More News

Takoma Park police aim to catch fleeing thieves

State chamber: Income tax hike will unfairly hurt Montgomery

Push for Shady Grove arena refueled

Montgomery County executive: Rapid Transit Vehicle system will be built

PSC weighs whether utility customers can reject smart meters

The seven incumbents and four challengers who have filed to run in the Bowie City Council election have entered the final weeks before they square off Nov. 8.

Right now voter interest in town appears relatively low, say several candidates for the seven-member council who have been out knocking on doors in the city.

But that could change as longtime incumbents and first-time challengers air their views during the first of two candidate forums at the Kenhill Center. One starts at 7:30 tonight and the other at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Contested in Bowie are the two at-large seats and the district 2, 3 and 4 seats. Uncontested are the at-large mayor’s seat and the District 1 seat. The deadline for candidates to file was Friday.

The 11 candidates have so far collectively raised about $23,200 and spent nearly $7,000, according to monthly campaign finance reports filed through Sept. 15.

Incumbent Todd Turner, who this year is running at-large for the first time after serving three terms as the city’s District 3 representative, has raised and spent the most money so far, raising $6,600 and spending about $2,500, according to reports.

At-large races typically cost more than district races because they cover the whole city.

“I’m running for the first time citywide, and I wanted to be prepared,” said Turner, who was the first to file, on March 21.

“I didn’t know who might run or if there’d be a challenger ... and I wanted to be in a position where I’d be successful,” he said.

Longtime incumbent Dennis Brady, who has prevailed in all of his nine races for one of the two at-large seats, reported that he had raised $2,550 and spent about $1,100 on mailings and brochures.

First time at-large challenger James Bell, who filed hours before the 5 p.m. Friday deadline, indicated last week that he has so far not raised any money for his campaign.

The next deadline for filing campaign finance reports to the city is noon Monday, said City Clerk Pam Fleming.

Meanwhile, shots have been fired across the bow in the District 2 race, where two-term incumbent Diane Polangin is facing a repeat challenge from Piero “Pete” Mellits, who ran against her in 2009, winning 38 percent of the vote.

Polangin cites her service to constituents in the district, where about half the people are 55 or older, she said.

“I’m able to talk to people and they know I’m going to listen and that I’m going to take care of it,” said Polangin, also citing her top priority as housing for senior citizens.

Polangin has raised about $4,300, including $580 from constituents, and spent about $1,800 as of Sept. 15.

But Mellits, who so far has raised about $185 and spent about $120, said he is hearing concerns from constituents about the council’s decision to raise water bills and property taxes last year despite the city’s $30 million reserve fund.

“Why would you do that in the middle of a recession?” Mellits asked.

Polangin said the water bills in Bowie inevitably must go up to cover rising costs because the city, which is nearly built out, cannot significantly increase its customer base.

She also said the city unexpectedly saved $17 million in construction costs and $4 million in related borrowing costs on the new City Hall.

In District 4, two-term incumbent Isaac Trouth has kicked in $5,000 of his own money to run his campaign and so far has spent about $560. Challenger Carl Brown, who filed to run Sept. 19, must file his first campaign report by Monday.

Brown recently said he would bring new energy to the seat, saying Trouth had “retired on the job.”

In response, Trouth points to traffic-calming improvement during his tenure and personal contributions he makes to community projects from the $13,835 he receives a year for serving on the council.

In District 3, Henri Gardner has raised $2,550 and spent nothing so far, while Babatunde Alegbeleye has raised $40 and spent about $35.

vterhune@gazette.net

Bowie City Council candidate forums

Greater Bowie Democratic Club

Time: 7:30 p.m. tonight (club meeting begins at 7 p.m.)

Place: Kenhill Center (former city hall), 2614 Kenhill Drive, Bowie

For all candidates

Format: One-minute opening and a one-minute closing statements.

Candidates will be asked three questions prepared by club members. Each candidate has one minute to respond to each question.

Q&A: Audience members may submit questions on index cards, which the moderator will read to candidates. Candidates wishing to rebut a statement may raise their hand; they have 30 seconds to respond.

Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce

Time: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday

Place: Kenhill Center

For contested races only (Districts 2, 3, 4 and two at-large seats)

Format: Two-minute opening and two-minute closing statements. Candidates will be asked questions prepared by chamber.

Q&A: Audience members may submit questions on index cards or email in advance to the chamber.

Call 301-262-0920 or email kelly@bowiechamber.org.

Bowie City Council election campaign spending

As of the most recent campaign finance reports filed by the 11 candidates running for seven seats on the Bowie City Council, they had raised a total of more than $23,000 and spent nearly $7,000 going into the final month before the Nov. 8 election.

Two candidates have not yet filed campaign finance reports because they filed to run after Sept. 15. The next finance reports are due Monday.

*Incumbent

+ Money raised

- Money spent

At-large (mayor)

G. Frederick Robinson*

+$1,000

-$455.58

Balance: $544.42

At-large (two seats)

James Bell: not yet filed

Dennis Brady*

+$2,550

-$1,117.14

Balance: $1,432.86

Todd Turner* (currently District 3)

+$6,600

-$2,512.75

Balance: $4,087.25

District 1

James Marcos*

+$825

-$25

Balance: $800

District 2

Piero “Pete” Mellits

+$185.77

-$118.17

Balance: $67.60

Diane Polangin*

+$4,341.11

-$1,840.70

Balance: $2,500.41

District 3

Babatunde Alegbeleye

+$40

-$35.17

Balance: $4.83

Henri Gardner* (currently at-large)

+$2,550

-$0

Balance: $2,550

District 4

Carl Brown: not yet filed

Isaac Trouth*

+$5,115.02

-$569

Balance: $4,546.02

Source: Bowie city campaign finance reports; Sept. 15