The 4/5th Democratic Club hosted a La Plata candidate forum at the Green Turtle, La Plata, on Monday, April 14.

All candidates attended:
Mayor, Jeannine E. James (incumbent), Ralph Wayne Winkler
Ward I, Paul C. Guttenberg, David Winkler (incumbent)
Ward II, Richard Gilpin, Patrick McCormick
Ward III, Tarinna Olley, Gregory Sampson, Jr.
Ward IV, Tyjon C "TJ" Johnson – unopposed

Questions were provided to the candidates before the forum.

Format:
2-minute opening statement
2-minute response to three questions
2-minute closing statement

All candidates were requested to provide written or video responses after the form ended.
The forum was recorded.

This was an informative event. It provided an opportunity to learn about each candidate, their communication skills, and why they are running.

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

My view/takeaways:

Candidates provided thoughtful answers.
Some were better prepared than others
Some responses were critical of the Town Council:

*Approving development without the necessary infrastructure
*Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO not done

Full disclosure- perhaps I'm biased by criticism of the Town Council, but accept them as a current Council member (until May 12, 2025)

While these criticisms are valid, additional facts (good and bad) and perspectives are provided rather than just criticizing the town and processes.

YouTube Video Link

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the third in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s third review and discussion of the proposed Operating Budget and the proposed FY 2026 Fee Schedule.

La Plata YouTube Meeting Link
Discussion - Fee Schedule: Minute 29:49
Discussion of Any Outstanding Budget Items: Minute 42:33

La Plata General Election - Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM, Town Hall

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the second podcast series about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s second review of the proposed Operating Budget, and first review of two proposed draft versions of FY 26 Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Stormwater Management, with the 457 Deferred Compensation, and with Pension, plan, from the March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting.

The draft Enterprise budgets were emailed to the Council at 11:35 AM on Friday, March 21, 2025. I emailed my initial Enterprise draft budget comments and questions to the Finance Director and Town Council on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The sources for this podcast/video are materials provided to the Town Council for those items on the published Town Council agenda and posted to the public and emailed to the Council, Friday, March 21, 2025.

The Finance Committee provided additional information to the Town Council at the meeting. Finance Comm materials 25mar25
*Fact Sheet: The State of US Public Pensions in 2024
*Sources for 457 (b) Vs Pension Plan Comparison

La Plata YouTube – March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting

*Monthly Finance Report – Finance Director Larsen – Minute 10:18
*Finance Committee Discussion /FY 2026 Enterprise Budgets Discussion – Minute 28:12

La Plata Ward 4 Update YouTube Video