"Community associations were developed to stop Four Seasons from happening, but we were bluntly told by the powers that be 'We want this development.' And I say to them, 'Don't start counting your money.'"

Foley said a lawsuit is pending in the Court of Appeals as to the legality of a petition to put the question of Four Seasons on the ballot for the voters to decide.

"As things are now, it's way too easy for this developer to go belly up and then it becomes the taxpayers' burden."

"The fact that the lead guy on Four Seasons is an ex-county official should put doubt in every Queen Anne's County citizen's mind about whether this deal is in the best interest of our community," Foley said.

"It doesn't take a genius or a consultant chosen and paid by the current commissioners to tell you that we don't have the infrastructure to support growth like that."

Foley also is concerned about various infrastructure problems surfacing in the county.

"Our sewage system is really bad. The water supply is a mess. And we don't even have enough places to put our garbage now. We ship it out of the county now. What do they plan on doing with it if huge developments like Four Seasons move in here?" Foley asked.

"And what about our emergency service providers and schools? The schools are overcrowded as it is right now. If Four Seasons happens, all of a sudden we're going to have a deluge of unskilled laborers, who may or may not be residents of this county or even citizens of the country, bringing their families here, and their kids are going to be going to our schools. Four Seasons is going to be a 10-year event, so imagine the overcrowding at the schools during those 10 years," he predicted.

"With respect to the fire companies, if the Four Seasons residential units are 55 feet high, do they even have fire apparatus that can reach that high? No other place on the Island even comes close to that height."

"And," Foley joked, "At 55 feet high, the geese will be bumping into them."

"My property is one of the few directly affected by Four Seasons. It's 30 feet from my property."

"This six-month moratorium is just a bone tossed our way. It does nothing. It's going to take an entire term to make a difference on the growth issue. And I only want to run for one term," he said.

"I didn't want to do this (run for county commissioner), but people came to me and said, 'Bob, what are we... you... going to do about this?' So here I am."

What he lacks in prior political experience, he makes us up for in tenure, Foley said. "I know tenure is important. You have to live here awhile. People trust those who live here 10 to 30 years. I have that."

"I've been here since '72, all three of my kids went to Queen Anne's County High School, and I've seen the changes in the county. Some of them have been good. But this growth issue is so crucial. Huge changes need to be made. We simply can't keep going in the direction we're headed."

Foley does not mince words when it comes to the performance of the county commissioners.

"If the current commissioners really think they're doing the best job for our county, God bless them."

"Just look at the way they hold meetings. They have them at a time when almost no one can attend. Who can attend a 9 a.m. meeting on a Tuesday? People work."

He also believes too much is being decided out of the public's view.

"You need to make them in the evenings, at a time when people can show up and voice their opinion. And if they can't show up to the meetings, we need to have videos of them at our libraries."

"Right now, the way things are, too much is happening behind closed doors. It's just not right," Foley said. "We need to get the old ones (commissioners) out and new ones in."

"I encourage the citizens of Queen Anne's County to do a thorough review of the elected officers now. Don't vote because you like the person; vote because you like what they want to do," he urged. "Vote intelligently."

"I want to help the people of our county see what's going on. I have the Four Seasons plans in my house. And I have an open door policy. I will be there for the people seven days a week. Call my cell, call my home phone."

While many candidates have already started posting their election signs, Foley said don't expect to see any with his name on them.

"You won't see any stupid signs with my high school graduation picture on it anywhere in the county. Those completely deface the beauty of our county. I will walk and bike to everyone, every house in my district."

To the citizens of Queen Anne's County, Foley offered, "I don't want your money. I'm not doing signs. But I could use some volunteer help with canvassing the neighborhoods."

Foley promised, "I don't have this need or desire to make government bigger than it already is. I say if you make one law, take two off."

"I'm a classic family man. I went into the service, I had a family, and I went to night school. That's me. Right now, I'm a businessman who enjoys his work and I'm a family man who enjoys spending lots of time with my four grandchildren."

"I believe you should follow the Ten Commandments, and don't be contradictory. Live your public life like you lead your private life."

Foley, 60, lives in Castle Marina with his wife of 37 years, Carolyn. He has three children, Brian, 34, Kelly, 32, and Tammy, 30.

Foley graduated in 1977 from John Hopkins University with a bachelor's degree in general business. He is a member of the KI American Legion (15 years), Fleet Reserve (7 years), and the KI Yacht Club (25 years).

In the '80s, he taught business courses at Chesapeake Community College and was a marketing manager at Maryland National Bank.

Currently, he is a marine consultant for Tidewater Yacht Sales in St. Michaels and a business development manager for Starkey Mechanical Inc. 

©The Star Democrat 2002