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Former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich continued a series of roundtable discussions Tuesday afternoon at his campaign headquarters in Rockville, fielding questions and comments on issues ranging from gangs to taxation.

The Republican, who is expected to face Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) in a race for his former seat in November, took questions from a couple dozen supporters, mostly local residents and business owners.

Sue Payne, who said she is a registered independent and lives in Damascus, asked Ehrlich to dedicate his administration to public safety. Crime and gang activity keep potential residents and consumers away, she said.

"You got to have that public safety there because people don't shop in Montgomery County because they don't feel safe here," Payne said.

Several roundtable attendees complained about a stranglehold on local businesses by the state Department of Licensing, Labor and Regulation, which Ehrlich said he believes needs reform.

Debra Mead, a property manager in Gaithersburg, said she'd like to expand her real estate business, but is afraid excessive taxation could prevent her from doing so.

"I do believe you're going to win because everyone is so disgusted with the Democratic way right now," Mead told Ehrlich.

Dan Grossberg, chairman for the Montgomery County chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a group that advocates limited government and free markets, was among attendees who discussed limiting regulatory agencies.

"Locally, all the messages you have are right on," Grossberg said. "Lower taxes, lower regulation, and these will bring people here.

In his presentation Tuesday, Ehrlich told the crowd that Montgomery County only receives between 17 and 18 cents for every tax dollar paid to the state.

"Because of migration patterns and loss of wealth, it's not as wealthy of a county as it used to be," he said.

Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley, said the sitting governor is more realistic about the challenges facing Maryland as it emerges from the national recession.

"The fact of the matter is (Ehrlich) is going around the state making empty promises to whatever group he's talking to and depending on where he is in our state, the promises are different."

sbreitenbach@gazette.net