Frederick County Deserves More Than a Carnival Barker

George Wenschhof

Blaine Young

The deadline has now passed for candidates to file to run in the 2014 election and there were few surprises for the voters in Frederick County Maryland.

In a poor imitation of Professor Harold Hill from “The Music Man”, Republican board of county commissioners President Blaine Young, holding back tears and using his sons as props, made official what everyone knew, by announcing his run for county executive.

The alleged suspense as to whether he would run was embellished by Blaine stating his 13 year old son would make the decision for him at 6:00 PM on February 25, a mere three hours before the filing deadline. 

Holding up a “Blaine Young for county executive” sign, Blaine proclaimed he had no prior idea what his son’s decision would be.

Reminiscent of George C. Scott in the movie “The Flim-Flam Man”, Blaine would like voters to believe it was a last minute choice, while many believe the appearance of his sons was intended to blunt sure to come scrutiny on Blaine’s personal life.

One thing numerous Frederick County voters can be thankful for is Blaine will not, due to legal constraints, be able to host his radio show while he is running for office.  A platform he exploited while serving in office the past three plus years.

It is likely a weakened Blaine will still easily prevail over fellow commissioner David Gray and former county budget officer Mark Sweadner in the Republican primary. 

However, in a much anticipated contest, he will face a colossal battle with Jan Gardner who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.   

Joining Blaine in the last minute trip to the board of elections was Republican board of county commissioner Billy Shreve who filed for county council at-large.  Shreve, commissioner Kirby Delauter(R), who is running for county council in district 5 and commissioner Paul Smith(R), who is running for Maryland state delegate in district 3-A have given Blaine “carte blance” over the last three plus years to proceed with his reckless and ill conceived privatization strategy, leading me to label them “Blaine and Company”.

Shreve will not have an easy route in the at-large council race where voters will choose two representatives.  The June 24 county council at-large primary will have 8 Republican candidates and 5 Democratic candidates with the top two from each party facing each other in the November 4 general election. 

Former Republican congressman Roscoe Bartlett chief of staff Bud Otis and Billy Shreve will be the early favorites to win in the Republican primary.  With 5 strong candidates, Democratic voters are ensured they will have two competitive contenders for the general election.

In years past, because of voter registration favoring Republicans, one could easily say it would be difficult for a Democratic candidate to win countywide.  But with Linda Norris, Susan Reeder Jesse, David Twigg, Whitney Duck and Steve Bruns in the running, look to see at least one elected in November.

The rearranging of the deck chairs, by proponents for “smart growth” versus proponents for growth continues with the candidates who have filed for the five members of the council elected by districts.

Look to see the Democratic primary produce the winner in November in District 3 with M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Dwain Earl Robbins and Jesse Goode having the most name recognition.

At first glance, all of the county council races appear to be competitive with the exception of District 4 where I place Democrat Jessica Fitzwater, who is unopposed in the primary, as the favorite to win in November.

Even, in northern district 5, long a Republican voter stronghold, early favorite Kirby Delauter will face a primary challenge from Walkersville Burgess Ralph Whitmore.  Whitmore is close to former county commissioner and Walkersville Burgess John “Lennie” Thompson who was a member of the 2006 board of commissioners led by Democrat Jan Gardner dubbed “The Dream Team”.

Frederick County residents have had enough theatrics from Blaine Young over the last three plus years. 

What Frederick County residents deserve is reasonable, fair and effective representation.

Instead of signs welcoming visitors stating “Frederick County, Open for Business”, what are needed are signs saying “Welcome to Frederick County, a Well Planned Community”.

Vote for change in 2014.

Stay tuned.

2014 Political Season Buzz Begins

George Wenschhof

With absentee ballots still to be counted today before results of The City of Frederick election is official, attention is already shifting to what will be a very busy 2014 election year.

The primary election will be held June 24, 2014 and the general election will be on November 4, 2014.

Democratic candidate for Frederick County executive; Jan Gardner will make her official announcement on Saturday November 9 at 1:00 PM in front of Winchester Hall.

In her zeal to be the first to announce, she inadvertently stepped on a planned candidate training day sponsored by the Frederick County Democratic state central committee.  I’m hearing the class will be given a recess and invited to attend her announcement.

Voters in Frederick County will have a crowded ballot next year when they elect the Governor and Lt. Governor, Comptroller, Attorney General, Congressman, state senator, state delegates, county executive, seven council members, Sheriff, State’s Attorney, Clerk of the Court, Register of Wills and three Orphans Court judges.

Whew!  It is no wonder Gardner is trying to get a head start.  Rumors of infidelity continue to swirl around Frederick Republican board of county commissioner president Blaine Young.  So, the much anticipated contest between Young and Gardner may not take place.

While, the dirt is flying around Blogs smearing Blaine Young, local Republican leaders have told me there is damaging information on Jan Gardner that will certainly surface.

After, witnessing the negative robo-calls made by the state Republican Party against Democratic alderman-elect Donna Kuzemchak, one can only hope the county executive election next year focuses on the issues and electing the best person.

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown and his running mate Howard county executive Ken Ulman have jumped out in front in the race for the Democratic nomination for Governor and their Frederick County chairs are Goodloe (Geb) Byron and Elizabeth Chung.

Speaking of negative campaigning and Attorney General Doug Ganslers name immediately surfaces.  It is obvious, someone opposing his campaign for Governor has been leaking negative information on Gansler as his campaign has been forced to endure accusations concerning his alleged reference to Brown appealing to African Americans, a state trooper dust up over improper driving and the latest photos of Gansler present at a underage beer blast at a beach house.

Meanwhile, state delegate Heather Mizeur, a huge underdog in the race, continues to campaign across the state building her grassroots support.

Republican candidates for governor are Harford County Executive David R. Craig, Del. Ron George of Anne Arundel County and Charles Lollar, a Charles County business executive.  

Lt. Governor Brown is the early favorite to win, but don’t count out Gansler who has an impressive record and a campaign fund to compete seriously in the race for Governor.

Frederick County congressmen Chris Van Hollen(D) and John Delaney(D) are both expected to win reelection.

Comptroller Peter Franchot (D), who toyed with the idea of running for Governor, is easily expected to win re-election.

The two early favorites to replace Attorney General Doug Gansler are state delegates Brian Frosh and Jon Cardin.

In addition to electing a county executive for the first time, Frederick County voters will be electing seven council members; five from districts and two at-large.

Whitney Duck (D) is expected to run in the Brunswick district and Jessica Fitzwater (D) has announced she will be running in one of the two city of Frederick districts.  Expect more announcements soon.

In the local state delegate races, look to see Stephen Slater (D) run in district 3-b and look to see lots of juggling among candidates for the two open seats in district 3-a.  Former City of Frederick alderman Carol Krimm(D) is expected to run.  Other names surfacing are Karen Young (D) who just lost in her bid for mayor of Frederick, Ryan Trout (D), who ran for delegate in district 4-a in 2010 and lost.  Trout will need to leave his position with the city Housing Authority, where he is prohibited from running by the Hatch Act.

 

Maryland state delegate Galen Clagett (D-district 3-a), who lost in the Democratic primary in his bid to become mayor of Frederick, assured me yesterday he was not going to be running for re-election.

County Commissioner Paul Smith(R) has also been rumored to be running for delegate in district 3-a. 

The 2014 political season is just getting started, so there will be much to follow.

Stay tuned.

 

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