Phillips comes out swinging in commissioner campaign

Government is ‘not working' GOP hopeful says

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009

"Our local government is clearly not working for the residents of this county," Phillips said in an e-mail Monday night. "I plan to have an ‘open door' policy as county commissioner. That is a position of integrity that residents want to see in their government and they currently do not see."

Phillips had been debating whether he would pursue a county commissioner seat or state delegate position. After consulting with advisers, friends and with a little introspection, Phillips said he realized all of his issues and questions relating to the election were best suited for the commissioner level.

A six-year resident of Charles County, Phillips now has a three-strut platform he said will change the governing body for the better.

"The three things I'm looking at are accountability in government, a connected government and a tenable — or reasonable and defendable — government," he said. "A government has the responsibility to provide the basic necessities or amenities when revenues are low. A government shouldn't lie in public, and should be made up of good, honest, moral people. We need a commission that has a good working relationship with all of the businesses, not just a select few. A commission should be lowering taxes in difficult times and cutting back on nonessentials."

The 43-year-old father of two contends the cuts to the public safety departments and the public school systems were "unthinkable … when history teaches that a bad economy equates to higher crimes.

"There were many other options for our commissioners to begin cutting rather than basic, high-priority services expected from government," Phillips said.

Phillips referenced the outpouring of frustration and anger this past spring over language technicalities when the commissioners' chose to maintain current property tax rates, which generated $9 million in revenue.

While the commissioners did not raise the tax rate, Phillips said many residents saw an increase on their bills, which is unfair given the time of economic instability across the country.

Currently serving as president for the Center for Abused Persons Board of Directors, president-elect for the Kiwanis Club of La Plata and a board member for Habitat for Humanity, Phillips has a hand in a variety of organizations around Charles County, and it's a trait he would like to see more of among the commissioners.

"Local government should have a working relationship with all businesses and service organizations working for our county," Phillips said. "I believe that the commissioners have an ordained responsibility to be good stewards of the environment in an effective manner — not simply what looks good on paper. You have to be connected to the community to be aware of the real problems we are experiencing in this county."

Conversely, Phillips worries that the public isn't aware of the problems or even the general business of the board because of the frequency with which the commissioners enter into closed session.

"It is the norm for the commissioners to walk over residents of Charles County and not walk with the residents of the county," Phillips said.

A Baptist minister for 25 years and current president of the Charles County Republican Club, Phillips is betting on his experience as a leader and perception as a local to oust incumbent commissioners' Vice President Edith J. Patterson (D). Phillips is the pastor at Nanjemoy Baptist Church.

"Charles County residents need to vote smart," Phillips said. "Vote smart instead of someone who looks good or sounds good."

Phillips is joined on the Republican ticket by District 2 commissioner candidate Rick Campbell (R). Nanjemoy resident Johnnie DeGiorgi (D) has also filed for that race.

Phillips lives with his wife, Robin. They've been married 18 years.

msomers@somdnews.com