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Billy Shreve

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Billy Shreve
Frederick County Councilmember, at-large
In office
December 1, 2014 – December 1, 2018
Preceded byOffice created
Personal details
Born (1967-11-16) November 16, 1967 (age 56)[1]
Frederick, Maryland[2]
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceFrederick, Maryland[3]
Alma materFrederick Community College A.A.[1]
Websitewww.believeinshreve.com

Billy Shreve (born November 16, 1967) is an American politician and realtor.

Early years

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Shreve was born and raised in Frederick County, Maryland.[2] He graduated from Governor Thomas Johnson High School and received an associate's degree from Frederick Community College.[1]

Professional career

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Shreve has worked in real estate since 1994.[4] Shreve sells commercial real estate at the Frederick Land Company.[3] He also sells residential homes for Natelli Communities, which developed Urbana, Maryland, and Main Street Homes.[3][2]

Shreve also works as a ski and snowboard instructor at Whitetail Ski Resort in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.[5]

Political career

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Frederick County Board of Commissioners

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Shreve was one of a group of three politically conservative, pro-development candidates elected to the council in 2010; the others were Kirby Delauter and Blaine Young. Together they dominated the 5-person Council.[6]

2006 campaign

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In 2006, while serving as chairman of the Frederick County Board of Zoning Appeals, Shreve ran as a Republican for a seat on the Frederick County Board of Commissioners.[3][7][2]

Shreve said he would consider cutting the county's expenses and increasing taxes in order to eliminate the county's budget deficit.[8] Shreve said that the only people who complain about taxes are senior citizens on a fixed income.[8] He said he would freeze property taxes for property owners over 65, on a fixed-income, who have lived in the county for at least.[9]

Shreve advocated for reducing county fees for building permits and infrastructure such as sewer hookup, claiming doing so would reduce the cost of homes.[4]

Shreve blamed overdevelopment on the lack of planning by Frederick County, rather than by the developers who built the homes.[2] Shreve said that Frederick County should spend its budget on its infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and water and sewer systems.[8] Shreve supported building a Beltway around Frederick.[10] Shreve supported giving people financial incentives to commute to work outside of rush hours in order to improve traffic.[11]

Shreve said he would encourage developers to build affordable housing by waiving certain fees for affordable-housing projects; those county fees pay for schools and libraries.[9] He would also create a land trust that would own the land on which affordable housing could be built; homeowners would then only own their homes, not the land the home sits on.[9]

Shreve's candidacy was endorsed by Frederick Countians for Real Republicans Political Action Committee.[12]

Shreve lost the Republican primary,[13] coming in sixth place with ten percent of the vote.[14]

2010 campaign

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In 2009, Shreve announced he would run again for the Frederick County Board of Commissioners.[15]

Shreve said that the five most important priorities in Frederick County were education, public safety, water, solid waste, and roads.[1] He said that decreasing government spending, taxes, job creation, and illegal immigration were less important priorities.[1]

Shreve's candidacy was endorsed by the Frederick County Teachers Association[16] and the Frederick County Association of Realtors.[17]

Shreve came in fourth place with ten percent of the vote in the Republican primary, advancing to the general election.[18]

In the general election, Shreve won a seat on the Frederick County Board of Commissioners,[19] coming in third place with twelve percent of the vote.[20]

Responding to comments that the incoming Frederick County Board of Commissioners would have no women serving for the first time since 1978, Shreve said, "It would be like saying there are no Asians on the board, or no Hispanics. Everyone has their own issues, but I think in general, people are all alike."[21]

Shreve was sworn in on December 1, 2010.[22]

First term

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The editorial board of The Frederick News-Post criticized Shreve for missing, arriving late, or leaving early for 4 out of 56 weekly Board of Education meetings.[23][24] During one such meeting, Shreve left the meeting just before the vote on whether to approve the school budget.[23][24] In a letter to the editor, Shreve debated the definition of the word meeting, the importance of the meetings, and whether he is legally required to attend the meetings.[25]

As a cost-saving measure, Shreve said he would consider layoffs of ten percent or more of the county government's employees.[26] Shreve also supported cutting funding to the county's critical farms program, which supports establishing new farms or enlarging established farms.[27]

Shreve supported increasing the tuition at Frederick Community College.[28]

Shreve opposed building a new library in Walkersville, saying that having a library in the Walkersville Middle School was sufficient.[29]

When fellow Commissioner David Gray said that members of the Board of Commissioners should not treat it as a part-time position, Shreve disagreed.[30] Shreve said he works between ten and twenty hours per week as a Commissioner.[30] Shreve stated Commissioners should leave most aspects of governing to government employees, saying, "You don't add anything to the equation most of the time. Most of the time you just screw things up."[30]

Frederick County Council

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2014 campaign

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In 2014, Shreve ran as a Republican candidate for one of the two at-large positions on the first elected council of Frederick County. Shreve was one of thirteen candidates for the two at-large seats.[31]

Shreve said that overcrowding was not a problem in county schools.[32] Shreve said that he would prefer to have classes taught in trailers on school grounds rather than build more schools.[32]

On the subject of teenagers who abuse prescription drugs, Shreve said the solution was to increase education.[33]

Shreve and Bud Otis won the Republican primary election, advancing to the general election.[34] Shreve received 24 percent of the vote.[35]

In the general election, Shreve won an at-large seat on the Council with 25 percent of the total vote.[36][37] Shreve was sworn in on December 1, 2014.[38][39]

First term

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Two weeks prior to the swearing-in ceremony, there was an orientation for future Frederick County Council members, where ethics rules, office setup, and communication were discussed.[40] Shreve did not attend.[40] The Maryland Association of Counties also held an orientation for newly elected officials, which Shreve did not attend.[41]

Shreve abstained from virtually all budget-related votes, saying he would continue to do so until he has a larger staff that can advise him.[42] Shreve abstained from over sixty such votes in 2015.[43] When County Executive Jan Gardner invited each council member to meet with her to discuss the proposed budget, Shreve declined the offer.[44] Shreve has also complained that he was not assigned a parking spot at the county's government building and that it took too long to get a key to his office.[45][46]

Shreve opposed a proposal to increase the county's hotel tax from three percent to five percent, some of which would fund construction and improvements to conference halls and exhibit halls in the county.[47] Shreve also opposed a bill to fund part of the construction of a hotel and conference center in downtown Frederick.[48]

Shreve supported selling a county-owned nursing home, Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center and Montevue Assisted Living, to a private company.[49]

On a bill to make it easier for the Frederick County Sheriff's Office to enforce noise violations, Shreve voted against.[50] Shreve said he opposed making it unlawful to operate an off-road vehicle within 300 feet of an adjoining property.[50]

Shreve proposed cutting the county's budget for snow removal by $1.2 million.[51] His proposal did not pass the council.[51]

On a bill to make it unlawful to tamper with a fire hydrant, subject to a fine of up to $1,000, Shreve voted against the bill.[52]

Shreve voted against a bill to increase identification of human-trafficking victims and create a provider network for comprehensive services to victims of human trafficking.[53]

The Church of Scientology requested historical designation for Trout Run in order to use it as a Narconon rehabilitation center for drug addicts.[54] Shreve was the only member of the council to vote in favor, saying that he was afraid the council would be sued if they did not approve it.[55][56]

In 2016, Shreve organized a film contest for K–12 students aimed to create awareness against the use of drugs.[57]

Maryland Senate

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2018 campaign

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In 2018, Shreve ran to represent District 3 in the Maryland Senate.[58] In the Republican primary election, Shreve came in second place with 24 percent of the vote.[58]

Electoral history

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2006

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2006 Republican Party Primary Election, Frederick County Board of Commissioners[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Cady 7,458 11
Republican John R. Lovell Jr. 7,447 11
Republican John L. Thompson Jr. 7,259 11
Republican David P. Gray 7,000 10
Republican Charles A. Jenkins 6,992 10
Republican Billy Shreve 6,831 10
Republican Joan McIntyre 6,053 9
Republican Micky Fyock 4,085 6
Republican Edward Lulie 4,052 6
Republican Elaine Kessinger 3,424 5
Republican Samie Conyers 2,674 4
Republican Ronald S. Bird 2,249 3
Republican Thomas C. Henderson 1,139 2
Republican Stan Mazaleski 1,038 2

2010

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2010 Republican Party Primary Election, Frederick County Board of Commissioners[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Blaine Young 13,949 19
Republican Paul Smith 8,859 12
Republican Kirby Delauter 8,429 12
Republican Billy Shreve 7,366 10
Republican David Gray 5,809 8
Republican Bob White 4,500 6
Republican Alan Imhoff 4,367 6
Republican Elaine Kessinger 4,301 6
Republican Roy Taylor 3,812 5
Republican Robert Craig 3,688 5
Republican Dick Johnson 3,512 5
Republican Micky Fyock 3,038 4
2010 General Election, Frederick County Board of Commissioners[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Blaine Young 13,949 19
Republican Paul Smith 8,859 12
Republican Billy Shreve 36,507 12
Republican David Gray 35,648 11
Republican Kirby Delauter 35,536 11
Democratic Janice Wiles 23,184 7
Democratic Linda Norris 28,596 9
Democratic Michael Kurtianyk 25,524 8
Democratic Kai Hagen 29,537 9
Democratic Ellis Burruss 23,993 8

2014

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2014 Republican Party Primary Election, Frederick County Council[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Billy Shreve 7,491 24
Republican Bud Otis 6,291 20
Republican Jennifer Charlton 5,151 17
Republican Eric Besch 3,573 11
Republican Justin M. Kiska 3,024 10
Republican Dick Johnson 2,626 8
Republican Wayne S. Creadick 2,504 8
Republican Jonathon Pocius 454 1
2014 General Election, Frederick County Council[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bud Otis 39,756 27
Republican Billy Shreve 35,879 25
Democratic Susan Reeder Jessee 34,942 24
Democratic Linda Marie Norris 34,214 24
Write-in 161 0

2018

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2018 Republican Party Primary Election, Maryland Senate, District 3[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Craig Giangrande 4,912 76
Republican Billy Shreve 1,521 24

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Voters Guide: County Commissioners: Republicans". The Frederick News-Post. September 12, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e Farrell, Liam. "Shreve announces candidacy for county commissioner". The Frederick News-Post. June 29, 2006.
  3. ^ a b c d "Here comes Billy". The Frederick News-Post. March 22, 2006.
  4. ^ a b deLeon, Joseph M. "Population boom feeds construction". The Frederick News-Post. July 19, 2006.
  5. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "On the slopes, the weather is fine". The Frederick News-Post. December 28, 2013.
  6. ^ Spivak, Miranda (23 December 2016). "Frederick Could Be an Urban Suburb of DC–Unless Its Good Ol' Boy Past Gets in Its Way". Washingtonian. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Fighting over the cookie jar". The Frederick News-Post. March 31, 2006.
  8. ^ a b c Cumber, Clifford G. "Candidates give views on tax rate". The Frederick News-Post. May 8, 2006.
  9. ^ a b c Cumber, Clifford G. "Commissioner candidates talk housing, economics, traffic". The Frederick News-Post. August 24, 2006.
  10. ^ Cumber, Clifford G. "GOP hopefuls debate in forum". The Frederick News-Post. September 2, 2006.
  11. ^ "Highways to oblivion". The Frederick News-Post. March 27, 2006.
  12. ^ Cumber, Clifford G. "Group endorses GOP slate". The Frederick News-Post. August 29, 2006.
  13. ^ Cumber, Clifford G. "GOP LEANS TOWARD GROWTH: 3 of 5 winners in favor of development". The Frederick News-Post. September 13, 2006.
  14. ^ a b "Election Summary Report, Gubernatorial Primary Election, State of Maryland, rederick County, Tuesday, September 12, 2006, Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Races, Official Final Results". Frederick County Board of Elections. September 20, 2006.
  15. ^ "Strike Three". The Frederick News-Post. February 15, 2009.
  16. ^ "County teachers union endorses candidates". The Frederick News-Post. August 24, 2010.
  17. ^ "Political Notes Realtors back six candidates". The Frederick News-Post. August 6, 2010.
  18. ^ a b "Results: County Commissioner: Republicans". The Frederick News-Post. September 15, 2010.
  19. ^ Tully, Meg. "Republicans sweep commissioners board". The Frederick News-Post. November 3, 2010.
  20. ^ a b "County commissioner race results". The Frederick News-Post. November 2, 2010.
  21. ^ Tully, Meg. "All-male Board of Frederick County Commissioners plans to be responsive to women's issues". The Frederick News-Post. November 16, 2010.
  22. ^ Tully, Meg. "Business-friendly county top priority for new Frederick County Commissioners board". The Frederick News-Post. December 2, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "Not showing up: Shreve's excuses for missing Board of Ed meetings are lame" (editorial). The Frederick News-Post. August 9, 2014.
  24. ^ a b Karas, Rachel S. "Liaison attendance falls short at school board meetings". The Frederick News-Post. August 6, 2014.
  25. ^ Shreve, Billy. "Shreve on missed school board meetings". The Frederick News-Post. August 17, 2014.
  26. ^ Tully, Meg. "County may consider layoffs". The Frederick News-Post. April 21, 2011.
  27. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "Shreve pitches preservation idea". The Frederick News-Post. May 4, 2012.
  28. ^ "Shreve suggests tiered tuition rates at FCC". The Frederick News-Post. June 9, 2012.
  29. ^ McCarthy, Pete; Pomeroy, Courtney. "Shreve suggests shuttering Walkersville library". The Frederick News-Post. March 2, 2012.
  30. ^ a b c Rodgers, Bethany. "Commissioners debate time commitment". The Frederick News-Post. October 2, 2011.
  31. ^ "On the ballot". The Frederick News-Post. February 26, 2014.
  32. ^ a b Rodgers, Bethany. "Council candidates offer differing views on county school capacity". The Frederick News-Post. September 10, 2014.
  33. ^ Jones, Paige. "Survey: Prescription drug use reaches one in four high-school seniors in Frederick County". The Frederick News-Post. June 12, 2014.
  34. ^ Loos, Kelsi; Mullins, Patti Borda. "Voters pick County Council contenders". The Frederick News-Post. June 25, 2014.
  35. ^ a b "Election Summary Report, Gubernatorial Primary Election, Frederick County, Maryland, Tuesday, June 24, 2014, Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races, Official Final Results". Frederick County Board of Elections. July 8, 2014.
  36. ^ "Frederick County, Maryland, Election Returns, General Election, November 4, 2014". Maryland Manual On-line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  37. ^ "Rough four years to come: Ghost of Blaine Young will hang over new council". The Frederick News-Post. November 6, 2014.
  38. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "Gardner sworn in as first Frederick County executive". The Frederick News-Post. December 2, 2014.
  39. ^ "Otis bests Shreve for County Council's top spot". The Frederick News-Post. December 2, 2014
  40. ^ a b Rodgers, Bethany. "Future council members get first taste of new roles". The Frederick News-Post. November 19, 2014.
  41. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "Political Notes: Gardner joins MACo board of directors". The Frederick News-Post. January 9, 2015.
  42. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "Shreve refusing to vote on budget issues until staffing concerns addressed". The Frederick News-Post. March 6, 2015.
  43. ^ "Making progress, despite the dead weight". The Frederick News-Post. December 11, 2015.
  44. ^ "Budget Bandied About". The Frederick News-Post. April 21, 2016.
  45. ^ Rodgers, Bethany."Shreve raises staffing, parking concerns". The Frederick News-Post. January 3, 2015.
  46. ^ Turque, Bill. "Naming frights: Councilman warns reporter about 'unauthorized' mentions". The Washington Post. January 7, 2015. p. B4.
  47. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. "Political Notes: More hotel tax hullabaloo". The Frederick News-Post. March 10, 2016.
  48. ^ Lavin, Nancy. "Frederick County Council OKs agreement for downtown hotel". The Frederick News-Post. October 25, 2016.
  49. ^ Rodgers, Bethany. "Shreve, Delauter request Hogan's support for Frederick County nursing home sale". The Frederick News-Post. February 25, 2015.
  50. ^ a b Gaines, Danielle E. "Council approves rewrite of Frederick County noise ordinance". The Frederick News-Post. November 1, 2016.
  51. ^ a b "Cutting snow removal". The Frederick News-Post. May 2, 2015.
  52. ^ "Council votes to impose $200 fine for stealing water from hydrants". The Frederick News-Post. October 6, 2015.
  53. ^ Gaines, Danielle E. "Human trafficking task force established in Frederick County". The Frederick News-Post. November 14, 2016.
  54. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S. "Frederick delays vote on rehab center". The Washington Post. April 22, 2015. B2.
  55. ^ Rosenwald, Michael S.; Bogage, Jacob. "Frederick Council rejects historic designation for Trout Run, a blow for a Scientology-backed drug rehab". The Washington Post. June 2, 2015.
  56. ^ Siddons, Andrew (20 May 2015). "Camp David Neighbors Fight Historic Designation to Keep Out Scientology-Backed Center". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  57. ^ Elmasry, Faiza (July 19, 2016). "Anti-Drug Student Film Contest Encourages Kids to Take a Stand". Voice of America.
  58. ^ a b c "Gubernatorial Primary Election: Frederick County, MD: June 26, 2018: Unofficial Results". Frederick County Board of Elections. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  59. ^ "Election Summary Report, Gubernatorial General Election, Frederick County, Maryland, November 4, 2014, Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races, Official Results". Frederick County Board of Elections. November 18, 2014.
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