ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — St. Mary’s County Commissioner Scott Ostrow recently joined Chris Hill on “Get Real with Southern Maryland Politics” to discuss his re-election campaign for District 4 and outline his priorities for the next term.
Ostrow emphasized a focus on continuing the work he began when he first took office four years ago, particularly revitalizing Lexington Park while maintaining open communication with residents. “When I first ran, I talked about revitalizing Lexington Park and being transparent and accessible to the public,” Ostrow said. “I wanted people to be able to ask questions and get answers.”
Ostrow has implemented regular town hall meetings as one of the ways to improve transparency and communication. Ostrow had pledged to hold at least one each quarter and said he has maintained that commitment throughout his term. In the past year, he expanded the outreach by hosting additional meetings at senior centers across the county to make participation easier for older residents.
The town halls have also served as a place where residents can raise community concerns and suggest improvements. Ostrow pointed to several projects that grew out of those conversations, including a traffic roundabout installed in the Westbury neighborhood to address speeding complaints and upgrades underway at the skate park in Nicolet Park. “People bring real issues to those meetings,” Ostrow said. “And that’s the best part of the job — helping solve problems for your constituents.”
Another major focus during his term has been redevelopment in Lexington Park. Ostrow highlighted progress at Pax River Village Center, which he said had previously been considered a food desert. The shopping center has since added a grocery store and continues to attract new businesses as part of a broader revitalization effort.
Ongoing discussions are also underway to improve St. Mary’s Square Shopping Center, including repairs to the parking lot and additional investment in the property. “These are the kinds of projects that help bring new life into the community,” Ostrow said.
Looking ahead, Ostrow said one of the biggest challenges for the next term will include financial pressures from the state government. According to Ostrow, the state has increasingly shifted responsibilities to counties without providing additional funding, leaving local governments to find ways to cover the costs.
“The spending coming down from the state keeps increasing, and counties are expected to figure out how to pay for it,” he said. “That’s going to make budgeting more difficult.”
Because of those pressures, Ostrow said county leaders must remain cautious about launching new initiatives and instead prioritize maintaining existing infrastructure, parks and facilities. “We need to preserve what we have and finish the projects that are already underway before we start new ones,” he said.
Housing affordability also emerged as a major topic during the conversation. Hill noted that the median home price in Southern Maryland has climbed above $400,000, putting homeownership out of reach for many residents. Ostrow shared a personal example, explaining that even his own daughter, who works on base and earns a good salary, cannot currently afford to purchase a home in the county. “She wants to buy here, but it’s very difficult,” he said.
To address the issue, Ostrow suggested exploring new incentives for first-time homebuyers. Potential ideas include partnerships with local lenders to reduce interest rates or providing assistance with closing costs. He also said the county could consider incentives for developers who include moderately priced homes within larger housing projects.
“These are the kinds of things we’re going to have to look at,” Ostrow said. “We need to think outside the box.”
Ostrow has also drawn careful consideration to land-use planning. He noted that some residents worry about high-density development spreading into more rural parts of the county, but he emphasized that such projects should remain concentrated in established development districts.
For example, he said large apartment complexes would not be appropriate in northern rural communities where infrastructure and transportation access are limited. “It wouldn’t make sense to build high-density housing in those areas,” Ostrow said. “You need the infrastructure and access to jobs and transportation.” Instead, development should remain focused in areas designed for growth, where infrastructure and employment opportunities already exist.
Ostrow also emphasized the importance of continuing to encourage new business investment. He noted that more than 300 businesses have opened in the Lexington Park area over the past three years, which he sees as evidence of a business-friendly environment in the county.
“That’s something we have to keep building on,” he said.
As the county moves through its annual budget process and prepares for the upcoming election cycle, Ostrow said he hopes voters will consider the commitments he has already fulfilled.
“I made promises when I ran the first time, and I’ve kept them,” he said. “I’ve been accessible, transparent, and willing to explain every decision I’ve made.”
Ostrow also spoke about his personal connection to the county, stating that his entire family now lives in St. Mary’s County and that his granddaughter attends local schools.
“St. Mary’s County has been very good to my family,” he said. “I believe strongly in giving back to the community that you live in.”
Outside of his official duties, Ostrow has also launched a community-focused cooking series called “Cooking with the Commish,” where he demonstrates how to prepare restaurant-quality meals for families on a modest budget. The program, he said, is another way to connect with residents and offer practical help during a time when many families are dealing with rising food costs.
As he campaigns for another term, Ostrow said his goals remain centered on continued revitalization, responsible budgeting, and maintaining the sense of pride many residents feel about living in St. Mary’s County.
“If you like what I’ve done so far, I humbly ask for your vote,” Ostrow said. “And I’ll keep working to make our community even better.”
Watch the full interview below:
About Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics
The interview is part of The BayNet’s new candidate video podcast series, “Get Real With Southern Maryland Politics,” which features conversations with Southern Maryland candidates running for county commissioner, state delegate and state senator.
Upcoming election coverage can be found at https://thebaynet.com/elections.
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