O'Donnell points to experience in his bid to become Emmitsburg mayor
Sep. 22—Emmitsburg Commissioner Tim O'Donnell is hoping to draw upon his 14 years of experience as one of the town's commissioners to be the next mayor.
In Tuesday's election, O'Donnell is one of two candidates for mayor. Commissioner Frank Davis is the other.
Current Mayor Don Briggs is not running for re-election.
Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Old Town Office at 22 E. Main St.
The election also will be for one seat on the Board of Commissioners.
The three candidates for commissioner are Glenn Blanchard, Dale Sharrer and Valerie Turnquist.
O'Donnell said Wednesday that he believes he has a lot to offer to town residents, after serving in various roles in 14 years in office.
He is currently the president of the Board of Commissioners.
O'Donnell said he has served on the town's Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Committee.
During his time on Parks and Recreation, O'Donnell said, the committee converted a little-used softball field into a softball diamond that could also fit a rectangular field to accommodate other sports.
He said he also played a role in helping keep the town's pool open and modernized.
He also helped get grant funding to help build 15 miles of natural surface trails that brought tourism, biking, birding, and mountain biking to the town, he said.
O'Donnell said he has worked to make sure the town's parks have equipment that allow all children to access them, and worked with Briggs and the town staff to bring sidewalk connections to the town's neighborhoods.
He said he's been conscientious about following up on contacts from residents and willing to listen to and consider other people's concerns.
He cited as a main issue the town's spending on its water fund, after reduced usage led to the need to increase rates.
The town needs to replace a major water line, but has had a drop in usage, leading to less revenue, he said.
The town will also have to look at whether to annex some developments within its growth areas.
Emmitsburg is a desirable place to live, but there is limited space within the town's current borders, O'Donnell said.
He said that the town has a good relationship with County Executive Jessica Fitzwater and that the county provides services to the town reasonably.
One area he would like to work with the county is to provide a paved path to connect the town with nearby Mount St. Mary's University, and for the town, county, and university to work together to provide a safe pedestrian link to a planned county regional park.
O'Donnell said he'd like to continue and even improve the relationship between the town and county.
"I feel our input is valued, and that's important," he said.
O'Donnell said he recently had a positive meeting with Mount President Timothy Trainor and other university officials about the relationship between the town and school.
The university brings a lot of spending to Emmitsburg, and the school and town have to be able to resolve any problems or issues that come up.
"I feel like we have an open door over there," O'Donnell said.
Follow Ryan Marshall on Twitter: @RMarshallFNP
