Letter to Editor: Tolerance, complicity, corruption…and a stepping back on Lakeside

Three months ago tomorrow, the Spy published an open letter to the Talbot County Council from the Talbot Integrity Project (“TIP”) alerting the Council to evidence that, in 2022, a 20-acre parcel in Trappe was illegally connected to the old, inadequate Trappe wastewater plant.  That connection had never been reviewed by the Planning Commission or properly authorized per State law.  (Unsurprisingly, that impropriety was intertwined with Lakeside getting underway…and there is evidence that some in Talbot County government knew of the illegal hookup before the connection was made, perhaps facilitated it.)  TIP requested “A thorough investigation of these matters by a completely independent party….”  

As reported in the Spy, two months ago, when County Council members had taken no action, TIP spoke forcefully at the Council meeting, again demanding an independent investigation and some accountability if, as it appears, an honest review shows the County itself participated in this affair.

Nearly one month ago, TIP did receive word that Council Members “are actively gathering relevant facts regarding this matter and are working with the Town and appropriate parties.”  TIP sent every Council Member (and others) a reply emphasizing the inadequacy of that response, warning that an internal review can only be seen as a white-wash, and again demanding a proper, independent investigation of the illegal connection.  TIP concluded thus:

“Citizens and voters of Talbot County are not bumpkins.  If denied a truly independent, bone fide investigation by a qualified party of how this came to pass, with facts and documents publicly released, they are not going to believe that this Council–or at least its three-person majority—is doing anything but hiding from the truth.

Tolerance of corruption is complicity; complicity is corruption itself.”

TIP has heard nothing further from any Council Members regarding the County’s apparent complicity in this newly revealed illegality.  Have you?

Item #2:  Giving It A Rest.

A fair number of folks in Talbot County assume that TIP continues unfailingly to be “on the case” as regards land use issues in Talbot County Council—in particular, monitoring possible improprieties arising from this County Council’s support of developers (Lakeside in particular).  Well, nothing lasts forever.  

Long ago TIP put a bright spotlight on the initial falsehoods that were the basis of Lakeside’s approval in 2020:  TIP established that the Talbot County Planning Commission had NEVER reviewed Lakeside prior to 2020, and, in fact, an earlier Council had REJECTED it flat out. The County had never programmed that land for development at any time, in any way.  Learning that it had been misled, the Planning Commission rescinded its 2020 approval (a legal requirement for sewer), but the County Council, supporting the developer, refused to acknowledge the Planning Commission’s action.

Though staff (and the State) have acknowledged the original misrepresentation, for the last three years the County Council itself has refused to do a thing about it, or to hamper in any way the developer’s plans for this Billion Dollar project, the biggest, most disruptive project ever built in Talbot County, one that is patently inconsistent with the County’s Comprehensive Plan.  Three current Council Members–Callahan, Haythe and Stepp–have consistently supported Lakeside, and Council Members Lesher and Mielke have been ineffective in efforts to change course (even, it seems, as respects this newly discovered illegal connection).

At this point, interested citizens should know TIP is giving it a rest.  Others—individuals and organizations (many of which have been involved all along) can continue, or will step up now, to follow events, monitor actions, keep an eye on the details.  For example, if you want to know what “relevant facts” your Council Members have “actively gathered” about that illegal sewer connection cited at Item #1—and what they’re going to do about it—ask them.  If you have an opinion, attend a meeting, speak up at Public Comment.

And for all of those not really inclined to do any of that, here’s the magic sauce:

ITEM #3:  2026.

In Maryland, county comprehensive plans are built on citizen input.   The Vision at the heart of Talbot’s Comprehensive Plan has for decades been the protection of our Rural Character and Quality of Life, the things that make Talbot truly distinct and precious.  But Talbot is being overwhelmed by development pressures—pressures that this Council is not resisting, but which they are frequently aiding, not just at Lakeside, but in a myriad of nicks and cuts that will assure Talbot’s uniqueness will bleed out.

Only a thorough house-cleaning at the next election to remove the dominant group directing the County Council will change this.  If the Callahan-Haythe-Stepp power center is not supplanted in 2026 by knowledgeable and effective Members committed to reform our land use planning and approval policies—a majority, at least–Talbot’s future is sealed.  If the Council will not control development, then developers will control Talbot.

This is absolutely not a matter of party politics—both Republicans and Democrats love Talbot for what it is, want to stop the destruction.  Both Republicans and Democrats (and independents, too) can put forth candidates committed to reforming the system and protecting, not undermining, our shared vision for Talbot County.  Both Republicans—Callahan and Stepp—and Democrats—Haythe—need to be unseated, in the view of The Talbot Integrity Project.   

Many important local issues are in the hands of the Talbot County Council, but none are as significant to our daily life and welfare, and to the value of living in Talbot County, as development and land use controls.  The current Council majority has failed us, and we can and must do better in 2026.

Dan Watson
The Talbot Integrity Project