Even with the Baltimore Ravens playing, The League of Women Voters of the Mid-Shore bravely soldiered on with their forum for Talbot County Council candidates Sunday afternoon at the Friends Meeting House in Easton. In front of a packed audience, the seven candidates running for the five open seats responded to a series of questions from the LWVMS and the audience for the next two hours.
The Spy was able to record the candidate responses to five of those questions to share with our viewers.
Candidates running for the five open seats are:
Dirck Bartlett, Incumbent (Republican)
Chuck Callahan (Republican)
Eric Lowery (Democrat)
Corey Pack, Incumbent (Republican)
Laura Price, Incumbent (Republican)
Hilary Spence (Democrat)
Jennifer Williams (Republican)
Question 1: What is your stance of the ballot amendment to increase Council Salaries*
* Mr. Corey wants to correct a statement he made regarding the Proposed Council compensation. The increase is 14%.
Question 2: What ideas do you have for balancing the needs of the agricultural community with the needs of the Chesapeake Bay?
Question 3: With the increasing concerns about natural disasters, civil unrest, and acts of aggression against governments, schools, and other high profile events, what measures should Talbot County take to ensure that emergency services, law enforcement agencies, schools have plans, training, equipment, and facilities to respond to an event in the County or the region?
The election will be held Tuesday, November 4, with early voting at the Easton Fire House between Thursday, October 23 and Thursday, October 30.
To follow on Tuesday, Part Two
Question 4: What is the council’s position on contributing to the resources needed to reduce drug abuse in our county
Question 5: Please list the three civic issues that are your priorities and how are you going to pay for it.
Hilary Spence, County Council Candidate says
The Talbot Spy is providing an invaluable public service to the residents of Talbot County by posting videotapes of the candidates’ forums online. Online access to these public forums makes it possible for citizens to listen to what the candidates are saying on the issues and make informed choices on election day. Candidates are also able to reach a much larger, online audience beyond those who are able to attend the actual events. Thank you Talbot Spy.