Below is the list compiled from the League of Women Voters, along with my picks as marked by *

Governor & Lt. Governor
*O’Malley/Brown
Ehrlich/Cox
Driscoll/Rothstein
Boyd/Madigan

Maryland Comptroller
*Peter Franchot
Anne McCarthy

Maryland Attorney General
Douglas Gansler
*Scott Rolle

US Senator
Ben Cardin
*Michael Steele
Kevin Zeese

US Congress District 1
Wayne Gilchrest (I originally, but begrudgingly supported him. In reviewing the progress during his many terms in Congress don’t feel as if the Eastern Shore has honestly benefitted from his representation.)
*Jim Corwin (did submit answers to the LWV and like what I am reading – guess the proof will be in the walk vs. the talk.)

MD House of Delegates 37B
Addie Eckardt
*Jeannie Haddaway
*Jim Adkins
Tim Quinn
MD State Senator District 37
*Richard Colburn
Hilary Spence
Moonyene Jackson Amis

Talbot County Council (Please see posting for this)

Clerk of the Circuit Court
*Mary Ann Shortall

Register of Wills
*Alice Anderson
James Camper

Judge of Orphan’s Court
Don Duncan
*Don James
*Jacques Baker
Ron Frampton
Harvey Smith

Talbot County Sherriff -congratulations Dallas Pope

Talbot County Board of Education
District 1
*Gloria Farrare
Steven Harris
District 3
*Robert Burris
Mary Beth Goll
District 4
Monica Dyott Hensohn (unopposed)
District 7
Daniel Greely Higgins
*Sandra Kleppinger (note:my original support has shifted primarily due to this comment of her role: “Excellence in public schools can be attained by utilizing each educational dime to benefit each and every child.” – many dollars in funding believe it or not, do not get used)

I  reviewed those who made submissions on the LWV site, and tried earnestly to read between the lines. I am putting my faith in the above candidates to serve us properly and justly.

The previous “Picks for Talbot County Council” was for the primary in September and since a couple of my picks unfortunately did not make it.. here’s the new list:

The definite candidates I support are:
Owen Wormser (D)
Levin “Buddy” Harrison (D)
Corey Pack (R)

The next two I have been struggling to sort the wheat from the chaf – I’ve reviewed the candidates’ comments on the league of women voters of talbot county and honestly, I’m having a very hard time deciding. I have had some contact with two of the candidates over the years – John General and Al Silverstein and have mixed personal opinions of both.

I’ve thought earnestly about the changes that have occurred thanks to the current council members and it’s easier to say who I don’t like – all of the current ones. (Phil Foster, Hope Harrington, Pete Carroll, Tom Duncan, and then there’s Hiliary). Overall, I think they have done more irreparable damage to growth, education, housing, land use and the work force in our county than good.

The remaining new candidate, Dirck Bartlett, concerns me in several arenas, as he’s affluent, has children in a private school (I believe), and works for a development company that builds half million dollar + homes. I think that kind of puts it towards John and Al.

So, that list is now: Owen Wormser, Corey Pack, Buddy Harrison, John General and Al Silverstein. Think about it…for the most part, these guys really represent the honest diversity that is Talbot County…and they have much more down to earth goals and a better perspective about what is and has happened in this county.

Oh, and if the current council was so concerned about  “Managed Growth” and utilizing the revamped “Comprehensive Plan”, how is it that almost every single new construction project involved either farm field development or clearing forests and why is Target and Starbucks coming to the corner of Rt. 33 and Rt. 322? There really are better locations in existing developed areas – like in the areas where there are oversized and underused parking lots!

Imagine what that ‘mall’ is going to do to the other 3 in the near vicinity in terms of the businesses being to stay viable and what the traffic will be like? Can any of you that live down 33 imagine what it’s going to be like trying to get to Easton at 4 in the afternoon? Gee, it will be like trying to cross rt. 50 on a Friday or Sunday. And how did an outside contractor (Chesapeake Site) get the land development job? That should have gone to a local company. PERIOD.

Take a drive through the county, especially in Easton – if you’re short on time thanks to increased traffic, just from Landing Neck Road, on Route 50 then getting on the Applebee’s side of the bypass and down to Doncaster Road on Rt. 33…

Please review other comments in this blog about the work force, education, growth and land use. The current county council has done a poor job and they do not deserve to keep their jobs.

I never thought I would become as opinionated about politics as I have, but I know that I am still going to have to pay taxes and therefore, would like to see my tax dollars actually put into intelligent use. These 5 people will I think and hope do a better job with the salary that I am paying them.

Please be smart, and don’t just click the representatives just because you’re familiar with their names, they’re the incumbents or that you’re a democrat or republican and that’s how you’ve always voted. This county is losing its original charms and I don’t think I should have to move because I’m not happy with the progress.

I need and want progress – I’m a voter, home owner, business owner and parent. But, the thought of having to take 45 minutes to get to Easton instead of 30, to take my son to his bus that I pay for to go to a private school, because the public school failed to meet his needs, and not be able to build the much needed addition to our house, due to high building costs and money being spent on aforementioned needs is unacceptable and needs to change.

We have a week to go…start doing your homework and think about each of the 10 candidates and how they will help you, your family and community. The primary results indicate that possibly the numbers will point towards Dirck Barlett, Pete Carroll, Hope Harrington, Al Silverstein and Tom Duncan – which means that 3 incumbents will continue and two pro business/development candidates will get in there too… is this really going to represent our best interests?

This time of year obviously marks Halloween and the changing of the clock, but also the time for elections, raking leaves and cleaning.

It is also the time to start preparations for the coming new year. One of those things that, if you live in the Bay Hundred area should make a note of and be certain that you are in attendance. January 3rd and the Talbot County Planning Commission office.

As you may or may not know, Sprint/Cingular are interested in placing a cell phone tower in Sherwood at Dogwood Farms. Last evening (10/26) at the Tilghman Elementary School, an open public meeting took place where a consultant from SBC wireless presented the cell phone tower ’s proposed location and the estimated coverage of this tower. It was also mentioned that the WPOC tower that is located at Wade’s Point would also possibly receive a booster antenna, expanding coverage.

From what was gathered in the meeting, residents of Tilghman, Sherwood, Hynsontown, Wittman and parts of McDaniel will benefit directly from this new tower (ie:full bars of signal). It was quite difficult to discern the actual coverage for the Bozman area from the projection maps however. One map showed that residents on the western side of 579 will have definite coverage, while another map showed that coverage throughout the neck will vary from full to some to none. More will be available, as the SBC rep is going to request more comprehensive coverage maps for our area.

At this point, there is a set of procedures that Talbot County has in place to evaluate the proposal – namely meetings.

The first meeting, is the historical review, which as it implies will review the historical impact. This is scheduled for November 5th.

The second meeting is the technical advisory meeting, which review the structure, the codes pertaining to the structure and all related aspects. This is scheduled for December 13th.

The third meeting is a public meeting…the one we must attend on January 3rd. This is with the TC Planning Commission, with public input. Then from there a vote for reccomendation is made to the board of appeals and that meeting is scheduled for January 8th, provided a reccomentation is made for the construction of the tower to begin.

After this, should all be in agreement, according to the SBC consultant, a site plan is developed which will take approximately 30-60 days, and then another approximate 30 days for the building permit..then construction.

This cell phone tower is a need for many who live and visit. Yes, need. Imagine you are driving route 33 late at night, (or Bozman road), and you hit a deer. Or that it’s a foggy morning and you run off the road. Or that the power and land phones have gone down (ice storm ‘94) and there’s an emergency which needs an ambulance or fire truck. But you have no cell phone coverage.

Or you’re on the phone with a company that you want as a client and the call gets dropped and it was an important call – one that could make or break you. Or your child can’t get through to you on the land line, and needs to be picked up from school because they missed the bus…the list of reasons is endless.

The fact is many of us now have cell phones and couldn’t imagine our lives without them now. And for many of us, we pay for full time usage, yet, once we pass Martingham, we’re Out of range – many of our voice mail messages say as much. The cell companies won’t give us a discount on usage, since we can’t always use them, why not allow them to expand the service?

There were several NIMBY’s at last night’s meeting and the fact of the matter is, if Dogwood Farms has met all of the requirements in terms of acreage allottments, environmental impacts, and more…then in this person’s opinion, it should happen. And, after requesting a show of hands at last night’s meeting, it appears for a change, that my opinion is in the MAJORITY.

One last and very important note. One person in attendance truly made a difference between this meeting be a typical here is the presentation, now the Q&A, goodnight.

This person had an in-depth knowledge of wireless, wi-fi, radio transmissions, and FAA/FCC regulations. This person was appointed by the federal government to specifically address the advancement of technology in our area.

This person made many of feel as if we were able to get a better grasp of the impact/technical aspects of the proposed tower. He is also the only one that several of us can whole heartedly endorse for a political position in the local government.

His name is OWEN WORMSER. He is running for Talbot County Council. And, it doesn’t matter if you’re democrat or republican. If you want someone to truly represent the quite diverse needs we have…then please vote for Owen.

Go to his website, read what he has to say. I’ve said it before, before you make a choice on election day. Do the research – in an impartial manner – the same way as if you were going to learn how to use a computer, or how to make dinner using a new recipe. Open minded, and educated.

Speaking of education, Owen is also one of the few who is asking questions about the public school system. He wants to see better achievements, more consistently, and from a more diverse group of children. He also wants to see that the way our children are evaluated and how they are learning to be improved upon.

There is much more about the Public School system that is wrong than right. If you don’t agree with me, go find a parent of a child who is in a private school right now, who used to attend a TCPS school, and ask them why they transferred out. They’ll have no problem telling you why.

Owen is aware of many of these, problems. What is different about his approach is that instead of pointing out problems, and trying to lay blame and have it end there, he will actually try to find a solution, and then make it happen. What a novel concept!

So, public meeting Jan. 3rd for cell phone tower and vote Owen Wormser Nov. 7th. Stay warm and dry this weekend if you can, but do go fall into St. Michaels.