Crisfield Elections June 21

Finally an article is published which explains the position of Crisfield's city council and mayoral candidates in the Somerset Herald.

Growth, waterfront addressed
Candidates face voters at forum

By Deborah Gates

Staff Writer, Somerset Herald


CRISFIELD -- Most of the nine city council or mayoral candidates at a public forum this week said they supported growth sweeping the rural waterman's town, but with a caveat that change should embrace opportunities for jobs and affordable housing and save what's left of the waterfront.

"Losing our heritage as a city and ... the waterfront," City Council candidate Laverne Johnson, a McCready Found-ation admissions supervisor, cited as potential negative impacts of massive construction in the community of sprouting waterfront, high-rise condominiums. "The marina should be available to all citizens."

Daniel Thompson, vying for a third consecutive City Council term, wants to attract industry that could provide better wages.

"We need financial and technical jobs. That is critical," he said, adding that growth spawns tax revenue that ultimately could lower property taxes. "With the extra revenue, we can reduce taxes. The pot would be larger."

There was division among candidates, though, about the municipal involvement by Crisfield Associates, a development group contracted by the city in March to direct much of the growth planned for the town of about 2,500 residents.

Thompson and incumbent Catherine Brown told the audience of about 300 people they stood by their vote for Crisfield Associates. "The strength of our proposal to get a Priority Places designation was entering into a partnership," Thompson said, referring to state perks afforded to designated communities.

Most new hopefuls disagreed, including City Council-man Percy "P.J." Purnell, who is vying for mayor.

"I'm not against ... working with a partnership," said Purnell, who argued the deal was too expensive. "I think we've been duped, guys. This is a $1 million plan to tell the city how to utilize land. Suppose we don't want to utilize it that way?"

Jim Dodson, former Captain's Galley Restaurant owner, reminded the audience that "the city has final say over whatever Crisfield Associates comes up with."

"If the council disapproves, it can be null and void," he said.

Absent from the forum at Crisfield High School was candidate and Mayor Richard Scott, who has served a total of 16 years.

Valerie Mason, executive director at the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, the forum sponsor, said Scott declined an invitation to participate, stating in a letter that it was "in (Scott's) best interest to let my 16 successful years as mayor ... reflect my position on matters now facing our community."

Other forum participants vying for one of three council seats on the June 21 election ballot are Raymond Anderson, Barry Dize, former City Councilmember Kim Lawson and Mary Ann Wandell.

All candidates said they opposed a proposal by the Handy Seafood company to acquire surplus, waterfront property owned by the city on Collins Street.

Said Lawson: "It's complicated, but I'm not in favor of it."

Moderator Frank Urban, a certified mediator from Onancock, characterized the Chamber-sponsored forum as "unusual."

"It is the first time to have a Chamber doing something civic," he said during the introduction. "Usually, (they) are business oriented."

Also read the Crisfield Times article...note the affordable housing quote

This helps to see where people land on the issue of the Crisfield Associates take over of the city council and city property. The Election is June 21.

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