Delegate Charles Otto (R-MD) has died at the age of 61. Delmarva Public Media's Don Rush talks with state Senator Mary Beth Carozza who says her Republican colleague will be remembered for his passion and his kindness.
RUSH: Maryland delegate Charles Otto has died after 14 years in the house. He was 61. This is Don Rush. The Eastern Shore Republican represented parts of the lower Tri-County area and was seen as a strong advocate for the region. He was also known for his kindness and his humor. We turn to State Senator Mary Beth Carozza, who has known her fellow Republican for many years.
CAROZZA: Charles Otto has been a friend and a colleague for many years, and we have really turned to Charles as our lead voice on our rural shore of life issues. As a farmer, as someone who actually is a certified crop specialist, he brought his real life experience to the job of public service, and I have to tell you that he had a very quiet wisdom about him. Didn't speak a whole lot, but when he did, it was right on point. Something to do with our way of life and underscoring what we need to do to protect our rural way of life.
RUSH: Are there any particular pieces of legislation or issues that he fought for that come to mind, that sort of stand out as part of that legacy?
CAROZZA: Well, sometimes it's when bills are introduced that might have an unintended consequence, and he always encouraged that the farmers be brought into these discussions on the early end. So instead of a legislator who might be from the city, Montgomery County, Baltimore City, proposing legislation that could impact our shore land, he would be right there being on the committee of jurisdiction, pulled in, trying to make sure that that farmer's voice was heard from the very beginning. A lot of what we do is making sure that bills don't negatively impact the Eastern Shore. Delegate Otto was perfectly positioned. Being on the member of that committee, the House Environment Transportation Committee, all the farming and [agricultural] issues, environmental issues coming to that committee, he would be positioned to advocate on what the impact would be for the shore. He's one of the very few farmers in the Maryland General Assembly, and so it was a really important voice. He had a lot of credibility because they knew he had the real life experience when he spoke about these issues.
RUSH: Someone described him as being fairly likable, never saw him angry. What was his personality like when you engaged him, and particularly when he engaged in people, say for instance, that he did disagree with?
CAROZZA: Obviously, delegate Otto would take very strong positions against any legislation that would hurt our poultry industry or what hurt our farming community, and he was very vocal on the few times where he would engage. It was never personal for him. He would engage with a lot of passion on his views and his positions, but after the debate, after the hearing, he would actually go over to that other member or to the constituent, and again, keep that friendly approach, that it's not personal, that it's passionate about the issues. And people just like Charles, I mean, he was engaging and sometimes you would just see him immediately after he had some challenging conversations and debate with the other side. Immediately go over and then start talking about "how's your family doing?" and "what's going on in this or that community?" So he had a very unique style. Delegate Otto would really show you how you could work your issues, be passionate about them, but then always stay on good terms with your colleagues and your constituents.
CAROZZA: State Senator Mary Beth Carozza on the passing of Delegate Charles Otto at the age of 61. Full interview can be heard on this Friday's DelMarva Today at noon on WSDL and WESM, this is Don Rush for Delmarva Public Media.
