Our May 9th, 2017 Westminster municipal elections
and this day in history March 30, 1999.
April 4, 2017 Westminster Md. - This morning, I was reading
through the letters to the editor in the Carroll County Times about the current
Westminster municipal elections. – And it brought back memories….
Many folks have asked if I am ever going to run for office
again. And the answer is sorta-kinda-maybe. Not right now. Among many reasons,
as soon as I declare my candidacy for office, I immediately lose my job with
the newspaper. Think about it. In what other profession do you lose your job
the very instant you declare your candidacy? And I love my job.
Many folks have asked my opinion about the upcoming
elections. Because I work for the newspaper, I really cannot say much. However,
I think that I can say, that it is time to let some other folks have a turn –
or let some other ideas into the Westminster council chambers.
I mean, I actually like all of Westminster’s elected
officials. I guess I can say that? I mean, I like everybody. Westminster
officials work hard and for the most part, I think they are well-intended.
But the history and tradition of holding office in
Westminster is one of letting everyone take their turn. And, at the moment, it
just does not seem that other ideas are really welcome in city government these
days. I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong. And growing-up in Westminster, there was
essentially – if not absolutely - no politics.
I had a great talk with an official with another
municipality recently and he lamented how Westminster elected officials spend a
great deal of time on politics that has nothing to do with the day-to-day life
of Westminster citizens. He said this in the context in that, in his municipality,
there is still, to this day, essentially no politics.
Now before you send me angry emails, he said it – I did not
say a word. As a matter of fact, he acknowledged that I have to remain silent because
I work for the paper, but I will say that I have heard it said by many folks
outside of Westminster…
Municipal elections are extremely important to your
day-to-day quality of life. I am often amused with folks who get so worked-up
over national politics – and state politics, for that matter. As for national politics,
candidly, you and I standing over the back fence discussing the issues, or engaged
in a Facebook discussion, have little impact on the development of national
public policies. Arguably some impact – but really – we have little say. Makes
me sad to say that. I have certainly written my fair share of letters to
elected officials in Washington. But that was before gerrymandering. These
days, the folks that represent us in Washington, do not know where Carroll
County is located on the map – and do not care. (Although they all have great
staffers. Just saying.) In days gone by, we routinely had opportunities to meet
with our elected representatives in Congress. Remember when they would
routinely visit the post office?
(Anyway, just so you know - I hate Facebook arguments and
routinely delete argumentative comments, just saying.)
Yes, we have a little more influence in Maryland State
politics, although, it often appears that Annapolis exists in another country.
I was amused that almost 20-years ago, many of the same
issues today, were a matter of interest in the 1999 election. When I filled-out
my candidate profile and questionnaire, among the “Main issues I will address
during my campaign,” included:
1. Pro Economic Development - Continued Revitalization of
Downtown Westminster, and how it was (is) important to attract and develop more
jobs in Westminster.
2. Support Westminster Police Department
3. Support Westminster Fire Department
4. Pursue improving our road system
5. Continued support of the City’s recreation program –
community events – that bring folks to downtown Westminster.
I loved being an elected official for Westminster. I loved
working with the Westminster employees – and Westminster citizens. It seems
that the best kept secret in Maryland and the mid-Atlantic region, is that Westminster
has the best municipal employees around. They are well-trained, professional,
personally invested, and most of all, they really-really care about
Westminster.
And, of course, being the product of many generations of
elected officials, and being an historian and a writer, I really enjoyed the
development of public policy initiative. For much of Westminster’s municipal history,
it was known to be on the cutting edge of municipal public policy and
governance.
On this day in the Westminster municipal elections, March
30, 1999, I finished, and turned-in, my Carroll County Times questionnaire and
candidate profile, and sent in an ad to the paper…
