Local elections and the candidates who run for these public offices often fall below the radar screen for many voters. I must admit that I was one of those who often didn’t know much if anything about local candidates, what they stood for, what qualifications they had, and how they had or would work to make life better for our local communities. When issues hit home, we often start questioning how decisions are made and want to ensure that those who represent us, are knowledgeable, have no business or personal conflicts, and are committed to keeping our rural way of life intact, while supporting economic growth and new development in towns and not in the Villages.
I’ve become familiar with the current Talbot County Council members and it has been eye opening. The current Council majority (Williams, Pack, Callahan) has been open to expanding new development in the Villages, despite residents’ objections, threats to the environment and public safety. Elections provide opportunities for change, and that is what is needed.
Attending candidate forums has also been very educational. Reading candidate summaries in the voter guide we all received from the League of Women Voters is also helpful. No shows at these events indicates a lack of willingness to answer tough questions and be on the record. Jennifer Williams last minute no-show at the most recent forum came at the time her conflict of interest complaint was being reviewed by the Ethics Commission. In an earlier Forum both Maureen Scott Taylor and Frank Divilio admitted they hadn’t read the Comprehensive Plan, which is the basis for future planning for the County. Chuck Callahan and Frank Divilio didn’t bother to fill out and submit their platforms so that voters reading the League of Women Voters’ guide could see what they believe.
The result of this lack of information is that voters might vote for names they recognize, candidates they’ve interacted with in other ways – in church, business, neighborhoods, etc. Or – sometimes voters just don’t vote for any candidates in the local elections because they really don’t know who they are or what they’ve done and will do if elected.
Just because a candidate is “likeable” doesn’t mean he/she knows anything about the issues, is willing to do the work to learn about them, and deserves the public’s trust. I LIKE some of the candidates that I won’t vote for because this is a job interview not a popularity contest. We need County Council members who are willing to put in the work, have a strong grasp of budget, legislative and regulatory matters, listen and are responsive to citizens’ concerns and are willing to work collaboratively and respectfully as stewards of the special place we call home.
Early voting at the Easton Firehouse starts on October 25th . I am voting early and my choices are Laura Price, Keasha Haythe, Naomi Hyman, and Pete Lesher. I urge you to vote for this group of highly qualified candidates who will do their homework and the work needed to represent all of Talbot County’s residents.
Julie Susman
Royal Oak
Carolyn Ewing says
Thank you for a letter that spells out precisely why we need a change on the County Council. I have attended council meetings, the public hearings, and the candidate forums. I have followed the modifications to the Comprehensive Plan for two years and have been very much disturbed by the majority of the sitting council’s disregard of the intent of the Comprehensive Plan, despite their protestations to the countrary. The transcripts tell the tale, just as Price’s Op Ed and the correspondence between Laura Price and Ted Doyle tell the tale of how the referendum on the increase of the revenue cap tell that story, despite Divilio’s ceaseless claims that he is the author of the plan.
Integrity and intelligence matter in governance, as does responsiveness to the voters. That is why I did not vote for Williams, Pack or Callahan. I am tired of their dismissive attitude toward the people and toward the Comprehensive Plan.