Like many young people, I went away to college thinking that I would never move back to my home town. But going away from my home made me realize what a gem Chestertown is. Chestertown has been able to preserve all of the things that truly make it special and unique—a pristine waterfront, well preserved colonial structures, tree-lined streets, and residents who are always willing to stop and chat about your day. This is why I came back home.
Once I returned to Chestertown, I felt the call to serve my community in any way I could. I approached the Town Council about being appointed to the planning commission. I volunteered time with the Chester River Association to help ensure the continued health of our waterways. I attended Diversity Dialogue meetings to hear the perspective of several of the community’s residents. I engage local business owners in conversation about what motivated them to start their business and what is keeping them here. I participate in First Fridays and visit the art galleries and go to the farmer’s market. You may think this level of involvement and engagement in local affairs is something that is quite uncommon in someone my age but I have enjoyed being active and it is my goal to inspire not only my generation but the generation after me, to be just as committed and involved in making a difference in Chestertown’s future.
Chestertown has an incredibly rich past and an exceptionally bright future but, as of yet, we as a community are not meeting our full potential. Downtown Chestertown gets a lot of attention and publicity but for the community to truly reach its potential, we have to understand that there are other neighborhoods, other business, and other development opportunities in the Chestertown city limits that need our attention. Our leaders have done their best to navigate the town through the recent economic downturn. Training the next generation and ensuring they rise to the occasion by continuing to build upon the legacy of the ones who came before, is essential to the continued progression of the town. Retrofitting Town Hall with solar panels and planning for an array at the wastewater facility were great accomplishments but the momentum must be maintained in order to reach our full environmental potential. Attracting businesses to Chestertown is important but nurturing what we have is also critical to ensuring our community’s vitality. Our internet habits as a community are monumentally different than what was considered status quo just a few years ago and we must adapt to provide continued coverage of local issues and events.
I come fully equipped with my youth, energy, and passion to help Chestertown continue to be a place where its residents live, learn, and love. I bring my strong social and teamwork skills to help facilitate partnerships with the County, developers, Washington College, and residents to attract businesses. I bring experience in environmental studies and city planning to plan for the sustainable management of our natural resources and preservation of our history. There is much to be done but, time is on our side.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
–Lao-tzu
Sam Shoge The Next Step Towards Full Potential
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Contact: Jay Yerkes
Tel: (443) 480-3047
Email: [email protected]
If you would like more information about Sam Shoge and his campaign visit his website at www.samshogethirdward.org
Jeffery Grotsky says
Editor,
I am delighted that a person with the intelligence and drive of Sam Shoge has decided to run for the Council seat in the third ward. I have come to know Sam as a member of the Chestertown Planning Commission and I am so impressed with his ability to grasp difficult concepts and apply them in an appropriate way to the issue at hand. While he is new on the Commission he has dug in and got involved in discussing projects that come before us and it is apparent that he does his homework prior to our meetings.
It is time for new and fresh ideas that will move our town in a positive direction. When I read his press release I thought that this is the kind of leadership we need at this critical time. I trust that those living in the third ward will take the time to get to know Sam and get to know what direction he wants to take the third ward. I know he is the kind of person that will listen to concerns and solutions and bring them to the full town council. He has proven leadership skills and realistic ideas that he can turn into action. There are many challenges facing us as we try to bring this town together, and I believe that Sam is the right person at the right time.