Walkersville Election Filing Deadline Approaches

While the rest of the country fixates on the mid-term elections in November, Walkersville residents have an important election looming much sooner. The Town will elect a Burgess and five Town Commissioners on September 10, 2018.

The election already proves to change the make-up of the local government dramatically.

Four of the current Town Commissioners will not seek re-election to their current office. Debbie Zimmerman and Gary Baker announced earlier in the year that they will not seek re-election. Current Commissioners Donald Schildt and Russell Winch filed as candidates for Burgess. Town Commissioner Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis filed for re-election to her office.

Burgess Chad Weddle was non-committal to entering the race when asked during the Walkersville Carnival. Mr. Weddle’s name is consideration by the Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for appointment as District Court Judge. Any recommendation would be sent to Governor Larry Hogan who would then appoint his choice for judge. Some speculate that Mr. Weddle will not seek re-election. He has served as Commissioner since 1996 and Burgess in Walkersville since 2015.

According to the Walkersville Town Code, “The government of the town shall be vested in a Burgess and five (5) Commissioners to be elected as hereinafter provided. All legislative powers of the town shall be vested in the Commissioners.” “The Burgess shall serve as President of the Commissioners. The Burgess may take part in all discussions, but he shall have no vote except in the case of a tie vote.” Town Commissioners receive a salary of $3,600 per year (based upon approved budget of $18,000 for Commissioner Salaries).

The Burgess serves as the chief executive officer and head of the administrative branch of Walkersville’s government. As such, the Burgess sees that resolutions and ordinances are executed faithfully, makes appointments of agency and department heads, reports town affairs, makes recommendations for the public good, vetoes or approves ordinances, and supervises all finances for the Town of Walkersville including the preparation of the annual budget. The Burgess receives $12,500 per year as a salary.

Currently, the following candidates filed to run for Commissioner of Walkersville:

• Michael Reed Bailey,
• Mary Elizabeth “Betsey” Brannen,
• Mitchel Brannen,
• Mary Ann Brodie-Ennis,
• Tom Gilbert,
• Michael McNiesh,
• Robert Davison Port, and
• Daniel Yeeles, Jr.

The following candidates filed to run for Burgess of Walkersville:

• Donald Schildt, and
• Russell Winch.

Anyone wishing to run for Commissioner of Walkersville must file a notarized Certificate of Candidacy for Commissioner of Walkersville by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. Requirements to run for Commissioner are:

• Been a legal resident of the Town of Walkersville, Maryland for one year immediately preceding the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy,
• Be at least twenty-five years of age as of the date of the general election, and
• Be a qualified voter of the Town of Walkersville.

Anyone wishing to run for Burgess of Walkersville must file a notarized Certificate of Candidacy for Burgess of Walkersville by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. Requirements to run for Burgess are:

• Been a legal resident of the Town of Walkersville, Maryland for one year immediately preceding the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy,
• Be at least thirty years of age as of the date of the general election, and
• Be a qualified voter of the Town of Walkersville.