Donations so far for the candidates for
St Marys Circuit Court Judge as filed this week.


Mattingly- $ 9,650.00 ..............
almost all of which was donated by he and his family
Shane Mattingly stated at the beginning of the campaign
that he would not be soliciting donations from attorneys
for ethical reasons. He did not think it was appropriate.

Sparling - $ 9,671.98...............
Some large Donations by himself and others

Stamm - $75,897.69...............
Big Donations from Seafarers Union, and many Lawyers
who may appear in his court if he wins.

THE BIG MONEY IS BEHIND STAMM

Win the Election the old fashioned way ......BUY-IT

Seafaers Union is Huge contributor to Judge Candidate Michael Stamm.

Donations so far for the candidates for
St Marys Circuit Court Judge as filed this week.


Mattingly- $ 9,650.00 ..............
almost all of which was donated by he and his family
Shane Mattingly stated at the beginning of the campaign
that he would not be soliciting donations from attorneys
for ethical reasons. He did not think it was appropriate.

Sparling - $ 9,671.98...............
Some large Donations by himself and others

Stamm - $75,897.69...............
Big Donations from Seafarers Union, and many Lawyers
who may appear in his court if he wins.

THE BIG MONEY IS BEHIND STAMM

Win the Election the old fashioned way ......BUY-IT

Seafaers Union is Huge contributor to Judge Candidate Michael Stamm.

I sort of understand your point, but to me it's a judges conviction record that counts way more than money raised. I don't have the answer for these as I am not in St. Mary's. I'd vote for a judge because he's hard on criminals vice
just giving them a slap on the wrist. Got any stats for that?

It's pretty easy for a guy like Mattingly to say that he doesn't want other people's money to run his campaign with the family he has. Just from all the signs and publicity he tries to make you know he's spent more than $9000. Luckily he only has to go public with the money he's given as official donations. Judge Stamm obviously doesn't have the same amount of cash in his own wallet around from his mom and dad. Also, the money that the Judge's campaign has raised has been from 426 individuals, not a couple law firms according to the campaign finance reports. One thing I have personally noticed about this election is that majority of Mattingly signs I have seen have been on public roads. Most of the Stamm signs I have seen have been in people's (voter's) front yards.

I don't believe that a Judge who has been fully qualified and officially appointed should just be replaced by either of two private lawyers who have multiple times been found unqualified by the Judicial Nominating Committee. You may not agree with governor Ehrlich's appointment of Judge Stamm but he didn't hand pick him. A committee made up equally of lawyers appointed by the district (Calvert and SM), lawyers appointed by the governor, and citizens of the district deemed him qualified beforehand. For them not to have found both Sparling and Mattingly to not have been qualified for the position is something that makes me think.

When it comes to financing I'm not surprised that neither Sparling nor Mattingly have raised much money, since both have personal wealth. Judge Stamm put himself through law school and even took a job with the state even though he could have made much more money in private practice. That should explain the donations, also I don't see the fact that people monetarily show their support for him as a bad sign.

Most people have probably already pre-determined who they'll vote for based on what their friends say or bias, but I think its the smart thing to do to actually look into who your'e voting for, no matter what position it is. Vote for the person who you think will do the best job, not what your friends' think.

Anyone can go in and see how Judge Stamm acts now as the current Judge of the Circuit Court, feel free to go in there. He definitely has the passion and temperament for the job.

I haven't decided yet. I like Mattingly, though. Are there any public debates that are going to go on between the judges?

Shane is a baby man.... I don't want a baby man decideing anyones fate!

See Picture of Stamms Campaign Headquarters :lmao:

Judge Stamm obviously doesn't have the same amount of cash in his own wallet around from his mom and dad.

When it comes to financing I'm not surprised that neither Sparling nor Mattingly have raised much money, since both have personal wealth. Judge Stamm put himself through law school and even took a job with the state even though he could have made much more money in private practice. That should explain the donations, also I don't see the fact that people monetarily show their support for him as a bad sign.


What a load of Crap!!
Poor ole Michael Stamm.........
according to the Maryland Land Records

Michael is Living on his Million Dollar 5 acre Waterfront Estate
In his 3000 sq ft. Home on the Patuxent River
Making way over a Hundred Thousand Dollars a year.

Darn You must Really Be Rich if You think He's POOR [B]

Donations so far for the candidates for
St Marys Circuit Court Judge as filed this week.


Mattingly- $ 9,650.00 ..............
almost all of which was donated by he and his family
Shane Mattingly stated at the beginning of the campaign
that he would not be soliciting donations from attorneys
for ethical reasons. He did not think it was appropriate.

Sparling - $ 9,671.98...............
Some large Donations by himself and others

Stamm - $75,897.69...............
Big Donations from Seafarers Union, and many Lawyers
who may appear in his court if he wins.

THE BIG MONEY IS BEHIND STAMM

Win the Election the old fashioned way ......BUY-IT

Seafaers Union is Huge contributor to Judge Candidate Michael Stamm.

C'mon now...

Why would the Seafarer's Union contribute heavily to a Maryland judge? It's not like their members ever break the law...

(Tell that to Billy Mesmer.)

http://www.unsolved.com/UD247-NManni.html

The 'unofficial story' is that Nancy caught wind of the drug smuggling scheme going on at the Lundeberg school and was killed in order to supress her revealing the scheme. Billy, being a bit of a ####-nut, suffered as a patsy.

I never mentioned Judge Stamm being poor. My point was that he was not born into money like Mattingly. And the property value of his house and everything may be a million dollars now but it definitely wasn't that much when he moved there. Probably less than half of it to buy the land and build. Thats called a smart investment.

I'm pretty sure he drives an old pickup truck. Mattingly drives a BMW.

BS Gal- I know theres something coming up in the next week or so where the candidates will introduce themselves and take questions but they won't be going back and forth like a debate. If I can find the details I'll let you know.

I haven't decided yet. I like Mattingly, though. Are there any public debates that are going to go on between the judges?

League of Women Voters of St Marys County has planned forums
from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Lexington Park Library on the following dates:
Wednesday, August 23 and Thursday August 24

23 Aug - Sheriff and Pres. County Commissioners in contested primaries
24 Aug - Delegates and Judges in contested primaries

I never mentioned Judge Stamm being poor. My point was that he was not born into money like Mattingly.
I'm pretty sure he drives an old pickup truck. Mattingly drives a BMW.


I have known Shane Mattingly's parents for over 40 years.
Alfred and Joan Mattingly. They live in Leonardtown.

Alfred Mattingly worked as a telephone repairman for C&P telephone Co
(now Verizon) for 30 some years and is now retired. (And he drives an older pickup truck everyday).
Joan Mattingly worked for the St Marys County Health Dept
for probably the same length of time. I believe she is retired also.
Are they Poor..........NO
Are they wealthy.....NO
I would say they are middle-class St Marys County people.
Better off than some not as well off as others.

Does Shane drive a BMW...........YES, if that makes any difference.
Most all the Lawyers I know make a pretty good living.

I have known Shane Mattingly's parents for over 40 years.
Alfred and Joan Mattingly. They live in Leonardtown.

Alfred Mattingly worked as a telephone repairman for C&P telephone Co
(now Verizon) for 30 some years and is now retired. (And he drives an older pickup truck everyday).
Joan Mattingly worked for the St Marys County Health Dept
for probably the same length of time. I believe she is retired also.
Are they Poor..........NO
Are they wealthy.....NO
I would say they are middle-class St Marys County people.
Better off than some not as well off as others.

Does Shane drive a BMW...........YES, if that makes any difference.
Most all the Lawyers I know make a pretty good living.

For some reason, I thought that Shane's dad was somehow involved in county politics, and that may have been a driving force?...?

Either way, Shane is a good guy. He is no genius, but he has a solid understanding of the law, and is very fair. He is the kind of guy who will properly adjudicate a case without 'reaching out' or being 'politically sensitive'. He is a real 'justice is blind' and 'just the facts, ma'am' kind of guy.

Shane does drive a 5 year old BMW 5 series. His car probably blue-books between $25K and $35K. But these days, half the county is driving cars in that price range. Maybe we can cut Shane some slack and acknowledge that he spent 4 years undergrad and 2 years plus to earn his JD and rewarded himself with a nice, but not vulgar, car.

...Speaking of vulgar cars...

What's the scoop on the young gentleman who works on base and drives a brand new $180K Bentley Continental?

It's not vulgar, in fact it is one of the most beautiful autos ever made. But someone with a security clearance driving a car like that gives me the Spock eyebrow.:eyebrow:

...Speaking of vulgar cars...

What's the scoop on the young gentleman who works on base and drives a brand new $180K Bentley Continental?

It's not vulgar, in fact it is one of the most beautiful autos ever made. But someone with a security clearance driving a car like that gives me the Spock eyebrow.:eyebrow:
We had an E-3 with 2 years in and a security clearance driving a Jag. He hit a train one night and settled with the train company for a lot of money.

Yea I just brought up which cars they drove kind of as a joke, since that other guy made it seem like Judge Stamm was rich just because he bought waterfront property before it skyrocketed in value. Having a nicer car definitely does not mean youre wealthy. In a few years I'll probably be driving a BMW and I am by no means rich.

I havnt seen the Continental, but one day I saw a SLR McLaren ($400,000+) zoom by me. At first I thought 'what are they doing on 235 with that kind of car?' but then I thought to myself 'what are they even doing in SMC???' Didn't catch a glimpse of the driver but he must've been filthy rich.

I don't believe that a Judge who has been fully qualified and officially appointed should just be replaced by either of two private lawyers who have multiple times been found unqualified by the Judicial Nominating Committee. You may not agree with governor Ehrlich's appointment of Judge Stamm but he didn't hand pick him. A committee made up equally of lawyers appointed by the district (Calvert and SM), lawyers appointed by the governor, and citizens of the district deemed him qualified beforehand. For them not to have found both Sparling and Mattingly to not have been qualified for the position is something that makes me think.

Could you expand on this a little? My research into the candidates hasn't led me to the same conclusion as you (that Mr. Sparling and Mr. Mattingly were 'multiple times...found unqualified by the Judicial Nominating Committee').

Mr. Sparling did not put his name in for the Judicial Nominating Committee when Judge Kaminetz retired. He specifically mentions this in his letter to the editor announcing that he was filing for the election. See http://stmarystoday.com/sparling_files_for_election.htm. According to his letter, he was previously nominated three separate times, "in 1982 for the District Court, in 1985 for the Circuit Court seat to which Judge John Hanson Briscoe was appointed, and in 1989, along with Judge Marvin Kaminetz, Judge Clarke Raley and Judge John Slade, for the seat to which Judge Kaminetz was appointed". According to his letter, he made the decision to run for election rather than apply for the appointment because he is placing his "trust in the people rather than political insiders."

I haven't read anything specific on whether or not Mr. Mattingly put his name in for the nomination, so I can't comment on whether or not the committee found him qualified or not. Maybe you can point me to a reference that says he did (or did not).

I'm still undecided on who I'm going to vote for, but I don't think that people should vote for Judge Stamm just because he was appointed by the governor. It seems that the selection process is, or has become, very biased and politicized, and it should be, and is, up to the citizens of the county to select the candidate who is most qualified. It is very well known that the Judicial Nominating Committee has, in fact, revised their list of recommendations after 'feedback' from the governor. If the governor doesn't like any of the candidates on the list provided by the committee, they keep revising it until the nominee the governor favors is put on the list. That seems like the line of separation of power between the executive and judicial branches of Maryland is being blurred. I for one, think that the governor should choose from the original list of nominees, as recommended by the committee, and shouldn't be allowed to send the list back for revision. Basically, Judge Stamm might as well have been 'hand-picked' by the governor, because I think the process is flawed.

Just because Judge Stamm has been the sitting judge for 9 (+/-) months doesn't mean he is the most qualified of the three candidates. Looking at the qualifications and experience of the candidates, as referenced on their web sites, should give the voter more than enough information to make the right decision.

Just because Judge Stamm has been the sitting judge for 9 (+/-) months doesn't mean he is the most qualified of the three candidates. Looking at the qualifications and experience of the candidates, as referenced on their web sites, should give the voter more than enough information to make the right decision.
:yeahthat: I have just begun my research, but so far, I am impressed with Sparling, more so than Stamm.

Michael Stamm accepting campaign donations from questionable sources is bad enough,
but to actually solicit large amounts of money and services from an outfit like the Seafarers Union
at Harry Lundeberg certainly shows a lack of the very ethics that a judicial candidate should embrace.

This episode along with his and Judge Abrams decision to recommend
to the legislators in Annapolis NOT TO ALLOW the 9000 registered Independent
and non affiliated voters the ability to vote in this St Mary's County Election
at the very least shows very poor JUDGEMENT on Stamms part.

These and other decisions he has made since being appointed
to the Court (only a few months ago) are more than enough reason for me to
NOT cast my VOTE for Circuit Court candidate Michael Stamm.

He may have been our Governor's first choice but he is not going to be my choice
when I cast my vote on Election Day. I think St Mary's County deserves better
and I will be voting for Shane Mattingly for Circuit Court Judge

The Great Mills Road VOTER selection committee consisting of
all the registered voters in my apartment .........which is just me say:

STAMM................Nah... looks a little sleazy
SPARLING..........a pompous a**hole
MATTINGLY........Drives a BMW...(a fine automobile)

S U R V E Y - S A Y S
MATTINGLY .......Gets the Gavel :patriot:

The Great Mills Road VOTER selection committee consisting of
all the registered voters in my apartment .........which is just me say:

STAMM................Nah... looks a little sleazy
SPARLING..........a pompous a**hole
MATTINGLY........Drives a BMW...(a fine automobile)

S U R V E Y - S A Y S
MATTINGLY .......Gets the Gavel :patriot:
Wait a minute... in order for this to be a fair and informed decision for the rest of us voters... shouldn't we be told what vehicles Stamm and Sparling drive? :tap:


:rolleyes:

Wait a minute... in order for this to be a fair and informed decision for the rest of us voters... shouldn't we be told what vehicles Stamm and Sparling drive? :tap:


:rolleyes:

I am just basing my decision on all the info provided in this thread
although I do believe someone said Stamm drove a pickup truck
and I think Sparling probably rides around on a broom.. :lmao:

I am just basing my decision on all the info provided in this thread
although I do believe someone said Stamm drove a pickup truck
and I think Sparling probably rides around on a broom.. :lmao:

Sounds like you have a bone to pick with Mr. Sparling. Care to elaborate why you think he is 'a pompous a**hole' and why he 'probably rides around on a broom'? (I actually think he drives a Toyota Avalon, but I could be wrong)

The facts might help those of us who are undecided make a better decision about who to vote for.

Sounds like you have a bone to pick with Mr. Sparling. Care to elaborate why you think he is 'a pompous a**hole' and why he 'probably rides around on a broom'? (I actually think he drives a Toyota Avalon, but I could be wrong)

The facts might help those of us who are undecided make a better decision about who to vote for.

Well Todd despite all the red karma I seem to be receiving with my posts
on this thread...............I will elaborate, since you insist.

I Have NEVER been a George Sparling fan and heres why I think He's is
a pompous a**hole.

I spend a lot of time at the Court House in Leonardtown for work and I
have run across him probably 50-60 times or so in the last ten years.
For the last nine and a half years Mr Sparling walks by me like I am a
NOBODY IMPORTANT and more often than not does not acknowledge my
greeting (Like any normal person would do) acting like he is too important
for the likes of me! Now all of a Sudden in the last six months (Since He
has Been Running for Judge) He acts like I am his BEST FRIEND.
Well thats Bullshiat. He is a PHONEY POMPOUS A**HOLE.
Well Todd that's your answer plain and simple.

Well Todd despite all the red karma I seem to be receiving with my posts
on this thread...............I will elaborate, since you insist.

I Have NEVER been a George Sparling fan and heres why I think He's is
a pompous a**hole.

I spend a lot of time at the Court House in Leonardtown for work and I
have run across him probably 50-60 times or so in the last ten years.
For the last nine and a half years Mr Sparling walks by me like I am a
NOBODY IMPORTANT and more often than not does not acknowledge my
greeting (Like any normal person would do) acting like he is too important
for the likes of me! Now all of a Sudden in the last six months (Since He
has Been Running for Judge) He acts like I am his BEST FRIEND.
Well thats Bullshiat. He is a PHONEY POMPOUS A**HOLE.
Well Todd that's your answer plain and simple.

Fair enough. I just wasn't sure why you held such a low opinion of him, and like I said, a little explanation helps those of us who are still on the fence, so to speak.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I've met Mr. Sparling on occasion, even before he was running for judge, and he always seems to be pleasant to whomever he meets. He seems to have a good sense of humor, and seems to be an intelligent man. Maybe because I have met him under different circumstances than you (in a casual vs. work environment), he has been more congenial. I'm sure if he's going into court for a client, he's got alot on his mind. I know I would. Sort of like putting on his game face. And now that he's running for judge, he makes it a point to be more approachable, and more conversational, in public. I guess thats politicking.

I've met Judge Stamm and Mr. Mattingly exactly once each, and they both seemed pleasant, and nice enough guys. I'd vote for any of the three candidates in a second based on my personal interaction with them, but I'm not basing my decision on personalities, as much as I am on their legal experience and their qualifications to judge in a court of law.

Anyway, thanks again for clearing that up. I'll keep that in mind as the election approaches.

-Todd

It seems less biased for a judicial candidate to self-finance. Would a judge remember everyone who contributed to the campaign and recuse from the case because of conflict of interest? doubtful. especially with 462 individial donors. Judge Stamm is spending big bucks on his campaign - airplanes with banners flying over the River Concert Series, lots of give-aways, lots of signs, website and of course the fund raisers. The location, the food, the auction items, all donated. He's spending a lot of money and it does make one wonder - why does he want it so badly?

It seems less biased for a judicial candidate to self-finance. Would a judge remember everyone who contributed to the campaign and recuse from the case because of conflict of interest? doubtful. especially with 462 individial donors. Judge Stamm is spending big bucks on his campaign - airplanes with banners flying over the River Concert Series, lots of give-aways, lots of signs, website and of course the fund raisers. The location, the food, the auction items, all donated. He's spending a lot of money and it does make one wonder - why does he want it so badly?

Because it's a 15 year job and there are few opportunities to become a judge. Do you want a judge who has to be convinced to take the job and does so reluctantly? NO!

Judge Stamm is a man of integrity and will not base his future judicial decisions on who gave how much to his campaign.

I think Shane will probably make a good judge in 10 or 15 more years. And Sparling would probably be a good second choice if Judge Stamm wasn't already the Judge. But I think we should keep Judge Stamm...

http://forums.somd.com/showpost.php?p=1663979&postcount=34