Yesterday volunteers from my campaign and I were out there knocking on doors and meeting voters, most of whom were secluded in cool air-conditioned homes. We are getting great responses from voters who seemed to have concerns in three areas: transportation, education and the economy, with the county budget also mentioned frequently. We will be out again today and would love to have you join us when it gets a bit cooler. We have lots of cold water and terrific enthusiasm...all we are missing is you as a volunteer.
The last several weeks have seen me hunkered down with handfuls of questionnaires from multiple interest groups many of which want my detailed answers to each of their 25 particularly focused thee-part questions. These are time consuming if given the attention they deserve. I have tried to answer most of those which have come my way. Some had really short deadlines or narrow focus and were not answered, but most were, as I do believe that a well informed public will produce an educated voter...and I may even get an endorsement or two! Many of my friends and supporters have signed up on my endorsements page. If I have your support please also tell me and others...and you have my thanks.
The first debates of the campaign come this week and there are two: one in Olney on Monday evening and the other in Clarksburg on Wednesday evening. Details are at the end of this Blog and on the website home page.
The lines are clearly drawn now for the candidates in the race. I'd like to remind voters that I was in this race, before it became an open seat. I do believe quite firmly that I would not have the competition I now have, had the race required a challenge to a sitting council member. I, alone, had the courage to announce for this race early in the year when the contrast between us was clear. I believe I have the strongest position by virtue of my broad experience, proven effectiveness and depth of community involvement.
- Royce Hanson, who now lives in Montgomery Village, had been in a position of authority as a Director on the Planning Board in the 1980’s and more recently with a term which ended in June. Although he was active in writing the Charter for the County’s current form of Government in the 1960’s; for many years after losing races for elected office, he lived away from this area.
- Craig Rice of Germantown has given up a seat in the legislature from District 15 in order to run for Council. He was a neophyte legislator having just been elected in 2006 by a narrow margin decided through absentee votes. His legislative record has been modest.
- Eddie Kuhlman, a town commissioner from Poolesville and Charles Kirchman from Germantown are the remaining two candidates for this District's Democratic seat.
There will also be early voting beginning about ten days before the September 14th Primary at three selected locations. More information will be posted about that later in the campaign. Labor Day will be a voting day, however.
Olney Debate – 7:00 – 9:30 pm, July 26th 2010
Community Room, Buffington Building, 3300 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney
Co-Sponsored by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Olney Civic Association
Clarksburg/Germantown Debate – 7:00 – 9:00 PM, July 28th 2010
Cedarbrook Community Church, 23700 Stringtown Road – Clarksburg
Co-Sponsored by the Olney, Clarksburg, Germantown-Gaithersburg Chambers of Commerce and the Clarksburg Civic Association
