The following are The Bay Net’s endorsements in the contested Calvert County primary races on June 24:
Three candidates are vying for a spot on the General Election ballot in the Calvert County First Election District Republican Primary. They are incumbent Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark, current Calvert Board of Education Member Joseph C. “Joe” Chenelly and Lusby businessman Mike Hart.
Clark’s two liabilities in this race would seem to be his long tenure on the board of county commissioners—he is seeking his fourth consecutive four-year term—and his unwavering support for the controversial Dominion Cove Point expansion project. However, we don’t really see these as liabilities at all. People talk about term limits when an incumbent appears lazy, out-of-touch or fiscally reckless. Clark is none of those.
Extreme environmentalists don’t like any energy project that isn’t wind or solar. There is simply no way to convince them that Cove Point is a much-needed project and there’s no point in trying to placate them.
Clark has demonstrated that he has the best interest of the entire county’s future at heart with his support for schools, his fiscal restraint and adamancy that in good times and bad, the county’s property tax rate remains at its longtime level. In 2012, when he served as board president, Clark wasn’t shy about telling Governor O’Malley in person that the state needed to step up and help fund the cleanup of the Patuxent River.
Chenelly has shown great leadership potential in his brief time on the BOE. He has a bright future in public service. Hart, too, has demonstrated a passion to make Calvert a better place for all residents. But the newcomers’ promise and potential, we believe, are trumped by the experience, consistency and achievement record of Jerry Clark.
There are two candidates vying for the Republican slot on the General Election ballot from the Second Election District. Young Benjamin Krause has been introducing himself to the Calvert County community since deciding to run for county commissioner. He is a few generations behind the other candidate, incumbent and current board president Pat Nutter. The Calvert native, retired law enforcement officer and code enforcement specialist has been a familiar face at community events for several years now. Pat Nutter has also demonstrated leadership and statesmanship in his tenure on the board, making him the clear choice.
Four Republicans are seeking to fill the two at-large seats that are open in the November General election. One of the candidates is incumbent Steve Weems, the board’s current vice president. Weems has demonstrated a knack for listening. He understands the plight of the small business community and the concerns of young families. For those reasons Steve Weems earns one of the at-large endorsements.
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