Elaine Blaisdell
— OAKLAND — Garrett County Commission candidates Eric Robison, Larry Tichnell, incumbent Gregan Crawford and Andrew Harvey address the biggest issues facing the county.
Both Tichnell and Robison said that the budget is one of the biggest issues facing the county. Tichnell suggested looking at each department to try to trim the fat from the budget. Robison has concerns about capital reserves being used to balance the fiscal 2015 budget.
“This will leave a structural deficit of $1.2 million for the incoming elected commissioners and kick the can down the road,” said Robison, who participated in the administrative session in which the commissioners reviewed the budget. “We should be looking at reducing the budget and working within the revenues generated, just like most households and businesses. If you make X, you can only spend X or go into debt.
“We should run government like a business and in economic hard times make difficult decisions to assure the success of the business,” said Robison. “I am willing to run government like a business; we need to budget within our means and market our assets.”
Tichnell also noted property rights and whether there should be zoning or not.
“I’m against zoning in the county,” said Tichnell.
Robison said that many issues facing the county stem from a lack of economic development.
“We need to broaden the tax base and market Garrett County to businesses that will enhance the current business base,” said Robison. “Those new businesses need to attract millennials with growing families and the ability to grow and encourage development for local employment.”
The county faces many challenges with growth and development similar to that of other rural counties across the state and the country, according to Crawford.
“Local government has had to be very reactive to changes in policies implemented by the state and the new fiscal realities of a slow recovery in rural areas,” said Crawford. “Problem solving, whether in business or government, requires innovative thinking and collaboration on all levels.”
