2024 PRIMARY ELECTION MARYLAND:
ST. MARY’S BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES FILED FOR THREE SEATS – AT LARGE AND TWO DISTRICTS
Primary Election – May 14, 7 am until 8 pm
- Early Voting for the Primary Election – Thursday, May 2, 2024, through Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 7 am until 8 pm.
General Election – November 5, 2024, 7 am until 8 pm
- Early Voting for the General Election – Thursday, October 24, 2024, through Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 7 am until 8 pm.
INTERVIEWS WITH ALL CANDIDATES
WILL BE POSTED SOON
(now showing interviews with Cathy Allen, David Drys, Josh Guy, and Mary Washington)
Now showing excerpts of candidates except Angie Wathen
At Large Candidates
BRANDI EDELEN
BRANDIE M. EDELEN
Filed Regular -02/09/2024
Email BEDELEN@luckyinlove.info
Phone (240) 298-8339
Committee Name: FRIENDS OF BRANDIE EDELEN FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION
29697 VINCENT CIR
MECHANICSVILLE MD 20659
OCCUPATION
Edelen is a psychology professor at the College of Southern Maryland; the following is from her faculty profile:
I began my college student experience at CSM over 30 years ago. I remember sitting in the back of one of my classes and thinking that one day, I would teach here. I continued taking classes while marrying and growing a family, but I never lost sight of the dream to become a public school teacher and college professor. I also own and operate a thriving wedding decor rental company in St. Mary’s County.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Human Services, and I have begun working on my Ph.D. in psychology.
Public Information
A ‘Rate, Your Professor’ website shows dozens of students of Professor Edelen giving her rave reviews as an interesting and outstanding teacher.
Josh Guy
Josh Guy at GOP forum at Taphouse: Crime and violence in schools skyrocketing
Filed Regular -02/06/2024
Email joshguy1945@gmail.com
Phone (240) 561-1165
Committee Name Friends of Josh Guy
FACEBOOK: Josh Guy for School Board
Brandon Hoffman, Treasurer
Po Box 68
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
Josh Guy is a first-time candidate, though he has experience in politics in St. Mary’s County. In 2022, he served as the campaign manager for B. J. Hall’s run for commissioner president in the GOP primary. Josh told THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY that he is a product of the St. Mary’s County Public Schools from K-12, has worked one year as a substitute school teacher, and since 2022, worked in the Family Magistrate section of the Maryland Judiciary dealing with drafting court orders, child support, and other duties as assigned.
Angela M. Wathen
Wathen owns the historic Potomac Gardens at Colton’s Point, an entertainment venue popular in St. Mary’s County.
From St. Mary’s Art Council website: I have been an artist since I can remember. Selling my drawings in high school. Started teaching straight after college while selling my artwork on the side. I have been teaching middle school art for over twenty years. I have owned an art gallery for three years. I have collaborated with schools and the community to develop and implement art projects.
Education
St Marys College
Maryland University
Past Teaching Experience
2009 – 2019 Chesapeake Public Charter School
2017 – 2019, Chopticon High School
2006 – 2008, Margaret Brent Middle School
1998 – 2005, St. Johns
Filed Regular -10/03/2023
Email angwath@aol.com
Phone (301) 535-6631
Committee Name Angie Wathen for America
Contact Information
PO Box 180
Coltons Point, MD 20626
Random Student Drug Testing (RSDT)
If I get elected, I will remind the other board members that the National School Board Association has backed Random Student Drug Testing (RSDT) joining with us in the national Parents’ drug prevention movement throughout the past two decades in our successful efforts to get RSDT legalized through Congress and the Supreme Court, and endorsed by all the federal drug issues agencies like ONDCP, DEA, NIDA, etc. When implemented here in SMC, it will seriously reduce student drug use and violence in our schools. If elected to the board of education, I can help make that happen. Thanks,
DeForest Rathbone, candidate for at large board seat.
Deforest Rathbone
Deforest Rathbone is a longtime activist in pointing out the health hazards of marijuana and opposing the legalization of pot. He was a candidate for the St. Mary’s School Board in 2016.
By DeForest Rathbone,
Originally published by Parents Opposed to Pot
March 2, 2017
The marijuana issue illustrates a major reason for the public’s extremely low rating of legislators. News reports throughout the nation confirm that marijuana-money-driven pot legalization endangers families in many other states. Here is an example from Maryland:
More than 16 news articles from 8/16/16 through 10/23/16 reveal a virtual feeding frenzy among Maryland state legislators, marijuana bureaucrats, and would-be pot contractors. They all cited serious squabbling over access to profits from the federally-illegal addictive, dangerous child brain poison, marijuana being falsely promoted as “medicine” under drug-trafficker-friendly Maryland State laws.
Currently, Maryland state legislators are considering additional proposals that would further entrench their previous misguided pro-pot public health-endangering laws.
DeForest Rathbone is a Board Member of Parents Affected By Addiction (PABA).
Status Pending Candidate Authorization
Filed Regular -02/09/2024
Email DZR@PRODIGY.NET
Phone (301) 994-2733
Contact Information
18816 McKays Beach Rd
Leonardtown, MD 20650-6073
David Drys appeared with Charles Carrington at a forum
DAVID DRYS
Making Parents, Students, and Teachers First
From the campaign website of David Drys:
Providing transparency to allow for open and honest communication between students, teachers, parents, and the school board. I am your voice and advocate, and I want to have a direct line between you and me to ensure we are all driving toward the same goal.
From a press release issued by David Drys on Feb. 15, 2024:
Hollywood, MD – 15 February 2024 – David Drys, a seasoned business and
management professional is officially announcing his candidacy for the St. Mary’s
County Board of Education, District 4 seat. With a fresh perspective outside the
traditional educational background, David pledges to bring transparency, enhanced
parental involvement, and an educational approach to meet every student’s unique
needs.
David brings valuable experience in strategic planning, budget management, and team
leadership from his successful career in the business and government sectors. This
experience is poised to address the school district’s pressing challenges of student and
staff safety, funding shortfalls, and community engagement while fostering an
environment where educators can focus on what they do best: teaching our children.
“David’s campaign is built on the cornerstone of transparency,” said Tara Hearn,
campaign manager for David. “We believe that parents, students, and teachers deserve
a clear understanding of the decisions being made and how resources are allocated. It’s
time for a school board that not only listens but actively seeks out the voices of the
community it serves.”
Central to David’s platform is the commitment to increasing parental involvement in the
educational process. Recognizing parents as key stakeholders in their children’s
education, David supports enhanced and direct communication channels and
opportunities for parents to contribute to curriculum development and policy decisions.
As a parent of two children educated in the St. Mary’s County Public School system
(GMHS Class of 2021 and LHS Class of 2023), David understands the value parents
bring to the table and knows they are the best advocates for their children. His
involvement with Destination Imagination, Robotics Club, Sunshine Math, STEM
Academy and other various classroom activities give him a unique view from inside the
classroom and through the eyes of students.
Understanding that each student’s learning journey is unique, David advocates for an
educational system that is flexible and adaptive. “Our goal is to meet students where
they are, not where they are expected to be..” David stated. “This means support for
educators to implement diverse teaching strategies and ensuring that every student has
access to the resources they need to succeed.” David himself has a learning disability
so understands the challenges a rigid system can put on kids that could otherwise
excel.
With a vision to transform the SMCPS Board of Education, David is dedicated to
creating an inclusive, efficient, and responsive educational environment. By leveraging
his business acumen and a commitment to community engagement, David aims to
make a lasting impact on the future of our schools and the success of our students.
For more information about David’s campaign for the Board of Education, including
upcoming events and how to get involved, please visit www.votefordaviddrys.com, follow him on X (@voteforDDrys), and look for him on Facebook (David Drys for St.
Mary’s County Board of Education).
Filed for election to the St. Mary’s School Board on Feb. 7, 2024
From the LinkedIn profile: Portfolio Manager for AIRWorks as part of NAWCAD and NAVAIR. Led all AIRWorks projects for PEO(U&W) as well as all special projects and non-USN customer projects. Responsible for $750M and 80 people at various locations within the US.
David C Drys
Non-Partisan
Jurisdiction Saint Mary’s County
Filed Regular -02/07/2024
Email david@votefordaviddrys.com
Website www.votefordaviddrys.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556366095217
Twitter @voteforDDrys
Phone (240) 718-4227
Committee Name: Friends of David Drys
24810 Half Pone Point Rd
Hollywood, MD 20636
In 2004, Wendy and David Drys purchased a home on King James Parkway in the St. James area of St. Mary’s County, south of Lexington Park, MD, later lived in Leonardtown and now live on Half Pone Point in Hollywood, MD.
Charles Lawrence Vance Carrington
Charles Lawrence Vance Carrington, 28, is new to St. Mary’s County politics, living in Lexington Park, and may be one of the tallest candidates in local politics, standing at 6′ 7″, making even Delegate Todd Morgan, who once ran for school board in 1996, appearing to be of shorter stature. Carrington works for the federal government as an information security specialist, starting in 2021.
Carrington graduated from Great Mills High School in 2014 and played basketball at St. Mary’s College of Maryland from 2014-2015, studying computer science until 2016. Carrington studied at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, earning a BS degree and a Master’s in computer science in 2020, according to his resume on Linkedin.
Carrington has volunteered as an assistant basketball coach for St. Mary’s Parks and Recreation and at the Habitat for Humanity Restore.
Court records show that Carrington is in a hurry, having been clocked at 49 mph on Pegg Road in a 40 mph speed zone by Maryland State Trooper Riggs. Carrington failed to appear in District Court on Dec. 15, 2021, to answer for the infraction; however, during the Wuhan Pandemic, such a flagrant affront to procedures was lightly enforced, and no bench warrant was issued. On May 20, 2022, Carrington appeared before District Court Judge Christy Holt Chesser, and in a plea deal, St. Mary’s States Attorney Richard Fritz put the traffic charge on the Stet Docket.
CARRINGTON SUED; THE MOP BUCKET WON
In 2015, Carrington brought forth Tort litigation against the Kings Christian Academy LLC over an injury he suffered to his right foot, apparently in a collision with a mop bucket in the school gym.
The following notes are from the court records: Record should reflect a Chambers Conference was held prior to court. Voir Dire has been reviewed by counsel and is acceptable at this time. Plaintiff’s motion in limine is granted. Defendant’s motion in limine as to doctor bill is denied. The defendant’s motion in limine as to medical treatment of the right foot is granted. Defendant’s motion in limine as to future medical treatment & plaintiff’s loss of professional basketball prospects is granted. On August 15, 2015, court records show: Plaintiff’s Exh #2 (medical bills) marked & received. Defendant’s Exh #2 (MRI/radiology reports), #3 (notes from the two visits to Dr. Patel), #4 (photo of mop), #5 (photo of bucket), #6 (photo of bucket in gym), #7 (photo of bucket in gym), #8 (photo of location of people at the time of the incident), #11 (incident report) all marked & received. Defendant’s counsel requested the jury be given a jury instruction on per diem arguments – defendant withdrew this request. Closing arguments given. Bailiff’s sworn. The jury returned with a verdict: The defendant was not negligent.
Filed Regular -02/09/2024
Email ccarrington@viderirealty.com
Phone (301) 247-5960
Committee Name: Carrington for Education
Contact Information
22022 Gloucester Ct Apt 3B
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Mary Washington
Mary Washington is married to Eddie Washington, a DOD intelligence specialist, and began working in military schools when the family was stationed in Germany.
Moving to Lexington Park, she became involved in many school activities and, in 1996, decided to run for a seat on the first elected school board. The board was appointed by the Governor prior to legislation passed by Senator Roy Dyson (D. St. Mary’s, Calvert) to allow the citizens to select who to run local schools instead of the decision being made on a partisan basis by the local central committees sending names to the sitting Governor. Washington won her first election in 1996 and has won a total of six terms, making the effort in 2024 her seventh. She has often won without any opposition but has failed attempts to win a county commissioner seat.
A pending lawsuit against the St. Mary’s Board of Education for wrongful death in failing to keep a student from bringing a gun into Great Mills High School and killing a student has been brought by a Leonardtown law firm of Kathleen McClernan. The firm includes a 2022 candidate for St. Mary’s School Board, Marsha Williams, who would not have played a role in running again for school board while her firm was bringing court action against the school system: Melissa Willey et al. vs. Board of Education of St. Mary’s County. The litigation names all members of the Board of Education, including Mary Washington and Cathy Allen, both seeking another term on the board.
Filed Regular -01/03/2024
Email: marywash@md.metrocast.net
Facebook mary washington
Twitter @doingmycalling
Phone (301) 863-5166
Committee Name Citizens for Mary M. Washington
Contact Information
23185 Barley Court
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Commissioner District 2
Cathy Allen
Commissioner District 2
Email brad-cath@verizon.net
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CathyAllen2016/
Phone (301) 373-5559
Committee Name: Cathy Allen for Board of Education
Contact Information
43386 Karen Court
Hollywood, MD 20636-
From the College of Southern Maryland bio of Cathy Allen:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Cathy Allen of St. Mary’s County to serve the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as trustee, effective July 1, 2018, through 2023. Allen replaces Trustee Dr. John W. Roache, who retired from the board in April 2022.
Allen joins the CSM Board of Trustees with 21 years of education policy experience. The Hollywood, Maryland resident is currently a member of the St. Mary’s County Public School Board of Education, where, among her many achievements, she has successfully advocated for implementation and funding for a comprehensive STEM program in the county’s school system and served on several state-wide committees tasked with review of issues related to student and teacher education and welfare.
Education: BS, nursing, University of Virginia.
Occupation: former critical care nurse.
Elected offices/civic activities: Member, St. Mary’s County Board of Education, 2000-2001; vice chairman, St. Mary’s County Board of Education, 2001-2003; chairman, St. Mary’s County Board of Education, 2003-present; member, SMCPS Growth Management Advisory Committee; past president, Leonardtown Elementary Parent-Teacher Association; sustaining member, Carver School Site Selection Committee; member, Junior League Norfolk-Virginia Beach.
Elena Brewer
At an appearance before the St. Mary’s School Board on May 25, 2022, Brewer stated that she has three children in the St. Mary’s Public Schools and that her children love their teachers. Brewer said she “… is very proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States as a person born and raised in the tyranny of the former Soviet Union. I am grateful that America offers limitless opportunities for me and my children.”
Brewer stated that she was appreciative of the staff and school system for facing the challenges of dealing with the worldwide Pandemic and that she wished to speak about a different type of Pandemic. She said she wanted to “…speak about the sexualization of children in our taxpayer-funded public schools. Our children are bombarded with LGTBQ propaganda in the form of classroom decor, terminology, and even teacher’s attire, all without parental consent. This type of propaganda is causing irreversible damage to our children by robbing them of their innocence and making them susceptible to future unhealthy and destructive choices.”
Brewer told the St. Mary’s School Board that her son’s teacher gave him a summer book reading list, and when the family ordered and received a book in the mail, they discovered the book was about homosexuality. She said at the time, her son had no knowledge of homosexuality.
“You robbed me and my son of his innocence; Amazon refunded the cost of the book; who will refund my son of his innocence.?”
Brewer also condemned the actions of the schools for allowing the blatant sexualization of children with posters displaying transgender individuals, and her daughter and her friend were debating if the person was a male or a female.
In any other public setting, if an adult sexualizes a child, that adult goes to jail. But in St. Mary’s Public Schools, this is allowed. Brewer asked that the Board of Education write a policy that halts the sexualization of children in public schools.
Below are my top 10 reasons for running for the school board.
- To promote EXCELLENCE in education and not indoctrination (of any kind)
- Stop the sexualization of children K-12 and protect the innocence of children.
- Establish a balance between computer learning and learning from books; preserve our children’s eyes.
- Have a budget that respects the taxpayer and prioritizes US citizens.
- Promote respect for the Christian heritage of the USA.
- Give parents access to 100% of the curriculum children are learning.
- Bring back Christmas, a federal holiday, on our school calendars.
- Respect the will of the parents.
- Bring back American Exceptionalism into our classrooms.
- Every child – our treasure and our future!
Filed Regular -02/08/2024
Email: elenabrewerBOE@gmail.com
Phone (505) 803-8215
Committee Name: Elena Brewer for Board of Education
Contact Information
PO Box 824
Hollywood, MD 20636
ANTHONY LOTIERZO
EDUCATION: Masters of Business Adminstration, University of Phoenix
FMS Lead FMS Lead NAVAIR
NAVAIR, Oct 2016 – Present · 7 yrs 5 mos
Jan 2012 – Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mosJan 2012 – Apr 2014 · 2 yrs 4 mos
Pax RiverPax River
Mission Planning Project Manager responsible for the successful management of the F/A-18 and E/A-18G Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) Mission Planning Environment (MPE) for Australia, Kuwait, and Malaysia. Manages the full life cycle product development from project creation to integration, Development Test (DT), Operational Test (OT), fielding, support and eventually retirement.
Filed Regular -02/05/2024
Email: anthonylotierzo4BOE@gmail.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555956672223
Phone (301) 266-6733
Committee Name: Anthony Lotierzo for Board of Education
Contact Information
PO Box 272
Leonardtown, MD 20650-