Upper Adams School Board candidates made a final push to connect with local voters days before Election Day.
Six of the seven candidates running for the four open seats on the nine-member board mingled with voters at a meet-and-greet at the National Apple Museum Monday night. Candidates Rachel Elliott, Kay Hollabaugh, John Lindemulder, Matthew Lustig, Eric Markle and Deb Steckler chatted with voters. Melissa Anders was invited but did not attend, according to organizers.
Casual conversation flowed over a potluck spread as the cool autumn air wafted into the barn. Youngsters made bookmarks at a table. Informational flyers about the five candidates running as a slate sat by the food.
Elliott, Hollabaugh, Lindemulder, Markle and Steckler have been campaigning together and share political signs posted around the community. They also held a meet-and-greet in February.
Elliott is a stay-at-home mom who is working toward serving adults with autism to help them live independently. She is running for the board because she feels the “school’s future is in the balance.”
Elliott disagrees with certain members of the current board who she described as being in favor of “banning books.”
“I want to make sure that all of our students are treated fairly,” she said. “We have an amazing school, and I want to keep it that way.”
Hollabaugh, a retired business owner, is the only incumbent running to keep her seat. Susan Crouse, Jim Lady and Gerald Walmer are not running for re-election.
“I would like people to vote for open-minded candidates who don’t have a hidden agenda,” Hollabaugh said.
She said she believes it is essential for board members to be able to work together and have all students’ best interests in mind while doing their duty to taxpayers.
Lindemulder, a real estate agent, made his message clear. He attended Monday’s event wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words, “Our children are watching.”
He said he is excited about the future of Upper Adams and emphasized the need to recruit and retain quality teachers.
“This is home,” he said simply.
Lustig, who works in the educational field, had his daughter by his side as he spoke with community members. He said he cares about students, parents and the citizens of the district.
“If elected, I look forward to hearing from those citizens” and representing them, Lustig said.
Should Lustig win one of the four seats, he would serve on the board alongside his father Loren Lustig.
Markle is a computer programmer at George Washington University. He said he wants to ensure the district retains good teachers and creates an environment where people want to work.
As voters prepare to cast their ballots, Markle recommends they “vote for people that are going to align with what you’re looking for.” He described himself as a candidate who listens, values opinions and will stand up for students and teachers.
Steckler, a realtor, sees elections as a way for voters to voice their opinions and create change. She and several of the other candidates present Monday underscored the importance of voting.
Steckler described herself as a candidate who keeps an open mind.
“I’m here for the kids and the community,” she said.
Food leftover from the event was donated to the Upper Adams Food Pantry by the slate of five candidates.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
