By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

Daniel Packey

(Aug. 20, 2020) Daniel Packey, Ph.D., a retired economics professor, became the first candidate to file for the District 3 council seat in Berlin on Aug. 11 for the fall municipal election.

Packey, who moved to Berlin a little over a year ago, said he decided to run for council to ensure the town remains a safe and prosperous place for his young grandchildren to live.

“I think the town is wonderful, and I’d like it to be that way into the future for them,” he said.

Packey, 68, said his campaign will focus on the economics and finances of the town, drawing on his experience as a professor in the field.

“I think that’s particularly important now that we’re in the middle of the covid pandemic, and I want to make sure that things are dealt with in a way that when we come out of it, we’re healthy and able to prosper in the future,” he said.

Previously, Packey served as the head of the Department of Mineral and Energy Economics at Curtin University in Bentley, Western Australia for about 10 years. He also served as the head of the Economics and Finance Department at Gulf University for Science and Technology.

In addition, he worked at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory based in Colorado, the D.C. Public Service Commission, and as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy. His extensive resume also includes work with the Environmental Protection Agency and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Regarding the current mayor and council discussions about the sewer fund debt and general fund reserves policy, Packey said there appears to be some confusion in the funding issues.

“I think that one of the things that would be good would be a little bit more clarity and transparency in the budget itself, especially in the funding of the sewer and water in general,” he said. “I also have read a little bit about setting aside a reserve fund, which I think is a very good idea.”

Packey said he is in the process of developing a platform for Berlin citizens to learn more about his campaign.

Currently, there are nine candidates in the Oct. 6 election. Incumbent Mayor Gee Williams, Councilman Zack Tyndall, Jennifer Allen, Bill Todd and Ron Bireley are all running for mayor. Jay Knerr and Tony Weeg are running for the at-large council seat.

Jack Orris, who is running for the District 2 seat, and Packey are unopposed thus far.

The town’s filing deadline is Sept. 4.

The town is encouraging absentee ballot voting amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but citizens can still vote in person. This year’s polling locations are Buckingham Presbyterian Church for Districts 1 and 2 and the Berlin Police Department for Districts 3 and 4. The town is taken preventive measures to ensure the safety of all polling workers and voters by enforcing physical distancing and face masks.

For more information, visit berlinmd.gov.