CRISFIELD — Voters in Crisfield have broad choice when going to the polls on June 15 to elect a mayor and three council members. And the public can meet them during a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored candidates forum 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at Crisfield High School. The moderator will be Andre Collins.

Joining first-term incumbent and former council member Mayor Barry Dize on the ballot is Darlene Taylor, executive director of It Takes a Village to Help Our Children Inc.

Having filed earlier were Donald Alcorn, an unsuccessful Republican candidate in 2010 for Maryland Senate in District 36 who is also running for Somerset County Republican Central Committee; and Jimmy Ford, a first-term councilman giving up his spot to make a run as the city’s chief executive.

For City Council two currently serving members want to retain their seats. Mike Atkins, a former councilman who was first appointed in 2008, served until stepping off in 2016. He was appointed again in January 2020 to complete the term of Gail Lankford.

Councilman Casey Goldsborough, also an appointee in March 2021 to replace Nelson Sheppard, is running for a full four-year term.

They are aligned with Mayor Dize and political newcomer Ivan “Tank” Lankford who they hope to see take the seat being vacated by Mr. Ford.

Also on the ballot will be Ruthie Todd, a former council member who was elected in 1994 and served one term but lost in her bid for mayor in 1998. She also ran for council in 2018.

Former council member LaVerne Johnson, defeated in the 2020 election, joins the field and is trying to regain her place. Her service started in 2006 as an appointed member. She was elected in 2008 and served three consecutive terms, often as vice president.

The Ethics Commission met May 2 to qualify the candidates, and  financial  disclosure forms were determined to need updating from Ms. Todd and Mayor Dize, but pending that the three-member panel  gave them approval to be on the ballot.

The form from Mr. Alcorn is being reviewed by City Solicitor Mac Baldwin as he lists  Captain's Quarters as his address on Dock Street, however, the State Department of Assessment and Taxation lists his principal residence outside the city limits at Annemessex Ridge.

Continuing for two more years are council members Charlotte Scott and Eric Banks, both elected in 2020.
City elections are non-partisan.