Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Marjorie Clagett has ruled that Kelly D. McConkey meets the residency requirements to run for the local school board in the Third Election District. McConkey, who affirmed his residence is a house located at the Dunkirk Nursery he owns and operates, filed to run for the Third Election District seat currently held by Calvert Board of Education President Rose C. Crunkleton.
Last week, Crunkleton filed a petition in circuit court claiming McConkey’s actual residence was a house in an Owings subdivision located in the Second Election District. A hearing on the petition was held Tuesday, Jan. 24.
In her ruling, Clagett stated “at this [Dunkirk] address, he [McConkey] maintains his motorcycle registration and his boat certification with the Department of Natural Resources, his voting precinct, his utility bills, his Comcast bill, IRS correspondence, memberships in various civic and social organizations. He ran for county commissioner for District Three without challenge in a prior election cycle. Further, he sleeps at this residence during the week, he spends the majority of his waking hours at the [Dunkirk] address, he stores personal belongings and has furnishings within this home for sleeping, eating and daily activities.”
Clagett acknowledged in her opinion that McConkey has maintained residency in Dunkirk in order to comply with the Calvert County Zoning Ordinance, which requires owners of nurseries located in residential areas to reside on the property.
“I’m very pleased with Judge Clagett’s ruling,” said McConkey. “Now I can focus on the real issues of this campaign.”
Crunkleton’s attorney, Carl W. Buchheister, said he had not received word of Clagett’s decision and was not prepared to comment.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
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