Piney Orchard Candidates Make Their Pitch

Five Piney Orchard residents vying for spots on the community association's board of directors faced off in a candidates' forum Tuesday night, touching on issues ranging from fiscal responsibility to the impact of Fort Meade's expansion. 

The candidates included a pair of existing board members and a three newcomers, including a 14-year-old high school freshman who said he hoped to spur more youth involvement in the community. 

The 90-minute session included opening and closing comments, plus a question and answer session from residents. The five candidates are seeking to fill three positions on the board. Elections will be held April 12. 

Jeff Andrade, the board's current treasurer, was seeking another three-year term on the board and touted his record of pushing for lower fees and reducing spending. 

"It's very important to vote," said Andrade, who works as a director at the American University of Antigua. "This is your opportunity to vote for someone who brings good, solid fiscal discipline."

Peg Waters, who is the current acting board president and is active with the Piney Orchard Piranhas swim club, spoke of her involvement in several committees and for boosting the quality of the community's website and newsletter. 

"I would like another three years in the board," said Waters, who has a 16-year-old daugher. "I still feel like I have a lot to offer and a lot to learn." 

Both Waters and Andrade boasted of missing just a single meeting in their previous three years on the board. 

Ron Grossman, a resident of the Courts community, touted his record as a former member of the military. Grossman said the board should emphasize how it can prepare for the new workers coming to the area as a result of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) proceedings. He also said he would prefer to see the community push for additional police officers in Anne Arundel County, rather than pay extra to use off-duty officers for security in Piney Orchard. The money saved, he said, could go toward other community needs, including scholarship money for students.

Another candidate for the board was Josh Korbelak, a freshman at Arundel High School who is involved with the Chesapeake Regional Association of Student Councils. The honor roll student acknowledged his youth compared to other candidates, but said he hoped his involvement would encourage more teenagers to become involved in the community's activities. He and other candidates endorsed the idea of striking agreements with Piney Orchard's contractors to set aside work for teens in the community. 

"I think I bring a new perspective," said Korbelak, who is involved in Arundel's theater productions. "I'll be able to represent that huge part of the population that's under 18 and may not think to come here and have a voice."

Another newcomer was Joy Zalaznick, whose resume includes more than 25 years in marketing, primarily in the property management industry. Zalznick said she believed the community should focus on ways to leverage the BRAC-related growth.

"It's the responsibility of the Piney Orchard board to be very fiscally responsible but also take advantage of all the growth opportunities," she said.

One issue of debate centered around last year's Piney Orchard Street festival. Andrade said the cost of holding it forced the community to delay spending on other needs. But Waters, a chief organizer of the festival, said the board should continue to try and find ways to fund it each year. 

"I think it was one of the best events this community has ever had," Waters said. "It did take a lot of time and effort, but I think it's been well worth it."

This year's street festival is scheduled for May 14. 

Waters was forced to defend her personal financial record in response to a question from Grossman about ethics and fiscal discipline. She acknowledged having declared bankruptcy in 1995, and that a dispute with a friend led her to being named in a foreclosure case in 2005, though the foreclosure was not completed and the home in question was not hers. Waters also recently learned of a lien against her for income taxes in Maryland, which she said stemmed from filling out improper tax forms with her employer. 

"I take my board and committee service seriously, and I devote a lot of time to Piney Orchard activities and I believe in giving back to the community and I have instilled this in my daughter," she told Odenton Patch in an email. "I don’t believe my past personal and business decisions with a friend should negatively impact my desire to serve the Piney Orchard community."   

In response to one resident's question, board members agreed that the community consider forming a legislative committee to stay tuned into matters before the Anne Arundel County Council and the state legislature, as well as issues such as fly ash pollution and a proposed rubble landfill just south of Piney Orchard. 

Candidates and other community members in attendance Tuesday said they hoped to see greater turnout in elections than last year, when about 12 percent of residents cast a ballot. Residents can begin voting by proxy now, or can vote in person on April 12 at 7 p.m. at Piney Orchard Elementary School.