In Tuesday’s rescheduled Town Council Meeting led by Acting Town Mayor Rev. Ellsworth Tolliver, Mayor Chris Cerino resigned via a letter to the Town and Council citing stress levels that have impacted his mental and physical well-being.
The letter was read to the Council by Town Manager Bill Ingersoll.
Cerino was not present at either Monday’s cancelled meeting or Tuesday’s council session.
Cerino was elected in 2013, reelected in 2017, and recently announced that he would not be seeking a third term in this November.
Going forward, Ingersoll said that the Council could let Rev. Tolliver continue as Acting Mayor for the duration of the Mayor’s term ending in November or on a meeting-by-meeting basis, or even hold an early election to fill the position if the Council can not decide on an Acting Town Mayor.
Here is Cerino’s letter as it was read to the Council:
Monday, April 5, 2021
To the residents of Chestertown,
I am submitting this letter tonight to inform you that I am resigning from my post as Mayor of Chestertown, effective immediately. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and comes after hours of soul searching, conversations with my wife and children, and ultimately at the direction of our family physician. Over the past several days, my emotional state has become increasingly unstable. While this is embarrassing to reveal in a public forum, I must now be honest with myself -and with you – in acknowledging that the stress levels I have endured for the past seven years are significantly impacting my mental health and physical well being. In the long term, I am confident that I will be fine. However, in the short term I urgently need to unplug, spend time with family and friends, and focus exclusively on activities that bring me peace and happiness.
I am extremely proud of the many great things we have accomplished together during my time in office. The capital improvements that have been implemented throughout the community, economic development programs that have been put in place, and social justice initiatives designed to address issues of equity and inclusion are just beginning to bear fruit, and will benefit our residents for years to come.
None of this would be possible without the support of hundreds of community stakeholders that have helped along the way. I would like to personally thank each and every volunteer that served on the Town’s Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, Board of Appeals, Ethics Commission, Recreation Commission, Redistricting Committee, Environmental Committee, Tree Committee, Public Arts Committee, Equity Advisory Committee, and the Boards of the Chestertown Main Street program and Arts and Entertainment District. Additionally, I would like to commend all of the paid employees that ensure our governmental services are delivered in an efficient and professional manner.
This includes the staff at Town Hall, members of the street crew, employees on the utilities commission, and officers of the Chestertown Police Department. While the Mayor often gets the sound bites in the press, you are the true face of Chestertown for our constituents. Lastly, I would like to thank the staff and Board of Directors at Sultana Education Foundation, who have been extraordinarily generous and flexible in allowing me to juggle the myriad responsibilities associated with holding public office while simultaneously working to implement educational programs at Sultana.
In closing, please know that I have nothing but love, respect, and compassion for every single one of the five thousands residents of Chestertown. You deserve competent, strong, and energetic leadership, which I am unable to provide at the present time. In seven months, you will have the opportunity to elect a new leader, and when that time comes I stand by ready to assist in any way practical. In the interim, I am confident that the Town’s affairs will be in good hands with my fellow Council members and our capable staff.
Respectfully,
Chris Cerino
Mayor
Ingersoll followed the resignation with a personal statement. “I have been here through at least four mayors, some long term, and this gentleman has done right up there with all of them the best a big heart he was not swayed politically at any time by these issues and I’m proud to work with him.”
The resignation came near the end of the meeting, leaving Council members’ only opportunity to respond during the Ward reports.
Ward 4 Councilmember Meghan Efland said, “Chris is a wonderful person, and I feel for him. I know that this has been a tough time, and I think it’s a huge loss for us, especially with moving on to having a new mayor when we go into the elections in the fall. As Tom said, I think he’s been a wonderful mentor, and he’s been somebody who’s always been a sounding board and available, and this taught us from lessons he’s learned over the years in his office, So definitely I’m definitely in shock, and he’ll be missed.”
Ward 2 Councilmember Tom Herz said, “I’m also there I didn’t know Chris very well before taking office but he always took enough time to explain the present circumstances and the history of a project. It’s a great loss to the town but I understand his point of view…and I go with David (Foster) thought that until you are sitting in one of these chairs you don’t know the amount of work and amount of time it takes to be on the Council and I can’t even imagine what it must take to be the Mayor. He will be sorely missed.”
Due to severe online audio connectivity issues, some Council transcripts will be published by the Spy as they are clarified.
Richard Keaveney says
Our town will be forever grateful to Chris (and his family!) His seven plus years have led to a strong strong foundation for this town to prosper into the future. To serve the public AND work a full time job AND nurture self and family is a nearly impossible task. Grateful Chris for your leadership. Unpack that brain … 5e future is bright.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Chris, we have been so proud having you at the Town’s helm. May you find this time wonderfully relaxing
and emotionally beneficial. You deserve it!
Retha Jo Arrabal says
Thank you Chris for your dedication and steady hand in getting out town through some rocky times. I appreciate your hard work, and I wish you good health and a wonderful time with your family and friends. Best of luck to you!
Janey Barrett says
So sorry to see you go. I understand how so much stress is put on a person can cause you harm. Take care of yourself and enjoy
Cynthia Saunders says
Chris, you have every right to feel personal pride and a sense of accomplishment in the results of your hard work and commitment to Chestertown’s progress during your time in office. You have taken the vision and efforts of previous administrations to new levels with the completion (and rousing success!) of our marina, and implementation of community-wide capital improvements along with the economic development programs put in place and social justice initiatives just launched. As you note in your letter to the Council and to all of us, these initiatives are “just beginning to bear fruit and will benefit our residents for years to come.” Your vision, commitment,and action after due consideration of all (often passionate) opinions have given us many gifts. Enjoy your return to private life…..and thank you!
Nancy Mugele says
What a courageous acknowledgement, Chris. The town will miss your leadership but your health and wellness are more important.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Others have hi-lited Chris’ incredible leadership and accomplishments during his seven years as Mayor, and have noted that his presence will be greatly missed.
A greater sadness for me is that we are still struggling with the belief that publicly shaming others somehow creates unity and change. May those among us who have never erred publicly nor privately cast the first stone.
Chris has always been available, open to different views and open to changing his own in response.
Confrontation via public shaming does not promote unity and change. Hasn’t for 400 years, hasn’t the last 4 and hasn’t now in Chestertown. Again, wedges driven deeper and opportunity lost.
Chris’ leadership, vision and accomplishments will transcend his service to this town. Thank you Chris and family! May we all be grateful.
Liza Brocker says
Exactly!
Meg Lynch says
I am sorry to hear that you are resigning. It is a difficult time we live in today. I understand completely what you are going through and I’m right there with you.
Thank you for the wonderful job you’ve done. Now take care of yourself. ❤🙂
David Quinn says
Wow, it’s hard to top what has already been written, so i won’t even try, except to add my and Sara’s thanks for all you have done for Chestertown, Chris!! Your focus on the waterfront, among so many other things, will be appreciated for decades to come by one and all who visit and live here. Take care of yourself and we look forward to seeing ‘citizen’ Chris in town! You done good, man!
Kurt landgraf says
I worked with Mayor Cerino during my time at Washington College. He was always there to help. Always cared about the Students. A truly outstanding Public Servant in every way.
Chestertown is a much better place because Chris gave of himself to the Community. Washington College benefited from Mayor Cerino’s leadership
THANK YOU !!!!!!
Maria Wood says
The past year has been brutal and relentless, and involved an intense and debilitating brand of stress and exhaustion. The emotional, mental, and physical impacts of uncertainty, a frantic pace for people lucky enough to be working, isolation, being pulled in a dozen directions at once have been enormous.
Acknowledging it, naming it, and taking action to fix it is a real service to everyone who has been trying to cope and aren’t sure when or how things will start to get a little easier. I have a lot of respect, admiration, and gratitude to the Mayor for setting this good example.
David Foster says
I am proud to have worked with Chris Cerino and believe that he has been an outstanding Mayor. While we may have had occasional disagreements, I do not know of anyone who has worked harder or more effectively for the benefit of our community.
Carla Massoni says
I have never been more proud of you than I am today.
You are a good man. Al and I knew you would accomplish great things for Chestertown. You did not disappoint. My prayers are with you, Michelle and your boys.
Bishop Ronald T. Fisher says
Mr. Cerino,
Thank you for your service to the town of Chestertown. I commend you for taking the time to assess your situation with your family and your physician regarding your plans and future.
And thank you for your transparency and reminding us all of our finiteness. All of the best of God’s grace to you going forward. I’m around for a chat and chew anytime.
Maria Wood says
Perfectly said, as usual Bishop Fisher.
Valerie Shearer Overton says
Many, many thanks to Chris (and his family) for the time, energy, and sweat equity put into leading our town with his vision and passion. Public service has always been a personal sacrifice, and Chestertown has been the benefactor of his hard work and selfless dedication. May you enjoy a well deserved break and the next chapter Chris, and please know you will be missed as Mayor!
The last several years have required us all to apply much additional grace and respect towards one another—let us all take a pledge to improve our tone of public discourse, no matter our interests and motivations. Nothing will improve when we spend our energy and resources into tearing one another down.
Cindy Fulton says
Chris, Tom and I have known you for 20 years and have admired your strength, perseverance, leadership, ingenuity, teaching abilities, and a host of other wonderful personality traits. Most recently I have admired your help and enthusiasm in establishing the African-American Heritage and History sign project. Your contributions to this town and community are plenty and will not be forgotten. Take a deep breath of fresh air and know that you have done well.
James Twohy says
Chris:
You were a great Mayor! Shelby has lived at Heron
Point for 12 years, and I for 10; and we both recognize
greatness when we see it!
You made Chestertown fun to live in. Thanks so much!
Jim Twohy Shelby Strudwick