Mattingly, Carkhuff talk about development, education issues

Friday, Oct. 20, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by Reid Silverman Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D), center, shares a laugh with county staff members Bob Kelly and Jennifer Green before the start of the League of Women Voters forum Wednesday evening. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo Staff Photo by Reid Silverman Ken Carkhuff, Republican challenger to Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D), chats with Bill and Barbara Knoeller of Medley’s Neck prior to the start of a forum Wednesday.

Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D) is facing Ken Carkhuff (R), a defense contractor and retired Navy officer in the 2nd Commissioner District.

Carkhuff said that a comprehensive growth plan is needed in the county and that education would be his No. 1 priority, with measures of performance.

Mattingly cited eight years of accomplishments, including $25 million more for schools, lowering the property tax rate during the past three years, starting a new solid waste facility, introducing senior tax relief, protecting the base’s airspace by purchasing Lexington Manor and building a new library in Lexington Park.

‘‘This county is moving forward because you have elected people to this office who care for this community,” he said.

Both were asked how to bring more affordable housing to the county.

‘‘Home ownership is a privilege, not a right. How do we provide the greatest opportunity for a family to own their homes?” Carkhuff said.

He suggested utilizing existing programs, especially the ones where the person helps build the home.

Mattingly replied, ‘‘I disagree with Mr. Carkhuff about home ownership being a privilege and not a right.”

As for affordable housing, ‘‘There’s not one solution to that issue. It’s going to take a lot of tools in the tool box,” Mattingly said.

Carkhuff was asked specifically if the board of education should be given a flat percentage of the county’s budget.

‘‘I do not agree with that,” he said. ‘‘We should look at what the funding requirements are. There is no direct correlation between money spent per pupil and output. We’re spending $9,300 [per pupil] and we’re doing a pretty good job.” He said another school system, which he did not name, spends $27,000 per student and is not making much progress.

Mattingly was asked specifically about support to the sheriff’s office.

‘‘I’ve probably been the strongest advocate on the board of county commissioners during my term” for the sheriff’s office, he said, and 40 personnel have been added to the sheriff’s office since he was been in office.

Both were asked about environmental enforcement at the Woods at Myrtle Point off Patuxent Boulevard in California.

Mattingly said that every year, the Maryland Department of the Environment offers local control for inspections and enforcement.

This year, St. Mary’s is considering that. Of the various inspectors involved now between agencies, ‘‘None of them wants to be the bad guy,” he said.

‘‘I would support the local inspection enforcement as well,” he said, and there should be benchmarks for developments in sensitive areas.

Carkhuff said, ‘‘It really comes down to having the backbone to enforce standards. Clearly there was a lot of dirt going in the water,” there at Mill Creek. ‘‘The regulations in place were totally inadequate. Nobody wants dirt in the water.”

The 2nd Commissioner District represents the Leonardtown⁄Hollywood area, though voters from all parts of the county vote for all of the commissioners.

E-mail Jason Babcock at jbabcock@somdnews.com.