Scott Kane (D) is running for the Talbot County Council on a platform of ‘Better Government for Talbot County.’ Yeah, we know. That’s what they all say.
Scott, however, has over 40 years of governmental, business, and non-profit experience to support his belief that, if elected, he can work effectively with other council members to bring more jobs to Talbot County, improve our public education system, expand access to healthcare and broadband connectivity, address issues associated with climate change while protecting our environment, and improve our infrastructure and public safety systems. We believe he can too, and that’s why he has our votes.
Scott knows Talbot County. He has lived here for forty years and run businesses here for twenty. He is an active citizen, who the Talbot County Council has appointed twice to head important local commissions.
In 2016, Scott led the Talbot County Solar Committee which was charged with advising the council on new solar legislation. He helped to develop a unanimous consensus among a wide variety of constituents and his committee drafted new solar legislation for the council’s consideration. That legislation, as written, was adopted by the Talbot County Council unanimously.
Consensus building is one of Scott’s many skills. It came in handy when the council appointed him to lead the Short-Term Rental Review Board (STRB) in 2020. The task was to recommend needed changes to the existing STRB legislation. To get the broadest possible perspective on the legislation, he hosted numerous hearings where over 100 citizens, property owners, and business leaders offered thoughtful testimony. Working collaboratively with Talbot County attorneys, the Talbot County Planning Commission, and the County Department of Planning and Zoning, Scott helped craft new STRB legislation with the council adopting most of the recommended changes.
Talbot is not the only Maryland county that has benefited from Scott’s leadership. Before moving to Easton, Scott and his wife Courtney lived in Montgomery County. During their time there, Scott served as mayor of Chevy Chase, where he tackled many growth-related issues.
As mayor, he led a coalition of community leaders to create a sector plan for Bethesda designed to manage development associated with the coming of the WMATA Metro rail system to Montgomery County. He helped build local coalitions and consensus while partnering with Montgomery County Planning and Zoning as they considered a wide variety of options for the future development in Bethesda. Many Montgomery County residents will tell you that Bethesda is what it is today, with its wonderful public spaces and a large, diverse sidewalk restaurant scene, because of the work that was done during his tenure.
Scott’s business experience is extensive and broad. He is currently CEO and President of Solar Lane, founded in 2012 to provide investment-grade opportunities in solar renewable energy projects that reduce greenhouse gases, save customers money and improve energy efficiency. In a joint project with the State of Maryland and the Maryland Department of the Environment, Scott recently built a 5-acre solar farm for the Town of Federalsburg, Md. that now powers its wastewater treatment plant.
Over a 40-year career, Scott has managed businesses in the fields of engineering, energy, technology, science. He has built telecommunications systems for both AT&T and Siemens AG. Prior to that, he served as a division vice president of the AES Corporation (NYSE) building energy and utility businesses in Europe, Latin America and the United States. Scott has also had successful careers with Digital Equipment and IBM. At Digital, he ran business units based in France which developed and delivered software for the European and American markets.
Most of us have known Scott for well over twenty years. We know him to be a man of integrity, who works very hard and delivers on the promises he makes. We hope that you will consider his many achievements and character as you cast your vote in the July 19th Primary Election.
Betty Anderson & Ed Delaney
Susan du Pont & Howard Snyder
Lena Gill
Forest Hanson
Bonnie Morro
Carolyn & Charlie Thornton
Irmy & Phil Webster
Barbara & Marshall Weingarden
Dorothy & Don Whitcomb
Ernest G Wilson says
Scott Kane indeed has a wonderful resume. I would ask 2 important things of him that I am not hearing from him. First, nowhere in his literature do I see his resolve to maintain the rural character of this county. Internet infrastructure can be a blessing but it becomes a curse if it promotes the expansion of development in previously undeveloped areas. Second, and this relates to my first point, nowhere does he promise not to turn Talbot County into another Chevy Chase. Bragging that his efforts helped bring over 200 restaurants and bars to Chevy Chase/Bethesda does little to relieve this concern. His claimed support for”affordable housing” can mean many things, not all of them desirable
I hope Scott Kane can address these issues plus this one: Contacting Scott other than through this “letter” is problemmatic. The phone number listed on his campaign website is a non-working, unreachable number. He seems like a remarkable person. I hope my concerns are unfounded.
Lin and Steve Clineburg says
Scott has our vote!
Margaret McConnel says
He sounds like a fine man who would do a good job for Talbot County.
Tom Dennis says
Scott Kane is by far the most qualified candidate for the Talbott County Council. His experience, understanding and involvement with the issues, is not only impressive it’s compelling. He is not a newcomer to the scene. Just take a look at his background and accomplishments. The county is well served with Scott on the Council.