Republican candidate runs for Howard county executive

by Latisha Hawkins

Staff Writer

July 18, 2002

Clark Schoeffield wants to preserve farmland and reduce growth and development in Howard County.

The Ellicott City resident said the county's rampant growth during the last 15 years has been the biggest threat to quality of life.

Schoeffield, 40, wants to work with residents, citizens groups and consultants to slow development.

He said the only way these changes could be effected is if he is elected county executive.

Schoeffield, a Republican, filed for candidacy June 27 in a bid to unseat incumbent county executive, Democrat James Robey in the No- vember elections. But first, Schoeffield must face off with Clarksville's Steven Adler, a Republican who manages the Historic Savage Mill, in the primary elections Sept. 10.

Robey is seeking re-election to a second four-year term.

"Howard County is still a wonderful place to live and we need to work hard together to preserve it for our future and for the future of generations to come," Schoeffield said.

Schoeffield said his decision to run came only two months ago after he read an article in which Adler announced his candidacy.

"I felt that he wasn't really addressing the real government issues in Howard County," Schoeffield said. "Neither of the two candidates were and that compelled me to get into the race. I never wanted to run for this job and I am not a politician. ... I am not part of the establishment. I am just a regular guy."

Schoeffield, co-owner of a telecommunications company in Ellicott City, said if he is elected, he would work to reduce taxes and would not support programs that would use taxpayer funds to subsidize development.

"There is a pumping station the county is putting in that is going to be along New Cut Road, Schoeffield said. "I feel that the developers should shoulder that expense and not taxpayers."

"I would also encourage tax incentives to reward and encourage property owners to keep their land," Schoeffield said. "Taxpayers would not be penalized for keeping extra land, nor would they be forced to sell their land for development."

Schoeffield said he has read several stories about property owners selling their land to developers because they could no longer afford the taxes.

"There are people who sell their land to developers not because they want to, but because they have to. People can't afford to pay these taxes. I will work really hard with consultants to see what we can do to prevent this from happening."

Getting more funds for county schools is one of his priorities.

"If there are schools that need to be put in the area because of growth, developers should be required to shoulder more of the responsibility for schools and infrastructure," Schoeffield said.

"The growth that we are experiencing has impacted on everything from our quality of life, to education to taxes to fire and rescue, police, crime and traffic and transportation."

New housing developments in the eastern part of Howard County is experiencing rapid growth, Schoeffield said.

"I'm not against development. I just don't agree with a lot of the housing clustering", he added.

Schoeffield calls himself the "underdog" in this election.

"Right now people don't know who I am," he said, "but ... I believe if people know my mission and what I stand for then I think I can win."

He said getting campaign funding has been difficult.

"My opponents are most likely going to get more funding than I am. And I am not accepting campaign contribution from land developers. I will really be depending on grassroots efforts of the people," he said.

North Laurel resident Torrie Dawson said she had planned to vote for Robey, but is now interested in finding out more about Schoeffield.

"I try to listen to everyone that is running and I read a few articles about Adler and decided to continue supporting Robey, but now I have to find out what the new guy is about," Dawson, a Republican, said.

Dominique McNeil, a Savage resident said she would support Schoeffield because of his views on farmland preservation.

"My grandmother has had [10 acres of land] for many years and she is always fighting with the developers over it," McNeil, 22, said. "I think it's time we had someone in office that really cares about the little people."

Schoeffield has about a dozen people working on his campaign committee. They include Democrats, Republicans and Independents, he said.

A native of Baltimore, Schoeffield moved to Ellicott City in 1966. He worked 14 years as a fleet service agent for US Airways before starting a business with his father.

He is a member of the American Farmland Trust, The Natures Conservancy, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, The National Rifle Association, The National Wildlife Federation, The Sierra Club and The Americans for Immigration Control, Inc.

Email, Latisha Hawkins at: lhawkins@gazette.net

Brought to you courtesy of The Gazette and Latisha Hawkins.

Ellicott City man joins
county executive race

An Ellicott City resident has become the third candidate in the race for county executive.

Republican Clark Schoeffield, 40, said he is running because Jim Robey, the Democratic incumbent, has not done enough to slow growth and because Steve Adler, the other Republican in the race, promises no change in the status quo.

Adler, 49, of Clarksville, was recruited as a candidate by Louis Pope, chairman of the county's Republican Central Committee.  Pope said he never met Schoeffield but will review his qualifications and remain neutral in the Sept. 10 primary election if Schoeffield appears to be a credible candidate. 

Schoeffield graduated from Mount St. Joseph High School in Catonsville and eamed a two-year degree in computer programming at Catonsville Community College. 

He is on furlough from a 14-year career with US Airways and runs two small businesses: one selling local and long-distance telephone services; the other selling dietary supplements. 

He has been a board member of the Worthington Communities Association but, like Adler, has never been elected to public office. 

Schoeffield pledged not to accept contributions from land developers, and urged Adler to support him. 

"I feel that Steve Adler is not saying the right things as far as growth and development," Schoeffield said.  "He should have a platform like I have, and he's not even close to that." 

Adler, managing partner of the Savage Mill shops in Savage and president of a men's clothing chain, said the support of the

central committee was critical to "his decision to run, and that he hopes it will continue to back him. 

In any event, having an opponent in the primary could help in the Nov. 5 general election, he said.  "Actually to a degree, it gives me a little chance to test the campaign before you do it the other time," Adler said. 

Robey's spokeswoman, Victoria Goodman, took issue with Schoeffield's characterization of the county executive as being soft on growth.  "That's his perception, not fact," she said. 

Under Robey, the number of house lots that may be developed in a given year has been reduced, with a certain number designated for senior housing and limits on development in the rural west, Goodman said. 

- Michael Cody

Brought to you courtesy of The Howard County Times, July 4, 2002.