Meet The Candidate: Robert Sawyer
Havre de Grace Patch previews the 2012 City Council Election.
For about three weeks in the early stages of the 2012 campaign season, Robert Sawyer appeared to be a mystery candidate.
He didn't attend the first two candidates' forums.
"Another Jim Lauer?," people wondered.
Sawyer had a legitimate excuse. He and his wife just had their third baby.
Other candidates have been losing sleep for a variety of reasons. Sawyer has three kids ages five and under—including a newborn.
But Sawyer is running. Sawyer is a candidate.
And it's because of those three children that he's running.
The 20-year IT professional wants to make a better community for his kids.
Sawyer, 49, works in information technology with government contractors. He's involved in the Bulle Rock Computer Club, and he's willing to lend his expertise to the city if elected.
He spent four years in the Navy on the USS Independence.
He's a native of Montana and Colorado, a transplant to Havre de Grace like many of his Bulle Rock neighbors.
"I think taxes are a little bit high," he said. "I'm not sure exactly why, but I intend to find out."
Sawyer didn't hide his agenda in running for the election. He feels Bulle Rock is underrepresented in Havre de Grace government.
"Partially to get more involved with the community from a personal level and to educate myself," he said. "But also, I feel I have a lot to offer."
And, about the baby?
"That is a concern. I want time with my family as much as possible. I also have a career that's not waning," Sawyer said. "It's definitely a concern that maybe I don't have enough time."
"I realize it could be a juggling act," Sawyer said.
TELL US: What's your take on Robert Sawyer as a candidate for City Council? Leave a comment.
To endorse Robert Sawyer with a letter to the editor, click here.
Brian
9:27 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
Bulle Rock, Bulle Rock, Bulle Rock. Are you running for Havre de Grace City Council ? Or should you, as a resident of the Bulle Rock community create your own council. Seems I see and hear often that Bulle Rock residents are "under represented". I agree with Jim Miller when he made a comment regarding taking the gate down to the grand entrance of the Bulle Rock community. It seems as if Bulle Rock residents wish to be segregated from the down town residents of Havre de Grace but want to create policy directly impacting all of the residents of Havre de Grace. I harbor no ill will towards Bulle Rock residents nor for their success that led to their ability to reside in the secluded neighborhood , but Isn't Havre de Grace compiled of ALL city residents that want equal and fair policy for the good of the entire city? I surely do not want anything reminiscent of politics in Annapolis or Wash. DC and this type "selective representation" is smelling of it.
Curtis Coon
11:10 am on Friday, May 4, 2012
The problem I see is the lack of personal investment in the City's well-being prior to running for office. I feel it is backwards thinking to seek election in order to figure out what needs to be done. This problem is predominate in all three so-called "Bulle Rock" candidates. A proper candidate should, in my opinion, invest the time, effort and dedication to the City prior to running for office. I live in Bulle Rock, and own property in Downtown, and I do not want anyone to be elected just because they live in a particular part of town. May the best candiidates be elected, whereever they live and work.