On Monday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. candidates for the town council of Rock Hall will participate in a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kent County and the Greater Rock Hall Business Association. The candidates participating include Brian Jones, David Jones, David Mayne,
James Cook, Tim Edwards, and Walter Elburn. The forum will be held via Zoom, and attendance is open to all. A link to the meeting can be located on the Facebook and the website of the Town of Rock Hall.
Lynn Dolinger will be the moderator for the evening. Candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and answer questions they have received in advance from the League of Women Voters. Audience members may submit questions via chat to be answered by the candidates, and each candidate will also present closing remarks.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization dedicated to promoting informed and active citizen participation in government; it does not support or oppose any candidates for office or political parties. Forums may not be recorded or filmed, unless with written agreement from the League of Women Voters.
Gren Whitman says
These are 10 questions that each of the six candidates should consider and respond to.
1. How will you ensure that the current multi-year projects to repair and replace Town infrastructure (water and wastewater plants, pumping stations, Municipal Building roof, etc.) will continue to completion?
2. What specific financial or technical expertise will you bring to the Council to provide oversight of these projects?
3. To ensure that Rock Hall can pay for basic Town services, will you vote for a higher property tax rate and/or utility rate if necessary? (If not, explain.)
4. Because trams or trolleys are primarily used by visitors, not residents, will you agree to make them financially self-sufficient and not rely on municipal taxes? (If not, explain.)
5. Do you agree that the Town zoning code should be enforced to upgrade or remove substandard properties? (if not, explain.)
6. Do you agree that the Town needs a police chief and three officers? (If not, explain.)
7. When should Rock Hall consider annexation, and why?
8. Do you have experience in creating an annual budget for a small town or its equivalent?
9. Are Town Council meetings too long? If so, what would you do to shorten them?
10. Given the still-present Covid-19 pandemic, how can the Town government ensure that large special events do not endanger residents and visitors?
In addition, Rock Hall’s ex-mayor, Brian Jones–who was voted out of office four years ago–needs to persuade Town voters that he won’t engage again in activities that are financially and legally questionable.