Looking for Candidates for Poolesville Town Commissioner

By Rande Davis

Commissioners Eddie Kuhlman, Jerry Klobukowski, and Link Hoewing have all begun the process to seek reelection. Of course, preparing and doing is not necessarily the same. If no one else files, all three can cancel their heavy television and radio campaign plans and might even get by with one lawn sign apiece. One would wonder why no one else has yet to come forward. Granted dislodging them at this time might prove challenging. After all, despite reports elsewhere of reckless and irresponsible governance, the town financially is in good shape, commissioners are working together better than in recent memory, and all three incumbents can be credited as being hardworking, serious, and effective leaders.

I sense that, generally speaking, residents are quite pleased with the way the town has been managed and equally satisfied with the responsiveness of the commissioners, the town manager, and all the town employees—not perfect with room for improvement, but not a crisis either.

At the moment, things seem quite quiet as compared to past years that had many controversial issues. For all the false diatribe about Whalen Commons and the town hall, it seems facts and maturity have risen to the top after all. Anger has lost out to goodwill. That is a good thing.

Still a fresh look and perspective have many advantages and without new faces to consider, the town loses out both in terms of finding new approaches and not having persons coming forward to challenge those already governing.

The town does face important challenges in the coming year. If the new homes at Winchester and Brightwell Crossing are not built or at a rate less than budgeted, the commissioners will have to take another serious look at projected revenues in the year and years to come. State financial difficulties and the economy in general will most certainly cut into hoped-for revenues. Working with less than expected is all but a certainty.

Additional projects being discussed like a new town community center and a skateboard park may just have to be placed on hold until the economic fog has lifted. The town is awaiting final reports from the Maryland Department of the Environment concerning possible remediation of alpha emitters with well #2. The town holds $600,000 in escrow in the unlikely event it would be needed to comply with MDE requirements. There plan is to return it to the taxpayers. I think that plan is wise and should not be used to fill potential revenue gaps or new projects. We already have enough unrestricted funds to protect against temporary financial woes.

We keep hearing from some effective town leaders in the community, those holding committee positions, and former commissioners that a major problem in attracting new candidates is the constant attack from That Other Paper. Having ideas and plans challenged by facts and sound reasoning is important. Being able to “take the heat in the kitchen” is always a part of leadership. If that was all there was to it, then it wouldn’t be a problem. However, when criticism is more like throwing bricks and bullying and never comes with positive suggestions or constructive ideas, then it is detrimental. Most importantly, when simple facts and reporting are distorted and often downright false, then the community and elected officials are disserved. Accountability applies to all, not just elected officials. Residents of good will understand that.