Frederick News Post, July 10, 2010 Six candidates file for four seats on Brunswick council
Six candidates -- three of them incumbents -- filed before Tuesday's deadline to compete for four seats on the council.
The top three vote-getters will win new terms, while the candidate with the fourth-highest total will serve the remainder of Councilman Jeremy Biser's term, which ends in August 2012. Biser resigned from his position last week because of a work-related relocation.
Incumbents Margaret Beth Johnson, Mary Elizabeth Bowie and Tom Smith are seeking re-election. They will be challenged by first-time candidates Andrew Alger, Ellen Renfro and Angel White.
Several candidates said they will make economic development a top priority if elected. The city has struggled to bring in and keep businesses, something candidates want to change.
Alger said he would do everything possible to help bring more businesses to Brunswick , including working closely with Brunswick Main Street. He said more events, such as First Friday, will encourage potential business owners and shoppers to come to the city.
"We need to be doing more things in order to bring people into Brunswick ," Alger said. "We need to bring in new businesses as well as build on what we have."
White said bringing in business is key to making Brunswick a more sustainable community. She also said she will make managing growth a priority.
"I really want to help make this a community that people feel comfortable not only living in but also shopping, playing and working in," said White, who owns Headquarters hair salon in downtown Brunswick .
Johnson, a councilwoman since 2005, said she is committed to development, but the economy will likely mean more struggles in the immediate future as potential business owners continue to have difficulty securing loans. She said getting local businesses to work toward a common goal and changing the town's image will be key to future growth.
"We're not a liquor store on every corner anymore," Johnson said. "It's not a new Brunswick , but it's a modern Brunswick ."
Smith, a former mayor and 14-year veteran of the council, said the focus of city government should not be economic development, but controlling spending and taxes. He recently voted against the 2011 budget because it included a property tax increase and did not reflect deep enough spending cuts.
"You can talk about economic development all you want, but the budget and the economy are the major issues," Smith said. "Until you get the budget in line and live within your means, how are you going to expand and grow?"
Like Smith, Bowie, who has been on the council since 2009, said the budget and the economy are the major issues facing the city.
"We're trying to conserve as a government and many of our residents are trying to conserve as well," Bowie said.
Bowie is hopeful about the prospect of economic revitalization based on efforts of Main Street and other organizations, but the economy remains an issue. She also thinks quality-of-life issues, such as sidewalks and the cleanliness of the downtown area, are related to revitalization.
Renfro, who decided to run after her interest in public service was piqued by a stint as president of the Brunswick Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, said her main focus would be on quality of life, including improvement of the town's sidewalks, which would make the Brunswick more attractive to current and prospective residents. She also said the city government should work with the schools to ensure the best possible education for Brunswick students.
"Before we bring in businesses, we have to bring in people," she said. "If we raise the quality of life, it will bring people to Brunswick ."
Elections will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 3 at the City Park building.
By Brian Englar
News-Post Staff
