My name is Elizabeth Gross, but everyone calls me “Liz.” My husband and I have lived in the First Ward of Chestertown since 1999, when he came here to help Washington College establish its renowned Center for Environment and Society. Since then I have been involved in many community-wide activities, ranging from my current position as Treasurer of the National Music Festival to my role in establishing a county-wide food rescue operation that provides perishable foods to the needy of Kent County on a nearly daily basis. Ten years and we are still saving tons of perfectly good food from going to the landfill, thanks to the cooperation of a local grocery store and a team of dedicated volunteers!
I have registered as a candidate for the First Ward seat because I know our Council must be an effective team, working together for the benefit of our citizens, but I have observed that the current council is not working together well. This lack of teamwork slows down the decision-making process. Long delays make it hard for our business owners to plan ahead – we need a vibrant, sustainable marketplace in our historic town, and it’s long past time to work together to make that happen.
While representing the residents of a specific ward is a major task for each council member, they must also work together for the good of the whole community. This election provides a real opportunity for change, with two of four seats up for election and the Mayor’s seat becoming vacant – I want to be part of that change, and to help move this town that I love forward in positive ways.
Much of my career has been spent in team building to achieve complex objectives – in my case these involved managing global-scale international oceanography research programs. We need the same sense of team work here in Chestertown to tackle such difficult issues as creating a community environment for economic development. We need to encourage small business to fill those empty storefronts in town! We need to make Chestertown a destination that attracts visitors and keeps them coming back. We need a wisely-developed waterfront area from the foot of High Street to the western edge of town that provides an economic engine as well as recreational activities for all of the citizens of Chestertown, not just wealthy boaters.
All these problems involve the need to preserve the historic character that makes downtown Chestertown so special, while keeping us moving forward in the 21st Century. There is no reason that we can’t meet both these goals; doing so will require cooperation among all the stakeholders including the Town Council, County Commissioners, Washington College, the hospital, Public School Board, business owners and citizens. Surely we can develop guidelines for the appropriate use of electronic communications and other technologies that underpin innovative government and businesses.
It’s not all about economic development: I will also work hard to support the development of a livable community that is walkable and safe for cyclists and pedestrians, for the development of new recreational facilities for children and adults in all parts of town, and for the expansion of services that make Chestertown such an attractive and healthy community for seniors.
If elected, I promise to be an accessible, committed and active member of your Town Council. I hope for your vote on November 5th, but whatever you decide, be sure to vote! Thank you.
Liz Gross – for more information see www.lizgrossfirstward.org
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