Democrats Are Clear Leaders at County Council Town Hall
On October 9, 2022, the Avalon Foundation and Talbot Spy hosted a Town Hall with the Candidates for Talbot County Council. Nine candidates (one Republican (Strickland) did not even bother to show up to this event or a previous forum either) took the stage to answer citizen-submitted questions on a wide variety of topics covering education, economic development, environmental priorities, and more.
Your candidates advocated for responsible economic development solutions, common-sense affordable housing and environmental priorities, and the critical need for sustained investments and renewed trust in our education system. In the face of attacks on local teachers (Stepp); demands for a new Board that would oversee teachers, curriculum, and which books to buy/ban (Mielke); and disturbing questions about the ’subsequent consequences’ of affordable housing (Montgomery), your candidates stood up for you, your family, friends, and neighbors.
We took the liberty of hyperlinking directly to several standout moments from the Town Hall:
Councilman Pete Lesher spoke to his experience on the County Council and their successful prioritization of broadband across Talbot County. Lesher noted that they had set a foundation for progress on these matters, but that the next Council would need to focus on water quality improvement projects, such as what has been done on Trippe Creek, and critically needed sewer upgrades, such as in Tilghman Island. Pete spoke eloquently on what the Council can and, frankly cannot, do: he articulated why it was so important to invest in clean water, our ambulatory and emergency services, and attracting new jobs and economic development; he admitted that the Council could not control the price of gas, responding to an incoherent attack on current federal energy priorities by Republican David Montgomery.
Phil Jackson may have had the moment of the night when he gave a passionate defense of our educators and local school system after nearly every Republican attacked the qualifications and intentions of our teachers and administrative staff and made patently false statements about CRT in our schools. Phil also spoke to his experiences with wastewater treatment issues, a proficiency he gained through his leadership of his Wye Mills community. His knowledge will be crucial as Talbot County contends with several ongoing and upcoming controversial housing development projects.
Keasha Haythe put her two decades of economic development experience to work when she enthusiastically endorsed the use of existing spaces and assets to promote business growth. She also discussed her focus on mentoring the next generation of Talbot County’s women and tied in the need for a County Council that prioritizes preserving existing businesses, supporting growth that brings higher, more competitive wages to Talbot, and affordable housing solutions. Keasha also educated her Republican counterparts on what economic development is as they seemed confused throughout the discussion.
Scott Kane spoke to his knowledge on the benefits that solar power could bring to Talbot County. While no one argues that solar should be a energy solution, it represents a compelling resource that can be relied upon as part of a plethora of responsible, forward-thinking energy solutions. Frustratingly, his Republican counterparts could not understand these common-sense ideas. Lynn Mielke lamented nonsensically about how solar does not work at night and even went so far as asserting there are 21 hours in a day! In the #Yikes moment of the evening, Lynn was clearly peddling a Marjorie Taylor Greene falsehood that has been ridiculed around the nation.
Michele Dappert echoed Pete Lesher’s comments about the importance of broadband investments and the benefits that can be enjoyed without any risk to the rural character of Talbot County and the region. She also spoke to the importance of the Talbot County Government soliciting business from local businesses and actively seeking vendors for proposals, rather than accepting the one or two lonely proposals that the County receives. Lack of competition is a detriment to our government’s ability to serve its citizens. Judging by how much Republican Chuck Callahan was nodding along as she spoke, it’s likely he was wishing he had thought of these fresh ideas during any one of his eight years on the Talbot County Council. Michele brought the house down by making the final closing statement of the evening’s town hall: an inspirational call to action for civic participation, an statement of appreciation to all who have taken the time to speak with her at their homes or during events, and a commitment to ensure all of Talbot’s residents have access to the tools of the future.
Talbot County is lucky to have such a clear choice for Talbot County Council. As Congressman Jamie Raskin reminded us in May when he visited Talbot County, “Voters should remember their days of Driver Education when they cast their ballots: Vote D to go forward or R to go backward.” It’s that simple, folks. You have a strong, united team of community leaders ready to step up and turn problems into opportunities for Talbot County.
Vote for the five individuals who are the passionate, forward-thinking, and dedicated to protecting Talbot’s interests for the next four years.
Vote for the people who will make you proud of Talbot County.
To learn more about each of your candidates for Talbot County Council, please click here!
For your convenience:
0:00 - Prerecorded opening statements
17:10 - Introduction from the Avalon's Al Bond and the Spy's Dave Wheelan
21:50 - Introduction from moderator Craig Fuller
23:26 - Topic: What is special about Talbot County that you want to preserve and protect
41:51 - Topic: What opportunities do you see for the next council term
1:05:07 - Topic: Economic Development
1:25:23 - Topic: Education
1:45:17 - Topic: Election Integrity
1:53:37 - Closing statements
2:15:15 - Conclusion