Scheduled for Thursday Sept. 21st @ 7pm Bozman UM Church

Guest speaker Bill Dial from the County Emergency Management Services Dept to discuss Hurricane Preparedness and also reverse 911

Bozman Representative Janet Hammed will also review what’s been figured out thus far at the past two Village Center Board Meetings.

**Here’s the short recap of that meeting:

Our last Bozman Village Neighbors meeting was Sept. 21st. Talbot County Emergency Planner Bill Dial made a presentation, “What to do in case of an emergency”. Please refer to the mailing from TC that arrived in your mailbox last week. It offers many important tips in the event of hurricanes, storms and other disasters. Also be sure to fill out the emergency information form. This will help emergency dispatchers (911) know if you have a medical condition or other special needs, if you have pets, children and many other important facts. Booklets are also available at Chubbie’s deli (Bozman Store). For further information about what to do in an emergency, go to the TC Emergency Management page. It has some information that will most likely apply to all types of emergencies. One page in particular, while it addresses a terrorist attack, has quite a bit of information that also applies to other emergencies and preparation.

We also reviewed the progress thus far at the County Village Center Board. Their next meeting will be Oct. 5th at the Emergency Management Center on Port Street in Easton. This is open to the public.

If you would like to join the Bozman Village Neighbors email list to be notified of upcoming meetings and other related info, please email marywbryan@gmail.com. The next Bozman Village Neighbors meeting is scheduled for Saturday January 20th at the Bozman UM Church at 12noon. All Bozman residents are invited to attend.

Going through the list of candidates still…as we have many, many candidates to choose from in this mid-term election season!

If I were to choose some of the other slots, and party not being an issue, here goes:

Out of 18 candidates in the Democratic party for US Senate, and another 10 just in the Republican party, (not to mention the Green party), the front runners are Ben Cardin(D – Incumbent) and Michael Steele (R), but I’m leaning towards Allan Lichtman (D) or James Hutchinson (D) merely based on their replies to the questions posted by the League of Women Voters, but both of their responses seem sane and obtainable. Mr. Hutchinson’s response to education struck a nerve, (In response to the renewal of NCLB in 2007) “This program comes from Total Quality Management – a means of improving industrial production. Children are not machines. The focus on reading, writing and math leave out civics, history, arts, and athletics. Home experience before and during school are critical for education. Parents want help and should get it.”

Next, US House of Representatives – Congressional Seat – as we are in the 1st District, these are the only ones available:: Wayne Gilchrest – the long time Republican Incumbent, versus Christopher Robinson (D – yes Pooh), Dr. Jim Corwin or Kostas Alexakis…hmmm – don’t like any of them totally when reading the responses. But Gilchrest I guess.

Maryland Governor – This won’t be on the ballot today

Maryland Comptroller – Mark Spradley (R), but I do have a soft spot for Willy Don…remember the outhouses that were everywhere years ago?

Maryland Attorney General – The incumbent Scott Rolle (R) has my vote

Maryland State Senator – I continue to wholly support Rich Colburn

Maryland Delegates - We can choose 2 and while I feel Addie and Jeannie have done a good job, I think more needs to be done, and in looking at their opponents, I’m leaning towards Dr. Redgie Lancaster (R) for Talbot and James Adkins (D) for Dorchester as their responses are more direct towards relevant issues. Plus, I tend to think the party mix up will do both counties well.

Talbot County Circuit Court Judge – Jo Ann Asparagus

Talbot County Sherriff – Dallas Pope (R)(he’s done a great job and should continue)

Talbot County Register of Wills – November election

Judge of Orphan’s Court – The incumbents Jacques Baker (D) and Don James (R)

Democratic Central Committee – choose 5 out of 6: Widell, Burt, Poe, Braver and Blair
Republican Central Committee – choose 7 – and I’ve got 5: Judy, Panuzio, Welte, Secrist, Kendall and um…. Boland and Amdur? ok.

Now Talbot Board of Education…this is a touchy one for me and I believe we are to select one for our district (7), but I’m reading all of them and selecting…
District 1: Gloria Farrare
District 3: Venita Southworth
District 4: Monica Dyott Heinsohn is unopposed
District 7: Daniel Greely Higgins, Jr.

And my earlier posting for Talbot County Council is still the same: Owen Wormser (D), Corey Pack (R), Darrin Lowery (R), John Volatile (R), Buddy Harrison (D)

So there are my picks…print this out and go vote – oh, and remember, not fulfilling the requirement of picking all seven for seven slots, is much more powerful a vote, then just making sure those seven slots are selected…meaning, if you like some dems and reps like me, but not all from either party, then select only the ones you do like from that party.

After I head to my local voting locale, I will be driving to Queen Anne’s County to support my mom, Carol Bilek, who is running for County Commissioner of District 2…another county in change…

Go Vote – this is bold step isn’t it? telling you guys who I would vote for…well, it’s gotta get out there – the current status quo isn’t good enough!

Please visit Picks for Talbot County Council part 2 for the general election picks.
Here’s the original posting before the primary…

Been weeding through so much that’s online and coming in the mail – Here’s my list for the 5 seats:

Owen Wormser (D)

Corey Pack (R)

Darrin Lowery (R)

John Volatile (R)

Buddy Harrison (D)

While this is a primary, you can have significantly more impact if you only vote for 2 or 3 of the candidates on the ballot, than to select 5 for any given party – so, when voting, I will select only those from the list above which are available on primary day and not give those votes to the other candidates. These 5 candidates truly, IMHO will do the best to move Talbot County in the right direction – Let’s make it happen!

Other selections coming soon! Still working on reading the details…or rhetoric as it were, to decipher who will do the best service to all residents.

Our mailboxes are being filled everyday, our roads are proliferated with signs, yet it is increasingly difficult to know who is for what and how. In an attempt to gain more knowledge on all candidates – specifically the Talbot County Council and the Board of Education race, I have been on a quest this morning to learn as much as I can about every candidate on both parties’ ballots.

This link has provided the most non-partisan information: The League of Women Voters of Mid Shore Maryland. It does list each candidate on the ballot, and their replies to several questions. What I find interesting is that perhaps only 2 or 3 of the candidates present concise solutions versus generalizations that make it hard to see the forest through the trees.

I will be honest with you – up until four years ago, I felt my best vote was NOT to vote, because I did not like the choice of the lesser of two evils. But, in light of what was happening to my county and country, registered to vote. Since then, I have tried to become as educated as I can about the candidates. Unfortunately, the last election and ensuing changes locally and globally, are proof that one vote alone cannot make a difference. But, in utilizing this blog, perhaps my opinion and research can in fact help more votes make a difference.

I have already posted my views on this blog regarding the need for affordable middle and low income housing, land preservation and economics to be paramount. However, one of the additional areas that is in need of improvement is the educational system of this county. Many of the current modalities used for guaging school, teacher and student performance are not sound, realistic nor beneficial. While TCPS is being recognized for the improved results on the Maryland State Assessments, there are many who are not being served by the outcome of these tests.

Additionally, this county seriously needs to investigate innovative and alternative means for providing solid, comprehensive and measurable programs and solutions for all childrens’ needs and learning styles – gifted, average (there has be a better word for this), and special education. As diverse as the ethnic and economic backgrounds are, so should the services, curriculums and programs that are available.

We need to make sure that all children’s needs are quickly and accurately indentified and to demand the creation of funding for programs that address the individual needs of children from different learning, ethnic and economic backgrounds and not to allow a ‘blanket’ solution.

For more information about the true state of education in this country, visit this site: The Education Crisis in America. We live in one of the wealthiest counties in this state and it should be possible for this county to also provide one the most ground breaking educational programs. The 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative is a very good place to start, but there needs to be more, much more, and it needs to happen almost immediately and be available to children in all grades. Children who are 8 can use the computer better than most nowadays.

There are many kids in this county who do not go onto college or worse, “my son wants to drop out of school because he sees mowing grass as being a better opportunity than graduating from high school.”. We need to make it work for all children. Conversely, if that is not possible, to provide affordable and logical options for parents who see that a TCPS education will not properly prepare their children for the future.

There are several candidates and many, many more parents whose children do not or have not attended Talbot County’s Public Schools, as they know there are many problems within the system, yet we all pay for the school system’s budget. The level of expectation and accountability must go beyond believing State Assessment Results are sufficient. While the county did approve 98% of the budget for the school system – is it genuinely enough? Have they created new or better programs or addressed all of the problems?

TCPS was recently lauded on its’ MSA scores, when compared to the rest of the state – is that in itself acceptable? When NCLB was enacted, State Assessments became the trial by fire for school systems across the country, and State Assessments are now in reality, the majority of a school’s curriculum. However as those tests expand in the near future to also include Science and maybe Social Studies, we truly need to investigate alternatives of teaching to the test. There is enough latitude within the Maryland State’s Voluntary Curriculum where this is indeed possible.

Many disdain NCLB, yet they receive awards and base the ‘truth’ on this form of accountability – ironic isn’t it? NCLB is not a solution, however until something better is defined, it could work to a school’s advantage in many regards. It is just how it is perceived, interpreted and utilized.

The upcoming primary and general election are indeed an opportunity for parents, teachers and taxpayers to ask these questions and to demand clearly defined answers and obtainable solutions.

I will continue to pursue more information regarding the County Council and Board of Education Candidates specifically, as these are the two groups of key people who will be influencing and implementing changes for Talbot County.

I continue to support Owen Wormser, as he is one of few candidates in the running, that has concisely enumerated his concerns and more importantly, direct and detailed solutions. I challenge all candidates to follow Owen’s methodology and refrain from confusing or oblique rhetoric.

Voters are no longer just satisfied with following the crowd. I believe many are diverging from traditional partisan voting. Instead interviewing candidates for the job, the same as if they were in search of employees to fill positions within a company.

Again, you as a voter have been given a priveledge, and it is important for you to clearly understand who will be representing you – for you to ask questions, and seek the real truth.