On a recent visit with Baynet Radio and TheBAYNET.com, Democratic candidate for St. Mary’s County Commissioner for District 4, Mary Washington explained why after serving for 14 years on the Board of Education, she decided to run for commissioner.
“I am well prepared for the challenges facing the new Board of County Commissioners,” said Washington. “All the collaborative skills, partnerships and experiences I gained from serving as a member of the Board of Education; Board of Directors, Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE); and Board of Directors, Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) will help me be successful as County Commissioner.”
When asked why she decided at this time to run for County Commissioner, Washington said, “because the school system is in good shape. I love the Board of Education so much it is hard to leave, but there is an opportunity to serve and these times are hard and going to get harder.” Washington feels that she needed to go where she can help the most people.
The candidate stated that she takes her position as an elected official very seriously and treats it like a full time job. “That’s the way I approached the Board of Education and that is the way I plan to work as a County Commissioner,” said Washington. “I know who I work for, the people of St. Mary’s County. I work for every man, woman and child. This will be my only job,” she emphasized.
Washington knows that during the coming term, the commissioners will be hard pressed to accomplish goals and meet objectives, especially with the economy as it is. “There is nothing that cannot be accomplished if the Board works as a team, if they collaborate and work together to build a better St. Mary’s County.”
She feels her years of executive leadership and public service and her ability to create a team environment is what will be needed by the next government elected in November. “No matter how well-intentioned any board of elected officials may be, without collaboration and cooperation, nothing substantive can get done,” said Washington.
When asked about her life in politics, Washington laughed and said, “If someone would have asked me that question before I was elected to my first term on the Board of Education, I would have thought they were kidding. Me in politics? Nothing was further from my mind at the time, but since I have learned what public service is all about, I enjoy it immensely. My life is service; that is my job.”
The personable candidate encourages everyone to contact her if they want to discuss any campaign issues and to let her know what problems they are facing. To learn more about Washington and her years in public service or to contact her, visit her Web site, www.marywashington.com.
