Name: John L. Lennie Thompson Jr.

Party affiliation: Republican

Place of residence: Walkersville

Date of birth: Aug. 31, 1954

Place of birth: Frederick

Current occupation: Solo practice of law

Education: Associates degree in business administration, Frederick Community College, 1985; bachelor of arts in management and history, Hood College, 1987; master of business administration, Hood College, 1990; Juris Doctorate, University of Maryland School of Law, 1993.

Community associations, involvement: Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company No. 11, Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Company No. 24.

Professional associations: District of Columbia Bar, Maryland Bar, United States Tax Court.

Family: Wife, Suzan Eaves Thompson. Son, Jacob Thompson and daughter, Hannah Thompson.

Campaign office address and telephone: 12 Liberty St., Walkersville, MD 21793. 301-845-8139.

Candidate’s Web site: www.thompson2006.org

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Place the well-being of our existing residents, school children and taxpayers above the financial interests of avaricious land developers and real estate speculators and their cabal of arrogant lawyers and paid lobbyists. Public ethics reform. Tax relief and spending control.

How would you rate the performance of the current commission: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Poor on growth issues. The majority of the present board has rolled out the red carpet for the out-of-county and out-of-state land developers in order to assist them in bulldozing and paving the county over from the Mouth of the Monocacy to the Mason-Dixon line. Poor on spending control. Good on lowering the general real property tax rate.

Is the rate of growth in Frederick County too fast, too slow, or just right?

Too fast. We are letting the developers run wild.

What’s your plan to provide more affordable housing in Frederick County?

I am in favor of extending the reach of the moderately priced dwelling unit ordinance to constitutionally permissible limits. The present ordinance has been largely ineffective because developments in the pipeline were exempted when the ordinance was created in 2002.

I would eliminate the county’s corporate welfare polices that are partly to blame for high housing prices. We bestow economic benefits on foreign, out-of-state, private business entities to entice them to locate here, primarily because they will bring ‘‘high-paying jobs.” When those ‘‘high-paying jobs” arrive, they bid up the price of housing and everything else. We are in a poor position to lament the very thing we helped bring about.

Do you think the county is doing enough to meet the needs of its growing population? If not, what do you think the county needs to do?

I welcome those who choose to make Frederick County their home. Most newcomers adapt very well. However, for the vocal minority who do not, I ask that they wait until the moving van pulls away before they begin complaining about everything. While I would strive to maintain adequate levels of existing services, I would not attempt to add new services. We cannot provide metropolitan levels of government services at Frederick County levels of taxation.

Does the commission form of government still work in Frederick County? Should we adopt a charter government, or code home rule?

Yes, the commissioner form of government still works. The voters have rejected proposed changes in the form of government four times in my lifetime. The people seem to prefer the commissioner form of government. I have no interest in pursuing another attempt at code home rule or charter government. Changing the form of government will not change in the problems the county faces and will probably not change how the county government deals with them.

Does the Board of County Commissioners need to tighten its lobbying regulations?

Yes. The people have a right to know the amount of money that changes hands in the course of influencing county officials. My lobbying reform proposal is on the Web at www.co.frederick.md.us⁄BOCC⁄LobbyingReform2004.pdf.

Should the Board of County Commissioners adopt stricter campaign finance rules?

Yes. The county commissioners should not solicit or accept political campaign contributions from those having pending business, particularly developers with pending rezoning applications. My proposal for campaign finance reform is on the Web at www.co.frederick.md.us⁄BOCC⁄ProposedFrederickCountyPublicEthicsReformAct.pdf.

What programs would you add to the budget and how would you pay for them?

None. We need to practice smaller government, not just preach it.

Are there any programs, taxes or fees that should be cut? What would you do with the money from the savings?

I would eliminate the county’s Office of Economic Development and the county’s various corporate welfare programs, eliminate the subsidies for the various nonprofit entities and non-county agencies. Savings would further reduce property taxes.

Do you think the current system for renovating schools is adequate, or does it need changing?

The current system for renovating schools is not adequate but is probably the best we can expect as long as growth remains out of control. As long as we continue to allow the developers to run wild, new school construction will continue to have priority over renovation of existing schools.

Do the commissioners have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?

The county commissioners role is limited to determining the maximum levels of funding the Board of Education should receive. The county commissioners have no say in educational policy decisions. This is how it should be.

What is the No. 1 public safety concern for Frederick County? What would you do about it?

Motor vehicle accidents. This would primarily be a state government issue. The General Assembly has not been sympathetic to our legislative proposals concerning traffic issues. The proposed ‘‘Move Over” law, which would require motorists to provide space for police and emergency workers, never made it out of committee in Annapolis.