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During his term as a Charles County Commissioner, Gary V. Hodge has:
√ Pursued conservative budget and fiscal management policies that have steered Charles County through the worst economic recession in 70 years, and maintained essential local government services and stable fundingfor public safety and education, in spite of declining local revenues and deep and repeated cuts in State funding, earning the County a “Triple-A” (AAA) bond rating and some of the lowest interest rates in our history.
√ Invested in Charles County’s infrastructure—roads, schools, and higher education, including plans for a new high school and a new library in Waldorf—a key factor in building our local economy, preparing for future growth, and positioning Charles County to emerge from the recession stronger, more competitive and more prosperous than ever.
√ Spearheaded planning for light rail transit from Waldorf and White Plains to the Branch Avenue Metrorail Station, as part of our comprehensive transportation strategy, which also includes enhanced commuter bus service and the completion of improvements in our local road network—such as St. Charles Parkway-Rosewick Road, Billingsley Road, Western Parkway, and Middletown Road.
√ Initiated the planning and design of a dynamic new urban center in downtown Waldorf—pedestrian-friendly and linked to mass transit, with mixed retail, commercial and residential land use, new job opportunities close to home, and diverse housing choices—as a focal point for future planned growth.
√ Developed effective and reasonable growth management policies to prevent overcrowded schools, focus future growth in the Waldorf urban core, discourage sprawl, and protect the heritage and character of our rural communities, our environment and natural resources.
√ Created new quality of life assets for our citizens, including the 4,200-seat “Blue Crabs” Stadium, and the County’s new 13-mile hiker-biker trail from White Plains to Indian Head.
√ Restored Southern Maryland’s eligibility for federal job training funds, and worked with other elected officials to compete for federal funds to extend broadband fiber and internet access to our rural communities, and to expand community-based health care services for our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as Chairman of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland.
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