Shepherd seeking seat Mattingly due to vacate in 2010

Four candidates first to file for county commissioner

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

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Arthur Shepherd was the fourth person to file for St. Mary's County commissioner on Monday, opening day for candidates to file for the 2010 election. Shepherd, recreation division manager for the county department of recreation and parks, is running as a Democrat for the 2nd Commissioner District, which represents the Leonardtown, Hollywood area. Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly (D) is serving his third and final term from that district.

Shepherd lives in Leonardtown.

Shepherd started with recreation and parks in August 1978 and is eligible to retire from county government whether he wins or loses the election.

Shepherd was born in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1956 and moved to St. Mary's County in 1957. The Navy family lived in Hawaii for two years from 1964 to 1966, but came back and Shepherd has been here ever since. He attended Lexington Park Elementary School, Carver Junior High School and Great Mills High School, where he graduated in 1974. He then attended St. Mary's College of Maryland.

This is his first bid for public office. He said one of his reasons for running was his experience with recreation and parks. "The longer you're there, the more you see the big picture. After 30 years of some sound judgment, I thought the commission would be a good step," he said.

He said he is bringing "sound judgment, leadership, integrity" as a candidate along with an understanding of people.

"I've enjoyed living in St. Mary's County and there are some challenges ahead of us," he said, in quality of life, education and land use. He said he would keep all of those things in mind. "I want to make it good for the next 20, 30 years," he said.

"I look forward to the challenge and serving the people. I've enjoyed the life with rec and parks and I think that's given me a lot," he said.

jbabcock@somdnews.com