Kristien Schlehr Foss weighed running for the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners for about two years, but the timing never worked out with an election cycle. Then, a vacancy opened on the board.
Foss, 59, was selected from three candidates who applied to fill the vacancy left after James Rutledge resigned in October. She was officially sworn in last week.
Her involvement within the town, where she has lived for over 45 years, runs deep. Foss began her career as an education reporter for The Aegis before shifting to becoming a teacher. This year, she retired after over 30 years of teaching in Baltimore and Harford counties.
Serving the town also runs in her family. Her father serves on the Planning Commission and previously served as a town commissioner in the 1990s. Her mother is a member of the Cultural Arts Commission and an artist, who crafted the “Heart of Bel Air” in front of Town Hall. Her uncle previously served as the town’s administrator and public works director.
The Aegis asked Foss about why she applied for the position and about her plans for the future.
Editor’s note: The interview below was edited for clarity and brevity.
Who or what inspired you to apply for the position of Town Commissioner?
I get so much joy out of service. I get so much joy out of volunteering and doing things. It’s not that I have to do it, I get to do it. It makes me happy to do that. I’m totally in love with the town of Bel Air, growing up here, raised my children here and my one boy still lives in town.
I think my dad really inspired me on that, he kind of did the same thing that I did, he took over for Geoffrey Close. Being a town commissioner, we have access to information. The public has access to it, but who’s going to spend all that time digging, whereas this is put forth, we know the why to the what, and I think that’s an exciting thing.
What previous positions have you held that you think prepared you to take this seat?
I think being a teacher and teaching in the town, like Bel Air Middle and then Southampton, when you teach you make connections with your students, with their families and with the community. That’s a unique perspective that I have. I got to, as cultural arts, make Bel Air prettier, but this is getting into the nitty gritty.
I’m excited to work with the commissioners and to get that information and work with the [administration]. These people are here and have been here a long time. This isn’t a springboard for something else. They’re here because they love the town and that’s something we all have in common.
During your term, what policies are you looking to tackle first?
Definitely traffic and parking. What a great problem to have, that means people are traveling through the town. It’s insane growth around the county and it’s impacting the town. With the parking and traffic, is there a way that we can improve it?
What message do you have for Bel Air residents?
I just promise to do my best to represent them. They’re not just residents, they’re families, and this isn’t just a municipality, it’s home. How can we keep it home? How can we speak into the growth that’s happening around us?
I’m available, and as soon as I have my email up and running, send me an email, knock on my door, come to town meetings. I would encourage people to participate in any way that they can within the town
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