Nationally, Commissioner Gouge has served on numerous committees including the National Association of Counties Task Force on the Implementation of the National Crime Bill, the National School to Work Transition Committee, the National Employment and Welfare Reform Task Force, the National Council for Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching, and the National Association of Counties Ethics Committee. She is a member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the Board of Trustees for Carroll Community College and has served on the Maryland Association of Counties Legislative Committee for the last ten years including a term as Chairman in 1994.
Gouge also has an active career in the community, serving as Chair of the Republican Central Committee as well as President of Carroll County Republican Women's Club and the Carroll County Agricultural Center.
Gouge is a seventh generation Carroll Countian, born and raised on the family farm in Snydersburg. She and her husband, Jesse, have been married for over 40 years. They have four children and five grandchildren and are active members of Shiloh United Methodist Church.
My fellow citizens: I am very proud to be serving you in my fourth term as a County Commissioner and just want to take a few moments to tell you a little about myself and what I care about.
I am a seventh generation Carroll Countian. I was raised on a farm near Snydersburg. Life was not always easy but it was exciting. On the farm, I learned the value of hard work and teamwork. I learned to appreciate the natural beauty of Carroll County. I love the rolling hills, the colors, the patchwork of crops and the beauty of livestock grazing on a hillside. This vision is, in my memory, as clear and bright today as when I was a child. I always keep this in my mind as we make decisions about the future of our county.
Back then, when I was a child, the government was there to serve the interests of all citizens. Back then, the most humble citizen got respect and support from the government. The role of government was to make life better. Things may be more complicated today, but the government's fundamental function has not changed. I know that we cannot turn back the clock, but what we can do is try to preserve the essence of Carroll County even while keep the costs of government in check, and competing in the 21st Century for good jobs and economic development.
A Commissioner's job has little to do with day-to-day operations. It has a lot to do with truly listening to people, formulating policy and representing the County in its best light to the State and Federal government. We are not an island - we need savvy representation at the agencies of government that makes it possible to do our jobs well.
My leadership experience began as a 4-H-er and was strengthened through my community volunteer activities. For the last 40 years I have been a community leader, and for the last 20 years I have been a political leader. If we are to keep our country flavor and ensure the best quality of life for all of our citizens, we have to work together to build teamwork that can help us get the resources we need to preserve farmland, build and maintain the roads we need, expand economic development and expand our educational infrastructure.
Throughout my political career, your needs as the people of Carroll County have been my priorities. I care most about what is best for the County as a whole. Together we can build a team to enhance our image, build up our economic base and make you even more proud to be from Carroll County. Never forget that, after all, it is your government!
Sincerely,
Julia W. Gouge, President, Board of Carroll County Commissioners
[email protected]