Leonardtown, MD – The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunch hour gathering that included an opportunity for attending members to submit questions to the 10 candidates for county commissioner. The event was held Wednesday, Oct. 3 at Olde Breton Inn. However, one candidate was not in attendance. Democrat Timothy Ridgell sent a statement to the Chamber announcing he couldn’t make it. “He’s unable to be here due to work,” moderator Tom Dennison announced. Dennison then read a statement from Ridgell to the audience.
During his opening statement, Republican Todd Morgan, who has not Democrat opponent in the November General Election, said one of his goals in his third term will be “finishing FDR Boulevard.” That project, viewed as a way to ease congestion on Three Notch Road, has been in the works for several years. Other candidates, including the incumbents, also addressed the project. Commissioners’ President Randy Guy noted the project has been on the drawing board since 1975. “It’s going to be a big improvement,” he said. The reason the plan appears to be languishing, Guy explained, is “land acquisition. It takes a long time.”
First District Republican candidate Eric Colvin listed “competing FDR Boulevard” as a top transportation priority, adding, “we need to work with our state delegation.”
One candidate, however, voiced reservations about the FDR Boulevard project. “When I look at how roads are being built, I wonder are we looking at the impact?” Second District Democratic candidate Rose Frederick asked. “We’re fixing one issue but creating another. We need to involve the residents.”
Other comments on transportation issues and potential solutions included unaffiliated First District candidate Roy Alvey’s call for additional STS buses and expanded routes. Another unaffiliated candidate, the Third District’s Clarke Guy, said, “We have to rewrite the zoning ordinance. Our antiquated systems are being taken over by developers. We’ve got to do better with our own roads.” Third District incumbent John O’Connor noted the comprehensive zoning ordinance rewrite was already underway. O’Connor, a Republican, added that he and the other current commissioners are working closely with the county’s Annapolis delegation to tackle road and transportation issues.
Incumbent Second District Commissioner Mike Hewitt agreed that the STS service needs to be expanded and the Patuxent Naval Air Station shuttle bus service should be revived. Hewitt pointed out that the presence of the mandated Calvert-St. Mary’s Metropolitan Planning Organization could bring more federal transportation funding to the Lexington Park area.
O’Connor and Randy Guy were asked to address the recent issues brought to light about the county’s 911 system. “Our first responders were not listened to for years,” said O’Connor, adding that Harris Corporation, the system vendor, is actively addressing reliability issues. O’Connor said that county officials are “now listening to our first responders.” St. Mary’s also has a backup system while issues with the primary system are addressed. “I hope Harris will step up to the plate and fix the issues,” said O’Connor. Guy agreed that the chiefs and responders needed to be listened to, adding, “I could get emotional about it. These are our families.”
Frederick and Hewitt were asked about programs for providing summer jobs for the county’s youth. Frederick said that maybe the county government could “incentivize businesses” to hire youth during the summer. Hewitt stated that this past summer’s mapping program involving youth was successful. The commissioner stated that getting youths to volunteer to help the county’s Recreation and Parks Department.
During closing statements, candidates revealed visions and divulged reasons for seeking elective office. Colvin pledged “to be responsive to constituents. I’m willing to have a conversation.”
Alvey stated that when he was seeking signatures for his petition to get on the ballot, many people asked him, “are you crazy.” The Valley Lee resident said because of his grandchildren and is concern for their future “I’ve got skin in the game.”
“Who leads matters,” said J. Howard Thompson, who is running against Randy Guy for commissioners’ president. Earlier in the session, Thompson, who is the current chairman of the county Planning Commission, denied he was “a tax-and-spend Democrat. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Randy Guy told the chamber members present that he was aware of the challenges to getting a business established and keeping it afloat due to government regulations. “We are trying to make it easier for you,” he said.
“I really like being a commissioner,” said Morgan, adding, “it takes time, it takes toil and it wears on you.”
“We are looking at a lot of change,” said O’Connor. “It’s about opening up to new ideas. You cannot make everybody happy.”
Clarke Guy declared that St. Mary’s County Government didn’t have a revenue problem. “We have a spending problem,” he said.
Frederick said one of her goals will be to make St. Mary’s a green community with “smart environmental ideas.”
Hewitt said he would work to eliminate the onerous energy tax and also work to get plans for an animal shelter into the pipeline.
In Maryland, early voting will be conducted Oct. 25 to Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The traditional General Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com