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Though she is a newcomer to the race for County Commissioner, Savannah Winston has already served at the municipal level as a Commissioner and President Commissioner for the Town of Preston. She is the owner of VanTech Business Solutions in Preston, she has participated in both Shore Leadership and Shore Leadership 2.0, and she is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Education and Executive Leadership. To prepare for increased interest in Caroline County from industries that affect land use, like solar or data centers, Winston said the county should “continue to do what is currently being done…looking very closely at updating its comprehensive plan, which includes land use, looking at transportation, housing, and economic development.” For data centers specifically, “AI is not going anywhere, so I think the county is moving in the right direction in putting a moratorium on the data centers…which allows enough time for the county to gather valuable information,” she said, “the county should be preparing itself to be able to do the data gathering, doing the best information collecting that they possibly can, including thinking about infrastructure capacity, agricultural lands, the growth that's going to happen over the the next few years, make sure that there's input from the municipalities, the utility companies, and the residents.”
Winston pointed to the comprehensive plan as evidence that Caroline County is preparing to grow. As part of this preparation process, she believes that the next Board of County Commissioners “has to look at all the major pieces: infrastructure, schools, public safety, water and sewer capacity, recreation. You’ve got to look at staffing all across the board in order to prepare for the growth potential that may be occurring in the county, and then you have to talk to the residents…Growth and change is not easy for everyone, but to be successful, it has to be a collaborative effort.” She stressed that the county should communicate and work with residents as it takes “strategic steps” to approach potential growth.
But Winston admits that nothing is guaranteed, and the county should equally prepare for a decrease in tax revenue. Her outlook, however, remains unchanged – if Caroline County does see a shrinkage in businesses, people, and revenue, she believes the county should still “hear from the residents, work collaboratively to embrace the impact of the loss in tax revenue, and then discuss appropriate ways that we can move things forward.” “I think that economic development is another priority for the county,” Winston said, indicating that supporting economic development would ensure that the county remains safe from a significant loss of revenue.
Winston believes that an expanded Board of County Commissioners “could be beneficial.” “I lean on my experience as a former Commissioner for the Town of Preston, which was a five-member board. I do believe that we were able to work well together as five, and then that kind of closed the gaps [during] circumstances where there's one that's not able to attend…with five, it gives a more balance across the work of the Commission. We can kind divide and conquer, so to speak,” she said. She acknowledges that if the county were to add more Commissioners, “we would really have to take a great look at the budget because, of course, that change would involve increased costs.”
It is Winston’s aptitude for service that has led her to pursue the role of County Commissioner. “I'm a servant leader,” she said, “I am all about serving my community. I love Caroline County, I love Preston…I am a leader at heart.” She added that she plans to “lead by listening” and bring her municipal governance experience to the table as a County Commissioner. “I already have great relationships with all the current Commissioners and the other municipal leaders, so I can build on those relationships, that experience, that knowledge, and I really do think I could do a great job,” she said, “Regardless of party, I want everyone to believe in me and that I can do the job in serving as a Commissioner.” Winston is also looking forward to bringing the perspective of a woman, person of color, and south-county resident to the Board, if elected.
