Friends ask me why I would want to be elected a Commissioner of St. Michaels. It is pretty simple, as a current member of the Board of Commissioners, I tell them that I want to help make St. Michaels the best it can be. My experience in local government and planning gained over 40+ years in the public and private sectors has given me an insight into what makes a town great. As a City Planner that is my life’s work.
St. Michaels has a storied history going back to its shipbuilding and oystering days. In recent years, it has evolved into a tourist economy. Its quaint streets, eclectic shops, interesting people, and exceptional restaurants make it inviting to residents and visitors alike. As a Commissioner, I do not want to change that, but we should be nimble enough to seek and support opportunities to bring different types of jobs to the Town. Preservation of the town’s unique character is paramount.
That is not to say we ignore matters that require attention. The Town needs housing for its younger citizens, so they can live here and not move away because of a lack of affordable housing or employment opportunities. We have homes in town that are in serious need of repair, often occupied by the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters. They need our help. A monumental challenge facing St. Michaels as well as other towns around the Bay is sea level rise. One only needs to walk around the waterfront when one of the more frequent high tides occur to see what our future may resemble. Rising waters and stronger storms offer a stark reminder that planning for the future is critical.
Difficult decisions need to be made regarding keeping our taxes at a fair and reasonable level, while providing the services that our citizens expect. Our Police force does an incredible job protecting us all and watching out for our welfare. They need to be equipped and compensated for this work. Town infrastructure needs constant attention due to its age.
Years of study and thousands of dollars have gone into analyzing whether a new town building is needed and where it should be located. A small, vocal group of citizens have fought the proposed location of the building through newspaper articles, advertisements and a lawsuit against a Town official based on false ethics charges. In the words of the St. Michaels Ethics Commission in their Decision to dismiss the complaint, they wrote “In closing and in the best interest of the Town of St. Michaels, we are compelled to observe that the gravamen of the complaint was evidently more about influencing a Town policy outcome than a public ethics transgression under the Ethics Ordinance”. Even today, those people cannot accept the fact that the Commissioners chose another location. The Commissioners are elected specifically to speak for the voters on crucial issues. That is our job!
It is easy to project doom and gloom, and that the sky is falling due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I do not see it that way. Short term belt tightening is needed for sure, and life has definitely changed, but the Town has been through difficult times before and always has come out for the better. With the right Town leadership and input from its citizenry, this time will be no different.
Some residents have been here their entire lives. Others are recent arrivals, having chosen St. Michaels as their retirement home. The one common thread we all have is love of the Town. We do not want major change, but we must also realize that we do not live in a cocoon and that there are issues and concerns that must be addressed.
The Town needs steady leadership with common sense and one that makes well thought out decisions. The Town’s Core Values as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan are Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Fiscal Responsibility, Community Involvement, and Innovation and Imagination. I promise to continue to abide by those words if you give me your vote to continue as a Town Commissioner. I promise to always listen and be open about our decision-making process.
Dennis Glackin
St. Michaels
Jaime Windon says
It has been a pleasure to serve alongside, and learn from, Dennis Glackin over the last few months. His thoughtful and considerate approach and wealth of experience is much needed and appreciated on the commission.
Dennis: I am so glad that you accepted the unanimous appointment by the commissioners to fill Michael Gorman’s vacated seat, and am thrilled that you are now choosing to run for commissioner. I support you and appreciate you!
Dennis Francis Glackin says
Thanks Jamie. I think we can accomplish good things together.
William Frost says
I served with Dennis Glackin on the St Michaels Planning Commission. I had, therefore, an opportunity to work with Commissioner Glackin on a number of issues. These issues involved decisions about a single homeowner concern up to the town’s interest in burying the power lines. During all of these meetings, I found Commissioner Glackin to be well-informed, prepared, and most importantly, able to present his thoughts in a fair and reasonable manner. I fully recommend Dennis Glackin as a candidate for St Michaels Town Commissioner
Charles Barranco says
The Town of St Michaels is so fortunate to have Dennis Glackin as a Town Commissioner! He brings the intangibles of integrity, intelligence, experience and devotion to Town.
A vote for Dennis will continue to keep The Town on the right tract for innovation and success in these difficult times.
Robert Foley says
I have known Dennis for several years since moving into Saint Michaels. I believe he as and will always act in the best interest of all the residents and businesses of Saint Michaels in a fair and balanced way. Preserving the character of the town while taking actions to help ensure a prosperous future for all. In short, he is exactly the type of candidate for commissioner that Saint Michaels needs in this changing and sometimes troubled times.
MaryLou McAllister says
I’ve know Dennis and Joyce since they retired to St, Michaels and I’m So grateful for all that they give back to the town with their time and energy. We have never had a commissioner in St. Michaels with better credentials, His entire career was town planning.
He always cuts to the chase, never raises his voice and stays to the point.
I support his election and plan to attend all meetings and he’s not bad to look at.
Karen Wald says
With respect, I take exception to the characterization of the ethics charges raised by a group of local residents as being false. It is also inaccurate to state that a lawsuit was filed against a town official. An ethics complaint had been filed with the Saint Michaels Ethics Commission due to a concern as to a potential conflict of interest.
It was only after this Ethics Commission used an unlawful procedure to dismiss the complaint without a proper hearing that these residents then filed a petition for judicial review. The Talbot County judge presiding over the matter did not consider these residents’ concerns to be “false” or spurious and instead remanded the decision back to the Ethics Commission for review. In its opinion, the Court stated: “The failure to grant SMAC (Saint Michaels Action Committee) an evidentiary hearing that would allow it to call witnesses, produce evidence and cross examine other witnesses was an abuse of discretion.”
Anyone can pay lip service to lofty ideals such as respect, integrity and fiscal responsibility but actions and voting records speak louder than words. One of the basic principles upon which this country was founded was the right to question actions which might serve individual interests rather than those of the greater community. While silence may in some circumstances prove to be the more cautious if not prudent course of action, criticism of those who do not remain silent rarely serves to benefit the community as a whole.
Dennis Glackin says
Karen,
My point in the Ethics matter comment was simply that in the end, and after a full hearing on the merits of the complaint, the Ethics Commission unanimously found no actions taken by Commissioner Boos created a conflict of interest (p.15 of Decision). I apologize if my comments were construed to mean that one should never question an official’s actions, as clearly that was not my intent.
Christina Fahad says
Dear Mr. Glackin.
You are one of the most intellectual and aware man I know! You always have your pulse on the town and what is going on around you and the state. I have seen your work and known your integrity for a long time and can not think of a better man for commissioner. The town will be better off with you at the helm. I support your run.
Christina Fahad JD