I am writing to introduce myself to you and to ask for your vote for commissioner on July 13.
As the owner of real estate and the operator of a small business in St. Michaels, I greatly appreciate all that the town has to offer. Between boating on the Miles River, cracking crabs in restaurants, and enjoying time with family and friends, I have come to enjoy this land of pleasant living like never before. However, we have recently experienced too much conflict over budgetary matters, health concerns, litigation, and proposed local government actions. My promise to you is that I will seek to resolve these issues with your support through expanded accountability, communication, and transparency by the next Commission.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the local economy. While the current Commission has made an effort to amend the Town’s next fiscal budget, no one knows for sure how the future will play out. Only time will tell. In the interim, I propose that staff regularly publish key budgetary metrics on the Town’s website so that you are informed of the near-term trends and can evaluate for yourself the need for any further changes.
As we reopen the Town and restore its vitality, we should take more time to revisit the proposed New Town Office and the Zoning Code Rewrite. These matters should not be decided by the commissioners’ thin 3-to-2 votes that we have witnessed over the past two years. Rather, we should develop consensus solutions that all can support! I believe I have the background, knowledge, and ability to develop solutions we can all support.
My career has been in real estate; my expertise is in appraisal, consulting, and brokerage. I currently serve as the chair of the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals. I am also providing litigation support for several mid-Atlantic megaprojects. I hope these endorsements of my abilities give you confidence to vote for me.
My pledge to you is that I will undertake a comprehensive review of the Town’s real estate holdings and the proposed New Town Office. My review will address the optimum use of these holdings as well as the feasibility of the proposed New Town Office including developing realistic alternatives. I will publish the results in an effort to build a consensus on the optimum solutions for these projects that will impact St. Michaels for years to come.
I welcome any input you care to share with me regarding the Town’s future and invite you to call or e-mail me with your thoughts and ideas. You can reach me by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 410-745-8424.
To the young people of St. Michaels, I say keep dreaming until your dreams come true. To everyone else, I trust you will agree with me that, by living and working in St. Michaels, our dreams have come true!
Thank you for your time and your vote on July 13!
William C. “Bill” Harvey, II
St. Michaels, MD
William Harvey says
Given the number of candidates that are running and the proliferation of political yard signs that detract from the natural beauty of St. Michaels, I pledge to not put up any such signs except during the week prior to election day.
Regards, Bill