St. Mary’s County Commissioner Todd Morgan (R) hosted a Kick-off Campaign Fundraiser on Sunday, October 27 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Bay District Fire Department’s Social Hall in Lexington Park. Todd represents the county’s 4th District.

Introductory remarks were made by Keith Fairfax who summarized Todd’s experience to include his service on the Maryland Military Installation Council; he is also an Associate Professor of the Leaders of Tomorrow. As Commissioner, he stated that Todd is a consensus builder and works with the Tri-County Council on the Joint Land Use Study.

Commissioner Morgan thanked his supporters in attendance and promised to have everyone home in time that day for the Redskins game. He introduced campaign manager Julie Van Orden, Treasurer Deb Stone, Leonardtown Mayor Dan Burris, St. Mary’s County Treasurer Jan Norris, past SMC Commissioner Tommy McKay, also Judge of Orphans’ Court Dalton Wood as well as 2014 candidates Puff Barthelme, Steve Waugh, Tom Jarboe, Tony St. Clair, and Matt Morgan. Also present were SMC Commissioner Cindy Jones, and SMC Republican Central Committee members Julie Burk-Greer and yours truly.

Todd stated that he has been honored to serve as SMC Commissioner for the past three years, and that the job is not as easy as he might have initially thought. The county has many assets; to the East there is the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the busiest flight test facility in the free world, and now Leonardtown is a Maryland Arts and Entertainment District. The county is surrounded by rural farmland.

Mr. Morgan said that the commissioners have held the line on taxes, and that the county is rated AA+ financially. He will continue to push infrastructure and promised that FDR Boulevard is coming, along with the new Walter Drake Elementary School, and renovations to Spring Ridge Middle School.  Radio antennas are also going up.

The Commissioners will continue to support non-profits, Fire and Rescue Squads, and will maintain the strong rural character of the county plus a sensible infrastructure and growth, and a solid tax foundation.

He stated emphatically that he does not want to raise taxes, and that St. Mary’s County is in good shape financially. He feels that this position as Commissioner is his “calling”. He wished everyone