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December 4, 2023

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Court Sides with Talbot County: Corson to Take Seat on Planning Commission

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The Hon. Stephen H. Kehoe, Circuit Court judge for Talbot County, made good on his promise to move swiftly in the case of Bartlett et al. vs. Talbot County last Friday. Kehoe’s ruling validated the appointment of James Corson to replace Lisa Ghezzi on the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission for a five-year term.

The plaintiffs in the case had made the argument that the outgoing County Council did not have the authority to appoint Mr. Corson since Ms. Ghezzi’s term of office ended after its own legislative session was completed.

The County responded by stating that the outgoing Council did in fact have the power to appoint Mr. Corson by citing Bryan v. Makosky (2004) when the lame duck Talbot County Council in 2002 appointed James Bryan to succeed Linda Makosky.

The Supreme Court of Maryland determined that the lame duck Council did not have the right to appoint Mr. Bryan because Ms. Makosky’s seat would not be vacant until after the newly elected council took office.

The legal arguments made by the plaintiffs and Talbot County’s legal team rested on when, by Charter, the Ghezzi term ended.

In the end, Judge Kehoe noted his reading of Bryan v. Makosky and concluded:

“The Talbot County Council that was sitting on November 22, 2022 served until noon on December 5, 2002. The County Council sitting on November 22, 2022 was within its rights to appoint a member of the Planning Commission for the term that expired on December 2, 2022.

The date of the five-year terms was set by the original appointment of the members of the Planning Commission on December 3, 1974. Id. The duration of these terms of office are clear and unambiguous under the terms of the Talbot County Charter and require no aid in interpretation. Therefore, the County Council validly appointed James Corson to replace Lisa Ghezzi.

Accordingly, the Court will deny the Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment, deny Ms. Ghezzi’s Motion for Summary Judgment, deny the County’s Motion to Dismiss, grant the County’s Motion for Summary Judgment and declare that James Corson was lawfully appointed to the Talbot County Planning Commission.”

It is not known at this time if the decision would be appealed.

The Spy commented on this unique case last week in our Editor’s Daybook column.

 

 

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Election 2022: Harris Mizeur LWV Forum on Kent Island

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The League of Women Voters of Kent and Queen Anne’s County sponsored the last forum between Republican Rep. Andy Harris and Democratic nominee Heather Mizeur on Thursday evening. Held at the Kent Island High School, the program lasted 90 minutes using the well-known LVW format of candidates having two minutes to answer questions submitted by the League and audience members. Kent County’s former Chamber of Commerce director Sam Shoage serviced as moderator.

The Spy was there to record the entire program.

This video is approximately 90 minutes in length. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

MDE Gives Lakeside in Trappe a Limited Permit to Move Forward

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The Maryland Department of the Environment released its decision regarding the Lakeside housing development discharge permit on Friday afternoon. The MDE ruling considerably limits the project to 100,000 gallons of wastewater per day. The developer had asked for 540,000 gallons per day.

The dramatic reduction by the MDE was a result of the agency’s review of recent data and public comments opposed to the original request.

Organizations such as ShoreRivers and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation expressed mixed responses to the MDE’s permit approval.

CBG’s Eastern Shore Director Alan Girard commented that the “MDE should be given credit for significantly scaling back this permit that posed tremendous risk to water quality on the Eastern Shore.” He added however that the CBF,  “remain concerned about the potential precedent this could set by allowing a development to bypass Bay cleanup requirements through spray irrigation on farm fields.”

ShoreRivers’ Matt Pluta added, “as we told MDE in our initial comments, spray irrigation is not an adequate means of disposing wastewater without polluting the river. The intention of these permits is for wastewater sprayed onto fields to be absorbed by crops, but much of the nutrients end up percolating into our groundwater instead.”

At the time of this article, the Lakeside project’s attorney, Ryan D. Showalter, has not issued the developer’s reaction to the MDE decision.

The decision can be read here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Election Highlights: Mizeur to Challenge Harris; Mautz Defeats Addie Eckardt

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Former Del. Heather Mizeur decidedly won over Dave Harden in the the Democratic primary in the 1st District. but she’ll be the underdog in the general election against Rep. Andy Harris, the lone Republican in the state’s congressional delegation.

The evening’s other significant news was the landslide victory of Republican Johnny Mautz over  incumbent Addie Eckardt.

In other news, the Republicans determined the three candidates to run for Kent County Commissioner come November. Former Kent County Sheriff John Price led the field, following by newcomer Albert Nickerson and long term incumbent (and now Republican) Ron Fithian.

And the finalists for the Kent County School Board had a few surprises as well.  Trish McGee led all eight candidates with a remarkable 24% of the vote, followed by newcomers Frank Rhodes and William Gale.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Ecosystem: Gary & Justine Reinoehl Love the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center

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“Where Better to Watch a Sunset Over Water than from a Kayak?!”

When Gary and Justine Reinoehl retired from long careers at Amtrak and public schools respectively, they moved to Kent Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. With their passionate interest in the outdoors, as well as kayaking, it didn’t take them long to find the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) and become active volunteers at the organization.

According to Volunteer Coordinators, Anne and Dave Brunson, the Reinoehl’s are a great fit for CBEC. “Friendly, engaging and experienced in the out-of-doors, they are happy to help out in whatever way possible.” Since they started volunteering in 2018, the Reinoehl’s have become invaluable contributors to CBEC in many ways.

Both Gary and Justine have been long-time kayakers who have travelled many waterways in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, including the Potomac and Susquehanna Rivers and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. As CBEC volunteers, they have led numerous youth and adult trips around the Horse Head Peninsula – Marshy Creek, the Kent Narrows, and Prospect and Crab Alley Bays in Queen Anne’s County. Gary is well-versed in local Queen Anne’s County History and Justine, an experienced educator, they help out with CBEC’s numerous camps and outdoor adventures for both adults and students.

Thanks to a grant from Queen Anne’s County, the CBEC kayak fleet now consists of 11 double and 22 single kayaks. “We’ve had groups of as many as 20 or more from the Shore, the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas, and as far away as Colorado,” said the Reinoehls. “There are some weeks in the Spring and Summer when we’re at CBEC every day! Thankfully, we have several other capable folks who help us.” 

“But, we could always use more!” Justine added.

Gary also serves as Head of CBEC’s Trail Maintenance Team, which has had a busy spring conducting clean-up of the existing trails and boardwalks. And, thanks to a grant from the Mountain Club of Maryland, Gary and his team have cleared and re-opened the North Point Trail. “We recently set-up an ‘Adopt a Trail’ program to help with ongoing trail maintenance and we’ve been pleased at the support CBEC has received so far,” said Gary. 

Gary and Justine also worked with a group of volunteers from Chesapeake College to re-open two small nature viewing ponds behind the CBEC Education Building. “CBEC has always had a good relationship with Chesapeake College. Having those enthusiastic, young people here really made the job easy,” he said.

Justine’s background in education has proved invaluable to CBEC as well. Besides helping with popular school environmental education programs like ‘Catch a Bay Critter’, Justine often serves as a volunteer assistant with CBEC’s Raptor Program. “It’s so gratifying to watch student’s and adult’s reactions to seeing owls and hawks ‘up close and personal’,” she explains.

“Having committed volunteers like the Reinoehls is essential CBEC’s growth and success,” stated Executive Director, Vicki Paulas. “They are invaluable volunteers as well as great ambassadors of CBEC’s growing membership!”

“We just enjoy being at CBEC as well as being outdoors on this lovely, unspoiled piece of land,” agreed both Gary and Justine. “Where else can you be to watch the sunset over the water than from here, in a kayak?!”

Interested in becoming a volunteer at CBEC? In addition to helping with kayaking, trail maintenance, and education, CBEC volunteers and members help staff the Visitor Center, assist with fundraisers, and participate in citizen science programs. To learn more, go to: www.bayrestoration.org/volunteer.

 

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

St. Michaels Commission Election to Take Place Tomorrow

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St. Michaels will be holding an election to select two town commissioners. election on May 2 at the Edgar M. Bosley Municipal Building (Town Office), 300 Mill Street, St. Michaels, Maryland between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The Spy has interviewed three out of the four candidates in the race (Commissioner Bibb did not respond to the Spy’s invitation.) These conversations can be found here.

Election 2022 Profiles: Aida Khalil for St. Michaels Town Commission

Election 2022 Profiles: Al Mercier for St. Michaels Town Commission

Election 2022 Profiles: Katrina Whittington for St. Michaels Town Commission

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Spy Student Studio: The Yawndemic by Jean Pierre

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With video cameras now on phones and editing software that costs in the thousands of dollars only a few years ago now free, the world of film is available to everyone at every age. 

That point was made clear a few months ago when 12-year-old Jean Pierre, who attended the FLAG Camp hosted by the Cambridge SDA Church, produced his own short film, The Yawndemic, as a parody of the COVID pandemic. The short was not only a hit in Jean’s community, but he came away with the Best Comedy Award from the Chesapeake Film Festival last year. 

Not a bad start for the young filmmaker. 

This video is approximately five minutes in length. The Yawndemic Written and directed by Jean Pierre

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Eastern Shore Permaculture Institute on the Road: Smoky Mountains State Park

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The Eastern Shore Permaculture Institute’s Justinian Dispenza checked in with the Spy again from where else?—on the road!

This trip, Justinian and friends are exploring the Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, including a 6-mile hike to the 6,700 ft. summit of Mt. Mitchell, a 4+ hour climb not for the faint of heart.

Dispenza’s interest in wilderness survival and living skills gives him a unique perspective on each environment they encounter. On this outing, he discovered plants native to that area; wintergreen and wild blueberries.

Based in Galena, Dispenza is happy to share his wilderness adventures with the Spy, and we are always happy to have a few minutes of vicarious, educational exploring.

“The Eastern Shore Permaculture Institute is a resource for education and empowerment, taking back our food system. We focus on teaching courses on sustainable gardening, mushroom growing, soap making, wilderness survival and living skills, and ecologically friendly building practices.” 

This video is approximately five minutes in length. Please go here for more information about the Eastern Shore Permaculture Institute, see their Facebook page.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Hazel Mitchell-Bell Next to Perform at Tubman Museum on August 14

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On Saturday, August 14 the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center in Cambridge, Maryland presents jazz vocalist Hazel Mitchell-Bell in an outdoor concert from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The show takes place under a powerful and deeply moving mural of Harriet Tubman, abolitionist and conductor on the Underground Railroad. It is part of an ongoing series of varietal events created by Program Director Linda Harris to draw attention to the site and the historic figure who inspired it. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to arrive early to tour the museum in advance of the show.

Hazel Mitchell-Bell

Washington, D.C. jazz star Hazel Mitchell-Bell will share music from her new album Sack Full of Dreams. Already garnering great reviews, the recording celebrates the singer’s versatility with unique renderings of jazz, blues, R&B and showtunes. In a relaxed and green setting, listeners will be treated to live versions of new album tracks along with select favorites from Mitchell-Bell’s high charting 2018 album Stronger Than Ever.

Working closely with pianist and music director Vince Evans since 2016, the stunning vocalist has performed and recorded with orchestras and smaller ensembles, stoking the fires of the D.C. jazz scene. She has enjoyed one sellout after another, appearing in festivals, concerts and clubs such as the Kennedy Center, City Winery, the Preservation Jazz Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Sheldon Cultural Center in St. Louis. Her vocal stylings have been compared to jazz giants Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan and Phyllis Hyman.

The new album has been receiving high praise from critics at home and abroad since its official release in May. George W. Harris of Jazz Weekly writes “Classy and uptown soft swing and soul is delivered by vocalist Hazel Mitchell-Bell as she gives tribute to all of the right inspirations.” Susan Frances of Jazz2love writes “Her blend of jazz, soul, R&B, and bossa nova feel like home, surrounding the listener in comfort and bliss.” Enjoy classics such as the title track “Sack Full of Dreams” by Gary McFarland and Louis Savary and Buddy Johnson’s 1955 jazz ballad “Save Your Love for Me.” Hear favorites from her earlier album Stronger Than Ever, which peaked at #12 overall on the Roots Music Report Top 50 Jazz Chart.

Music director and pianist Vince Evans has earned enormous respect from peers and fans in his extensive career as a musician, producer and educator. He has worked with celebrities such as Phyllis Hyman, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Luther Vandross, Eddie Murphy, MC Hammer and Prince.

Trumpeter Kenny Rittenhouse is a former member of The United States Army Band, The U.S.Army Blues, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with stars such as Lou Rawls, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Hubert Laws, Kurt Elling, Jimmy Heath and Freddy Cole. He also leads The Kenny Rittenhouse Ensemble. Drummer JC Jefferson, Jr. works regularly with Evans and Rittenhouse in various groups and has performed with jazz greats Benny Golson, Buck Hill, Barry Harris and Larry Willis.
Bassist Herman Burney studied with legendary bassist Keter Betts. He has performed with Wynton,Ellis and Branford Marsalis, Freddy Cole, Eric Alexander, Terell Stafford, René Marie, Monty Alexander, Etta Jones, Natalie Cole and Cedar Walton. He has played the Blue Note, Village Vanguard, Birdland, the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center and toured North and South America, Australia, Europe and the Far East.

The suggested donation for the concert is $20 and reservations are strongly suggested. To reserve your place, visit instantseats.com and select “Jazz at the Mural.” (The short ticket link is: https://tinyurl.com/8k3dxxc ) Proceeds fund future programs. Additional donations are welcome.

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In Memoriam: Remembering Them Today

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Our young nation, a world power, is often engaged in deadly combat. Lost amid the mix of potent weaponry and highly skilled warriors are many who never live to describe the horrors of war.

Mostly young men and women return home, their final resting places in cemeteries throughout the land. They served, they fought, they cried and they died. Their families and friends will celebrate Memorial Day sadly and somberly.

Who knows their final thoughts, their indescribable pain and suffering? What we know is that, yes they fought for their buddies—but they fought for us. They sought no gratitude. They sought no glory.

Uttered often at Memorial Day ceremonies is this declaration: we owe our freedom to those who came home forever young. And we do owe our lives, free from strife and danger, to individuals willing to risk theirs in danger spots in our fractious world.

If our fellow Americans occupying thousands and thousands of gravesites typically unseen except by loved ones could speak to us, they might say:

Pursue peace with passion. Fight to preserve harmony with indomitable patience and persistence. If all else fails, then pick up the torch and relentlessly seek victory in the dreadful event of war.

They might ask something else: wave a flag if you have one, shed a tear for a friend if you can—and call a family and say you care.

The following well-known poem written during World War I by John McCrae, a Canadian physician, poet, soldier, author and artist, is eternally appropriate on Memorial Day.

In Flanders Fields by John McCrae 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
        In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
        In Flanders fields.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.