New Wicomico County Council Members set their goals as they enter their positions
SALISBURY, Md- The County Council will have two new faces on it this coming session and 47 ABC sat down with those members to find out what their priorities are for their districts.
1st District
Former Salisbury City Council Member Shanie Shields will represent Wicomico County’s first district.
She tells 47ABC that her priorities are public safety in the area something she said she is already working for.
“The area has seen multiple shootings at one business whose name we’ll keep out but they need to step up their accountability and that is something I am already taking calls and speaking with residents about,” she said.
She tells us her district is also facing issues of unlicensed businesses being run out of homes in residential spaces.
“There are mechanic shops out on people’s driveways and these things devalue property value, and maybe they don’t know that this can’t be done here but we need to protect these communities and enforce this,” she said.
2nd District
Minute Man Press Owner and Operation We Care Director Jeff Merritt will represent Wicomico County’s second district.
Merritt tells 47 ABC he is thrilled to step into the new role which he says is crucial for helping businesses and communities grow in the area.
He tells us he is passionate about getting broadband access to its final stage of readiness for both the east and west sides of his district, which he hopes can be completed within the next year and a half.
As a business owner, he says he’s seen the labor shortage firsthand and he hopes in his new role he can help solve the shortage of county workers.
“We are seeing there are a lot of open positions in the county that need to get filled, that is created a reduction in services to those in the county there are not enough people at work and that is not fair to those in the district,” he said.
He says he also wants to make sure that funding for first responder infrastructure is secure, as he says he knows prices on construction are rising.
He tells 47 ABC he is honored to have been elected and is itching to get to work.
