Gary Millhoff

Wants to discourage opioid addiction and encourage economic development

By Brian Gilliland, Associate Editor

(Feb. 8, 2018) Now retired from Worcester County after 13 years as a plans reviewer and building, housing and zoning inspector, Gary Millhoff has decided to spend the next phase of his life in public service.

“For a long time, being a county commissioner was something I really wanted to do,” he said. “My work with the county took me from Pocomoke City up to the Delaware line. I got to meet a lot of people and spent a lot of time in Worcester. I had to keep the idea alive in the back of my mind, and now that I’m retired I can devote my time to it.”

While the filing deadline isn’t until the end of the month, with incumbent Bud Church’s announcement last week to seek another term, Millhoff will face Church during the June 26 primary. Should no other Democrat register before the filing deadline for the District 3 seat, the winner of the primary will face Berlin Councilman Zachery Tyndall in November.

Millhoff said he had two major goals in seeking office: encouraging economic development and fighting opioid addiction.

“I’d like to see positive and responsible growth,” he said.

Millhoff said that as they age, local children too often leave Worcester for better opportunities elsewhere. His goal would be to help recruit businesses that would support such development.

“I would support the economic development department much more than it has in the past,” he said.

Millhoff said the economic development department has been moving in the right direction, pointing to the real estate tour the department sponsored late last year.

“I want to keep people working,” he said. “We need full time jobs so people will stay here and work here. As we have many seniors here, we need young people to come in and help the seniors.”

Millhoff said he would like to see the county pay more attention to opioid addiction.

“I’d like to give the Sherriff’s Office more support. We need more people to combat children dying for no reason,” he said. “People tell me they want to see this put into place, and they want to see me put into place.”

Millhoff said money could be found within the current county budget to fund these priorities, without the need for increased taxes.

Millhoff served in the United States Air Force and the Defense Courier Service for 33 years, prior to his work in Worcester.

During his military career, he was activated during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, where he earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the State of Maryland Commendation Medal.

Millhoff has been a full-time resident of District 3 for 17 years and a property owner in Worcester County since 1984.