Written By Lisa Breslin, Photos by: Walter Calahan
Perry Jones has served for 30 years an elected official in Carroll County. He has dedicated even more years to the local fire company and his family business, Tuck’s Chevron Service Station.
As volunteer fireman, car connoisseur, mayor, Town Council member and Carroll County commissioner, Jones has gained a reputation for being accessible and a good listener. In his spare time, he is the man who pulls everyone to the dance floor and won’t turn down an opportunity to hunt or fish.
What, or who, inspires you as a political leader?
John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. If they hadn’t opened so many doors, I would not be the leader that I have been allowed to be. The call to ask not what my country can do for me but what I can do for my country continually motivates me. And without Martin Luther King’s dreams, I never would have been able to follow my own.
What are some of the steps you have taken to follow your dreams?
My father, who also served on a town council, bought the service station in 1968. It was tough time, especially if you were black. I heard remarks back in the day, racial slurs from the old guys. But I was better off not to react; it goes away quicker. Doors opened then, too. The fire company asked us to join. I was one of two black firemen in Carroll County. These were important steps in making my dreams realities.
How do the roles of county commissioner, mayor, council member, and service station owner interact?
Being in the garage and working with people was the perfect preparation for politics. I learned how to listen to people’s problems and I learned the value of talking in person rather than by phone or the Internet. No matter what office I serve in, people know they can get to me; I’m accessible and I really value one-on-one conversation. Working on cars helps me realize that sometimes just a little tinkering in the right places can yield a lot more power or effectiveness. It’s like that with government, too.
What has been your favorite stint during your 12 years as mayor, 11 years on the council and four years as county commissioner?
Mayor, for sure. It is just a different type of leading. I can get things accomplished because there are fewer layers and the charter type of government is effective.
As county commissioner, what decisions are you most proud of?
The moratorium on building that went into effect in 2003, and the sprinkler ordinance that required builders to put sprinklers in new construction of private homes. Ironically, those decisions were the toughest ones in my political life, but they were right and very important to me.
Why were they so important and so right?
The County’s Master Plan allowed 1,000 houses per year, but we were up to 1,800 homes per year. We were building too rapidly without the necessary infrastructure.
I think the moratorium was ultimately called a deferral because that was easier to discuss, but it was a moratorium.
That sprinkler ordinance – I had so many elected officials across the state tell me they wouldn’t tackle it during an election year because it was so controversial. This was a safety issue; it was the right thing to do. We were the second county in the state to approve the ordinance; Montgomery County was the first. In 2006, it was approved statewide.
What keeps you grounded?
People – doing something for others.
What are your favorite books, movie or music?
I don’t sit that much. I can’t sit long and stay happy. I love to keep going.
How do you enjoy spending your own time?
With the fire company, dancing, or my grandchildren, Jacob, who is four, and Isaac, who is 10. I also love to fish – whether it’s deep-sea fishing or in the Potomac. And hunting is great too: rabbit, deer and wild boar in South Carolina.
When your term as mayor ends in three years, will you retire as a politician at that time?
I might. I always hoped to remain a mayor until someone else is ready to take the role and dedicate time to it.
