More News

Brunswick resident Ellis Burruss is pleased with the job Frederick County commissioners are doing to manage growth and protect the county's natural resources.

Burruss, 65, would like to continue that work, and has filed to run for a commissioner seat in the Sept. 14 primary election.

The candidate would not participate in a phone or in-person interview with The Gazette, and would only answer questions via e-mail.

"The current [Board of County Commissioners] is doing good work on controlling growth, coping with a very difficult budget and making good steps towards sustainability," Burruss said in an e-mail to The Gazette. "I would like to see our community continue in that direction."

Burruss is referring to the work of the 13-member Frederick County Sustainability Commission, appointed last year by county commissioners to address environmental concerns and develop strategies to protect natural resources, such as streams and forests.

Burruss, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Brunswick City Council in 2002, says he is also running because of his opposition to the county's planned incinerator or "waste-to-energy facility," as some call it, because it burns trash to produce electricity.

"This is certainly an important factor, but not the only one," he said.

Burruss said he supports the county's newly adopted Comprehensive Plan, a blueprint for growth in the county during next 20 years.

After two years of work, commissioners adopted the plan on April 8. But the plan has been criticized by developers because of the commissioners' decision to rezone between 600 and 700 properties from development to agriculture.

Burruss said he expects the plan to be another major issue during the election.

Finally, Burruss says he understands many of the issues small business owners face since he is a small business owner himself.

E-mail Sherry Greenfield at sgreenfield@gazette.net.

Name: Ellis Burruss

Residence: Brunswick

Age: 65

Party: Democrat

Education: University of Maryland

Work experience: Owner of Bellwether Printing in Brunswick. Also the former owner of Benchmark Printing and Brunswick Office Supply.

Top three issues: Growth, the budget and environmental sustainability.

Other affiliations: President of the Greater Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce; Frederick County Solid Waste Advisory Committee; Friends of the Brunswick Library; Brunswick Planning Commission; EastAlco Citizens' Advisory Board (2000-2003); Police Chief's Advisory Committee (2001-2003); Downtown Business Association (1989-1992); Frederick County Recycling Committee (1988-1990); Downtown Revitalization Committee (1987-1990); Brunswick Museum Board of Directors (1984-1987); Brunswick Economic Team (1984-1985); and the Brunswick Library Board of Directors (1982-1984).