The Emmitsburg News-Journal has invited me to introduce myself and I appreciate this opportunity. I have always been proud to call Frederick County my home and I am excited about the prospect of serving you in the House of Delegates. Serving our community is a privilege and, with your help, I intend to
work to make a difference in the Maryland General Assembly.
Growing up my parents both worked for our family business, Wagners/Mount Airy Locker Company, a butcher shop and meat processing plant on Main Street in Mount Airy. I take pride in their years of dedication, hard work and sacrifice in building a successful family business, but I am equally proud that, despite their commitment to the business, they remained active
in the lives of their children and taught by example the importance of serving others. It is their example and their lessons about sacrifice, hard work, faith and commitment to community that shaped my views and encouraged me to get involved.
Following my parents’ example, I made time with family a priority while remaining active as a community leader and volunteer and pursuing a career that gave me a first-hand look at the strengths and weaknesses of our legal system. My husband, Gary, and I have been married for 27 years. Our son, Zach, is in his junior year at my alma mater, Loyola University Maryland. During the
last 20 years I served as a PTA board member, Sunday school teacher, "team mom" for Zach’s travel baseball team and a youth mentor for students in Carroll County and also in Baltimore City.
My involvement in local government began in 1990 when I served as the chair of Mount Airy’s Recycling and Sanitation Commission for six years. I also served on the Town’s Board of Appeals and on the Planning Commission where I participated in drafting the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, an important tool in managing and controlling growth. With an appreciation for the
economic potential of a thriving downtown, I was eager to join other volunteers on the original Downtown Revitalization Committee. Together, we successfully worked to achieve the "Main Street Maryland Community" designation for Mount Airy in 2004, providing both the foundation and the catalyst for revitalization in and around downtown Mount Airy.
It was an honor to be elected and follow both my father and grandfather serving on the Mount Airy Town Council. I spent my time on the Council asking tough questions, bringing vital issues to the forefront and solving difficult problems, all while remaining focused on fiscal responsibility. I became the first woman to serve two terms on the Town Council following my re-election
in 2008.
My eight years on the Council gave me valuable experience in reviewing, analyzing and making difficult choices with a government budget. I also dealt with the realities of state government mandates and state funding shortfalls, all with an eye toward keeping taxes low for our citizens. I am proud of our accomplishments during my tenure on the Town Council. We initiated a
comprehensive inventory of development projects and available lots to enable implementation of growth management measures; we oversaw the installation of new water meters for a more efficient water system; we saved tax dollars by establishing a single stream recycling program to reduce solid waste going to the landfill and worked with the Economic Development Commission to
develop a successful plan to retain, expand and recruit business investment in our community.
These are the values and experiences that I will take to Annapolis on behalf of the citizens of the newly drawn District 4. I will build relationships with fellow legislators and be an effective advocate for the citizens of District 4. My experience, coupled with my passion for serving the community, will bring fresh insight to Annapolis that demonstrates respect and compassion
for taxpayers, business owners and working families.
Maryland should be a place where families can afford to live, grow and retire, and businesses are encouraged to thrive. With your help we can restore opportunity and economic vitality in Maryland.
www.wendipeters.com
(410) 409-8348
wendipeters@msn.com
