Several candidates for the St. Mary’s County Board of Education spoke at the Republican Women of St. Mary’s (RWSM) Candidates’ Debate on May 6 held at the Lexington Park Library. Deb Rey, president of the RWSM, welcomed all guests and opened the debate with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Deb is also a candidate herself as she is running for office as Delegate for District 29B. Ella Ennis, chair of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee, moderated the event. Following are excerpts from the SMC Board of Education candidates’ presentations. SMC Board of Education candidates from District 1 who spoke at the May 6 event in alphabetical order included Randy Darnowsky, John Alonzo Gaskin, and Rita Weaver:
-Randy Darnowsky thanked the teachers on this, May 6, Teacher Appreciation Day. He believes in accountability and transparency; he would not ask the county to raise taxes to fund the schools. He believes that St. Mary’s County needs a full-time School Grants Processor;
-John Alonzo Gaskin is a St. Mary’s County native who believes that the St. Mary’s County Public Schools system is a good one. He said that the community needs to come back to the school system – even for those who don’t have kids in the system. He pointed out that St. Mary’s County Public Schools is in the Top 10 of Maryland schools;
-Rita Weaver is an ER Nurse at Civista with a Master’s Degree; she is an Adjunct Professor of Nursing at the College of Southern Maryland. She believes in open communication between students, staff and the Board of Education.
News of St. Mary’s County Republican Central Committee Events
-The St. Mary’s County Republican Club meets on Thursday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at D.B. McMillan’s Restaurant in the Wildewood Shopping Center. Guest Speakers will include candidates for the June 24 Primary election for the Republican Central Committee. This meeting is free and open to the public; all are welcomed to attend. President is Deb Rey and for more information you may contact her at: deb@debreyfordelegate.com.
-Reservations are due now for the Annual SMC RCC Lincoln-Reagan Dinner to be held on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown. Tickets are $65 per person. The social hour takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. with a book signing by Guest Speaker former MD Gov. Bob Ehrlich. The dinner will commence at 7 p.m. to be followed by speakers and awards. You may RSVP to: jburk@md.metrocast.net or to (301)475-8709.
-St. Mary’s County Republicans will host a SMC Republican Party tent at the Relay for Life event to be held at Leonardtown High School on Saturday, June 7; volunteers are needed from 4 p.m. through 2 a.m. Sunday morning. Contact person is SMC RCC Community Director Kevin Cioppa who may be reached at kevincioppa@gmail.com or at (240)577-2067.
-St. Mary’s County GOP will have a booth at Juneteenth on Saturday, June 21. This is an African-American Heritage Celebration which will be held at Freedom Park at S. Coral Place in Lexington Park. If you are able to help staff the booth for any amount of time between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. that day, you may contact SMC RCC Community Director Kevin Cioppa at: kevincioppa@gmail.com or at (240)577-2067.
Calvert County GOP News
-The Calvert County Republican Central Committee will sponsor a Republican Candidates For
