Ten Questions…MGA Debate (part 3)

Just as I finished off the U.S. Senate seat “debate” below, here is the final portion of the responses from folks vying for General Assembly seats. Once again, I’ll go through the roster of people who I thank for taking time to answer this experiment in reporting and informing potential voters, the Ten Questions.

By the way, despite the court ruling overturning the law, I’ve decided to leave Question #9 in the debate, which dealt with early voting. I doubt the Democrats are through trying to tinker with the voting rules, although they may not feel the urgency as much since Maryland is likely a pretty safe blue state in 2008. (At least they like to think so, wait until monoblogue gets a wider audience!) But it’s good to know the candidate’s stance on the issue, is it not?

Senate District 37:

Rich Colburn, Republican – website and original responses.

House of Delegates District 37A: no responses.

House of Delegates District 37B:

Jim Adkins, Democrat – website and original responses.
Addie Eckardt, Republican – website and original responses.

Senate District 38: no responses.

House of Delegates District 38A:

Patrick Armstrong, Democrat – website and original responses.

House of Delegates District 38B:

Sonny Bloxom, Republican – website and original responses.
Michael James, Republican – website and original responses.
Jack Lord, Republican – website and original responses.

Part one, dealing with Questions 1 through 3, is here and part 2, with Questions 4 through 6, is here. I’ll resume here with Question #7. Tomorrow, as I will for the U.S. Senate seat, I’ll endorse those contested races in both parties.

Question #7:

For the Eastern Shore, transportation can sometimes be tricky because of Bay Bridge traffic and traveling to and from the beach on a summer weekend can be a real headache. Solutions advocated range from another Bay Bridge to a ferry service to a light rail system, and as always people want the existing highways improved. What transportation improvements do you feel are a priority for the Eastern Shore, and how would you pay for them?

Richard Colburn (R, Sen 37): One of the transportation improvements that are a priority for the Eastern Shore is the complete dualization of MD Route 404. According to AAA, this highway is one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in America. Therefore, dualization would make it safer for everyone, including local traffic and Western Shore traffic. Also dualization of Route 404 would increase utilization of that highway, thus, lessening traffic through Easton, Cambridge, and Salisbury. A new Dover Bridge is also desperately needed since it links Southern Caroline and the northern portion of Dorchester County to Easton Memorial Hospital. These improvements would be paid for through the gas tax. I would support an increase in funds for transportation by implementing a dedicated sales tax in those areas that have the full benefits of a mass transit system. We cannot afford to continue funding mass transit transportation costs through the gas tax, which should strictly be used for construction and maintenance of highways and bridges. Mass transit needs a dedicated funding source.

Addie Eckardt (R, 37B): Transportation is always an area of concern for the Shore as the numbers of cars on the roads increase each year. There was an opportunity to address the issue of traffic and the Bay Bridge this year and the results was simply “Yes we need a bridge but not in my back yard”, so actually not much happened. Now is the time to plan if in fact a bridge is necessary and it probably will be. A monorail has been suggested but determined to be cost prohibitive. I think one reasonable option that I have worked on is to expand small business from homes as an option and this is occurring. With the expansion of broadband and other technology, the possibilities are tremendous. If we are serious on the Shore about diversifying our economic bases we can offer more opportunity to stay on the Shore to work. The counties will have these decisions so that the Shore does not become just a bedroom community. In the meantime, I think that toll roads with certain access for local users are a possibility – at least we could cover the increasing cost of our roads and bridges. If we adopt a policy of all who use contribute and initiate a conversation on how to improve and maintain our highway system I think we can establish a plan.

James Adkins (D, 37B): The immediate priority is to leverage state and federal funding to correct transportation problems that directly impact on driver safety. No doubt someone in the State Highway Administration already knows where these areas are. Long term we have to visualize what type of transportation network will be needed in our future. How are we going to deal with commuters? How are we going to deal with the ever increasing traffic to Ocean City and other weekend destinations? These are questions that need to be addressed. We probably should start planning now for mass transportation entities that will be essential to preserving our quality of life in the over the next fifty years.

Patrick Armstrong (D, 38A): I believe that we must focus on improving the highways we have and in looking into the addition of a new Bay Bridge. If it were to be deemed economically feasible for a ferry or light rail crossing to succeed than I would strongly support both measures in an attempt to lessen the stress of traffic on our highways and the Bay Bridge. Were a light rail system to be in place to bring residents from Baltimore and neighboring counties all the way to Ocean City than I would see that as a major step toward reducing highway traffic, environmental impacts, and reducing the strain on our oil supply. If this would be used by residents I would strongly support such a project as would I support a ferry crossing.

Sonny Bloxom ( R, 38B): We need to dualize certain highways that have increased traffic on them and have become dangerous, such as US 113, 404 and 589. Also, we need to go ahead and build the overpass at US113 and Rt. 12 and the one for Rt. 50 and 589. The state can afford to do it, they just need to stop putting so much of the highway user revenues into the mass transit on the western shore.

Michael James ( R, 38B): With the growth we have seen in recent years, there are several needed road projects. Dualization of 113 and 589 are very important, as are many other projects. As a state delegate from 38B, I will fight for our fair share of transportation funding. This will be important due to the large sums of money the metropolitan counties will be looking for to fund the ICC and mass transit.

Jack Lord ( R, 38B): Another Bay Bridge is necessary. But not in that same location. The tolls should be raised to $5 and the money put aside in an untouchable account where the State can’t use it for any this else other than to build a new bridge.

Question #8:

Drugs and gangs are a growing problem on the Eastern Shore. The local authorities do their best but we’re a long way from fighting the problem successfully. In what ways do you think the General Assembly can best address this crime issue, and what tools do you see working best?

Richard Colburn (R, Sen 37): The most significant tools that will help fight drugs and gangs are sufficient funding and community cooperation. First, funding will help train officers and provide programs for education and public outreach. Cooperation is needed from schools, social services agencies, and community residents to identify problems and to report them to police. Crime prevention methods should be employed and police presence should increase in areas that are known for drug dealing and gang activity.

Addie Eckardt (R, 37B): Much crime is driven by substance use, and that has been an ongoing concern of mine. About 80-85 % of the jail population is fatherless and has substance abuse issues. Treatment is necessary and can work. Maryland has some of the finest diagnostic tools available in the country for determining who can benefit from treatment and who cannot. The issue has been how to implement the programs and how to pay for them. I have been an advocate of employment in recovery models so that individual cannot only benefit from treatment but also from job training. Many who get out of jail have no aftercare and no ongoing support to continue the behavior change over time. The Governor initiated two programs: one for those in jail and who are returning to the community and another for those as an alternate to incarceration. I also have been an advocate of drug courts and while I have been in office we have gone from one or two to almost one in every jurisdiction. What has been necessary is the research to support what interventions work and what doesn’t and we now have that information.

James Adkins (D, 37B): As the Eastern Shore grows and changes, we will have to deal more and more with the problems that jurisdictions on the Western Shore have been dealing with for years. The General Assembly needs to listen to local law enforcement agencies as well as the Maryland State Police to see what legislative tools are needed to help them deal with the problem. And like everything else, the state will have to apply resources/funding to help deal with these issues as the local level.

Patrick Armstrong (D, 38A): Gang violence starts small and spreads. We need a strong crack down on gang violence in Maryland. The General Assembly needs to consider increasing state funding for police in areas where a limited tax base cannot afford the necessary improvements to police forces. The lower shore needs such support to curb gangs and violence. The General Assembly must also stand strong in supporting after school programs on the lower shore. Nothing has proven more effective in stopping gang proliferation than healthy after school programs for kids in danger of falling through the cracks.

Sonny Bloxom (R, 38B): The Maryland State Police could be part of a local task force to fight gangs just like they are now doing with illegal drugs.

Michael James (R, 38B): Working to stop the flow of drugs is the most important part of reducing gang related crime. The drugs are the financial lifeline that keeps the most violent criminals in business. I am in favor of increasing funding for undercover agents and officers as well as increasing money for training to ensure our law enforcement agencies stay current and have the most capable personnel as possible, and technology that is superior to that of the criminals.

Jack Lord (R, 38B): This is more of a local issue and should be handled by the local police departments with help from the Combined Drug task forces In each county.

Question #9:

This year, you will be the first in the history of the General Assembly to be nominated and elected through the use of early voting. Proponents have stated that early voting is beneficial for turnout, but others claim the new regulations will encourage fraud and have petitioned to place the issue on the ballot as a referendum. In addition, these same laws have made absentee ballots available upon request with no reason needed. With that in mind, are you in favor of repealing the early voting laws, and why?

Richard Colburn (R, Sen 37): No one has ever given me in over twenty-eight years of politics, a reason why they were unable to make it to the polls on Election Day. The early voting laws passed recently by the Maryland General Assembly do not require proper voter identification. Therefore, early voting laws should be repealed. The citizens of Maryland deserve competent, credible, and nonpartisan elections. A fair and safe election is the bedrock of our American Democracy.

James Adkins (D, 37B): Until it becomes obvious that there is a problem with fraud, I support the law. The more the population is engaged in the political process, the better our democracy will be. The key is to make sure that the process is fair to all and that it does not favor one party or another. It is being used successfully in other states. Early voting may need some tweaking here in Maryland, but let’s see how it goes before we decide to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Addie Eckardt (R, 37B): I did not support the early voting legislation and I would support legislation to repeal the laws. The Constitution clearly sets out how voting is to be handled and I do not believe the early times will address the issue of access. Those who want to vote and consider it an important right will take the time or make the time to exercise that right. We have a mechanism for early voting and that is by absentee ballot. I think citizens have many reasons for not voting and if we wanted to seriously address the issue we might convene some focus groups at the local level and gather information about the reasons individuals don’t vote. Responsibility is a significant factor.

Patrick Armstrong (D, 38A): No. I believe that early voting is essential to providing working families convenient access to the polls and will give a voice to those on the shore who are far away from their designated polling places. I also believe that increasing access to absentee ballots will improve voter turnout and accomplish the goal of easy access for citizens on the shore.

Jack Lord (R, 38B): I think a better system would be to require photo ID’s and allow absentee ballots for any one who couldn’t vote on election day. And repeal the early voting part.

Sonny Bloxom (R, 38B): Early voting laws should be amended to require you to vote in your home county and to require a photo ID.

Michael James ( R, 38B): As of this writing, the early voting has been struck down by the courts. I was always opposed due to the potential for widespread fraud.

(Editor’s note: Michael James was the last responder to the Ten Questions among this group.)

Question #10:

It is almost a certainty at this early date that either Governor Ehrlich will be reelected or Baltimore mayor Martin O’Malley will take over the governor’s chair early next year. If you are elected to the General Assembly and the representative of the opposite party (i.e. a Democrat would be working with Governor Ehrlich, a Republican would be working with Mayor O’Malley) wins election, with what issues do you see being able to find common ground with the governor?

Richard Colburn (R, Sen 37): The issues that will be common ground for all parties are growth, education, and the general welfare of all of Maryland citizens. We must always try to not let partisan views interfere with the general welfare of Marylanders. Governor Ehrlich is the fourth Governor I have had the opportunity to work with. If Martin O’Malley is elected, and I am re-elected, he will be the fifth Governor I will have worked with. I have always tried to have a good working relationship with every Governor since it benefits my constituents on the Eastern Shore. However, I always draw a line when a Governor decides to implement policies, pushes legislation, etc. that would be detrimental to the Eastern Shore and its residents (i.e. Governor Glendenning).

Addie Eckardt (R, 37B): I have had the opportunity to work with Governors from both parties and have been able to work on issues of common ground. For example, Initiatives involving economic development- the Hyatt development and Eastern Shore Hospital Center relocation; the One Maryland program and tax incentives that resulted in the regional councils; Historic tax credits; Cultural Heritage Tourism Areas; Arts and Entertainment Districts; the Children’s Health care program; Senior prescription programs; Small group health insurance reform; Education investments; child care and children coming to school ready to learn; environmental issues- clean air, water and lead paint remediation to name a few

James Adkins (D, 37B): We have to talk about Maryland’s future. Where do we want Maryland to be in twenty or thirty years and beyond? Our focus needs to be on accomplishing things that are important to Marylanders and the future of this great state. No matter who gets elected, both parties will have to reach across the aisle with the intent to work for a better and brighter future for Maryland. We have to get beyond party politics.

Patrick Armstrong (D, 38A): I have supported Governor Ehrlich’s budget plans and his fiscal responsibility. I support his dedication to stem cell research. I also support limited slot machine usage at certain Maryland racetracks under strict containment conditions. I believe working with either Bob Ehrlich or Martin O’Malley will involve great cooperation and a healthy spirit of ideas. I would like to be elected to represent the lower shore in the General Assembly regardless of an individual’s vote for Governor. Crossing party lines is a great show of just how much choice we have in America when we go to vote. I hope that members of both political parties will choose me when voting for the House of Delegates.

Michael James (R, 38B): I believe regardless of who is Governor, I will find common ground on issues related to economic development. This would include making sure farming is profitable, job creation is important and tourism is promoted. I have said from the beginning, to have a strong community for our families, we need to have a healthy business community. That is just common sense. For the record, I believe Governor Ehrlich will be re-elected by a margin of at least 4 points.

Jack Lord (R, 38B): Unlike the current Delegates I would vote for bills the help Worcester/Wicomico counties. I would work with the Governor if money were available to bring some jobs and industry to Worcester county.

Sonny Bloxom (R, 38B): I would have to wait and see what O’Malley would propose, but based on his liberal past and his arrogant attitude (he is just like Parris Glendening except he has a backup band!), I think it would be difficult to find common ground, other than on economic development issues.

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Unlike the Senate debate, I really enjoyed reposting all of the answers on the MGA debate posts, probably because they’re short and concise enough for the reader to appreciate the candidate’s stance without all kinds of rhetoric.

Tomorrow, as I said, I’ll make my endorsements in contested races. What that means is that I’m going to do the endorsements just for certain districts and primaries, not all 12 possibilities within Districts 37 and 38.

Senate District 37 – Democrat only (Hilary Spence, Ronald Warden Sr.) Republican Sen. Richard Colburn is unopposed. There is an independent (Moonyene Jackson-Amis) who’s petitioning for a spot on the November ballot as well.

Senate District 38 – no endorsements required, Sen. J. Lowell Stoltzfus is unopposed.

House of Delegates District 37A – Democrat only (Del. Rudy Cane, Charles Cephas Sr.) There’s no Republicans on the ballot.

House of Delegates District 37B – Republican (Del. Addie Eckardt, Del. Jeannie Haddaway, Redgie Lancaster) and Democrat (James Adkins, Robert Cheek, Tim Quinn) will both get endorsements.

House of Delegates District 38A – no endorsements required; because of the untimely death of Democrat candidate Tony Bruce, both Patrick Armstrong (D) and Del. Page Elmore (R) are not opposed on the primary ballot. However, if Bruce wins postmortem the Democratic Central Committees of Wicomico and Somerset Counties will officially select a replacement candidate, scuttlebutt says they already have.

House of Delegates District 38B – Republican only (Sonny Bloxom, Michael James, Jack Lord, Bonnie Luna, Bill McDermott). Democrat Del. Norm Conway and Del. Jim Mathias are both assured of primary victory.

This means I get to endorse just 5 of the 12 possible races, although I may have to hold my nose to do so. But I promised to endorse both sides regardless of worthiness.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.