(9/15) Walkersville residents voted to retain their incumbent Burgess and four of five Commissioners as the result of the Town’s September 13th election.

Five three-year-term commissioner seats were to be filled in the election with eight candidates running, including the five incumbents. Commissioner Michael Bailey received the highest number of votes, garnering 333, with Brodie-Ennis coming close behind with 314. Commissioners McNeish and Gilbert earned 286 and 268 respectively. The final position was filled by Gary Baker who is returning to the town council with 210 votes after serving from 2012 to 2018.

Challengers John Zimmerman, Russell Winch, and Bob Yoder revived 192, 184, and 164 votes respectively. Burgess Chad Weddle ran unopposed for his position and received 407 votes to keep his seat.

490 residents participated in this year’s election, a little over 10% of the 4814 registered voters in town. Regarding voter turnout, Burgess Weddle said, "Thanks to those residents that took the time to vote in person or by absentee ballot. We always hope more citizens would vote but believe low turnout can indicate the approval of how the Town is run." In the previous election in 2018, 672 voters participated. In 2015 only 373 residents voted.

Commissioner Bailey said he wanted to focus on the town’s ten-year infrastructure plan. His voting history supported initiatives including cutting assessed value tax rates from $0.16 to $0.14 and creating an Economic Development Commission. "[It means] being a servant leader to the community and listening to everyone’s concerns, even if I don’t agree with them," said Bailey.

Commissioner Brodie-Ennis stressed the importance of being fiscally responsible so that the town has the resources for programs like those organized by the Parks Commission. As a member of the Parks Commission herself, she noted the projects she advocated for and helped to fund, including $375,000 in recent parks grants.

Commissioner McNiesh said he aims to continue analyzing problems that arise in town so that the decisions made by the town council will be successful.

Commissioner Gilbert said he intended to focus on the opportunities presented by businesses moving to town and the measurement and control of residential growth. He supports previous initiatives including the reduction of the assessed value tax rate, the Walkersville Senior Tax Credit, and the organization of the long-term disability benefit for town employees.

Commissioner Baker stressed the importance of seeing how recent residential growth will influence the town before expanding these efforts any further. Baker previously served as commissioner between 2012-2018 and has continued involvement with the Planning Commission, Ethics Committee, and the Economic Development Committee.

Burgess Chad Weddle thanked and congratulated those who have been involved in the Town Council. "I am looking forward to continuing the good work the commissioners in office have done. Welcome back to Commissioner Baker and thanks to Commissioner Zimmerman for his service to the Town – especially bringing a [sic] active farm owners’ perspective to the rest of the board. All candidates can be congratulated on running professional, respectful campaigns and bringing and discussing issues important to the residents."