The campaign hats are flying into the ring left and right! Since I have in one way or another had direct contact, worked for/with or in one candidate’s case, happen to be the daughter of, feel I should mention my support for:

Carol Bilek – County Commissioner for the 2nd District of Queen Anne’s County

Owen Wormser – Talbot County Council

Richard Colburn – Maryland State Senator for District 37 (Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico)

These days more than ever, I am an Independant Democratic Republican in that I think Independantly across party lines to decide who I feel best represents the needs of my family and community. I Democratically choose those representatives in an election on Election Day and yes, I tend to lean towards the conservative Republican on some of the issues.

But…my ideals of what a Republican or Democrat should be are stuck in History Class – Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan and Kennedy. You knew without a doubt when you listened to them or read their speeches, on which side of the fence they firmly stood. Nowadays, by and large, it just seems to be about who can schmear who better, who can get the dirt thrown wider and farther…and in the end, the voter (like me) stands there a couple of years later with dazed look and wonders what happened. That being said, I give my support to the candidates above, as they do not appear interested in following the current fashion for campaigning.
First – Richard Colburn. I have come to know since his run for Congress three years ago. I must say, Rich is perhaps one of a rare breed of men left. He is a genuinely kind person who is incredibly loving to his wife, believes in things like returning calls promptly, and that an email is simply not sufficient enough communication when you want to express gratitude – that it should be written. Also, I think that he has been quite misunderstood in many regards. He is not part of a political machine. He is earnestly concerned about each and every resident in his district and the Eastern Shore. Plus, I think if there were anyone keenly attuned to what is going on, it would be Rich. He is not interested in playing tit for tat, he wants his constituents to know the full story on the issues before they make a fair decision. While he is “omnipresent” in his district and always on the campaign of late, I have found him to genuine, humble, full of endless energy, somewhat shy and almost always thinking about his duty as Senator. There is so much more to be said about this man – but I want each of you reading this to know, Rich Colburn is a bonafide, old fashioned public servant. It is what he has running through his veins and I know he will continue to tirelessly work for the best of all, not the interests of a few.

Next, Owen Wormser. While my communique thus far with Owen has been via email, I have to say I am impressed. We have discussed a variety of topics – regarding the Village Center Board, the school system, amongst other things. I think he may have reached a point in the road of his life, where he has read the articles for too long, heard the stories from neighbors, and has seen too many drastic and possibly detrimental changes to our area, and that it was time for him to make it happen differently. To do more than just go to the polls on election day – to actually make a sharp turn off of the road, and really make a difference. His emails to me indicate that to be the case. When one takes to the time to write more than a couple sentences to dash off into hyperspace, there is some earnest thought that goes onto the screen. I believe Owen will do everything in his power to upset the apple cart so to speak – to change the wheels that have been grinding away while we as residents of Talbot County work and live. To try to preserve what we have left on our beloved Eastern Shore. And bring us up to date with some of the outdated operations in this county that would benefit from an overhaul.

Lastly, Carol Bilek who is also my mom, is running for Commissioner of District 2 in Queen Anne’s County. She, like many is running because of a multitude of reasons. Primarily because government doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. It is supposed to be a representation of the people for the people. Somewhere along the lines, that key six letter word got overlooked in Queen Anne’s County recently. Carol has more honesty, integrity, and get the job done ability than anyone I’ve ever known. Plus she excels at crisis management as she raised my sisters and I! She has ideals, values and appreciations that I don’t think many people even stop to consider anymore. Growing up, no matter how much it made us groan and grumble, she stuck to her guns, was strict with us and I have to say because of it, I am a much better person. She worked hard, and was sometimes hard on us because she knew that one day, we would live by her example. Because of my mom, I think I am in so many ways where I am today. While you may not know me, do know that my mom is and always will be my hero. Words fall short of the endless respect I have for her. And despite her being my mom, I also know professionally and as a representative for QA County, she will do a great and honorable service – just as she has for me.

I felt that you, the reader, the resident, the voter, should know there are some true quality candidates (and incumbents) out there. That we should all start learning as much as we can about all of the candidates so that we can truly deserve our rights to elect our representatives. Not wake up two years later, looking around with that dazed look of confusion, wondering how we could have made the choices we did. I personally plan, before the primaries (Sept. 12), to really take the time to learn about all of the candidates available, instead of randomly choosing a name, only because I feel I have to pull a lever (Oh, that’s right it’s digital now isn’t it?). And yes, I know, I may not have helped in any way telling you about their platforms. I have made these decisions based on what I do know about the facts, followed by what I know about them as people. That makes up as much of a person – their character, as what they “stand for”. Digital Soapbox Session is concluded for now.

Janet Hammed called the other day to say that an official Village Center Board Meeting has been scheduled in August. Date and time will be forthcoming. A Bozman Village Neighbors meeting will be scheduled for mid-September to learn about the meeting and Janet’s participation.