I have just filed my petition to be placed on the ballot for the Ward 3 seat on the Easton Town Council. My goal if elected is to work for sensible growth that retains the singular quality of life that we treasure here. By “sensible” growth I mean growth that is planned with the objective of retaining Easton’s special character: a small town surrounded by attractive farm fields and forests and close to a magnificent body of water. I believe that growth should be managed so that it does not just add numbers, but also enhances the quality of life of those who live here.
This is a tough test. Two proposed developments, both along the Oxford Road, fail it. One would be located next to the Easton Club, whose residents have made clear their position that the ill-conceived and monstrous health spa would harm their neighborhood environment and adversely affect their property values. Equally unacceptable is the Poplar Hill development on the opposite side of Oxford Road, with 456 residences, 60,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space, a sports complex and even a fire department substation. All this blighting the scenic corridor leading to Oxford and creating intolerable congestion at the intersection of Oxford Road and the Easton bypass.
It was great news that the Town of Easton obtained a grant to save a nearby 200 acres of woodland on Oxford Road from developers and make it into a park. We need to follow up by putting limits on these two projects on the same corridor, as well as others that are too big, too dense or too disruptive.
Within the core of Easton – the island between Route 50 and the Easton Bypass — there is ample space for incremental residential growth. That is where we should be encouraging developers to work. In and near downtown is also the place for retail establishments serving our community. We do not need more big-box stores in Easton. They drive existing retail stores out of business. We need to retain what we have and increase the number of “Main Street” establishments in and near downtown to maintain Easton’s unique character. This combined with incremental increases in nearby housing would achieve the goals of mixed-use and walkable development.
My training as an economist and experience in government and the private sector can help our Town as we try to keep taxes low in new economic conditions of inflation and rising interest rates. I am a strong advocate of fiscal responsibility and understand what it takes.
We are very fortunate that Easton has enjoyed a AA bond rating for many years. Our challenge is to keep it at that level while maintaining our current tax rates. Above all, new developments should pay the full cost of additional town services they require, so that new development does not become a burden on existing taxpayers. We must not borrow to meet current expenses, only for specific projects to spread their tax impact over the life of the project. And we must make all new spending pass the test of providing benefits greater than its cost.
I have always been a strong supporter of our police and earned the endorsement of County Sheriff Joe Gamble in the County Council election. I believe the most critical step to maintain public safety is adequate pay and benefits. We also need to intensify our efforts to protect our young from addictive drugs, starting with a moratorium on marijuana sales like those implemented in Oxford and St Michaels. It is totally out of character for Easton to become the hub of marijuana sales for the County.
I have had extensive experience at the highest levels of government and I am dedicated to this community. My wife Esther and I are active in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church and have lived in Talbot County for almost 30 years, Easton for 4 of them. During that time, we have built friendships and found service opportunities throughout the community.
During my government career, I served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy and Assistant Director of the Congressional Budget Office. As a consultant, I advised the Boards of Directors and senior management of the world’s largest energy concerns and testified before Congress over 30 times. I have a PhD in economics and at various times, I have scrutinized budget proposals, evaluated tax policies, and analyzed impacts of development on local communities.
I believe that this experience will allow me to make a difference in Easton. I look forward to talking to many of you in the next month, and hope you will vote for me to secure the future of our town. To find out more, check out my Facebook page Montgomery for Easton, or email me at [email protected].
David Montgomery
Easton
Thomas Elliott Hill says
I remember when David ran for County Council he had positions on 12 issues that he articulated in writing. I never saw the other candidates do that(though they may have). It was very helpful to be able to quietly read over what he thought and stood for. I have never forgotten the intelligent and common sense way he approached the issues.
We need someone like David guiding the hand of government for our community.
Matthew Daley says
It is encouraging to see someone of Montgomery’s caliber step up to the duty of public service. His stance on the issues are thoughtful and clear and provide an unusually helpful basis for voters to make decisions.
James Pitchford says
David Montgomery makes a sensible and wise case for controlled growth in Easton and adjoining Talbot County rural areas. My wife and I decided to move to Easton in 2009 because of its rural character and charm. In the ensuing 14 years the growth in the area is unmistakable as is the increase in traffic and road noise along popular Easton thoroughfares. If the pace of growth continues unabated as David points out in regards to proposed projects along Oxford Road then the charm of this beautiful community will be lost. Once gone it cannot be recovered. This is why it is vital that David Montgomery be elected to the town council. Please make your voice heard for wise managed growth in Easton and surrounding areas by voting for David Montgomery. Sincerely,
John F Doetzer says
I have known David Montgomery for many years and have found him to always be true to his word.He has a firm grip on what it takes to successfully run a business or a government entity.His experiences and training more than qualify him for holding public office.He is a man of outstanding integrity.
Barbara Denton says
David is a man of his word. It seems the citizens of Talbot County missed the boat in not electing him to the County Council. However, this is a chance to rectify that mistake and put a common sense guided person on the Town Council. He will work to stop this unjustified and disastrous growth along the Oxford Road corridor. Our critical area is precious and must be protected against unwarranted growth that cannot be undone.
Charles Zvirman says
I am in full agreement with many of Mr Montgomery’s views regarding growth and expansion in Talbot County. There are however many positions he holds that were not presented in his letter.
In his interview in the Star his comments included “Our schools must not become laboratories for application of woke agendas for anti-racism and sex education.”
And in a page from the Ron DeSantis playbook “Likewise, it is in the family that children should learn of sexual morality and the dangers of current fads about gender and sexual activity. Thus I would like to see the County Council enact an ordinance based on Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act and demand transparency on the kinds of books that students are required or encouraged to read and the curriculum they are taught.”
Anyone watching what happening in Florida knows that ‘transparency’ very quickly led to book bannings.
Finally, lest we forget that Mr. Montgomery led ‘Preserve Talbot History’ and its efforts to fight removal of the Talbot Boys statue.
http://www.preservetalbothistory.org/
I’m not looking to assail Mr Montgomery’s character or his desire for a better Easton – but again, as the watchword of the day seems to be transparency – folks should know there is quite a bit more regarding his views and agenda that was conspicuously absent from his Spy Op/Ed.
Harriett Page says
I would definitely vote for you if you were running in my ward.
Your platform is what Easton should be all about.
William Houck says
David is a terrific candidate. His background and passion for Easton are excellent for the position.
Paul D. Denton says
David Montgomery is precisely the type of person long needed on the Easton Town Council. He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and integrity to the table putting the interests of Easton citizens and the character of our town first and foremost.
A vote for David Montgomery is a vote to protect and represent you.
Al Sikes says
Thanks David, thoughts on development quite welcome. Costs and benefits need to be on the table guiding decisions.
Reed Fawell 3 says
David knows what he is talking about, and has great ideas,judgement, and experience for this job on the Easton Town Council. He is also very direct and open in his believes, and unafraid to do the right thing.
Jane and Roger Bollman says
David Montgomery is a smart sensible man who should be elected Town Council. His position on managed growth that will maintain Easton’s unique small-town ambiance makes sense. Not only keeping it a nice place to live, carefully managed growth is less likely to burden tax-payers. David’s strong economic background will be an asset to Easton. He has our votes.
Mike McConnel says
Our Community is very fortunate to have someone like David who, with his background, still puts his hat in the rink. This should not be taken for granted. Our Country is suffering from the lack of good people willing to serve. David’s Candidacy is to be prized.
Mike McConnel
Paul Callahan says
Mr. Montgomery is the right person at the right time for Easton.
Mark de Bernardo says
Great candidate… Easton needs him.
Harvard PhD economist who was very senior at the Congressional Budget Office to deal with budgetary issues? Sounds good to me!
Terrific qualifications, and as or more important —quality character and integrity.
Unqualified endorsement.
Davante Baker says
You don’t have my vote sir we need growth and change and all yall want is the same and the same status quo is not working no more it’s outdated
Tom Hughes says
I am most pleased to read that David is running for town council. His economic expertise-especially regarding the true costs and consequences of wholly speculative growth-would be a most beneficial addition to town government. His recent response in this space demonstrates that he is willing to do the homework necessary to make an informed and well reasoned vote on such matters for the long term benefit of all town and county residents. Tom Hughes
Robert B. Amdur says
David Montgomery, who’s running for Easton’s Town Council, lost his last election to the county council by a narrow margin. And he’s giving it a go again. Now you Ward 3 voters who made a mistake in not supporting him then have an opportunity to vote for him again in the town election.
David is highly qualified. He holds a doctorate degree in economics, served in senior positions in the federal government and the private sector. He and his wife Esther are 30 year residents of Talbot County and are active in church and other organizations.
So, with several developments being considered that will dramatically change the look and spirit of. the town and county, it’s important that the Easton Town Council have the very best representatives to handle these complicated issues. David Montgomery will bring that high caliber needed.
Francine E. Luque says
To the Editor: The residents of Ward 3, Easton should be grateful to David Montgomery for offering to step up and run for the Easton Town Council. Mr. Montgomery has a PhD in economics which served him well in his impressive career both in government (Dept of Energy and the Congressional Budget Office)and in the private sector. He understands the need for sensible growth with the objective of retaining Easton’s special character. I urge all of our residents to vote for him on Tuesday, May2.
Julie Susman says
Land use policies, programs, and developments are at a critical crossroads. Once the shovels are in the ground, life as we know it will never be the same. Expansion and growth are inevitable, but must be managed and planned to conform to the comprehensive plan to ensure we preserve all that we love about Easton and Talbot County.
David Montgomery’s extremely relevant education and career experience and a keen understanding of land use issues facing Easton and Talbot County, now and in the future, will ensure he will be an extremely effective Councilman representing Ward 3. With two different, but out of scale, development projects under consideration on the Oxford Road corridor, David’s understanding of what their impact would be and his commitment to preserving the character and lifestyle we love about Easton and the County makes him the best choice to represent Ward 3 on Easton Town Council.
Steve Slack says
I am “all in” for David Montgomery. His positions on all topics are well thought out and expressed clearly, especially his views on growth in Easton. Thank you, David, for giving it another go!!
Deirdre LaMotte says
Curious. Mr. Montgomery has all his acolytes singing praises. Fine.
Stick to land growth. His prehistoric attitudes about women’s
reproductive autonomy are out of a, dare I say, “prehistoric Catholic”
orthodoxy that has no business in this century. How sad this has to be stated. And, it has no business in a democratic nation. At all.
Hungary maybe?
Barbara Denton says
I do not think the City Council in Easton has any influence on abortion. There are no prehistoric Catholics. You are either a Catholic or a former Catholic who is a heretic if you support abortion. It is very simple. I know this simple term may even pierce your armor of indignation. The Supreme Court has spoken. No one is stopping anyone in Maryland from getting an abortion or committing infanticide. The rights of the unborn are still trampled in Maryland and will remain that way.
We are basically talking about taking over 66 acres of critical area and turning it into another polluter for the Tred Avon river. Once you have done this there is no going back. You cannot fix it. It is over with.
This land was donated to the University of MD to build a new hospital. The University of MD sold it to a speculative developer who now wants to use it inappropriately to continue the ruination of Talbot County by the city of Easton. Please do not hold your breath that they will ever build a hospital in Easton. The money paid for the Poplar Hill land should have been given to the heirs of the donor. What were the provisions of the land donation? Was it legal for the University of MD to sell this land since they chose not to use it for what was intended?
Judy Bulman says
Dave Montgomery really knows Easton. I like his views on controlled growth and on fiscal responsibility. Unlike our current councilman, he saw through the smoke and mirrors of the golf course owners when he was a property owner in the Easton Club. He will apply sound reasoning and listen to the residents of the ward living near the proposed large development near Easton Club East. I am voting for him, and I encourage everyone in Ward 3 to do the same.