Updated Sept. 24 — Incumbent Councilman James Gatto has registered to represent the 1st Ward for a second term. He will be challenged by Liz Gross, whose career spans nearly 35 years in nonprofit management.
Bill Arrowood, president of the Chestertown Recreation Commission, registered last Monday to challenge Armond F. Fletcher, Thomas M. Hayman, Holly Geddes, Sarah Johnson Brown, and Chris Cerino, for the mayor’s seat.
Previous story from Sept. 11
Armond Fletcher, a longtime Chestertown resident and local activist, announced he will run for the mayor’s seat currently held by Margo Bailey, who announced in March that she will not seek another term.
Fletcher will present to the Community Breakfast Club (formerly the Conservative Breakfast Club) on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. CBG holds all of their meetings at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown, 150 Scheeler Road.
Fletcher lost a bid in 2011 for the Ward 2 seat, which is currently held by Councilwoman Linda Kuiper.
Kuiper announced in April that she would run for the mayor’s seat but has yet to register at the town office. Candidates must register by Oct. 4 to be placed on the ballot.
Planning Commissioner Chris Cerino registered for the mayor’s seat on Wednesday.
There are now five candidates registered for mayor:
Armond F. Fletcher
Thomas M. Hayman
Holly Geddes
Sarah Johnson Brown
Chris Cerino
There are currently no candidates registered for the seats held by James Gatto, Ward 1, and Mabel Mumford-Pautz, Ward 3.
Alex Smolens, 31, of Flatland Road, told the Spy on Wednesday that he will soon register to run for Ward 3. Mumford-Pautz has held the seat for 32 years.
Ellsworth Tolliver says
Editor,
I believe with the number of candidates running for mayor we should have a run-off election. As it stands there will be no clear mandate as to who has the support to run the town and serve as mayor. I also encourage the candidates to get outside of their base constituency and meet many of us who have no idea who your are.