OCEAN CITY -- Candidates for Worcester County's sheriff and state's attorney had a chance to spar before voters this week, one of the last chances to make their views and policy positions known before Election Day.At the forum featuring 18 candidates and incumbents, State's Attorney Joel Todd defended himself from questions about photos that appeared on campaign mailers sent to voters county-wide.
"How do you ethically justify using pictures and names as if they support you in your political mailers without that person's knowledge or without their consent?" asked Lee McClafflin, chairman of the Worcester County Republican Central Committee.
"Somehow, in the haste to get that to the press, the wrong draft was sent to the printer. It was an honest mistake, nothing more," said Todd.
Todd, a Democrat, also said there were several people pictured on the mailer who did endorse him. The photo caption was supposed to say "Joel Todd with community leaders" but appeared as "community leaders support Joel Todd," he said.
Todd and Republican opponent Beau Oglesby, Deputy State's Attorney for Caroline County, traded barbs for an audience of about 50 at American Legion Post 166.
Todd, 55, touted his prosecution of three dozen murder trials and 25 years experience."Change for the sake of change is not good," he said. "The question is, how do you tell whether it's time for a change or not? I would indicate to look at the record."
Oglesby said his 14 years of experience as a prosecutor in Caroline, Dorchester and Wicomico counties has taught him the ways a state's attorney's job should, and should not, be done.
"Just because someone has done something for a very long time does not mean that it's being done the best way, and it does not means it's being done by the best person," Oglesby said. "I have a more well-rounded perspective of looking at the office."
Oglesby, 41, also touted endorsements from several Lower Shore fraternal orders of police.
"I promise you, my endorsements are genuine, and there are people who stand behind them," he said. "I suggest to you those endorsements speak volumes."
Candidates for Worcester County Sheriff also spoke. Sheriff Chuck Martin will not be seeking re-election.
Democratic candidate Bobby Brittingham, 52, a retired Worcester sheriff's deputy, said he wanted to be "proactive, not reactive" in the office.
He said he would make the issue of bullying in schools a priority for law enforcement, and would work with state and federal agencies to ensure drug dealers aren't living in publicly subsidized housing.
"Our schools and our children are suffering," he said. "They're suffering from bullying by their peers to deal drugs, to commit crimes."
Republican candidate Reggie Mason, 65, now the chief deputy for the Sheriff's Office, said his office recently formed a partnership with law enforcement in Virginia that has already yielded several significant drug busts.
"It's all about teamwork," he said. "It's not about one individual agency. We're going pull together our resources, and we're going to work hard to continue to make Worcester County safe for all."
10 comments:
I'm thinking that maybe Oglesby is the BEST choice for State's Attorney office.
Let's put a fresh set of new eyes on all of the court cases!
Oglesby lost my support when he partnered with Mike McDermott. What do either one of them care about Pocomoke. At least Todd has shown enough concern to come here often and try to make a difference. Remember, it was Todd who stepped up in the Sheddy investigation and got results after Mike Mcdermott and his crew had completely bungled the case for over two years. And yes, don't forget that he also was responsible for forcing Scott Mitchells resignation for bungling a child rape case. Now the FOP endorses Oglesby. Any wonder why? Some like to picture Todd as wishy washy but I say not.
1:57... those are some very strong accusations. Do you have anything to back those statements up? Especially the one about Mitchell.
1:57. Todd lost alot of support when he partnered with JT, SB and BB.
It's not lost on alot of people that when you googled Beau Oglesby name your were directed to JT's site quite alot. It also wasn't lost that there is nothing to that site other than alot of low down common and irrational posts and comments.
Also this FOP support of Oglesby isn't new. 4 yrs ago though not formally endorsed, the area FOP's campaigned heavily for Oglesby so your mention of the Sheddy case and Mitchell falls flat......as usual, so find another horse to flog....
As usual 3:22, any facts to back up all their accusations are nonexistant. And do you know why--their accusations are figments of their own pea brains!!!!!!
Jen Hopkinson of the Daily Times wrote a very interesting and revealing article concerning the Scott Mitchell case. "A former Pocomoke police officer has been accused of lying about his investigation of a child sex abuse case after a state's attorney's probe showed he failed to press charges against a suspect even after months of prodding". According to that article, Mitchell resigned as a result of the allegations. Need more evidence?
6:29, Todd's and Mitchell's problems went way back before this supposed incident ever occured-FYI. It was Todd's way of getting back at Mitchell most likely. In the end, I believe the defendant was found not guilty in a bench trial by a judge.
In hindsight the arrest probably should never have occured at that point or maybe even never.
"proactive, not reactive" in the office??? oh yeah right, you??? but not, out of the office???
He would make issue of bullying in schools a priority for law enforcement and make certain drug dealers aren't living in subsidized housing???? More like bully our children in schools. WE DON'T NEED A "POLICE" WORCESTER COUNTY.
Are you kidding??? The Sheriffs would be in schools bullying our children as they did the day of the Pocomoke Mayoral Election!!!
Not in subsidized housing???? That's in every county on the Shore and 'big' cities, too.
I've seen most drive right by a drug sale...both local and county. What's gonna change??? If you really want to make a change, go to neighborhoods where you know they are and get them!!!
Or show up to next Community Awareness Meeting on the second Saturday in November at 10 am at New Macedonia Church.
Bet ya' don't bother since you haven't so far.
Oh but that means you'd have to drive into 'that neighborhood'.
Oglesby definitely doesn't have my support.
He seems more interesting in getting endorsements then talking with people to find out their concerns.
Todd has been walking streets of Pocomoke, attending crime meetings, and returns phone calls.
Tried to call Oglesby one time and even tried to email him, but he never returned any of it.
Todd listens to the people. He doesn't follow the 'leading' of our officers.
And I'm grateful. Afterall, he attended law school. Not them.
Oh yeah, any candidate that is 'hitched' with McDermott has lost MY vote.
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