For The People--Not Politics

 

"By putting the people’s concerns first, I hope we can learn from each other, learn from our disagreements, and reach compromises to benefit all of our community."

Guest Blogger, Kristin Blais-candidate for the Mt. Airy Town Council  

There’s something about an election year that seems to bring out the worst in people. This year, is no different, only, as a candidate I’m experiencing it first hand. 

I have become the target of my opponents who have continually attempted to defame me, as well as those who support my candidacy for Mt. Airy Town Council. These attacks have been aided by email to our citizens, as well as statements in public alleging my candidacy for council is a conflict of interest, unethical and presents a majority vote on council. All of these allegations are untrue, without merit and meant to divert the citizens’ attention from the real issues they face as individuals, and also the issues our town faces regarding its future viability. These attacks have only made my resolve stronger and my message clearer – I am here to serve the citizens of Mt. Airy. 

This type of negative politicking is not pretty, but it’s the way a certain group of people conspire when it comes to politics and an election year in Mt. Airy.  It’s time we, as a Town, put these ill advised tactics to an end and concentrate on real issues; putting people before politics!

One of the fundamental problems in our election this year is even with the amount of public discourse in our town, this group of individuals seem more concerned with holding onto their power and positions, rather than listening and being open to new ideas. They don’t want to acknowledge those who disagree with their philosophies; this is not the mind set of good leaders, and can be detrimental to the future of our Town. We must embrace the fact that disagreement is the fundamental foundation in a democracy. Respectful, healthy debate can lead to positive change, for the very simple reason- nobody is right all of the time.

I know I have made my message clear to the people of Mt. Airy--your concerns come first!  Whether the issue is working to bring a variety of new businesses into town and supporting our current local businesses, addressing the lack of parking downtown, working to find jobs for our teens and adults, finding the solutions to our traffic concerns and speeding through neighborhoods, seeking additional recreational facilities, controlling our spending or making sure our public safety is not jeopardized, I hear you!  By putting the people’s concerns first, I hope we can learn from each other, learn from our disagreements, and reach compromises to benefit all of our community.

On May 7^Th, we have the opportunity to put our citizens first and the nasty politics last.  Let’s concentrate on the real issues that we face together to build a brighter future for Mt. Airy! 

Krsitin Blais
Guest Blogger 
Candidate for the Mt. Airy Town Council

Buyer Beware! Take a Good Hard Look at the Candidates

The following post was submitted by Christine Perry of Mt. Airy

Let the buyer beware. Colleen Colvin’s letter to the Times on April 18 confirms the suspicion among Mt. Airy town residents – we have not heard the last from the landowners of the failed South I-70 Annexation.

Colvin brings up some valid points; she states that the next council need be intelligent and tenacious enough to deal with complicated issues on the county and the state level and also endorses two individuals, Dave Pyatt and Chris Everich, both outspoken advocates of this reckless annexation. I hope nobody has forgotten that these families in the South I-70 stiffed the town for half of a $22,000 legal bill because they did not feel they should have to pay.

Not to my surprise, it appears that Colvin is banking to get Everich and Pyatt into office so they can join with Scott Strong to form a three person voting bloc that will throw caution to the wind and annex these folks once and for all. My opinion is only confirmed by seeing Pyatt and Everich’s campaign signs sit on the property of Dr. Paul Burkett’s dental practice. Burkett is a landowner in the South I-70 area and his interest best served by having Pyatt and Everich elected.

I am glad that Ms. Colvin brings up her concerns regarding the issue of Plan Maryland. Councilmen Pyatt, Strong and Helt recently approved an application to submit to the State of Maryland for sustainable community designation. This designation is tied to Plan Maryland, two principles of which are public transportation and equitable, affordable housing. How can we be assured as town residents, that if the state dangles the money applied for in front of these men, the same thing Colvin is so concerned about, will come to fruition? Mount Airy will certainly become similar to Gaithersburg, Germantown or Frederick.

Lastly, Colvin states in her letter that in a July 2009 issue of the Gazette, Everich was quoted as saying, 

"the proposed business parks [in the South I-70 area] will destroy the character of this community." 

 Everich is currently advocating annexing the Harrison-Leishear property on Route 27 at the corner of North Main Street to build a community center.  This annexation includes a proposed business park.  Won’t this business park destroy the character of the community too?  What hypocrisy!  Mr. Everich seems to pose a risky vote to this community by his political flip flopping and pandering to earn support.

 Christine Perry 

Mt. Airy

Guest Blogger

Have a Drink with the Mayor When You Place the "Right" Sign In Your Yard?

The following was submitted by Meghan Shipley of Mt. Airy 

 
It seems there is a foul odor coming from the mouth of a town official. I received an e-mail sent out by our Mayor to his many followers. Some of those he thinks are loyal to him are very much against his views. Could it be? 

In this e-mail to his “friends," he not only attacked two residents running for council, but he also attacked a current councilman, and a previous one. Is the Mayor running for Town Council? 

It would appear that the Mayor has a slogan to help his friends get elected, ”they will vote as I tell them to vote." So much for the diversity of our town residents. 

Perhaps the Mayor should refrain from sending e-mails and do what he was elected to do; listen to ALL the people. 

In case you were not one of the selected few, allow me to tell you how Mr. Mayor ended his e-mail. A list of 5 different things for residents to do, none of which have anything to do with the finding out the facts and making a decision for themselves. However, if you put a sign in your yard for "his" candidate, he will personally come by your house for a visit and a drink! Lucky you! Or better yet, if you put a sign in your yard AND write a letter to the editor supporting Chris Everich, he will then leave you alone! 

I have one question, Mr. Mayor, are trying to use your power and authority to influence the voters?

Are you a minion of the mayor, or are you a town resident that is constantly ignored because you have a different opinion?

Vote for Bob King and Kristin Blais. They will represent ALL citizens.   

Meghan Shipley 
Guest Blogger 
This writer is a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission

Bob King Understands Mt. Airy's Challenges

The following was submitted by Risa Misra of Mt.Airy

On May 7^th I’ll be voting for Bob King for Mt. Airy Town Council. 

Bob moved to Mt. Airy in 1992 because it was a nice place to raise children.  For the past 20 years he has worked to enrich the lives of an entire generation of children through his efforts with the Mt. Airy Youth Athletic Association (1994-2001), the Mt. Airy Parks and Recreation Commission (1997-present), and Calvary United Methodist Church(2007-present).

In 20 years, Bob has seen Mt. Airy’s landscape change. Through it all he has consistently worked well with volunteers, Town and County staff, and elected officials to further our best interests by acquiring parkland and generating ball fields, bike and foot trails, and recreational programs for citizens of all ages. 

Bob understands the challenges of maintaining a vibrant community, one that remains affordable and provides a high quality of life for the majority of existing residents, and also supports local businesses. He understands that good schools, good roads, a safe and reliable water supply, and local recreational and employment opportunities are necessary for this generation and future generations to thrive.  

Bob’s long record of service shows that he is willing and able to reach across the table to make good things happen. I believe that is exactly what Mt. Airy needs.

Rita Misra

Guest Blogger

Honored to Support Bob King for Town Council

The following was submitted by Patty Williamson of Mt. Airy 

 

I am honored to support Bob King as a candidate for the Mount Airy Town Council. I have served with Bob on the town's Parks and Recreation Board since 2006 and know that he truly cares about the citizens of Mount Airy. 

When he moved to town in 1992, he became involved with MAYAA, first by coaching and later by serving as President. He was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Board in 1997 and in 2006, was elected as Chairman of the Board, a position that he continues to hold today. 

I was introduced to Bob during the controversial Zeltman Annexation. Even though I was on the town's Beautification Commission fighting to save the town's 88 acres from development and Bob was on the Parks and Recreation Board fighting for the promised athletic fields, he always listened to and treated me with respect. 

Today, even though I do not agree with everything that Bob supports, I know that he has the patience needed to listen to others before making decisions on important issues. 

Please join me in voting for Bob King for Town Council on May 7. 

Patty Williamson 
Board Member Mount Airy Parks and Recreation 
Guest Blogger

I'm Voting For Bob King on May 7th

"We need to send a message-The time has come for the dysfunction of our debate to change." ~Mary Rice

 

The following letter was submitted by Mary Rice of Mt. Airy

 

Elections are fast approaching for the three available positions on the Mount Airy Town Council.  I dare to speculate that most of the voters probably don't even know any of these candidates or have had any experience dealing with them in any arena. How then do voters make the right choices?  

When I know I've chosen wisely, I feel at peace with myself.   I've done my research, I've talked to people who KNOW the candidates, I'm INFORMED. I want someone with leadership skills, experience, common sense, and a person with a proven track record. I am voting for Bob King.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bob King 15 years ago when he was elected as the President of the Mount Airy Youth Athletic Association (MAYAA).  I sat on the Board with him as the Secretary and came to know the man I respect today as a leader committed to excellence.  I watched him within a 30-day time frame, integrate 3,000 children into the program who had been left hanging when the Mt Airy Rec Council suddenly disbanded.   

He took over MAYAA with over $30,000 worth of bills while looking at a balance of only $10.86 in the account, spear-headed a new budget for the coming year and strictly adhered to it. He oversaw the re-writing of the association's by-laws and most importantly possessed the qualities to build a positive and healthy environment for all the children with the ultimate goal of building their character. Our Town Council will surely benefit from the same.

As a member of the Mount Airy Board of Parks and Recreation Bob began to see that a handful of MAYAA members and the newly-formed Four County Little League members were at odds with each other over ball-field usage and disrupting the monthly meetings with their attacks on each other.  Bob's desire for civility compelled him to hold meetings in his living room where the fuses were quickly diminished. Good leaders remain calm and composed during the journey through storms and emotions.   

Once again, our Town Council would certainly benefit from his ability to maintain his composure under any circumstance and give everyone the genuine respect they deserve, even if they disagree. 

Bob has been on the board for Parks & Recs since 1997, holding the position of Chairman for the last 7 years. He remains active in the community in this capacity, implementing family events including Camp Night and Movie Night, held at Watkins Park, and Shakespeare in the Park at Wildwood. His desire to keep Mount Airy a place that has that small-town feel is strong and close to his heart.  

Bob has been involved in the planning and design of the Old National Pike Park, a member of the Windy Ridge Park Master Plan Committee, and maintains an active role in town council meetings.  

Bob was the manager of 250+ people at a number of Giant Food Grocery Stores for over 25 years and has been a small business owner for 24 years.  Anyone familiar with running your own business knows you are manager, accountant, buyer, marketing, human resources, quality control, the list is endless. You do it all.  

Bob King has a proven record of leadership, experience, common sense and the desire to keep Mount Airy the best it can be for all people.  He epitomizes determination, fairness, and civility.  I am voting for Bob King on May 7th.  I am asking you to vote for Bob, too. We need to send a message that the time has come for the dysfunction of our debate to change.    

Mary Rice

Mt. Airy Resident 

Guest Blogger