MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
7:00 pm
Fruitland City Hall
Fruitland Chamber of Commerce Hosting event
Candidates: Raymond Carey
Algie “Fred” Giles
Mark Michotto
Rev. Gloria Ortiz
Ed Cowell
Moderator: Mr. Littleton
Chamber President: David Young
Timer: John McDonnell
Mr. Young opened the evening explaining that each candidate would have two minutes to give his/her opening remarks. Followed by a series of five questions that each candidate would have two minutes to answer. The candidates would have another two minutes to give his/her summary as to why he/she should be elected. The public was told that if they have any questions to write them down on a yellow index card and pass it to him at which time he'd pass along to Mr. Littleton at the end of the evening.
Opening Remarks
Ed Cowell: He is the Dean of Students at SU. He moved to Fruitland in 2/06. He is the president of the East Field Homeowners Association. He is married and has two sons.
Gloria Ortiz: She was born and raised in Fruitland. She is also the pastor at her church. Since October 1996 she has served on the city council (3 terms). She leads the Winfield Center.
Mark Michotto: He has lived in Fruitland for seventeen years. He served on the city council one term 2002 – 2006. After he lost the election in '06 he replaced Richard Tull on the Noise Board which he has served since. He thinks there should be more communication among city employees.
“Fred” Giles: He worked with the government, airlines and worked with budgets for forty years. His concern for Fruitland is the traffic on the streets.
Raymond Carey: He believes that the residents should get better services for their tax dollars. He would like to see more businesses come to Fruitland.
Priorities for Fruitland?
Mr. Ed: Community safety, Crime issues in the city, Growth & preparedness, Infrastructure to support growth and Physical responsibility.
Ms. Gloria: Maintain true strength of the city (the people), Diverse growth of people, Preserve the health of the city and The rise of the tax rate.
Mr. Mark: Separate needs from wants, Ambulance service in Fruitland and Employees pay.
Mr. Fred: Senior citizens being left out of the city's growth.
Mr. Ray: Spending with accordance with growth, Getting the youth off the streets and into programs and Getting projects that are under way completed.
How could your presence benefit the city of Fruitland?
Ms. Gloria: She has integrity, Extensive background with the city and Isn't afraid of saying no.
Mr. Mark: Always looking for answers, He would vote for the citizens and Is in favor of public comments.
Mr. Fred: He would look at all of the services the city has and He supports city in action.
Mr. Ray: He supports talking and listening to the residents and Getting out into the community to see whats really going on.
Mr. Ed: He would represent growth and community, He has connections with the city and county, He works extensively with students and He would listen and ask the right questions.
What is the top challenge for being on the council?
Mr. Mark: Water treatment plant, Employee wages.
Mr. Fred: Patches and holes in the streets, Sewer and water lines under the streets.
Mr. Ray: Getting all of the city departments up to technology, Street conditions, Bringing experienced employees into city positions after previous employees have left after serving the city for many years, Taxes.
Mr. Ed: Safety, Crime, Regain power in some of the communities, Preserve past values.
Ms. Gloria: Controlling growth, Over crowded schools, Empty homes, Employees wages.
Growth connected with Water Sewer – Comprehension plan for Fruitland:
Mr. Fred: He's concerned about having a plan for the people of Fruitland in case of an emergency. Community watch for one another.
Mr. Ray: Growth has slowed down making it possible for city employees to work on infrastructure. Crime.
Mr. Ed: Begins with growth recognized. Plan ahead of time in order to react to growth.
Ms. Gloria: Control Growth. Build & grow smart. Plan wisely. Don't over tax.
Mr. Mark: Want to grow, not over grow. Check with departments before allowing growth. The amount of illegal people living here.
Fire Department/EMS in Fruitland:
Mr. Ray: If the fire department works with the city council it's possible. Both ends need to work together on this. How to raise the funds for it without it being a burden on the citizens of Fruitland.
Mr. Ed: Acknowledge growth. We have to negotiate for this service. Mistake relying on Salisbury's service if we keep growing.
Ms. Gloria: She's all for it. Need to negotiation being the city council and fire department. Need to find the money for it.
Mr. Mark: 100% for it. The amount which the city donates to the fire department each year needs to be increased. Negotiate when we'll do it. Possibly raise taxes if needed. (in his own words he said if he had to ask each person for an additional $5.00 added to their taxes in order to get an ambulance he's sure they would allow it.)
Mr. Fred: Back off and take a look at the whole picture of how much it'll cost. There are more cost into it besides the cost of the ambulance. How much does it cost in and out of service? What would be the back up plan when it's out of service? Which fire department would take Fruitland's EMT calls during this time?
Closing statements – Why should we vote for you summary:
Mr. Ed: Thanked everyone for coming out this evening. Acknowledge and take serious steps for growth. It's time to look into sidewalks to make it a walking community now when everyone is talking about making communities green.
Ms. Gloria: Look at her time she has already served on the city council. She's concerned about the people and employees. We (council and citizens) need a woman on the council. (This last statement caused lots of laughing among the audience.)
Mr. Mark: Look at his tern he served on the city council and his time on the noise board.
Mr. Fred: He brings forty years of service with him. Wants to look at bad and good growth.
Mr. Ray: Wants to work together with the community. He thanked everyone for their support during this campaign. While being on the city council he has never missed a single council meeting. He wants to work together with the fire department.
There were no questions asked by anyone in the audience so the evening ended with most of the candidates talking to those who attended except for Mark Michotto who was the first one to leave without talking to anyone.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
15 comments:
Mark mentioned that if elected he can't do it alone that you only need 3 votes. Rumor has it Gloria is running with him so thats his 2nd vote. Who would be dumh enough to be the 3rd?
Margaret Penneywell was there last night. She was another one who bolted out of the building once it was over. My guess would be she had to get back to the house to report to her bad half DoNuttin so he could put something on his blog.
Miciotto: "It only takes three people on the council to get things done." Now that says a lot about cooperation and communication. Note to Mr. Miciotto - everyone remembers the three stooges of years past: you, Ortiz and Pennewell. We don't need the problem (3-2 council votes) that Salisbury has. And that bit about "I've got to stick with my employees" is that why they got miniscule pay raises with the three stooges? Fruitland knows your motives Mr. Miciotto. Hope you enjoyed your moment at the table because you are so full of it.
Miciotto, I've noticed you haven't been going door to door to talk to the fine citizens who you expect to vote for you on Monday. You also didn't stick around last night to talk to them. What has you so scared of these people?
Miciotto, you mentioned wanting to take care of all the illegals living in Fruitland. These are the same people you have your bumper sticker on their vehicles. Are they legal registered voters?
Hugh Livingston was the moderator
As a Fruitland voter, I was disappointed that Mark and Gloria left the building so fast. I truly enjoyed hearing from Edwin Cowell who brings to the table a fresh perspective and positive strengthens even though he is a newcomer to Fruitland. And he made a point of speaking to many in the audience after the forum. That did not go unnoticed.
As someone who was present last night I didn't like how we were told to ask questions. Why couldn't we ask the candidates ourselves what we had on our minds? Why didn't Mr. Livingston ask us at the end of his questions segment if anyone had any questions they had thought of while listening to the candidates? As a voter I am not happy with this part of the evening at all. I did get to talk to three of the candidates afterwards. At this time I had a chance to discuss my concerns which I got answers to. Mark and Gloria left so quickly I didn't have a chance to shake their hands or introduce myself. How can either one of them expect to get my vote if they can't take the time to hang around for a few minutes afterwards. The only ones they spoke to were each other as soon as they stood up.
The candidates for Fruitland’s City Council squared off last night at City Hall. Ray Carey and Gloria Ortiz are seeking re-election, while Algy “Fred” Giles, Ed Cowell and Marc Miciotto are the challengers. Two spots are open on the City Council this year. Fruitland’s Chamber of Commerce moderated this event at which all of the candidates were asked the same questions and given two minutes to answer. The candidates all took turns answering the different questions 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so forth in the interest of fairness. Rather than go into each question and each candidate’s individual response, I will summarize each candidate’s overall position on the issues, intermixed with some of my comments on their answers and other information that I feel is pertinent. Let the reader beware!
Ray Carey stated that he has never missed a single council meeting and that he goes out and listens to his constituents - both of which I believe to be true. He wants to upgrade some of the city’s technology to keep pace with future needs. He smoothly insinuated that the housing debacle was a blessing in the narrow sense that it gave Fruitland some breathing room to reconsider all the implications and problems of its residential growth. Ray said he was concerned about crime and wanted to approach the ambulance/paramedic (a/p) issue with deliberate negotiations. Ray was generally not in favor of raising taxes. He looks and talks like a concerned gentleman at all times.
Ed Cowell looked good. Well-groomed, nice suit, modest and tasteful facial hair, pleasant face and a deep, resonant voice. I liked the first impression. And then I started to look closer and was only more and more disappointed. His phrases sounded good, but were as hollow as Salisbury Stadium. After awhile, I noticed that the cuffs on his dress shirt were not buttoned. Considering that he had his suit jacket on, I had to wonder was else would come undone next. Currently, his orange election flyer is bordered by 4 phrases. They are ; Lowering Taxes AND Community & Personal Safety AND Fiscal Responsibility AND Promoting Education. During his answers, he emphasized personal safety several times, so no discrepancy there. He said that the tough economy and the approaching holidays always increase crime. Maybe so. As head of that new area crime task force, we can only hope he can learn and learn rapidly. Hope he has the time to be SU Dean of Students and HOA President and Crime Task Force Chairman and, also, our councilman.
The answer he gave to most of the questions invariably had a generic growth tie-in, although nary a specific answer was to be found, other than “planning for growth” and “asking the right questions“. He mentioned all the volunteer hours that SU had donated to the community and then wryly admitted that none were actual volunteered hours. Court-mandated community service was my best guess - hardly volunteer! As for the a/p (ambulance/paramedic) issue, Ed was all for it and called it a no-brainer. This is from the same man who is campaigning on Lowering Taxes and Fiscal Responsibility. Yo Ed! Where will the $250, 000 for the ambulance and all the money for the 3-4 paramedics and their salaries, medical insurance, 401Ks, vision, dental, continuing education, etc., etc., come from??? Will it come from Lowering Taxes or Fiscal Responsibility?? What? This is from the same man who campaigns on Promoting Education! If you know anyone in any state school system who is more grossly overpaid than our local “university” folks, please do chime in. SU’s highly overblown motto now is “A Maryland University of National Distinction”. Oh, please! No wonder he is promoting his promotion. Ed Cowell is a tax and spend Democrat. Move on folks.
Gloria Ortiz was not doing a bad job at the microphone. She emphasized civic civility, diversity and preservation. She said she was a woman of integrity and always had Fruitland’s interests foremost in her heart. She emphasized all the time she had spent as a financial manager at her church. She agreed with everyone else that our #1 challenge was controlling growth, avoiding explosive growth, building smart and growing smart. This was kinda repetitious, to say the least. She agreed with Marc about not chasing real estate developers’ dollars (growth). She supported increased funding for the police and fire departments, but was worried about over-taxing people. She said of the a/p issue, that it was “a commodity that we need so desperately!” Her campaign flyer emphasizes that she has not voted for or approved any real estate tax increases, but the State of Maryland’s SDAT 67% assessment increase over the past 3 years has done that dirty work quietly for her and Fruitland’s City Council. For her, as a Reverend, to make that public claim is more than a little disingenuous. We deserve better!
Algy “Fred Giles” was the strangest wildcard of the night. Looking both the oldest and the ugliest of all the candidates, I wanted to leave the room the first time he spoke. Most of the time, he rambled and to say that he seldom made a lot of sense would be kind. Then, suddenly, when asked for his opinion about the a/p issue he spoke out and his words resonated around the room. No! He was against that! He was taking a stand! Ambulances can and do come from Salisbury in a timely fashion! We need to look at all the costs, including backup vehicles, backup personnel, total personnel compensation costs, sick leave, vacation, downtime equipment costs, maintenance costs, etc., etc. The more he said the more I loved and respected him and the more I wondered why he had so badly flubbed all the previous questions. That one answer of his was by far the best answer all night. Take another look at this guy and you tell me!? PS- He still is ugly, but you could get used to that.
I’m saving the best for last. You knew it. Marc wore the same suit. The suit was clean. Marc stated that he had been Chairman of the Noise Board for years, which I believe has never had a real meeting, which I believe makes him Chairman of the Nothing Board. Is he good enough for Nothing? Marc emphasized many times last night that he would raise the pay of city employees (as much as the western shore!) and take care of them. Incredibly enough, he once referred to them as “my” employees. He also said that he had been instrumental in hiring ex-cons as city employees for LOW, LOW wages. So what is it Marc? Are you gonna pay all the city employees lots more or are you gonna bring in scabs? You can’t have it both ways!
Marc’s first stated priority was to get a majority on the City Council. Amazing and scary that he would make that statement so quickly and baldly. Enquiring minds already know why. He stated that he was not afraid to tell developers YES or NO. Guess it depends on how they phrase their questions, doesn’t it Kenny?
Marc was worried about too many illegal aliens not paying their taxes, but is, apparently, unconcerned about not paying for his unregistered business license fees. He will tax others, not himself. What a guy! Marc mentioned his many years as a correctional officer several times. That is one of two things that he and Ray Carey have in common; you can walk up to Ray, talk to him and feel comfortable. Speaking of feeling comfortable, Marc practically bolted out the door when it was all over. He’s probably not used to being in a room with so many fine, upstanding people at one time.
OK! That’s about it! Vote for whomever you think is most qualified, and whomever wins, I hope they look out for Fruitland’s best interests.
GO CAREY AND COWELL!!!!!!
10:35 Amen! I also noticed the "my employees" comments slip out of Mark's mouth a few times. That might be due to how they worked for him while on the job. The average citizen sure wouldn't receive these same favors. He said several times that he's in favor of raising the wages for city employees. Why didn't he vote for this when he was on the council before? The three stooges voted for a small pay raise which resulted in the loss of one of our best officers. Mark you need to make up your mind what you are and aren't for. If you will be receiving favors from city employees expect an arguement from this tax payer.
As Council President my top priorities will be 1-fire Chief Philips and put a yes-man in place so I can run my business without you pesky officers and taxpayers bothering me, 2- I will hire more cons who will appreciate the beer and money I give them for adding onto my property and 3- make sure I take care of peoples and illegals 'cause they sport my bumper sticker and I makes money off them.
I am Mark "can't touch me" Micoto and I don't care whether you like my message.
Speaking of Marc's illegal business - I was shocked last night when he arrived at the meeting sporting the illegal business signs on his truck and then parked it were everyone could see. - Not the brains I want in that position
Mark is so proud of his illegal business. His truck is parked in front of Auto Zone several times each week picking up parts for vehicles he's working on. The man has nerve to rub it in all of our faces.
Margie can no longer say she knows nuttin about her Boy-Toy, Marc's conduct online. When she showed up last night I knew why she was there. Ole Margie looking like something that had been on a bad drug week and badly needing to comb that horse head hair of hers was there to take notes for Boy-Toy. Boy-Toy finally got around to putting something on his blog. Posting questions that Ole Margie was too scared to ask last night. Could that be because of her guilt by association with Mark and Gloria? Ole Margie, you were a teacher so you are aware of how to follow directions. We were all told to write our questions down on the yellow index cards. Maybe you knew everyone would be asked the same question so you didn't want your two quilty friends put on the spot. Ole Margie it's time to get busy packing for your big move to Pocomoke. I'm sure Boy-Toy won't get off his a$$ to help you. Speaking of the big move are you planning to try to take over there also? Lot's of people have already heard of you down there. They don't want your kind moving in and trying to bend the law so it's all about you and your happiness. You and your Boy-Toy will have lots of new people to spit his lies upon.
cary and giles the two seniors were the best. aged with wisdom, and common sense.we dont need anymore dummicrats wasting our monies.stop kissing the a$$es of the m o c, thats miciotto, otriz, cowell. more taxes will NOT BRING in better services.
to 10;35 mirror mirror at the hall who's the fairest of them all???how can a sitting council member bark out that the council needs a WOMAN?according to the names, thought we had one????to 8;15 ,RIGHT ON. why woiuld anyone want to remove our new chief? some other dept heads may need to be relpaced if they are turning their heads to housing violations, or roads in disrepair.let the f.v.f.d., bring in their owna/p/..the casino nights aren't taxed..are they audited????
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