Piney Orchard Teen To Remain In Race

A teenager running for a board position in Piney Orchard will remain on the ballot, his mother confirmed, after a review of community rules and state laws found his candidacy was valid despite his age.

Board members said that Josh Korbelak, 14, remains eligible to run for three open board positions. Korbelak's mother, Stacy, said her son will remain in the race. The election will be held April 12.  

Korbelak, a freshman at Arundel High School, said he wanted serve on the board because of his experience in politics and his interest in representing the youth of Piney Orchard. He appeared at a community forum with other candidates on March 22, and received compliments from residents and others in the race. 

Board members and the community's property management company, Property Management Company performed a preliminary review of Korbelak's eligibility prior to confirming his candidacy and found no reason to prevent him from running, board member Lou Carloni said

After the forum, some residents questioned further whether he should be permitted to run, said  Carloni, who moderated the forum. The inquiry prompted officials to examine the issue more closely, but nothing was ultimately uncovered, Carloni said.

Korbelak and his parents met this week with Carloni and Ed Thomas, the CEO of Property Management People, to outline their legal review and to ensure that Korbelak understood the responsibilities of serving on the board. 

"It was a really good meeting," Carloni said. "I have the greatest respect for Josh. I've known him for ten years, our kids have grown up together ... it's a big commitment on his part to even run for the office."

Thomas did not return calls requesting comment. 

Carloni confirmed that Piney Orchard resident Dawn Miller will also run for a board position. Miller has been on the ballot from the beginning, but did not appear at the candidates' forum last month.