20060825 KDDC Carroll Co. Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge

Carroll Co. Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge

August 25, 2006

Pasted below, please review Carroll County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge. For more information please click here.

Primary: September 12, 2006
General: November 7, 2006

My Fellow Citizens:

For years, the abbreviation CCG has meant Carroll County Government. I am pleased that during this term of office, we have been able to change it to mean Citizen Centered government (with a small g). That means seeking consensus between citizens and the commissioners. It also means collaborating with other counties and agencies to find out what really works.

I came into office with a desire to create an atmosphere where all citizens are served in a fair, friendly and civil manner. When I was a little girl, government was there to serve the people. For a period of time that attitude changed. I am proud to say we have turned the tide again and County government has moved from closed to open.

In order to recognize the critical importance of the towns, we established the Council of Governments. Each town is represented by its elected officials and participates in a meaningful sharing of ideas, experiences and concerns. The Council promotes representation at the county level from all segments of the County.

In my current term, I have been able to make plans and strategies for the future. Many of the things we planned have been built. There is much more to do.

The next Board of Commissioners will vote on the next Master Plan, which will set the direction for economic development, residential growth and public facilities for years to come.

The next Board of Commissioners will have to address water needs. I support the creation of reservoirs and working with the towns to maintain their water supplies. We also need to protect the quality of the water we drink, and ensure that we do not grow beyond the water supplies we have.

The next Board of Commissioners has to finish dealing with the school crisis. The county must provide the majority of the funding for all-day kindergarten. I have formed relationships with the school system that make it easy for us to work together with a common purpose.

The next Board of Commissioners will have to address the needs of seniors. I have been at the forefront of plans for senior centers, and I just cut the ribbon at the new North Carroll Senior Center. A new center is planned in South Carroll as well.

Through my involvement with the National Association of Counties, I was able to bring home a free prescription discount plan that is available to all citizens. In less than a year, citizens have saved over one hundred thousand dollars on prescriptions, at no cost to the County.

I believe that County government must always be as efficient as possible, and we must do all we can to minimize the cost to all citizens while providing necessary services. We have established the Senior tax credit in order to make it possible for senior citizens to stay in their homes. We improved the homestead tax credit by lowering the cap from 10% to 7% as a way of reducing the effect of escalating home values.

I am a seventh generation Carroll Countian. I want to protect our rural heritage by preserving farmland. Many years ago we set a goal of 100,000 acres in preservation. We now have preserved 50,000 acres with 50,000 to go. This is beautiful farmland that will not become residential development that requires schools and other spending for infrastructure.

I need your support to continue on with the important business of keeping Carroll County all that it can be. After all, it is your government.

Sincerely,

Julia W. Gouge

---

My husband, Jesse, and I have been married for 47 years. We are the proud parents of four children and nine grandchildren

We have also been the parents of four foster children and sponsors for three foreign exchange students. We are active members of Shiloh United Methodist Church.

As a family we have been active in our church, volunteer organizations, civic organizations, 4-H, and Boy Scouts. I personally have been a 4-H Leader and an active member of the Federated Woman’s Club, Soroptimists, extension Homemakers and Lioness Club. The love and cooperation of my family have made my life in public service possible.

If you would like to help my campaign, either financially or by working with the campaign team, please call me at 410-239-3119 or send your check to:

Friends of Julia Gouge
444 Lees Mill Road
Hampstead, MD 21074

####