ELECTION DAY IS JUST SIX WEEKS AWAY!

Dear Friends,
Today is the first day of Fall, and that means that election day is just six weeks away! As I have campaigned throughout the Red Bud District, I am finding most people very happy with the School System, and their children's educational process. On November 3, I am hoping to be elected to the Frederick County School Board as a representative of the Red Bud District. It will be wonderful to join a group of individuals who are working so well together to keep our local schools excellent.

The Winchester Star ran an article today titled, Election Deadlines Approach by Drew Houff that gave an overview of the local races.
Here is an excerpt from the article, or you may see the entire article at http://www.winchesterstar.com/pages/view/election.html
Frederick County voters in the Red Bud, Shawnee, and Stonewall magisterial districts will elect their respective members to the Board of Supervisors and School Board.
In the Red Bud District, voters will decide between Republican Christopher E. Collins and independent Richard E. Howett for supervisor and Mary M. “Peggy” Clark and David W. Glander for School Board.
In the Red Bud district, there is no incumbent supervisor. Philip Lemieux announced in August that he would not be seeking re-election because a job he was taking would make him ineligible due to the Hatch Act.
Howett, who currently serves as the Red Bud representative on the Frederick County School Board, decided not to seek re-election and instead try to earn a seat on the Board of Supervisors.
I appreciate your support as I continue through the campaign, hopefully to achieving my goal of being a local educator representing my friends and neighbors on the Frederick County School Board.

Happy Fall!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

Please contact me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

TGIF - Trip to the National Zoo

Dear Friends,

On Friday, my husband and I took a daytrip to the National Zoo in DC. It was a glorious day! I thought you might enjoy some of the pictures we took. It was nice to have a little time off from campaigning.

Peggy Clark

Hob Nob in the Valley

HOB NOB

September, 2009

Dear Friends,

I have attended the Chamber of Commerce political event Hob Nob in the Valley several times. This year I was able to attend the Hob Nob as a candidate! How very fun, and a little nerve- racking. My husband Basil and friend Ellen Cunningham attended the event with me. We talked with hundreds of people, and had some great discussions about the School Board race, and others across the State. I was interviewed, and had several "clips" on the late night news on Channel 3. A straw poll was held and I won the straw poll vote for the Red Bud Seat on the Frederick County School Board. I wish it was the real thing, but will have to wait until November 3 for that!

My thanks to all of you who have contributed money to my campaign. I have been able to purchase a variety of campaign materials that are really helping me to get my message out to the voters in Red Bud. At Hob Nob, I think I had one of the nicest displays - all purchased with donated money.

I am continuing to campaign door to door and at local events. I had hoped to reach nearly every voter, but seem to be running short of time. Hopefully, the message is getting out there! Folks are very excited about the prospect of having a recent Frederick County Teacher on the School Board, and I believe the overwhelming response from voters is that they do Trust a Teacher!

Thanks to all of you for supporting me!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board - Red Bud District

Please e-mail me at friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net

A Campaign Gift

Dear Friends,

I have received many wonderful campaign gifts, since I began this journey in June to be the next School Board Member from the Red Bud District of Frederick County. My thanks to all of you who have contributed with money, time, and encouragement. Your faith in me has made me even more committed to serve on the School Board and use my experience and personal gifts to help guide our school system.

Of all the gifts to my campaign, the nicest and most surprising came this week from my "opposition", Gary Hall. Gary had announced his candidacy before I did, and has a love for the Frederick County Schools. He is a caring and concerned citizen who would serve well in any position that he held. After meeting me, and researching my qualifications and commitment to education and the citizens of Frederick County, Gary made the decision to step aside, and back my candidacy for School Board. Printed below is the text of Gary's letter to the editor of the Winchester Star. My thanks to Gary for his gracious action, and helping me to become your next School Board member.

A ‘great fit’
After meeting and getting to know Peggy Clark, I have decided not to run for the Red Bud District School Board seat in Frederick County. I feel Peggy is a great fit for this position. Her background, open-mindedness, and ability to be a great listener should prove to be valuable assets as a representative for the people of the Red Bud District. If you are undecided on a candidate, take some time to talk with Peggy. I think that you will be happy that you did.Thanks to all of you who helped and supported my candidacy. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Gary L. Hall
Frederick County

CALL TO ACTION - SEEK MORE SCHOOL FUNDS!

Dear Red Bud Families,
As your School Board Candidate, I have been visiting with many of you in your homes and neighborhoods. Our schools have gotten off to a fairly smooth start, and children seem happy with their classes, and parents satisfied with their child's teachers and programs.

I am also hearing of the impact of our recent budget cuts from parents, students, and teachers. As we continue to see the impacts to our education system from the economic downturn, it is imperative for citizens to speak out. DON'T IGNORE THE SLEEPING GIANT! If your elected officials in Frederick County, Richmond, and Washington, DC do not hear from you, they will assume everything is just fine, and no additional school funding is needed.

In Frederick County Schools this year, there are many changes due to reduced funding. MANY positions were cut! These were positions in every area of the School System, and their loss means less service to our children. The Federal Stimulus money kept Frederick County Schools from having to cut salaries, but we were dangerously close to having that too.

This is a CALL TO ACTION! As you see issues with your child's education as a result of reduced funding, let your elected officials know. SCHOOL FUNDING IS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK locally, as well as at the State, and at the Federal Level. School Boards across the State and across the Country cannot provide the best education our youngsters deserve with reduced funding.

Citizens of Frederick County, let your voice be heard that our schools need to be a top budget priority. Your children's futures depend on it!

Peggy Clark

Candidate for Frederick County School Board

Red Bud District

To contact me, E-Mail:friendsofpeggyclark@verizon.net