Carolyn J. Zinner, First Time Candidate Runs for HdG City Council

Carolyn J. Zinner Havre de Grace Resident is running her first political campaign, vying with seven other candidates to earn a seat on City Council.

Carolyn and her husband Peter have lived in the area since 1993 initially in Perryville and later moving to Havre de Grace in 2008. She likens living in Perryville to almost living in Havre de Grace due to the need to cross the bridge for shopping, restaurants, doctors, entertainment, etc.

Carolyn has degrees in Medical Technology and Healthcare Administration and has worked in Laboratory Medicine and as a Project Manager implementing Electronic Medical Record software throughout the country including DOD facilities for which she applied and obtained a security clearance.

Carolyn also contributes to several local non-profits including the HdG Colored School, Habitat for Humanity, the HdG Opera House and the Gold Star Monument. She also honors three students of her former High School with scholarships to help assist with their educational goals and recently joined the HdG Soroptimist Club indicating their goals align with hers to offer educational and business opportunities to women and girls. She was also the former owner of the HdG Curves franchise working to help women achieve exercise and nutritional balance.

Carolyn is very clear about her intentions and why she wants to run for City Council. She recently stated her views during her closing remarks at the recent OPAC Forum held on Wednesday April 25th at the Havre de Grace Opera House. Her remarks are printed below.

“I want to be clear that I am not running against anyone on this stage, but towards something; the possibility of claiming the open seat on Council being vacated by Mike Hitchings, and while I cannot fill his shoes I can emulate his example of honesty and integrity in serving Havre de Grace. Thank you Mike for your inspiration and service.

Mike is my role model for preparedness, detail and selfless service as a council member and I know he is not leaving us behind, but following his heart to spend more time with his family, and like Mike I too am in a period of transition and will be leaving my current position on June 30 to pursue community interests and spending the hours needed to perform to the highest standards as your councilwoman.

While not an engineer, I may not look at issues from the same angle, but I can say as someone who has spent years looking through the lens of a microscope I am no stranger to detail, and as a Project Manager, I always start with the end in mind while looking for areas on which to compromise in order to reach a common goal on time and on budget.

We have in Havre de Grace many Commissions, but not one to develop an action plan to present foundational ideas to support the health care we need. Let’s call on our experienced health care professionals and citizens impacted by recent plans, to create and communicate a truly transformative model of care! As your Councilwoman, I’ll be honored to chair that Commission.

As someone who has been saving for retirement my entire working life and fostered financial literacy for school age children I’ll honor the tax dollars you contribute to this city while looking for ways to work with council and our various agencies and commissions to find grant money and financial incentives to spur business development.

We are a city based on good will and it is difficult to put a price on all the volunteer hours and expertise gifted to this city by its townspeople. Let’s keep that spirit going while finding ways to control costs, make less do more, and follow three R’s of conservation Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I cannot win this seat without you, I am asking for your help and your vote on Tuesday May 8th. I’m Carolyn Zinner, your candidate for city council. Thank you.”