November 3, 2009, Chestertown, Maryland

Out and About

Yesterday's unveiling of Mayor/Governor/Comptroller William Donald Schaefer's statue at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore City, was attended by lots of citizens and notable dignitaries including
Governor Martin O'Malley, Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon, Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, former Governor Martin Mandel - to name a few! A huge crane owned by statue donor Willard Hackerman was used to hoist four Maryland flags that were surrounding the work of art. Confetti was released simultaneously and an impressive display of spraying water from a Baltimore City fireboat in the inner harbor added to the excitement. The event was followed by cake, cupcakes and coffee at the adjacent Baltimore Visitors City and Phillips Seafood Restaurant.

Notes from the Kent County Commissioners' meeting this morning: The Commissioners formally responded to a question asked by a resident recently about why the county was paying for bottled water when it was hooked into Town water. Apparently the bottled water had to do with a problem the county experienced when they originally moved into the building. Commissioner Pickrum again questioned the way State funding for schools is figured noting that Caroline County received $41,000,000 in State aid - more than double what Kent receives.
State Transportation officials were present at the meeting along with Delegates Walkup and Sossi and Senator Pipkin. Note: The Kent News reporter set up a video camera to record portions of the meeting. Among the topics covered were the Chester River Bridge which was rehabbed over 15 years ago (State officials commented they could not predict an outcome at this time) ... the use of highway user funds (or rather misuse of these funds which are supposed to be returned to the counties)... a second crossing on the Chesapeake Bay and one local official asked why the use of cell phones while driving was not included in the new law that bans text messaging while driving. Commissioner Fithian commented he liked the State's wildflower program.

For the Record

Jay A. Jacobs, Republican, is the only candidate from Kent County as of November 2, 2009 who has filed for Delegate to the House of Representatives. And as of November 2, 2009, Timothy Lloyd, Jr., Republican, is the only candidate who has officially filed for Kent County Commissioner.