ISSUES & PRIORITIES: “Solutions That Work for Everyone.”

White’s Ferry has been closed for years, creating major disruptions for residents, workers, and businesses that rely on this critical connection across the Potomac River. Five years is simply too long for such an important transportation link to remain closed.

Montgomery County must work with neighboring jurisdictions and stakeholders to find a practical solution to reopen White’s Ferry as soon as possible. Restoring this crossing will improve transportation access, support local businesses, and reduce travel burdens for thousands of commuters.

Dr. Sherwin Wells is committed to pushing for real action and collaboration to reopen White’s Ferry and restore this vital connection for our community. Montgomery County must increase funding for shelters, transitional housing, and supportive services to ensure those in crisis have a safe place to stay while working toward long-term stability. This includes expanding access to mental health care, job training, and financial support programs.

Dr. Sherwin Wells is committed to working with community organizations, nonprofits, and local partners to create practical solutions that reduce homelessness and help residents rebuild their lives. Together, we can ensure Montgomery County is a place where everyone has the opportunity for safe, stable housing.

Residents deserve leaders who are accessible, responsive, and willing to listen. Too often, people feel disconnected from their elected officials and unsure how to get help when they need it most.

Dr. Sherwin Wells is committed to maintaining an open-door policy so residents and business owners can easily reach their elected council member for assistance, concerns, or ideas. Government should be transparent and accessible to the people it serves.

By creating more opportunities for direct communication, Dr. Wells will ensure every voice in Montgomery County has the opportunity to be heard.

Residents deserve a government that is transparent, efficient, and accountable. Elected officials and county employees should be held to clear standards that ensure they are serving the community effectively.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports implementing regular performance reviews and measurable benchmarks to evaluate the work of elected officials and county departments. These reviews will help ensure that public services are delivered efficiently and that taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

By strengthening accountability and transparency, Montgomery County can build greater trust in government and ensure that public servants are delivering results for the people they represent.

Keeping residents safe is one of the most important responsibilities of local government. Montgomery County must ensure that law enforcement, fire and rescue, and emergency response teams have the resources and support they need to protect our communities.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports strengthening public safety while improving emergency preparedness and disaster response planning. This includes investing in first responders, improving coordination between agencies, and ensuring the county is prepared for emergencies such as severe weather, public health crises, and other unexpected disasters.

By prioritizing safety, preparedness, and strong community partnerships, Montgomery County can better protect residents and respond quickly when emergencies occur.

Homelessness is a growing challenge in Montgomery County, and no resident should be without safe shelter. Rising housing costs, financial hardship, and limited support services have left too many individuals and families without stable housing.

Montgomery County must increase funding for shelters, transitional housing, and supportive services to ensure those in crisis have a safe place to stay while working toward long-term stability. This includes expanding access to mental health care, job training, and financial support programs.

Teachers are the foundation of our education system and play a critical role in shaping the future of our community. Montgomery County must ensure that MCPS teachers are fairly compensated for the important work they do every day.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports increasing teacher pay and providing salaries for 12 months per year so educators have greater financial stability and are better supported in their profession. Competitive compensation will help attract and retain high-quality teachers while strengthening our public schools.

By investing in our educators, Montgomery County can support student success and build a stronger future for the next generation.

Local businesses are the backbone of Montgomery County’s economy. They create jobs, support families, and invest directly in our communities. County government should prioritize supporting the businesses that call Montgomery County home.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports a “County Businesses First” approach when awarding government contracts and procurement opportunities. By giving local businesses a fair opportunity to compete for county projects, we can strengthen the local economy and keep taxpayer dollars circulating within our community.

Prioritizing local businesses will help create jobs, encourage economic growth, and build a stronger, more resilient Montgomery County economy.

Montgomery County graduates should have strong opportunities to build their careers in the community where they were educated. Too often, talented young people leave the county because they cannot find competitive job opportunities locally.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports creating employment preference programs and workforce development initiatives that help Montgomery County graduates connect with local businesses, government positions, and career opportunities. By strengthening partnerships between schools, employers, and training programs, we can better prepare students for the workforce.

Investing in our graduates helps retain talent, strengthen the local economy, and ensure Montgomery County remains a place where young professionals can build successful futures.

Businesses and property owners in Montgomery County often face long delays when applying for permits, inspections, and approvals. These delays slow economic growth, increase costs, and make it harder for businesses to operate and expand.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports modernizing the county’s permitting system and creating an option for same-day expedited processing for qualifying applications. Streamlining the process will help reduce unnecessary delays while maintaining safety and regulatory standards.

By improving efficiency and transparency in permitting, Montgomery County can create a more business-friendly environment that supports growth, investment, and job creation.

Many seniors, retirees, veterans, teachers, and public safety workers have dedicated their lives to serving our communities. Yet rising property taxes and the increasing cost of living are making it more difficult for many to remain in the homes and communities they helped build.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports creating property tax credit programs that provide relief for seniors, retirees, veterans, teachers, and public safety workers. These tax incentives would help recognize their service while making it easier for them to remain in Montgomery County.

By providing meaningful property tax relief, Montgomery County can support those who have contributed so much to our community and ensure they can continue to live and thrive here.

Long delays in processing development, planning, and land use applications have slowed growth and created unnecessary obstacles for businesses and property owners in Montgomery County. These backlogs increase costs, delay projects, and discourage investment in our community.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports eliminating these backlogs by improving efficiency within county departments, modernizing systems, and setting clear timelines for application reviews. Faster and more predictable processing will help projects move forward while still maintaining responsible planning standards.

By streamlining these processes, Montgomery County can encourage responsible development, support local businesses, and promote economic growth across the county.

Montgomery County’s zoning and use tables must reflect the needs of today’s businesses and economy. Outdated regulations can limit opportunities for new businesses, slow redevelopment, and leave commercial properties vacant.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports conducting a comprehensive study to review and update zoning policies and use tables to ensure they align with modern business needs and community growth. Updating these regulations can help encourage investment, support entrepreneurship, and make better use of existing commercial spaces.

By modernizing zoning policies, Montgomery County can create a more flexible and business-friendly environment while supporting sustainable economic development.

Affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges facing families in Montgomery County. Rising housing costs make it difficult for many residents to purchase a home or build long-term financial stability.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports expanding affordable housing initiatives while promoting financial literacy programs that help residents understand credit, debt management, and responsible homeownership. He also supports increasing access to first-time homebuyer grants and loan programs to help more families achieve the dream of homeownership.

By combining affordable housing solutions with financial education and homeownership support, Montgomery County can help more residents build stable futures and stronger communities.

High impact fees on new construction and demolition projects can make development more expensive and discourage investment in Montgomery County. These costs are often passed on to residents and businesses, contributing to higher housing prices and slowing economic growth.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports reducing impact fees to encourage responsible development and make it easier to build new housing, commercial spaces, and community projects. Lowering these costs can help attract investment, support builders and small developers, and increase the supply of housing and business opportunities.

By creating a more balanced fee structure, Montgomery County can promote growth, encourage new development, and support a stronger local economy.

The cost of housing in Montgomery County continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult for many families to afford a home. Increasing the supply of reasonably priced housing is essential to keeping our communities strong and accessible.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports working collaboratively with developers, builders, and community leaders to encourage the construction of more affordable homes. By reducing unnecessary barriers, promoting innovative housing solutions, and supporting responsible development, the county can help lower building costs and expand housing options.

By increasing the availability of affordable homes, Montgomery County can help more families achieve homeownership and keep our communities vibrant and accessible.

Many homeowners in Montgomery County face financial hardship that can lead to foreclosure or tax lien sales, putting families at risk of losing their homes. At the same time, some lending practices can place borrowers in difficult financial situations without clear protections.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports exploring a moratorium on foreclosures and tax lien sales for residents facing genuine financial hardship, while also improving oversight and transparency in hard money lending. The goal is to create fair processes that protect homeowners while maintaining responsible lending standards.

By strengthening consumer protections and offering pathways for financial recovery, Montgomery County can help families remain in their homes and maintain stronger, more stable communities.

Efficient and responsive government services are essential for Montgomery County residents and businesses. Many services rely on strong collaboration, communication, and accountability among county employees to ensure that work is completed quickly and effectively.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports policies that encourage greater in-office collaboration to help improve productivity, streamline processes, and provide better service to the public. Bringing teams together in the workplace can help reduce delays, improve coordination between departments, and ensure that residents receive timely assistance.

By strengthening workplace collaboration and accountability, Montgomery County can deliver more efficient services and better meet the needs of the community.

Historic properties are an important part of Montgomery County’s cultural heritage and community identity. Preserving these buildings helps protect our history while strengthening neighborhoods and supporting local tourism and economic development.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports increasing tax incentives for historic preservation projects and property owners who invest in maintaining and restoring historic structures. These incentives can help offset the costs of preservation while encouraging responsible redevelopment of historic sites.

By supporting historic preservation, Montgomery County can protect its rich history while promoting sustainable community growth and revitalization.

Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is one of the county’s most valuable assets, preserving farmland, supporting local agriculture, and protecting open space for future generations. Maintaining this land is essential to preserving the county’s rural heritage and environmental sustainability.

Dr. Sherwin Wells supports increasing funding for agricultural preservation programs and land easement purchasing initiatives that help protect farmland from overdevelopment. These programs allow farmers to continue working their land while ensuring that valuable agricultural space remains preserved.

By strengthening investment in the Agricultural Reserve, Montgomery County can protect farmland, support local farmers, and preserve open space for generations to come.