Contested election set for Burgess
 and Town Council

(4/18) For the first time in recent memory, Woodsboro residents will have a choice to choose from for both Burgess and Commissioner for its Town Council in the May 10th election.

At the April Town nominating convention, current Burgess Heath Barnes was nominated for a second term by Commissioner Bud Eckenrode. Betty Younkins seconded Eckenrode’s nomination of Barnes.

Williams has been encouraging residents at Town meetings to do their own math on how proposed Town expenses will cost each resident, and is an advocate for exploring options to right sizing the Town’s budget going forward.

Williams told the News-Journal he was "running for Burgess to give Woodsboro an option between historically high property taxes and Water/Sewer fees which only increase our already high cost of living, or cutting our taxes to make living in our small town a more enjoyable experience. Woodsboro deserves a choice for Burgess on May 10th."

While it is unusual for a candidate to run for both Burgess and Commissioner, it is allowed. Residents will be able to vote for him twice on the same ballot, once by writing in his name for Burgess, and a second time by checking the box by his name on the printed ballot.

If Williams is elected Burgess and Commissioner, he said he would accept the Burgess role. It will then be up to the Council to select his replacement on the Council.

Commissioner Jessie Case was nominated by fellow Commissioner John Cutshall, with Commissioner Bill Rittelmeyer seconding Case’s nomination.

All attention then shifted to who would be throwing their hat into the ring for

Commissioner Bud Eckenrode’s seat, who will be stepping down at the end of this term.

Denise Hahn was nominated by Michele Barnes, with Suzanne Yasko seconding her nomination. Hahn is the daughter of former 16-year Town Commissioner Dennis Kline.

David Williams was nominated by Mitzi Smith, with Ken Stitely seconding his nomination.

For both Hahn and Williams, this will be their first time running for an elected office. Commissioner Jessie Case was first elected in 2021 and serves as the Council Liaison to the Planning Commission.

As in prior years, this newspaper has provided all the candidates free space in this edition to communicate with the residents on their goals, objectives and hopes for the Town.

The Town’s election will take place on May 10th. Residents can cast their ballots in the meeting hall of St. Johns United Church of Christ, located at 8 North 2nd Street,

from eight in the morning until two in the afternoon. The newly elected Burgess and Commissioners will be sworn in on May 13th.

To vote in the election, residents must be residents of the Town and must be registered to vote in Frederick County. Any qualified voter, who is unable to vote in person, may cast their vote using an absentee ballot. Those seeking an absentee ballot must apply in writing no later than seven days prior to the election.