Katherine Mullen

(8/27) Thurmont Mayor Martin A. Burns will run unopposed for a third term as mayor in the town's Oct. 5 election.

Residents and town officials filled the seats in the town office Tuesday evening to nominate candidates for mayor and two commissioner positions.

Commissioners Ronald A. Terpko and Wayne A. Hooper, who are up for re-election Oct. 5, were nominated to run for another term as commissioner. John Bean, a 43 year-old Thurmont resident who is new to politics, was also nominated to run for commissioner.

Burns, who attended the nearly 30-minute nominating conference, said he originally decided not to run for a third term, but changed his mind after receiving support and encouragement from the community.

"It was really the public feedback I got," he said. "I've always been very humble to serve in a capacity to the residents of Thurmont."

Burns, 43, said he has spent 10 years in public office, first as a Thurmont commissioner for two years, then eight years as mayor. He works full-time at the Pentagon and said he first came to Thurmont as a Marine working at Camp David in 1985.

If re-elected, Burns noted that he wants to focus on fixing the town's wastewater collection system.

Hooper, who has served 20 years as commissioner, said he hopes to expand the town's recycling program to apartment residences. "We need to get moving on more green projects," he added.

Thurmont's elected officials serve four-year terms. The mayor position is compensated at $12,000 annually and commissioners make $8,000. Thurmont has town elections every odd-numbered year.