(9/4) More then in any prior year, the upcoming Town Council election will shape the future of Walkersville for years to come. The election on September 9th will see all five Commissioner seats open for the last time, thanks to a resolution passed earlier this year to stagger the length of terms to limit the turnover within the Town Council.
Too initiate the staggering of terms, for this election only, the candidates with the highest vote count will serve for four years and the three top candidates with lower votes will serve two-year terms that will expire in 2026.
By staggering terms, current Council members hoped to alleviate the stress that a full turnover of the Council and the Burgess could have on town staff. It would also give the incoming Council members the chance to learn from established members.
Going forward, terms for both Burgess and Council Members will increase from the current three years to four years, which means the town will have elections every other years going forward.
Current Commissioners not seeking a seat include Gary Baker and Mike McNiesh. Incumbents seeking re-election include Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis, Tom Gilbert and Betsey Whitmore-Brannen. New to the race are Chris Regen, Bob Yoder and current Planning Commission member Russ Wench. Burgess Chad Weddle is also seeking another term, and is running unopposed.
Coming on the heals of the contentious ‘growth’ or ‘no-growth’ debates, this spring, this election provides the residents of Walkersville to place on the Council representatives that reflect their position on the matter.
Currnent three-term Council member Gary Baker chose not to run for a seat this year, stating his desire to see others take the opportunity to serve their Town as his driving reason. "I have been a proponent for term limits, and this is my self-imposed limit." His 95% attendance rate at meetings proved his dedication to the Town, however his desire to spend time with his family also encouraged his decision not to seek re-election. Baker is also liaison to the Planning Commission.
Council Member Mike McNiesh also chose to end his controversial time as a Commissioner to focus on his family, although he is said he is not ruling out a potential run in the future. After being removed from the Town Council in late 2022 due to failure to attend three Council meetings in a row, he was able to reclaim his seat in early 2023 due to a hotly contented special election.
For new candidate Chris Ragen, his goals are, "to combat residential growth, focus on blighted properties in town, and to push for further transparency and public input in town matters." His desire to represent the residents of Walkersville and oppose additional residential growth spurred his interest in joining the Town Council. "We do not need to chase the growth trend and ruin the town we all love," he said.
Regan’s other concerns regard the renovation (if possible) of multiple run-down buildings in Town and improving activities for both the youth and aged communities of Walkersville. Overall, Ragen wishes to be a voice for the residents and to hold the government to a higher standard of transparency, "I will be open to the people of Walkersville to hear their complaints, concerns, and if needed to hear their grievances."
Candidate Bob Yoder has been a resident of Walkersville for 35 years and his decision to run for Town Council was fueled by belief that with his extensive business background and problem-solving abilities he could, "add value, with a commonsense approach" to the Board. He shared some of the concerns he learned from residents which included traffic safety, holding a ‘no growth’ viewpoint, abandoned facilities, and water cost concerns. "I’d like to use my experience with budget management to help improve how the town puts together its yearly budget. The budget needs to be more consistent and informative, so the residents of Walkersville will have a better understanding of how their taxpayers’ dollars are being used," he said.
Current Planning Commission member Russ Wench is throwing his hat in the ring once again for a Council spot. He has served Walkersville on the Board of Appeals for three years, Planning Commission for 20 years and as a past Council member for 10 years. As a member of the Planning Commission he has been vocally against allowing growth in Town, "Those that are familiar with my record know that I have repeatedly voted "no" to more development," he said. "Looking ahead, my focus on no-growth remains, ensuring that Walkersville continues to be a place we are all proud to call home." He shared a passion to ensure that Walkersville remains a er
Current Council member Ennis is the currant liaison to the Parks Commission and a resident for 38 years. In commenting on why she is running for Town Council again, she said, "I believe I still have good communication with citizens and a strong desire to serve our community." With multiple completed projects under her belt including an accessible playground for children of multiple abilities, more multimodal paths, a foot soccer field, and replanted trees, she intends on continuing the memorial tree and bench program as well as updating the tot play area at Community Park. "Working toward a more sustainable town is important to me." she said. One of her goals would be to see Walkersville have electric vehicle charging stations and move forward to becoming a Sustainable Community.
Betsey Whitmore Brannen, who is running for reelection as Walkersville Town Commissioner, has outlined her goals for the upcoming term. If reelected, Brannen intends to prioritize maintaining the current growth rate of the town, emphasizing her commitment to "no growth" policies. She also plans to continue being a diligent steward of the town's resources, ensuring that Walkersville remains financially responsible. Additionally, Brannen aims to support ongoing and future infrastructure projects that will enhance the town's sustainability and quality of life.
Brannen, who won a special election in April 2023 to fill a vacant commissioner seat, brings a deep connection to Walkersville, having grown up in the town and returned after her husband's military service. Her experience and commitment to the community are key factors in her campaign.
To learn more about the positions of each of these candidates, read their position papers of pages 4 & 5.
Polls will be open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Monday, September 9.
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