St. Mary’s County Commissioner Todd Morgan (R: 4th) launched his re-election campaign with a kick-off fundraiser Sunday at Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall.
Morgan’s long-time friend Keith Fairfax, who is affectionately known as the mayor of Lexington Park (an honorary title), touted Morgan’s years of work with the Navy Alliance, including six year as president. “As president of the alliance he helped stand up many of the alliances around the state,” Fairfax said.
Fairfax said Morgan was a consensus builder on the board, particularly in advocating for needed infrastructure. Fairfax particularly singled out the FDR Boulevard, which he said is 17 year overdue.
Fairfax said that Morgan takes care of county employees and their families and “he cares for those of us who are less fortunate.”
Morgan said he picked a fundraiser time that didn’t conflict with football schedules (the Ravens had a bye and the Redskins had a late start). He introduced many of the politicians and wannabe politicians in the audience, including Leonardtown Mayor Dan Burris, County Treasurer Jan Norris, Orphan’s Court Judge Dalton Wood, former commissioner Tommy McKay and candidates Puff Barthelme and Matt Morgan (House of Delegates), Steve Waugh (State Senate)m and Joe St. Clair and Tom Jarboe (county commissioner).
“As a commissioner I am proud of what I have been able to do,” Morgan said, noting that it’s easier to operate when budgets are flush instead of the hard economic times the county has been through during his term. But he said the county has held the line on taxes and he intended to continue to do so.
Morgan said he would continue to press for needed infrastructure and got a round of applause when he echoed Fairfax’s sentiments about FDR Boulevard. “It’s coming,” he promised.
Morgan also promised to correct the problems with the new emergency communication system and said several new towers would help solve it. He also promised to “continue to support non-profits and continue to support our volunteer fire and rescue service.”
“The next years are not going to be easy,” he said, particularly because of what’s happening in Washington and sequester and furlough issues. “We are going to be the recipient of those cuts,” he predicted. To overcome those problems, he said, “We have to find new people to find new ideas for us to go forward.”
Morgan said he suppor
