Current News
Last revised - August 31, 2002Conducting Endorsement Sessions
In summer, 2002, the Assembly established and conducted a series of endorsement sessions about the state: August 14, 2002 (Bowie, MD); August 17, 2002 (Rockville, MD and Frederick, MD); August 24, 2002 (Timonium, MD and College Park, MD); August 28, 2002 (Baltimore City). Each meeting considered candidate endorsements in the local areas. The meeting in Baltimore City included state-wide endorsements, at which time Spear Lancaster (L) was endorsed for Governor, and Lorenzo Gaztanaga (L) was endorsed for Lt. Governor. MPA has now published a complete listing of current endorsed candidates.
Voting for New State Central Committee
In July, 2002, mail ballot voting was held for state central committee representatives from the counties of Montgomery, Baltimore, Harford, Cecil and Prince George's. The results of such voting were the following members elected:
Montgomery County - Steve Wilson
Baltimore - Steve Boone
Harford - Brian Powell
Cecil - Renee Sten
Prince George's - James McLaughlin.
Confirming Endorsements
On August 31, 2002, the state central committee met in Silver Spring to elect a chairperson and treasurer, which will constitute the MPA executive board to conduct MPA business between meetings of the state central committee. Elected were Lee Havis, chairperson, and James McLaughlin, treasurer.
The August state central committee meeting also confirmed endorsement of various candidates from the sessions conducted around the state before by the local committees. The list of current endorsed candidates is now published to the MPA web site, and press releases of these endorsements are being sent out in advance of the September 10, 2002 primary elections. Further endorsements may be made after the primary elections.
Maryland Public Assembly
Letter of Invitation to Participate
Update: August, 2002
Dear Maryland citizen:
I am writing to inform you about the Maryland Public Assembly — a non-partisan citizen organization to support a broad-based platform of issues and endorse suitable public interest candidates for elected offices in the state of Maryland. We are presently engaged in supporting the candidates that were endorsed in a series of sessions held recently throughout the state.
If you are a Maryland citizen of voting age, you are qualified to participate. Our statement of “Background and General Summary” describes in more detail the Assembly’s basic principles and purpose on behalf of public interest politics. I believe our efforts are extremely important to help improve the quality and integrity of government at all levels in the state. Please join with us in support of voting for the public interest.
As an Assembly member, you will be placed on our mailing list to receive regular news and basic information about our work and activities. Also, you will be qualified to vote at meetings and endorse candidates who present themselves to the Assembly in your jurisdiction.
The Assembly is authorized to function through local committees in each county (and Baltimore City) in the state. Assembly members in each jurisdiction constitute the local committee for voting and organizational purposes there. Each local committee is represented on the Assembly’s state central committee and is able to conduct voting to endorse various local candidates for public office.
Most recently, the Assembly was active in conducting endorsements for the 2002 cycle of elections, in which we considered the endorsement of candidates state-wide for Governor and Lt. Governor, and also for local candidates in Baltimore City and in the counties of Montgomery, Baltimore, Frederick, Queen Anne's and Prince George’s. We are now supporting the election of these candidates through such means as issuing press notices to the news media, sending out various mailings and conducting volunteer campaign activities.
To join with us, complete and return the enclosed Membership Application Form. Submit this form with $20 membership dues, or otherwise, to proceed ahead. Also, please contribute whatever additional funds you can afford, in any amount, to help us sustain and extend the work of our citizen volunteers. Please also inform us of others who may be interested to support and participate with us as well.
Please contact me directly if you have questions or wish further discussion. Of course, I would most welcome your support and cooperation with our efforts on behalf of voting for the public interest.
Sincerely,
Lee Havis, Chairperson
(301) 589-0733
email: havis@erols.com
inquiries, comments and request for membership information to:havis@erols.com
MARYLAND PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
9525 GEORGIA AVE #200
SILVER SPRING, MD 20910
TEL. (301) 589-0733
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