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League of Women Voters 2008 General Election
Voters’ Guide For Calvert County |
President and Vice President of the United States
Representative in Congress – The Office
Representative in Congress – District 5
Judge of the Court of Special Appeals At Large
Board of Education – Calvert County
State Constitutional Amendments
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Miscellaneous Voting Information ·
POLLS are OPEN 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. ·
EMERGENCY ABSENTEE BALLOTS may be obtained at your local Board of
Elections office in the 7 days prior to and on election day. You may fill out the application form,
obtain the absentee ballot and VOTE in one visit. ·
POLLING PLACES are usually less crowded between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m. Try voting on your lunch hour. (Located at the end of this
document if this is from the printable file) |
Help
support the League’s work!. See Matching
grant form on last page.
PRESIDENT AND
VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
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About the
Office SALARY: $400,000 per year TERM: Four years.
Limit of two terms. HOW
ELECTED: Every four
years political parties nominate candidates to run for President of the
United States in a general election that is held on the first Tuesday in
November of years divisible by the number four. Although the parties use conventions to
nominate their candidates, in most states the Democratic and Republican
parties also run state-wide primary elections. The results of the primary influence how
the delegates to their respective party’s convention will cast ballots for
candidates for President. The degree
to which the result of the primary election influences the votes of delegates
at conventions varies from state to state. DUTIES: The President is the head of state of the
United States of America and is the Chief Executive Officer and the Commander
in Chief of all military forces. The
powers of the President are described in the Constitution and federal
law. The President appoints the
members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations,
Supreme Court Justices and federal judges subject to Senate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and
its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the
United States. The President may also
recommend legislation to the United States Congress. |
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Questions asked candidates for President: The
League of Women Voters of the United States posed questions to the candidates
for President in accordance with the following criteria: ·
All qualified presidential
candidates were invited to provide biographical information and responses to
five issue specific questions. Candidates were qualified if they met the
following criteria: 1) the candidate must have made a public announcement of
her/his intention to run for President; 2) the candidate must qualify for the
ballot in enough states to win a majority of electoral votes; and 3) the
candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act's minimum
contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based
on the most recent data publicly available on the FEC Web site as of August
8, 2008. ·
Responses were limited to 50
words and truncated after the 50th word. ·
Additional information on
presidential candidates is available on the League's voter information Web
site, www.VOTE411.org. In Maryland Write-in candidates are
allowed to file, after spending $50.00 in pursuit of the office, until seven
days prior to the election. If they
file as write-ins, their names will be posted in each polling place on Election
Day and votes for them will be counted.
Their names will NOT be on any ballots. BIOGRAPHY: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: What, if anything, do you believe the federal
government should do to control global climate change? COST
OF HEALTH CARE: What should be done at the federal
level, if anything, to combat the high cost of health care? ECONOMIC DISPARITY: What,
if anything, should the federal government do about the growing economic
disparity between the middleclass and the well-to-do? EDUCATION:
What, if anything, should the federal
government do to create the world's best educational system for all children
in America? U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: What
should the U.S. strategy be towards rising global powers like Russia and
China? The responses to these questions
are copyrighted by the League of Women Voters of the United States. |
Vote for One:
Barack Obama (Illinois) -- Joe Biden (Delaware)
Party: Democratic
Website: www.barackobama.com
BIOGRAPHY: Obama began his career as a
community organizer on Chicago’s South Side and headed a voter registration
drive. Obama practiced civil rights law and taught constitutional law. He
served eight years in the State Senate before his election to the U.S. Senate.
He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Law.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I believe the
federal government should pursue multiple paths to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and address the threat of global climate change, including
implementing aggressive cap and trade requirements to reduce U.S. emissions by
80% from 1990 levels and investing heavily in clean energy and advanced vehicle
technologies.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: My
healthcare plan will make aggressive investments in cost-cutting technologies
and will place more focus on prevention and chronic care management. The net
result will be to bring down the costs of healthcare spending by $2,500 for a
typical family, annually, and lower the expense of Medicare’s services.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: I will cut
taxes for the middle class and roll back some of the Bush tax cuts for those
making over $250,000 to restore fairness to the tax code. I will make long term
public investments in R&D, clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing
to create millions of good-paying jobs.
EDUCATION: I will
strengthen public schools by expanding early childhood education, reforming and
funding No Child Left Behind, recruiting and rewarding high-quality teachers,
and expanding afterschool and summer learning opportunities. I will create a
$4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit and expand financial aid to make higher
education affordable for all.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: We must
enhance our abilities both to collaborate and compete with China, while being vigilant
about China’s military modernization and respect for human rights. As we seek a
future of clear-eyed engagement with Russia, we must ensure Russia acts as a
force for progress, not regression to past conflicts.
John McCain
(Arizona) -- Sarah Palin (Alaska)
Party: Republican
Website: www.johnmccain.com
BIOGRAPHY: John McCain graduated from
the Naval Academy and served for 22 years as a naval aviator. He was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1982 and the Senate in 1986. He has
served as chairman of the Commerce Committee and ranking member of the Armed
Services Committee.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: I support
developing a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60% by
2050, providing tax credits for alternative energy, promoting zero-carbon
nuclear power, reducing the federal government’s carbon footprint, funding
research into clean-coal technology, and offering incentives for America’s
automobile industry to develop electric cars.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Under
my plan, American families will receive $5,000 tax credits to purchase
insurance, either through employers or the private market––insurance that can
follow them if they change jobs or leave the workforce. I will work for reforms to lower costs and
provide coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: We must spur
growth, create jobs, improve educational attainment, and enhance financial
security. My plan will keep income and
payroll taxes low, reduce the price of gas, double the dependent exemption,
bring down health-care costs, give deserving homeowners new fixed mortgages,
slash our high business taxes, and expand trade.
EDUCATION: Our education
system must focus on standards, accountability, and choice. My plan calls for recruiting highly qualified
teachers in the neediest communities, empowering parents to choose the best
schools for their children, expanding online educational opportunities,
providing low-income families with access to tutors, and funding professional
development for teachers.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: As President,
I will work to establish good relations with other nations. At the same time, I will stand up for
democratic values and human rights, and I will oppose aggression and
Cynthia
McKinney (California) -- Rosa Clemente (North Carolina)
Party: Green
Website: www.mckinney2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Bob Barr (Georgia) -- Wayne A. Root
(Nevada)
Party: Libertarian
Website: www.bobbarr2008.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
Ralph Nader
(Connecticut) -- Matt Gonzalez (California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.votenader.org
BIOGRAPHY: Attorney, author, and
consumer advocate, named by Time Magazine one of the "100 Most Influential
Americans in the 20th Century."
Over 4 decades of public service. Helped establish the OSHA, EPA,
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Safe Drinking Water Act, Motor Vehicle
Safety Act, and Freedom of Information Act.
GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: The government
should stop subsidizing fossil fuels: oil, electric and coal mining interests.
Invest in renewable energy that is efficient, sustainable, and environmentally
friendly: wind and solar power. Encourage more efficient automobiles, homes and
businesses. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Create an independent Oceanic Protection
Agency. Adopt a carbon pollution tax.
COST
OF HEALTH CARE: Adopt
a private delivery, free choice of hospital and doctor, single payer public
health insurance system. This would save $350 billion annually by eliminating
exorbitant executive pay, advertising, computerized billing fraud and abuse,
and apply those savings to comprehensively cover everyone without increasing
taxpayer costs. Lower costs through bulk purchasing.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY: Unfair
legislation allows the middle class to suffer while the rich entrench their
status. To correct this we should enact a living $10 wage, adopt a fair
tax, and provide equal pay for women. We
must end corporate subsidies and bailouts. Repeal NAFTA and the anti-union
Taft/Hartley Law.
EDUCATION:
Increase
civic education and decrease standardized testing. Repeal “No Child Left
Behind” Act. Do not tie test performance to school funding. Provide full
funding for pre-school and nutrition
programs. Get product marketing out of the schools. Ensure that the nation's
crumbling schools are repaired within 3 years.
U.S.
STRATEGY – RISING GLOBAL POWERS: The US should
be a humanitarian superpower. Our foreign policy must redefine global security,
peace, arms control, an end to nuclear weapons and expand the many assets of
our country to assist with major initiatives against global infectious
diseases. Stop support of foreign dictators. Human rights come before trade,
profit.
Chuck Baldwin
(Florida) -- Darrell L. Castle (Tennessee)
Party: Constitution
Website: www.baldwin08.com
Did
not meet LWVUS/EF criteria stated above.
WRITE-IN CANDIDATES WHO HAVE FILED IN MARYLAND:
Donald K. Allen
(Ohio)
Party: Unaffiliated
Website: www.donaldkallenforpresident.com
Lawson Mitchell
Bone (Tennessee)
Party: Independent
Theodis (Ted)
Brown, Sr. (Missouri)
Party: Independent
James D.
Criveau (Virginia)
Party: Non_Partisan
RaeDeen R.
Heupel (Montana)
Party: Independent
Website: www.raedeen.com/
Ronald G. Hobbs
(Pennsylvania)
Party: Independent
Keith Russell
Judd (Texas)
Party: Non-Partisan
Frank Moore
(California)
Party: Independent
Website: www.frankmooreforpresident08.com
Lynne A. Starr
(Florida)
Party: Independent
Blaine Taylor
(Maryland)
Party: Democratic
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About the U.S. House of Representatives: SALARY: $169,300 per year. TERM: Two years, no term limit. HOW ELECTED: The
United States is divided into 435 Congressional Districts that are
reapportioned after every decennial census. All seats in the House of
Representatives are up for election in every even-numbered year. DUTIES: Representatives share
responsibility with Senators for enactment of the nation’s laws as provided
for in the U.S. Constitution. |
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Questions asked candidates for
Representative in Congress: BACKGROUND: What are your
qualifications for this office? IMMIGRATION: What changes, if
any, do you support in regard to immigration policy? CLIMATE CHANGE:
Describe Federal legislation you would
support to address global climate changes. ECONOMY:
Identify a major challenge to the U.S. economy and how Congress should address it. EDUCATION: What are your
views on the No Child Left Behind legislation? HEALTH CARE: What plans need to be put into place to meet
the country’s health care needs? NATIONAL SECURITY: Identify a national security issue and how
Congress should address it. |
Vote for no more than one
candidate.
REPRESENTATIVE
IN CONGRESS – DISTRICT 5
Steny H. Hoyer
Party: Democratic
E-mail: info@hoyerforcongress.com
BACKGROUND: Since first being elected to
represent the residents of Maryland’s 5th Congressional District in the United
States Congress, I believe I have proven to be an effective, hardworking leader
who produces results. If reelected, I will continue to represent the values and
best interests of my constituents.
IMMIGRATION: Our approach to immigration
reform should be a comprehensive one. Strong border control and law
enforcement are essential parts of any effective immigration reform
measure. However, such legislation must also ensure that our businesses
have the workers they require, and provide for the responsible and fair
treatment of long-term immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The cornerstone of any
Federal legislation addressing global climate change is a national,
economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I have supported legislation to reduce these
emissions through improved automobile efficiency standards, national standards
for renewable electricity generation, public transit, and tax incentives to
increase energy efficiency.
ECONOMY: Our children and grandchildren will be forced
to pay back trillions of dollars in debt because of the fiscal irresponsibility
of the President and previous Congresses. I am committed to pay-as-you-go
rules, which require that tax cuts and new spending be paid for with savings
elsewhere in the budget.
EDUCATION: Raising academic achievement
and closing the achievement gap remain critical
goals. Unfortunately, President Bush has failed to adequately fund
the law. We must do more to ensure
adequate teacher training and support and identify schools that are having
difficulty making progress and provide them the resources they need.
HEALTH CARE: With more than 45 million Americans
uninsured, universal access to our healthcare system is among the most
important issues confronting our nation. I helped lead legislative efforts to
expand health coverage to 4 million low-income American children, ensure
continued services for Medicare beneficiaries, and lower the cost of
prescription drugs.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Our highest duty is to
protect the American people. We must
eliminate terrorists bent on attacking innocent people, target the broader
network of global terror groups, and tackle fanaticism by promoting reform,
freedom, and economic opportunity. This
is not only a war of arms, but also a war of ideas.
Collins Bailey
Party: Republican
E-mail: collinsbailey@aol.com
BACKGROUND: I have run a successful business for over 30
years. I know how to balance budgets and
cut wasteful spending. I can bring
common sense to Congress and work with anyone that has America's best interest
at heart. I have served fourteen years
on the Charles County Board of Education.
IMMIGRATION: Stop all welfare and government services for
persons here illegally. Immediate
deportation of those who threaten our society, physically secure our borders
and coastlines, enforce visa rules, no amnesty, end "anchor" baby
abuse, pass true immigration reform, no Social Security for illegal
immigrants.
CLIMATE CHANGE: The key to sound environmental policy is respect for
private property rights. The strict
enforcement of property rights corrects environmental wrongs. I would support the Congressional Green
Scissors Coalition, a bipartisan caucus devoted to ending taxpayer subsidies of
projects that harm the environment for the benefit of special interests.
ECONOMY: The cost of gasoline. Loss of industry overseas. Run away federal spending and the huge
federal deficit are crushing our economy, devaluing the dollar and driving up
prices of everything we buy including gasoline.
Congress must balance the budget without raising taxes. And address the energy supply and demand
imbalance.
EDUCATION: Increased parental options and local
educational authorities working with the parents and the teachers are what is
needed to make our schools better. I
would repeal NCLB and eliminate the Department of Education. That money can be more effectively managed at
the local level.
HEALTH CARE: Government bureaucracies cannot make choices
for an individual as well as the individual can make choices for
themselves. We need to increase consumer
driven health care options. Health care
options must address: quality, cost and availability. All decisions and government reform must
successfully cover all three of those components.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Affordable energy, out of control wasteful
government spending and partisan politics.
Our federal leaders seem unwilling or unable to address important issues
facing our nation. Because of inaction,
or wrong action, those issues have gone from: needing to be addressed, to
becoming serious challenges, to now threatening our national security.
Darlene H.
Nicholas
Party: Libertarian
E-mail: darnich@yahoo.com
BACKGROUND: State Rep run, Connecticut, 1998; Secretary of State
run, Connecticut, 2002; Eminent domain activist; NOT part of incumbent good old
boy network; BS, Chemistry; MBA; Congressional District 5 for three years;
Analyst, GDIT; Married, two sons; Life member VFW
IMMIGRATION: Stop spending billions to protect our borders
against decent people who only want a better life for their families. Change the laws to allow sufficient numbers
of peaceful, hard working immigrants to do what few Americans will, strengthen
our economy, enrich American culture, and raise our standard of living.
CLIMATE CHANGE: You can’t regulate climate change. The 2008 International Conference on Climate
Change demonstrated that the most realistic forecast for future warming was a
linear increase of about 0.17OF/decade. A libertarian society would not spend your
money on nonissues. Restitution can be a
deterrent and restorative for the environment.
ECONOMY: Democrats spend your hard-earned money on
entitlements and pork barrel schemes. We
must cease wasteful federal spending so we can pare down the national debt and
significantly increase the amount of our own money we get to keep. We need to do the same on the state level.
EDUCATION: No Child Left Behind” legislation is a fairy
tale designed to scare you into allowing more of your hard-earned dollars to be
misused to create more problems than are solved. Government schools don’t work. Put education decisions back in the hands of
the teachers and parents.
HEALTH CARE: I will work towards establishing Medical
Saving Accounts, deregulating the healthcare industry, and removing barriers to
safe, affordable medicines. The only
healthcare reforms that will make a real
difference are those that draw on the strength of the free market. Doctors will once again make house calls.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Stop our country’s nation building. We are
playing policeman in a civil war. We
have chased non-existent weapons of mass destruction instead of the terrorists
who killed nearly three thousand Americans on 9/11. We are creating more terrorists on a daily
basis because of our intervention in Iraq.
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF SPECIAL
APPEALS AT LARGE
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About the Office: SALARY: $149,552. annual base TERM: 10 years – no term limit HOW
ELECTED: The Governor appoints judges to the Court
of Special Appeals. The State Senate
must confirm these appointments. At
the end of a ten-year term, these judges’ names must appear on the
ballot. Voters vote “yes” for retention,
or “no” to remove from office. Judges
may not be opposed by other candidates in retention elections. Maryland is divided into 7 Appellate
Judicial Circuits. One judge is
appointed from each of these circuits and six members are appointed from the
state at large. There are a total of
13 judges in the Court of Special Appeals.
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Questions asked the Court of Appeals candidates: BACKGROUND: What are your qualifications for this
office? JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: What is area of greatest need in the
Maryland judicial system? LEGAL ACCESS: What can be done to provide individuals
with wider and better access to legal help and the legal system? |
Vote “yes” for continuance in
office or “no” for removal.
Deborah Eyler
BACKGROUND: In 11 years of service as a
judge on the Court of Special Appeals, I have authored more than 1,000 case
opinions. From that experience, I have gained in-depth knowledge of all aspects
of Maryland law and have become skilled at producing case opinions that are
thorough, fair, and timely.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: In the criminal justice
system, additional "drug court" diversion programs because the vast
majority of crimes in Maryland are rooted in the distribution and use of illegal
drugs. In the civil justice system, affordable legal representation, especially
for parents and children in contested custody cases.
LEGAL ACCESS: More outreach by courts and
the judiciary's local pro-bono committees, which exist in each county, to link
up, early in a case, a party who cannot afford representation with a pro bono
lawyer who can handle the matter for free or at a substantially reduced rate.
Robert
A. Zarnoch
BACKGROUND: Before my appointment, I served
30 sessions as the Attorney General's Counsel to the General Assembly. I
reviewed 20,000 bills and authored thousands of advice letters. I argued in the
Supreme Court and participated in 39 cases in the State's highest court,
including one making the Camden Yards stadiums possible.
JUDICIAL SYSTEM NEEDS: A 2008 Harris Poll
discloses that only 16% of the public has a great deal of confidence in the
courts and the justice system. Such numbers will never be reversed until judges
demonstrate by performance that the system is accessible, deals fairly with
all, and reaches just results.
LEGAL ACCESS: Studies note that a citizen
is more likely to go to court than be hospitalized. Greater support for legal
aid and pro bono lawyering is needed. Promotion of pre-paid legal plans and
self-help, expanding small claims courts and streamlining legal procedures
would also help citizens obtain affordable legal assistance.
BOARD OF EDUCATION – CALVERT
COUNTY
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About the Office: SALARY: $5,500 for members; $6,500 for president. TERM: 4 years. TERM LIMIT: 3 consecutive terms. HOW ELECTED: The Board of Education is
comprised of five elected members and one appointed student member. In this 2008 General Election, voters will
elect three Board Members – one for each of the three School Board Districts.
The General Election ballot contains two candidates for each District. Voters may cast their vote for one
candidate in each District regardless of where the candidate or the voter
lives. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in District 1,
District 2 and District 3 will be elected to the Board of Education for that
District. In 2010 two At-Large seats
will be up for election. DUTIES: The Board of Education
hires the superintendent and sets the policies that provide a framework for
the program of studies. The monthly
work sessions focus on comprehensive presentations and discussions about
instructional and curricular matters, short-range and long-range planning and
associated budgetary issues. |
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Questions asked the Board of Education candidates: BIOGRAPHY: What education,
professional experience and interests prepared you for this office? BUDGET: What is your view about the
current funding formula used in Calvert County to fund public school
education? Explain. SAFETY: Explain your views on whether there should
be a Board of Education policy to ban cell phone use and text messaging by
high school students when driving on school property. Should this be a condition for students
obtaining parking permits for the high school parking lots? HSAs: What is your opinion about
implementing the Maryland High School Assessments (HSAs) as the sole
determinant for graduation? STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Studies show that low and
high student performances are linked to expectations set by school
administrators and other school officials. What will you do as a Board of
Education member to raise administrators’ and teachers’ expectations of
students? INTERNET: What will you do to help increase the use
of the internet to achieve a higher quality of education by the students in
Calvert County? CHARTER SCHOOLS: What are your views regarding the Maryland
Public Charter School Program and its implementation in Calvert County as it
relates to non-chartered public schools? CURRICULUM: What will you do to assure
that all students are given the opportunity to be challenged to their fullest
potential? ENVIRONMENT: Society is exploring ‘going green’ to help
reduce pollution of the environment. How will you implement this focus in the
Calvert County Public School’s system? EXERCISE CLASSES: Given an increased
awareness of the need for exercise in our society, explain your position on
the necessity for regular gym classes for all children in the school
system. If elected to the Board of
Education, what would you do to implement that position? |
District 1:
(Vote
for one).
William
“Bill” Chambers
E-mail: info@checkchambers.com
BIOGRAPHY: BA Sociology, BA Criminology University of
Maryland; Member, Calvert County Board of Education Ethics Panel; Member, Board
of Directors Calvert Adult Daycare; Vice President, Arts Council of Calvert County;
Vice Chairman, Calvert County Chamber of Commerce; Member, Board of Directors
Baltimore-Washington Corridor Education Foundation.
BUDGET: The current three- year budget formula had
merit adopted. 2008 and beyond pose
many new challenges and opportunities. I favor an approach that does not
automatically commit the public school budget to three year fiscal cycles.
SAFETY: Yes, cell and text use by students while
operating motor vehicles on school grounds should be prohibited. This should be
a requirement in order to possess a parking permit.
HSAs: This examination should not be used as the
determining factor for students to qualify for graduation.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Lets raise expectations by implementing an environment
that promotes education as the vehicle for success among our students. Insure
that our teachers and support staff have 21st century technologies,
state of the art in service trainings, superior arts and athletic facilities,
clean and safe school facilities.
INTERNET: Increase access to this education tool by
increasing computer inventories in our schools that can be used by students.
Take advantage of public/private partnerships to procure, via grants, the
maximum computer work stations to enhance the education opportunities that
exist on line for our students.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: The Maryland program has
merit. Implementation and approval of Charter Schools in Calvert must be under
strict and verifiable results based standards that insure the highest degree of
educational integrity is provided to our children attending a Charter School.
CURRICULUM: Expect excellence through the hiring and
retention of the best and brightest teachers, offer curriculums to promote
honors programs, technology, arts, state of the art vocational programs and a
learning environment that is supportive and caring.
ENVIRONMENT: New and innovative recycling initiatives,
exploring carbon neutral systems and implementing policies that guarantee all
new construction or renovations to school properties utilize the latest in
green construction standards where possible.
EXERCISE CLASSES: Retain all gym class
sessions for all elementary and middle school students. At the high school
level, scheduled gym for those students not participating in high school
athletic sports. (freshman through senior) Offer “club sports” as a new
alternative for students not active in sanctioned JV or varsity athletics.
Patrick
E. Flaherty
E-mail: patrick@electflaherty.com
BIOGRAPHY: (None submitted).
BUDGET: The current funding formula is adequate.
SAFETY: There should be a total ban
on cell phones during class hours on school property. No cell phone use in
vehicles for those students driving to school, phone left in vehicle during
classes. Focus should be on properly educating students without the distraction
from phones during, or in-between, classes.
HSAs: What's changed in the
hundreds of years of educating children. Not the core knowledge
curriculum. What's changed is how the
curriculum is delivered. Let teachers teach, test weekly, and review needed
areas and test mid and end of year. HSA's should only evaluate teacher's
ability, not be graduation requirement.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Again, the teachers know
best. Let the teacher teach their respective class. Expectations should be
governed by parents, not disconnected school officials. If a student can do
math, read and comprehend, etc, and be prepared for life after school then we have
done our jobs.
INTERNET: Students do not need the internet to learn.
It is far more important that students have learned the core knowledge
necessary (from teachers and books) to get them into a good college or help
them find a good job. Real education increases opportunity, and opportunity
reduces dependence.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: This is a direct result of
parents screaming for change. At present, their voices fall on deaf ears.
Charter schools are a good idea whose time has come. Not all parents can afford
private schools or to home school. Charter schools are a great alternative.
CURRICULUM: Again, let the teachers teach. We must do
away with block curriculum currently given to teachers. Let them teach their
grade appropriate curriculum. Let them test and give them the opportunity to go
over and review the material with the class if needed.
ENVIRONMENT: What ever happened to, "Give a Hoot,
don't Pollute?" The "going green" phenomenon is nothing new.
It's just under a new name. We should all be conscious, and continuously teach
children, about unnecessary and wasteful activities. But not under the guise
the latest "feel good" mantra.
EXERCISE CLASSES: Gone are the days where
children worked the farms and got regular, healthy, exercise. If/when elected,
I will work with the board and administration to implement daily exercise, age
appropriate, programs. Be it kick ball, dodge ball, etc. It doesn't have to
just be gym class. Recess works too.
District 2:
(Vote
for one).
Rane
Franklin
E-mail: rane_franklin@yahoo.com
BIOGRAPHY: I am a former teacher; therefore I
understand the concerns teachers have in the classroom. I have prior
experience working in municipal government writing legislation and policy
statements. I am an exceptional project manager with keen instincts to
quickly effect improvement-with expertise in visualizing, designing and
executing business process reengineering.
BUDGET: The current funding formula seems to provide
adequate operating funds for the school system. My concern is how these
formulas may change as we face a budget shortfall on the State level. The BOE
will have to exercise serious fiscal responsibility to guide the system through
tough economic times.
SAFETY: Young drivers need to keep ALL their
attention on controlling their vehicle. Recent crashes have been a painful
reminder that cell phone use and text messaging can divert attention from the
road with disastrous results. I agree that adhering to this policy should be a
requirement for student parking permits.
HSAs: Holding the graduation of all students
hostage to their scores on a specific day on a specific test is untenable.
There needs to be some flexibility in the requirements so that adequate
knowledge is demonstrated but that testing is not the only measure.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: I expect excellence! The goal is not to be in
the top schools in Maryland but to be number one. I will challenge CCPS, from
the BOE to every student, to do their best and
to be the best.
INTERNET: I would like a PC on every high school
student’s desk! Funding won’t permit
that now, but I would investigate obtaining grants, and corporate and private
donations to make that dream a reality.
All classrooms need to be wired for internet access for teachers as well
as student’s use.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: Most parents enroll their
children in charter schools because of concerns for safety, good teachers,
quality of instruction, academic reputation/high standards, and educational philosophy.
CCPS excels in all these categories.
Charter schools would ultimately be funded by CCPS and establishing them
would divert needed funds away from public schools.
CURRICULUM: I will work with the Board to approve
textbooks that meet and exceed MBE instructional guidelines, continue to
improve our AP, IB and Honors course offerings, and support Special Education
students and staff to develop strategies to diminish educational deficiencies.
ENVIRONMENT: I support the efforts of our
Superintendent to reduce energy consumption throughout the system. Turning off
lights and using energy efficient bulbs and fixtures will affect our budget
bottom line. I will also look for ways to enhance our recycling efforts and
encourage use of renewable energy wherever possible.
EXERCISE CLASSES: Physical education is
important to the mind and to the body. Gym classes and as much outdoor activity
as weather permits, can be a significant part of that education. As a BOE member I will push to revisit
standing policy to be sure they are relevant to our children’s needs.
Tracy
H. McGuire
E-mail: tracyhmcguire@comcast.net
BIOGRAPHY: I earned a BS in Public Administration at
GMU. My leadership roles in PTA have given me a unique opportunity to reflect
on the processes of CCPS. I am confident
my intimate knowledge of CCPS, experience, skills and education make me the
best candidate for District 2.
BUDGET: The use of a funding formula has simplified
and clarified the budgeting and planning process for CCPS which has been very
positive.
SAFETY: I support a very high
threshold for the privilege to obtain parking permits; including good grades,
attendance and comportment on school grounds including safe driving practices. A student who violates any of the criteria
should not be eligible for a parking permit.
HSAs: The Maryland High School
Assessments should not be the sole determinant for graduation.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: In financial markets we are told
“past performance is no guarantee of future results”. I will support policies to encourage
administrators and school officials to view each school day as an opportunity
for every student to “do their best”.
INTERNET: The internet is a tool not a
goal. I support careful review of web
based instruction and sufficient staff training prior to implementation in
classrooms. I do not believe we can
achieve a higher quality of education by internet access alone.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: At this writing, I am neither
for nor against charter schools.
However, parent desire for charter schools indicates they are
dissatisfied with programs available to them in their local school. I believe
CCPS should focus resources and efforts to provide programs to do what charter
schools do well.
CURRICULUM: I support policies to
encourage a whole child approach. Using
isolated test scores to determine and direct student capability limits our
ability to discern and encourage the varied student talents and interests which
are not readily identified by standardized tests.
ENVIRONMENT: I will support an initiative
to perform an energy and waste audit for CCPS.
Many large corporations have found they can reduce their environmental
footprint and reduce costs overtime by modifying their business practices. CCPS should do the same.
EXERCISE CLASSES: I support amending the
current policy to establish a minimum weekly physical education requirement for
all students in all grades.
District 3:
(Vote
for one).
Rose
Crunkleton
E-mail: rosecrunkleton@comcast.net
BIOGRAPHY: Attorney, mother of three CCPS students, past
president Calvert County Council of PTAs, member CCPS Health Advisory Council,
past chair Calvert County Commission for Women, Sunday school teacher, and
school and other community organizations’ volunteer. Undergraduate degree in Finance. I care deeply about our students and
community.
BUDGET: The funding formula has allowed for a more
rational and definite funding process for the Board of Education, making it
easier for both the BOE and the Board of County Commissioners to plan their
budgets accordingly.
SAFETY: I would support a policy to
ban cell phone use and text messaging by high school students when driving on
school property. I would support denying
or revoking a parking permit to students who violate such policy.
HSAs: I oppose implementing the Maryland High
School Assessments (HSAs) as the sole determinant for graduation. We need to consider many measures when awarding
a high school diploma, not just the scores of four tests. Drop out rates have increased in other states
that have initiated HSAs.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: I would support training for administrators and
teachers on learning how to raise their expectations of students. I would support efforts of our administrators
to make high expectations an integral part of our school system culture.
INTERNET: I would support funding for use of the
internet by staff and students to ensure that our students receive a higher
quality of education. Students must be
taught technology skills in order to be successful in college and the
workplace. Internet safety would be of
paramount importance at all times.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: A charter school applicant would need to
convince the Board of Education that a change in curriculum would not suffice
and the benefits of establishing a charter school would outweigh its cost.
CURRICULUM: I would encourage efforts (such as legislation)
that put less reliance on standardized tests so that more time in the school
day is made available for other subjects, such as music, art, and physical
education. Our students deserve a
well-rounded education, not one that only teaches to the test.
ENVIRONMENT: Schools should serve as role models for our
students. When we teach our students
about caring for the environment, yet don’t employ those methods ourselves, we
send mixed messages. We need to embrace
environmentally friendly practices whenever possible in our school system. I would support efforts to do so.
EXERCISE CLASSES: Last year I testified in Annapolis in favor
of a bill requiring minimum times for physical education in our public
elementary schools. The problem is that
there just is not enough time in the school day to squeeze in another mandate,
when standardized testing has taken over everything, even recess.
Matt
Swanson
E-mail: maswanson@liberty.edu
BIOGRAPHY: I can offer something that
no other candidate can, recent experience in and working with the Calvert
County Public School system. My experience and involvement in the schools
around the county have made me very familiar with the school system staff and
students.
BUDGET: Changes to the current funding formula should be
made based off of the rising price of fuel, rising utility prices, salary
increases, and increased school enrollment. The School Board and the County
Commissioners should discuss changes to the formula that will best serve the
students of Calvert County.
SAFETY: I believe that there should be a policy that
bans using phones while driving on school property and it should be a
requirement to obtain/keep parking permits. Students should be allowed to have
them; however, it is dangerous to use them while driving on school property.
HSAs: The HSAs should not be a requirement to
graduate from high school. It is an unnecessary burden on students and
teachers. Students should be evaluated by more than just test scores. The Board
of Education should work with the State Board of Education to change the
requirement.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE: I believe the school staff, administration,
and Board Members should make a commitment to, and take responsibility for, implementing
high standards for all students. The system administration should be required
to constantly examine the schools to ensure that high level, well-defined
learning expectations are being implemented.
INTERNET: The internet offers a wide variety of sources
that can help our students receive a well rounded education. Students should
have the opportunity to use credible internet sites for school assignments. Our
curriculum should include opportunities for students to use the internet as a
source for assignments.
CHARTER SCHOOLS: I believe that establishing a charter school
in Calvert County would benefit students and should not be seen by the school
system as competition, but rather a way to advance our students’ education. Charter
schools provide alternative means within the public school system to provide
innovative learning approaches.
CURRICULUM: The goal of any school system should be to
help its students reach their full potential. Our schools should offer a wide
variety of classes that include interesting and challenging curriculums that
will meet every student’s needs. Curriculum should also improve critical
thinking and problem solving skills.
ENVIRONMENT: We should be good stewards of our
environmental resources and do our best to take care of the environment. Apart
from not wasting energy, the school system should encourage students and staff
to participate in programs that will help our environment.
EXERCISE CLASSES: It is important that Calvert County Public
Schools promote involvement in activities that will help students achieve an
active and healthy lifestyle. Students should be encouraged to participate in
physical fitness programs beyond the requirements set forth by the school
system. Healthier lunch options should also be made available.
STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
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Question 1 - Constitutional Amendment (Chapter 513, Acts of 2007) Early Voting; Polling Places; Absentee Ballots Authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation to
allow qualified voters to vote at polling places inside or outside of their
election districts or wards and to vote up to two weeks before an election.
This amendment also authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation to
allow absentee voting by qualified voters who choose to vote by absentee
ballot, in addition to voters who are absent at the time of the election or
who are unable to vote personally. (Amends Article I, §§1 and 3 of the Maryland Constitution)
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Origin
of this Ballot Question – Legislation that would
allow early voting and “no-excuse” absentee voting was passed by the General
Assembly in 2006, but a court decision found the legislation to be in conflict
with the Maryland Constitution.
Therefore, in the 2007 session, the General Assembly passed SB 1 -
Elective Franchise - Early Voting and Polling Places which amends the Maryland
Constitution to allow the General Assembly to pass legislation that will
establish early voting sites and allow voters to vote by absentee ballot
without having to give a reason. All
Constitutional Amendments must be passed by a majority of voters statewide.
Present
Practice – Article I, Section 1 of the
Maryland Constitution states that a voter “shall be entitled to vote in the
ward or election district in which he resides.”
As currently interpreted, this means that a voter cannot vote at an
early voting location outside the voter’s election district and that a
provisional ballot cast by a voter outside his or her election district cannot
be counted. Article XV, Section 7 of the
Maryland Constitution designates the “Tuesday after the first Monday of
November” as the date of the general election.
This has been interpreted by the Court of Appeals to mean that early
voting is not permissible.
Absentee
ballots are only for use by voters who are absent at the time of an election or
who are unable to vote in person at the assigned voting precinct. The absentee ballot application requires a
voter to affirm this fact.
Proposed
Change – If the amendment passes, the
General Assembly may enact laws to establish early voting sites. Early voting would allow registered voters to
vote, in person, up to two weeks before a state-wide primary or general
election at polling places outside of their normal district or precinct. Early voting sites can accommodate voters
from multiple precincts or even from the entire state. However, passing this amendment only allows
the General Assembly to establish an early voting process. The details of how many early voting sites
will be established and how the locations for them will be determined will come
in future legislation.
Passage
of this amendment will also allow the General Assembly to pass legislation that
enables any qualified voter to vote by absentee ballot if they choose to do
so. The enabling legislation could
remove the requirement to sign a statement telling why the voter wants to vote
by absentee ballot.
Pros: Allows for
in-person voting by voters who, due to work hours, long commutes or other
reasons, are unable to vote during the limited hours on Election Day. Early voting should ease long lines and
lengthy wait times at precincts on Election Day and should ease the workload of
precinct workers. This measure also
increases the likelihood that a voter’s provisional ballot will be counted by
allowing a provisional ballot cast outside the voter’s election district to be
counted for eligible races.
Cons: There will
be increased costs associated with providing polling locations prior to
Election Day. Voters who vote during
early voting may not have access to late campaign information on which to base
their election decisions. By encouraging
more voters to use absentee ballots or early voting sites, some of the
community interaction that takes place at precinct based polling places may
diminish.
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Question 2 - Constitutional Amendment (Chapter 5, Acts of 2007 Special Session) Authorizing Video Lottery Terminals (Slot Machines) to
Fund Education Authorizes the State to issue up to five video lottery
licenses for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education of children
in public schools, prekindergarten through grade 12, public school
construction and improvements, and construction of capital projects at
community colleges and higher education institutions. No more than a total
number of 15,000 video lottery terminals may be authorized in the State, and
only one license may be issued for each specified location in Anne Arundel, Cecil,
Worcester, and Allegany Counties, and Baltimore City. Any additional forms or
expansion of commercial gaming in Maryland is prohibited, unless approved by
a voter referendum. (Enacts new Article XIX of the Maryland Constitution)
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Origin
of this Ballot Question – For several years, efforts
to enact legislation that would authorize Video Lottery Terminals (slot
machines) as a way to raise revenue for state expenditures failed in the legislature. The governor proposed, and legislators
agreed, that the decision of whether to significantly expand gambling in
Maryland should be decided by the voters.
The Maryland Constitution allows only two ways for citizens to vote on
laws. The first is to gather enough
signatures on a petition to place a law that has been passed by the General
Assembly on the ballot for voter approval.
The second is to place a constitutional amendment, approved by
three-fifths of the legislators, before the voters in a General Election. In the 2007 Special Session, the Maryland
General Assembly passed HB 4, which would add a new article to the Maryland
Constitution to authorize video lottery terminal gaming (slot machines) in Maryland. A majority of voters, statewide, must vote in favor of the amendment for it to go into
effect.
Present
Practice – Currently, the annotated code of
Maryland prohibits video lottery terminal (slot machine) gambling except
certain fraternal, religious or war veterans’ organizations in a few counties
may operate no more than five individual slot machines, and the revenue from
them must be used for the charitable purposes of those organizations. Public education is currently funded through
Maryland’s General Fund. State funding
for primary and secondary education is about $5.35 billon for this fiscal
year. The three main sources of revenue
for the General Fund are income tax, retail sales tax and the State
Lottery. School construction may be
funded by the General Fund but is primarily funded by borrowing through the
issuance of State bonds.
Proposed
Change – If the amendment passes, Maryland
may operate up to 15,000 video lottery terminals in five locations: Baltimore
City and Anne Arundel, Allegany, Cecil and Worcester Counties. No more than one gambling facility would be
allowed in each of the authorized jurisdictions. Another bill related to gambling, SB 3, was
also passed during the 2007 Special Session.
It will go into effect contingent on the passage of this constitutional
amendment. As defined by SB 3, 33% of
proceeds from video terminal gambling would go to the licensed operators, 9.5%
to the horse racing industry; and approximately 48.5% to education. The remainder would be used for lottery
expenses, local impact grants and administrative costs. Included in the latter is money to fight
gambling addiction. The amendment also
states that no additional video lottery terminals shall be authorized without
another approval by voters.
Pros: In 2007,
the Department of Legislative Services estimated 2010 state revenues will
increase by approximately $86 million from video gaming receipst and by as much
as $565 million by 2013. This additional
revenue could reduce tax increases that would otherwise be necessary to fund
projected education expenses. Maryland
residents who gamble in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware may choose to
spend their gambling dollars here instead of taking them out of state. New jobs will be created in construction and
the gambling industry. Jobs in the horse
racing industry may be saved. Unlike
taxation, gambling is a recreational choice and not a mandate.
Cons: In order
to generate enough revenue to reach the projected increases to state funding,
gamblers in Maryland would have to lose over $1 billion per year. To generate this level of revenue, the state
will have to urge its citizens to frequent slots parlors. Gambling, like other addictions, frequently
leads to social (and government) costs associated with lost productivity,
increased crime, broken families and even suicide. Disposable income that currently generates
sales tax revenue could be spent on gambling resulting in a loss to the General
Fund. The referendum would put a
specific revenue source, gambling, in the state Constitution. A constitution should be clear, concise and
confined to fundamentals of the structure of government.
To Accompany the On-Line
2008 GENERAL
ELECTION VOTERS’ GUIDES
General
Election: Tuesday,
November 4, 2008
Polls
open - 7 am
to 8 pm
Voter
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Find Your
Local Board of Elections – From the Maryland State Board of Elections Website.
Legislative and
Congressional District Maps – From the Maryland Department of Planning Website.
Absentee Ballot Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Emergency Absentee Ballot Procedure:
Provisional Ballot Procedure:
The Electoral College: An explanation.
THE VOTERS’
GUIDE and THE LEAGUE of WOMEN VOTERS
The
League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that works to promote
political responsibility through informed and active participation in public
policy debate and governmental decision-making. The League has a long tradition of
publishing the verbatim responses of candidates to questions important to
voters. The League offers this Voters’
Guide to assist citizens in their decision-making process as they prepare for
the general election. The League
does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. The
candidates’ answers in the Guide appear as submitted. If answers exceeded the word limit, an
ellipsis indicates words were cut from the end of the statement. No write-in candidates will appear on the
ballot but the list of filed write-ins will be available at each polling
place. In
most areas of Maryland, the Local Leagues have been able to have Voters’
Guides printed for distribution. For
those voters who need On-Line access, this version has been prepared. The League thanks all candidates who submitted
answers to its questionnaires. |
VOTER
REGISTRATION STATUS and POLLING LOCATION
Check with
your Local Board of Elections to verify your registration status and polling
location. The registration deadline is
Tuesday, October 14.
COME PREPARED TO VOTE
1.
Read your sample ballot from Board of Elections mailed the last week of
October.
2.
Note your polling place location on the front; polling locations change!
3.
Use this Voters’ Guide to become informed on candidates and
issues.
4. Mark
your candidate selections and ballot question decisions ahead of time.
5.
Bring your completed sample ballot with you on November 4 to vote confidently
and reduce waiting times. Shorter lines
are expected from 10 am to 2 pm.
DON’T PANIC IF THERE’S A PROBLEM
1. Check the signs for directions
and/or ask the poll workers for assistance.
2. Depending on your jurisdiction,
language assistance may be available.
3.
If your name is not on the precinct register, you may be directed to another
polling place or given the option of a Provisional
Ballot. Provisional ballots are verified following the election for
voter registration accuracy. Votes of
verified registrants are included in the final election tally.
POLLING PLACE RESTRICTIONS
No
cell phone, pagers, cameras or computers may be used by voters in the polling
place.
Up
to two children, 13 or under, may accompany a voter into the voting booth.
LONG
WORK HOURS? KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
On
Election Day, polls are open from 7 am to 8 pm. State Law requires
Maryland-based employers to release you with pay for up to two hours only
if you do not have two continuous hours off during the time the polls
are open.
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1.
Apply in writing
for an absentee ballot if you “will be absent or unable to vote in person in
the election.” Applications are available from your local Board of
Elections upon request in writing, by telephone, or in person. 2.
Return completed
application form by 4:30 pm October 28 to the Board of Elections by mail or
in person. 3.
Absentee ballots
are usually mailed approximately three weeks before an election. 4.
Return completed
absentee ballots by mail, postmarked no later than Election Day, Nov. 4 or in
person at the Board of Elections by 8 pm on Election Day. If
the need arises from October 29 through Election Day, request an Emergency
Absentee Ballot. Apply in person at the Board of Elections: 1.
Complete Late
Application for Absentee Ballot, 2.
Receive an
absentee ballot and 3.
Vote on the spot
or return to the Board yourself by 8 pm on Election Day. If unable to complete this
process in person (e.g. hospitalization) 1.
You or someone
acting for you must obtain a Late Application for Absentee Ballot. 2.
Complete the
Designation of Agent section on the Late Application. 3.
Your agent then
obtains an absentee ballot from the Board of Elections on your behalf, brings
it to you to vote, and returns it prior to 8 pm on Election Day. |
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The
selection of the President and Vice President of the United States is more
complicated than simply counting up the number of votes that each candidate
receives on Election Day. When the
United States Constitution was written, the country’s founders created an
institution call the “Electoral College”.
Part of the goal of establishing such an institution was to give power
to the less populous states and to insure that candidates for President and
Vice President had sufficient distribution of support from all areas of the
nation to govern. Each
state is allocated one elector for every representative that they have in
Congress. In Maryland, we have two Senators and eight members of the
House of Representatives so we have 10 electors in the Electoral College. The smallest states have two senators and
one member in the House so they have only 3 electors. Even though the District of Columbia has no
members in Congress they were given the right to have electors following the
ratification of the 23rd Amendment in 1961. California, the most populous state, has 55
electors. No member of Congress may be an elector. In
the beginning, the Electoral College had considerable power in making an
independent choice among the candidates for President and Vice President. At one time, their names appeared on the
ballot during a Presidential election.
Now, only the names of the candidates appear. However, voters are actually casting
ballots for electors who are pledged to the ticket they just voted for. The candidate with the highest number of
votes in each state will be represented by electors who will all cast their
vote for the winning candidate. The exceptions to this “winner take
all” practice are the states of Maine and Nebraska. In those states, the winner of the
statewide vote gets 2 electoral votes (equal to the number of senators from
the state) and the candidate with the highest popular vote in each
Congressional District receives the one electoral vote that is allocated for
that district. On
the Monday after the second Wednesday in December, all of the electors chosen
as a result of the General Election in November meet in their respective
state capitals to cast two ballots – one for President and one for Vice
President. The Electoral College
includes 538 electors (one for every member in Congress plus 3 from the
District of Columbia). In order to be
elected, the candidates must receive 270 electoral votes. If no candidate for President receives that
many votes, the House of Representatives picks the winner from the top three
vote getters. Each state receives only
one vote, regardless of its size. The
Senate chooses the Vice President if no candidate receives 270 votes. Senators cast their votes as individuals,
not as states. |
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