ELECTIONS 2014
June 21 - Your Vote is Needed
In April, your AOTB Nominating and Elections Committee proposed a slate of candidates for our June election. Three officer and four Board positions await your vote. Look for your ballots in the mail, or vote at the June 21 meeting. You’ll find thumbnail biographies on pages 2 and 3 –
Donna Watts Lamont for Vice President - one-year term
Pamela Duncan for Secretary - two-year term
Sheila Keating for Treasurer - one-year term
Alison Buckler, Brian Houst, Dick Peyton, Lori Strum, Michelle Thompson, Roxanne Veal, and David Zeman to fill four vacancies on the Board of Directors - two-year terms.
Those whom you elect on June 21, will begin their terms on July 1.
The community owes fervent thanks to all volunteers who offer their services, including the self-effacing committee work exemplified by Nominations & Elections – Tim Hamilton, chair, timhamilton47@mac.com; Michael Postlewaite, myldo@aol.com; Toni Ray, tray@hobobags.com.
You can find descriptions and responsibilities in the Constitution & By-Laws. Click here.
Votes will be tabulated and results announced at that meeting.
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Officer Candidate Biographies
For Vice Paresident - Donna Watts-Lamont
Donna and her husband Lowell Lamont moved into their home in AOTB in August, 2004. The family had often visited the area and as a child Donna loved the community when they visited. Donna is a graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law and holds a Masters in Labor Law from Georgetown University Law Center. She has served for 25 years on Maryland's Unemployment Insurance Compensation Board, for the past 10 years as the Board's Chairperson. Donna has two grown sons. She looks forward to returning as AOTB’s Vice-President and working with its members to build on the great work that has been done for our community.
For Secretary - Pamela Duncan
I have lived at Arundel-on-the-Bay since summer 1995 when my husband, Charlie, and I moved to his parents' summer home; I also have great memories of coming down to Arundel with friends from Washington D.C. during my high school years. One of my interests is local history and I am among the group of our neighbors helping research the book being prepared on our community. I also am president of the Ann Arrundell County Historical Society which operates the Benson Hammond House near the airport and the Kuethe Library of Historical and Genealogical Research in Glen Burnie.
I have served as Secretary for several terms and would be delighted to continue in that role. However, I also would be delighted if anyone interested in taking the job would come forward.
For Treasurer - Sheila Keating
I was born and raised at the Jersey Shore. I am married to Chris and have a daughter who lives in Seattle.
Over the years I have worked in social services, bookkeeping, and my last and most enjoyed job was in the horticulture department of a botanical garden in Richmond, Va.
Chris and I have lived in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Virginia and now Arundel on the Bay, where we intend to stay forever.
Board of Trustees Candidate Biographies
Alison Buckler
Alison has lived in AOTB for six years. She organizes the Christmas party and also the community 5K. During her recent service on the Board, Alison headed up the installation of the paper street walking trails throughout the community. She is a member of the Association of Maryland Pilots and as such she pilots cargo vessels up and down the Chesapeake Bay. Alison is committed to making AOTB the best that it can be and believes the key to doing this is through neighborhood events and improving community amenities.
Dick Peyton
Dick and his wife, Peggy, have lived in Arundel on the Bay for eight years. Prior to that, they lived in the Wiltondale neighborhood of Towson where they raised their family. Dick was on the Board of Directors of Wiltondale for eighteen years, serving two terms as president. He also served as a member and president of the Wiltondale pool committee. His other civic commitments in Baltimore included service as a board member and president of the Children's Guild; being a board member of the Building Owners and Managers Association; and acting as a consultant to Maryland Public Television. Dick is vice-president of hospitality sales at the Matworks. He loves our community and looks forward to returning to the Arundel on the Bay Board of Directors.
Lori W. (Wilkerson) Strum
She has lived in AOTB for 50 years, since she was four-years old, and is among three generations in her family to enjoy life by the water in Annapolis. She grew up in this once quiet, summer-filled community as a full-time resident on Narragansett Avenue and was part of the first group of children to go to Hillsmere Elementary School when it opened.
A graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, Lori worked in management; she retired from AT&T with 16 years under her belt and is currently working her 18th year with United Airlines. She previously served as an AOTB board member from 1993 to 1995 and currently chairs the Board.
Lori is married to James Strum. They have four daughters (Ajia, Kerra, Krista, Teaera), one foster son (Michael Alexander), and seven grandchildren. She and James previously lived in Houston, Texas, where all their children were born. They moved back to AOTB in the mid-eighties, built their house in the middle of the community and raised all of their children here. She enjoys traveling, shopping, sewing, boating, fishing, spoiling the grandchildren, and walking the family dog Dooney.
Michelle Thompson
I moved to AOTB in September 2011 with my significant other, Jon Krohmer, MD. We were choosing between Alexandria, Va., and here. Our eclectic, beautiful bayside and historical community won out hands down.
While in Michigan I served on several Boards. I was the Secretary for one year of the Grandville American Youth Soccer Organization. I served as the Treasurer of that same Board for two years. I was the Safety Officer for the Allendale AYSO for one year. I was asked to be a part of our church leadership community within two years of joining the church. This allowed us to be sent to Willow Creek, Ill. for extensive leadership training and assist with the choosing of a new pastor. I was also a Sunday school teacher for three years.
I was honored to have the opportunity to volunteer for five years for Michigan’s Center for Women in Transition. My role was a Sexual Victims Advocate. I was available 24 hours a day and was responsible to talk on the phone or meet in person with a victim of either a domestic or sexual assault. I was with the survivor from their first call for help through the examinations and police interviews, until our social workers were able to step in.
I have spent the past 16 years working in Emergency Management and the past 10 years I have been fortunate to be working with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Program Manager.
Communication is the common factor between all of the volunteer and professional work I have done. It is very important to listen to all sides before making a decision (except when the only decision that can be made is based on safety). Although you also are never going to make everybody happy, communicating and explaining why decisions are made is very important. People need to understand what is going on and the basis is for why their decision “was not chosen.”