Tom Krieck
Candidate in Nov. 4 general election Unaffiliated Murray Hill
Age: 66 on day of General Election (Nov. 4)
Occupation: Business Executive
Education: BA/BS – Biology/Chemistry Rutgers University, MBA -Fairleigh Dickinson University
Previous political experience: I have never run for office before
Why are you running for office?
Two reasons-
1) Annapolis has a closed primary system in which if I did not run as an Independent (although my background is Democratic) the winner of the Democratic primary would represent the entire Ward. This would disenfranchise 48% of the Ward population who are registered Republican, Independent and others. My core belief is that this is wrong, and everyone should have a choice; and a voice.
2) I believe that Ward 1 needs a mature voice on council that listens to the residents, understands the challenges they face every day and represents their needs. A voice that challenges the status quo with practical solutions not political posturing. A voice that looks at the Alderman position as more than a steppingstone on one’s political ladder.
What issues are important to your ward? How do you plan on addressing them?
The continuing struggle to handle the ever-increasing property tax burden is stressing our residents on fix incomes and families that want to make Annapolis their home. The average homeowner now pays 44% more in city taxes than they did just 8 years ago.
SOLUTIONS
ELIMINATE WASTEFUL EXPENDITURES; IMPROVE CITY SPENDING PRACTICES: Spending $210,000 for leaf blower vouchers, $450,000 for Pickleball Lights or adding another staff member to support City Council when the present one does NOT have enough work to do every day.
SLOW THE YEAR-TO-YEAR PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT INCREASE: Reduce Annapolis’ Homestead Property Tax Credit rate so that it matches Anne Arundel County (10% vs 2%)
IMPLEMENT ZERO BASED BUDGETING: Have departments justify their budget expenditures starting a $0 rather just adding on to the inefficient spending habits that exist today.
REDUCE REDUNDANCY: Implement a consolidation of City-run departments with similar County departments.
How do you see housing and public transportation development progressing in the next four years?
Housing development in our city is being justified under the Affordable Housing (AH) umbrella. I fully support Affordable Housing in our city. But you cannot have AH with sky rocketing property tax; since those taxes are about 20% of a mortgage payment. As the city commissioned Economics of Community Development report recommended “INCREASE DENSITY INCREMENTALLY”. “IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY TO UTILIZE THE LAND IT HAS EFFICIENTLY IN TERMS OF TAX PRODUCTIVITY”.
As developers build more multi-family dwellings, we need to recognize we are NOT tackling our affordable housing crisis rather the city is building a larger tax base at the expense of our lifestyle to allow for more spending.
The same report stated “FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS …. IS INSUFFICIENT…”
I would propose we step back and look at development in a more holistic viewpoint with eye toward LIFESTYLE impact on our present residents rather blindly moving forward.
Are there decisions/legislation from the previous council that you want to readdress?
All policies surrounding City Dock development need to be re-addressed inclusive of the “special” height zoning ordinance (0-14-25) and the one-sided Market House lease (0-33-25). We have been looking at the Dock project on a piece meal basis i.e. the Marine Welcome Center, a fountain etc. Rather I would propose that we quickly reassess the project, including previously mentioned ordinances based on COSTS. Let us look at city dock based on the the historical significance of the site not the profit potential.
During that time all the flood mitigation construction SHOULD PROCEED, including repairing the pumps. But we need to bring the entire project in line with available funding, which is currently about $45MM. No “spa” like features with marble facings. Let us take this step by step and understand the financial implementations of EVERY move.
We should be building City Dock in celebration of the HISTORY OF ANNAPOLIS, NOT IN SPITE OF THAT HISTORY
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