MENU

Sections

More

June 10, 2023

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Spy Top Story Spy Highlights

Spy Profiles: New Easton Police Chief Alan Lowrey

by

As Easton’s new police chief, Alan Lowrey, is the first to suggest, his path to Talbot County was a pretty unique one.

Originally from Phoenix, Lowrey graduated from Georgetown University School of Foreign Service with a major in intelligence and international security eager to join armed services. But it was after an injury led to his medical discharge from the Marine Corps, Lowrey found his calling in police work. That passion for serving others eventually brought him to Easton, where he has spent the last 12 years raising his family.

Lowrey’s experience in law enforcement, including almost two decades with the city of Arlington in Virginia,  has taught him the importance of community support. “I love working where I live,” he shared, emphasizing the unique experience of policing in Easton.

As Chief of Police, Lowrey’s main goal is to invest in young officers and equip them with the necessary skills to serve their community. He aims to make the entire department Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certified, a valuable asset when dealing with citizens experiencing crises. “It’s an interesting situation to be somebody who’s coming from outside of a department,” Lowrey admitted. But he believes true leadership involves working with the resources available to accomplish the mission.

Lowrey’s unique background and compassionate approach to law enforcement are poised to bring positive change to Easton’s police force. With an emphasis on community support and officer development, the new Chief of Police is determined to make Easton an even safer place to call home.

This video is approximately five minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Generational Expert Mark Perna as Words of Advice for Building the Mid-Shore Workforce

by

Can the key to the future of the Mid-Shore’s workforce be found in the hearts and minds of younger generations? Bestselling author Mark Perna believes so, and he’s ready to share his insights with business, nonprofit, and educational leaders at the historic Avalon Theatre on May 3rd.

Imagine a world where the flame of passion, purpose, and performance is ignited within every young individual. The possibilities are endless, but how can we make this a reality? The Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit, hosted annually by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, aims to address this burning question.

With the generous support of event sponsors, the afternoon session featuring Mark Perna’s keynote address is now available for free, though advanced registration is required. This year’s Summit focuses on “Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations” and promises to unveil the game-changing strategies that can transform education and employment landscapes in our communities and beyond.

The Spy’s Dave Wheelan chatted with Mark a few days ago by Zoom to learn more.

Business Appreciation Breakfast and Awards Banquet tickets are $45 and include a complimentary ticket to the afternoon session. Breakfast tickets can be purchased here, with afternoon seats reserved here.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

A Fresh Wave of Research: A Chat with Horn Point Labs’ New Director Mike Sieracki

by

.

There might be no better way to celebrate Earth Day than to introduce our readers to Mike Sieracki, the new director of Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, one of the country’s leading research institutions for interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of seagrasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling

As the son of a psychologist working with veterans, Sieracki grew up near Perry Point, Maryland, where he developed an affinity for water and exploration. This fascination continued as he studied at the University of Delaware and the University of Rhode Island, eventually earning a PhD in oceanography.

Sieracki’s early career saw him building automated microscope systems to better understand the ocean’s ecology, working at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and eventually moving to Maine’s Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science. After 20 years of research and exploration, Sieracki took his expertise to the National Science Foundation, where he oversaw a wide range of marine science programs.

Now, as Horn Point Labs’ new director, Sieracki brings his wealth of experience and passion for collaboration to the institution. With a focus on Cambridge and Dorchester County, he aims to contribute to the community and continue Horn Point’s legacy of groundbreaking research.

In his first interview with the Spy, Mike talks about the challenge and the necessity of having scientific research move at a more rapid speed from the laboratory to policy makers as the Shore and our world prepares for a warmer planet and higher sea levels.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.  For more information about the University of Maryland’s Horn Point Laboratory please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Easton Growth and Affordable Housing: A Chat with MD Secretary of Housing Jake Day

by

With the Easton mayoral election on May 2nd nearing, balancing growth and affordable housing has emerged as a critical issue. the Spy’s Dave Wheelan interviewed Jake Day, former Salisbury mayor and current Secretary of Housing and Community Development, for insights on tackling these concerns.

Day ponders if Talbot County’s stagnant population trend is due to a lack of housing development or an actual reflection of demand. He believes people want to live in Easton, but growth is hindered by high costs and challenging building conditions.

He stresses the importance of collaborating with local communities to identify suitable development areas while preserving environmentally sensitive and agricultural zones. Day cites potential redevelopment opportunities in Easton, such as the Safeway site for mixed-use and mixed-income projects.

To increase housing stock without disrupting Easton’s character, Day suggests converting upper floors of historic buildings into apartments, as done in Salisbury. He highlights that density can be achieved while respecting Easton’s charm.

Although not aspiring for Easton’s mayoral position, Day discusses the strong mayor system’s potential in driving change by aligning grand visions, intermediate goals, and measurable outcomes, holding staff accountable for progress.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length.

Please support the Talbot Spy and our public affairs programming by making a donation to our spring appeal here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

An American Ramble with Author Neil King, Jr.

by

The Spy has had a unique relationship with the award-winning Wall Street Journal writer Neil King, Jr. ever since we published his essay on Frederick Douglass in the spring of 2019. Entirely overqualified for this tiny, off-the-radar, non-profit news project, Neil nonetheless reached out to us after he began using Talbot County as his retreat from a very demanding Washington life, and sent a kind email indicating his interest in helping with a special project or two.

That first project was entitled Statues and Fields (done with the collaboration of his friend and photographer Jeff McGuiness) not only proved to be one of the most popular articles we’ve published but also set an entirely new standard for the Spy newspapers on how powerful writing and powerful photography can merge to tell a story.

Shortly after we published the article, Neil, now formally retired from the WSJ, told me that he literally needed to take a walk before he would have time for another Spy contribution. And a few weeks later, he stepped out of his Capital Hill home and spent the next several weeks walking to New York City.

That walk is now documented in Neil’s new book entitled American Ramble which was just released by Mariner Books and is already earning the author high praise from the likes of Ken Burns, James Fallows and biographer Evan Thomas. And while his book tour has just begun, he has now resumed his Eastern Shore life and stopped by the Spy studio to reflect on this masterful journey through a special part of America and his own soul. 

This video is approximately six minutes in length. Title photo by Jeff McGuiness.Video editing by Henley Moore. American Ramble can be purchased at the Bookplate in Chestertown or Flying Cloud Books in Easton.  It is also available from Amazon.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

What you Need to Know about Marylands Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program

by

As prices for everyday necessities continue to rise, families with limited means are having to make tough choices on where to allocate their money. In response to this, the state of Maryland, in locations like Kent, Dorchester and Talbot County, has implemented the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program to help families with past due water and wastewater bills.

The program, which began in April of 2022, is available to any resident of Talbot County who has an average of $100 or more in their water or wastewater bill. It is a means-tested or income-based program, but many households are considered “categorically eligible” if they receive certain benefits such as Maryland Energy Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Applications for the program can be obtained through local municipalities, neighborhood services, or the Department of Social Services. Since its inception, the program has assisted households with over $6,500 in bill payments, and in 2023 alone, over $1,000 has been spent on helping families avoid eviction due to unpaid bills.

The benefit amount ranges from a minimum of $100 up to $2,000 and is paid directly to the utility company. However, it is important to note that this is a one-time benefit and cannot be received multiple times. As the program ends on September 30, households are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure all payments are made by the end of the month.

In these challenging economic times, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program is a valuable resource for families struggling to make ends meet. Maryland residents who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for the program to receive assistance with past due water and wastewater bills.

The Spy asked Linda Webb, director of the Talbot County Department of Social Services, and Juana Blue, assistant director of the Family Investment Administration, to come by the Spy Studio the other day to understand more.

This video is approximately three minutes in length. For more information about the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program and other energy assistance programs please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Spy Long-Form: Annapolis Check-in with Senator Johnny Mautz

by

The Spy long-form format is used periodically to allow the time needed for stakeholders and elected public officials to discuss major issues and challenges facing our region.

In today’s interview, we sit down with Senator Johnny Mautz of District 37 to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing lawmakers in the state of Maryland. As a member of the Maryland Senate, Senator Mautz has taken positions on several important bills, including a proposed amendment proposal to the state’s constitution to protect reproductive freedom, new gun control regulations, the legalization of recreational cannabis, and the implementation of the Child Victims Act of 2023.

This video is approximately 22 minutes in length.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Documenting a Monumental Struggle: A Chat with Filmmaker Mike Wicklein

by

It shouldn’t surprise most Spy readers that a full-feature documentary about the Talbot Boys controversy might be in the works. After almost ten years of dramatic public debates, legal maneuvers, and protest marches, and widely covered in local and national media, as well as long-form treatment from the likes of the New Yorker and Atlantic magazines, the Confederate soldiers’ memorial story was ripe for the right kind of filmmaker to come to town and pull this powerful narrative together in film format.

Mike Wicklein fits that definition. With documentaries on his vita like Gods and Generals: Journey to the Past about the battle at Gettysburg and Bloody Shenandoah, on the battles that took place in the “Bread Basket” of the Confederacy in 1864, Wicklein has an extraordinary passion for Civil War history going back to his early years growing up in Western Maryland.

Now Wicklein has taken that passion and experience and directed into telling the story of the Talbot Boys saga with a working title of Monumental Struggle. Working hard over the last month or so to win the trust of both sides of this polarizing and painful chapter of Mid-Shore history, Mike and his wife, Linda, have just completed interviews with twelve key stakeholders in the debate. The results of which have now been turned into a short preview of the film to encourage funders of the project.

Mike came by the Spy studio the other day to discuss the project.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. To contribute to the funding of “Monumental Struggle” please go here.
ten years of conflict over the location of the Talbot Boys statue on Talbot County’s Courthouse lawn, including major long-form coverage with such esteemed publications as the Atlantic and the New Yorker, that
wicklein
To donate supporters need to go to the SEE OPTIONS button.
Here’s the pitch video on YouTube. :

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Dorchester Public Schools and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: A Chat with Superintendent Dave Bromwell

by

It seems like it’s always a positive thing when your public school superintendent has had some former tie with their school district before being in this significant leadership position. But rarely is it the case when that superintendent has not only spent their entire professional career in a county’s schools but attended those same schools starting in the first grade through high school. And it is more frequent than one might guess that those rising to these positions come with a teaching background in the system before being appointed.

But that is indeed the case with Dorchester County’s Superintendent David Bromwell’s remarkable story. From elementary school until he entered college, David’s journey has allowed him to see not only some of Dorchester County’s best days but also some of its most challenging in a lifetime of being a student and educator.

That long view has clearly helped Bromwell as he now enters his third year as the chief executive of the county’s schools. And it also has given him a particular perspective on where DCPS has been and where it needs to go as the superintendent works with the local school board and his staff to implement the state’s massive education reform act, commonly known as Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

For David, the challenges facing the DSPS have certainly been fully impacted by the COVID years and the significant toll it took on students across the country. Nonetheless, Bromwell is clear that for him and many teachers who have served with him over decades, the greatest impact that the school district was the loss of significant industries like Airpax Corporation and Western Publishing, which resulted in the county’s loss of almost 15,000 well-paying jobs and the eventual loss of students entering Dorchester schools it caused.

In the Spy’s first interview with Superintendent Bromwell, he talks about some of those changes and his concerns as the school district begins the Blueprint’s new vision and works closely with the County Council and the State to make sure Dorchester County can fund this transformational moment.

This video is approximately 12 minutes in length. For more information about Dorchester County Public Schools please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Rebecca Hoffberger Channels Jim Rouse to Reactivate his Beloved Harborplace

by

“Cities were meant to be gardens in which to grow beautiful people.” — Jim Rouse

While the Eastern Shore has had its fair share of famous luminaries over the centuries, there has always been a special place for developer and city planner Jim Rouse. A native of Easton, where Talbottown, his first project, still successfully stands on Harrison Street, Rouse would become internationally known for his creation of such iconic venues as Faneuil Hall in Boston, South Street Seaport in New York City, and Bayside Marketplace in Miami as well as the award-winning planned community of Columbia, Maryland.

But the project that most Marylanders remember was his development at the Inner Harbor of Baltimore named Harborplace. Opened in 1980, Harborplace became the national model for the revitalization of American cities, which also landed Rouse’s image on the front cover of Time magazine, for a good reason. By the end of its second year, the twin downtown pavilions would attract over 20 million visitors a year.

Fast forward to 2023, and what the rare visitor sees today is a ghost town. Sitting almost abandoned with only one restaurant (Hooters) and one or two tourist t-shirt stores, the once pride of Baltimore (and Maryland) is now a skeleton of its former self.

One witness of this decline has been Rebecca Hoffberger. The legendary founder and first director of the American Visionary Art Museum. With her museum on the other side of the Harbor, Rebecca has watched over the last few decades the slow and painful death of the once immensely popular hub by a parade of commercial developers who disregarded what Rouse’s original vision had been for Baltimore.

But for those who know Rebecca well, it was not a surprise to learn that almost from the day she retired from the AVAM, she recruited the assistance of her friends at TBC Inc., a local advertising and marketing agency, to offer a remarkable vision to reactivate Harborplace. 

By Channelling her old late friend, Jim Rouse, and using the one-hundred-year-old Tivoli Gardens in Denmark as a helpful guide, Hoffberger outlined a comeback plan on the pages of baltimorefishbowl.com. Beyond creating a dozen serious suggestions to bring the Inner Harbor alive again (including a roller coaster) , her goal was to remind potential developers and city and state officials what Rouse had built. 

That secret sauce was not to bring well-known retail stores back but to rebuild the site as an attraction. In Hoffberger’s mind, there is a vast difference between traditional commercial development (stores and restaurants) and what it takes to attract a diverse audience to a special place to simply have fun. 

The Spy touched base with Rebecca a few weeks ago to talk about the Rouse vision, her 2023 interpretation of that perspective, and her hope that as state and local funding become available to once again try and revitalize Harborplace, the channeling of a gifted Eastern Shore visionary can be heard again. 

This video is approximately eight minutes in length. To read Rebecca Hoffberger’s essay in the Baltimore Fishbowl please go here.

 

 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.