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The Calvert County Chapter of the League of Women Voters conducted a candidates’ forum Thursday, Oct. 18 at Calvert Pines Senior Center. The event featured two panels of candidates, U.S. Congress representing Maryland District 5 and two of the three seats up for grabs on the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE).

The congressional candidates’ panel was comprised of candidates from the Republican, Libertarian and Green parties. Missing was Democrat incumbent Steny H. Hoyer, who has been in Congress for over 30 years. The current House of Representatives minority whip was addressing a firefighters graduating class in Prince George’s County. Hoyer’s absence was criticized by his main challenger, Republican Anthony J. “Tony” O’Donnell. “He won’t show up, he won’t debate,” declared O’Donnell, who challenged Hoyer to a series of debates following the Primary Election.

O’Donnell said Hoyer was part of the polarization between the two parties in Congress. He cited the wrangling over $1.2 trillion in sequestered budget cuts which could adversely impact defense and domestic programs. O’Donnell pointed to the huge success of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as an example of two parties working together. O’Donnell, the current Maryland House of Delegates minority leader, was a part of the Southern Maryland Delegation when CSM was formally expanded over a dozen years ago. The school started out as Charles County Community College and expanded in the region’s other two counties.

Libertarian candidate Arvin Vohra admitted he would have to work with the major parties if he were elected to Congress, but added, “I won’t compromise my principles.”

A local issue—the storage of nuclear waste at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby—prompted varied responses and gave O’Donnell another opportunity to pillory the absent Hoyer. O’Donnell stated that Hoyer and other Congressional leaders have dragged their feet in establishing a repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. “He’s been silent on this issue,” said O’Donnell, who indicated Hoyer’s reticence might be at the behest of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Of the spent fuel stored on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, O’Donnell said, “it’s OK right now, but future generations are going to have to deal with this.”

Green Party Candidate Bob Auerbach said instead of relying on nuclear, the U.S. “should find other sources of energy.”

“It’s not a simple issue,” said Vohra, who conceded nuclear energy was efficient.

O’Donnell found complete disagreement with Vohra and Auerbach on the implementation of the Patriot Act. “It’s not perfect but since September 11, 2001, we are not safe,” said O’Donnell. “It is an unfortunate consequence of an unsafe world.”

Vohra said the Patriot Act “fundamentally goes against” the tenets behind the American Revolution.

“It’s an act against civil liberties and we’ve got to do away with it altogether,” said Auerbach.

Seeking a School Board Seat

One seat of the three available on the BOE has been settled. Second Election District representative Tracy H. McGuire is running unopposed for reelection. The contested races are in the First Election District—between Joe R. Chenelly and Cliff Savoy—and the Third Election District—between incumbent Rose Crunkleton and Kelly McConkey. The latter four candidates fielded questions on such topics as dealing with the funding shift for teachers’ pensions, providing pay raises for teachers, dealing with the ever-bourgeoning prescription drug problem, closing the achievement gap for minority students and special education. The candidates were frequently asked to speak about themselves. Chenelly said he and his wife moved to Calvert County because of “the great schools.”

“I love the kids,” said Savoy who also stated he and his family came to Calvert because of the public school system.

“I care about our nation’s future,” said Crunkleton. “Education is something that makes you grow. I’d like to see our great system get better.”

“Public education is where I really want to be,” said McConkey, who also stated his family lives in Calvert because of the excellent reputation of its public school system.

The only hint of contention during the hour-long discussion occurred when McConkey, who referred to Crunkleton as “my opponent,” took her to task for her voting record and comments that have appeared in the print media.

McConkey claimed Crunkleton opposed the use by law enforcement of drug-sniffing dogs during drug investigations at schools. Crunkleton clarified that while she was not opposed to the K-9 patrols being used in school parking lots, the dogs’ abilities to alert on certain drugs in hallways and locker areas posed to many liability issues for the school system. “Our sheriff’s office dogs are not trained to sniff prescription drugs, which is unfortunate,” said Crunkleton.

Additionally, Crunkleton disputed affirmations that nothing has been done during the past four years to provide pay raises, noting some “half steps” and a small cost of living adjustment have been provided. “We have been doing some things,” said Crunkleton. “It’s been a long haul and we are starting to feel the crunch of this budget.”

“I would be comfortable going to the [county] commissioners and asking for more money” said Chenelly, who added he would first need to be assured the BOE had a sound budget. “We need to take care of our educators.”

“We can’t keep asking our teachers to do more with less money,” said McConkey, who promised to “pick the budget apart” if elected.

“You need to look at everything clearly,” said Savoy of the BOE budget. “Without our teachers we wouldn’t be here today.”

Chenelly expressed disappointment that no questions were submitted about school officials trying to deal with the ongoing problem of bullying. “We look the other way with certain problems,” said Chenelly, who accused school officials of “ignoring the bullying problem.”

McConkey identified addressing the bullying issue as one of his pledges to the voters. Crunkleton identified dealing with the bullying issue as one of the challenges for the next school board.

The Calvert BOE candidates are scheduled to meet at least two more times. On Tuesday, Oct. 23 the Calvert County Council of PTAs will host a candidates' forum at the Brooks Administration Center in Prince Frederick starting at 7 p.m. The Democratic and Republic clubs at Asbury Solomons are jointly sponsoring a school board candidates’ forum Friday afternoon, Oct. 26 starting at 1:30 p.m.

Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com