2023 Candidate Questionnaire: Jason Roberston For Havre De Grace City Council

Edit: This story incorrectly listed the candidate's name as Jacob Robertson

HAVRE DE GRACE - The Havre de Grace Patch spoke to incumbent Jason Roberston about his history, why he is running for reelection, and his positions on local issues.

Below are Robertson's answers to our candidate questionnaire.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

"It's really just to see things through to the end. I want to continue my work with the Youth Commission and support Havre de Grace youth programs."

"I also want to see the downtown revitalization project completed, including all of our new water infrastructure and the revitalization of the old Harford Memorial Building. The hospital will be closing by the end of next year, and there are some possible development solutions for that nine acres of downtown real estate. So to me, these projects must be completed."

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

"The Havre de Grace Youth Commission is working with the Parks and Rec Committee to help them with the business side of things. I want to ensure that they have space and money for all of their programs, specifically for the youth sports programs. That's my number one priority."

"Another priority is ensuring that when we finally get the engineering completed for the downtown revitalization, we're able to schedule and plan with all the downtown merchants to minimize impacts on their business."

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

"We all have varying levels of involvement; many of the candidates are very involved citizens in Havre de Grace in one aspect or another. Whether it's through volunteerism, or sitting on a board or commission."

"The biggest thing that sets me apart is that I'm the only one with a child in the school system. That's why I'm so focused on the youth aspect."

"Also, I've made my entire professional career about understanding how government can work effectively and efficiently. I bring a broad knowledge base with my work, and I think that folks in the community have seen that."

Where do you work, and what is your job title?

"My full-time job is as a budget analyst for the VA Maryland Healthcare System. I handle a little over a billion dollars in federal funding for the system, specifically for Medical facilities projects and community health care."

What is your age and birthplace? Other family information you'd like to share?

"I am 37 years old and was born and raised in Baltimore. I did some traveling with the military, but when my son was born, my wife and I really just fell in love with Havre de Grace and figured it would be a great place to raise a kid, and we were right."

Please list the schools and colleges you attended, the degrees you attained, and when.

I" went to Kenwood High School for the first two and a half years, but I ended up finishing high school at Oxford area high school in Pennsylvania."

"My undergrad is in government Public Policy from the University of Baltimore, and I have a master's of public administration (MPA), with a concentration in government, finance, and public budget."

Approximately how much money do you expect to spend on your campaign?

"Close to $2,500."

How long have you lived in Havre de Grace?

"Almost ten years now."

What's your favorite thing about Havre de Grace?

"I love how safe the town is; also, nothing beats watching the sunrise from the promenade."

What is the biggest issue facing Havre de Grace?

"I am most concerned with water and sewer infrastructure needs. We will continue to need new pipes in the ground, and we have to address the capacity issues at our water treatment plant. Looking ahead to the future, we'll most likely have to revisit some of the facility's needs."

"I think planning for our future now is crucial to ensuring that we don't get into a position where we have broken down infrastructure, and we're trying to figure out how to pay for that at the moment."