PLATFORMS

Strong schools are the foundation of a strong Kent County. Without quality schools, it becomes harder to attract and retain families. Without families, our workforce shrinks. And without a strong workforce and a pipeline of future workers, it becomes even harder to attract businesses and investment to the county.

Sam believes Kent County must treat education, childcare, and family support as core economic development priorities. As the smallest school district in Maryland, Kent County has an opportunity to be nimble, forward-thinking, and responsive to the needs of students, parents, and employers.

Sam will work to:

• Prioritize approving and funding the construction of a new middle school in Chestertown so students and teachers have the modern learning environment they deserve.

• Leverage the size of Kent County Public Schools to explore innovative, flexible, and forward-thinking approaches to education.

• Support efforts to grow student enrollment by making Kent County a more attractive place for young families to live and stay.

• Address childcare gaps as one of the most practical ways county government can help reduce costs for working families.

• Increase the capacity of affordable summer camps and youth programs so more children have access to safe, enriching activities when school is out.

• Strengthen connections between schools, employers, and workforce programs so students can see real opportunities to build a future in Kent County.

Housing is one of the most important issues facing Kent County’s future. It affects families, workers, seniors, employers, schools, and the county’s tax base. A significant share of Kent County’s local revenue comes from housing, yet the county continues to face a shortage of available homes across price points and stages of life.

Sam believes Kent County needs more housing of all types—but growth must be thoughtful. Traditional suburban-style sprawl would undermine the rural landscape and small-town character that make Kent County special. The better path is to prioritize housing where infrastructure already exists: in towns, villages, and appropriate growth areas.

Sam will work to:

• Explore the creation of a Kent County housing authority or similar entity to help coordinate housing strategy, pursue funding, and support development partnerships.

• Prioritize housing in towns and villages where infrastructure, services, and community assets already exist.

• Support a range of housing types, including starter homes, workforce housing, senior housing, apartments, townhomes, accessory dwelling units, and smaller-scale infill development.

• Encourage housing that fits the character of Kent County while addressing real inventory shortages.

• Support policies that help seniors age safely in their homes and remain part of the communities they helped build.

• Use housing strategy as an economic development tool to help retain workers, attract families, and strengthen the county’s long-term tax base.

Kent County’s tax base has been stagnant for too long. Without thoughtful economic growth, it becomes harder to fund schools, infrastructure, public safety, and the services residents rely on—without placing more pressure on homeowners and taxpayers.

Sam believes Kent County can grow its economy while protecting its farms, rural landscape, and quality of life. The key is to focus growth where it makes sense: near existing infrastructure, along strategic transportation corridors, in appropriately zoned areas, and in places where investment can strengthen—not weaken—the county’s character.

Sam will work to:

• Prioritize strategic development along the Route 301 corridor in Millington, where access, visibility, and infrastructure create real economic opportunity.

• Activate appropriately zoned sites along Kent County’s active rail line to support business growth, job creation, and productive land use.

• Make strategic infrastructure investments in water, sewer, roads, and broadband to support responsible growth.

• Protect farms and rural landscapes by directing economic development to areas already suited for growth.

• Support local businesses and entrepreneurs by improving coordination between county government, municipalities, business organizations, and economic development partners.

Strengthen the county’s tax base through targeted investment that creates long-term value for residents.

Kent County’s future must include everyone. As we focus on schools, housing, jobs, and long-term economic growth, we cannot overlook the residents who are already struggling to keep up.

Sam believes county government has a responsibility to pay close attention to seniors, low-income residents, working families, and others who may be quietly falling through the cracks. Protecting the most vulnerable is not separate from building a stronger Kent County—it is part of it.

That means identifying practical ways to reduce pressure on families, help seniors remain safely in their homes, connect residents to available resources, and ensure county decisions do not unintentionally make life harder for those with the least room to absorb rising costs.

Sam will work to:

• Address the quiet crisis of residents losing homes or facing tax sale because of unpaid bills, fees, or other financial pressures.

• Strengthen coordination between county government, nonprofits, churches, service providers, and community organizations so residents can more easily access help.

• Look for practical ways to reduce costs for working families, including support for childcare access, youth programming, and other family-centered services.

• Ensure housing policy includes seniors, low-income residents, workers, and families who need safe, stable, and affordable options.

• Use data to identify where hardship is increasing so the county can respond before small problems become crises.

• Make sure economic growth benefits residents across the county, not just those already positioned to take advantage of new opportunities.