Crisfield residents discuss issues they want candidates to consider

The city of Crisfield will be having its elections tomorrow, up for grabs are two council seats. Councilwoman LaVerne Johnson is running for re-election.However, Councilman Dr. Michael Atkins is not running again. City officials tell us four candidates including Johnson have filed. 47 ABC spoke to residents about what issues they’d like candidates to consider if they are elected. Some of the most common topics people brought up on Tuesday were economic development and community outreach.

Dustin Taylor, a Crisfield resident, was riding his bike on Tuesday and tells us
he’s seen a big change in Crisfield since Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

“Everything back in the day use to be blooming. Stores everywhere,” says Taylor.

The same was true back in Elmer Barkley’s day. Barkley tells us he left Crisfield  decades ago, after graduating high school because there weren’t enough jobs. He came back because his family owns property here, but he says the Crisfield job landscape still needs work and he wants city council candidates to focus on boosting the economy.

“I think there should be more jobs, development,” says Barkley.

Tom Keida tells us he believes this can happen if the next elected council members are business friendly.

“I think the city should be more receptive to new businesses and helping them new businesses and making sure they thrive,” says Keida.

Also on voters’ minds, uniting people. With two of five  total council seats up for election they tell us whoever wins should consider creating more community events.

“So we have have more stuff to do like play ball,” says Taylor.

“Also makes it their concern about bringing the community together as far contact with one another,” says Barkley.

Crisfield officials tells us city hall will be the polling site and will open tomorrow at 7 AM and close at 7 PM. City officials tell us they invite the public to observe the counting process. Pollitt tells us the council will have a special meeting on June 27th to install the elected councilmen/councilwoman.