HUBSCHER: Two and a half years ago at public hearings and in the press, I vented my concerns about uncontrolled spending, misplaced priorities, and poor management of our County government. I told the Commissioners to make budget decisions based on the public’s interest … to bring forth a balanced budget … and not to use poor budgeting as a means of advocating various tax increases. They didn’t listen and that’s why I’m running. I believe we really need to get serious about getting the most out of every tax dollar. We need to change the fiscal course set by the current Board. In Maryland and in St. Mary’s County, our elected officials don’t have the power to "make money" as the Federal Government does … our elected officials must always remember that it is the average person out there on the streets that pays, and pays, and pays because of uncontrolled spending and higher taxes. I’ll be the "taxpayer’s advocate" and a junkyard bulldog when it comes to scrutinizing budgets and spending. I’ll always remember from whose pocket the money comes. NO. I’ll not raise taxes. One of my first proposals will be to place a "property tax cap" on the primary residences of senior citizens 65 years of age. Then, will go from there.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: Do you have any other specific initiatives for fiscal reform?

HUBSCHER: Yes. I’ve reviewed the budget and have a list of a dozen or more budget reduction initiatives I’d like to see adopted. For example: (1) I believe we can forego expansion of the Commissioner’s meeting room. If a larger room is necessary, one of our existing public facilities can be used, and we’ll save over a $1 million. (2) Between 2000 and 2002, "Miscellaneous Expenses" increased from $2.6 to $3.6 million in the budget … freeze miscellaneous expenses at $2.6 million or lower. (3) What happens when funds are allocated for personnel that are never hired or when vacancies occur during the year? A rather small 3% vacancy rate translates to over $l million. While not picking on any one Department, these are relatively easy ways of saving millions of dollars. And, I’m sure there are some pet projects funded by the current Board that wouldn’t have seen the light of day if the money were coming out of the Commissioners’ pockets rather than the taxpayer’s. Once the proper tone is set, I’m confident the County Administrator and Department heads will come around. The Commissioners have to reinforce the notion that the taxpayers want fiscal accountability and the elimination of wasteful spending. Everyone in County government can contribute in achieving that objective.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: Will you as a commissioner fully fund the school board budget request?

HUBSCHER: When I ran for the school board in the last election, I said our children are our most valuable asset. That still holds. I support the local maintenance of effort in state education funding as our baseline for determining initial funding thresholds in Maryland. Beyond that, I feel the school board needs to articulate to the Commissioners and the taxpayers their justification for additional funding. I’ll do all in my power to see to it that education is adequately funded. One of my opponents seems to favor legislation that will restrict and hamstring the school board and the superintendent in the administration of budgeted funds. We don’t need to tie the hands of the people we elect to safeguard and look after our children. We need to work cooperatively with the school board and the superintendent. The school board and the superintendent, like each Commissioner, are responsible for the administration of sound fiscal policies that direct precious resources to where they are most needed. None of us has the power to print money … we all have to live within our means. Having said this, the education programs will continue to be my #1 priority.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: Do you think of the number of highly paid school administrators are appropriate? Do you favor teachers making a higher salary and reducing class sizes?

HUBSCHER: My general feeling is that the greatest priority for education is in the classroom … that’s where our precious resources should be directed … where the kids are. We need to support high standards for teacher certification, flexible class size ratios, increased use of advancing technology in our schools, up to date textbooks, and a safe, weapon-free and drug-free school environment. Teachers are the front-line of the education process, and have first-hand experience on the effectiveness of curriculum, materials, and the overall educational policies - we need to maximize their input and reward them accordingly.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: The state prosecutor is now investigating the disappearance of $80,000 in missing property under the custody of the Sheriff. Expenditures for luxury Ford Expeditions and uncontrolled overtime have been reported as possible abuses or wasteful spending. What will you do to gain accountability to the taxpayers for the operation of the Sheriff’s Department? Do you favor the creation of a county police department and reduce the Sheriff down to guarding courts and serving papers?

HUBSCHER: This year we will elect a new Sheriff. The voters will decide who is best qualified to lead our law enforcement efforts. Once the decision is made, we need to support the new Sheriff’s efforts at implementing his direction of that Department. I am sure significant changes will occur, whoever is elected. This may, or may not, involve restructuring of the Department. It might require greater attention to fiscal details and more efficient use of available funds. Right now we don’t have all the answers, or all the questions for that matter. Many will become clear as new leadership emerges. We need to support that leadership in a cooperative and respectful manner. I believe the decision on whether St. Mary’s needs a county police department is one for the voters to decide at some time in the future. However, I will note that police departments, per se, are not "the solution" to all the problems in law enforcement that some may think they are. Just look a little further north toward P.G. County, and you’ll see what I mean.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: What will you do with Myrtle Point?

HUBSCHER: I feel Myrtle Point is a crown jewel. Yes, I know some think it’s being used as an expensive buffer for special interest environmentalist elites living nearby. When I think of Myrtle Point, I think of the relationship between a doctor and a patient. The County, as the doctor, should be careful to do no harm to this pristine waterfront. That’s first and foremost. Now, if the taxpayer-patient believes a little development is in order … say, to get access to the water, or a fishing pier … let it be said, and let it be done! If the new Board believes more dialogue with the people is needed before moving forward, I’d encourage it. I would also not stand in the way if adequate planning and public input has occurred. With a new Board, I would err on the side of a little more public input.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: The comprehensive plan has taken more than 4 years to develop and pass and now it may be thrown out due to the current board not following ethics rules and financial disclosure laws. Will you vote to reinstate the old planning ordinance?

HUBSCHER: I’m not too sure that a vote would be required. Seems to me if the current comprehensive plan were invalidated, perhaps the former ordinance would automatically take hold as a matter of law. There are some serious legal issues and consequences that would first need to be thought out and analyzed. Once that is done, the new Board could move forward. Personally, I don’t favor wasting the taxpayers time and money redoing, redoing, redoing … it’s an area we would have to tread very carefully.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: What do you think about the rural density issue?

HUBSCHER: First, I strongly believe in defending personal property rights of our current landowners. Under our Constitution and form of government, they are due and entitled to protection of these rights. If property rights are taken, just compensation is required. But, I believe that reason and voluntary programs of restricting development in the rural areas is by far the best course. We should be able to work with our farmers and landowners to develop programs that will achieve mutually satisfactory results. Secondly, I favor smart growth initiatives … directing growth toward our town centers as much as is feasible. The obvious benefits of smart growth are retention of our rural character and support in Annapolis for funding of local needs that otherwise may be in jeopardy.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: Do you think the 1 home to five acre ratio was the best alternative to meet rural density goals?

HUBSCHER: I’m a little cautious on this issue. I don’t believe we should be overly restrictive in our zoning, but am concerned that we make sure a train wreck is not just around the bend. We need to protect our environment and rural character for future generations. If I had to make a decision based upon what I know now, I would err on the 1 to 10 acre density. That’s a simplistic answer. An inventory of buildable lots coupled with an updated comprehensive plan would go a long way to defining where we should be headed.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: What do you think of initiatives such as light rail to reduce highway congestion? Do you have any other ideas or solutions?

HUBSCHER: A look back in time occasionally helps us to focus. My grandfather immigrated to America from Vienna as a young boy in 1887. He lived to 78 years of age, raised a large family, and never drove an automobile. His life evolved around and was dependent on mass transit. He died almost 50 years ago. During his time hitching posts and watering troughs for horses were commonly seen as were farmers delivering their goods in wagons. Those days are long gone. But, I believe it remarkable that a man could do what my grandfather did without an automobile … could you? St. Mary’s is a peninsula surrounded by water … a geographic chokehold on the land and its people … a destination point, rather than a stop-off place going down the highway. So, St. Mary’s stands to gain the most if light rail or other forms of viable mass transit take hold. We should support light rail in partnership with counties to the north. This means protecting our easements along the railroad right-of-way. It’s something that requires a regional approach in bringing it to fruition. A goal worthy of the hard work and planning required to pull it off. Far more practical and beneficial than another bridge across the Patuxent. That being said, we cannot loose sight of our current highways, which are continually in need of maintenance and attention.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: The current board raised impact fees from $2,000 to $4,500 for residential building permits, while not 1 red cent is being assessed to commercial development. Do you concur with this approach? Will you support a redistribution of this tax?

HUBSCHER: The purpose of the impact fee is to fund upfront some of the infrastructure costs associated with a growing population. I see nothing wrong with commercial development sharing some of that burden. Commercial and residential development goes hand in hand in most jurisdictions. I know for a fact that commercial development is an attraction to new families coming into our communities. We need to look closely at what is fair and try to recoup an appropriate sum for infrastructure costs. Charles Co. is putting into place a new mechanism for impact fees that will spread such costs over a number of years, rather than lump sum … perhaps we can learn something from that.

ST. MARY’S TODAY: What do you think of the issue of affordable housing and has the policies of the current Board of increasing taxes and cost of housing created the so-called problem?