Biotech Consultant Wants To Cap Tax Hikes If Elected To Annapolis City Council

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Patch invited all candidates for Annapolis mayor and City Council to complete a candidate questionnaire. We are posting their responses verbatim before the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

We will share all of our candidate profiles and election news at this link. More election information is posted here.

Name: George Gallagher

Elected Office Sought: Alderman - Ward 6

Political Party: Republican

Profession: Biotechnology Consultant

Age On Election Day: 64

Website: votegeorgegallagher.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069227448488

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position?

Prior to moving to Maryland, I engaged in public service, first as Transportation & Infrastructure Commissioner and then as Planning Commissioner. This experience will be leveraged to address the serious issues facing Annapolis such as traffic, transportation, necessary capital improvements and how planning & zoning effects the quality of life for the residents of Annapolis.

I also served as President of the Irvine Conservancy, where a key objective was preserving coastal open space. This responsibility gives me a good understanding of how to protect our delicate shoreline in and around Annapolis.

How will you approach the planned construction of City Dock Park?

This first thing that needs to be addressed on the City Dock project is whether or not the funding for project has been secured. The last thing Annapolis residents need is an additional tax burden.

Second, the focus of the project needs to be on the flooding in downtown and its effect on the local businesses. The scope of this project must address one of the primary causes of the flooding and that is the land is slowly sinking all around the Chesapeake Bay region. The relative sea level rise in our area is due to post glacial subsidence. After the glaciers melt, the land slowly retreats to its original position through a process called land subsidence. As the land sinks, the water in the Chesapeake Bay rises. Research by Virginia Tech scientists shows that sections of the Chesapeake Bay are sinking at rates of nearly a quarter an inch — or 7 millimeters — a year. This is a serious geologic and engineering problem that must be properly address.

Lastly, the current city council has concentrated most of their attention on downtown Annapolis while neglecting the important needs of the rest of the city.

In Ward 6, capital improvement projects have been sidelined or delayed for decades in favor of pet projects from outside interest groups. Their undue influence must end. As the Alderman in Ward 6, I will ensure that our Ward receives the infrastructure improvements that are so desperately needed

How will you address crime in Annapolis?

To reduce crime, I will work to ensure that our police department is fully staffed and increase the police presence in our communities.

The key to achieving these improvements is the retention and recruitment of police officers and that starts with leadership at Annapolis City Hall.

How will you address affordable housing and public housing in Annapolis?

In order to have affordable housing you need to have affordable taxes. If elected to city council, I will introduce legislation to reduce the city’s homestead assessment increase cap from 10% down to 2%. This will limit the rate our property taxes can increase. Over the last 8 years the average property tax bill has increased 52.5%.

I will also introduce legislation that utilities bill increases cannot exceed the rate of inflation. Our utility bills for the past few years have increased at twice the rate of inflation.

Additionally, the city council needs to establish a better relationship with the HACA administration. Accountability for the quality of life for the residents in public housing must be the main priority.

How do you plan to balance development and historic preservation in the city?

As a city council member, I will work to protect our communities from top-down, heavy-handed zoning changes that promote high cost, high density housing.

Annapolis is a very unique and wonderful city that must be protected against outside interests that seek to force high density housing at the cost of the quality of life for all Annapolis residents.

How should Annapolis respond to the ongoing cuts to federal jobs and grants to local governments?

The city government should ensure basic services and programs that are necessary for the residents of Annapolis are not overly dependent on the federal government.

When unforeseen events arise, proper contingencies must be in place to make sure that there are no interruptions in essential services that the City of Annapolis provides.

What else should voters know about you and your platform?

My campaign is focused on being a “Strong Voice for Ward 6” at Annapolis City Hall.

For too long Ward 6 has been neglected. I want to change that. Our working-class ward deserves to be heard at Annapolis City Hall, and our concerns must be addressed.

It’s time to create a new beginning for Ward 6 and improve the quality of life for all residents in our community.