Republican

Candidate name: Stephen N. Abrams

Place of residence: Rockville

Date of birth: July 17, 1943

Place of birth: Philadelphia

Current occupation: President, Eagle Management Partners

Education: B.S. in economics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; MBA, The American University; J.D., University of Baltimore School of Law

Community associations, involvement: Member, Montgomery County Board of Education; former member, Rockville City Council; former member, Potomac Woods Civic Association Board; former member, Centra Familia Board; Leadership Montgomery, Class of 2001

Professional associations: Maryland, D.C., Pennsylvania bars; registered securities broker

Family: Married to the former Judy Goldscheider; two daughers, Elisia and Jennifer

Campaign office address and telephone: 2290 Dunster Lane, Rockville, MD 20854, 301-340-3199

Web site: www.abramsformontgomery.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

First priority — continue the progressive efforts that have been made by Montgomery County Public Schools to improve student performance, deliver quality educational services for a changing student body composition, and continue the continuous improvement culture that has led the system to be recognized throughout the nation under Baldridge standards; Second priority — begin the process of restoring the balance between satisfying the infrastructure needs and the demands of growth in the county, without killing our economic engine; and Third priority — make existing county agencies and programs work better before we start to try to expand to new programs and initiatives.

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

Fair to poor, particularly when compared to the performance of the County Executive and Public School System. Whereas the County Executive has provided leadership based on vision and performance standards, similar to that provided in our public schools by our Superintendent and elected School Board members, the current County Council has not demonstrated either. The Council’s misjudgment regarding Canadian Drugs and Mortgage reform, coupled with its failed oversight of Clarksburg, lead me to this evaluation.

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

None of the above. The County’s growth rate is a function of the market place and the willingness of government to have both the policies and infrastructure to support and manage it. The County has failed to make sure the necessary infrastructure was being constructed to keep pace with the other development which has frustrated our citizens. If your question relates to the growth of Montgomery County’s budget, I believe the budget’s growth rate, which exceeds national growth rate measures, has been too fast and is not sustainable.

Who should have more control over the planning process, the council or the executive and why?

The Council should have more control over planning policies and the executive should have more control over implementation. To the extent the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission retains its policy role, the Council should retain its role. The implementation functions should be centralized in the executive branch with corresponding control and responsibility.

What should have been done to avoid the development problems that happened in Clarksburg?

A lot of things, but probably the most important was to make clear that the responsibility for inspections and minor changes in the plans should have been consolidated in an Executive Department.

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

If we are entering a period where housing prices are declining, the problem in some ways will take care of itself. If we embark on a slow growth or no growth agenda, I believe we will have the unintended consequence of making our existing housing stock more expensive rather that more affordable. I believe a better way to approach some of the same issues that we lump into the ‘‘affordable housing” debate, such as workforce housing, might be to look at other incentives that we as a local government can provide in lieu of housing. Some examples would include providing tuition waiver for the public school age children of county employees who reside outside of Montgomery County, day care and health care options for the same group of employees, group transportation options paid for by employers, etc.

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

I believe we in Montgomery County should take pride in what we currently do but not rest on our laurels. Again, I favor a continuous improvement model to do what we do better!

Do you support Montgomery County’s day laborer centers?

I believe the rationale behind our previous policies is no longer valid. We in Montgomery County are still reacting as if we were still primarily concerned about the sanctuary movement of the 1980s. That policy needs to be reexamined. I favor a combined approach. Better cooperation with federal officials responsible for enforcing immigration laws and a rational and humane approach for dealing with the reality of day labor.

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

Before I would even consider adding any programs I would want to establish a common metric to measure the effectiveness of all existing programs, including our public schools, and set up an objective rationale for funding.

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

Before I would even consider cutting any programs I would want to establish a common metric to measure the effectiveness of all existing programs, including our public schools, and set up an objective rationale for funding.

Does council have too much, not enough or the right amount of oversight of the school system?

The Council is one of many agencies that has oversight responsibilities for our public schools. It isn’t a question of too much, not enough or the right amount. Rather it is a question of whether the County Council exercises the proper oversight in the areas where it has the authority and responsibility to do so. I would give the current council failing grades under that standard.

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

At the present time, Montgomery County is faced with the following problem. Since the 1970s, the State of Maryland has taken on the responsibility for funding half of all school construction without agreeing to a collaborative definition of what the standard should be for Montgomery County. In addition, the state has never been able to fund its 50% commitment with any degree of certainty. Until that changes, we are limited in what we can do to alter our renovation approach.

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

I believe the impact of gangs in our community is our most pressing public safety concern. Our approach must be multi-faceted, with schools and law enforcement playing primary roles.

Do you support an east-west Metro link, and where should it go?

Yes. In the long-term I believe our region would be better served with a heavy-rail Purple Line linking Prince Georges County employment sites with Bethesda, Montgomery Mall and Tysons Corner. I would need to be convinced that the light rail option further south of the Beltway would satisfy good economic modeling and could be constructed in such a way as to not interfere with our major North-South highway arteries.

Do you support the Montgomery Cares program, and are adequate audit controls in place for accountability?

In concept I support public-private partnerships with private voluntary organizations as a more efficient way of meeting social service needs. However, I believe these work better with strong oversight and sound audit controls in place for accountability.

What should be the county’s role in mental health?

Given the national crisis in the delivery of health care, I believe the county should continue to increase its role in addressing mental health needs, particularly with our diverse population which is getting older and since there is a correlation between such needs as we become more congested.