With the filing deadline looming the list of candidates for Calvert County’s boards of county commissioners and education is starting to grow. Some surprising, yet familiar names are being added to the ballot.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, Calvert County Board of Education (BOE) Member Joseph Chenelly announced his intention to file as a candidate for county commissioner representing the First Election District. Chenelly is considered a rising star in Calvert’s Republican Party and was named Republican Man of the Year for 2012. He received his award last April at the local GOP’s annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. By throwing his hat in the ring Chenelly adds more intrigue to an already interesting primary contest involving incumbent Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark and Lusby businessman Mike Hart.
Chenelly said Feb. 20, following the BOE’s morning work session that his arm was twisted “by several other arms” to jump into the race. He is the second BOE newcomer to announce his candidacy for county commissioner. Last week Kelly McConkey, who, like Chenelly, was elected to the school board in 2012, filed as a candidate in the Third Election District. McConkey is a Democrat.
Chenelly had not formally filed as this story was being filed but stated it was his intention to sign the paperwork the afternoon of Feb. 20.
A Calvert County businessman who first ran for county commissioner in 1986 has filed to run in the Second Election District. Michael J. Moore, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully 28 years ago but triumphed in 1990. After opting to run for the House of Delegates in 1994 and losing in the Democratic Primary, Moore sought a seat on the board of county commissioners in 1998 but lost and has not run since. Efforts to contact Moore prior to filing this story have not been successful.
William J. “Bill” Phalen has filed to run for the BOE, which has two at-large seats up for grabs in 2014. Phalen was ineligible to run for school board in 2010 since he had served three consecutive terms. “There’s been a break,” said Phalen, who explained he received the opinion of Calvert Election Administrator Gail Hatfield and state election officials that he is not barred from ever running for BOE again.
In 2010 Phalen ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner.
“I think the experience I have on the board will be very helpful to the new superintendent in how to get started and how to be successful,” said Phalen.
Additionally, Phalen said he would work hard to maintain Calvert’s excellent public school system and also push for making the system better.
He added his biggest asset is his “integrity. If you ask a question you’re going to get a straight answer from Bill Phalen.”
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