As we reach the end of the Talbot County Council’s 2022 session and I reach the end of my 12 years of service on the Council and 8 years serving in leadership with the Maryland Association of Counties, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the election of our next County Council.
Chuck Callahan and Pete Lesher have served on the Council for 8 and 4 years respectively. Both have enough history and records for voters to make their own decision in deciding whether to return them to the Council for another term. There is a benefit to be gained by having some experienced members return to the Council – to affect a smooth transition of our County government and aid the incoming Council. Continuity is important.
Of the 8 remaining and first time candidates for the Council, there are two, who, in my opinion, stand out. Lynn Mielke’s experience as a lawyer and David Montgomery’s experience with economic and budget issues would benefit the Council. Both possess the disposition to investigate and speak up on issues and ask relevant questions. They have different opinions on various issues, and that is a good thing. Debating issues is important.
One key factor to be considered is whether the candidate can make decisions based upon the best interests of citizens of Talbot County and not their own personal opinions, views, or self-interests. Too many of the other candidates have agendas, or are single issue candidates.
The matters that are presented to us at the county level are varied and complex and are not necessarily the “hot button” issues on which some candidates are running. Understanding the scope of the county council’s legal responsibility is important. While a candidate might have strong opinions on some matters, some of those are simply not within the purview of the county council to resolve or influence. believe that Lynn and David both understand what the local issues are and which ones the County Council can directly impact; there are many important issues that will come before the next Council that will impact the quality of life in Talbot County. The pressure for development is strong, and it will take strong people to make decisions that benefit the community as a whole. Furthermore, we are in demanding economic times, and it is important to have people on the Council who have an understanding of the economic pressures we will face in the next four years.
Additionally, Council members are called upon to vote on legislation that may go against his or her beliefs. I believe that Lynn Mielke and David Montgomery possess the ability and have the experience to build consensus and to put aside personal preference for the good of the county in the near and long term. I’ve always had a saying that if my vote made all sides a little bit mad, then I did my job correctly. This quality is important.
What I would emphasize to voters is that the decisions that the County Council makes are rarely “political” in the sense that they are Republican or Democrat; the decisions made by the Council are, for the most part, pragmatic ones that should be based on an understanding of how those actions relate to the Comprehensive Plan and how they impact the budget and the safety of the residents of Talbot County. Therefore, what is important, in my estimation, is to vote for candidates who have skill sets relevant to the matters that will come before them and who have the maturity, integrity and objectivity to evaluate the various impacts of their actions.
I am pleased to support two people who possess the qualities I believe are essential to an effective council.
Laura Everngam-Price
Talbot County Councilwoman
410-725-1474 10-28-22
Jerry McConnell says
Thanks Laura…we’ll pass your recommendations along to our right wing, ultra conservative, science-denying pals who are already smitten with these two.
Any other suggestions?
Nobody more pro growth, pro development, let’s transform the County than Chuck Callahan to suggest?
Honestly though, what is that thing on Mr Montgomery’s forehead that looks like a fuel gauge and is reading “E” ?
Steve Lingeman says
We should be voting for people based on their track records. I cannot comment on David Montgomery’s track record. However, Lynn Mielke’s record as President of Easton Club’s Homeowner’s Association is deplorable. Her approach to governing was litigious as well stupid. Thousands of dollars was spent on lawsuits that should have been kept in reserve for future purposes. At he end of the day these lawsuits got us nowhere. As voters, do we really want this kind of leadership?
Susie Hayward says
Steve, that first lawsuit cost over $100,000 and it had yet gotten to court. She refused to disclose the cost to the homeowners. It wasn’t until she was off the Board that the true cost was discovered.
Susie Hayward says
Wow, Lynn Mielke? Because she is a lawyer? How about considering her role as the president of Easton Club and the two lawsuits she put the homeowners through? She didn’t want to hear what the homeowners felt about the first one, most were against it. She wouldn’t even answer the homeowner’s questions as to how much it was costing them, let alone tell them how they could possibly benefit from it. She stonewalled everyone because; she knew best, she treated us as mere ignorant children. After she was unseated as President, she was vindictive enough to sue the next Board, but the Judge threw it out because she didn’t even have standing; shouldn’t she, as a lawyer, have known that? She pushes her will through intimidation. There are many more qualified candidates to vote for, but Lynn Mielke is not one of them. She will rule over Talbot County and you will not have a voice.
Mickey Terrone says
I sinerely question whether Mr. Montgomery and Ms. Mielke are particularly objective. Mr. Montgomery has already decided that the Public School Budget requires significant cutting and has already decided upon the strategy of using a line-item veto to slash anything resembling what he considers Critical Race Theory, which he describes as meaning whatever he says it means. Obviously, he has completely ignored the growing needs of all schools after the 2-year derailment of COVID. Clearly, Montgomery and Mielke are far more interested in keeping the county tax rate artificially low regardless of the impact on public school children, our most important resource.
There ought to be no teacher or parent of any public school student in Talbot County who should vote for Mr. Montgomery, Mielke. They simply do not seek to enhance your children’s public school education. Don’t mistake their age for maturity, their pretension for integrity or their prejudices for objectivity. They are extremist idealogues sullenly committed to disrupting the public school system, creating paranoia over CRT (which they cannot even define or prove it is being taught) and further pervert Talbot County’s view of history with another Confederate flag on a statue.
Your children deserve the best. Vote for the Democrats. They are committed to planned county growth, excellent public schools, a well-protected environment and better access to lower-cost health care.