Meet the candidates for Worcester County district five commissioner

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Worcester County’s fifth district representing Ocean Pines, will elect a new county commissioner in the upcoming election. Democratic Candidate Vicky Wallace, and Republican Candidate Joe Schanno are running to represent the area.

The current county commissioners have recently been working on a comprehensive plan to guide future growth and development.

Candidate Joe Schanno, thinks the plan will be helpful in guiding the future of the county.

“I think that the county commissioners did a very good job in a lot of aspects of the comprehensive plan.” Said Schanno. “I think that certain areas like Showell are definitely primed for growth. If we do it in a smart way and make sure that the infrastructure is taken care of when it comes to water and sewer and also addressing some of the traffic concerns that may pop up.”

Vicky Wallace believes that the comprehensive plan can be successful, as long as the necessary precautions are taken into account.

“We can do that, we can have the housing we need as long as we plan for the increase in infrastructure, traffic, schools, everything else that goes along with increased population.” Said Wallace.

Another major debate brought to the county commissioners, has been the potential for a data center in the county.

Schanno disapproved of the original proposed location, but believes there is more information to injest.

“I think that, that Route 611 corridor has a certain feel and a certain character to it that a data center would be detracting against.” Said Schanno. “I do, and currently believe that we should be in a listening and learning stage. I think that not all of the information has been laid out properly.”

Wallace expressed her disapproval of data centers near beaches and waterways.

“There is a better way to do data centers, but what’s being suggested is not it.” Said Wallace. “I’m totally not in favor of what’s being suggested at this time. And I think there’s a better location. They need to be in the middle of nowhere.”

The election takes place on Nov. 3rd, for more information on voting in Worcester County, visit their website.