Politics & Government

Two Incumbent MCC Board Members Decide Against Reelection Then . . .

Election is McLean Day

Two incumbent members of the McLean Community Center board decided against seeking reelection this year.

David Sanders, the board's longest serving member with at least 15 years, and Craig Richardson, who was elected two years ago are not seeking reelection.

Then at Wednesday night's board meeting, Richardson indicated he had changed his mind and would run as a write-in candidate.

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“I was on the fence Ive enjoyed the opportunity and working with people on the board,"  and the staff, Richardson said Wednesday night.

 He said he initially decided against running because he is managing a  football program and going through a job transition.

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 "I did think about long and hard,” he told fellow board members.

  “I will be the first one to write you in,” said Susan Bourgeois the other incumbent board member seeking reelection to a second three-year term.

The third adult candidate is  Laurelie Wallace, who said in a press release that she is a McLean native. There was no other information available about her.

 The 11-member board has nine adult and two youth members. There is more competition on the youth ballot where four McLean students are running for two seats. Board members are unpaid.

Elections for the MCC Board, which oversees the community center, the teen center, a $6 million budget and an estimated $10 million surplus, were low-key affairs until last year.

Then two things happened:

  • At least two candidates led by newcomer Chad Quinn put up campaign signs. Quinn,who wallpapered McLean with signs, ran nearly 200 votes ahead of his closest competitor – incumbent board member Risa Sanders who also put up sign near the end of the campaign. Incumbent Sean Dunn only defeated largely unknown lacrosse coach David (Bucky) Morris, by seven votes for a third term on the board.
  • The board has come under increased scrutiny this year.  A member of the McLean Citizens Association now regularly attends meetings. The MCA has pressured the board to decide how to spend its surplus or give it back to McLean taxpayers.

Write-in candidates must have at least 10 votes from 10 residents of the Center’s tax district in order to have their votes counted. For youth write-in candidates, the 10 votes must come from teens who live within the same high school boundary area as the candidate.

David Sanders did not speak about his reasons for stepping down at the board meeting. He did not answer to inquiries about his decision.

The youth candidates from the McLean High District: Craig McKenzie, of Langley high School. McKenzie served as the youth representative two years ago. Malika Nimmagadda, a McLean High School student.

The youth candidates from the Langley High District: Drew Armstrong, of Langley High School. Will Ferrer who is  the IB program at George C. Marshall High School.

The election is held at McLean Day. May 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on at Lewinsville Park. Absentee ballots may be cast from April 9, through May 16.


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