Opinion: While the race for Governor in Northampton was closer than expected, Northam still carried by 634 votes. If anything, this was a victory for a local boy. Other races in the county offer a similar take—homeboys took back the county.
In District 1, John Coker defeated Jackie Chatmon 692 to 402. In this race, Coker succeeded in garnering the “CBES sustainability vote”, essentially gaining the majority of Granville Hogg supporters. Chatmon on the other hand, as Chairman of the Planning Commission, found herself embroiled in the “Son of 2015 Zoning” controversy surrounding the latest draft Comprehensive Plan. While Chatmon is a smart, successful and accomplished woman (disclaimer, Chatmon is a good friend of the author), she was nonetheless tied to the CPAC group, a group that many in the county feel is less than reputable for reasons stemming from promoting over-development, unsustainable growth practices, and a hidden desire to unravel Chesapeake Bay protections—to essentially turn the Shore into Ocean City. For many who championed Granville Hogg and his loyalty and love of the Eastern Shore, they attached those qualities to Coker.
One of the more interesting events was the race for the at-large School Board slot, where Kevin Schwenk was easily defeated by Randy Parks. The race highlighted Schwenk, a recent come-here who resigned his post at Northampton High School against Parks, a retired teacher and administrator with close to 30 years’ experience within the county school system.
“Mr. Schwenk should explain why, after successfully motivating students at NHS, he elected to leave the position, and discontinue the programs which he resurrected. This appears to be a disconnect with his campaign positions.” This comment by a Mirror reader points to a disconnect that is crucial. His resignation, as well as his capriciously canceling theater productions such as Peter Pan, left many with the impression of Kevin as not so much a problem solver, but a quitter.
After deconstruction, at its core, some folks that voted for Parks said they found the Schwenk campaign arrogant, out of touch and at times insulting. The message taken by many was that Northampton families, the kids, the system in general is bad, and that only a millennial come-here has the answers to fix it. For those that have grown up here, graduated from here, have raised families that have kids in school here now, the message that “it’s all about the kids” or “let’s give them what they deserve” rang hollow. The real Shore rejected this notion outright; for Shore families, they already knew it was all about the kids (this is a county that gives over 60% of its revenue to the schools, and routinely approves of increasing that number).
There is no doubt that Northampton has its issues, such as generational poverty, but almost every other locality in the state has similar if not worse problems. The belief promoted by Schwenk and others that the School Board and School Administration doesn’t give a hoot about the kids was not palatable.
Kevin Schwenk is a wonderful person, and many really love him (the fact that he got 1000 votes speaks to how much many care for him), but the campaign message, while purporting to be hopeful, was for many parents, a little disingenuous, and ultimately left a bad taste in their mouths.
There is a feeling that many people who move here, and have not raised a family here, don’t see the whole picture. Those that have been involved in Shore sports realize there is another side to the living on the Shore. From tee-ball up through school ball, no matter the sport, over the many years you meet and become friends with so many families from all walks of life–you gain a perspective.
We have seen kids that started out playing tee-ball and are now pitching in the Yankee system, we have kids that graduated and come back to start some of the largest businesses on the Shore. In my little case, someone like Ashley Glennon who several years ago played Annie opposite my Daddy Warbucks, has now graduated from college and works for Microsoft. Despite the gloom that many are trying to spread about our schools and kids, there are thousands of stories just like this. The people of Northampton County really want someone like Andy Teeling, who is aware of the problems and shortcomings, but also the grand success stories—someone who, rather than pointing fingers, is willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work.
Just as in the Coker race, just as the county rejected the doom and gloom of the CPAC inspired draft Comp Plan, Northampton rejected a similar dark representation of their children and their schools, as well as the mythic notion that they are in need of a millennial come-here salvation.
They instead opted for a pragmatic administrator with 30 years of boots on the ground Eastern Shore experience.
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While some this article could be considered true, articles with viewpoints such as this (come here, from here, homeboys) are exactly what’s wrong with this county. I thought no one believes that stuff? And there isn’t a divide between the two…….Disappointing Wayne.
Note: Very good points, and I agree with you. This is just a quick and dirty analysis of why some voted some way, some the other, and just based on oddball conversations, letters, and emails that floated this way.
Sure there is, most folks lost their voices in the name of Political Correctness. I hope they can find them again.
So you are saying that it’s not politically correct to refer to people as from here or come here or homeboys? And that sentiment still exists here on the shore, people just don’t want to admit it and we wonder why people don’t want to come here to work/teach/live only to retire and sit quietly by as we make sure no one ruins the “beauty of the shore” in favor of a better tax base and public schools?? Well, golly gee who’da thunk that….
Without the come here’s, would there ever be teacher in our school system Wayne? Y’all sure are not sounding very welcoming of those of us that are come here’s!
This article doesn’t even have the facts!
The truth of the matter is, where has there been changes to the system. Yes it’s great to see these students go out and succeed beyond belief (the Yankees pitcher, and said girl who works for microsoft) but that’s a few out of how many students in the school system! And if a come here, “Because he’s a come here” is being judged because you don’t think that he sees the whole picture….shame on You! You obviously don’t know the same person that I know!
Note: Just be clear, this article is an analysis of why Coker beat Chatman, and Parks beat Schwenk. Outside the bubble, out in the County, these are merely some of the reasons folks went for Parks.
I can understand the sentiment and feeling that people who were not born here or raised a family here don’t see the whole picture. However, the “come-here’s” do bring freshness and an understanding of the bigger picture having lived and studied in various places across the country or even the world. There are positive things to be said about both. I don’t think Kevin was trying to be a “millennial savior” or preaching that the school board doesn’t give a hoot about the kids. Public education is always changing. The laws, regulations, curriculums, standards, and services provided are constantly changing as well. I think Kevin was trying to shed light on those changes and how they impacted teachers, students, and families in our community. Yes, he does not have 30 years or administration experience, but he does know what challenges the schools are currently facing. I think Kevin was brave and strong, rather than arrogant and insulting. Clearly there will be people who will not vote for him simply because he is a come here and that is just the way it is. The fact that over 1,000 people heard his message and took the time to write his name in on the ballot speaks volumes of how many people in our community are ready for some fresh ideas. I wonder how different the results would have been if he wasn’t a write in on the ballot…?
I was wondering about the perspective of this article, too. For a write in candidate to get something like 1/3 of the vote is nearly unheard of.
What were the “actual” numbers Wayne? You had some fake news numbers posted earlier, but since been deleted…hmmmmm…..???
Note: We posted the latest numbers here.The race you are interested in finished with: Parks 2535, Schwenk 1008. This is according to NH Registrar.
Wow. You are wrong yet again Wayne, still posting fake news. So, I guess you are going to dismiss the note you recently deleted under David Boyd’s comment saying that there were over 2,000 write-in votes for the school board at-large position which is wickedly inaccurate. However your numbers, even according to the report you supplied, is STILL inaccurately posted!!! Kevin received 1,020 votes! Although Randy did receive 2,535 votes, I would hardly call that an “easy defeat.” Particularly for a write-in!
Wow Wayne! Can you be a bit more harsh? You just brought all sorts of shit into your article here.
Really!
I believe Kevin would have won had he not been a write in candidate. Then what would you be saying?
Note: This is the Cape Charles Mirror, and the title notes ‘Toxic Analysis’. An election postmortem here always cuts the fluff. Was Kevin supposed to get a hall pass? Sorry, didn’t get the memo. The actual numbers (ouch), and what they signify are much more harsh than the analysis. You’re not in Jersey anymore, Dorothy.
Tuck those raw nerves back in…….Stop looking for Political Correctness.