Meet Jake Taylor, Candidate For Bel Air Board Of Commissioners

BEL AIR, MD — Residents will be voting Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to elect officials to three seats on Bel Air's Board of Commissioners. Meet Jake Taylor who is running for the Bel Air Board of Commissions. Taylor shared with Patch information about himself and why he's running for office.

What ways can people contact you with questions?
Email me at jakedtaylor2003@gmail.com.

Campaign website?
https://www.facebook.com/JakeTaylorForBelAir/

Age as of election day?
20

Place of residence?
I live on Mapleview Drive, just west of the Roland Place neighborhood.

Family members?
My family has lived in Harford County since I was born and I am proud to be a lifelong resident of the Bel Air area.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education?
I graduated from Loyola Blakefield High School and am currently an Honors College student at Loyola University Maryland.

Occupation?
I have worked previously in education as a speech and debate coach for Loyola Blakefield and continue to volunteer as a Sunday School teacher. Currently, I work in the Maryland Senate as a Legislative Aide.

Why are you running for office?
I'm running because it's time for change in Town Hall. Namely, the voices of the residents of Bel Air must once again be made the primary focus of those who represent them. I made my decision to run when the Board of Commissioners thrice rejected a petition for referendum signed by 2,000 residents of the town. Even now, after that rejection has been ruled illegal, the Commission continues to fight the people of the town in court. One of the most fundamental liberties granted to us is the right to petition for redress of grievance, and the Commission had no authority to throw away the signatures of a quarter of all registered voters in the town. No matter where you stand on the content of the referendum, the town had an obligation to put the question on the ballot and let the people of Bel Air decide with their vote. When the people speak, elected representatives must listen, otherwise, our form of government has failed in its most basic promise: to represent its constituents.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The single most pressing issue facing voters is overcrowding. Namely, the APF in Bel Air is not consistent with reasonable and sound public policy. Our schools and our roads are overcrowded and the Town Commission must take affirmative action to safeguard the infrastructure of our town before it falters any further under increased burden. I would work with the state to decrease traffic congestion, with HCPS to decrease classroom overcrowding, and with Harford County Government to bring more unique, small businesses into town, which would be a benefit both for those who live here and for the town's ability to provide adequate services without any more strain on our resources. All growth in Bel Air must be smart growth that has a clear benefit for the residents of the town and is compatible with our small-town character.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
It was President Jefferson who famously advised the "young and energetic" of his time to actively engage with and improve "the world and its affairs." In a town hall that needs change, I am uniquely suited to help bring it. I view my youth and energy as a great opportunity to serve my community and provide new ways of thinking about old problems. As Bel Air looks forward to its future, it can never forget its past. I am blessed to have grown up with much of my childhood spent in Historic Downtown Bel Air and it is my mission to preserve the opportunity to do exactly the same for my children and theirs.

Additionally, I am the only candidate in the race with experience working in state government and with the Maryland General Assembly's legislative process. It's important to have a commissioner who understands how Annapolis works when so many of the changes and policies that must be implemented on a local level, as well as funding and administration of critical infrastructure like the various state highways that crisscross our town, come from the state. I will ensure that Bel Air's voice is always heard in our partnerships with local and state government.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
It's time for Bel Air to move forward collaboratively, with a focus on the needs and desires of the people who live here. I look forward to engaging with as many residents of Bel Air as possible to shape our future in a way that is consistent with the needs of our present and respectful of our past.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
In addition to the work I aim to do to address the overcrowding and burden on Town infrastructure regarding transportation, education and health, more must be done in the way of economic development initiatives to bring unique, small businesses to Main Street Bel Air, filling vacant storefronts, and keeping those currently filled with their existing tenants. Further, I think more must be done to keep Bel Air one of the safest communities in Harford County. With incidents of violent crime on the rise, we need to fight to support our law enforcement, especially the Bel Air Police Department, to keep our town the safest place to live, work and raise a family.
I will strive to deliver an honest, responsive and transparent town government that does serious work on and prioritizes overcrowding, economic development and public safety.

The best advice ever shared with me was:
"You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
With any further questions or points of discussion, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I hope to earn your vote on Nov. 7.