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Two women up for Shepherdstown seat on Jefferson County Commission

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Aug 23, 2024

Blessing

SHEPHERDSTOWN — During the General Election this November, two local women will be vying for the Shepherdstown Magisterial District seat on the Jefferson County Commission (JCC).

Cara Keys (R) and Carrie Blessing (D) are both well known to the Shepherdstown community, as presidents of the Rotary Club of Shepherdstown and the Shepherdstown Community Club, respectively. Their active involvement in the Shepherdstown community is evident throughout both of their campaigns.

As a mother-of-four and real estate appraiser, Keys was already a busy person when she decided she wanted to become more active in the community, by joining the Jefferson County Planning Commission a few months ago. Soon after, she learned about the Shepherdstown Magisterial District opening on the JCC and decided she wanted to run for the seat.

“I have always had an interest in politics, as I am a community-minded person,” Keys said. “I have a mindset that if you are complaining about something, be prepared to be a part of the solution.”

Keys said she believes her experience running her own business, Keys Valuation, has given her the skillset needed for this position.

Keys

“The county commission’s role, at its core, is managing our county resources, long-range planning, county budget and representing our magisterial districts in decision-making. As a certified general real estate appraiser, I am well versed in land use, which is a particularly significant point of concern for much of the county,” Keys said. “I think what our county needs most right now is people with specific, useful skillsets, not polarizing viewpoints aimed to break or weaken our county government. We need practical leadership with ideas that are doable in our county government.”

One of those ideas includes the need for sustainable growth, according to Keys.

“We must support sustainable growth with common sense solutions,” Keys said. “I have an edge with my professional background in both commercial and conservation work as an appraiser in three states. I have over 10 years of experience in these realms and would like to be a part of the solution. I will champion cohesion between growth in certain areas, with added family services, and protecting land in our beautiful country landscapes.”

For Carrie Blessing, being voted into this position would allow her to make positive change and protect her community.

“As a lifelong resident, I care about what is best for this county. I have concerns about the rapid growth and want to bring back growth that is beneficial to all, not just a few,” Blessing said.

Blessing is a mother, small business owner of Ritual Care, LLC and staff member at Specialty Printing in Shepherdstown. She believes that her various life experiences have informed her well on how to serve Jefferson County’s residents, as a whole.

“I’ve always believed in the value of hard work and my experiences have equipped me to navigate different situations,” Blessing said. “I have worked as an assistant manager on a farm and as a line cook, as a florist and as a factory worker. A mother is an experience in itself. I want people to understand that I am working class, and it is a diverse set of experiences that prepare me to effectively represent our county.”

Blessing noted that it was “very humbling” to be asked to run for election. Since that time, she has come to recognize a number of areas in which she hopes to enact change.

“We need to reinstate the impact fees. I want to connect with local landowners to avoid reckless zoning changes and to identify all development options within the Comprehensive Plan. We need to promote our county’s natural resources and that means preserving our county’s rural heritage. I will work to support smart growth,” Blessing said. “Overall, I want to make sure the voices of the community are heard.”

Blessing will be holding a meet-and-greet for the public at The Station At Shepherdstown on Wednesday, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Her campaign can be followed on the Blessing for Jefferson Facebook page.

Keys’ campaign can be followed on the Cara Keys for County Commission Facebook page.