Commissioner Jerry Clark
Prince Frederick, MD – The two Calvert county commissioners first elected in 2002 wrapped up their one dozen years on the panel Tuesday, Dec. 9. Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark had sought a fourth consecutive term earlier this year in the First Election District race but was defeated in the Republican Primary by Lusby businessman Mike Hart, who was an easy winner in the November General Election. Commissioner Susan Shaw [R] had opted not to seek another four-year term.
“It’s a sad and difficult day,” said Commissioners’ President Pat Nutter [R], who thanked Clark and Shaw for their guidance. Nutter indicated he would likely be seeking their input going forward. “Keep your phones handy and don’t change your numbers,” he told Clark and Shaw.
“Thank you both for the journey,” said Commissioner Steve Weems [R], who added he would miss making Shaw laugh. “I love that cackle.” Weems called Clark’s work as a commissioner “a great benchmark.”
“We never say ‘goodbye,’ ” stated Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt, who indicated he expects to see both departing board members remain active in the community.
“I guess it’s been the good, the bad and the ugly,” said Clark of the past 12 years. Hart and the other incoming commissioner, Republican Tom Hejl, were both in the hearing room while Clark and Shaw made their parting comments. Clark advised that “doing a budget when money is tight is actually a lot easier” than when there is a large balance.” To Hart, he advised that the seat on the left side of the dais is the First Election District seat. Clark sat there for all but one of his 12 years on the board—he sat in the center in 2012 when he served as board president. He noted his immediate predecessors—Pat Buehler and Bobby Swann—also occupied the seat. “Mike, you’re inheriting a legacy here,” said Clark.
Other individuals Clark acknowledged were County Administrator Terry Shannon, Commissioners’ Clerk Maureen Frederick and County Attorney John Norris. Clark also thanked his wife, Peggy, who was in the hearing room and received applause when introduced.
Clark also praised county government’s “tremendous staff, tremendous employees. We’ve got a county government that’s very streamlined. I’d like to think we made a difference.”
Shannon, who was appointed county administrator by the previous board following a long tenure as the director of the Department of Finance and Budget, thanked Clark and Shaw. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with you,” she stated.
“We are giving you a very solid foundation,” Shaw told her successors, who will be sworn in with the three holdovers Tuesday, Dec. 16. “My biggest regret is we couldn’t do more for the employees. I’m sure everything we’ve done was not perfect.”
Shaw said of the board elected in 2010, “it’s been much less contentious” than the two previous boards on which she served. The outgoing commissioner also mentioned a few projects that have materialized during the last one dozen years, such as the indoor aquatic center, the new Calvert Middle School and the new Calvert High School. Shaw said she was glad she “had a hand” in making them happen.
Prior to the Dec. 9 meeting, several county government employees offered their best wishes to Clark and Shaw. They were joined by several others, including former county commissioner Wilson Parran and North Beach Mayor Mark Frazer—also a former county commissioner. Calvert Sheriff Mike Evans [R] presented the departing commissioners with logoed coffee mugs and ball caps; plus “Sheriff’s Salute” plaques.
Although he has cleaned out his office, Clark indicated he would be returning to the Calvert County Courthouse next week. “I have jury duty Monday,” he quipped.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com