The Spy editors looked back on the most important stories in 2013 and found our top five.
While some stories got more attention in 2013, the Spy invested significant reporting into the facts and myths related to the urgent debate over what to do with 185 million tons of sediment and nutrients that rest precariously behind the Conowingo Dam–threatening the entire ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. Related Stories: 18 Riverkeepers Intervene in Conowingo Relicensing, CBF Files to Intervene in Conowingo Relicensing, Seven Myths about the Conowingo Dam, Both sides of Conowingo Dam Speak Up at Public Forum, Clean Chesapeake Coalition Files to Intervene on Conowingo, Coalition’s MacLeod Reports to County Council on Conowingo Dam Dangers
Rock Hall Mayor Robert Willis
The troubles in Rock Hall also took center stage as first-term Mayor Robert Willis tried to remove the popular Ron Fithian as town manager, who is also a Kent County Commissioner. Willis failed to make a case for firing Fithian, and in a twist of fate, it is Willis himself who could wind up losing his job. Petitioners are currently gathering signatures to recall Willis as early as March. Related stories, Related stories 2.
Chestertown’s Mayoral Race in 2013 was crowded with seven bidders seeking the seat that had been held by retiring Mayor Margo Bailey for 20 years. Planning Commissioner Chris Cerino won with 45 percent of the popular vote in a record breaking turnout on election day. Related stories: Cerino Wins Chestertown Mayor’s Race, Gross and Shoge Take Down Incumbents, other related stories.
The year began with a push by the Garfield Center to get a state-of-the-art LED sign above the entrance to the Prince Theatre. The Garfield Center ultimately failed to win approval from the planning commission, which was chaired by the current Mayor Elect Chris Cerino. But businesses and members of the arts community cried out for a compromise and will most likely make their arguments heard in 2014 for a solution that will allow some uses for LED technology. Related Stories.
And finally, coming in as number 5, the Martino case. While a bar fight generally doesn’t make the ranks of a top story, a midnight brawl between a Washington College senior and an off-duty police officer became news as the Spy discovered that the initial police report blaming the student was in major conflict with what witnesses told the Spy. After looking at 20 years in prison, charges against the student were eventually thrown out. Related stories, Related stories 2.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.