Local Life

Spy Editorial: Honor MLK, Enact The Chestertown Voting Rights Act

January 20, 2020 by The Chestertown Spy Leave a Comment

As the nation honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a martyr in the dark, epic battle of desegregation in the United States, The Spy urges the Mayor & Council of Chestertown to enact The Chestertown Voting Rights Act.

Passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was one of MLK’s most transformative accomplishments. The Act was adopted only after a series of Supreme Court decisions that took judicial power to decide districting cases and enforce equally apportioned districts: One Person, One Vote. The Voting Rights Act added muscle through the courts to end dilution of voting influence that steal equal opportunity from minorities to compete in elections.

The Voting Rights Act applies to all political jurisdictions, including the Town of Chestertown. Many local jurisdictions with ward-based representation are statutorily mandated to re-examine their districts after every census. Chestertown has not undertaken reapportionment since 1995.

How have we ignored this for a quarter-century when the ACLU has clearly pointed out that Chestertown’s voting districts are illegal? The silence from the Chestertown government is deafening.

The Spy urges the enactment of a Chestertown Voting Rights Act, immediately, that requires the Mayor & Council to convene a racially diverse nonpartisan commission within six months following a decennial census. The ordinance should require the commission to hire an attorney at the town’s expense to advise on the process.

Let’s honor MLK’s legacy and pass The Chestertown Voting Rights Act.

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T-shirt Design Contest

January 20, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is calling on artists of all ages to participate in a t-shirt design contest. The purpose of the contest is to create a design for the annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival (CTPF) t-shirt. The CTPF has been held annually since 1976. The Festival celebrates the colonial past of Chestertown, including the alleged throwing of tea into the Chester River. The design will be featured on the back of the annual t-shirt. It may be used online or in printed material as well.

The design needs to be in black and white. Each person may submit up to two entries. The winner will receive a $100 award and will be recognized at the Chestertown Tea Party Festival Parade Awards Ceremony held on May 23, 2020. Entries must be postmarked by Friday, February 28, 2020. They may also be submitted electronically to greenbien@hotmail.com.

For complete set of rules as well as the entry form, please visit chestertownteaparty.org

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Chestertown Lions Club Presents Appreciation Award to Blue Bird Tavern

January 18, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The Chestertown Lions Club has sponsored a shotgun raffle for the last 7 years with proceeds funding numerous Kent County events and projects.

Raffle sales began in early September and ran through December. Ticket sale locations this year in addition to the Blue Bird were JBK Hardware, Farmer’s Market in Chestertown, Molly’s Place, and The Mill in Kingstown. The drawing for raffle winners took place at the Blue Bird Tavern on January 8^th, 2020 at 6:00 pm. There were two raffle winners- 1^st place a new $1,500 Browning A-5 shotgun or cash and 2^nd place $300 in merchandise from Molly’s Place.

L-R: Lion Fred Sherriff, Shotgun Raffle Committee Chair and Chelsy Smith, Blue Bird Manager.

An Appreciation Plaque for their support of the Club’s raffle sales was presented by the Lions Clubs Lion Fred Sherriff, Shotgun Raffle Committee Chair, to Chelsy Smith, Blue Bird Tavern Manager at the Shotgun Raffle drawing. The award was presented for the substantial support the Blue Bird Tavern provides each year. The Club sold approximately 5,000 tickets this year with a large percentage of tickets sold at the Blue Bird.

If you would like to know more about the Chestertown Lions Club and the projects we support, call Membership Committee Chair Lion Larry Lyons at 410-708-3599.

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Brown Delivers Career-High 20 Points To Lead Shoremen Over McDaniel, 67-51

January 16, 2020 by Washington College News Service Leave a Comment

Washington College forward Daniel Brown

Junior forward Daniel Brown (Silver Spring, Md./Paint Branch) scored 13 of his career and game-high 20 points in the second half to help lead the host Washington College men’s basketball team to a 67-51 victory against the McDaniel Green Terror, in a Centennial Conference contest on Wednesday evening at Cain Athletic Center. The victory was the first for the Shoremen of the new decade.

Washington College 67 McDaniel 51

How It Happened
– McDaniel jumped out to 9-2 advantage at the 17:36 mark but the Shoremen tightened up defensively and answered with an 11-4 run to even the contest at 13-all after a left wing trey by Alec Lewis midway through the opening stanza.
– Washington took their first lead of the contest at 16-15 on another triple by Lewis from the right wing with 8:50 left, giving the hosts the lead for good. Nick Romeo then followed up a miss in transition to cap a 5-2 mini spurt that extended the lead to 18-15 with 8:25 left.
– The hosts took their biggest lead of the half at 29-17 after Tray Wright went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe with 1:29 on the clock, capping a 9-0 burst for the Shoremen. Brown scored five points on a pair of layups and Dallas Marshall added a 3-pointer to account for the scoring during the key stretch for the Shoremen.
– Sophomore forward Quinn Kimmick hit a trifecta with 1:10 left to bring the Green Terror within 29-20 at the break.
– The Shoremen held the visitors to 27.6 percent shooting in the stanza as McDaniel converted just 8-of-29 attempts, including 1-of-9 from behind the arc.
– Austin Allen staked Washington to a 35-24 advantage after completing a drive down the lane with 17:19 remaining in the contest, however, the visitors went on a 7-1 run to trim the deficit to 36-31 after freshman forward Che Colbert connected on a pair of free throws at the 14:16 mark.
– Washington responded with back-to-back buckets to push the lead to 40-31 at the 12:07 mark as Allen swished a short jumper and Wright converted a layup in transition.
– McDaniel inched within five, 45-40, after senior forward Sam Beverly hit a pair from the line with 9:39 left but Brown scored five consecutive points to restore a double-digit lead at 50-40 for the Shoremen.
– The visitors would get as close as 50-44 after Beverly converted in the paint with eight minutes left. Brown answered with a turnaround jumper and Lewis followed with a 3-pointer from the left wing to widen the lead to 55-44 at the 7:02 mark. Marshall scored four straight points for the Shoremen as he went 4-of-6 from the line to give the hosts a comfortable 61-49 lead with 2:22 remaining.
-The Shoremen eventually took their largest lead of the night at 67-49 on a layup by Wright with just ten ticks left.

For the Shoremen (4-10 Overall, 2-5 Centennial Conference)
– Brown (20 points, seven rebounds), Marshall (12 points, team-high nine rebounds, 7-for-10 from foul line), Allen (eight caroms)
– The hosts shot 41.5% (22-of-53) from the floor, 35.0 percent (7-for-20) from long-distance and 69.6% (16-for-23) at the free throw line.
– Washington controlled the paint as they out rebounded the Green Terror by a 42-30 margin, including a 12-7 margin on the offensive glass.
– The bench for the Shoremen outscored McDaniel’s reserves by an 18-9 count.
– The Shoremen converted 77.8 percent (14-of-18) of their attempts from the line in the final half.

For McDaniel (4-10 Overall, 0-7 Centennial Conference)
– Mike Wallace (18 points, 7-of-11 from the floor), Josh Sproul (16 points, 7-of-15 field goal attempts), Beverly (team-high seven boards)
– The Green Terror shot 34.0% (18-of-53) from the floor in the loss, 13.3% (2-of-15) from three point range, and 68.4% (13-of-19) at the free throw line.

Notes
– Brown was named the Goose Nation TV Shoremen Player of the Game.

Up Next for the Shoremen
1/18 at Gettysburg – 3:00 p.m. (Centennial Conference game)

Kent County Democratic Central Committee Event Featuring MDP Chair Yvette Lewis

January 15, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

MDP Chair Yvette Lewis and Prince George’s County Democratic activist David Sloan.

On Wednesday, January 22, the Kent County Democratic Central Committee will host a meet-and-greet fundraiser with newly elected (and returning) Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis. Beginning at 5:00 pm at Barbara’s on the Bay, Betterton, the event will feature hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar. Individual tickets may be purchased or reserved at www.KentDems.org.

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Remembering George Farhman

January 13, 2020 by Steve Meehan Leave a Comment

George M. Fahrman, 66 of Betterton, Md. passed away on January 11, 2020 surrounded by his loving family.

George was born on October 15, 1953, son of the late William F. and Elizabeth Medairy Fahrman. He was raised in Baltimore and was a 1971 graduate of Polytechnic High School. As a young boy his family enjoyed their summer home in Betterton, where George made it his home in 1972.

He began his career with Chesapeake Farm in 1977, where he’s been a loyal employee for 43 years. George loved farming, deer hunting, fishing, collecting vintage farm equipment, growing and giving produce to others and especially loved his family.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, William & Joseph.

George is survived by his wife of 47 years, Heidi Subers Fahrman, sons and daughters in law, Michael and Brittani Fahrman of Betterton, Christopher and Janet Fahrman of Betterton and Eric and Brittany Fahrman of Worton; sisters, Betty Ann Wheat (Louis) of Chestertown, Mary Jane Fahrman of Galena and David Fahrman of Crumpton and six grandchildren, Cody, Nina, Sienna, Draper, Reis and Gemma.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 15 from 6 to 8 pm in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St. Galena, Md., where funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 16 at 11 am. Burial will follow in Still Pond Cemetery.

Memorials may be offered to Pancan.org (for pancreatic cancer research) or a Animal Rescue of your choice.

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Remembering Barbara Gillin

January 9, 2020 by Spy Desk 2 Comments

Barbara-Ellen Gillin

Friends of Barbara-Ellen Gillin will gather at Sacred Heart Church, Chestertown, Md., this Saturday, January 11 at 2 p.m. to celebrate a Memorial Mass. Barbara passed away on December 28.

Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Richard; daughters Erin Rothwell (Jake Rothwell) and Courtney Fitzgibbon (Frank Fitzgibbon); and grandchildren Olivia Merrick, Victoria Rothwell, Aine Fitzgibbon and Maeve Fitzgibbon.

Barbara had an extensive teaching career spanning five decades ranging from elementary, middle, college and graduate level classes. She and her husband, Rich, were the co-founders and directors of the Washington College Kiplin Hall program that they ran together for 20 years. Barbara also had a multitude of contributions to the Chestertown community including being among the co-founders of the Chestertown Tea Party Classic 10 miler. She was fiercely dedicated to her students and family and gave her full energy and love into everything she did. She will be very missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Richard and Barbara Gillin Fund at Washington College, www.washcoll.edu/giving/gillin-fund.

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Dr. Couch to Speak on Kirwan Recommendations January 16

January 9, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The public is invited to the January 16 meeting of the Democratic Club of Kent County, where Dr. Karen Couch, KCPS Superintendent, will speak on the topic of “Maryland Educational Reform Recommendations,” resulting from the work of the “Kirwan Commission.” Dr. Couch served as a member of the the Commission; formally known as the “Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education,” the body recently completed its work, and the recommendations (and their costs) will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly during the current session.

Dr. Karen Couch

The Commission studied educational policy for two years, including looking at what’s worked in other states and countries. Highlights of their recommendations include:

• Expanding prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds, as well as 3-year-olds from poor families;
• Increasing the standards to become a teacher, and raising teacher salaries;
• Revamping high schools to offer students training for well-paying jobs right after graduation;
• Establishing more “community schools” with additional services for students and their families;
• Providing more support to special education students and schools with concentrations of poor families; and
• Creating an accountability program to make sure money for education goes where it’s supposed to.

The Commission report envisions phasing in these new and expanded programs over 10 years. By that time, the state and the local school systems would reportedly need to add a total of about $4 billion per year more than they would have if spending stayed on its current course. The state’s share of the increase would be $2.8 billion when fully phased in, while local governments would collectively be paying $1.2 billion more. It is not clear what Kent County’s additional costs would be, nor how they would be funded.

Join us on Thursday, January 16 at Sumner Hall, 206 S. Queen St., Chestertown, for this informative meeting. Doors open at 5:30 for light refreshments (please note, dinner will not be available for this meeting). Dr. Couch will begin her presentation at approximately 6:30 pm. See you there!

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Change in Location for Chestertown Tax-Aide Program

January 3, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The AARP Tax-Aide Program, which prepared federal and State income tax returns at no charge for more than 450 Chestertown-area residents in 2019, announced today that it is moving one of its locations for the upcoming tax year.

Instead of working in the Kent County Public Library on Thursdays, Tax-Aide volunteers will prepare taxpayers’ returns at the Kent County Community Center, 11041 Worton Road in Worton.

This free service will be offered every Thursday between 9 am and 3 pm, beginning on February 6, through April 9.

There will be no change to free tax preparation at the Amy Lynn Ferris Senior Center, 200 Schauber Road, Chestertown, on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. Service there will begin on February 1 and run through April 11.

To reserve a date and time to have your taxes prepared at either the Community Center or the Senior Center, call the Senior Center on (410) 778-2564 on Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, beginning on January 15, 2020.

Tax-Aide offers free in-person tax preparation and assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals nationwide. AARP’s IRS-certified volunteers help taxpayers and their families find all of the tax credits and deductions they’ve earned and file their returns electronically.

In 2019 taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.4 billion in income tax refunds and more than $200 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. Taxpayers do not need to be members of AARP or retirees to use Tax-Aide.

Questions can be directed to John Vail on (410) 778-1470 or at vailjohn48@gmail.com.

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