Jeremy Hauck
(8/30) Seven Thurmont residents are vying for two open seats on the town’s Board of Commissioners.
The town of about 6,000 residents — the third largest in Frederick County — is facing pressure from developers to annex land, and from the Maryland Department of the Environment to repair its
derelict sewer system.
Only one incumbent, Glenn D. Muth, is running for re-election. Commissioner William H. Blakeslee, whose seat is also up for re-election, is taking a position as the town’s chief administrative
officer, and is not running for a second term.
Mayor Martin A. Burns appointed resident Don Tyler to chair the nominating convention, which was held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the town’s meeting room. Less than 15 minutes after beginning, Tyler
closed the session, and had seven residents from the audience ready to be listed on the ballot.
‘‘You have stood up and put a target on yourselves," Burns said after the nominations had been tallied.
Burns called the nominees a ‘‘robust group of differing individuals who have put themselves out there. I think it bodes well for the town."
The candidates, who will meet again before the Oct. 1 election in a debate sponsored by the Thurmont Lions Club, yet to be scheduled, are:
John W. Ashbury, 68, a former columnist for The Gazette and the publisher/editor of a community forum and news Web site, thetentacle.com, is running for office for the first time.
The Virginia native moved to Thurmont several years ago from Walkersville, but has lived in Frederick County since the 1950s. ‘‘It’s a wonderful place to live," Ashbury said. ‘‘I hope you give me
some support in this election."
Rosalie ‘‘Rosie" D. Bentz, 69, leads water aerobics classes at Mount St. Mary’s University for seniors, and heads the Edwin C. Creeger Jr. American Legion Post 168 Ladies Auxiliary.
The Taneytown native is running for office for the first time. ‘‘A lot of people in town know me," Bentz told the audience. ‘‘Maybe we need a senior citizen up here."
Randall ‘‘Randy" D. Cubbedge, 51, who works as a motorcycle police officer for the U.S. Park Police in Washington, D.C., serves as vice chairman of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Cubbedge was raised in Winter Park, Fla.
Robert ‘‘Bob" E. Lookingbill, 55, is a service manager for Microbiology International. The Taneytown native serves on the town’s police commission and Board of Appeals.
‘‘I really appreciate my family standing behind me," Lookingbill said. ‘‘I’m going to give it a run. I hope we have a nice month ahead of us."
Brian J. Lynch, 56, is an LKQ Potomac German car salesman. He was born in the Bronx, and raised in Danvers, Mass. He serves on the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission.
Glenn D. Muth, 52, an electrical engineer, is running for a second four-year term. The Prince George’s County native served on the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission for more than a decade
before becoming a town commissioner.
‘‘I’m honored and humbled that at least two people in town support me," Muth said, referring to the two votes that nominated him. He added that he’s looking forward to getting the chance to ‘‘earn
your trust for another four years."
Keith P. Naff, 33, is a deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and hails from Columbia, Howard County. He is running for office for the first time.
‘‘I love the town of Thurmont very much," Naff said. It’s ‘‘nice meeting you."
To be eligible for commissioner, a candidate must be a registered voter in Thurmont, and must have lived in the town for at least one year.
Thurmont commissioners serve four-year terms, meet every Tuesday, and are paid $5,500 per year.
The newly elected commissioners will participate in the Nov. 6 town meeting.
Thurmont residents can register to vote for the election at town hall, 10 Frederick Road, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. weekdays.
