Garrett commission candidates talk job creation, budget

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.”

More here.

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Jay Ferguson

Who I Am My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service! Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well. I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’. Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you. Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about! Honesty. Integrity. Results. View all posts by Jay Ferguson

Garrett commission candidates talk job creation, budget

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