On Thursday, June 11, 2015, Republicans gathered at The Hall in Huntingtown to celebrate but also to remember a longtime member of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee, Frank McCabe, who passed away. That morning they had gathered at his church in Solomons for his funeral. Now they were here to celebrate his life and legacy as he would have liked. There were many VIP’s in attendance including Senator Steve Waugh, Delegate Tony O’Donnell, Delegate Mark Fisher’s wife, Congressman Ted Yoho, County Commissioners Pat Nutter, Tom Hejl, Mike Hart, State Secretary of Planning David Craig, Sheriff Mike Evans, and candidates Chris Chaffee, Mark Arness, Charles Faddis and Craig Kontra.
The program opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and our National Anthem. Opening remarks from Senator Steve Waugh and Maryland GOP Chairman Diana Waterman and dinner was ready. The dinner was an awesome buffet catered by Thompson Seafood in La Plata.
Senator Waugh was emcee and spoke of Frank McCabe with reverence. He said he never saw him upset in all the time he knew him. Waugh presented a certificate signed by Governor Hogan. He wanted those in the audience to know that now is the time to recruit candidates for 2016 and 2018.
Candidates Mark Arness, Chris Chaffee, and Charles Faddis addressed the audience, letting them know that they were in the race to win. And now was the time to start gearing up for 2016 elections.
Congressman Ted Yoho represents North Central Florida’s 3rd Congressional District gave the keynote address. He was elected in November 2012 and is serving his second term. He spoke of limited government, fiscal conservatism, free enterprise, personal responsibility and respect for the Constitution. He said, “It’s time to take back the White House.” The dinner guests really enjoyed his easy going style, eliciting many laughs for his humor.
Delegate Tony O’Donnell spoke about his friend, Frank McCabe. In 1999, Frank retired, and got involved in Calvert County politics. He led the Republican Party out of the abyss and into the 21st century. Prior to Frank moving to Calvert, Democrats held the majority among registered voters. Very few Republicans were elected to office outside of the county. Frank changed the political landscape.
Calvert County Commissioners Pat Nutter and Mike Hart presented a proclamation on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners to Franks’ widow, who was not in attendance. Ella Ennis and Judy MacWilliams accepted it on her behalf, as well as the other proclamations presented by Delegates O’Donnell and Fisher (who was not in attendance due to having to be elsewhere), Senator Waugh on behalf of the Senate and Diane Waterman on behalf of the GOP and Governor Hogan.
Greg Ostrander, Chairman of the Calvert County Republican Central Committee, revealed that the local Republican Party will create an annual award in Frank’s honor.
The final awards were for the Republican Man and Women of the Year. For 2014 the Margaret Shields King award went to Judy MacWilliams and the Edward T Hall Memorial Award went to Bob Arscott. Both are hard workers on behalf of the local party in Calvert County.
Margit Miller / Calvert Beacon
