Two In The Running For District 1 Seat

POCOMOKE CITY -- Two men whose backgrounds share military service, but little else, are contending to represent District 1, Worcester's southernmost region, as a Worcester County Commissioner.

Merrill Lockfaw Jr., a Republican, won his primary against three other contenders while Jimmy Schoolfield, a Democrat, advanced to the general election unopposed.

The seat represents Pocomoke City and surrounding areas. It is currently held by Bobby Cowger, who did not seek re-election.

Both Lockfaw and Schoolfield have served in the armed forces. Lockfaw spent four years in the Air Force, while Schoolfield spent six years in the Army.

Lockfaw worked for Worcester County government as a road superintendent for 19 years, retiring in June.

"I thought with my business experience as well as working with large budgets and county government would make me a good candidate," said Lockfaw.

Schoolfield has been a minister at Georgetown Baptist Church in Pocomoke for the past 14 years, in addition to being vice president of the NAACP for Worcester County. He resigned his NAACP role when he decided to run for the County Commission seat.

His life path wasn't a smooth one. In the early 1990s, between the ages of 29 and 32, Schoolfield was charged with 12 separate crimes in Maryland courts, including assault, theft and malicious destruction of property.

"A lot of those extended from when I was out in the world drinking," said Schoolfield. "I watched what alcohol and drugs did to me, and that has given me a lot of things I can talk with youth about.

"I can say from experience there are other things we can do besides hanging on the street and drink."

He has not been charged with a crime since 1995, although he does have three active cases in the civil court system, including one in which his wages were ordered to be garnished by $13,622. Schoolfield said he and his wife took out a loan to start a fashion store, before she had to undergo heart surgery. As a result, they closed the store and incurred the debt.

He was also taken to court for a $632 bill owed to Sharp Energy, which he says was an outstanding energy bill for his daughter's house that she was unable to pay.

If elected, Lockfaw says he wants to be able to provide citizens with the services they need, such as police officers and firefighters.

"While protecting ourselves, we can't over-regulate ourselves to the point it would drive businesses away," said Lockfaw.

Schoolfield says he wants to focus on ways to improve the housing situation, build the community and reach out to youth.

"I want to be a force for the lower district," says Schoolfield. "I would like to work with the youth and on education issues. Crime is also an important issue, especially in downtown Pocomoke."

When asked about legislation requiring all homes built after Jan. 1 to contain residential sprinkler systems, both men said they would like to tweak the law as it would apply to Worcester.

Lockfaw says he opposes mandating them, while Schoolfield would be satisfied with an amendment restricting the requirement to homes on a municipal water supply.

www.delmarvanow.com

Woman's Club of Accomack County Hosting "Meet and Greet"

The Woman's Club of Accomack County is holding a "Meet and Greet" the candidates for the United States House of Representatives in Virginia's 2nd District on Thursday, October 21 at 2:00 PM at the Carrie Watson House on Richmond Avenue in Onley, according to Valena Gibb, Legislative Chairman of the Woman's Club of Accomack County.

Incumbent Glenn Nye, Kenny Golden and Mrs. Scott Rigell, in place of her husband, will be on hand representing their respective campaigns.

Each representative will have time to outline what they hope to accomplish in Congress. There will be time for questions, followed by refreshments and more time to talk with the candidates.

All voters, male and female, are invited to attend the event.

The election to decide the 2nd District of Virginia's next Congressman will be on Tuesday, November 2nd.

www.shoredailynews.com

Two New Names In The Running For Worcester County Commissioner

POCOMOKE CITY -- Two men whose backgrounds share military service but little else are contending to represent District 1, Worcester's southernmost region, as a Worcester County Commissioner.

Merrill Lockfaw Jr., a Republican, won his primary against three other contenders, while Jimmy Schoolfield, a Democrat, advanced to the general election unopposed.

The seat represents Pocomoke City and surrounding areas. It is currently held by Bobby Cowger, who did not seek re-election.

Lockfaw and Schoolfield have served in the armed forces. Lockfaw spent four years in the Air Force, while Schoolfield spent six years in the Army.

Lockfaw worked for Worcester County government as a road superintendent for 19 years, retiring in June.

"I thought with my business experience as well as working with large budgets and county government would make me a good candidate," Lockfaw said.

Schoolfield has been a minister at Georgetown Baptist Church in Pocomoke for 14 years, in addition to being vice president of the NAACP for Worcester County. He resigned his NAACP role when he decided to run for the County Commissioners seat.

His life path wasn't a smooth one. In the early 1990s, between the ages of 29 and 32, Schoolfield was charged with 12 separate crimes in Maryland courts, including assault, theft and malicious destruction of property.

"A lot of those extended from when I was out in the world drinking," Schoolfield said. "I watched what alcohol and drugs did to me, and that has given me a lot of things I can talk with youth about. I can say from experience there are other things we can do besides hanging on the street and drink."

He has not been charged with a crime since 1995, although he has three active cases in the civil court system, including one in which his wages were ordered to be garnished by $13,622. Schoolfield said he and his wife took out a loan to start a fashion store shortly before she had to undergo heart surgery. As a result, they closed the store and incurred the debt.

If elected, Lockfaw said he wants to be able to provide citizens with the services they need, such as police officers and firefighters.

"While protecting ourselves, we can't overregulate ourselves to the point it would drive businesses away," Lockfaw said.

Schoolfield said he wants to focus on ways to improve the housing situation, build the community and reach out to youth.

"I want to be a force for the lower district," Schoolfield said. "I would like to work with the youth and on education issues. Crime is also an important issue, especially in downtown Pocomoke."

When asked about legislation requiring all homes built after Jan. 1 to contain residential sprinkler systems, both men said they would like to tweak the law as it would apply to Worcester.

Lockfaw said he opposes mandating sprinklers, while Schoolfield would be satisfied with an amendment restricting the requirement to homes on a municipal water supply.

www.delmarvanow.com

Last Day To Register In Virginia

Virginians looking to vote in the November election have until 5 p.m. Tuesday.

The state Board of Elections says Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote or to update voter information. Virginians can register to cast a ballot as long as they will be 18 or older by Nov. 2.

They can register to vote at any of the 74 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers or 57 DMV Select locations throughout the state or at their local registrar's office.

Residents also can check their voter status and polling places on the board's website, http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/.

Assistance also is available by calling the board at 1-800-552-9745 or the local registrar's office.

PSST ! Have you heard the latest?

The Democrats are standing back because they KNOW they can't touch a Republican

like Mike McDermott !!

Don't Forget to VOTE MIKE!!

States Attorney Rematch Heats Up

BERLIN – Three local fraternal law enforcement organizations have announced their support for the challenger in this year’s rematch for the top prosecutor job in Worcester, touching off a war of words this week between the candidates.

Last Sunday, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 50 (Worcester) announced it will be officially backing State’s Attorney challenger Beau Oglesby, a Republican who is currently a prosecutor in Caroline County. Additionally, the lodge endorsed Republican Sheriff candidate Reggie Mason, current deputy sheriff in Worcester County, and Republican Delegate candidate Mike McDermott, a member of the Worcester County’s Sheriff’s Office.

In a press release this week, the lodge explained why Oglesby was the pick over incumbent State’s Attorney Joel Todd.

“Beau Oglesby is a proven prosecutor. He has worked with State’s Attorney’s offices in Wicomico and Caroline counties. He has been endorsed by Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis and Worcester County Chief Deputy Sheriff, Reggie Mason, and Caroline County States Attorney Jonathan Newell,” the lodge wrote in a statement.

“Beau Oglesby was the chief prosecutor in many of Sheriff Lewis’ drug cases when Sheriff Lewis was a Maryland State Trooper. [He] was recognized by the Wicomico County Drug Task force for his outstanding efforts in prosecuting drug dealers and asset forfeiture. Beau Oglesby has the drive to keep Worcester County safe by prosecuting criminals.”

The lodge did not make an endorsement in the State’s Attorney race in 2006 when Oglesby lost to Todd in one of the closest and spirited elections in Worcester County political history.

That fact is noteworthy, according to Oglesby, who added he has also received the official support of Ocean City, Berlin and the state lodges of the FOP. Oglesby also expects the FOP lodges in Wicomico and Caroline counties to give him their support in the coming weeks.

“This is an endorsement that means something. To dismiss it otherwise would be disrespectful to law enforcement,” Oglesby said. “Four years ago, the Worcester lodge went middle of the road. They sat it out as far as endorsing. Here we are four years later, I get their endorsement. What does that tell you?”

Todd said he was not only disappointed that partisan politics seemed to play a role in the FOP’s endorsement but also that the process that was presented to him did not play out as originally proposed.

“I have learned from a member of the lodge there were a grand total of 11 members of the lodge present and voting the night the endorsement was handed down. I don’t think 11 members is very representative of the law enforcement community in general,” Todd said. “Additionally, I think it’s an example of putting partisan politics over public safety. They have endorsed two other Republicans, both of whom they answer to on a daily basis. I don’t really think it means anything, and I’m sorry to see them put partisan politics ahead of public safety.”

According to Todd, he was still expecting a questionnaire from the lodge as another part of the endorsement process when he read that Oglesby had garnered the lodge’s support online.

“I read it on their Facebook page that they met in September and made an endorsement, and I have yet to receive the questionnaire that the president of the organization assured me I would be receiving,” Todd said. “All I can tell you is, in my opinion, 11 people hardly represents the bulk of county law enforcement.”

Oglesby flatly dismissed Todd’s claims that the endorsement is not representative of the law enforcement community.

“This is a not a few rogue police officers or malcontents who are voicing their displeasure. This is the unanimous support of my candidacy by all of the county FOPs. These are the men and women in law enforcement who are in court day in and day out. Who better to know what’s going on in the court system and how the incumbent and his office is handling criminal cases? Their support is the primary reason why I am running again,” Oglesby said. “If they told me, ‘Beau everything is okay,’ I suspect I would not have run. They reached out to me continually and told me we need a change and that I’m the guy to do it. That’s the primary reason why I continue to come back and run these campaigns.”

Todd stands by his office’s prosecution rate and believes his crackdown on crime is on display every day. Furthermore, Todd said he was not surprised to hear Oglesby’s claims that it’s a signal for change.

“I’m sure he would say that. What I can tell you is I’m not running to be attorney for the FOP or attorney for any police agency. I’m running for re-election as the people’s attorney,” Todd said. “My client is justice, not the police. Unfortunately, from time to time, more often than people realize, I’m called to write letters to police chiefs letting them know when something has gone wrong in the courtroom or during the investigation of the case. On a less frequent basis, we are actually called to do criminal investigations into police officers. If by doing justice, it means I lose support of the police unions than so be it. I sleep well at night knowing I have done what’s in the best interest of justice, and I will continue to do that.”

Oglesby said the officers he speaks with routinely want to see crimes prosecuted fully and for the plea bargains and frequent deals Todd signs off on to come to a halt.

“I think it’s certainly a recognition that they are dissatisfied with the incumbent and the way his office is being run,” Oglesby said. “You have to remember here’s a guy who has been at the State’s Attorney’s office for 25 years now, 16 years a State’s Attorney, and not one FOP or any organized unit of law enforcement supports him.”

Todd said a simple Maryland Judiciary Case Search online confirms Oglesby also agrees to plea bargains in similar cases away from Worcester County.

“It’s not practical to prosecute every case, and he knows it, and it’s proven by what he does in Caroline County,” Todd said.

Todd added there are four current murder prosecutions underway in Worcester County, and voters need to realize these cases will likely go to trial after the election.

“To my knowledge, my opponent still has not tried one murder case,” Todd said. “I’m experienced and knowledgeable on how these cases need to be prosecuted and that’s important to realize.”
www.md.coastdispatch.com

Gene Simmons Predicts 'Major Change' In Midtern Elections

Gene Simmons has never been one to shy away from voicing his political opinions and the KISS frontman tells Pop Tarts he is anticipating some serious power shifts to take place as a result of the midterm elections in November.

"There is going to be major change. The American public is very, very angry. I believed in this administration, and I voted for President Obama, I also voted for President Clinton, and I also voted for President Bush,” Simmons said this week at the launch of Activision’s “Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock” in Los Angeles. “I will vote my conscience, and I'll be damned if anybody is going to point a finger at me and say ‘vote along party lines.’ America is like me – sometimes they vote this way, sometimes they vote that way."

But when it comes to certain issues, Simmons isn’t afraid to admit his allegiances aren’t exactly in keeping with Hollywood’s stereotypes.

"I am fiscally and in terms of foreign policy, very conservative. Like everybody, we want to pay less taxes not more,” he continued.

And on that note, Simmons is taking the Tea Party movement very seriously.

“You have to take any movement that expresses the will of the public seriously. You can't point to any direction and say ‘this is nonsense’ because the people who are involved in any movement, are doing it because they believe,” he explained. “Who am I to say that what they're doing is right or wrong? At the end of the day, no matter what anyone believes in, no matter what side of the aisle you’re on, you have the opportunity to vote, and express your feelings.”

So what’s Simmons’ message to those in power? Zip the lip and just do the work.

“I resent the fact that the Democrats are making fun of the Tea Party, and likewise, I don't like the Republicans making fun of Democrats. Basically, shut up; don't tell me what's wrong with the other party. Tell me what you're going to do for me, then I'll let you know who I'm going to vote for,” he told us. “This is why America is like me – sometimes Republicans get in, sometimes Democrats get in. As soon as one messes up, we throw them out. Watch what's going to happen this election."

And in a different form of competition, Simmons admitted that he has been approached about being a contestant for an upcoming season of the ABC hit “Dancing With the Stars”, and that he is entertaining the possibility.

Stay tuned.
www.foxnews.com

Republican Headquarters Opens In West Ocean City

Supporters and candidates gathered Friday evening for the opening of Republican Headquarters on Route #50 E, 1 mile East of Walmart in West Ocean City.

The headquarters will be open from noon until 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday until the general election is over.

The headquarters will be kept supplied with campaign signs and literature as well as important voting information such as: registration forms, change of party forms, absentee ballot applications, early voting information and facts about all Republican candidates.

The phone number is 410-213-1183. Voters are welcome to stop in and pick up materials, sign up to work at the polls and/or request information.

For additional questions, contact Pat at 410-726-1234.

District 2 Absentee Ballots

SNOW HILL -- Detectives confiscated dozens of envelopes that had contained District 2 absentee ballots, launching what officials described in vague terms as a voting integrity probe.

The Worcester Bureau of Investigation officers placed empty ballot envelopes into evidence bags and sealed them with red tape, after county election officials had tallied the votes on the ballots they had contained.

Members of the Board of Elections wore surgical gloves while counting all of the absentee ballots and separately counted ballots from District 2, which stretches from the outskirts of Berlin to Pocomoke, covering mostly unincorporated areas of Worcester County.

Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd said he was "made aware" Sept. 10 of a "potential issue" with absentee ballots cast by voters in District 2. He requested the election board have staffers handle absentee ballots with surgical gloves as not to impact evidentiary value.

Todd said the investigation is isolated to District 2 absentee ballots, and that he has "no reason to believe the Board of Elections has done anything wrong."

The Office of the State Prosecutor, not Todd's own office, is leading the investigation, he said. The chief investigator with the state prosecutor's office, Jim Cabezas, declined to comment.

Jeffrey Cropper, an attorney for the county Board of Elections, said he could not comment on the substance of the complaint or who made it.

Two candidates' names appeared only on District 2 ballots, and not in other districts: County Commissioner incumbent James Purnell and challenger Edward S. Lee, both Democrats. The race between them turned out to be the only one in Worcester in which one candidate led among ballots cast in person, but another candidate leads among absentee votes counted so far.

After early voting and Election Day ballots were cast, Purnell held a comfortable lead, with 525 votes to Lee's 250 votes. Lee, the former head of the Worcester County NAACP, had won just 32 percent of votes cast as of Tuesday night.

But absentee ballots counted Sept. 16 gave much more support to Lee, giving him 76 percent of their votes. Still, the additional 87 absentee votes for Lee and 27 absentee votes for Purnell didn't knock Purnell off the top spot; Purnell still led 552 to 337. No Republican ran for commissioner in the district.

A final round of counting absentee and provisional ballots was scheduled for Sept. 22, after press time for this edition.

Lee, when asked for comment, said: "I have no comment at this time. You're telling me something I don't know about, and have to look into."

Purnell, in a brief interview, said: "I hope it's not true. It looks bad on the district."

For statewide Maryland elections, people voting absentee can have someone pick up a blank ballot on their behalf, help them fill it out and also turn it in, as long as a "designation of agent" form is filled out. The voter's assistant can't be a candidate on the ballot, the voter's employer or an officer of the voter's union, however.

In two recent Worcester County municipal elections, candidates won seats when their support among absentee voters skyrocketed compared to the ratio of votes cast in person. In April 2009, Pocomoke City Council candidate Tracey Cottman split the in-person vote with candidate Stephanie Burke at 58 votes apiece, but won the seat on the strength of her 178 absentee votes to Burke's four votes. A special investigation of the vote by Todd's office found no wrongdoing by any candidate, but urged the town to stop the practice of individually numbering absentee ballots and their envelopes, making it possible to name who cast which ballot. The investigation also found the town's own election board didn't keep an accurate list of voters.

Todd's report specifically cleared Lee, who supported Cottman's candidacy, of any wrongdoing in the 2009 Pocomoke election, saying Lee "was not and is not the 'subject' of this investigation." A blog post published by Burke had claimed that Lee was a subject of it.

In May 2009, two Snow Hill candidates, Rebecca Bowman and Gerald Shockley, handed in dozens of voters' sealed absentee ballot envelopes for them, prompting resident David Suznavick to ask Circuit Court to invalidate the election. A judge declined to do so, saying Snow Hill's election laws didn't prohibit what the candidates did.

www.delmarvanow.com

Locals Speak To Congressional Hopeful Scott Rigell At Town Meeting

Approximately 120 people came to Congressional hopeful Scott Rigell's town hall meeting at the marina in Captains Cove on Monday, September 20. At the event, citizens of the Eastern Shore lined up to ask the candidate questions about issues facing the Eastern Shore, the Commonwealth of the Virginia and the nation.

The overwhelming theme to Rigell's talking points focused around job creation. Rigell several times referred to his experience in small business and said he would use his experience to push for smaller government which will in turn lead to a better environment for investors.

During the questions, Rigell was asked if he would vote to repeal President Obama's healthcare bill. Rigell answered "Yes." He then pointed out that in an earlier debate, Congressman Nye said he would not vote to repeal the bill, though Nye did vote against the measure.

Rigell was also asked if he would vote to impeach President Obama. Rigell responded, "No, the President has not done anything to constitute impeachment." Rigell added later in the town hall "Poor judgment is not an impeachable offense." Throughout the course of questions Rigell stated he would like to reverse the stimulus, support 12 year term limits for Senators and Representatives, downsize the Department of Education and give more rights to state and local governments.

The election to decide the next Congressman for Virginia's 2nd District will be held on November 2nd. Rigell is challenging Congressman Glenn Nye.
www.shoredailynews.com

Town Hall Meeting To Be Held In Greenbackville

Congressional hopeful Scott Rigell will be holding a town hall meeting for Eastern Shore residents to attend and ask questions or express concerns for the 2nd district.

The town hall will be held this coming Monday, September 20 at the Cavaliers Cove Golf and Yacht Club at Captains Cove in Greenbackville in the Marina Club House. The town hall begins at 6:30 PM.

According to Rigell's Press Secretary Krystal Cameron, this will be his second of four town hall meetings. Rigell has invited all citizens of Virginias 2nd Congressional district to attend, including Congressman Glen Nye.

Baltimore County "Sign Fight" In Court Today

A federal judge this afternoon is scheduled to hear arguments challenging the constitutionality of Baltimore County's regulations on political signs in a lawsuit filed this spring by a man who was ordered by the county to remove a campaign sign from his lawn.

Stephen V. Kolbe of Dulaney Valley Road wants the U.S. District Court to block enforcement of several provisions of the county sign code, including the rules restricting the size of political signs based on the zoning of the property and the rule allowing such signs only 45 days before an election.

Kolbe, who runs a computer consulting business out of his home, took down the 4-by-8, blue-and-white sign backing former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. in his re-match with Gov. Martin O'Malley. The rules say that in his residential area, Kolbe cannot display a sign larger than 8 square feet.

The case is being heard in Baltimore by Judge Catherine C. Blake, who ruled three years ago that the 45-day provision was unconstitutional and barred the county from enforcing the rule. Kolbe argues that the county is still enforcing it, as the code enforcement officer who came to his house jotted the rule number on the "correction notice" taped to his side door. The county has argued that the notation was a mistake.

Kolbe's suit argues that the campaign sign restriction based on property zoning effectively governs political speech according to what type of property a person owns and where it's located. The suit argues that the rules violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

In the meantime, the county is pursuing limited enforcement of rules on political signs. The county will be keeping files on complaints but is issuing no notices of violation for political signs.

www.baltimoresun.com

Mayor of Portsmouth Loses In Special Election

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - About 16,000 Portsmouth residents showed up Tuesday night to vote on whether or not to recall their city's mayor, James Holley, in a special election.

The numbers were greater than in the recent council election, where only about 10,000 showed up to cast votes. Sixty-eight percent voted to recall Mayor Holley and 32 percent wanted Holley to stay in office.

The recall effort began with a round of complaints from one of his former assistants that he created a hostile work environment. The City Council voted to ask Mayor Holley to resign, and when he refused, a petition drive was initiated to force Holley out.

This is the second time Mayor Holley has been recalled, but is the end of a political career that spans 42 years.

Mayor James Holley did not want to hear the news.

"I want all the numbers," he said. And those numbers came in quickly at the voter registration office.

Robert Marcus, the architect of the recall effort, was there watching the returns.

"I have to tell you that I am shocked that this many people came out," he said

More voters came out than in the previous two city wide council elections, and the loss could not be misunderstood.

Holley did not want updates on the vote count.

"What are you trying to scare me out of office? Take it easy now," he said. "Wait till everything [has] been counted."

The mayor's son took the numbers and shared the news with his father. He was gracious in defeat surrounded by his children--the veteran of many political wars tried to put the election in perspective:

"I know you have some disappointment. Well, that goes in the political process. You win some elections and you lose some."

The supporters thanked Holley, and he urged them to stay engaged in the political process he has dedicated his life to, "...be involved in the democratic process, that you fulfill the responsibility to improve the quality of life for the Portsmouth family."

Councilwoman Elizabeth Psimas says the election showed voters want Portsmouth to have a mayor who can be a leader at the regional table.

"First we need to celebrate [Mayor Holley's] good service. Second, we must unify the city back together...there has been a racial divide...there have been hurt feelings...now is the time to come back together."

Preliminary analysis of the returns show Holley did well in predominately African American precincts, but the voter turnout there was not enough to make a difference. The predominately white precincts overwhelming voted against Holley.

The election will be certified at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Portsmouth City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session tomorrow at 5 p.m., where they may appoint an interim mayor until November, when a new mayor will be elected by the voters.\

www.wavy.com

Campaign Strategy

You have to give Keith Stouten credit for trying, even if his cutting maneuver with a large Ehrlich for Governor sign may still run afoul of Baltimore County rules.

Last month, the Dundalk man who owns Stouten's Bear Creek Marina received a notice from the county that he had to remove the 4-by-8-foot campaign sign from his front porch on Wise Avenue because it was four times too big for that particular area, where political signs are limited to 8 square feet. He said he did a bit of research and came up with what seemed a solution.

"I thought I'd have some fun with it," said Stouten. "I took a razor knife and cut it into four pieces I knew would be 8 square feet" each.

Then, spacing the four panels a few inches apart, he mounted the sign back on the porch rail, where it once again announced his support for Republican former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., who hopes to unseat Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley in November.

That seemed to fix the problem, Stouten said, or at least he never heard anything further from the county. But the county's inspector returned, took a photograph of the altered sign and noted in the case file: "Sign cut into 4 pieces and install(ed) on front porch."

Timothy M. Kotroco, the county's director of Permits and Development Management, said the razor tactic might satisfy the size limit, but it still falls short of another requirement that signs be spaced at least 12 inches apart. That way, it's more clear what is one sign and what is several signs.

Still, Stouten is safe for now from a citation that could mean $200-a-day fines for not removing the sign.

Because another county resident has taken a dispute over his 4-by-8 Ehrlich for Governor sign to U.S. District Court, Kotroco said, the county is pulling back enforcement on political signs. Unless there's a question of public safety — such as a sign blocking a motorist's view of the road ahead — the county will respond to complaints by issuing a notice, but won’t pursue the matter further if a sign is not removed.

"We're not going to be pressing charges pending the outcome at federal court," said Kotroco. He added that he's seen the sign-cutting move before, during one political season or another. Campaigns can never be over soon enough for his taste.

"In our world we look forward to the day when these signs go away," said Kotroco.

www.baltimoresun.com

Lesser-known Candidates Want To Be Governor Too

One is a bartender in Annapolis. Another has been imprisoned for spray-painting political slogans on government buildings. A third is a former commodities trader who owns a company that markets Maryland's official state dessert.

They haven't held elected office before, but they're aiming to start at the top — as Maryland's next governor.

While Democratic incumbent Martin O'Malley and Republican Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. command nearly all of the attention in this year's gubernatorial race, theirs won't be the only names on the ballot. A colorful selection of seven people — mainly political outsiders — offer an alternative to voters unsatisfied with the two main choices.

These second- and third-tier candidates lack name recognition and a track record. But they nonetheless describe their operations as serious campaigns.

Their motivations for running are diverse: A self-styled teacher wants ethics reform; a man who has been locked up for failing to pay child support wants to change paternity rules; and the bartender articulated a vague wish that O'Malley would adhere more closely to the U.S. Constitution.

The major parties have coalesced around O'Malley and Ehrlich, meaning that the three challengers whose names will appear on September primary ballots face an uphill climb. The rest of the lesser-known candidates are affiliated with smaller parties that have posted few, if any, successes, even in local elections. Of the 3.4 million registered Maryland voters, only 13 percent identify with the state's four smaller parties — Constitution, Green, Independent and Libertarian.

Republican Brian Murphy, a former Constellation Energy derivatives trader, is by far the most organized of the pack. He is the lone candidate seeking to wrest the Republican nomination from Ehrlich and is attacking the former governor from the right.

"I'm not here to make a point; I'm here to win," he told members of the Campaign For Liberty, a Tea Party-affiliated group at an event last week at which he blasted Ehrlich for "reckless spending." Murphy, 33, told the audience that he's had "a lot of success" in business and focused his presentation on pocketbook issues. He pledged to end the state's income tax on corporations and to keep other taxes level.

Controversial topics that the main candidates have avoided emerged during a question-and-answer session. Murphy told the audience he opposes abortion, supports gun rights (though he doesn't own a firearm) and said illegal immigration is "immoral." He drew applause when he said that "being an American citizen is not a right to every person on this planet."

When a voter who described himself as a military veteran proclaimed that he was "sick and tired of what is going on" in Iraq and Afghanistan, audience members hooted in agreement. But Murphy hedged, saying, "I agree with everything you are saying, in theory."

Murphy, a Chevy Chase resident, is slim and appears not to eat much of the calorie-laden Smith Island Cakes produced by a baking company he owns. An ethics disclosure filing shows that he owns two other companies: the Plimhimmon Group, an investment firm, and Virginia-based Triumph Products, which markets shaving oil and other men's grooming supplies.

He has not yet filed a campaign finance report, so it is not possible to gauge the money behind his organization.

His campaign stumbled in June when his initial selection for lieutenant governor, former Carroll County Del. Carmen Amedori, withdrew from the ticket shortly after joining it, saying she did not think the team could win the primary. Still, she said in an interview that Murphy offers a good alternative to Ehrlich and predicted that he would receive much of the conservative vote in September.

O'Malley faces two Democratic challengers. Former Calvert County Del. George W. Owings III bowed out of the race in June, citing health problems. The remaining Democrats are unknown even to some veteran political watchers.




Ralph Jaffe, 68, is so unfamiliar with state government that he did not initially recognize that the man he stopped on the street recently to ask directions was O'Malley. Jaffe was on his way to the Board of Elections to file to run against him.

Partway through the conversation, Jaffe realized that he was talking to the man he hopes to unseat. "He's a charming man," Jaffe said. "I just don't think he's a good governor."

Jaffe lives with his sister and chose her as his running mate. He calls himself a teacher but does not hold a paying job. He runs an untraditional and unaccredited school out of his sister's home in Pikesville.

The candidate says he's disgusted by the mingling of money and politics and wants elections to be free from campaign donations. He plans to promote his candidacy via free media and word of mouth. Jaffe rails against "paid professional lobbyists," who he believes corrupt the political system.

O'Malley's other primary challenger, James P. Cusick, 54, said he has been imprisoned five times — twice for failing to pay child support and three times for spray-painting government buildings with adages such as "Thou shalt not steal." Cusick describes himself as a "political prisoner," contending that he was locked up for an act of protest against the state. He was charged with destruction of property and trespassing.

Cusick, who rents an apartment in Hollywood in Saint Mary's County, said he once worked at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant. He has sought elected office twice before, unsuccessfully taking on Del. John L. Bohanan Jr. in 2006 and then challenging Rep. Steny H. Hoyer two years ago.

He says he became disabled after his most recent prison stint, a three-year sentence for tagging the State House with anti-child-support graffiti. Cusick does most of his campaigning via Internet forums.

Maria Allwine, 57, the likely Green Party candidate, is making her fourth bid for office, though it is her first run for governor. She received 17 percent of the vote when she ran for Baltimore City Council president in 2007. She is a legal secretary with no experience as an elected official — but plenty in rankling them.

Allwine, a Baltimore resident and prolific letter writer to newspapers, has protested against the Iraq war, sometimes standing on street corners in a black robe to evoke the infamous image of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib.

"Our state is in dire straits. They talk about closing the budget deficit, but they won't close corporate tax loopholes," she said in reply to a question last week about why she is running for governor. "They just won't do it. They want to be a friend of business at the expense of ordinary people."

Before her name can appear on the ballot, the Green Party must officially nominate her, because there is another party contender for governor. But party faithful say Corrogan Vaughn, who until Tuesday was filed to run for U.S. Senate as a Republican, is trying to take advantage of the Green Party's ballot slot.

Vaughn wrote in an e-mail message to The Sun that "a number of businesspersons and friends" had suggested recently that he could be more effective as a governor than a senator. "After prayerful consideration, and counsel of those we respect, we believed they were right," he wrote.



He said he wants to help build the Green organization as a credible third choice in Maryland. The state now has 8,200 registered Greens.

Maryland's tiny Constitution Party will be represented by Annapolis bartender Eric D. Knowles, 32, who said he is running because he does not believe that O'Malley is upholding the U.S. Constitution. Asked for an example, he said: "I can't come up with one offhand."

Susan J. Gaztanaga, who lives in Baltimore and is running as a Libertarian, did not reply to several e-mails sent last week to the address she listed on her campaign filing papers. She left no phone number. An occasional writer of letters to the editor, she protested an increase in the city's income tax and expressed dismay over the government's handling of the deadly showdown in 1993 between federal agents and the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, Texas.

Any candidate for Maryland governor can get on the ballot by paying a $290 filing fee; a similar fee applies for lieutenant governor. There is no requirement to collect signatures on a petition or otherwise demonstrate a foundation of support.

www.baltimoresun.com

Veteran Officer Seeks Position Of Sheriff

SNOW HILL -- A West Ocean City man filed his candidacy papers for the office of Worcester's sheriff, becoming the fourth person to join the race for the county's top law enforcement job.

If elected, David L. Catrino said he will bring "an evolution of sorts" to the office and address burgeoning problems of gangs, gambling and drugs.

"I think we have a dynamic change happening in our county," Catrino said. "And I certainly think we have some other issues coming that will need some outside-of-the-box thinking."

Carroll Overholt, Reggie T. Mason and Bobby Brittingham are also running for the job.

A 20-year law enforcement veteran, Catrino currently works as an officer for the Snow Hill Police Department and owns two businesses, the Crab Stop on 15th Street in Ocean City and several stand-alone ATMs in local restaurants and hotels. The combination creates a varied experience, Catrino said, one that he thinks will serve him well leading the Sheriff's Office.

"I come from a law enforcement background, but I'm also in business, so I understand budgets and man power and scheduling," he said. "I think I bring a dynamic there that can bring business, police and the community together working in partnership."

Catrino spent most of his law enforcement career with the Ocean City Police Department and left amid some turmoil in 2007. He is now involved in a wrongful termination suit with the town, claiming that he was inappropriately fired after leaving his post just before the end of his shift to attend to a problem resulting from his diabetes. The case is working its way through federal court.

Catrino said the situation should have no effect on his ability to work with the Ocean City Police Department if he is elected.

Once in the Sheriff's Office, Catrino said he would focus his efforts on accountability of the department, scheduling, community involvement and combating drugs, something he cites as a major problem in the county. In particular, he plans to take a proactive approach to law enforcement through an intelligence-led policing model.

In short, he said, "It approaches police work from a proactive stance, as opposed to a ride-around reactive stance, and I think it better serves our communities."

"Intelligence-led policing makes use of near real-time data collection to allow commanders to respond to the dynamic conditions of crime," Catrino said.

www.delmarvanow.com

Cowger Will Not Seek Reelection As Commissioner

POCOMOKE CITY -- Worcester County Commissioner Bobby Cowger will not seek reelection for the First District seat this fall.

The Pocomoke City resident and local business owner has served two nonconsecutive terms -- the first in the mid-1990s and the second starting in 2006. Being a commissioner has become a full-time commitment, Cowger said, and between running his paving and site development business, he can't put in the hours needed.

"I've just got a lot of other things going on right now," he said. "I'm not saying I won't run again two or three terms down the road, when I'm retired."

Cowger is set to be the only commissioner to step down at the end of this term. However, two others, Commissioners Linda Busick and Virgil Shockley -- both of whom have announced their intentions run -- have not yet filed their candidacy. The deadline to do so is July 6.

Looking back at his time in office, Cowger said he is pleased that the renovations of Pocomoke High School were kept on track and that the three land use departments -- Develop-ment Review and Permitt-ing, Environmental Programs and Compre-hensive Planning -- had been consolidated, streamlining the process for development and home and business improvements.

Cowger, a Democrat, was perhaps most known for his concerns over the county's budgeting process and his calls to run local government more like a business. He was the sole vote in opposition to the 2010-11 spending plan.

"You've got to make your cuts and stay within your means, and I don't think the county did a good job of that," Cowger said, adding that government itself needs to shrink to keep up with falling revenues. "I predict large tax increases over the next term."

Whether that happens will be up to the next set of commissioners, and three men have already stepped forward to fill the District 1 seat. Jimmy Schoolfield, a local business owner and ordained minister, will likely face the winner of the Republican primary between Larry F. Ward and Merrill W. Lockfaw, Jr.

Ward, a Worcester County native, is the proprietor of Ward's Tree Service.

"I'm dead-set against raising taxes because there can be cuts made all over the place," Ward said. If elected Ward plans to push for a four-day, 10-hour work week for all nonessential employees, eliminating energy and maintenance with keeping buildings open an extra day and better serving citizens who cannot make it to county offices during conventional work hours.

In addition, he would institute cross training requirements for county employees to prevent breaks in service and would push for incentives for jobs, especially those that produce environmentally friendly energy and products.

Lockfaw declined to comment for this story. He is currently the superintendent of Worcester's roads division, although is retiring later this month. Until then, Lockfaw said, he is focused on leading his department.

Schoolfield is currently the only Democrat to have filed for the seat.

"I have decided to run for commissioner in District 1 to be a strong voice for the people," he said. "My focus will be on the crime rate in the district, more activities for our youth, educating our youth with after-school programs and more affordable housing."

Schoolfield, an army veteran, was born in New Church but has long-standing family ties to Pocomoke City. As well as being involved with the local NAACP and Democratic Central Committee, he owns Jae's Electric Company and serves as a minister at Georgetown Baptist Church.

www.delmarvanow.com

Crisfield's Mayor's Election Could Could Be Affected By Absentee Votes

CRISFIELD -- Mayor Percy Purnell was leading by 47 votes in Wednesday's city election, but a count of absentee and provisional ballots could change the outcome in the hotly contested mayor's race.

Purnell received 455 votes, followed by James Lane with 408 and former mayor Richard Scott with 14.

Three incumbent City Council members --Raymond Anderson, Barry Dize and Kim Lawson, who were elected with Purnell in 2006 as part of the Clean Sweep Team -- also appeared to be the winners for their at-large seats.

Lane said Wednesday night he was not ready to concede to Purnell.

"It's not over until they count the absentee and provisional ballots," he said.

City elections officials said they mailed out 51 absentee ballots, but the number returned was not immediately available Wednesday night. They will be opened this afternoon.

There also were 17 provisional ballots, as well as some people who were turned away because they were not on city voter lists.

Some of Lane's supporters said they planned to challenge the outcome of the mayor's race.

"We'll take it to the highest court," one woman shouted at reporters. "Put that in the paper."

Lane said he knows of one woman who registered to vote last month, but whose name was not on the list given to city elections officials.

"I'm sure there's going to be some examination of the process," he said.

In the City Council races, Anderson and Dize were clear winners with 513 and 465 votes, respectively, but Lawson, with 422 votes, was only 44 votes ahead of challenger Pamela Whittington, with 378 -- a lead that could change with today's absentee vote count.

Purnell said he was happy with the outcome so far.

"I think it's reassuring at this level of a challenge," he said.

Just before the polls closed, Clean Sweep Team supporters, who had camped outside City Hall all day, predicted it would be a close mayor's race.

"It was hard to tell," said Frederick B. "Fritz" Gerald, a former mayor and city manager. "This morning it was a little bit lopsided, but this evening it evened out."

Preliminary winners

Mayor

James Lane -- 408

Percy Purnell (I) -- 455

Richard Scott -- 14

City Council (3 seats)

Raymond Anderson (I) -- 513

Barry Dize (I) -- 465

Robert Hooks -- 35

Jordan "Bo" Joyner --139

Kim Lawson (I) -- 422

Carolyn Marquis -- 240

Greg Sterling -- 145

Pamela Whittington -- 378

www.somersetherald.com