Leonardtown Report:

By St. Mary's Commissioner Larry Jarboe

A Full House United

 Whether playing poker or participating in politics, we must deal with the hand that we are dealt. Following this election, we continue to
have a full house, three of a kind and two of a kind, at the St. Mary’s County Commissioners’ table.

This is the same successful dynamic that we have had over the past four years, but Kenny Dement and I are now in the minority party status.

Personally, I see this slight local shift as a great opportunity to move more quickly ahead with transportation, affordable housing, and growth
issues in St. Mary’s County.

Nationally, the Democrats have two years to sever our addiction to the Big Oil corporations that got us into this mess in the first place.

Our need to consume Middle Eastern oil created such wealth for the Arab nations that they condone and subsidize terrorists and their weapons
that are killing our troops and innocent civilians every day. New energy technologies are available to return these robber barons to shepherd
status begging to the hard working Israelis for assistance.

Both Presidents Reagan and Clinton had Congresses dominated by the opposition party. Their tenure of office was marked by economic
prosperity and national stability. Though I wish our new Federal elected officials well, they must overcome the next wave of oil price hikes that
is going to tumble our economy into recession. Do you really think the pre-election pump price will last? Already, the price is inching up.

The new Democratic Congress will be blamed for this economic downfall caused by the greed of the major oil corporations. However, there is
a new hired gun in Washington D.C. The selection of Congressman Steny Hoyer to the House majority leader position is not only a real benefit
for Southern Maryland, but may be a long term success for the entire United States.

If Congressman Hoyer and his majority can provide incentives to initiate American energy independence with new energy technologies that
are both clean and renewable, the American public will see benefits for many future generations.

Statewide, the one party system has returned with Democratic domination of Annapolis executive, legislative, and judicial offices. Does anyone
not think that higher property and income taxes might be the forecast? Will they increase the sales tax? Have they changed their minds
regarding the ethics of slot machines at the racetracks?

Fortunately, the local and State Democrats promised a rail solution for transportation gridlock. With a working railroad and freight train traveling
through Charles County, passenger rail must be right around the bend, no excuses.

Thanks to Congressman Hoyer’s support for the Patuxent River Navy Base and Webster Field, we have a two party system in St. Mary’s County.
The new Republican contractors and their families are joining with the conservative Southern Democratic County residents to provide a
bi-partisan base of support for conservative values.

However, all County residents want the number one quality of life we enjoy to be maintained.

I look forward to working with our new Board President, Capt. Jack Russell, in crafting new initiatives that will specifically benefit our local families.
We must continue to cap tax rates and sustain reasonable managed growth. I believe we have an exciting tenure to look forward to as we strive
to keep St. Mary’s County such a fine place to live, work, and retire in.

The strength of a full house is not about separating the two parts of the hand that was dealt but playing them together.