During Tuesday’s regular town meeting time, Thurmont’s Mayor Marty Burns and Commissioners Hooper and Terpko took different seats in the town meeting room. They were joined by citizen and former commissioner Robert Wagerman for a Candidate Forum sponsored by the Thurmont Lions Club in association with The Catoctin Banner.

The forum featured seven questions prepared by the Lions Club and the Banner to help voters make educated decisions in the town of Thurmont’s upcoming election on Monday, October 24. The forum was televised live on Adelphia cable channel 99 and will be rebroadcast on Thursday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Commissioners Hooper and Terpko are running unopposed in this year’s election. They are seeking re-election for another four year term. The President of the Board (position commonly referred to as Mayor) Marty Burns is also seeking re-election for a four year term and Robert Wagerman of Thurmont is his opponent in this race.

Burns has served as Mayor for four years and is currently the Deputy Director of Programs & Resources, Special Programs Division for the Marine Corps at the Pentagon.

Wagerman was a former town commissioner from 1988 to 1999 and is retired from Moore BCS in Thurmont where he was a Project Manager. He currently works at Boscov’s. This is his third attempt to be elected Mayor.

One factor stood out the most in the election. There was no major difference in opinions among any of the candidates.

The candidates were questioned on their background, goals and objectives, the most vital issue confronting the town, the issue of the need for a town manager, town growth, recycling, and the Main Street program. Additionally, audience members posed questions to the candidates about the hiring of key personnel to replace retiring staff, the police department and sewer repair budgetary concerns.

The three incumbents shared the same vision on their goals and objectives for their term. Hooper wants to complete the project already in the works with the current Board including sewer and other infrastructure improvements, to continue keeping citizens involved in town issues, and to address the upcoming Thurmont Regional Plan that will be affecting our community. Terpko’s goals were to complete ongoing projects, obtain more grant funding to alleviate taxes and to see the finalization of projects such as the Thurmont Primary School addition, the new Regional Library, the new grocery store. "We as a board can finish this work together," said Ron.

Wagerman’s goals and objectives if he were to be elected focused on rising fuel costs, sewer system repairs and water system evaluation and upgrades. "I’m also concerned about costs to residents and would take a conservative approach to spending," said Wagerman.

Mayor Burns spoke of the many issues that are currently on track with the Board that he would like to see through to completion. "During my term as Mayor, we’ve done a lot collectively on the Board and I’d like to see that follow through into the future," said Burns. He specifically discussed goals to control growth, maximize grant opportunities to save tax dollars, and to continue his role in keeping the community informed of town activities.

All candidates agreed that growth is an important issue and all are for slow growth. Thurmont’s current Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) is preventing any new growth from occurring. Hooper noted that as long as the sewer system is unresolved, he "can’t in good conscience vote for any time of annexation." Wagerman agreed to no annexation until all vacant available land in Thurmont is developed. Burns, Terpko and Hooper discussed the balance between slow growth and the income that development provides to the town. Burns noted that the current Board has raised building fees for developers from $5,000 to $12,000.

In closing remarks, each candidate thanked the community for their support and urged them to vote on Monday, October 24 at the activities building on the Guardian Hose Co. carnival grounds.