Ward 3 Councilman Sam Shoge says Chestertown’s elected officials need to connect with the black community — and not just when they’re stumping for votes.
“When it comes to their voice and opinions, it only matters come election time,” Shoge said at Monday’s council meeting. “When I was campaigning in Ward 3 that’s something that came up quite a lot. These are the sentiments that I heard a lot…that the town council only comes to their area, [and] only comes knocking on their door, come election time.”
Shoge suggested holding a council meeting at the BIG MIXX, a black owned barber shop at Kent Plaza that serves as a community hub for Chestertown’s black community. He said the owner, Jamie Barrett, is a social “staple” in the community and has operated a barber shop in various locations in town for nearly 20 years.
Barrett recently invested in renovations at his Kent Plaza shop after six years there, Shoge said.
“It’s something that will gain a lot of traction in the community by having one of our council meetings there,” Shoge said. “It’s a fantastic outreach opportunity.”
Ward 2 Councilman Marty Stetson vehemently objected and said it would set a “dangerous precedent.” He said it could bring pressure from other businesses like Dixon Valve and the Chester River Hospital to host meetings.
“The African American community is welcome here anytime on any issue, and this is where it should take place, right here in this town hall,” Stetson said. “Next thing you know we’ll be going to churches and schools…it’s not something I think we should start a precedent.”
Shoge responded that he didn’t think there would be a run on requests to host meetings at other locations because of one meeting at the BIG MIXX.
Ward 1 Councilwoman Liz Gross suggested a compromise — by changing the venue of a scheduled economic workshop for the C-1 District from Town Hall to the BIG MIXX on March 10. The council approved unanimously.
Mayor Chris Cerino acknowledged the issue of race and the lack of black participation at town meetings.
“Technically [Town Hall] is a welcoming environment for everybody in town, but look, there’s no African-Americans in this building right now,” Cerino said. “Whatever is going on we need to think outside of the the box.”
Cerino suggested that Shoge could host a Ward 3 meeting in Washington Park where the council could also attend.
Ed Plaisance says
Editor,
Regarding the suggestion to hold meetings in various locations, I think it is a great idea. Is there anything in the bylaws/whatever that prevents this from happening?
Is the town council location sacred? Have a meeting at Dixon Valve…have a meeting at the hospital…I seriously doubt there will be a run on venues, however.
Councilman Stetson’s worry about the “slippery slope” reminds me of the lyrics in “The Music Man”….”friends you’ve got trouble right here in River City…” but here the worry is not “pool”.
C’mon people, let’s start thinking outside the box. That is why I voted for Shoge.
Gerald maynes says
Editor,
What a shame Chestertown is a small place. Kent Plaza is what two miles to Town Hall? This isn’t The Deep South and this isn’t The 60!s. Perhaps handbills should be sent out informing all residents of town meetings. Just a guess, If people wanted to be there they would find a way.
Ron Jordan says
Editor,
Gerald, Chestertown is very much like the “Deep South.” I say that as a Yankee and a transplanted California to the Eastern Shore. Though, many things have changed here in the county, there still is a undercurrent and subtle feeling of exclusion,not inclusion. Councilmen’s Shoge’s idea is a good one. Just as Chestertown is wrestling with new and innovative ideas about increasing business and businesses that should be attractive to our little conclave, it is thinking outside the box that got Chris elected. One council meeting at Jamie, doesn’t set a precedence. My question to Mr. Stetson and other council members including the Mayor, have any of you ventured into Washington Park or Calvert Heights when votes are not at stake? Have any of you attended a Kent County High School Basketball game this season? Being a part of this community, is to let all members of the community know you care and what are their issues? Go where your citizens live, work and shop. Come to Jamie’s, come to where you citizens go. There are not any or many African-Americans or other people of color at City Hall because it is “not” a welcoming place. Make it a place that all citizens feel welcome and you won’t have anyone feeling that it is not their City Hall.
Chestertown has been considered a backwater and backward’s town because some, not all elected officials don’t think long term. Even if Dixon Value were interested in having a city council meeting there, so what, will that gain more participation from the citizens of color and others who don’t feel a part of this town, who knows. This is not Chestertown of the 1900’s, we are in the 21st century, come and join the living, not old and tired ideas that only the dead and infirm could celebrate.
Keith Thompson says
Editor,
I would disagree that Chestertown is like the deep South. I think the difference is that the racism that still exists in the South is very blatant, but also very isolated. Chestertown, much like this region in general, my observation is that the racism that exists is subtle but more widespread. In Chestertown’s case, I think the divide may be more cultural and socio-economic than it is racial.
As for Sam Shoge’s suggestion…I think it’s a great idea, for the simple reason that it focuses attention on parts of the town other than the downtown. I think it also follows Chris Cerino’s campaign pledge to seek better communication with town business. I find that getting out of the comfort zone can change my perspective on things.
R.C. De Prospo says
Editor,
Somebody on the Council should look into the cultural history of African-Amerian barbershops. Maybe one of them could just rent the Ice Cube movie.
Kevin Shertz says
Editor,
Official Town Meeting or not, I can’t help but notice that Salisbury is holding meetings outside its normal place these days…
Wake up, Chestertown… Your lunch is being eaten for you while you sit around and wring your hands…
“The Salisbury City Council will host their second “COFFEE WITH YOUR COUNCIL” on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 6:30 PM at Emmanuel Wesleyan Church, located at 217 Beaglin Park Drive, Salisbury. Citizens will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas and concerns with the City Council members in an informal setting. Light refreshments will be served. All interested citizens are invited to attend.”
https://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=03b112ab22149573c4853a507&id=30fc6de23b
MB Troup says
Editor,
Public meetings, that is to say, where elected officials meet to set policy for the town, should be held at the people’s house (Town Hall). It is a dangerous precedent for Mayor and Council to present or implement ordinances at a private establishment.
For arguments sake, what if the platic bag ordinance were introduced at Dollar General – the retailer who appears to have the sanctioned plastic bags? What if JR’s gets the meeting when the waterfront plan is implemented, but the Imperial gets the meeting where the main event is a sewage dispute?
I have been to Jamie’s shop on a few occasions. I have no misgivings about going there; however, some businesses are colloquially called “the African American barber shop” or “the town biker bar.” In these instances, can we guarantee that those not in the target markets of thsese businesses would feel as comfortable about the situation?
What has been linked looks more like public outreach. If I understand the councilman correctly from this story, he wants bona fide meetings (with minutes and all) to be conducted at floating locations. There’s a big difference. We better realize that difference before handing out the harumphs.
Kevin Shertz says
Editor,
The first four words of my comment read: “Official Town Meeting or not…” The item I linked to is not a Town Meeting. It is, though, their City Council offering availability to their citizens as a group to discuss concerns in other venues. It’s a smart idea that hopefully makes people feel more engaged in their community, and it’s worth our current Town Council to consider something similar an a regular or semi-regular basis.
This is what the Chestertown Town Charter (Section 9) has to say about meetings… a fixed location for the meetings is not specified:
“Regular meetings of the Council shall be held on the first and third Monday of every month at such time as they may fix. If that Monday falls on a Town holiday, the meeting will be held on the next calendar day. The Council may, by a majority vote, change or cancel a meeting by advertising this change in a paper of local circulation at least once, at least six days prior to the new meeting date. However in no case will the Council hold fewer than one regular meeting a month. Additional special meetings of the Council may be called by the Mayor and two members of the Council, or three members of the Council, upon reasonable notice being given to each member of the Council. Notice of additional meetings will be published at least once where time permits or posted in designated public place as soon as they are called. The Mayor and Council may, at its discretion, call for a closed meeting when the business to be conducted concerns matters considered appropriate for closing a meeting of a public body under the Public Information Act, Article 76A [24] of The Annotated Code of Maryland. The results of the discussion of a closed meeting, but not the discussion itself, shall be recorded and placed in the journal. The rules of the Council shall provide that residents of the Town shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any open meeting of the Council with regard to any municipal question.”
Kate Livie says
Editor,
Councilman Shoge should be commended for not only identifying a problem, but offering steps to address it. Making sure all parts of our community are represented is an essential part of the job of the town council and Shoge is fulfilling his platform promises. This is a breath of fresh air. I think his idea of taking council meetings “on the road” to less-connected parts of the community would be an great way to make a positive step forward. As Mayor Cerino said, out-of-the-box thinking is the only way to challenge the status quo.
Kate Livie
MB Troup says
Dear Editor,
The point of my comment was to distinguish between what Councilman Shoge appears to propose in the story from what Kevin Shertz mentions in his letter. I am not against the mayor and council setting foot in local businesses and discussing the current state of affairs. I am against holding the meetings described in the town charter (the ones where policy and ordinances are introduced and voted upon) anywhere other than what is commonly recognized as the town seat.
Ed Plaisance says
Editor,
Having read the excerpt from the Town Charter provided by Kevin Shertz, I figure there will be between 12 to 24 Council meetings per year. Given the logistics required with having a meeting at any venue other than the Town Hall, I imagine that there would not be all that many meetings elsewhere, and I don’t think anyone is suggesting a “road show”.
But since the Charter is silent on a specific venue for Town Council meetings, there is no impediment to meeting at another venue, should they so choose. I would be strongly in favor of such meetings, especially if they were designed and implemented to enhance a sense of inclusiveness in the overall community.
Stephan Sonn says
Editor
This conversation about inclusiveness is the best I have ever seen here.
Hope Clark says
Editor,
Right on!