Office Sought:   Maryland State Senate, District 7                       

Name:   Patricia Ann Foerster

Age:    67

Marriage status:  single

Website:   www.patfoerster.com

Education: 

Master’s Degree, Loyola College, Baltimore

Work Experience: 

Education:  Teacher, 30 years; Maryland State Teachers Association, president, 6 years, vice president, 7 years.  Retail work during college. 

Previous Political Offices Held:  none

Brief Biography:  

Born and raised in Michigan, I spent the last 43 years either teaching or advocating for public education, educators and our children.  I earned a Bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University and a Masters degree at Loyola College in Baltimore.  I taught special needs students at Ridge-Ruxton and Dumbarton Middle Schools, spending the last six years as MSTA President.  I moved to Cockeysville 35 years ago, where four children attended public school and have since blessed us with eleven grandchildren.  I retired from the Baltimore County Public School system in June 2006. 

1.  Why are you running for this office? 

I am running to build a better Maryland for our families.  I will bring an independent, common sense approach to the issues that confront our families.  I will work with others to strengthen our communities with a solid economic base, healthy families, good schools, and neighborhoods that are safe from crime and violence.  I will join others to provide a government that is responsible and accountable, lead by elected officials who are approachable and effective. 

2.   If you are elected, what do you intend to do to improve the quality of education in Harford County?

I will seek common sense solutions to the issues of overcrowded and outdated facilities.  Our children deserve smaller classes, with an environment where they can thrive.  Teachers need a professional work environment and better resources.  Every student deserves a qualified, capable and caring teacher. To that end I will work with the community to identify appropriate state-level initiatives to recruit and retain the best educators.  I will explore the potential for state support of community partnerships to help improve student discipline and make classroom time more productive.  School systems need consistent and dependable state funding for programs and school construction. 

3.      Harford County will have an influx of over 30,000 new jobs in the next six to eight years as a result of BRAC.  What do you intend to do to help Harford County prepare for this dramatic increase in population and need for services?  

The BRAC decisions provide challenges which need to be transformed into opportunities.  I will work with governmental agencies, in conjunction with communities and the business community across the region to assure that education programs and facilities and other infrastructure expansions and improvements are on a fast track.  

New and current Marylanders have every right to expect that federal, state and local governments work together to enhance our quality of life as we welcome our new neighbors.  As individuals, few of us had an opportunity to impact the decisions, but both those being transferred and those of us who have made Maryland our home for years, have the right to expect that the appropriate steps have been taken to the benefit of all Marylanders. 

I will work with other state and local elected officials, community groups and governmental agencies to:

ü      Monitor the implementation of the previously created plans

                                                  i.      Reach out to communities, including our new Marylanders, the military and the agencies most directly impacted by the BRAC decisions

                                                ii.      Review current data on plan implementation and newly identified needs

ü      Work with the same groups to identify next steps and build the consensus to achieve the new goals

4.  What in your mind is the biggest problem facing Maryland as it enters the 21st century and how do you expect to correct this problem?  

I believe finding balance is the biggest challenge that Maryland legislators face.  How do we balance the needs and desires of individuals with those of the larger community? 

The specific issue around which so many other issues revolve is development.  As we seek to properly use the human and natural resources of Maryland, we need to preserve that which draws so many to our state.  For example, corporations find Maryland attractive because of our highly educated and skilled population.  New and established communities, alike should include those qualities we all seek: open-spaces, safe and crime free, clean and safe natural environments and a statewide transportation system.  Government decisions should support these goals. 

In conclusion, most of us desire, and I will seek common sense solutions, which bring citizens together around our mutual concerns that a responsive government creates.