Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: BJ Dixon nominates Councilwoman Wendi Peters for the Office of Mount Airy Mayor

Monday, March 29, 2010

BJ Dixon nominates Councilwoman Wendi Peters for the Office of Mount Airy Mayor

BJ Dixon nominates Councilwoman Wendi Peters for the Office of Mount Airy Mayor By Kevin Dayhoff for Soundtrack March 29, 2010

The mayor’s office and two council seats are up for grabs this coming May 3 when Mount Airy citizens go to the polls to select new leadership for the town.

It was standing room only at the Mount Airy board of supervisors of elections citizens’ meeting on March 8, 2010, in the town hall council chambers. The chair of the elections board, Bruce Walz, banged the gavel and brought the short, 20-minute meeting to order at precisely 7 p.m.

Citizens, from the town of almost 10,000, which straddles the Frederick and Carroll County border, crowded into the room to nominate candidates to vie for the mayor’s office, currently held by Peter Helt; and two council seats, currently held by Gary Nelson and Chris Everich.

Citizens nominated Wendi Peters, currently a town councilmember, and Patrick Rockinberg, who currently serves as the vice-chair of the Mount Airy planning and zoning commission to vie for mayor.

For the two council seats, citizens choose three to stand for election: David M. Blais, Scott Strong, and incumbent councilmember Chris Everich.

At the Mount Airy board of supervisors of elections citizens’ meeting, former Mount Airy town clerk BJ Dixon nominated councilwoman Wendi Peters to run for the mayor’s office in the upcoming municipal elections.

That evening, Ms. Dixon said:

“Good Evening, For those that don’t know me, I’m B.J. Dixon. My husband, Carl, and I have lived in the Town for 44 years. I recently retired as a 30-year employee with the Town of Mount Airy.

“I’m here this evening not only as a resident of the Town; not only as a past employee of the Town; but as a concerned citizen that feels we need to get the Town back on track with someone that has leadership abilities.

“I’m here to nominate Councilwoman Wendi Peters for the Office of Mayor.

“Having worked with Wendi over the years, I believe she has the experience to lead the Town into the future. Wendi understands the workings of our government, she is a problem solver and possesses the ability to stand up and take on tough decisions.

“We need to quit drawing lines in the sand. We need stability and continuity back in our Town. We need Wendi Peters to do just that. With her experience, her leadership and her commitment, I’m confident she will get this Town back to one that we can be proud to call “Our Town”. Our Town with a strong, bright future.”

After the meeting, councilwoman Peter’s released the following statement:

“Tonight I am honored to have BJ Dixon place my name in nomination to run for Mayor of Mount Airy. I am honored to have her trust, respect and support as our former Town Clerk and a retired 30 year employee of the Town of Mount Airy.

“The past year has been challenging for our town in many ways. While some of these challenges remain, I am confident with new leadership, a strong, dedicated staff and devoted volunteers we can confront these challenges and work together for the best interests of all of our residents.

“I am honored to have served my hometown in various capacities over the last 20 years. I have consistently shown I will always stand up for what I believe is in the best interests of our town. I am committed to identifying and solving problems while looking forward with a sense of vision. … This is a very important election and I need your support. Thanks very much, Wendi Peters”

On the evening of the citizens’ nominations the League of Women Voters of Carroll County announced that the non-partisan organization will hold a candidates’ forum on March 31 at 7 p.m. for those running for office.

The forum will be held at the Mount Airy town hall and will be broadcast live by the Community Media Center. The forum will feature questions developed by the League and questions from the audience. For more information about the forum, contact the League at info@carroll.lwvmd.org.

The last day for write-in candidates to get on the ballot is 5 p.m. April 12. The deadline to register to vote is April 5 and absentee ballots are available at the town offices up until April 15.

Elections are held in the town every two years. Citizens will have an opportunity to vote for one mayor and two councilmembers on Monday, May 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Firemen's Activities Building on Twin Arch Road.

For more information call the town office at 410-795-6012 or 301-829-1424 or visit the town web site at http://www.mountairymd.org/.

[20100308 BJ Dixon Peters nom remarks]

Photo captions:
Carol Blackburn, of the League of Women Voters of Carroll County, and Councilwoman Wendi Peters stop to talk after the Mount Airy board of supervisors of elections citizens’ meeting on March 8, 2010 in the town hall council chambers. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20100308 MA noms 4]

Councilwoman Wendi Peters was nominated to run for the office of Mount Airy mayor at the Mount Airy board of supervisors of elections citizens’ meeting on March 8, 2010 in the town hall council chambers. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20100308 MA noms 5]

For coverage of the May 3, 2010 Mount Airy municipal elections click on: Elections 20100503 Mount Airy

Labels: Carroll Co Dist Mt Airy, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos Carroll Co, Elections 20100503 Mount Airy, History Mount Airy MD, People Peters-Wendi Mt Airy Council

Related coverage:

Mount Airy town elections a little over a month away http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/mount-airy-town-elections-little-over.html League of Women Voters of Carroll County to hold candidates’ forum.
March 19, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

Current Mount Airy Mayor Helt nominates Mr. Everich http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/current-mount-airy-mayor-helt-nominates.html

The Mount Airy Lottery in The Tentacle: http://www.thetentacle.com/ by Kevin E. Dayhoff Wednesday, March 24, 2010: “The “awful aughts” were not kind to Mount Airy. The last decade seemed to have been on the minds of citizens who crowded into the Mount Airy town hall on March 8 to nominate candidates to vie for elected offices in the upcoming election….”

“Mount Airy electoral nominees named” By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer Jiggetts http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/article_27f19880-2d92-11df-9131-001cc4c002e0.html Friday, March 12, 2010

“Mount Airy announces nominations for mayor and Town Council” Originally published March 10, 2010 By Nicholas C. Stern News-Post Staff http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=102271

“Peters, Rockinberg to face off for mayor - Two nominated for mayor, three for two open council seats in Mount Airy's May 3 election” by Angie Cochrun Staff Writer Thursday, March 11, 2010 http://www.gazette.net/stories/03112010/mounnew162451_32547.php

David Blais Candidate for Mount Airy Town Council web site
http://www.davidblais.com/contact.html

http://www.thegroggreport.com/merrygoround.htm

http://www.gazette.net/stories/03112010/mounnew162451_32547.php

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=102271
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