Why Voters Should Vote For Me

For St. Mary’s Commissioner President


By Merl Evans

Candidate for Democratic Nomination

I’m a 55 year old life long resident of St Mary’s County and live with my wife Susan in Valley Lee.  Susan and I have been married for 35 years. I have two daughters and three grand children.  I attended Great Mills High School and St Mary’s College of Maryland.  I’m currently the President of A.M. Evans and Associates, a small business consultancy, and have been a successful business owner in St Mary’s since 1971. Susan is a teacher at Piney Point Elementary School.

In 1971, I was standing with my wife on the porch of the old California Post Office at the intersection of Old Rolling Road and Rt. 235. I was sharing with Susan my desire to open a small business in the immediate area but was concerned the location was much too far away from the down town business center of Lexington Park.  The short story I just shared is relevant only when you look at the intersection today, flanked by a K-Mart on one side and a Best-Buy on the other.  In 1971, few visionaries recognized the path growth would take in St Mary’s County.

I decided not to pursue my original business opportunity but rather to partner in a new small business in Lexington Park. A few years later I purchased the small business which had grown to the largest volume Montgomery Ward Sales Agency in the US. A business we grew from the ground up with the help of a national chain, hard work, tenacity, and the collaborative effort of its partners. Thus began my business career in St Mary’s. Since 1971 I’ve owned or partnered with 34 successful companies.

 In addition to my business background and experience, I have taken an active roll as a citizen partner in local government.  I’m currently a member of the St Mary’s County Planning Commission, Chamber of Commerce, Governmental Affairs Committee, Transferable Development Rights Task Force, Adequate Public Facilities Task Force, and Transportation Impact Fee Task Force and recently participated in “Reality Check for Southern Maryland”.  

In addition to local government I participate in local civic groups. I’m a member of the Salt and Pepper Group, Friends of the Library, Friends of St Clements Island Museum, Chesapeake Bay Lab, St Mary’s Water Shed Association, the Sheriffs Advisory Board and I’m the past President of the St Georges Hundred Optimist Club

   My continued participation in my St Mary’s County community as a business and civic leader has given me a solid foundation to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens I will represent as President of the County Commissioners.  

My top priority as the new President of the County Commissioners will be to help establish a vision for St Mary’s County. A “Comprehensive Growth Management Policy”, that recognizes healthy sustainable economic development, beneficial to the citizens and businesses of St Mary’s while preserving our quality of life.

A policy that identifies essential elements to include education, public safety, transportation, water and sewer, fire and rescue, affordable and workforce housing, land preservation, the environment, social and senior needs

A policy that recognizes the need to direct growth to our development districts, and supports and encourages “Smart Growth” techniques including better use of “Mixed Growth” development procedures in our designated village and town centers and addresses the need for necessary infrastructure (roads, water and sewer)

A policy that states exactly, where growth will occur, how much and at what rate.

A policy that recognizes the need to provide adequate funding,  in a timely manner generated from a broad base revenue structure that is equitable to all citizens.  

As the new County Commissioner President I recognize the need to rebuild the partnership between local officials and our state legislators.  

In the past several years we have seen a tremendous move towards more active participation by citizen groups in regard to land use and growth issues that were not being addressed by local government. The most recent TDR Task Force and the upcoming APF and Work Force Housing Task Force committees sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce are but a few

As the President of the St Mary’s County Commissioners I make this commitment to the citizens of St Mary’s County...   Task forces and committees impaneled by the St Mary’s County Commissioners, can at the completion of their work expect to be heard in a timely fashion.  Further,  when I’m elected it is my intention to ask for a complete list of any unfinished business or issues that are the responsibility of the County Commissioners and begin to systematically move through those unfinished issues so we are able to focus on our future. 

It is the responsibility of the President to be a leader, a person who can gain consensus, through cooperation and understanding, to be diplomatic and not overbearing, to recognize he is one of five commissioners, all as important as the other, to understand he doesn’t process all the answers but brings to the table the ability to get them, to admit when he’s wrong., to do what is in the best interest of his community and  last but not least to continue to learn.. I process these skills and believe I’m the best choice for President of the St Mary’s County Commissioners.  

These are challenging times. While being passionate for change in St Mary’s is commendable. It simply isn’t enough. Decisions we make in the next four years will change the complexion of St Mary’s forever.

I work hard in my everyday life, I work hard for my community and I work hard for my local government. I’ll continue to work hard as the new County Commissioner President in the best interest of the citizens of St Mary’s.

Please try to find time to speak to each of the candidates, ask questions… expect answers… St Mary’s County deserves the best most qualified leaders. Please remember to vote September 12.