Sunday, August 06, 2006
Citizens Slate for Change August Evening Sign Waving Schedule
Below is the evening sign waving schedule for the Citizens Slate for Change candidates for August. You are welcome to join the slate candidates at any time. If you are unable to participate, I encourage you to support the team by honking and waving. And whenever possible, please come out and join the team!
Each evening the times are 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm:
Mon 8/7 Rte 1 & Sulphur Spring Road
Tues 8/8 Hollins Ferry Road & Hammonds Ferry Road
Wed 8/9 Daisy Avenue & Old Annapolis Road
Thurs 8/10 Rte 1 & 195
Mon 8/14 Rte 1 & Montgomery Road (Howard Cty)
Tues 8/15 Rolling Road & 195 (park & ride)
Wed 8/16 Hillcrest Elementary School & Rolling Road
Thurs 8/17 Lansdowne Road & Hollins Ferry Road
Mon 8/21 Frederick Road & 695
Tues 8/22 East Drive & Sulphur Spring Road
Wed 8/23 Maiden Choice Lane & Wilkins Avenue
Thurs 8/24 Winters Lane & Edmondson Avenue
Mon 8/28 Carville & Francis Ave
Tues 8/29 Rolling Road & 195 (park & ride)
Wed 8/30 Rolling Road & Giant Food Store
Thurs 8/31 Hillcrest Elementary School & Rolling Road
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Great Article about Rick in Catonsville & Arbutus Times Newspapers
The articles linked below appeared in both the Catonsville Times and Arbutus Times newspapers on 8/2/2006:
Catonsville Times - It took a while for lawyer to enter politics
Arbutus Times - Republicans cheer former Democrat’s decision
These articles show the great momentum Rick Martel has in his bid for the State Senate seat in District 12. Prior to June 22nd 2006, the incumbent Senator had no competition and now he is in the middle of a tight race.
At his public announcement rally Rick said, “I stand before you with a great sense of humility, but with an even greater sense of call and purpose.”
He told Governor Ehrlich, who attended the rally and endorsed Rick’s campaign, “I am here today to work with you, instead of attempting to thwart and block your efforts to change Maryland for the better, like the incumbents in District 12 have done these last four years.”
Rick said, “I am not a politician. I am like you, a very concerned Maryland citizen who is deeply concerned by what I have seen take place in the Maryland legislature over the past four years.”
Rick ended his speech with these inspiring and humble words:
“This is the time, this is the call. We are called not just to be hearers, but doers. We have been passive too long, too afraid of offending, too afraid of exercising our First Amendment rights to be heard, and look at the result. It is time to come off the sidelines and be heard in Annapolis.
“I am Rick Martel, I am answering your call and I am asking for your vote. I will listen to you, I will work for change and I will be your voice in Annapolis. It’s time to run a new standard up the flagpole.”
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Rick’s Campaign Speech - 7/27/06
Hello everyone and welcome to beautiful downtown Arbutus – the hometown of Governor Bob Ehrlich! Does Arbutus LUV its native son?
My name is Rick Martel and I’m running for Maryland State Senate in District 12.
I would like to thank Governor Ehrlich for being here today to personally endorse and support my campaign, and I’d also like to thank my family, my wife, Kim, and children, Patrick, Kate and Meg, my friends, colleagues and everyone here for coming out today to support and celebrate this event with me.
I stand before you today with a great sense of awe and humility, but with an even greater sense of call and purpose.
A mere seven weeks ago I was asked by my family and friends if I would consider running for our District’s State Senate seat. This request was not taken lightly. For the next two weeks I thought, prayed and talked it over with my wife, Kim, my children, my closest friends and other family and friends. Their overwhelming sense was that this is the time and this is the call.
I am not a politician. I am like you, a very concerned Maryland citizen who is deeply concerned by what I have seen take place in the Maryland legislature over the past four years.
Four years ago we elected Governor Bob Ehrlich with a clear mandate to go to Annapolis and effectuate change.
In less than four years Governor Ehrlich has:
Turned a 4 billion dollar deficit inherited from the prior administration into consecutive billion dollar surpluses;
Reduced government bureaucracy by seven percent;
Created an environment for job growth – our unemployment rate is only 4%;
Reduced welfare rates to lowest levels in 40 years;
Blocked 7.5 billion dollars in new taxes.
All the while he has worked to implement the largest funding increase in history for K-12 education including historic school construction. He has worked to protect our environment enacting the historic Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, and provided record funding to preserve open space, protecting 60,000 additional acres of land.
Governor Ehrlich, you have a right to be proud of your record, and I say thank you for a job well done, for which all of Maryland should say thank you in November by sending you back to serve another four years and complete your mandate of “Changing Maryland for the Better”!
I also want to thank you for taking the heat…
For taking on the 40 year entrenched Party in power in Annapolis – and winning,
And for your recent wins in State and Federal courts;
For demanding respect in an atmosphere where civility is lacking; and
For standing up for the kids of Baltimore City.
When Governor Ehrlich attempted to send state aid to assist Baltimore City public schools, state aid was refused by the incumbent senator, the Democratic legislature and the mayor – to save their political face – at the expense of the children.
I am here today, along with the other members of Team Ehrlich: Joe Hooe and Al Nalley for Maryland House of Delegates, and George Kapusinski for County Council, to promise to help you in your next term, to work with you instead of attempting to thwart and block your efforts to change Maryland for the better like the incumbents in District 12 have done these last four years.
Let me ask you all a question:
Does it bother you, who voted to elect our hometown Governor by almost 60% in 2002, that the incumbent Senator and Delegates from District 12 voted straight liberal party line and voted to override the vetoes of your own hometown Governor?
As I see it we have a real problem in Annapolis which must be addressed! The balance of power between conservatives & moderates on one hand and liberals on the other is out of kilter. There has been a greater and greater polarization between the two parties with the result that there is no negotiation, no compromise and no consensus building going on down there, with the result that Maryland citizens are being harmed with bad legislation!
The liberals in Annapolis, including the incumbents in District 12, are no longer in the mainstream and they are voting more like Baltimore City or Prince George’s County representatives rather than the more moderate views of you the majority in District 12.
Just recently when Governor Ehrlich appointed a Catholic theologian and a rabbi to the committee assigned to discuss embryonic stem cell research, I was shocked to hear a liberal Senator say, “We have the votes,” that is, to overcome any such ethical input!
Which is like saying: “Don’t talk to me, don’t reason with me, don’t try to interject morality or ethics into this very sensitive subject! We already know how we’re going to vote.” Now, who is really close-minded and intolerant!?
Is this what you want to continue?
When we all found ourselves staring down the barrel at a 72% BGE rate increase – because of the failed 1999 attempt of the current Legislature leadership to deregulate and place an artificial cap on rates, Governor Ehrlich stepped in and brokered a deal which would give us all a choice: 144,000 Marylanders chose to opt out.
However, the Maryland Legislature, Mike Miller leading the Senate and Michael Busch the House of Delegates, called a special session – to pass their own legislation that sounded better, but was, in reality, not better – and sold Maryland consumers down the river – for a delay of only 11 months to full market rates we are now saddled with 10 years of unwanted, and virtually unknown, interest payments – they took away our choice!
When Governor Ehrlich attempted to veto this bad consumer legislation, they ran back to Annapolis to overturn it; they didn’t care that it was bad for Maryland – they know they had the votes to do it and, as always, they did not want Governor Ehrlich to get any credit.
That’s the way it’s been – and worse yet, that is what will continue unless you vote for change for your State Senator and your Delegates, simply put:
A vote for the incumbent Senator is a vote for Mike Miller and against your Governor Bob Ehrlich;
A vote for the incumbent Delegates is a vote for Michael Busch and against your Governor Bob Ehrlich;
A vote for me is a vote for Governor Ehrlich and against arrogant, power-seeking, re-election-driven, career politicians desiring status quo, and a vote to work with and not against Governor Bob Ehrlich to face the serious energy and economic issues, as well as moral issues of our day.
This is the time, this is the call. We are called not just to be hearers, but doers. We have been passive too long, too afraid of offending, too afraid of exercising our First Amendment rights to be heard, and look at the result. It is time to come off the sidelines and be heard in Annapolis.
I am Rick Martel, I am answering your call and I am asking for your vote. I will listen to you, I will work for change and I will be your voice in Annapolis. It’s time to run a new standard up the flagpole.
God bless you,
God bless Governor Ehrlich
And God bless the State of Maryland!
Thank you!
Volunteer Excitement at Rick’s Rally!
Citizens Slate for Change
Joe Hooe, Al Nalley, George Kapusinski, and Rick with Governor Ehrlich
Rick & Governor - Thumbs Up!
Rick with Gov
Rick with the Governor.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Donation & Volunteer Information
Click here to read Rick’s letter to the Citizens of Maryland!
I am counting on you for your support. To run a successful campaign, I will need prayers, volunteers, and financial resources. I humbly ask that you put your convictions into action and contribute what you can to my campaign. By law, the maximum one-time donation using PayPal is $100.
Friends of Rick Martel
P.O. Box 3167
Catonsville, MD 21228
To volunteer, send an e-mail to Rick@RickMartel.org and include the following information:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail Address:
Indicate any of the following ways you would be interested in helping me:
I would like to support your campaign. My check in the amount of $___________ is enclosed.
I would like to offer my support as a volunteer. Please contact me at the phone number listed above.
I will pray for you.
I will host a party at my house for Rick.
I will put up a campaign sign.
About Rick
Rick is an attorney in Arbutus, educated in Baltimore County public schools, UMBC (B.A. Economics & Political Science, 1980), and Univ. of Balto, Law School, (J.D., 1983). Member MD Bar, MD Bar Association, MTLA. He does pro bono legal work at Helping Up Mission and Pregnancy Center West.
He is running for Maryland Senate at the urging of family and friends who are angry with legislators more interested in getting re-elected than facing serious energy and economic issues, and to help restore the balance of power in Annapolis.
Rick lives in Catonsville with his wife of 26 years, Kim (REALTOR, Coldwell Banker, Catonsville), and has five children and one grandchild. He attends St. Agnes Church and does volunteer work at Frederick Villa Nursing Home.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Contact Info
For questions about Rick or to volunteer, send an e-mail to Rick@RickMartel.org .
For questions about or issues with the website, send an e-mail to Joe@RickMartel.org .
Send written inquiries and donations to:
Friends of Rick Martel
P.O. Box 3167
Catonsville, MD 21228
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Ehrlich Team Photo
Friday, July 14, 2006
Letter from Rick to the Citizens of Maryland
Dear Fellow Marylander:
My name is Richard (Rick) Martel, Jr. and I am running as the Republican candidate for the Maryland Senate, District 12. My wife, Kim, and I have been married 26 years and have five children, who have attended the Lamb of God School in Halethorpe, Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville and Mount St. Joseph High School in Irvington. We are parishioners at St. Agnes Church. By trade, I am a lawyer and my office is located in Arbutus, Maryland. Heretofore, my professional interests have revolved around representing average citizens regarding their legal needs. Only recently, when confronted with the disturbing direction our Legislature has pursued, did I realize there is a serious need to move in another direction.
If you care about creating a culture of life, respecting life at all stages, if you care about those who cannot care for themselves or speak for their own basic human rights, if the changing description of marriage and family disturbs you, if having a legislator who provides leadership and represents the people is important to you, if…if…if…
Then I have a new voice to offer you and a Standard to bear in Annapolis.
I believe that this is the time, this is the call, and this is the opportunity for leadership on such economic issues as the BG&E rate hike issue, lowering property taxes, providing private school tuition vouchers, as well as highly important moral issues such as embryonic stem cell research, cloning, euthanasia, defining marriage as one man and one woman, and, most importantly, abortion rights which would be referred back to each State, should Roe v. Wade be overturned.
If you feel the same way as I, if you want a fresh voice in the Senate who is willing to speak the truth and take a moral stand, then I ask you to help me run this new “Standard” up the flagpole for all to see. Representative government is about serving the citizenry; it is not about serving the political aspirations of those who wish to stay in office.
There are only 47 State Senators in Maryland who vote on legislation that affects the entire state, so even if you do not live in District 12, this election is still important to you because of the legislation that will be voted on over the next four years. You can make a great difference in this campaign by making a financial contribution. We anticipate that, since this will be a grassroots campaign, we will need to raise $100,000 to get it underway. In addition, your prayer support is tremendously important to us as well. You can also help the campaign by hosting a neighborhood party, by putting a bumper sticker on your car, or by buying and wearing a campaign t-shirt.
If what has occurred of late in the Maryland General Assembly concerns you,
then it should not be difficult to contribute to this important campaign.
The 12th District has not been vigorously contended for in recent elections. My campaign intends to change that. You need to know – the numbers are there to achieve success, but it will take a committed effort on the part of many. The need to restore at least balance, if not outright order, to an Assembly run amuck with usurping executive power compels me to make this effort.
I look forward to hearing from you and I look forward to an exciting and successful campaign.
Very truly yours,
Richard I. Martel, Jr.
Rick Quoted in Gazette News
Rick was quoted in an article in the Maryland Gazette newspaper:
“Richard I. Martel Jr., a Catonsville Republican running against Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer (D-Dist. 12) of Columbia, predicted that voters will turn on incumbents in the fall, particularly those in districts where Ehrlich performed well in 2002.
‘’The thing I’m hearing is there are many Maryland citizens who believe the balance of power is out of kilter in Annapolis,” said Martel, a lawyer. ‘’I’m optimistic that when Marylanders go to vote in November, they’re going to send a clear message to incumbents that they’re not happy with what’s been going on down in Annapolis.”
The full article can be found here.
Rick’s Promises
As your representative, I promise:
To strongly represent traditional family values in Annapolis (marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman).
To diligently work to promote the culture of life at all stages, from conception to a natural death.
To honestly face the moral issues of our day, staying true to traditional American values.
To work to presently solve the difficult energy and economic problems we face.
To encourage responsible free enterprise.
To protect the environment.
To work to reduce government and reduce taxes, especially for small-business people.
To help Governor Ehrlich implement his second term initiatives.
To help restore balance of power in the Maryland Legislature.
To bring moral, conservative representation to Annapolis.