductions, I’m actually the only member of
the current Board to offer specific written reduction plans for the
county budget. Some of these suggestions enjoyed majority Board
support. Some did not.
One key budgeting decision for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget was
whether to shift 9 Resident Trooper positions into 9 Deputy Sheriff
positions. The budget department calculated that the county tax payers
would save $45,000 per year for each position shifted. Ultimately, the
majority of the Board rejected this approach and chose to maintain the
status quo of 45 Resident Troopers.
I’ve actually called for elimination of Resident Troopers in favor
of an expanded Sheriff’s Office. It is clear that this transition
would benefit the citizens of Carroll both financially and in terms of
unifying the delivery of services.
As we approach of time of institutional change in our form of
government, the people of Eldersburg and Sykesville deserve strong
leadership and representation. My record of service makes it clear
that my campaign theme of "A Leader Who Listens" is no mere slogan. It
is rather a philosophy and an approach to serving our community. In
2010 I am asking for the votes of Republicans in the September 14th
primary.
PRESS RELEASE 11-14-06
What an amazing experience! The people of Carroll spoke loud and
clear with their votes. They have rejected a series of nasty personal
attacks made by a bitter few.
The voters have embraced a hopeful optimistic vision of
conservatism and cooperation. I greatly appreciate the people choosing
me to be one of their next Commissioners.
Now we must look beyond the petty personal attacks of the past. We
must, instead, reach out to grasp the sort of changes and reforms the
voters have entrusted to us.
For me, this means new taxes like the Transfer Tax are off the
table. It means we must target our education spending to the
classroom. It means a more cooperative connection between the
Commissioners and our State Representation.
Let’s get to work on the people’s business. Our list of challenges
is long, but my determination to turn them into opportunities is
strong.
PRESS RELEASE 9-13-06
Based on returns published by the Election Board, it would appear
likely that I was the third place finisher for the Republican Primary
for Commissioner. I am hopefully optimistic that these numbers will
carry me through a review of absentee ballots.
Assuming that hope is realized, I plan to engage in a comprehensive
countywide General Election campaign. I take nothing for granted.
This primary experience has been a pleasure. I’ve made many new
friends and gained a new appreciation for different aspects of our
County.
I greatly appreciate the campaign efforts of all other candidates.
While the campaign was at times spirited, it was issue focused.
To my fellow challengers, I say, "Thanks for a fantastic effort and
for bringing some important questions to the public debate." To
Commissioner Perry Jones I say, "Thank you for many years of dedicated
and selfless service to the people of Carroll County."
To my fellow primary winners, I extend a hand of cooperation and
mature communication. I consider myself a teachable person. I’m sure
there is much Commissioners Gouge and Minnich can teach me in terms of
operating County Government.
On the other hand, perhaps there are some improvements with which I
can assist them. I am confident that I can be a bridge, relationally
and philosophically, to the Senators and Delegates who represent
Carroll County in Annapolis.
I’m confident that I can bring a fresh perspective to our many
challenges. I know that my legal background has equipped me with
abilities to probe and dig and make sure all relevant facts come to
light prior to making a decision.
Whoever the voters select as my fellow Commissioners, I’m confident
that we will be able to find common ground. I’m confident that we will
focus on completing the people’s business. I’m confident that we will
focus on bringing good jobs to the County through improved economic
development.
I’m hopeful for a cooperative relationship with the Board of
Education and a renewed focus on targeting spending initiatives to the
classroom. I’m hopeful that we can expand tax relief for homeowners.
These will be my campaign issues between now and the General
Election in November. I ask for the support of all voters regardless
of party and regardless of who enjoyed their primary support.
I wish to thank my dedicated volunteers. I didn’t have the most
volunteers in this primary, but their faithfulness and cheerfulness in
this election season more than made up for their relatively smaller
numbers.
I especially want to thank my Treasurer, Kent Johnson, for going
above and beyond. There are others who are deserving of thanks, but I
think I’ll let those other expressions be handled privately.
Finally, I wish to thank everyone who voted on September 12th,
regardless of party or who enjoyed your support. I especially
appreciate those who touched the screen for Zimmer. I appreciate that
support. I will work hard to earn the votes needed to win in November.
MICHAEL D. ZIMMER
"A Leader Who Listens"
|
