Republican

Candidate name: Chuck Floyd

Place of residence: Kensington

Date of birth: Jan. 27, 1950

Place of birth: Nassawadox, Va.

Current occupation: CEO, officialBRAC.com; security consultant

Education: M.S. in logistics, Florida Institute of Technology; M.B.A., Webster University; B.S. in biology, University of Richmond; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College

Community associations, involvement: Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Military Officers Association of America; Reserve Officers Association

Professional associations: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce; Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Heritage Foundation; American Border Patrol

Family: Wife, Kathryn; daughters Julia, 13, Anna, 9, Lori, 30, Charlie, 27

Campaign office, telephone: P.O. Box 676, Kensington, MD 20895, 240-238-5789

Web site: www.chuckfloyd.com

Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

The single most important issue in Montgomery County is a lack of ‘‘trust” of the elected officials by the citizens. Honesty with the taxpayers about the issues facing the county is the most significant issue facing the County. I will concentrate on public safety, taxes, schools, union contracts, transportation, illegal immigration, emergency preparedness, and development. I will seek the assistance of the IG or other independent accounting experts. I will appoint experts in areas of great responsibility.

I will do a top to bottom review of every County program to determine the effectiveness and affordability. I will do a top to bottom review of where the County spends the money and where the County receives its money.

I will use Six Sigma principles (zero defects) in developing government processes and procedures so that citizens and businesses have faith in all government programs. I will promote Public Private Partnerships to get our infrastructure to where it should be to support our population.

As a CEO, I understand the importance of getting back to basics and providing the County services that are required and expected. The county needs a leader who will be accountable to the citizens, not special interest groups. I will be the visionary for Montgomery County to plan the future for our children, get it’s finances back on track, lower taxes, and work for the citizens. I will enforce a ‘‘scope, schedule, and budget” for all county programs.

The three top issues facing Montgomery County are uncontrolled development, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure (roads, mass transit).

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

I would rate the performance of the current County Executive as good. Mr. Duncan has accomplished a lot and has performed many of his duties in an outstanding way. However, he has allowed the County Council to spend too much money on what I term as ‘‘non-government” projects. He has stated on many occasions that he is ‘‘not to blame or not accountable” when critical issues go wrong or have been publicized,

The CEO or County Executive is the leader of the County and must be responsible for all programs under his control. I will be responsible and accountable. I will challenge the County Council and represent the citizens, not special interest groups. I will not encourage gang members to live in Montgomery County — I will go after them and drive them from our communities.

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

I believe that 1.5% is too much at this time due to a severe lack of infrastructure. Once the infrastructure catches up to the uncontrolled development, then we can sustain a 1.5% growth per year. Growth has to be accomplished correctly so our environment and our quality of life are not adversely affected.

The Annual Growth Policy (AGP) is the mechanism by which growth is regulated in Montgomery County. Every two years, limits are set for the amount of new development to be allowed in each planning area of the county. The AGP system was devised to meet the legal requirement of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance that says, ‘‘development will be approved only if adequate infrastructure exists — schools, roads and transit, as well as police, fire and emergency medical services — to support that new development”.

In October 2003, the County Council eliminated the AGP limits on the amount of new development that the Planning Board can approve, replacing that system with traffic capacity and school capacity tests that are virtually incapable of stopping aggressive overdevelopment. There is now no effective mechanism by which we can regulate the pace of new development in Montgomery County. Also, Mr. Silverman voted to eliminate the Traffic Impact Study before zoning approval and a New Growth Policy that eliminates all growth ceilings.

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

The County Executive should have control over the development process since as CEO, the County Executive is responsible for the implementation of all policies and programs. The development process must have a system and a person who is accountable. The County Council cannot manage the program.

I have extensive experience in planning and development with my own subdivisions and office buildings to managing the building of U.S. embassies around the world valued at $10 billion.

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

Development in Montgomery County should not be stopped, but it can be well managed and the process controlled. It simply takes the proper management ability, proper processes, enforcement, and accountability.

We need a County government that treats everyone....concerned citizens and wealthy developers — equally. Our quality of life will continue to decline if Montgomery County government continues to operate as the private cookie jar of big developers. Mr. Silverman is in charge of the Committee that is responsible for development, yet all of this happened on his watch and he says that it is not his fault. Can we trust him?

Clarksburg will always be a symbol of Montgomery County’s planning and permitting process run amuck. Plans cannot be changed after they are approved. Documents cannot be altered after the fact. Developers cannot have the access to our County government that hardworking tax paying citizens do not. And yet all of this happened. We deserve better from our County government and the people we pay to run it. No more Clarksburgs ! Unfortunately, Clarksburg is not the end of the story.

As your County Executive, I will remove developers from the governing process and will insist on Six Sigma processes for a ‘‘zero defect” process that works.

In July 2005, the press broke the story that hundreds of homes in the Clarksburg Town Center project violated the building standards for allowable height and setback from the street. With regard to the height issue, the Planning Board had approved a height limit for the project that was expressed in number of feet. But, when residents from the Clarksburg area pointed out that the new homes were exceeding this height, a staff member at Park and Planning changed the height on the approved plan from number of feet to number of stories, so that the homes would be found in compliance. When it was confirmed that this staffer altered the plan after it was approved by the Planning Board, their employment was terminated. In addition to exposing unethical behavior on the part of a Park and Planning staff member, the observant Clarksburg residents discovered that no one in county government was checking to see whether all of the requirements of the approved Site Plans were being met.

All building projects in the county require preliminary plan approval, also known as subdivision approval, to insure that basic infrastructure is provided to the property — roads, water, sewer or septic, utilities, etc. After receiving preliminary plan approval, building projects in Montgomery County fall into one of two categories — either they are Standard Method projects or they require Site Plan approval by the Planning Board.

Montgomery County government used to work for us. It does not anymore. If you think the special interests are receiving special treatment from Montgomery County government, then I ask you to join me. It’s time to Take Back Montgomery!

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

Through well designed programs and thoughtfully planned policies, the County can influence the housing shortage. Every time the County Council passes another impact fee, predatory lending law, and the like, the cost of housing goes up and the affordability goes down. The planning and zoning rules and procedures greatly influence the price of a house or apartment. High personal and property taxes influence the price of affordable housing. We must think outside-the-box in solving this issue. Developers and builders are tired of the constantly changing requirements.

Mission⁄Goal of Affordable Housing

*Affordable homes for all citizens

*Affordable rental units for all citizens

*Loan programs for first time buyers

*Housing for homeless, disabled, and seniors

*Reasonable costs of mortgages and closing costs

*Lending policies and fair housing

*Quality of Life for all citizens

*All citizens in some sort of affordable housing

Failures of Current Programs

Bad policies from State, County Council and County Executive

*High closing costs⁄settlement charges for home buyers

*Impact fees for new construction (passed to buyers)

*Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Program Variances

*Transferable Development Right Variances

*Mortgage policies imposed upon lenders

*County charges to renters for other programs ($54⁄mo)

*Mismanagement of county funds, less for housing programs

*Allowing developers to control county development process

*High taxes on property

*Giving away air space to developers

*Selling excess school land to developers (Seven Locks)

*Accountability of the Housing Initiative Fund (HIF)

*Lack of an infrastructure plan for transportation

*Review the requirements for eligibility

A large number of our first responders such as firefighters, police officers, and command and control center employees do not even live in Montgomery County due to the lack of affordable housing.

Market forces of supply and demand

a. High demand area due to federal government

b. High demand area due to quality of high tech jobs

c. Demand for close-in homes due to transportation issues

d. Lack of a proper growth plan

In Maryland, low income family units account for the bulk of the projected deficit of affordable housing (66 percent), followed by units accessible to individuals with disabilities (18 percent), and the elderly units (16 percent).

Solutions

In order to solve our critical housing problems (shortage of affordable apartments and homes), we must think outside of the box. We must think about the systematic problems that cause a lack of affordable housing and the solutions to solve this problem for the county. Everything is on the table from rent control to restriction of condo conversions to my housing plan for first responders.

1. Require builders and developers for high density developments to deed to the county 10% of all units built anywhere in the county.

*Establish a county (military-style) base housing program

*Use this program for first responder county employees

*County will own these units

Or just pay County employees a monthly housing allowance

2. Use a Public Private Partnership program to renovate or build affordable housing on excess county land (i.e. Seven Locks School). Have industry and nonprofit organizations be involved with this program for the poor or displaced. Leasehold property with a PPP development is a great solution.

3. Properly fund the low income housing tax credit and rental housing fund programs.

4. Promote ownership programs like the Down payment and Settlement Expense Program and More House 4 Less Maryland Mortgage Program.

5. Properly fund programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities (i.e. Homeownership for Individuals with Disabilities).

6. Increase the funding (5% of county property tax revenue) for the House Initiative Fund (HIF).

7. Increase funding for educational training so individuals in these types of housing programs can get better paying jobs and can then be self reliant.

8. Update the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit Program (MPDU) so that developers cannot buy their way out of their obligations.

9. Implement local non-profit community development corporations that will focus on certain segments of the affordable housing market.

10. Provide property tax relief for all homeowners.

These programs can be paid for by the County Council charging for all the zoning variances they give wealthy developers for free (i.e., Woodmont Triangle would produce $200 million in zoning rights).

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 have traveled to almost 60 countries around the world over the past 30 years. I have coordinated with people and governments from Europe and Africa to Asia, so I know how to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds. We have the issue of over 50,000 illegal immigrants in Montgomery County at a cost of over $100 million to the taxpayers. How do we solve this issue? We have an increase in gangs and crime. How do we ensure safety for our citizens?

First, we must ensure we have public safety programs that work and that the gangs do not prey upon others who cannot defend themselves. Second, we have to provide for economic and educational opportunities for everyone in our County. Third, we must lower taxes so families can afford to raise their families in affordable areas. Fourth, we must get back to supporting local communities so people identify with their own part of Montgomery County.

We need a Summer Jobs Program for our youth so they can become valued County employees. I will include members of my administration from our diverse culture. I will reach out to all groups, but I will not provide special access to ‘‘special interest groups” like the developers or CASA. I will provide equal and fair access to government for all citizens and will provide the county services that promote safe neighborhoods.

Do you support Montgomery County’s day laborer centers?

No. These centers are promoting illegal activity in our neighborhoods such as identity theft, social security fraud, and non-payment of taxes. They are providing social services that should be given to U.S, citizens. We at the County level must enforce the laws for public safety.

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

I will add community based programs and projects so each community has a police station, fire and rescue services, a community center, and it’s own identity. I will add more personnel to the Inspector General’s office, and I will promote more public safety and emergency preparedness programs. We have to have a functional Homeland Security Office and Emergency Management Center.

There is plenty of money in the budget for these programs if the correct decisions are made about government functions and responsibilities. I will focus on the procurement process to stop the massive overpayments on all construction programs.

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

The local taxes are too high. Our high taxes cause many problems with our County employees such as health care, affordable housing, public safety, to transportation issues. The cell phone tax, the energy tax, the property tax, and the piggy back tax are just some of the taxes that need to be reduced. There are many other taxes that punish businesses and County citizens that must be reviewed. Spending is the issue. Spending on every wild idea by the County Council must end and the taxpayers’ money must be spent on basic government services.

What is the biggest challenge facing the county school system, and how can the executive help address it?

Education starts at home. Children need the basic family structure with security and encouragement.

The school system cannot be a day care center for undisciplined kids. The local communities, churches, and civic organizations must take a stand and assist in these areas. We must put ‘‘Community” back in the definition of Community Service for MCPS. We should be in helping kids and families to read and speak English, not helping politicians.

I believe that providing the proper education to our children is the single most important thing we as adults can do in raising a child. I believe that every child (and adult) must receive the proper education so he or she can function and be a productive member of our society. Education is one of my top priorities and we must reform the system to provide the necessary support to our teachers, our children and all parents.

I believe that we must fully fund educational programs. We must ensure that parents, teachers, and students work together to get the benefits from a well-run school system:

*More accountability and flexibility

*Better physical education programs for all students

*Results based education

*Smaller classrooms in neighborhood schools

*Increased resources

*Decision making at the local level

*More investment in recruiting and retaining the best teachers

*Increased funding for reading and math programs

*More involvement between student, parent, and teacher

*Safe drug-free and gang-free schools

*English immersion

Our school system in Montgomery County is a model for the country. But there is always room for improvement. We must make sure that all of our children are provided with a high quality education, regardless of where they live. Less than a third of American fourth- and eighth-graders are proficient in math, reading, science, or history, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress. The news is even bleaker for low-income children, of whom over half cannot read or perform mathematics at even a basic level.

Worse, many of these students have no opportunity to attend a better school and will graduate without the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.

Our children can only learn if our schools are safe. That means they must be drug free and gang free. No child should be placed in an environment where he or she fears for their safety. School sponsored athletic events cannot be allowed to become meeting grounds for gang members. Gang recruiting efforts must be stomped out.

As County Executive, I will work with the police department to increase police presence in and around school activities. A violent felon is a violent felon regardless of his age. That type of dangerous individual should not be free to roam our school hallways any more than he should be allowed to roam our neighborhoods. I will work with principals and teachers to ensure that our schools are places where good teachers can teach and children can learn.

As part of this gang control effort, we also must encourage programs such as ‘Character Counts’, which has been successfully implemented in Gaithersburg. CHARACTER COUNTS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian character education framework that teaches the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The CHARACTER COUNTS Coalition includes thousands of schools, communities and nonprofit organizations. We must allow the Boy Scouts to conduct education programs at our schools.

We must get back to the basics to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. This involves the correct education policy from the federal government to the local school boards, recruitment of teachers, smaller classroom sizes, encouraging more parental involvement, and safe schools.

The biggest challenge facing the school system is the influx of illegal immigrants and the gangs. The schools are challenged due to students and parents not speaking English. Along with student discipline and the presence of the gangs in the schools, the school officials have been given an impossible task of educating our children.

We need to have more programs as below:

*Professional training for teachers

*Grievance procedures for students

*Professional place to work and learn

*Student discipline and behavior

*Security of students and staff

*After school programs

*Parent involvement

*English immersion

*Professional and technical student programs

*A well defined ‘‘Community Service” program

There are many policies and long range planning procedures that I question. The budget of $2 billion should cover all of the required programs for our County school system. There has not been accountability or oversight because certain politicians do not want the facts revealed to the public. There is too much infighting between the MCPS, the School Board, and the County Council.

Should the county pay more for school construction, and where would you get the money?

No, the County does not need to pay more. The contracts must be monitored for the ‘‘scope, schedule, and budget” so we do not have massive cost overruns. School property should not be given to developers, but provided to the local communities for the proper use. School design and construction should be from a basic design, not a unique design for every school. Every school project should be from the same blueprint with defined costs. We need accountability.

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

Yes, I support the Purple Line, but.... I support an underground tunnel with a regular metro line along with above ground rail. However, it will take 10 years for the Purple Line to become a reality — what do we do during this 10 year period?

I want the voters of Montgomery County to understand the reality of the Purple Line and what my Democratic opponents are not saying. It is amazing that every four years leading up to an election my opponents suddenly have solutions for our gridlock. My opponents have had over 20 years to solve the Purple Line issue, but have not and traffic congestion is getting worst. Recently, the Maryland DOT Secretary stated that the Purple Line will not solve the traffic congestion and is not sure if the route should be heavy rail, light rail, or a bus transit corridor.

My opponents are promoting the Purple Line as the transportation solution. Can my opponents come up with the estimated cost of the Purple Line — $2 Billion? How will they pay for it? Will they introduce a new metro tax of $400 per household? Will they shut down the school system for one year? How can they deliver on this promise? Is this an election year ploy?

The Purple Line must have federal funding, state funding, and some local funding. It takes political muscle to fight for transportation dollars at the federal level. This is what Governor Ehrlich did with the ICC. He personally asked President Bush to help and he delivered. The ICC was put on a fast track and now after 40 years with a Republican Governor, we will build the ICC. The same holds true with the Purple Line. What has our two Democrat U.S. Senators or our Democrat U.S. House members accomplished? The answer is — Nothing.

I understand the issues of obtaining money for the Purple Line and I am telling the voters of Montgomery County that my opponents are ‘‘blowing political smoke”. I want a Purple Line, but I know what has to happen at the federal and state levels before it can be delivered. At this point in time, the Purple Line is not even on the state’s list of priority transportation projects. Even with the proper federal support, the Purple Line cannot be a reality for at least 10 years.

I do not want to destroy the Capital Crescent Trail and tunneling is the only way to accomplish this project. A cut and cover or light rail will destroy the trail. If we spend $100 million extra in tunneling, I think that it is worth the price to save the trail. I run on the Capital Crescent Trail and it is a great natural resource and green space for our citizens.

What traffic solutions can we promote during the 10 years it will take to complete the Purple Line? We need to look at dedicated bus lanes, intersection upgrades, and other solutions. We must have Public-Private Partnership projects to solve our transportation crisis. We must control the development and build our infrastructure to meet current demands. The voters in Montgomery County must know the facts.

What standards should be used in distributing county grant money to nonprofit organizations?

There are eight basic components to creating a grant proposal package: (1) the proposal summary; (2) introduction of organization; (3) the problem statement (or needs assessment); (4) project objectives; (5) project methods or design; (6) project evaluation; (7) future funding; and (8) the project budget.

The County must have a very clear process for grant proposals with a vetting process that shows the taxpayer that a grant to an organization will benefit the County and the taxpayer. Grants must be tied to a function of a County agency so there are benefits to the community. There must be measurable goals and accountable results linked to the grant.

Proposals should require a description of an applicant’s organization to describe its past and present operations. The problem statement (or needs assessment) is a key element of a proposal that makes a clear, concise, and well-supported statement of the problem to be addressed. It is necessary to identify all objectives related to the goals to be reached, and the methods to be employed to achieve the stated objectives. The program design refers to how the project is expected to work and solve the stated problem. Finally, the evaluation component is two-fold: (1) product evaluation; and (2) process evaluation. Product evaluation addresses results that can be attributed to the project, as well as the extent to which the project has satisfied its desired objectives. Process evaluation addresses how the project was conducted, in terms of consistency with the stated plan of action and the effectiveness of the various activities within the plan.

I have been involved with federal grant programs for many years and understand the process and will ensure as County Executive that we have a functional grant process in the County.

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

Health care is a top priority for me. We must provide the right policies for health services to seniors, children, the unborn and other citizens. I will implement health care policies for excellence, fairness, responsiveness, and the dignity of all Montgomery County citizens. I will ensure that the County Inspector General has the staff to monitor this program.

The Montgomery Cares plan represents a major expansion of health care coverage for uninsured residents of Montgomery County. The goal of the plan is to nearly quadruple the number of individuals being served through a network of private health clinics over the next five years. The issue of serving the 50,000 illegal immigrants in the County must be solved.

This program has been increased by $3 million in the FY2006 budget, bringing the program’s total budget to $5 million. The goal of Montgomery Cares is to extend basic health care access to 40,000 uninsured county residents by 2010, with medical care and prescriptions provided by a network of ‘‘safety net” clinics throughout the county. The program is projected to operate on a budget of $15- $20 million per year, and will help treat residents who have been left without medical care in light of recent state budget cuts.

No one should have to forego needed medical care because they can’t afford to pay for it, yet today we have thousands in our community who lack health care. Montgomery Cares will provide needed care for all. Under an innovative partnership with local hospitals, community-based health clinics and health care professionals, it will provide primary and specialty care – as well as prescription medications – to our most needy and vulnerable residents. Dental care and behavioral health services will be included as part of a pilot project.

Why are there health disparities among different ethnic groups or segments of our population? There are certain genetic characteristics that are factors which influence hearth disease, cancer, high blood pressure, or other medical issues? Then, we have society issues such as preventive medical care for vaccines against diseases, dental, eye, or normal medical care. It also depends on the medical coverage plans offered by companies or the county.

Currently, the health care safety net tries to focus on the poor and the very costly medical procedures or nursing homes for the elderly. The County Executive must implement policies and procedures to provide a safety net for citizens. This includes mobile health clinics, prescreening of school children, health benefits for county employees, to services for senior citizens.

Taxes can be reduced so employers can offer better medical plans or people can make their individual choices in their family’s health care. Public medical education such as smoking, drug use, unprotected sex, and other high risk issues must be discussed.

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

Mental health issues are becoming a critical issue in the County since we have had so many young adults committing suicide. Also, this is an issue with our aging population and with individuals who cannot handle their daily stresses.

I pledge to implement policies for excellence, fairness, responsiveness, and the dignity of all citizens. We must educate our communities in preventive medicine, physical exercise, mental health, proper eating habits, and healthy life styles to pursuit quality of life issues. We must educate everyone about the importance of personal time for family, physical exercise, and relaxing events to counter job pressures.

I will promote the mission of the County Department of Health and Human Services to assure the County addresses the health and human service needs of Montgomery County residents. We will continue to develop and maintain a broad network of community organizations in a sustained and substantial partnership.

We can coordinate interagency delivery systems for mental health, which are routinely evaluated for accessibility, quality, flexibility, efficiency, effectiveness, and fiscal soundness. We can allocate resources based on an objective analysis of need, while ensuring that the most vulnerable, at-risk populations remain a high priority. We can design and provide health and human services in partnership with the educational, business, civic, and religious communities, and with appointed boards and commissions. We can provide an open and positive work environment which encourages and supports individuals with mental health issues.