CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER

Charles County itself is a leader in the Washington Metropolitan region with this job creation. Under my leadership the county hired its first Chief Equity Officer to ensure that the county's overall operations are fair and that the decision making of county government accounts for the needs of every county citizen.

BROADBAND

Charles County was a recipient of a Maryland State Broadband Infrastructure matching Grant that will allow the county to make internet access possible in Nanjemoy and Cobb Neck, two "blank" internet access areas in the county that lack reliable internet service. Nanjemoy, in particular, is an area that has been highlighted through the years as an area of despair and blight. This important accomplishment was put in place when the Board of Commissioners established a Broadband Task Force at the beginning of this term.

RESILIENCE AUTHORITY (Environment)

The BOC approved the establishment of a quasi-governmental, non-profit financing organization that will pool, disseminate and invest capital and link private, state, and federal as well as philanthropic funding to public infrastructure projects. The establishment of the authority was prioritized due to the impact that global warming has had on neighborhoods throughout the county resulting in massive flooding issues throughout Charles County's local communities.

LABOR

The County signed a landmark "Labor Peace Agreement" in April of 2020 that will allow county employees to be able to freely organize if they choose. Enabling legislation was passed in Annapolis to allow the county to have its workforce "organized".

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

In the aftermath of the tragic George Floyd murder, our citizens sought from the government reasonable criminal justice reform measures to ensure that every Charles County citizen is treated with dignity when interacting with law enforcement. Under my leadership, the county held three public forums addressing criminal justice reform in general. The discussions opened the door to the creation of a Citizens Review Panel and a review of the present SRO policy that exists in CC Public Schools.

The county also created the Charles County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, which is a national model that collectively addresses criminal justice reform in communities nationally. Future policy changes will likely include a Charles County Pre-Trial Service Program, Mobile Crises Unit and a Citizens Review Committee that will address allegations of Officer misconduct.

INTERFAITH COUNCIL

The County approved the creation of an Interfaith Council that will provide a mechanism to bring all members of the community together. Interfaith counsels encourage respect for different viewpoints and cultures. Our belief is that the county wants all of its citizens to work together. All ideas that encourage the interaction of bringing our people together we will support.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-MBE DISPARITY STUDY

The county approved funding for a comprehensive Disparity Study to critically analyze differences between the percentage of dollars' minority, women, veteran, and disadvantaged businesses receive prime contracts and sub-contracts. The study makes any government minority business enterprise legally sustainable. In the case of Charles County, the result will be moving our 25% minority participation "goal" to a mandated requirement to do business with the county. This is an important step for Charles County.

FUTURE

We believe that history will judge this administration as the most progressive and consequential of all Charles County Government's that have convened since 1658 when the county was chartered. This remarkable "progression" has occurred during the midst of a debilitating global pandemic. We've expanded the scope of our influence from being limited to the Southern Maryland Region. We are now viewed as a player in the entire Washington Metropolitan Market.

The future of this administration under my leadership will focus on infrastructure, additional investments in youth programs and services, the eradication of substandard housing for our residents, reductions in the cost of running the government, enhancing the efficiencies of government operations, and finally ensuring that the post COVID-19 Charles County Economy is prepared to be a major player as the world unpacks an understanding of what the "new normal" will actually look like.