The fact that seven candidates have emerged this fall to run for mayor of Chestertown is perhaps the best news the community has received all year. Not only are those running for office large in number, they are also extraordinary in their range of gifts and talents. Each of them would be a great asset to any city, large or small.
The challenge for the voter is to attempt to align each candidates’ unique skills with what they perceive as the issues that need the most attention. In the case of Chestertown, at least for this newspaper, the overwhelming evidence suggests that the town’s paramount need is for a serious, sustained economic development program in all its manifestations.
While there are no substantial differences of opinion among our magnificent seven on the need for professional economic development, the expertise to manage that complex process vary across them. This is also true for each candidates’ temperament and capacity for critical thinking, those sometimes overlooked characteristics that can help or hinder real progress.
In short, which candidate has the best ability to develop, articulate, and then execute a plan of action? How is that done with so many stakeholders who need to participate in that vision? And finally, how is that done with the town’s potentially most significant collaborator, Washington College?
If there is one truism predicting any future Chestertown economic development success, it is that the plan must include a long-term and genuine strategic partnership with the tenth oldest college in the country. And while the concept of having these heavily intertwined institutions achieve a collaborative relationship is not hard to grasp, implementing it in a manner that will produce tangible results is a different matter.
There are a few reasons over recent years, whether real or imagined, that explain why these old allies have not been able to move forward in developing a sophisticated game plan. Some of these relate to conflicting short-term priorities, misunderstandings, and at times plain old institutional folly, but much is the result of a certain fog or myopia in not fully appreciating the remarkable opportunities that come with such a formal alliance.
To the credit of both college and town leaders, this issue started to be directly addressed with last spring’s formation of a joint college-town task force. Their mission, assigned by the Town Council and Washington College’s Board, to conduct a comprehensive review of the town’s economic condition and to propose a strategic roadmap for the town, including the waterfront, could prove to be transformational for the community.
Yet, without the full support and active engagement on the part of a new mayor and Washington College’s own leadership, this critically important moment will be tragically lost, as have so other efforts in the past.
This newspaper believes that Chris Cerino has the most complete set of skills to ensure success this time around for Chestertown. Of the candidates running for office, Chris’ decade-long exposure to and work with the Sultana Projects (arguably one of the best run nonprofits on the Eastern Shore) and his six years on Chestertown’s Planning Commission, have prepared him extremely well for this kind of challenging role.
It must be noted that his work on the planning commission have not always pleased everyone nor necessarily always produced the most perfect outcomes, but collectively these six years provided an invaluable experience in understanding how the sausage is made. In this regard, the Spy has witnessed some snapshots of Chris in action.
The first was Chairman Cerino’s management of the Stepne Manor controversy of 2009, when a well-connected developer was eager to fast track permits for 500 residential units on the former historic farm. With a steadfastness that was both reassuring and admirable, Cerino asserted the planning commission’s authority, despite personal attacks and more than a few tantrums, effectively, maturely, and without compromising process nor Chestertown’s comprehensive plan objectives.
On the other hand, the recent planning commission’s draft ordinance for LED signage in the historic district was less reassuring. The commission’s proposed sign ordinance to ban electronic signage in town was produced with an absolutism that was troubling to many, particularly with the Chestertown arts community.
Regardless of the outcome of these examples, the fact that Chris has been exposed to such hotly contested issues and yet has shown the ability to persevere and move forward is a demonstration of strong and good character.
If an economic development plan is to succeed, a new mayor will have to learn how to handle different kinds of challenging experiences and to learn from them in the process. In the case of Chris Cerino, the Spy thinks he has shown these abilities.
Patsy Hornaday says
My legal e-mail address to go with comments previously submitted supporting Chris Cerino for mayor.
Stephan Sonn says
Editor
I disagree with your choice. Your candidate represents the in clique that favors Chestertown as a shrine, quite devoid of the profit motive.
But that is just exactly the way some people like it, 17th century values.
I just wonder if the taxpayers that pay the bills can write the checks.
Connie Schroth says
Editor,
In the 1600s, Chestertown was an active port, not a “shrine.” Its values at that time were concerned largely with American pragmatism.
One of this town’s most valuable assets in 2013 is the preservation of its historical spaces – many people choose to visit (buy stuff in stores, eat in restaurants, etc) for this reason; many choose to live here because Chestertown preserves reminders of our shared American roots (GAR building, Custom House, and for-profit businesses using historic spaces) and is a refuge from Walmart values.
Chris Cerino “gets” Chestertown in all its facets – his choosing to raise his family here and offering his expertise and experience to head up the town government demonstrate a serious commitment to its past and its future.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Editor,
I agree totally. Our town is lucky to have this many dedicated people running for mayor. That said, Chris Cerino really stands
out with his capabilities and vision. Additionally, his wife Michelle is an extraordinary teacher and person!!
Robbi Behr says
Editor,
I will not be voting for Chris Cerino.This is not because I don’t think he’s great.Chris does amazing work for this town. But please consider this: Chris is exactly where he needs to be.
The Sultana Projects is one of the most important and high-profile organizations in town.Chris has served the Sultana Projects with extreme dedication and heart – and that’s what he should continue to do. I love Chris. I love the Sultana Projects. I don’t want Chris to be distracted by mucking about with sign ordinances and plastic bag ordinances and speed bumps and traffic concerns.
Particularly with Vision 2020 on the horizon, I want 100% of Chris’s focus, as it has always been, on doing what he does best – serving the Sultana Projects and bringing vision and spirit to Chestertown in a way that only he can. It would be a travesty to divide his attention between mayoral duties and his duties as the face of the Sultana.
Again – I admire Chris and love what he does. The mayorship is not a popularity contest (I admire all of the candidates). But in this crucial time, denying the Sultana Projects 100% of Chris’s focus and dedication isn’t in the best interests of our town. He does amazing work there, and should continue to do so, with all our support.
Doug Megargee says
Editor,
As a non-voting resident of the County I realize that what happens in Chestertown drives the county, therefore I am extremely interested in the Mayoral election outcome. My observation is that you could move the names around on all of the election advertising and no one would notice, all the candidates have a fairly consistent message with regard to the problems and the resolutions to said problems.
I have a real problem with the fact that among the candidates an there is very little Business experience. Lots of degrees and teaching , not for profits, governmental experience but no one who had to make the tough choices that are required to fulfill the fiduciary responsibilities to the town that come from running a business. Everyone agrees on the problems and again resolutions are almost synonymous throughout the ranks. I, am in agreement with the issues and can understand the importance the proposed courses of action for change.
However, what none of the candidates has mentioned is that unless we take our problems to the State House and change the status quo tax and spend policies which have gotten Maryland to this point, there will be no change. The relationship between the College and the town could be a phenomenal benefit to the economy if it were nurtured and old stereotypes about this relation are overcome. I am a WC grad who has chosen to make my home here in Kent county and I have never understood the fact that Chestertown is a town with a college but not a College Town.
Unless we get the State to adopt a pro-business position on many fronts, the greatest of which is taxation, all of these well intentioned campaign driven resolutions to our problems are a moot point. Small business are dying here because of costs, big business of any kind will not come to Maryland because of costs.
The next mayor of Chestertown has to have the will to take our problems across the Bay and get Maryland to change its position to one that is Pro-Business. The economy and job creation is driven by small business and Chestertown is a small business community. If you want to know why the Texas Governor has an ad asking Maryland business to come to Texas it’s because it’s an easy sell.
Chris Cerino is a great guy and if I could I would vote for him I would, but he is only one guy. Chestertown is at a crossroads and it could very easily slip into the economic abyss if we as a community do not work TOGETHER without special interests and agendas to revitalize and change State and local policies and politics.
Chestertown is not Detroit it is not a blighted town, ……… Yet.
RD Sweetman says
Editor,
I have to disagree. Listening once again to Mr. Cerino’s video clip posted elsewhere on this website, I’m drawn to the last 30 seconds of the clip wherein he points out that he’s only going to be a part time mayor with a $5000 Salary; that he has a job and he doesn’t have the time to to do otherwise. We have Volunteer Fire and EMS People in the area who also have jobs, yet they give their full measure when called upon with no pay whatsoever…
Sorry, that statement made in the last portion of the video interview has a defining first impression which makes me doubt his focus and conviction.