The Kent County Republican Central Committee is pleased to announce that it will be submitting the name of William A. Short to Governor O’Malley today as the replacement for retiring Kent County Commissioner Alex Rasin. Mr. Rasin submitted his resignation on March 27, 2012, effective June 29th or upon the qualification of his successor.
Mr. Short was born and raised in Kent County, Maryland. He and his wife, Donna, own and operate Creative Treatments, Inc., which carry high quality window treatments and accessories.
Marge Fallaw says
Why would the Kent GOP Committee have a determinative role in who becomes Alex Rasin’s replacement? The fourth-highest vote-getter overall (regardless of party) in the Nov. 2010 general election that selected the current commissioners was not William Short but Walter Coryell. The actual total votes of the voting citizens mean nothing here?
https://www.kentcountyelections.org/forms/Files/2010/General/2010_GE_JW_11_22.pdf
Keith Thompson says
Why should the Kent County GOP make the decision? Because that’s the legal succession procedure in place. Instead of focusing attention on what the Kent Co. GOP should do, perhaps the focus should be on changing the procedure. As far as I’m concerned, the most democratic process is to have a special election for the seat, but that’s not the procedure.
John Vail says
Congratulations to Billy, and job well done to the Republican Central Committee.
Jack Offett says
Marge:
By law the governor must accept and appoint a nomination from the central committee of the party of the vacating commissioner. What will be interesting is whether Mr. Short’s privatization platform will get traction. Next, look for county control over BOE non-classroom spending. In the age of maintenance of effort, that may be the only hope of putting a lid on non-academic BOE spending.
Joseph Mitchell says
I agree totally with Ms. Fallaw’s comments. This is a travesty, but it is certainly consistent with the track record of the Kent County Republican “Committee.” Short’s nomination was preordained, without regard for the electoral process which would have logically made the choice Mr. Coryell. Further, there was no regard for appointing someone who is open to ideas other than his and the committee’s own. The committee has shown its true colors. First, a commissioner who was clearly not up for the job, and now a commissioner to fulfill the narrow-minded agenda of a few radicals. It is a sad day for the County, and an even sadder day for the electoral process.
John Vail says
Just a minute, Joseph and Marge. Billy Short has attended virtually every Commissioners’ meeting since well before the last election and continuing to the present. By his attendance and input at those sessions, he has shown his sincere and continuing interest in the governance of Kent County. Chief Coryell started attending Commissioners’ meetings as the election approached and then abruptly stopped after the election. Not so Billy Short. Demonstrated commitment counts for a lot.
As a Democrat, I don’t have any insight into the actions of the Republican Central Committee, but it’s evident to me that they did the right thing.
Joseph Mitchell says
John: Fair enough, I don’t know enough about that to argue the point with you. But let’s not assume things about why people attend the meetings and why they do not, or why they stop attending. I hope Mr. Short lives up to your high expectations.
Gren Whitman says
Views expressed by William Short often echo those of Tea-Party Republicans, and as such are outside the mainstream of what I consider to be political and economic reasonableness.
Mr. Short has been nominated to replace Commissioner Alex Rasin by the Kent County Republican Central Committee, which did not consider the collective view of the voters of Kent County, who decided not to elect him when he ran in 2010.
I sincerely hope that if the governor appoints him, Mr. Short will decide to moderate his views and positions, in order to maintain the deliberate and common-sense wisdom that Ron Fithian, William Pickrum, and Mr. Rasin have amply exhibited since their election two years ago.
Keith Thompson says
Hmm, Senator E.J. Pipkin has political views that echoes that of Tea Party Republicans. Delegate Mike Smigiel has political views that echoes that of Tea Party Republicans. Congressman Andy Harris has political views that echoes that of Tea Party Republicans. All three of those officials were elected by voters in the districts they represent, including Kent County. Whether or not you agree with political views that echo that of Tea Party Republicans, it’s hard to argue that Billy Short’s views are outside of the political mainstream.
Jack Offett says
Kent County has historically elected at least one (and on rare occasion two) Republicans to the county commissioner board. My hope is that Mr. Short will adopt a more pro-job, less no-growth agenda than his predecessor, Mr. Rasin. Unless something gives soon to create jobs for our few youth, the current economic death spiral will continue until the Kent economy goes down the drain.
Anderson Williams says
To say that Mr. Short was the preordained choice of the RCC is an understatement. I have no problem with Mr. Short as a man but in the political arena I have no time for him. I love to listen to WCTR with the exception of TNT day I cant stand to listen to Mr. Short and his one sided views on the county. I did not vote for him I voted for Mr. Coryell, who was the next highest vote getter in the general election. This is an inside job by the RCC. It is my hope that the governor denies Mr. Short and the Kent County RCC and instead sends Mr. Coryell to 400 High Street.
Keith Thompson says
If the governor denies the choice by the local group charged with making the decision, doesn’t that prove Alex Rasin’s argument that the state is usurping the power of local officials who should be making those decisions? I’m not sure that the governor is even permitted to say no to the decision that the Kent Co GOP is making; but if he does, I think you may just see the strategy of the Kent Co. GOP. Why submit all three names and have the governor make the choice? Submit only one name…the most outspoken and conservative candidate…and either deny the governor the choice or challenge him to turn down the selection. It’s good political gamesmanship, especially given the official reason by Alex Rasin stepped down.
rachel goss says
with all due respect…how much time do we think the gov will spend on the issue? he will sign what is put in front of him. the process is the process. can it be changed by those disagreeing? for the next time this situation arises? maybe…if there is enough interest.
bill’s name has been submitted…if approved, he will have two years to succeed or not…then there will be another election…
is he the ‘best’ choice? time will tell…