To the Republican Voters of Anne Arundel County:

In 1966, when I switched parties and became a Republican in Anne Arundel County, we had to beg people to run for public office, as a Republican. I spent my entire adult life working to build a two-party system in our county. After many victories, including being elected four times myself, we now have many well qualified candidates running for nearly every office in the county. Good Republican primary elections are available, every election cycle.

These candidates spend endless hours bringing their message to you and seeking your vote. But don’t be fooled by campaign rhetoric, or people claiming to have accomplished things that others have done.

I know that there are a lot of candidates, claiming a lot of things, to obtain your vote. That’s why I’m writing this letter to you. I know them all, and I’ve heard all the stories… As they say, “I’ve been there and done that.” Having served you as a member of the House of Delegates for 12 years, and as your county executive for four years, I hope that you will take my recommendation as a valued opinion.

I’m supporting Phil Bissett for county executive, and I hope that you will, too. Having been the county executive, I know what the job requires -- what a county executive can and cannot do, and what you should expect a county executive to do.

The county executive must be a good manager. With over 4,000 county employees, a large portion of the executive's time is devoted to personnel issues. The county executive must understand the budget and the local economy. The creation of new jobs and new business is important to you as a taxpayer.

Regardless of many claims, the county executive does not control the school system, and in fact has very little control over it. He takes the blame for their bad decisions, but cannot tell them what to do….that is done by the school board. In fact, once the budget is approved, they are not required to spend the money in the manner requested, and in fact seldom do! So when candidates tell you they are going to reduce class size, improve education, etc. Ask -- why hasn’t it been done? Every county executive since charter government began has increased funding every year… There has never been a reduction in a school budget, ever.

Back to the campaign, the county government must be run like a business, yet it does not have the advantages of a business. When a business is losing money in a certain area, it cuts that item out. Government can’t control the weather, and when it snows, you want your streets plowed. Government cannot turn its back on the poor or the homeless or on single mothers with dependent children. Government MUST pick up your trash every week and dispose of it, or you will be very unhappy!!  Government MUST fix your roads, and expand them when needed, regardless of if it is popular! You need a county executive who understands these issues, someone who has experience managing people, managing budgets, solving problems, exercising good common sense judgment, and doing all this within a tax structure you can afford. Taxes are hurting most middle class citizens, along with rising energy and food costs. The county executive can’t help put gasoline in your car or food on your table, but he can mange the government and keep your taxes stable, and in some cases even reduce them.

Phil Bissett, is a family man who has raised and educated his children in Anne Arundel County. He has owned and managed his own small business. He has managed a large government agency for the State of Maryland Transit Administration. He has served as a state delegate and understands government budgets and the responsibility of government to the people it serves. He will not make FALSE PROMISES to you. He knows that government cannot solve all problems and believes that common sense solutions can be found.

I know this is a long letter, and I hope that you appreciate the need for the explanations and the length.

Please vote for Phil Bissett. Our county deserves the best, and he is the best person for the job. Thank you.

Sincerely,
John Gary