On a recent visit with Baynet Radio and TheBAYNET.com the Republican candidate opposing Kenny Dement in the First District in St. Mary’s County, Dorothy Andrews stated her thoughts about the future of St. Mary’s County and her positions on pressing issues.
The first-time candidate and Lexington Park business owner said she was running “because I have learned over the years that it is not enough to vote. We have to get involved if we want to make things better.”
Andrews admitted that one impetus for her running for office is to work to get the economy turned around. “The last four years for businesses, not just mine, have been a real struggle. We have to control spending and government has to learn that it is okay to actually save a little,” said Andrews.
As a small business owner, Andrews is no stranger to hard work and long hours. “Just like businesses have had to in recent times, the county government has to bring spending under control, bring budgets in line and be accountable for its decisions.”
She stated that every area of spending has to be scrutinized and exorbitant salaries and unnecessary expenditures examined and eliminated or brought into line with the reality of today’s economy. “If I am successful, every budget item brought forward by agencies or departments will have to be much more detailed and every line-item reviewed.”
Andrews knows that she may be stepping on toes when she points out that the superintendent of schools makes more than a four-star general fighting a war in Afghanistan. “Schools are important and so is education, but there is no way that I would have let that salary get passed in the budget,” said Andrews. “Everyone is going to have to live with less – not just ‘we the people.’ That’s who I am fighting for.”
The candidate also feels that property taxes have to brought into line. “There are retired people in danger of losing farms because their retirement and social security income is no longer enough to pay their property taxes.”
When asked why she thought voters should vote for her as opposed to the incumbent, Andrews said, “A new strategy is needed to enrich the whole community and to protect the rights of all citizens, so give me a chance to prove that, together, we can make improvements in our lives and live happier as a result.”
Andrews encourages anyone who wishes to know more about where she stands on the issues to email her and she will answer. She can be emailed at d.andrewsforsmc@gmail.com. “Between now and the election, I want to talk to as many people as I can and to hear what they feel are the issues,” said Andrews.
