More than a dozen file for election

Havre de Grace, Md. (Map, News) - As far back as most people can remember, Havre de Grace City Council races have never drawn nine contenders, let alone four people for the office of mayor.

“I have been involved with the city for about 30 years, and I have never heard of this many people running for office,” Havre de Grace City Administrator Jim Newby said.

Three council members who hold seats now up for grabs — Fred Cullum, Wayne Dougherty and Gary Wasielewski — have set their sights on the mayor’s job. Meanwhile, Mayor John Correri is running for re-election.

“I’m sorry all of them are running because that will mean that come May 8 there will be three people who will no longer be active,” said Joe Kochenderfer, one of the City Council hopefuls.

Other residents running for the City Council include Marian Bollinger, James Boyle, Randolph Craig, Barbara Jenifer-Ferguson, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Kalman Riegelhaupt, Herman Schweers and James Walker.

Kochenderfer, Riegelhaupt and Jenifer-Ferguson all have served on the council in the past, while the remaining six candidates are newcomers to the political arena, Newby said.

“You have to be able to start somewhere,” Riegelhaupt, who served on the council from 1978 to 1980 and has consistently thrown his hat into the ring since.

“You often hear people complain about how there is not enough of a choice when it comes to political candidates … so in this case it’s good. The people have plenty of choice,” Wasielewski said.

In terms of overseeing the election, Newby said the number of candidates would not affect the city’s ability to run a smooth election.

“This is America, and we live in a democracy and this is the way it works,” Dougherty said.

mplum@baltimoreexaminer.com