County Commissioner Candidate Curtis Reigh Advocates for Average Citizen, Critiques County Development and Spending in Interview

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Curtis Reigh, a 28-year-old candidate for Washington County Commissioner, has put forth a platform focused on representing the interests of the average citizen, whom he believes have been overlooked by current leadership. Reigh’s campaign asserts that county resources are being allocated to benefit a select few, while social programs prove ineffective for those genuinely in need. A central theme of his candidacy is a critical examination of the county’s approach to infrastructure, development, and public services.

Reigh has voiced significant concerns regarding the county’s development practices, particularly in relation to wastewater and sewer capacity. He contends that the approval of numerous residential projects has placed an excessive strain on the Conococheague Wastewater Treatment Plant, effectively exhausting its available sewer capacity. This situation, according to Reigh, has led to a monopolistic environment where only a limited number of developers can secure necessary permits. Furthermore, Reigh has expressed strong opposition to the repurposing of a warehouse in Williamsport to serve as a detention center for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He views this project as an additional burden on local infrastructure, specifically citing the Conococheague plant, and suggests that the federal government has imposed this facility on the county. He also questions the extent of the projected tax benefits, positing that the strain on public services could potentially negate any financial gains, especially the loss of $700,000 in annual property tax revenue.

“I am okay with having it here, said Reigh, “but that is a large amount of real estate and revenue that it took from a commercial entity that could have [paid property taxes]. … It’s one thing hurt someone’s feelings. It’s another to hurt their wallet and you’re hurting the county taxpayers wallet by doing that. You’re taking away revenue that can easily be gone to fund nonprofits more EMS more public safety. There’s a lot that you can do with seven hundred grand.”

In the realm of public safety and social issues, Reigh has addressed the transition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from volunteer-led operations to a county-managed career staffing model. He suggests that greater support should have been provided to volunteer departments to prevent their decline, expressing concern that the move towards a centralized system might ultimately lead to increased taxation through a dedicated EMS tax. On social matters, Reigh adopts a firm stance. He has been vocal about addressing drug use and the distribution of needles in public spaces, vowing to take decisive action to ensure public parks are safe for children. Regarding homelessness and crime, Reigh advocates for the stringent enforcement of laws pertaining to loitering and vagrancy, particularly within Hagerstown. He proposes that individuals unwilling to adhere to community standards should be compelled to leave the area.

Reigh expressed deep concern regarding the rising cost of utilities, describing it as a “major problem” where citizens are being “absolutely obliterated” by prices. He proposed a platform focused on long-term self-sufficiency and strategic infrastructure to combat these costs. Long-term, Reigh would like for Washington County to build its own power plant to achieve self-sufficiency. He believes this would provide a “great bargaining chip” and allow the county to generate its own power, using rebates from excess energy put back into the grid to subsidize citizens’ bills.

“So currently if we’re talking big dream, I would love Washington County to have their own power plant,” said Reigh. “I think having the ability for us to sustain our own utility, especially in the form of power. we would be at such a great bargaining chip for our own county.”

Reigh stated that leadership shouldn’t just think about the next four years, but about “what you can do for the next hundred” to ensure the county’s future. He noted that while a full power plant is a long-term goal, a more immediate “realistic utility expectation” would be to develop additional wastewater treatment plants to keep up with county growth. He also proposed a county grant where the local government would split the cost of a small home solar system with the resident. Beyond solar, he defined self-sufficiency as residents “rearing animals” (chickens/goats) and gardening so they do not have to “depend on big government” for food.

Reigh’s fiscal policy proposals include a critique of the current tax structure, specifically the local income tax. He argues that Washington County is becoming increasingly unaffordable for younger residents and families due to the allocation of tax revenue towards social programs and non-profit organizations that he claims lack demonstrable positive outcomes for the broader community. Reigh positions himself as a voice for the “average citizen” who feels their concerns are not being adequately addressed by existing county leadership.

“You have to be a pillar of your community,” said Reigh. “You have to see the problems that the common person is facing, and you have to try and figure out ways to help them alleviate a lot of these problems… the leadership is not addressing any of this.”

Article by Ken Buckler, based upon information from Curtis Reigh’s interview with Radio Free Hub City.

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