Candidates Come Out Swinging in First Forum

The campaign season officially opened Thursday as the two candidates for Havre de Grace mayor and five City Council contenders met at a forum Thursday hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

And it didn’t take long for the dialogue to heat up.

The candidates met to discuss their views with the local business community over lunch at the Bayou Restaurant.

While most of the conversation centered around the candidates’ backgrounds, beliefs and reasons for running, most in attendance left scratching their heads about one candidate’s response to a question about the controversial water and sewer fund.

City Councilman Mitch Shank, who is the lone challenger to Mayor Wayne Dougherty’s run for a third term—pulled out a confidential city document that he claimed was a “confidential budget” for the city a year ago that Dougherty never shared with the public.

“This is what you, the public, did not see. It’s marked confidential. The pages in this book are marked confidential,” said Shank, when responding to an answer Dougherty had given to businessman Cecil Hill’s question about the water and sewer fund. “This is my concern. How much more of there is there than this?”

Sources with knowledge of last year’s budget process said the confidential budget book was provided in separately because it included personnel information about city employees.

There is no confidential budget book this year, according to council members.

Dougherty addressed Hill’s question by discussing a proposed stimulus program for new construction—which would delay the schedule of fees for some $27,200 to obtain permits.

Shank also took issue with the stimulus program, suggesting the mayor released the information publicly before notifying the council and passing it through the proper committees. Shank said there was “outrage” on the water and sewer commission about the announcement.

Shank’s comments—both on the budget book and the stimulus program—stemmed from his issues with transparency.

The discussion surrounding the race for City Council was more tame, and focused on two long-standing names in the city’s political history, as well as three female newcomers to the race.

One notable absence was that of challenger Jim Lauer, who remains somewhat of an enigma to the candidates and the business community.

Candidates were chosen at random to introduce themselves and present their campaign initiatives.

City Council challenger Barbara Wagner stressed the idea of working together to find answers and solve problems. She said she is running for office to build on her civic involvement through Main Street and through the planning commission, zoning committee and the newly-formed “green team.”

City Council challenger Lori Maslin feels she offers a unique perspective as someone who chose to live in Havre de Grace, and remains in the community despite operating a law practice in Philadelphia. Maslin owns two businesses in Havre de Grace, runs the annual Seafood Festival, and formerly operated Ice Dreams on Washington Street.

Incumbent City Councilman John Correri addressed his veteran status on the council and said fulfilling the remainder of late Councilwoman Brenda Guldenzopf’s term has “re-lit the fires to work for Havre de Grace.”

Incumbent City Councilman Randy Craig is seeking a third term, and pointed out four areas of concern for his campaign and the future of Havre de Grace: promote economic growth, public safety improvements, improve infrastructure, and work cooperatively as a council.

City Council challenger Diane Lawder said she thinks her role as a forensic scientist would serve her well on council. Her major focal points are protecting city employees and maintaining and improving public safety.

There was only one other question coming from the audience. Each candidate voiced their support for providing $15,000 to the Boys and Girls Club in Havre de Grace, after questioned on the topic by local businessman Rory White, who is involved with the club. The proposed budget allocates $15,000 for the group.

Thursday’s candidate’s forum is the first of four before the May 3 election.

The Residences at Bulle Rock will host a candidate’s forum open to residents and guests of residents on April 27.

OPAC—which stands for Ontario-Otsego Positive Action Committee—will hold a candidate forum April 28 at City Hall. Council candidates will be featured at 6:30 p.m., and mayoral candidates at 7:30 p.m.

Patch will hold a debate for the mayor’s race on April 29. More details will be provided in the future.

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Editor’s Note: Havre de Grace Patch is a member of the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce.