Chestertown Mayor Margo Bailey announced last night that she will not seek another term in office and said her years on the Town Council “have been a privilege.”
“At the end of this year I will have been Mayor for 20 years, and I think that is enough,” Bailey said, slightly choked up. “I’m so proud of what this town has done in the past 20 years.” Bailey also served on the Council for two years before winning the Mayor’s seat in 1993.
Bailey quoted the theme of the Maryland Municipal League conference in Ocean City last summer.
“Cherish the past, plan the future,” she said. “And I think this is something this town has done well. We cherished the past and kept the fabric and the identity of this town together. We are the envy of many towns in the entire State of Maryland, and I hear it over and over again.”
Bailey also pointed to progressive growth in the town in her 20 years as Mayor.
“We’ve never let ourselves get stuck. We have moved forward with things like the river front, the trails, and the number of parks we are building.”
Bailey said being Mayor gave her a second life but that it was time for a new direction for the town.
“It has been my privilege, and I can’t even imagine what I’m going to do now,” she said. “I was lucky, I was 50 when I was elected, and this fall I’m going to be 70, I got a second life…”
“It’s time for some new faces, some new energy, and a new direction.”
Janice Dickson says
Thank you so much for your dedicated, forward-thinking years of service to Chestertown.
Colin & Janice
Bob Bafrit says
This is a minor point, but the Kent County News stated, “Bailey, who will celebrate her 71st birthday this year” whereas The Spy quotes Bailey as saying, “this fall I’m going to be 70.”
So, who goofed?
Daniel Menefee says
Reporter Note:
Margo said she was turning 70. But I goofed also and had to fix a typo or two of my own. 🙂 here/hear
Dan Menefee
Patsy Hornaday family says
We, as new “old home” owners come to Chestertown 1992, have shared with joy Mayor Margo’s twenty year mayorship that turned the downward spiral of upper High Street neighborhoods into the thriving place you enjoy today. Anyone who doubts that progress is invited to view my scrapbooks of Kent County News heralding the problems and turnaround we have lived through. We were happy to back
Mayor Bailey for as long as she wished now and in the future. Working with our Town Manager she laid a firm foundation for progress. We wish any successor the same vision and skills. Our pursuits, homes and happiness depend upon the maintenance of that progress. – Patsy Ann Hornaday
Frances Miller says
Thanks, Margo, for all you’ve done for us and encouraged us to do for each other. Hope you’ll have lots of quality time for yourself in the decade ahead. Francie Miller
Carla Massoni says
Brava!!
Janet Brandon says
Understandable…but that doesn’t mean I’m going to like it….A well deserved decision, but what a big hole in the lace…., Jan
Caitlin Patton says
Thank you, Margo, for everything you have done for Chestertown!
HC Jones says
Thanks so much for your many years of great planning for the town. You will be missed.
DLaMotte says
It seems just like yesterday when you were running the newsstand and we all hoped you would run for Mayor…
thanks so much for all you have accomplished!!
Keith Thompson says
I wish the mayor good luck in her retirement. I know her health hasn’t been the best and that she has had to deal with family issues, so now she’ll have time to take care of herself.
Celeste Conn says
We have been so honored to have you as our mayor. What a life of service. Thank you for all you’ve done for the people of our town.
Kevin Shertz says
Margo, thank you for your many years of service to the Town. You’ve made a profound difference.
jenifer emley says
Thank you, Margo, for all those years you dedicated to Chestertown. You are a star!
Kelly Parisi Castro says
We had been living here only a few months when Alex came home one day and said, “I just met the Mayor, and you are going to LOVE her!” He was so right! Thank you for welcoming us, introducing us around, and being our dear friend. I hope this next phase will give your inner artist a chance to express herself. Yes YOU can!
Bill Harrow says
Well this might be a good change of pace for Margo and the residents of Chestertown. I’m hearing that Brian Kirby is being looked at to run. He is great for the school board and will be a great addition to the town council
Ted Maclaren says
Glad to see she has made the decesion to let new blood come in. Anyone who has been to a town council meeting or tunes in to the local channel that airs town council meetings would, I feel, agree that many others on the cuncil should follow Margo’s lead. For this town to succeed, it needs new blood, not opinionated seniors smothering new growth