Mass filing protest set

GOP hopefuls to meet

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009

"We're hoping people show up because they are tired of the commissioners not responding to them; who are tired of the county budget being mismanaged, taxes going up and decisions being made behind closed doors," said Nanjemoy resident Rick Campbell, who registered as a Republican county commissioner candidate for District 2 earlier this week.

Around 7 p.m. residents are encouraged to come out to the Charles County Board of Elections to fill out papers in preparation to register as candidates for the 2010 election or pledge at least $25 to any contender other than the five incumbents.

"This really is supposed to be a symbolic gesture to show we are disappointed in our county commissioners and their actions," said Mike Phillips, president of the Charles County Republican Club. "The commissioners are continuing to ignore their constituents, and we want to show that by asking people to pledge to support any of the candidates other than the incumbents."

The board of elections has said it will not remain open past its 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours, but the parking area next door will be empty at the end of the business day.

While those gathering outside the board of elections might have a different plan of attack, the reasons for heading to La Plata are similar, according to the organizers.

Phillips and Campbell said they have heard many complaints about the commissioners' choice to not adopt the constant yield tax rate, choosing instead to hold the residential property tax rate steady while rising property tax assessments drive tax revenues up, an action which has drawn heated debate between residents and the board over whether the commissioners raised taxes and what it means to local wallets.

"There are a lot of misunderstandings on both sides of the issue," Phillips said.

Campbell said the general sentiments he has gathered around the community are ones of skepticism toward wasteful spending and disappointment at a decision-making process that has eliminated public opinion.

"Where is the public involvement?" Campbell asked. "Why not involve citizens … in any of [the commissioners'] decisions?"

In light of the planned public event, Commissioner Reuben B. Collins II (D) said it was unfortunate he hadn't directly heard from residents about how upset they were with the county government. He said any of the commissioners would be interested in and happy to listen to how to make the county a better a place to live.

"I'm not intimidated by any means," Collins said. "It's actually a good thing for our democracy that people are willing to go to those particular efforts to voice their concerns. I'd love to hear from them. I want to hear from them if it's that bad."

Nanjemoy resident Johnnie DeGiorgi (D) was the first to file for the commissioners' race. He is listed as a Democrat in the running for the District 2 seat, currently held by commissioners' Vice President Edith J. Patterson (D).

When asked if he would be attending the event, DeGiorgi said he had not heard about it, on account of his absence from the state last week.

"I'm not too worried. I'm running for a seat, not against a person," DeGiorgi said. "I've got an agenda … and my main concern is campaigning."

District 1 commissioner candidate Ken Robinson (D) said the news that so many people are planning to turn out for the event was encouraging for the electoral process.

"Whether that translates to election results obviously remains to be seen," Robinson said.

Karen Andreas, president of the Fourth and Fifth Districts Democratic Club, said she sees the storming of the election board as a positive thing.

"I always like to have more candidates than opinions," Andreas said.

Andreas said based on the interest and news coverage she's gathered, she anticipates an exciting election season.

"It's hard to be in charge … the economy drives what [the government] needs to do," Andreas said. "Some of the same good and bad decisions would have been made by either party."

The Charles County Board of Elections is at 201 E. Charles St. in La Plata.

msomers@somdnews.com