ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — On a recent episode of “Get Real with Southern Maryland Politics,” host Chris Hill sat down with St. Mary’s County Commissioner President candidate Roy Alvey for a wide-ranging conversation about his background, priorities, and vision for St. Mary’s County.
A lifelong St. Mary’s County resident, Alvey emphasized his deep roots in the community as a central reason for his candidacy. Raised on Snow Hill Farm, he described a childhood shaped by agriculture and family life before graduating from Chopticon High School, where he was active in athletics and met his wife of more than 50 years.
Following high school, Alvey served in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam era before returning home to begin a long career in the telecommunications industry. He worked for what became Verizon for 38 years, installing both residential telephone systems and later high-speed data infrastructure across the county, including at NAS Patuxent River and local businesses.
In addition to his professional career, Alvey highlighted decades of community involvement. His experience includes serving on the St. Mary’s County Housing Authority, the Metropolitan Commission, and the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Ethics Committee. He has also been active in local civic organizations, youth sports, and Republican Party groups.
Alvey said his decision to run for Commissioner President comes at a pivotal moment, citing the open seat due to term limits and concerns about the county’s current direction — particularly regarding spending and development.
“I’m not a fan of the way the county is going,” Alvey said, pointing to what he views as excessive spending and a shift away from the county’s traditional identity. He recounted a recent conversation with a resident who described St. Mary’s County as dominated by “gas stations, dollar stores, and cannabis,” a perception he hopes to change by preserving rural character while supporting technology and industry.
A central theme of Alvey’s platform is fiscal responsibility. He identified three core priorities for county government: public safety, education, and infrastructure. These areas, he said, should receive full funding before additional spending is considered.
Beyond those essentials, Alvey expressed support for reducing overall county spending and, if possible, lowering taxes. He also called for greater oversight from commissioners in development decisions, arguing that elected officials should play a more active role earlier in the planning process.
On growth and development issues, Alvey raised concerns about the placement of cannabis facilities in residential areas and the potential environmental impact of large-scale projects such as data centers, particularly regarding water usage and energy demand.
Housing affordability emerged as another major focus during the discussion. Alvey pointed to rising home prices and interest rates that place homeownership out of reach for many workers, including teachers and law enforcement officers. He advocated for expanding workforce and senior housing options and suggested revisiting previously rejected housing proposals that relied on federal funding.
Drawing on his experience with the Housing Authority, Alvey argued that well-managed, income-based housing can provide quality living conditions while addressing affordability challenges. He also emphasized the need for more housing options for seniors looking to downsize.
Additional proposals discussed included reducing recreation and parks fees for youth sports and community leagues, as well as implementing a cap on property taxes for seniors ages 65 and older.
If elected, Alvey said he would approach the role as a full-time position, pledging to be “transparent, accessible, available, and accountable” to residents.
Watch the full interview below:
About Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics
The interview is part of The BayNet’s new candidate video podcast series, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics,” which features conversations with Southern Maryland candidates running for county commissioner, state delegate and state senator.
Upcoming election coverage can be found at /elections.
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