Carroll County, MD Board of County Commissioners Open Sessions, 12 Jan 2021

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From YouTube: State of the County 2021

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Have to raise an italian at nine o'clock exactly so. We know that he's ready.

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Going to be good.

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Hello, I'm mike mcmullen, president of the carroll county chamber of commerce. I want to welcome you.

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To the annual tradition of our state of the county address where we hear from all five.

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Of our commissioners covet 19 has really done a number to us. Normally, we would be at the carol.

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Arts center with about 200 folks, applauding their every word uh right now. We've got we're all here.

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In this room- and there aren't that many of us but there's you at home that are going to get.

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To watch this and those that watch this after the fact we're going to get through covet 19 together.

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There's no question about it: we've survived so many things the chamber's been around since 1924.

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So I like to tell people we made it through the great depression world war ii.

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All the other wars we're going to make it through this as well, but we're going to do it together.

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So the message that I send out all the time is what's happened. Now is small businesses.

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Have been hurt, restaurants have been hurt and it's pushed us into the arms of amazon.

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And everybody uses amazon, I use it once in a while, but we have to keep in mind the small.

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Business community- they are the ones that we rely on to pay taxes to give to the different.

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Non-Profits in the area and to keep folks employed here so whenever you can spend your money, local.

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You can go to our website carrollcountychamber.org, we have about 625 different actual members and.

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These folks need your help and if you want some of these little restaurants that you love to be there.

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After the fact go, buy gift cards now get some actual carryout do whatever you can. So, as the.

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Norm normally, what we would do is um bring up and we're going to bring up now. Our current chair of.

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The board and thank him for serving during a very difficult year- and that is mr dennis twig,.

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Dennis come on up dennis as he walks up around. I have a plaque to give to him as a thank you.

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For all that, he's done for us a very nice plaque, mr dennis come up here. Thank you, sir.

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Dennis swig, chair of the board, give me a little fist pump and I turn him over to you, sir.

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Thank you mike. Thank you all for attending, in whatever capacity you're able to attend today.

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Before I accepted uh being chair of the board, I actually talked to a number of past.

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Chairs, uh including steve aquino who's going to be the current chair in about 10 minutes.

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He did his best to tell me what to expect about serving in this role, and we talked about the.

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Extra work, extra meetings and going to live events and steve- you didn't do quite a great.

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Job preparing for this year because you didn't predict covid, but that being said, um we adapted.

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And we at the chamber have done our best to pivot into a digital space to be there for our business.

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Community and our constituency, to whatever extent that we can be um we've expanded our staff and.

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I think that between mike and peggy and becky, they've done a great job being a great resource.

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For this community and its membership, I'd like to thank all the people who stuck with us and.

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All the people that have participated in the chamber in this year, I'll always.

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Remember it for being the chair, but also by the different capacity in which we all participated.

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And it was a great honor and privilege to serve as a chair in this most unusual of years.

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I'd also like to thank m t bank for sponsoring this event.

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And I'd like to introduce mark blackston to talk a few minutes about the bank.

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Mark come on up. Thank you.

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Thank you for the kind introduction dennis and on behalf of m t bank and my carroll.

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County colleagues, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to again sponsor today's state of.

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The county address, which obviously we said, is a little bit different, but really doesn't change.

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The great messages that we all hear and enjoy from many years past that we've gathered together.

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As dennis said, my name is mark blackson, I'm an administrative vice president and proudly lead the.

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Business banking team of professionals that are 100 focused on small business, their owners and.

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Employees, as many said, 2020 was an extraordinary year for all of us. We've all had to find ways to.

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Work differently to learn differently and a family differently. And while we are continuing to adjust.

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To this new normal, so many others have continued to keep the engine running and especially our.

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Front lines, and I would be remiss if I didn't take the opportunity here to seize the moment and thank.

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And thank again, they can't be thanked enough. Quite frankly, the members of our medical community, our.

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First responders, our military, our teachers, our groceries and food service workers and.

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Many many others that have kept our country running since early 2020. But what about small.

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Businesses mike mentioned them earlier, our small business community and the employees and families.

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That these important businesses serve continue to be impacted by these unprecedented times.

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But there have been many bright spots. A particular note was the passing of the.

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Cares act which provided needed resources in the form of idle loans and paycheck protection loans.

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And put dollars into the hands of these much needed businesses back in april m t bank was.

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One of 5400 bank and non-bank institutions that stepped up to assist qualified business.

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To put through uh forgivable capital in the form of ppp loans, according to recent sba data banks.

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Facilitated ppp loans to over 5.2 million businesses totaling over 525 billion dollars.

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For m t m t's part, my colleagues and I were proud to be a top 10 provider of ppp funding in the u.s.

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I know from first-hand experience our local m t team worked day and night during that time.

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To continue to process ppp applications for our valued clients, we assisted over 35 000 businesses.

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At m t so many right here in carroll county with over 7 billion dollars and that directly impacted.

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765 000 employees, but our work is not even is not over and it's not even close since early.

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September m t and my colleagues have been working closely with these businesses to help work through.

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The next phase, which has been forgiveness, so we're processing a lot of those applications as we speak.

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So, where are we today? As many of you have heard, congress recently passed the economic aid act.

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Earmarking, an additional 284 billion dollars for ppp loans to further support the hardest.

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Hit smallest businesses non-profits venues that continue to struggle in the current.

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Pandemic m t continues to stand ready, uh we're hoping to open our portal very soon. um The sba.

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Actually authorized small business and small lenders to open up yesterday, so there are some.

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Out there that are already accepting, but m t will be ready to to do that very shortly.

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As as we approach the end of the the end of the year or actually beginning of the year,.

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We'll continue to be here to serve so with that I'll say. Thank you again for the opportunity to.

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Sponsor this annual update, I'm wishing each of you a very happy healthy and hopefully even a.

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Fun-Filled new year- and I would wouldn't be able to end this without saying- go ravens so.

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Wishing them the best of luck as they head into their playoff game this weekend.

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Thank you very much and thanks to the chamber and dennis I'll turn it back to you.

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Thank you mark it's my pleasure to call the once and future chair of the board steve.

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There you go aquino right.

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Well, thank you very much dennis I appreciate it. um It truly is an honor to be serving again. This.

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Year as the chairman of the board of the carroll county chamber of commerce, again, I'm steve aquino.

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I'm a small business owner. I have a little wealth management, um independent financial planning, firm.

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Right here in westminster, financial group, um I've been a member of the chamber for for many years.

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um I mean probably going back to the early 2000s and I joined the board shortly after that. um You.

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Know it's been an amazing ride and it's amazing to be here. 10 years later, I remember sitting back.

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On the stage at the art center, the first time going back there 10 years ago, mike mcmullen was.

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Coming to his first year, you know that year we had many challenges going in. We only had about.

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400 and something members that were members of the carroll county county chamber of commerce- and we.

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Had a whole new way of doing things mike did a fantastic job, and I thank mike for all the hard.

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Work that you've done to be able to grow to our membership, where it is today of over 600 members.

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Now it's very important to look at it from a perspective of you know what the membership does.

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You know what we do for the membership and the different uh benefits that we provide. um You know.

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We had great leadership over those years to get us that point. You know with you know before last year,.

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With dennis, as you know, coming into a very unusual time so again, 10 years later now we're going to be.

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Dealing with another unusual times of how we're going to be able to provide benefits, I'm actually.

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Excited about this year coming forward, you know we're taking unique stances and unique ways.

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Of providing you know those different benefits, whether it's promoting your business, helping small.

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Businesses, shopping, local and all those types of things you know the chamber, you know comes.

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Together, you know for the community, we help each other and it's very important that we continue to.

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Do that through the different leadership programs, that we provide the different types of things that.

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We do for the community acknowledgements different types of recognitions for what we do as a whole.

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As a community and also for our member member benefits, so you know we have to keep continuing.

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To do that, I'm excited to be a part of that, and you know being able to you know, continue what.

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We've done make the changes that we need to make, but you know one thing you have to always remember.

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Is you know to shop local, you know to help those businesses that are really hurting bad.

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um You know, and I think that you know by doing that, we'll be able to be able to grow as a.

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Community or grow as membership um and continue to you know be able to provide back to the community.

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There's a lot that we can be able to give back, especially our non-profit members. um You know.

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So if you know people that that are out there, that aren't members of the chamber, please reach.

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Out to mike reach out to peggy reach out to becky, see what those benefits are, how we can.

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Help you through these hard times, um you know if you're you know, know somebody who's, not a member.

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You know give them the information, get them a hold of get them to get a hold of mike. Also, uh you know.

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As we go through it because we're not part of any kind of national chamber, we're not part of.

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Any kind of state chamber we're local here for the community and for our local small businesses.

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And the businesses that are around us, so I'm very excited you know of what's going to be happening.

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This year, um you know again it's an honor and privilege to be serving again. Ten years later,.

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You know we got a lot of new things that are going on, so please keep an eye for all the notifications.

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That you know that mike's sending out- or you know, peggy or becky of the different events um that we.

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Do whether it's on zoom, you know, hopefully we're going to get back to doing things live.

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um But we're still going forward we're still providing all the same kind of great benefits.

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To all of our members, so with that being said, thank you so much um I'm excited about this year.

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And now it's time to be able to introduce the president of the board of the commissioners.

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Commissioner, ed rockstein to begin the 2021 state of the county address. Thank you very much.

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I appreciate that applause.

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Mike, thank you once again for all that you're doing for the chamber.

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And dennis again uh great messages uh mark thanks for the sponsorship and m t supporting our great.

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Community steve, congratulations once again uh before I start. I just want to share that. Let's.

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Continue to have our thoughts and prayers for those that are challenged through this.

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Pandemic and give them strength, give their families and friends strength and courage.

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As they're fighting through some of the difficult times, they're with them today and lie in front of.

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Us I'm going to try and do some of this without my glasses, but no matter how big this font is. I.

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Think I'm going to still need these glasses over the next couple minutes but good morning it's an.

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Honor and privilege to kick off this year's carroll county state of the county address.

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The venue may have changed, but the intent remains the same to provide you with our candid thoughts.

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And insight on how we see the state of the county and community while being transparent, open, open.

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And honest with all that we do after my comments, we will be in the order of districts. Four three.

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Two and one with our past president commissioner, wants, as our cleanup recently a co-worker mentor.

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Of mine, whether she knows that last bit or not share with me that she starts every year.

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With a resolution by choosing a word now, some of those words may be hope. Joy praise. I thought about.

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This and I said what should my word be for this year and it's citizenship- it's not necessarily.

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Citizenship on what I do, but it's it's um leading through citizenship. It's sharing the importance of.

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Citizenship: it's communicating everything we do on making carroll county stronger through.

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Citizenship you've heard me say before I use the list and learn lead approach and it's time to.

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Lead and lead with citizenship and share that the best I can our currently is in challenging times.

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And faces more challenges ahead, but I'm absolute certain that our carroll counties are resilient.

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And I have unwavering confidence that we will get through this together.

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To use an analogy of books of a bookshelf, and you gotta picture this with bookshelf and bookends on.

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Each side and a whole bunch of books on the one side 2020 those books are vertical. We started off.

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Very strong we were well, we were employed, we were prosperous. Things were going very well. Well, then,.

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There's this pandemic hit and some of those books fell down in the middle and those books falling.

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Down in the middle was over those last nine months. That's life, that's some of our own choices, but.

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It's also what the pandemic has hit us with. I'm absolutely convinced that by pushing the bookends.

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Back together, we will get those books back to vertical. In my honest opinion, the state.

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Of the county has a few books, as I shared that have fallen by the side, so specifically.

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Those books include our personal health, our employment schools, businesses, restaurants, etc.

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Therefore, for me to say that the state of the county and stand here and tell you that the.

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State of the county is currently strong would be misleading. With that said, I believe that carroll.

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Countians are extremely resilient and that by working together, neighbor to neighbor these.

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Books will become vertical. Once again, we will be successful through county citizenship between our.

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Partnerships with government, local state and federal with a huge shout out to ed singer and.

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Health department, team and all they're doing and keeping us safe our businesses, our schools,.

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And most of all you, our community, who we serve, we will have a strong state of the county once again.

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Between now and then, we must navigate through some of these turbulent waters.

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That focus on our health, personal and economic well-being, an example of leading through these.

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Waters has been the decision-making process and execution of the federal state and county funds.

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Federal funds, including the cares act, gave us about 29 million dollars that.

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Went to our health department and to our county government in response to the kobit 19 pandemic,.

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The county and uh excuse me, 1.2 million from the state most recently went to our local restaurants.

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And additional funds are going to our hotels and motels to support those six in inside the county.

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But once what I'm most proud of is in carroll county, our economic development team.

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In early march april, before state and federal funds became available, reacted.

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Or proacted and acted on the needs that small businesses and our restaurants in.

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Our community were going through, and these funds were very quick to turn around from acceptance to.

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Execution and they were made and it made the biggest difference. Excuse me they made a.

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Difference in the small businesses in restaurants, but what's going to make the biggest difference.

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And what shared from mike mcmullen and the others is your community by shopping and eating local and.

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Continuing to shop and eat local, as commissioner lance has said a few times, I ask that we continue.

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To focus our efforts on main street and not necessarily wall street, also with that said,.

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I would be remiss if I did not reflect on some of the successes that also occurred during 2020 2020.

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That does have the 2021 books on the shelf, starting out vertically early during the pandemic.

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Neighbors in our community struggled with unemployment as it skyrocketed working with.

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Our delegation and administration was critical for support and communications to those going.

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Through these challenges, also in partnership with howard county, we identified a way to support those.

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In need with a pragmatic approach that included multiple pop-up pantries, we were able to feed.

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Hundreds every weekend, through throughout carroll, county and established the community organization.

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Active in disasters or coed in south carroll county also, we work closely with the community.

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In partnership with the planning commission and our government team in preparation to make.

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Our final decisions in rezoning when it comes to commercials, industrial and unemployment campuses.

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This could never have been done without you and our community's commitment.

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Another highlight is successfully maintaining our aaa bond rating, which allows us to keep our.

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County fiscally strong for appropriate lending and investments that focus on our county needs.

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We ended the census, count being number one once again in maryland and ranked 24th.

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In the entire country, through partnership through with uh cc visa and others, we established for the.

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First time- and you can hear more about this in our county- the department of fire and ams.

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We conducted the groundbreaking of our carroll county career and tech center, just to name a.

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Few of the highlights from 2020.. Lastly, I'd be remiss if I didn't show appreciation to our entire.

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Carroll county team, their selflessness, integrity and commitment to our community is second to none.

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With that said, a specific and well-deserved shout out goes to my colleague, my friend and.

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Past president of our board, commissioner, steve lance steve's commitment over the over the past.

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Two years are second to none. His leadership is most highlighted during the past year.

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During these very challenging times in a continued state of emergency, steve has been consistent in.

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Keeping carroll counties first and foremost on his mind when making decisions and directions.

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Both internally and externally, I'd like to say that the past year has made his hair turn gray, but.

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Unfortunately, you need some of that hair to make that observation of value. Well, we will accomplish.

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Our priorities within carroll county that include having a budget that supports our community.

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Balancing our beautiful agricultural culture and economic business and growth, where it makes sense.

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And keeping safe and secure environment for all of us to be proud of these accomplishments may.

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Not all come easy, but I am confident that they are all obtainable in closing, just as I started, 2021.

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Focusing on the word citizenship, I challenge all of you to come up for a word of the year.

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And then also looking at what the county word may be, and it came up with courage, courage and.

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Focusing on having the courage to doing what's right, even when no one is looking courage, not.

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To give in to defeat his rhetoric or social media conspiracy theories courage to act getting through.

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These incredibly challenging times for yourself, your family, our friends and community, and courage.

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In partnership, at all times between all of us to strengthen the county, although the waters may be.

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Turbulent, I am confident once again through our collective courage. We all sail through them in in.

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Prosperity and success- I am proud, as always to be a carroll county, a marylander and an american and.

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Closing life is always good and, as I shared we'll be now followed by districts, four and then three.

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Two and then, commissioner lance our past president, will be clean up in district one. Thank you.

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Good morning, thank you, president. Rostein good morning, mr mcmillan carroll, county.

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And my colleagues, my subject is financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic as a business.

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Owner, like many others throughout the county, the burden to stay open and carry employees on payroll.

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Weighs heavy upon not only the resources but also the mind. Individuals throughout the county are.

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Struggling to adjust and juggle their modified or lost employment, kids, educational demands, as crash.

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Course, teachers and cope with the emotional psychological trauma of all this uncertainty.

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Every business owner of a heart and love for their employees, well-being, has endured many sleepless.

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Nights tossing restlessly praying for a break in the clouds to shine upon their financial survival.

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For they do not exist just to turn a profit, but also to means for employees to pay mortgages.

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Rent feed their children and ultimately enjoy the american dream of independence and fiscal security.

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Every holiday season, charles dickens, a christmas carol, plays on tv and numerous.

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Variations from the classic productions to mr magoo and even bill murray's scrooge.

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I try to watch them all, so the message of love and compassion.

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For everyone's fellow man maintains an indelible imprint upon my consciousness throughout the year.

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This past december, the message was more pertinent than ever before, with the surging virus infections.

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Fatalities lost employment and educational crisis. We all collectively breathe contrary to what some.

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Of our critics think we, the board of commissioners, are not cold and personal beings. We are parents.

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Grandparents, friends, neighbors and employers, like the constituents we were elected, to represent.

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Therefore, we withstand sleepless nights wondering how we are going to administer and finance ems.

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Public safety, education, solid waste and even things most people don't even consider like.

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Ensuring that old, deteriorating bridges do not collapse due to their projected life.

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Cycles being exceeded with that preface I will address the subject matter of fiscal uncertainty.

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Their county budget is structurally out of balance and out years for a long list of reasons from the.

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Individuals you elect to unfunded federal and state mandates. We locally have no control of, but.

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Must find ways to finance at the detriment of basic needs like public safety and road.

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Maintenance, it was tough before covet hit and the policies thereof have crippled their local economy.

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Now we debate and haggle over how to pay deputies and bus drivers.

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With minimum wage increases causing wage compression throughout the entire payroll system,.

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And maintaining buildings from deteriorating as this staff knows, I've been on building roofs.

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And fleet maintenance, garages under bridges and even hiking through the parks reviewing projects.

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Trying to see the perspective of our state, which has been entrusted to execute for the public good.

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Therefore, I can tell your county: employees are top-notch conscientious public servants.

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Committed to their duties, we do not run a top-heavy bureaucracy living large on the.

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Backs of hard-working taxpayers in carroll county, our local economy has stayed afloat.

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Due to the federal government, borrowing money on the international bond market.

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Which devalues the dollar and reduces available funding and subsequent budgets.

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Due to debt payments exponentially consume and discretionary spending in individual terms is.

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The equivalent to taking a very large mortgage and having less money to buy food clothing, et cetera.

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This has been the practice of saddlewear public, with an ever growing percentage of long-term debt.

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Financing projects constituents demand not knowing understanding or even caring about.

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The ramifications upon the future, all too often politicians lose courage and capitulate.

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To the pressures, for numerous reasons, lack of long-term fiscal knowledge wanting to be liked.

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And even imagine this desire to win an election folks, the allegedly free money is going to run.

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Out and only host for our fiscal salvation lies in allowing a private sector free market to thrive.

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As an admirer of the great alexander hamilton, who, by the way, was not a rapping stage, actor.

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I know the what recuperate our information from the destitute of revolutionary war.

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Debt and fiscal chaos, a free, thriving business community, where individuals keep more of their.

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Own money to invest, save and buy not more debt, more taxation and more regulations. Therefore,.

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It is distressing when government officials, both elected appointed or hired, continue to serve up.

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The antithesis of a cure only to perpetuate the miserying distress upon future generations at.

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Present our administration is facing the following responsibilities: without any known revenue.

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To surmail the ems takeover of 150 employees, deputies, teachers, staff, leaving due to lack of pay.

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Failing infrastructure, kerwin mandates, stormwater management law enforcement body, cams wage.

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Compression due to state mandates, 9-1-1 expansion, solid waste, recycle mandates, post employment.

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Liabilities and demands for more buildings, such as senior centers and a south carol precinct.

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U.S citizens do not have the ability, and neither should you to just go, take money from your.

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Neighbor, because you don't have the income to build a shed remodeled a kitchen or pave.

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The driveway, however, all too often this is what your government does to you. Our local government.

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Is faced with increasing pressure from those receiving public payroll to raise taxes, they want.

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An ems tax, a law enforcement tax, an educational tax and now the new word game of systems benefit.

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Tax, I sympathize with all those who need more pay, especially considering what is forthcoming.

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Economically, and that is inflation caused by the expansion of federal debt via stimulus checks, mark.

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My words and note them, the policies that have kept us afloat could possibly sink us in the.

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Future with inflation to all those calling for tax increases, it is too in simplistic and ignorant of.

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A solution void economic intellect concerning free markets. Our nation was founded upon, be forewarned.

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Even if we raise all those taxes to cover the shortfalls beating at our door, we'll just be in.

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A red again due to the leaders in annapolis and washington, who, without delay, pass more unfunded.

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Mandates on the local jurisdictions to budget is a vicious cycle driven by politicians at all.

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Levels now you must ask: what is the solution? One on the long term, stop electing so many government.

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Employees to be in charge of public finances, putting the fox in charge of guarding the hen.

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House results in less chickens, elect more private sector representatives from the business community.

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Two freeze all capital building projects that we legally can, such as the south carol precinct. Three.

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Freeze all ag preservation, which is clearly farmer, welfare subsidies, ag preservation, usurps funding.

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Of public safety and handicaps, commercial, industrial development severely lacking in.

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The county we have hobbled our property tax base with land that generates minimum tax.

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Fourth: link to solid waste and recycling costs, which fluctuates with market forces.

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Directly to haulers and users and fees, and not the ineptitude of creating a systems benefit.

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Tax have an absolutely zero tethering to the cause. Why solid waste is sinking into the red.

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Each subsequent year of the budget forecast fifth find ways to delay and or modify implementation.

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Of state mandates through legal research and consideration of the present state of emergency.

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In closing lord, be with us all as we enter the next crisis of this pandemic,.

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The fiscal aftermath and recovery of the process- thank you very much, and god bless.

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Thank you, commissioner. Boucher I'm going to apologize for having to.

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Hold this up, read it, but even with the glasses. I can't put it here and see it.

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That's just just the way it is. I feel sorry for weaver.

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I'd like to thank everyone for listening today, even if it is just virtual.

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However, it is the safest way to accomplish this mission today.

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I want to start by thanking the county workers. They have done a fantastic job throughout this.

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Pandemic the county office building was closed for a while people have had to work from home.

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Others would need to come in because the nature of their jobs, coveted protocols, were established.

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And followed and even physical barriers have been installed throughout it all the level of service.

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To the public has been exemplary, the balancing act has been achieved between service and safety.

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The county econ, the county's economic development department has also managed.

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Millions of dollars in grants to our businesses and restaurants and had the.

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Money into the hands of businesses before other counties even started looking at applications.

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On a side note, I know there have been a few glitches in the mail delivery and some checks.

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Were slowed down, that is not carroll, county's fault, carroll county has done a great job.

G

From audio video production to public works to technology services and all the departments.

G

In between every employee has done what was needed to make it work, and I thank you for that.

G

Now, what if something has not gone so well, how the board of education has handled the.

G

Pandemic first, let me state they are separately elected board and make the decisions on how to.

G

Run carroll county public schools, but that does not mean that I, as a county commissioner, should.

G

Sit idly by when I believe the safety of the county has been put in jeopardy.

G

I don't understand how they can go against the advice of the health officer.

G

And put children back in school during what is so far the height of the pandemic.

G

But perhaps worst well, maybe just is equally as bad as they have not even followed their.

G

Own motions in the december meeting, they voted to resume hybrid learning on january 7th. Only if the.

G

Metrics improved that vote didn't seem to matter in january 4th meeting when the motion was made.

G

To go back to hybrid because not only had the metrics not improved but have gotten much worse.

G

And still, they voted to send children back, and I do thank dr dr dorsey for a vote against it.

G

As I stated, and dr lockard's comments seem to agree that perhaps waiting about two weeks to.

G

See the numbers would peak and even start going down before sending children back into the.

G

Building might have been a prudent decision, the board of education seems to be hanging their hat.

G

On the facts that most people in the hospital from covet are now in the over 40 age group and.

G

Most deafs are an over 80 65 age group, but this is a pandemic. The concern is not just about the.

G

Number of children who may contract the virus and their ill effects, although that is a major concern.

G

But also about the children who may contract the virus be asymptomatic, as many people are.

G

And bring the fire virus home to their families and continue to spread. Additionally, some of those.

G

Family members may be in the over 40 age groups that in turn would send more people.

G

Into an already stressed hospital system and possibly cause more deaths, this is a pandemic.

G

You must think about our community when making decisions, and not just about one segment of it.

G

Now changing gears I'll move on to mass transit to get that now, since I've been a county commissioner.

G

Most common thing I've heard about the carroll county's mass transit system, is at the wait.

G

Time for too long to make it convenient to use well, actually, the most common thing I've heard.

G

About our mass transit system is carroll. County has a mass transit system. We do.

G

We're getting back to wait times when I start started on the transit advisory council wait times.

G

Are well over an hour and depending on what route and time of day, maybe even closer to two hours,.

G

But by better utilizing the buses we have and changing some routes, the wait time for almost.

G

All stops will be cut down to 30 minutes. You can't really expect better than that for mass transit.

G

And because we're using the hub and spoke system at least that's what I'm calling it.

G

You can take a bus from anywhere. We provide service to anywhere else in the county that.

G

We provide service because all passengers can be taken from the burke center, which is our hub.

G

And get on another bus to go anywhere else in the county. You want.

G

You have to check our website or call the county for the exact information.

G

Speaking of our website, if you haven't visited lately, you should it's much easier to navigate and.

G

Find out what you're, looking for when we're in the process of the redesign, I said we need a website.

G

That someone with little or no computer knowledge could use, and I can so it passed the test.

G

In closing, I want to thank the chamber for hosting the state of the county again.

G

Even under these circumstances, and for every everyone for listening, stay, safe, wear a mask.

G

And now we go on to everyone's second favorite, commissioner, commissioner, weaver.

H

Thank you dennis uh on a more optimistic note,.

H

uh When, last year, when I delivered my the last account of the state of the county, address,.

H

I chose to focus on technological advances coming into the agriculture over the next decade. I mean.

H

We remain very optimistic about the agricultural and small business future in kell county.

H

2020 has been extremely difficult for agriculture and local businesses and restaurants. They've had.

H

To endure substantial setbacks to their financial stability and to endure in their future growth.

H

As a county, our economic development team under the direction of jack laubern, has done a terrific.

H

Job of disbursing millions of dollars of cares funding to those businesses. While I will discuss.

H

This will be discussed in more detail by my colleagues. I would like to continue to.

H

Employ kell county community to continue the commitment to investment and support of local.

H

Small businesses and entrepreneurs I want to get back to the agriculture industry a moment. It's.

H

Sometimes forgotten about small business and it's always operated with an incredibly narrow margin.

H

For success, those in the agricultural community are always at the mercy of fluctuating markets.

H

Unpredictable weather and continuously evolving supply content continuously evolving supply and.

H

Demand problems this year, we briefly experienced shortages in our food supply due to the interrupts.

H

Interruptions in the food chains, while this was short-lived, we must heed the warning.

H

uh And realize the frailty of this system that brings food from farm to our tables.

H

What might our lives look like with shortages for weeks and months? The realities that covered.

H

Extreme weather patterns and growing populations have shown cannot be ignored locally. A lot of.

H

Small farms, uh agricultural businesses, butcher shops, accepted this challenge.

H

And push to push their capacity to keep the local food chain flowing.

H

When we were in this difficult situation, the local agricultural community answered the call.

H

This is why I continue to be a strong proponent proponent of agriculture, land preservation.

H

If we get to our goal of preserving 100, 000 acres or one-third of the county.

H

We would continue to invest in the security and sustainability of our local food chain.

H

This goal is the only county gold set that has been passed on to every administration since 1980.

H

This year we have over 75, 000 acres, preserved and look forward to celebrating that milestone.

H

Once this pandemic subsides, we started with 250 000 acres to preserve 75, 000 acres.

H

We were down to 45 000 acres today to preserve 25 000.. The ratio is much smaller, as demand is placed.

H

On the remaining 45 000 acres for development and other uses with that, we have an initiative. This.

H

Year that I want to bring about- and that is the community solar zoning proposal and the concepts.

H

Providing additional acres uh to our preservation preserved acreage. These are parcels that are.

H

Remaining in agriculture, areas that have already exhausted their development rights and are limited.

H

To their future zoning uses, the idea is to meet the maryland public utilities codes and some.

H

Highlights of this proposed concept are that there are 20-acre sites maximum for solar usage and they.

H

Only exist can exist in remaining portions of the date of ordinance, uh as date of ordinance are.

H

Eligible cannot, they cannot be created uh or a lot or attract for the purpose of solar development.

H

Requires a permanent easement to be granted to the county upon installation of the solar facility.

H

The easement establishes an additional residential and non-agricultural development area not and the.

H

Solar panels cannot exceed two megawatts uh on the parcel and that's five to seven acres, each for a.

H

Thousand megawatts requires planning and zone and commission review and approval and the property.

H

Owner is responsible for control of noxious weeds invasive plants site and prevent spread.

H

To surrounding areas of those noxious plants, and uh this whole concept uh has a lot of bulk.

H

Requirements, height requirements, but the owner and operator is still responsible uh for the agreement.

H

With public works to ensure proper decommissioning of the area, once the solar panels are taken away.

H

And responsible for all responsibilities basically fall to the landowner and finally, this morning I.

H

Want to introduce the panther events center in hampstead at the former north carol, high school.

H

This year, carroll county entered into an agreement with the chesapeake real estate group.

H

To purchase the school and develop the panther events center, this facility will include turf and.

H

Grass fields, as well as gymnasiums and an athletic center, our goal was to ensure the building and.

H

Property would continue to be a staple of the community and an asset to the entire region.

H

Additionally, the auditorium with its 900-seat capacity will continue to be utilized and provide.

H

The county with a venue for shows performances and a variety of other entertainment opportunities.

H

I want to thank the town of hampstead and the manchester valley athletic boosters, especially.

H

Matt colander for their help and support in getting this agreement uh put together.

H

Presently, it's only an agreement, but I'm very confident we will be continuing along these lines.

H

As we all sit here this morning, 2020 has defined by hardships and barriers. He placed in front of us.

H

All, however, I firmly believe history, history will remember 2020 as a catalyst that highlights our.

H

Steadfast resolve and dedication to one another, as always, it has been an honor and privilege.

H

To serve as the carroll county commissioner, representing district 2. and now I'd like to.

H

Introduce a good friend of mine, a person who served as uh president of the board.

H

Throughout the past two years, he's undedicated service to kell county. Commissioner steve wants.

I

Thank you, commissioner, weaver good morning and happy new year to all. It remains my honor to.

I

Address our citizens and business community with the annual state of the county address.

I

You've already heard this, but again thank you to the comp to the chamber of commerce.

I

For always making this event a success. The voyage to this year's state of the county has been long.

I

And treacherous one in which none of us expected my message last year was one of exuberance.

I

I talked of education, economics and emergency services, the core of decision making.

I

For local government, I equated leadership during this pandemic to sailing a ship.

I

The sea was calm and our journey mapped with minor blips on the radar we were experiencing.

I

Revenue growth, low unemployment and the horizon was clear. Our sails were unfurled.

I

And open to the winds of success and then the ides of march and the seas became rough on march 13.

I

2020, our radar gave a strong warning signal and all normalcy stopped. We were now in dangerous seas.

I

In an ever-changing unrecognizable environment, we switched to response to the coveted pandemic.

I

Recovery of our economy and the tremendous effort of keeping our citizens safe.

I

States of emergency were declared and the entire nation changed course. There was no playbook.

I

For this undertaking, but we immediately jumped into action the impact to date.

I

2.3 million americans infected it's taken, the lives of over 28 000.

I

In carroll, over 5600 cases and now over 192 deaths as the 2020 president of the board, with.

I

The help of my colleagues we declared war on this pandemic. I want to thank them for their support.

I

In some very difficult decisions, and commissioner rostine I want to thank you specifically for your.

I

Kind words this morning, our focused and consistent message rang loud and clear and together with our.

I

Partners, the collaboration has been effective carroll county government, never wavered.

I

Continuing to to provide resources necessary for all of our citizens, our health department engaged.

I

And continues to lead the charge I have talked with our health officer, ed singer many times.

I

Daily in the last year, often at very interesting hours of the day,.

I

To ed singer and the president of carroll hospital center garrett, hoover and lifebridge health vice.

I

President leslie simmons thank you. Nurses. Doctors are first responders, including fire emergency.

I

Medical law enforcement, emergency management or dispatchers our department of public works.

I

All of our county employees, those who clean and maintain our buildings, our chamber of commerce,.

I

Our businesses and our eight great municipalities and a large majority of our citizens, we are all.

I

Engaged to ensure we weather this storm carol was one of the first jurisdictions to provide.

I

Relief funding for our businesses using funding we had set aside for other economic projects.

I

We stood with governor hogan and his team to provide consistency and with press conferences.

I

Town hall meetings, some of them right here and constant flow of messaging through our website.

I

And other social media we continue to be extremely transparent. We used social media.

I

In a professional manner, not going down that rabbit hole of the disturbing negative social.

I

Media trends still mask wearing social distancing and hand, washing became political statements.

I

And opinions threatened our journey and some decisions, dialogue and conduct made us shake.

I

Our heads, but we as your county commissioners, have persevered. We paid attention to the health experts.

I

And continue to work hand in hand as the light at the end of this journey grows brighter. As we begin.

I

2021 vaccines are being given. Our citizens remain vigilant with best practices, and it is imperative.

I

We continue the fight with current numbers, we wait, we may well be in the worst spot. We have been.

I

In with this pandemic last week, carol saw a record number of new cases at 468.

I

Community spread remains on the rise and I remain challenged by the decision to reopen.

I

Schools for in-person learning, against the advice of the health department and the.

I

Maryland state department of education metrics during this high time of high community spread.

I

And post-holiday surge with unvaccinated teachers and staff, potentially taxing our resources.

I

We have asked for flexibility in vaccinating so that our valuable school employees.

I

Are vaccinating right after vaccinated right after health care and first responders, this pandemic.

I

Continues to wreak havoc on our economy, businesses and families. The very fact that we are coming to.

I

You in this format today is the proof that we are not done. Yesterday. We were advised of new federal.

I

And state relief funding, our medical folks have efficient testing and vaccine procedures and we.

I

Are all doing what we can to address the needs of our county? We can't stop or let our guard down now.

I

Even in turmoil there were bright spots, you heard about our successful aaa bond rating. We have the.

I

Lowest unemployment rate in the state, 4.4 percent- and we rapidly move to all things. Virtual and.

I

We're becoming quite savvy government buildings receive safety enhancements and we ensured access.

I

To all departments for our citizens, we are all engaged regionally in boards and commissions.

I

Commissioner frazier's at the national association of counties, both he and I, are at the maryland.

I

Association of counties, commissioner rostein, is all over the map with regional committees.

I

I continue to serve on the board of directors and legislative committees at mayco for tomorrow's.

I

Start of a challenging legislative session over 900 bills have been pre-filed.

I

Increased education funding in the form of the kerwin bill which governor hogan, thankfully vetoed.

I

Will emerge again and we must remain vigilant to the general assembly's agenda.

I

As this could be very detrimental to our fiscal responsibilities here.

I

Governor hogan announced his relief act of 2021 yesterday as emergency legislation.

I

And we are hoping the legislators refocus on this, rather than their personal agenda spending.

I

And I will become chair of the baltimore metropolitan council later this week. Working collaboratively on issues with leaders in baltimore city and.

I

Surrounding jurisdictions, let's be clear: what is happening in baltimore city affects us all.

I

Mike I'm soon done, I know you're going to appreciate that the safety of our citizens remains.

I

My number one priority with 44 years of public safety experience. I know elected officials must.

I

Ensure our citizens can live, work and play safely. We continue to work closely with and support our.

I

Primary law enforcement agency, the sheriff's department, to ensure they have the tools needed.

I

Providing state-of-the-art equipment and upgrades and ensuring we address the many police reform.

I

Bills that are coming down the pike we have hired our first director of fire and emergency services.

I

Director robert mccoy has hit the ground running. The carroll county, volunteer, emergency services.

I

Association approached us a few years back requesting much needed assistance, while our.

I

Volunteer fire departments and personnel will be always a strong part of this county. It remains.

I

Difficult to find folks who run, who want to run into danger, while everybody's running out for free.

I

The infusion of paid career personnel into our volunteer stations is crucial.

I

And our new director is addressing this important need. This is a large fiscal challenge, but an.

I

Important mission for the future, we continue to work on funding for our 911 center from the state.

I

And we must continue to do that as well. We cannot let our guard down when it comes to public safety.

I

Have you seen the troubling and difficult times we are living in? How fitting is it.

I

That saturday was national law enforcement appreciation day. I encourage each and every.

I

One of you to appreciate public safety every day, the pandemic responsible for virtual learning and.

I

Working from home highlights the critical need of connecting through rural broadband. My district is.

I

Especially challenged, and it remains unacceptable to me that in 2021 there are those with no.

I

Connectivity, this is quite a task, since internet service providers are for profit and density plays.

I

A huge part in their decisions, but we are working to realize federal and state grant opportunities.

I

And continue our efforts to ensure we light up our most rural areas. Finally, we continue.

I

To build upon our solid foundation with the building blocks here of fiscal responsibility,.

I

Accountability, collaboration and transparency, even in these challenging times carol, remains solid.

I

Preserving our heritage and serving its citizens well, elected officials must make decisions needed.

I

To represent the whole of our community, not the loudest voices, a quote from abraham lincoln.

I

That always sticks with me. I have simply tried to do what seemed best each day.

I

As each day came, I will continue to work hard every day for this county and state that I love.

I

God bless everyone, please stay safe and god bless carroll county and by the way,.

I

If you want a break from all this, there is something going on saturday night.

I

That mark talked about from m t, and today I proudly wear the purple.

I

With that, I turn it over to my friend and colleague, commissioner ed rostein. Thank you.

E

Absolutely go ravens and uh before I turn this over to a mic.

E

In closing, just wanna share, we've heard uh some redundancy uh in comments that all five of us.

E

uh Five of us have made and that we are in definitely challenging times.

E

uh That we are committed and supported to you, the community and we're always always available to you.

E

Once again, as I shared, I believe earlier,.

E

Let's keep strength and courage to you, your family friends, neighbors and our community as we're going.

E

Through these challenging times and now I think and I appreciate the dead man's quote- that's we.

E

We didn't have a dead man's quote until then, so I appreciate that steve, so you always need that.

E

Now and uh finally, uh mr mike mcmullen want to come on up here and close us out for this morning,.

H

Okay, thank you, sir. Thank you.

C

Well, thank you, commissioners. First off, I want to thank our past chair of the board dennis twigg.

C

And our current chair of the board, steve aquino for being here and our sponsor.

C

M t bank, I think they said they've sponsored this event for like 13 straight years. So that's great.

C

um But mostly, I think today I just want to thank our commissioners. Every time I sit.

C

And I listen to you guys. I think I would never want your job because it's not like you do the.

C

Job for all the accolades that you get because they're few I've learned in my life that people.

C

When things go well, seldom, thank you seldom say good job seldom say we're happy, but human nature.

C

Being what it is and it's a sad thing, but I think it's true things go the way they don't.

C

Like they're going to, let you know, and you guys I just I don't think I could do the job. You know.

C

It seems like no matter what you decide. You've got critics out there. We all do, uh but you guys are.

C

In that line of fire, where you're going to hear from them more so I want to thank you for having.

C

Thick skin, hopefully most of the time, and knowing that most of us really do appreciate your hard.

C

Work and know you guys are working hard together. I think this is the third set of commissioners. I've.

C

Had the chance to work with- and I think you guys are amazing, you know everything that you decide.

C

Is it great probably not? Maybe there could be better ways, but you guys care, except for you.

C

uh If folks at home could see you guys, making your faces hit and that'll be good, but.

C

I just want to thank thank you guys. I think you guys are great, and I also want to encourage everybody out there. Nowadays social media makes it so easy to be nasty.

C

Meaning either on a big stage or on a small stage, and I would just say right now: we need to be kind.

C

To one another, we need to go easy on one another. You don't know what somebody's going through.

C

With this whole covet thing right now, you know they could have like a mom or a dad on the.

C

Verge of death- and you don't know that because they're not going to come up and say: hey guess.

C

What horrible things are happening to me today be kind to one another. It's the way to go. I mean.

C

There's very little: we can do about the main stage, what we can change, but we can change little things.

C

Shopping local, helping out those people being nice to one another. I want to let you know if you've.

C

Now tuned in late, this will be on our website and I'm assuming on the actual government website. So.

C

For our upcoming events, which we have some great ones, they're going to be virtual, we are going to.

C

Have some live ones later in the year? You want to go to carrollcountychamber.org and that's.

C

Where you can find all of our members any of the past events that we've done will also be there. So.

C

You can check that out there. You can also call us at 410-848-905-0 or if you happen to be strolling.

C

Around beautiful, downtown west westminster we're right at 9 east main street, so you can.

C

Stop off and say hi, so I just want to thank you all for watching today. Thank our commissioners.

C

Once again and say, have a wonderful day have a happy 2021 stay safe and god bless. Thank you.

C