Salisbury News Prepared Questions For Last Night

We needed to be prepared last night, considering there were 4 panelists. In case someone else asked questions ahead of me, I needed to be prepared but we'd like you to see where we were going. The first two are the actual questions I asked at the Forum last night.

Mr. Ruark – We all know that you encountered some personal problems during this last term. Why should the voters of Wicomico County be willing to overlook those and re-elect you to a seventh term?

Citizens want accountability from their local officials. We hear about officials violating their charters. We read confidential personnel records leaked to the newspaper by some paid or elected official. We hear about officials signing contracts committing taxpayer assets to multimillion dollar projects with the state without legislative votes to do so. Now we hear about tax-funded agencies cutting off services who haven't shared financials with paid or elected officials. The landfill scandal got exposed, but punishments weren't as much as the public expected or deserved.

Mr. Davis, what are you doing to make sure our public officials, hired or elected, do their jobs by the rules and face consequences if they don't?

Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Maccierello, what will you do as our new state's attorney to make sure our public officials, hired or elected, do their jobs by the rules and face consequences if they don't?

Matt Maciarello

Mr. Maciarello – Davis Ruark, the incumbent State’s Attorney, has held this office for over 24 years. What deficiencies do you believe exist in the State’s Attorney’s office that would motivate you to run for this office? If you don’t believe there are problems in the State’s Attorney’s office, why are you running this year?

Mr. Maciarello – You don’t face a primary opponent. You will be facing either Mr. Mitchell or Mr. Ruark in the general election. Why should the voters of Wicomico County vote for you over EITHER of these two gentlemen?

Mr. Maciarello - The trial of Thomas Leggs is scheduled for next spring. This case is the most notorious crime in Wicomico County in memory and the vast majority of citizens appear to expect a conviction and the death penalty. Why should the voters of Wicomico County trust you to successfully prosecute this case?

Mr. Maciarello – You were recruited to run for this office AFTER the filing deadline. Upon announcing your candidacy, you almost immediately dropped out of the race and then moved back in a few days later. Given the grave responsibilities and immense discretion given to a Maryland State’s Attorney, how should voters view your behavior entering this race?

Mr. Maciarello – Under Mr. Ruark, a policy exists that ALL homicides (absent extenuating circumstances such as lack of evidence or the disappearance of witnesses) will be tried; in other words, NO PLEA BARGAINS. Do you support this policy and why?

Mr. Maciarello – Why should voters support you over a career prosecutor, given your total lack of experience as a prosecutor?

Mr. Maciarello – In addition to prosecuting criminals, the State’s Attorney has numerous supervisory and managerial duties. Can you outline any qualifications or experience that would prepare you for that role, if you are elected?

Mr. Maciarello – As we all know, the Wicomico County and Maryland state governments are under severe fiscal constraints. How do you plan on “doing more with less” if you are elected?

Mr. Maciarello – What is general philosophy regarding the prosecution of criminals? How do you believe that you will implement that philosophy if you are elected?

Seth Mitchell

Mr. Mitchell – Davis Ruark, the incumbent State’s Attorney, has held this office for over 24 years. What deficiencies do you believe exist in the State’s Attorney’s office that would motivate you to run for this office? If you don’t believe there are problems in the State’s Attorney’s office, why are you running this year?

Mr. Mitchell – You are facing Mr. Ruark in the Democratic primary.. If successful, you will be facing Mr. Maciarello in the general election. Why should the voters of Wicomico County vote for you over EITHER of these two gentlemen?

Mr. Mitchell - The trial of Thomas Leggs is scheduled for next spring. This case is the most notorious crime in Wicomico County in memory and the vast majority of citizens appear to expect a conviction and the death penalty. Why should the voters of Wicomico County trust you to successfully prosecute this case?

Mr. Mitchell – I’ve noted from your campaign signs that the underlying theme for your campaign appears to be a reference to a personal problem Mr. Ruark encountered during this term. Fair enough, but can you cite any particular problems in Mr. Ruark’s record as State’s Attorney that should motivate voters to retire him a few months before one of the most infamous crimes in memory comes to trial?

Mr. Mitchell – Under Mr. Ruark, a policy exists that ALL homicides (absent extenuating circumstances such as lack of evidence or the disappearance of witnesses) will be tried; in other words, NO PLEA BARGAINS. Do you support this policy and why?

Mr. Mitchell – You’ve spent most of your career as a member of the criminal defense bar. Why should voters support your candidacy over that of a career prosecutor?

Mr. Mitchell – In addition to prosecuting criminals, the State’s Attorney has numerous supervisory and managerial duties. Can you outline any qualifications or experience that would prepare you for that role, if you are elected?

Mr. Mitchell – As we all know, the Wicomico County and Maryland state governments are under severe fiscal constraints. How do you plan on “doing more with less” if you are elected?

Mr. Mitchell – What is general philosophy regarding the prosecution of criminals? How do you believe that you will implement that philosophy if you are elected?

Davis Ruark

Mr. Ruark – You’ve held this office for over 24 years. Why are you choosing to seek re-election?

Mr. Ruark – You are facing Mr. Mitchell in the Democratic primary.. If successful, you will be facing Mr. Maciarello in the general election. Why should the voters of Wicomico County vote for you over EITHER of these two gentlemen?

Mr. Ruark - The trial of Thomas Leggs is scheduled for next spring. This case is the most notorious crime in Wicomico County in memory and the vast majority of citizens appear to expect a conviction and the death penalty. Why should the voters of Wicomico County trust you to successfully prosecute this case?

Mr. Ruark – We all know that you encountered some personal problems during this last term. Why should the voters of Wicomico County be willing to overlook those and re-elect you to a seventh term?

Mr. Ruark – During your tenure as State’s Attorney you have made several changes in the ways your office approaches the prosecution of offenders. Do you have any plans to make further changes if the voters elect you to another term?

Mr. Ruark – As we all know, the Wicomico County and Maryland state governments are under severe fiscal constraints. How do you plan on “doing more with less” if you are re-elected?

Mr. Ruark – What is your general philosophy regarding the prosecution of crime and how does it affect the performance of your duties as State’s Attorney?

Finally:

Mr. Ruark, what are you doing as part of the Safe Streets Coalition in Salisbury that is making a difference in crime for our citizens?

Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Maccierello, what will you do as part of the Safe Streets Coalition in Salisbury that will make a difference in crime for our citizens?

More Posts on this topic, (including answers) in just a little bit.