Candidate Survey: Chelsea Montague for Calvert County Commissioner At-Large
Candidate Survey: Chelsea Montague for Calvert County Commissioner At-Large
TheDuckpin.com Candidate Survey
Name *
Chelsea Anne Montague
Age *
34
Office Sought *
County Commissioner
County *
Calvert
District, if applicable *
At Large
Political Party *
Democrat
Education *
Graduate of Chopticon High School 2006, Salisbury University Graduate BA English and BA Theatre
Career/Occupation *
Community Organizer and founding member of Feed the People, Free the People SOMD
Political Experience *
None, everyone has to start somewhere
Social Media Accounts *
Website *
None
Why are you running for office? *
After looking at the candidates and seeing there were not only no Democratic candidates running for the At Large seat, but also none representing the 40 and below age group I decided that the best way to ensure representation in government was to bring it myself. Millennials own homes, businesses, and pay taxes in Calvert County. It is time to have a bigger seat at the table.
Who do you consider your political role model, and why? *
None. Politicians should not be role models. They can be role models for what they do outside politics but never just solely for being a politician.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why? *
Too many to list. I recently finished Triangle: The Fire That Changed America from David von Drehle, talking about the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and how it spurred the movement for workplace safety, unionization, and the labor union movement. I'm currently reading Fire and Light: How the Enlightenment Transformed Our World by James MacGregor Burns.
What will be your top priority in office? *
Housing and supporting the Health department in their harm reduction efforts. The crisis of affordable housing in Calvert County is causing young families, young working professionals, and young adults in general to leave the area because they simply cannot afford to live here. A reasonable solution would be to work towards affordable apartment and townhome housing complexes in our town centers, allowing for smart growth while retaining our rural character. In reference to the Health department, the opioid epidemic covers all cross-sections of the County and there are very few families who remain untouched in some way by it. I support and believe in the principles of harm reduction, evidenced based research that shows that meeting people where they are at on their journey to sobriety is statistically more likely to get them on the road to recovery and keep them there. Narcan, fentanyl testing strips, needle exchange programs, smart education, etc are all proven to reduce drug use and drug related crime in communities. We need to support the efforts of the Calvert Health department and the Crisis Team.
What is the biggest issue facing your area? *
Housing affordability
What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland? *
Housing Affordability, infrastructure repairs, rising healthcare costs
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide) *
Pro. If you don't want one, don't get one.
What is your position on taxes and spending? *
Taxes are a necessary means of raising funding to provide for roads, education, police, etc. The working and middle class should NEVER pay more than ultra rich. A person making $1,000,000 should pay more than a person making $50,000.
What is your position on gun rights? *
They're tools, not toys.
What is your position on the legalization of marijuana? *
Let's do it.
What is your position on the current three-tiered system for the sale and distribution of alcohol? *
Allowing for breweries, wineries, and distilleries to sell directly to their customers rather than through a middle man is fine by me.
What is your position on land use, growth, and development? *
You can develop for a growing population while maintaining environmental regulations to protect the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary waters. This is extremely important. Variety is also important. When the same chain stores are being built in all of our town centers, we lose our charm. A focus on growing small businesses is important.
What is your position on crime and public safety? *
I think we are taking a step in the right direction with the Police Accountability Boards to ensure that a unbiased standard approach to policing in our communities. I believe that statistics don't lie and that Calvert as a whole is a safe place to live.
What is your position on county tax caps? *
I believe people should pay their fair share of property taxes as they fund our community resources. If a way can be found to make up for the loss in revenue from imposing a tax cap, then by all means go for it. That being said, we can not cut taxes and revenue and then magically expect the same amount of funding for schools, roads, libraries, Police and Fire/EMT, and other services provided by the county to continue at the level they are at.
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election? *
Yes
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election? *
Yes