Local Elections

Hello readers, although it is my intent to provide some unvarnished statements from local leaders concerning their views on the subject of leadership, that intent will have to move to the backseat for a short while. A very interesting issue came to light last week and I believe it deserves some immediate comment. Del. Leroy Myers submitted two bills for consideration by the Maryland General Assembly concerning nonpartisan elections. Myers proposed one bill to elect local candidates to the offices of the county treasurer, the clerk of the Circuit Court and the register of wills via nonpartisan elections.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Franklin County Democratic Party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner will be Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the 30 West Family Restaurant, Chambersburg. The evening, which falls in the middle of the three-week candidate nominating petition period, will include a chance to meet Democratic candidates in this year's local elections, sign their petitions and hear several presentations. For tickets and information, call Paul Politis, county vice-chairman, at 717-597-4332.

Elections scare me. Terrify me. That's because I'm a local-news editor. However, as a resident, parent, homeowner, taxpayer and interested observer, I love elections. As an editor, local elections present extra hours at the office, additional planning, more stories to make room for and lots of time tracking down information, headshots (photos) and DOBs (dates of birth for candidates). Elections also create extra work for our reporters - from writing preview stories and issues stories to working into the wee hours on primary and general election nights.

It's two days before Christmas, but for many who've had the traditional tree up for several weeks, a pile of gifts stacked beneath its branches, there's still that nagging feeling that there's still something left undone. Let us suggest that perhaps it's time to spend a moment thinking about the needs of the community. We're talking about Washington County's United Way charitable appeal, which has now raised $1.2 million toward its $1.7 million goal. If you haven't made a pledge, it's important to do so now. The United Way's message of caring and community was harder for its volunteers to deliver this year, not only because of the local elections, but also due to events taking place on the national and international stage.

charlestown@herald-mail.com CHARLES TOWN, W.VA. - Eastern Panhandle lawmakers had mixed reactions Thursday to a plan to possibly allow legalization of casino-style table games in counties such as Jefferson County, saying they might support them depending on how revenues from the games are spent and how state residents are allowed to vote on the games. But there was no mincing of words from state Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley. "I'm not participating in it. Every year I've been down here, they've been running around (promoting)

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A county official said Thursday that a voting snafu that allowed voters in three Jefferson County subdivisions to vote in the wrong state House of Delegate race in May has been corrected, but a local lawmaker said he believes a state elections official needs to be in Jefferson County during the Nov. 7 general election to make sure the process runs smoothly. Earlier this week, officials said that voters in the Huntfield, Briar Run and Fairfax Crossing housing developments in Jefferson County were allowed to vote in the wrong state House of Delegate races in the May 9 primary election.

Local governments must operate in the public eye A West Virginia deputy attorney general says that the town of Hedgesville's new budget may be illegal because elected officials violated the state's open meetings law when they adopted it. Town officials need to take corrective action as soon as possible. According to Deputy Attorney General Dawn Warfield, Hedgesville officials didn't notify the media of a special meeting that was held March 26 to pass the town's 2001-2002 budget.

That question could dominate the next West Virginia governor's race, if Democratic candidate Joe Manchin has his way. We feel that's the wrong approach. Adding table games to the state's horse tracks, as Manchin proposes, would be a major escalation of gambling, a step that should not be taken without more study than it's likely to get in an election campaign. Manchin, West Virginia's secretary of state, this week said that the four counties that now have slot machines at their race tracks should have the opportunity to decide whether they want to add so-called table games to their offerings.

By JENNIFER LAM photos: RIC DUGAN / staff photographer Ever wonder what really happens at the polls during election days? This year, instead of munching on your cold cereal while watching your parents pull out of the driveway, go with them and vote yourself. Thanks to Kids Voting, a nationally recognized program that engages the parents and students in the democratic process, you can participate. --cont. from lifestyle youth-- The project is modeled after a program in Costa Rica, the country with the highest voter turnout of any Western democracy.

It's election season in Hagerstown. Several weeks ago we had the mayor and council primary elections. Soon the city's general election will follow in May. Judging from events so far, we're off to a rocky start. Unfortunately, we seem to be infected with the same political malaise that now often affects our national elections. On the one hand, we've had one candidate's supporters circulate a picture of his opponent with a certain unpopular former governor. No matter that the photo involved a very positive development for the community, the location of the University System of Maryland campus in downtown Hagerstown.

Elections scare me. Terrify me. That's because I'm a local-news editor. However, as a resident, parent, homeowner, taxpayer and interested observer, I love elections. As an editor, local elections present extra hours at the office, additional planning, more stories to make room for and lots of time tracking down information, headshots (photos) and DOBs (dates of birth for candidates). Elections also create extra work for our reporters - from writing preview stories and issues stories to working into the wee hours on primary and general election nights.

Hello readers, although it is my intent to provide some unvarnished statements from local leaders concerning their views on the subject of leadership, that intent will have to move to the backseat for a short while. A very interesting issue came to light last week and I believe it deserves some immediate comment. Del. Leroy Myers submitted two bills for consideration by the Maryland General Assembly concerning nonpartisan elections. Myers proposed one bill to elect local candidates to the offices of the county treasurer, the clerk of the Circuit Court and the register of wills via nonpartisan elections.

There are very few easy campaigns for the United Way of Washington County. In 2001, the campaign saw many local dollars go to relief efforts for those hurt by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. This year the public's attention has been concentrated on national and local elections and the troubled state of the national economy. Despite that, Noel Williams, who's co-chairing the campaign along with Tim Henry, said the 2008 appeal is on pace with last year's effort and has raised (as of this week)

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Convenience, anxiousness, necessity. Voters in Berkeley County had their own motives for waiting in hour-long lines Saturday during the last day to cast an early ballot for local, state and national elections. More than 1,000 residents poured into the Berkeley County Courthouse to make their choices. Anyone who wasn't standing in line at the 5 p.m. deadline must vote Tuesday on Election Day - or not at all. "I just wanted to make sure my vote got in," said Holly Johnson, 53, of Hedgesville, W.Va.

Wow. What an exciting time in which we live. The last several weeks have been frightening, exhilarating and eye opening all at the same time. And challenging, too. One of the most challenging things for me the past few weeks besides looking at my 401(k) statement was getting a grip on the presidential race. Barack Obama and John McCain actually want to be president? They want to inherit the mess left behind? More power to them. My dilemma as a cynical 42-year-old father, husband and on-time bill payer is deciding who will be the lesser of the two evils.

The City of Hagerstown spent $8,847.84 to send the mayor, three City Council members and two staff members to the annual Maryland Municipal League conference in June in Ocean City, Md. Some other municipalities, such as Clear Spring and Smithsburg, didn't send anyone. Clear Spring Mayor Paul D. Hose Jr. said he didn't go because he doesn't like to miss work. In addition, "It's a little expensive," he said of lodging costs and the $385 registration fee. Smithsburg Town Clerk Betsy Martin said cost hasn't been an issue.

Don't forget about adequate parking To the editor: I read The Herald-Mail on a daily basis. All of the articles are read completely. In a recent publication there was an article that pertained to the hospital being proposed for Robinwood. This was very well-written and I agreed with the portion that dealt with the big entities thinking themselves immune from rules and regulations. While this does not apply entirely in my situation, it does have a bearing on the capability of the executives doing their jobs properly.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A county official said Thursday that a voting snafu that allowed voters in three Jefferson County subdivisions to vote in the wrong state House of Delegate race in May has been corrected, but a local lawmaker said he believes a state elections official needs to be in Jefferson County during the Nov. 7 general election to make sure the process runs smoothly. Earlier this week, officials said that voters in the Huntfield, Briar Run and Fairfax Crossing housing developments in Jefferson County were allowed to vote in the wrong state House of Delegate races in the May 9 primary election.

Last week's question In Washington County, there are four candidates for state's attorney, five for sheriff and 24 for county commissioner. What's the best way to keep track of so many candidates and how will you decide which ones to vote for? This is why I DESPISE local elections! Everyone and their next door neighbor gets in the running and you have no idea who's who - unless they've had their name plastered all over town since Day One of their campaign. When it's that congested, people vote for the names they recognize.

Last week my sister asked me what I wanted for Christmas. At the time, it seemed way too soon to talk about holiday gift-giving. Weren't we sweltering just last week and worrying about whether local farmers' corn would bake in the blistering sun? No, it wasn't just last week, but weeks and months that passed by in a blur, just as all things do when you get older. But her question reminded me about something I've learned repeatedly over the last 30 years here at The Herald-Mail: The period between Thanksgiving and New Year's is a tough one for anyone trying to grab the public's attention.