It has been a while since I have reached out to you. It has been a busy summer and fall for all of us (including me for a number of reasons), so I thought it was time to reconnect.

While I understand and appreciate the many challenges that we face here, at times we need to take a step back to take a look at where we have been and what has been done to address our issues. Some of us too often focus on the bad things that are happening and ignore the positive changes. That, then, helps the world outside of our community to hear about the negative and provides them with an incomplete message about us. 

I have had the opportunity to work with and/or observe those who are working to make a difference here and would like to share a few stories.  A week or so ago I was able to be at one of those positive events. 

It was a fundraising event for MidShore Meals Til Monday, a nonprofit founded by Leslie Bishop, who  over the past six years has refused to give up on her vision of providing food for children here during those times when food is not otherwise available for them – after school, weekends, holidays, and school vacations.

I watched her in those early years trying to work with other groups that were feeding the hungry in an effort to develop a collaboration that would feed even more people, including the children. While she has not been fully successful in that effort, she and her team have built a collaboration that includes the school system that is having a significant impact on the lives of children here. It needs to be supported by everyone in our community either with money or with their time. To learn more about them, here is their website – https://midshoremealstilmonday.org/

A week or so ago, I was contacted by Valerie Davis and Jack Saum about a concern that they had for the homeless and the need to have a safe and warm place for them to go during the day. While it is apparent that there are not enough shelter beds here in a community that is A.L.I.C.E. (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) see www.uwles.org, what is available in some cases requires that the clients be out of the facility during the daytime hours.

So, where to they go? The library, a friend’s home, out on the street? There are at least three organizations that provide some daytime warm space but not every day of the week. They are the Salvation Army, the Overflow Café, and One Mission Cambridge. They and representatives of Delmarva Community Services, which also provides shelters, and some local churches met to talk about what might be done to make a daytime facility available every day of the week during the winter. 

Valerie Davis also gave a presentation about this issue to the Cambridge City Council on Monday Evening. You can hear what she had to say on www.townhallstreams.com at the November 13th meeting if you want to know more about this particular challenge. Contact me if you would like to help and be part of the solution.

There has been much talk about the changes to the Maryland law regarding juveniles and how those children under 13 years of age are causing trouble in our community and elsewhere in the state and are not being held accountable. While the focus has been on blaming the legislature or Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) or the police, that does not address what may be the solutions to the underlying challenges of a small portion of our youth that are impacting our community – fights in schools, stolen and/or ransacked cars, burglaries of homes.

With any new legislation such as the Juvenile Reform Act, the implementation of the new law is not always easy and seamless. While the new law makes changes to how things have always been done, I see most of the policy and philosophy for the Maryland changes as being sound and consistent with keeping children out of the court system when possible. The law, when implemented well, is consistent with community safety, holding kids accountable, and providing needed services.

The law does not suggest that children under 13 years of age should be free to do what they want and not held accountable for their behavior. It does mean, however, that those called upon to implement the law need to be trained on it and how their policies and procedures need to be adjusted to help make their systems work better. That training and system change should have happened as soon as the law was passed so that the state and local agencies were ready to address its implementation when the law came into effect. From news articles and other reports that I have seen that training was not implemented in many parts of the state.

For instance, there has been a focus on and news stories about how nothing can be done to children 12 and under. Well that is just not so. There is a process that has been in place for years, is standard procedure around the country, and has not changed by passage of the new law that allows the police, agencies, or citizens to file complaints with the DJS regarding younger children who are in need of supervision. These are not delinquency cases. These complaints are a way to get services to a child or family that needs them. They can be provided or supervised by DJS or, when appropriate, petitions can be filed with the court to obtain the help with parent and child compliance. 

During my time on the bench, these cases were very helpful and effective in our community in providing prevention and early intervention services to children and families that helped prevent children from becoming delinquent and getting those that were truant back in school. The assertion that the courts are not able to do anything to the child or family in these kinds of cases is just not accurate. 

While the court cannot detain a child in a Child in Need of Services (CINS) case, it can take other actions to hold the child and parents accountable. These cases can be, however, some of the most difficult cases that Juvenile and family courts have to manage, and judges and magistrates need to use their training and imagination to achieve successful outcomes.

One example from my experience was my ordering a truant teen mom to read to her infant every day. She both bonded with her child and learned the value of education to the extent that she no longer missed school. Another child who had done well under a court order and could have had her case dismissed asked that the order remain in effect as she was able to use it to keep youth gangs from recruiting her to join them. 

Judges and Magistrates can set curfews on children. They can order the child before them to perform services in the community or at home. The options for meaningful sanctions that can teach lessons are numerous.

Another part of this challenge includes the lack of resources at DJS and in most, if not all, Maryland communities to bring services and programs to those children and parents that need them. A solution for this challenge is for the state to consider a different, more consistent, and more locally driven approach for these services and programs with state funding. I am speaking with representatives of the Governor’s office and the legislature in hopes of having the state government begin to make this idea a reality.

Housing has been a challenge here for years with little or nothing being done to address the problems that some of our citizens face. During this past year, the city has seen some significant progress in its efforts to make a difference. 

Thanks to the work with Habitat Choptank, a nonprofit that you can support financially or help as a volunteer, beautiful homes are going up on Wells Street and elsewhere in the Pine Street Area. The city also has grant funding to build 8-12 houses on Chesapeake Court off of High Street that will provide home ownership opportunities for some in the community. I just signed the agreement with the builder for that project that the city council approved recently.

A grant application to HUD that the city submitted earlier this year was not successful, but the city has learned how to make that grant request better, and we are going after it again to provide resources to fix up some of the more rundown houses with lead paint and other health hazards. In addition, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has been very supportive of Cambridge and its efforts over the past few years to make a difference in the lives of those living here and continues to work with us.

Earlier this year, and in many past years, we heard about the poor condition of the Bradford House on Race Street. The owners of the property made promises to correct unhealthy conditions there without any follow-up. The Altair Apartments, an apartment complex on Greenwood Avenue, recently came to the attention of the city and the community about the poor management and living conditions that existed there.

In the past, Cambridge, for a variety of reasons, did not have the staffing and resources to undertake some effective action against landlords such as at the above properties. This year, however, we did. While all of the problems have not been solved, the city along with our entire state and federal legislative delegations contacted HUD and the property owners to complain and engaged with HUD to press for solutions.

With both properties, the owners of the properties sent representatives to meet with city officials. They committed to undertake solutions to the multiple challenges that exist in the properties. With the Altair Apartments, the ownership and the city have just entered into a no cost agreement for the Cambridge Police Department to have a substation in the complex. 

With the Bradford House, I understand that the ownership of that property has agreed to have private security at the building in the evening hours to help reduce criminal activity that has been taking place. While all of the problems with these two properties are not yet solved, we are on the road to solving them; and city staff has developed relationships with representatives at HUD and in state government that will make it easier for us to have a faster and more effective response when and if other similar situations arise at other properties in the city.

Can I go on about the positive that is happening here? I can, but this report could go on for many more pages. I will conclude by saying that 

• The community is starting to step forward in new and different ways to be part of the solutions that we face. 
• The Cambridge Police Department and its leadership are looking at different ways to reduce crime in some of our high crime areas and to engage the community.
• CAN is growing its membership and is working on helping the police to start Neighborhood Watch programs around the city. Sign your neighborhood up to be part of the solution.
• The City Manager and City Staff are working hard in all aspects of city government to continue to improve providing city services in a more consistent, effective, and efficient manner.
• I have started a Mayor’s Citizen Committee to reduce gun violence and have over a dozen citizens who know the community or have experience in addressing this and other crime related issues that are helping to make a difference.
• We had a summer youth jobs program this past summer for the first time in many years, which is funded for continuation for at least another four years.

What we need in order to continue the above and other efforts is for you to help in any way that you are able. If you have ideas or want to help but do not know where to go, contact me.

Thanks for Reading.

Steve Rideout is the former Chief Judge of the Alexandria, VA Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (1989-2004). From 2004 until the present he has consulted in different states to support their efforts to improve their child welfare systems. From 2016 to early 2021, he was the Ward 1 Commissioner on the Cambridge City Council. He now serves as mayor of Cambridge. 

The US Government reacted very quickly after Hamas’s brutal 10/07/23 assault on southern Israel.  From the highest Washington levels, America’s complete support for Israel and its right to defend itself, were repeatedly underscored. And then on 10/17/23, President Biden traveled to Jerusalem/ Tel Aviv to personally reassure the Israeli people, that  America had their back.  

Two US carrier battle groups were deployed to the Eastern Med, to deter others, particularly Iran and Hezbollah, from broadening the conflict. The United States had the initiative and dominated the story line, until 10-27-23 when Israeli ground forces entered Gaza and its air force continued its indiscriminate bombing.   

The devastation of Gaza, the attacks on hospitals, the mounting death toll of Palestinian civilians, now over 11,000, including some 4,000 children, has placed the US Government on the defensive. Under US pressure, the Israeli Government reluctantly agreed to daily pauses to allow tens of thousands of Palestinians to move South safely and to receive the humanitarian assistance they need.  However, Jerusalem continues to refuse all ceasefire suggestions, with somewhat wavering US support.  

Sharp increases in anti-Semitic violence are widespread and international public opinion has divided:  (1) Pro Palestinian, anti Israel, anti-US and (2) pro-Israel, but also blaming the US for not forcing Netanyahu to avoid the current high level of death and destruction. Large demonstrations of supporters of both views are taking place around the world.  But, somewhat surprising, have been the student conflicts on US campuses, including against Jews.       

Perhaps inevitably, the two positions have become politicized in the US. Republicans are exclusively pro Israel and identify pro-Palestinians as Hamas.  The only House member who is Palestinian in origin, has been censored by her colleagues, for pro-Palestinian remarks. The Republicans also have shifted their support from Ukraine to Israel, but deleted aid to both from their Continuing Resolution. 

Common sense and civility are MIA in Congress.  

How can America Regain Control and Positive Momentum? Simply put, by dramatically changing the subject from the on-going Palestinian human catastrophe, to its (and Israel’s) long-term solution. The US government like most others can be captured by today’s crises because they are in-your-face, demanding immediate attention.  In November 2023, examples re Israel, Gaza and the Palestinians are: longer combat pauses, humanitarian aid delivery and hostage exchanges.  

But, what if President Biden, announced that the US will host a Conference at, for instance, Camp David in early 2024, to discuss the establishment of the independent state of Palestine. It would be leaked as international consultations get underway and would quickly monopolize the thrust of rampant speculation about how, who and where.  Israel would not be pleased because the pressure on Netanyahu to negotiate a ceasefire, would increase ten fold and more quietly, would include the US.  

It’s useful to recall that between June 30 and November 10, 1944, as WWII raged in Europe and the Pacific,  the US organized two conferences (Bretton Woods, NH and Dumbarton Oaks, WDC), where the post war economic order, international reconstruction and the UN organization, were planned.  Probably easier then, absent social media and TikTok. 

Unhelpful Internal Political Dynamics: There is a surprising similarity between some aspects of today’s American and Israeli political situations. Netanyahu and his quite authoritarian government have been working to eliminate the only existing check on its power – the Supreme Court. During the summer and into the fall, massive public demonstrations took place, strongly opposed to this anti democratic action. Reserve Air Force officers, even announced they would no longer participate in regular training exercises, sending a very strong signal regarding the depth of the opposition.  

Moreover, some important cabinet members are prominent fundamentalist Orthodox Jews with an agenda. Most Israelis and American Jews are reform oriented and more secular.  That being said, there has never been civil marriage in Israel, and the agenda being pursued, includes possibly limiting automatic access to Israeli citizenship, to Orthodox Jews. 

And finally, Netanyahu has been able to avoid prosecution for corruption and bribery as long as he is prime minister.  However, once the war and elimination of Hamas no longer dominate Israel, e.g. proposed US conference on Palestine statehood, it’s likely the Netanyahu government would fall because of the “surprise” October 7 massacre and also their attempts to weaken Israel’s democracy. The efforts to introduce stricter Orthodox restrictions also wouldn’t help. 

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

Another week and another mass shooting. This “news” isn’t news any more, or if it is, it passes quickly from the current scene merging into a well of more distant memory. The faces, if we ever saw them are gone, we are left with numbers instead of people, un-mourned “amounts” of bodies, recalled if it all only as statistics, devoid of much meaning and empty of any of the spirit of their passed- by lives.

We are in a war and the enemy is us.

Last week a spark of hope from Lewiston, Maine appeared. A local Congressman confronted with the deaths of people he knew changed his views. He now would consider banning military assault weapons from current wide-spread availability and use. Gun violence had come home and he could no longer ignore it. Gun violence can no longer be ignored. It has eaten away at too much of the interwoven fabrics of our society.

Mass violence has captured much of our national attention, perhaps too much. It is easier, but not easy, to give gun violence a sense of place and drama and if it is not too disturbing a graphic presentation of the scene. Yet mass shootings are a small percentage of deaths by gun violence. (current research estimates only 3% of gun homicides are caused by mass shootings ). The leading cause of death today of young people is gun violence. If AR-15 were a communicable and deadly virus, it would be our number one public health crisis and we would be able to allocate considerable bipartisan support for its eradication.

Still all too few of us are involved. Like the Congressman from Lewiston we need more human contact and understanding of our national tragedy. That is why I am proposing a National Directory of Gun Violence. This will be a national database of victims: their stories, their personalities, their photos or videos and how they died and where. This database will be searchable by name, age, location and other distinguishing characteristics. If designed well, it can become a way for each of us to uncover the human
stories beneath the façade of desensitized language and statistics that shield us from ourselves.

Stan Salett has been a policy adviser to the Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton administrations and is the author of The Edge of Politics: Stories from the Civil Rights Movement, the War on Poverty, and the Challenges of School Reform. He now lives in Kent County, Maryland.

Sometimes it can be a huge mistake to associate with the wrong people. Such associations can end your career, wreak havoc on your family life, or lead to jail time. They can change your life forever—and not in a good way. Let’s take a quick look at the misfortunes of some of the people who hitched their wagons to the Donald Trump star. 

More than 1,100 people have been charged for their roles in the January 6 riot on the Capitol. Many of those people who were convicted said they came to Washington and rioted because Trump told them the election was stolen, and they believed him. Henry Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 22 years in prison. Stuart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers, and Ethan Nordean, a military veteran, were both sentenced to l8 years in prison. Joseph Biggs, a former leader of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Zachery Rehl, president of the Proud Boys Philadelphia chapter, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Many more rioters received lesser but significant sentences.

In the Georgia election case, Donald Trump and 18 others have been charged with participating in a wide-ranging illegal scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Last week, two of those who were indicted pleaded guilty. Kenneth Cheseboro, a lawyer who advised the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to a felony for conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election. Sidney Powell, another lawyer who advised the Trump campaign, pleaded guilty to one count to commit theft and five counts of conspiring to commit intentional interference with performance of election duties. Earlier this year, Scott Hall, a bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors and agreed to testify against others. 

 Steve Bannon, former White House strategist, was convicted of contempt of Congress. He is appealing that conviction. He also has also been charged with money laundering and conspiracy. That case goes to trial in May 2024. 

Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO for the Trump Organization, spent more than three months in jail for tax fraud.

Peter Navarro, Trump’s former White House Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, was found guilty of two counts of contempt of Congress. One charge deals with failing to appear to the January 6 Committee after receiving a subpoena. The other charge deals with failing to produce requested documents. Navarro is in the process of appealing those convictions.

Roger Stone, Trump’s friend and advisor, was found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation, giving false statements, and tampering with a witness. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison. Trump pardoned him shortly before his sentence was scheduled to begin.

John Eastman, a Trump election lawyer, turned himself into authorities regarding the Georgia election case. He is famous for writing a memo describing how Vice President Pence could overturn the election results. The State Bar of California accused Eastman of promoting election lies and has sought to revoke his California law license. Eastman pleaded the 5th more than 100 times when he testified before the January 6 Committee. 

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, was sentenced to three years in prison for tax fraud, lying to banks, and violating campaign finance laws. The campaign finance charges related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Following his felony convictions, Cohen was disbarred in New York.

Michael Flynn, once Trump’s National Security advisor, pleaded guilty to the FBI about his interactions with Russia’s ambassador to the United States. Trump pardoned him shortly before he left office.

Paul Manafort, Trump’s former campaign manager, pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and lobbying violations. He was sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison. Trump later pardoned him. 

Rick Gates, Manafort’s former business partner, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and lying to investigators about the Russia campaign probe. He was sentenced to 45 days in jail. 

Rudy Giuliani has a sizable number of legal cases in play, including lawsuits from lawyers who are suing him for unpaid legal bills. The New York Times recently reported that Giuliani owes more than $3 million in legal fees. His cases include making false statements against Fulton County election workers, and he faces 13 counts of racketeering charges. His New York City apartment is currently for sale. Giuliani is no longer America’s Mayor.

Walt Nauta, Trump’s personal aide and Carlos De Oliveira, the head of maintenance at Mar-a-Lago are both charged in the classified documents case—charges that deal with mishandling classified documents, false statements and attempting to delete surveillance footage. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to the handling of classified documents. 

More people are likely to face legal problems because of their relationships with Trump. Jared Kushner and Lindsay Graham to name a few. 

The author Louisa May Alcott once wrote, “Keep good company…and good books…love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.” Great advice Louisa. I wonder how many of the people mentioned above wish they had taken it. 

Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of a Federal Human Capital practice for an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, piano, nature, kayaking, and gardening. 

In a surprise attack by Hamas terrorists, thirteen hundred men, women, and children, mostly non-combatants, were slaughtered in Israel on 7 October 2023. The terrorists abducted another 199 to use as bargaining chips, human shields, or reasons known only to them.

One could point to the killing of German and Japanese non-combatants by US strategic bombing in WW2 as an immoral equivalence. One could sympathize with the plight of Palestinians who feel their land was stolen by Jews in the wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973.

Those issues aside because too complicated to here compare, repaying what you perceive to be immoral acts with equally immoral acts is, I think, immoral.

That idea allows me to consider the 7 October attack in isolation, and ask “If our country was attacked in like manner, how would we respond?” This is where perspective arrives. I will make my point by analogy (please remember this is just an analogy).

Suppose agents of the Mexican government, to show their displeasure with US policies and people, were firing rockets at Texas towns every few days. Then they decided to get serious and make a larger-scale attack. 

The US population is 35 times larger than that of Israel, so the 1,300 people murdered in Israel would equate to 45,500 US citizens murdered by agents of Mexico. The 199 men, women, and children abducted by Hamas would equate to 7,000 US citizens/visitors held hostage as bargaining chips. “Don’t hit back at us or we’ll kill these hostages.” Is this not double depravity in the ISIS model? 

I note that The US lost 2,403 souls in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. In the Korean War of 1950-1953, we lost 36,634 people, mostly military. And we went to war against Al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan upon losing 3,000 American civilians in the 9/11 attack of 2001.

Thus, one should be able to understand Israel’s reaction to the 7 October attack by Hamas killers. Easy for outsiders to urge restraint. But put yourself in their shoes. What would we do?

Bob Moores retired from Black & Decker/DeWalt in 1999 after 36 years. He was the Director of Cordless Product Development at the time. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Johns Hopkins University  

One of life’s great experiences on the Eastern Shore is hooking a two foot long Rockfish on light tackle around the shorelines of Chesapeake Bay.  Feeling that pulse at the end of your line is special, and seeing a kid’s face light up from that feeling is even more special.  Relationships are built watching a sunset with a keeper Rockfish in the cooler.

The early Rockfish season of 2023 on the middle Eastern Shore was the best in recent memory.  For most of June anglers were catching multiple fish in the 24 to 30 inch range every time out. In catching up with friends after the early season there was a strangely uniform response – a wide eyed and far away gaze followed by “wow.”

Unfortunately, by the first of July this summer the weather turned hot and the Bay water temperature crept up toward 80 degrees and exceeded 80 starting on July 5.  During this time Rockfish were still feeding, but I noticed their fight diminished and on landing were exhausted.  Because of the heat I stopped fishing around July 1st.  However, the number of anglers visible around Eastern Bay was surging and most were practicing catch and release well past their one fish limit.  Even more ominous was the number of anglers who kept fishing right through the season closure of July 15 – August 1st when Bay water temps were well over 80 degrees.  Dead Rockfish or “Floaters” were tragically common.

Coincidentally, the Maryland Rockfish Young of Year index, released last week, showed a 1.0 index – the second lowest reproduction level since 1954.  Even worse, the index has been well below average for the last six years.  Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries managers attribute the low reproduction to warm and dry weather through the winter and spring.  Over the coming winter DNR fisheries managers will be considering additional protections for Rockfish in 2024.

Despite the mixed results for 2023, I remain bullish about the future of Rockfish on the Chesapeake.  Growing up in the 1970’s the Rockfish population was so small that we simply did not catch them at all – despite fishing several times a week.  In 1984 Gov. Harry Hughes imposed a full moratorium on Rockfish harvest.  Since the moratorium was lifted around 1990 a variety of tackle restrictions and conservation measures have been implemented and adjusted through the years.  For me, since 1990 I have had at least a chance of catching a legal Rockfish every time out.

For the future, of course all recreational anglers must know and follow the rules and limits laid down by DNR fisheries managers – including new and likely more strict conservation protections for 2024.  But we as individual anglers should go further and use some common sense to protect this magnificent shared resource.  Once the Bay water temperature reaches 80 degrees or the air temperature reaches 90 degrees leave the Rockfish alone regardless of seasonal closures.  DNR has an excellent new “Striped Bass Fishing Advisory” which includes real time high temperature warnings along with time of day and catch and release best practices.

I am so grateful for the Gov. Hughes Rockfish moratorium in 1984, and for the constant attention by DNR fisheries managers since then.  But regulations are not enough.  We need all anglers to take personal responsibility to care for these fish and their future.  My children have all felt the pulsing tug of a big Rockfish – I just hope their children will have the same opportunity.

Rob Etgen retired in 2021 after a 40 year career in conservation – the last 31 years as President of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. In retirement Rob is enjoying family and working on global and local sustainability issues with Council Fire consulting out of Annapolis.

 

I was told by many of our residents and other attendees of this year’s Crab and Clam bake that, water, and all, ‘this was the best clam bake ever!’ Having grown up in Crisfield, the Crab and Clam Bake has been a staple in our community for a long time. I remember when my father who worked for Alan Tyler, cooked the crabs for the 1st crab and clam bake. The J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake, named for the former Governor from Crisfield has been a source of tremendous pride for our citizens.

True to its name, it is a political event. A time to gather and network at all levels in a relaxing and intentionally casual and comfortable environment. It IS politics at its best, but like any event, there are portions which are, and should be exclusive. But it is with certainty that I can say that the regular, everyday residents (voters) of Crisfield do not feel excluded. Instead, we feel special. To be the host of such a distinguished and time-honored event has provided a source of exposure and recognition a small town like ours could never have garnished otherwise, and I am sure many other towns would love to have.

It’s economic benefits to the City of Crisfield can’t be overstated. Since its inception, it has proved to be an important economic stimulus for local residents who would otherwise not have an opportunity to make the amount of money they get for helping out in one day, in a week’s worth of labor. Numerous students are also hired and trained on hospitality and get an opportunity to make money, gain experience, and meet influential people, they might otherwise never meet.

This wonderful event is put on every year by our Chamber of Commerce, and they do an absolutely amazing job, but the tent provision for the enormous undertaking which employs so many locals and students for a day and provides impressive accommodations for our Governor and other political representatives and candidates is made possible by someone who is in a position to do so and who has a love for the Crisfield community, Mr. Bruce Bereano. We owe him a debt of gratitude for helping to make this such a memorable and sought after event for our little town.

Make no mistake, our residents (average voters) look forward in anticipation to his tent and the opportunities it brings. Economic opportunities and opportunities to mix and mingle in a way not possible if he did not have such an elaborately, organized and intentional destination for our politicians to come and engage with our citizens (average voters); and as important as it is, it is only one aspect of the networking, comradery, and overall goodwill that this event generates for everyone who attends, inside, outside and around his tent.

People (average voters) come from near and far. This is one of the few times we come together and are not constrained by political affiliation, so yes, without a doubt, the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake is ……’Politics at its best’!!

Darlene Taylor is the mayor of Crisfield, Maryland

 

The US Congress is closed because of human failure in the House.  However, if the cause, for instance, were a terrorist attack on the Capitol, resulting in the death of House members, including its leadership, what would the Executive Branch do to help Congress get back to work? Who knows?

During 30 years working in the State Department, I participated in a number of  exercises addressing similar emergencies aimed at reconstituting a viable US government. However, the reality today is no scenario. It involves multiple domestic and foreign crises that require Congressional action. The entire federal government could be forced to shut in 4-5 weeks because the Continuing Resolution Congress recently passed, ends in November.  And the inability of the House to elect its speaker means no one has the authority to convene its members, to address and vote on funding (or any) legislation.     

Moreover, the the US for circa 20 months has been leading a NATO/EU coalition supporting Ukraine, as it fights to eject the Russians. And then on October 7, 2023, Israel was brutally attacked by HAMAS and has now declared war against it. 

The US is unable to pass legislation to continue financial and military aid to Ukraine, which has set the standard for our European allies’ efforts.  Similarly, for the same reason, Washington is unable to appropriate and authorize the aid Israel very much needs now.  

What did President Madison and the members of Congress do after the British burned down the Capitol and the White House on August 24, 1814? Dolly Madison saved the famous portrait of George Washington, but what did her husband and his Congressional colleagues do? They probably didn’t wait for the Speaker, Henry Clay to get things organized. Actually, Madison and his immediate staff escaped to what is today, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Tom Timberman is an Army vet, lawyer, former senior Foreign Service officer, adjunct professor at GWU, and economic development team leader or foreign government advisor in war zones. He is the author of four books, lectures locally and at US and European universities. He and his wife are 24 year residents of Kent County.

We are in a cool forest near the Tuckahoe River. Our group is clustered in close around Serenella Linares – not an exotic species – but a truly exotic person.  Serenella is showing our Master Naturalist class the tiniest of mushrooms and describing its shape and smell and even taste (”slightly chemical at the back of your throat”). 

Serenella is Facility Director at Mount Rainier Nature Center in Prince Georges County.  She is also the “Fun-Gal” who leads walks and teaches about forest fungi with an infectious child-like curiosity.  And this week, Serenella has twenty or so Master Naturalists In-Training enthralled with mushrooms and lichens glowing yellow and green or purple under various iPhone light filters. 

The Master Naturalist program is a 60 hour training program spread over one Thursday per month for a year with field trips and classroom instruction and lots of hands on exploration of all types of bugs and birds and critters.  After the training Master Naturalists are certified conditionally on providing 40 hours per year of volunteer service to host organizations like Adkins Arboretum and Pickering Creek Environmental Center.

The Master Naturalist training enables volunteers to lead bird walks, help with children’s nature activities, maintain native gardens, or many other public service activities.  Here on the Eastern Shore Jenny Houghton and Adkins Arboretum near Ridgely are the host for our Master Naturalist class, but there are classes in varying locations around Maryland coordinated by the University of Maryland Extension Service.

During my year as part of the 2023 Master Naturalist in Training class we have learned about oysters at the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery, historic land use on the Eastern Shore from Dr. Wayne Bell, turtles, lizards and snakes from Dr. Beth Schlimm, and many others.  My favorite has been traipsing the forests and looking under logs with Serenella Linares.  Each of the classes has been a terrific reminder about the renewing power of nature and our own natural curiosity.  

As summer wanes here on the Eastern Shore, get outside and enjoy the leaves, watch some ducks, peak under logs, and experience and enjoy the real beauty of the Eastern Shore.  And if you get really curious, check out the Master Naturalist Program. With a few more classes and a final project I aspire to be a “Master Naturalist” by year end.  Wish me luck!

Rob Etgen retired in 2021 after a 40 year career in conservation – the last 31 years as President of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. In retirement Rob is enjoying family and working on global and local sustainability issues with Council Fire consulting out of Annapolis.

Here’s what I don’t understand. Donald Trump has relentlessly maligned his own appointees in business and in his administration. He has relentlessly maligned political contenders in his own party and other parties. A guy who has never served his country (claimed bone spurs)—nor have his children—maligns those who have served in the military. He continues to malign government institutions. His comments about women are crude, rude, racist, and misogynistic. So, given all that, why is anyone still loyal to Donald Trump? 

Trump claims that, “If they’re coming after me, they are coming after you.”  Folks, Trump is not your friend. “They” aren’t coming after you. He is coming after you. Why? Because he has come after virtually everybody else. Below are just a few cases in point.

Jeff Sessions, his attorney general. Trump said his appointment was “one of the worst mistakes I ever made. He’s an idiot.”

John Bolton, his national security advisor. Trump said, “If I had listened to him, we would be in World War 6.” (What?)

Michael Cohen, lawyer for the Trump organization. Trump said, “If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen. He’s a weak person, not a very smart person, a fraudster.” 

Steve Bannon, Chief Strategist, White House. Trump later called him “Sloppy Steve.”

Omarosa, former Apprentice contestant and later a Trump campaign director. Trump called her “not very smart,” a “lowlife.” 

Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State. Trump described him as “a moron,” “dumb as a rock,” and “lazy as hell.”

General Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump called him a “traitor who deserves the death penalty.”

Nikki Haley, UN Ambassador. Trump called her a “birdbrain” and later sent her campaign a birdcage and bird feed. Haley’s campaign manager called his actions, “weird, creepy, and desperate.”  

These people are Trump’s political appointees. He chose them. Please help me understand why any sane person would agree to serve in his administration should he be reelected.

Here are a few comments that Trump has made about those who have served our country. Trump called those who served in the military and died “suckers.” He did not want to be seen in the presence of amputees because it didn’t make him look good. He refused to visit the graves of soldiers in France. He called them “losers.” Please help me understand why any veteran or any parent of a child who served in the military would vote for this man.

Here are just a few nicknames Trump has for his adversaries: Crooked Hillary, Little Rocket Man, Little Marco, Low-energy Jeb, Pocahontas, Crazy Maxine Waters, Sleepy Creepy Joe, Little Adam Schiff, Shifty Schiff, Wild Bill Clinton, Cheatin’ Obama, Lyin’ Ted, Alfred E. Neuman, Nervous Nancy, Mr. Magoo, Slime Ball James Comey, Ron DeSanctimonious, Meatball Ron, Letitia Peekaboo James, Deranged Jack Smith, Psycho Joe.   

Here is just a sampling of the institutions that Trump has maligned: the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Education, CIA, US Courts, the Military, and NATO.

Here are a few derogatory comments Trump has made about women:  slobs, pigs, dogs, fat, ugly, and horseface. 

Here is how Trump describes himself: “Great looking,” “smart,” “a true stable genius.”

My case rests. 

Maria Grant was principal-in-charge of the Federal Human Capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, gardening, piano, kayaking and nature. 
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