Priorities
Defend the Rural North
Make no mistake—there is a very real movement to open the rural north to development.
Since 1967, the Urban–Rural Demarcation Line has directed growth toward areas with existing infrastructure. This boundary protects our reservoirs, which supply 86 billion gallons of drinking water, and it prevents farmland from being consumed by urban sprawl. That boundary is now being targeted by some in the development industry who want to expand the URDL.
David Marks championed a change to our county charter that will protect our farms and reservoirs. He proudly supports Question A.
Support Our First Responders
Government’s top priority must be protecting its citizens—period. Baltimore County must focus on filling vacancies in the Fire and Police Departments and ensuring that first responders have the tools they need to keep our communities safe. That means guaranteeing effective police response times in both suburban communities and rural areas that are far from the Cockeysville, Parkville, and White Marsh precincts.
Prioritize Improvements at our High Schools
As the first special educator ever elected to the Baltimore County Council, David Marks understands the need to always support teachers, parents, and students. David Marks successfully secured funding to build new elementary and middle schools across northeastern Baltimore County. The next step is to prioritize our aging high schools, including Loch Raven, Overlea, and Perry Hall High Schools.
Reduce Our Cost of Living
Baltimore County must do everything in its power to make everyday life more affordable for its residents. Too many Baltimore Countians live from paycheck to paycheck, and every time government tries to add a new tax or raise a fee, those expenses hurt people struggling to make ends meet. Councilman Marks has consistently opposed tax rate hikes. He has supported help for vulnerable families, worked to reform the permit process, and championed legislation that allows homeowners to opt-out of expensive sewer connections. He will continue to look for ways to make life more affordable for every Baltimore Countian.
Relentlessly Focus on Neighborhoods
As a community leader and County Councilman, David Marks has relentlessly focused on neighborhoods. That means taking care of the smaller problems before they escalate—issues like potholes, rats, and abandoned homes. David Marks will continue to focus on neighborhood priorities, both big and small, as well as regional projects such as a master plan for Mount Vista Park and improvements to the White Marsh Town Center.
Get Things Done
Baltimore County must have a culture that treats everyone with respect and gets things done—faster, more affordably, and better.
Baltimore County’s permitting process is notoriously inefficient—not only for businesses, but also for families who simply want to make improvements to their homes. The county should move toward a concurrent permitting system in which multiple agencies work together to identify potential issues. There should also be a presumption that permits will be approved unless they conflict with county regulations.
Similarly, too many capital projects have been stalled due to inadequate planning. David Marks secured funding for the Honeygo Boulevard traffic circle and the Gerst Road Park in Perry Hall, and he will work with the new County Executive to complete these projects that have been slowed down in the county bureaucracy.
