CHESTER - Richard E. "Rick" Moser cuts right to the chase when he explains why he's running for county commissioner.

"I'm entirely upset with government," he said. "I've been to many meetings and they ignore what the people say. I don't feel they're working in the best interest of the people. I'm ticked off!"

Moser, 47, is a Democrat from Chester running for commissioner-at-large. His main concern, he said, is development, especially the 1,350-unit Four Seasons Community planned near Cox Creek. "It's horrendous. It doesn't belong here. There's nothing in Four Seasons that fits in with the Eastern Shore. It'll look like the western shore when we're done. We've got to preserve our way of life and the environment."

A native of Baltimore City, Moser has lived in Queen Anne's County since 1993. A graduate of Loyola College, he has degrees in accounting and computer science and has worked for the past four years as comptroller for an athletic wear firm in Caroline County.

"The water-related activities brought me to the Shore," Moser said. This is his first run for political office.

Moser said he has been active in the Kent Island Defense League on issues ranging from Site 104 to Wal-Mart, in addition to Four Seasons.

He calls the development moratorium "a stunt that won't change anything."

On the question of impact fees, he said he feels that developments should pay for their own infrastructure, but that the current fees are not high enough. "There are also too many waivers and exemptions."

And on Wal-Mart, he said locating it in a more central location rather than near the Bay Bridge would be preferable because "the traffic there is already horrendous."

On the issue of education, Moser said more schools are needed.

"As you add development," he said, "schools become crowded. More money should be going to facilities."

He said would also like to see teachers' salaries improved. He would also like to see greater community involvement in educational matters and an elected school board. "But I doubt that'll happen anytime soon."

Moser also spoke in favor of stronger environmental regulations, especially those dealing with sewage outflow to the Chesapeake Bay. He said the agricultural lifestyle should be preserved and that the 300-foot buffer zone near Bay waters should be strictly enforced. "There's no excuse for growth in Bay critical areas," he said. "There's plenty of available land."

As for public safety, he described the county's emergency services as "significantly understaffed" and "overwhelmed by development." He said he believes the day is not far off when firefighters will have to be paid and "the taxpayers will pay for it."

Moser also would like to see an emergency health center established on Kent Island.

"It's better when you can have more ideas," Moser said of the expansion of the board of county commissioners from three to five members. "But the districts are designed to help the incumbents. It could have been handled better."

Moser, who has been married for 23 years and has 3 children and 4 grandchildren, said there's a simple reason for voting for him.

"If you want something done about growth, we'll work on it." 
 

©The Star Democrat 2002 

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