As noted in the Talbot Spy’s interview with Mayor Megan Cook and Ward 3 Councilmember David Montgomery last week, the Town of Easton’s Council members began a conversation about the need and importance of establishing formal guidelines for financial reporting and limits on campaign contributions for individuals and organizations within the municipality.

During the public comment period, some residents raised questions about the timing of the proposal, before the town election on May 6th, as well as concerns that this legislation might be redundant or in conflict with other state reporting laws. Other public comments suggested that the proposed change of local law would ensure transparency and follow other communities in Maryland that have elected to have ordinances despite the existence of state reporting requirements.

The Council agreed to hold a workshop on the proposal next month.

This video is approximately 13 minutes in length.

If federal funding grant projections for the Neighborhood Service Center turn out to be accurate, one of the Mid-Shore’s most critical social services agencies, typically the last resort for individuals and families in the area experiencing severe poverty and homelessness, may not be able to continue its mission.

That was the sobering message from NSC director Marilyn Neal last night to the Talbot County Council regarding an emergency request of $150,000 to cover federal grants committed to the agency but now on hold, even though the funds have been distributed to families in need.  In addition to the county request, the Neighborhood Service Center is also asking Talbot towns to individually chip in $33,000 to help the organization avoid a significant and potentially fatal state of insolvency.

The Talbot County Council members agreed in principle to support the NSC. Still, some members wanted more clarity about the relationship between the County and the organisation, including its fiscal management, before a formal vote is taken at the next meeting. In the meantime, the Council approved $50,000 immediately to help the struggling agency in the interim.

This video is approximately 20 minutes long. To make a donation to the Neighborhood Service Center, please go here.

In December, Talbot Interfaith Shelter took a significant step forward in its mission by purchasing a new building—a former hospital daycare and IT office that had sat unused for years. Thanks to a generous donor, the building was acquired at an excellent price and will now house the shelter’s development office and conference room. This will ease space constraints at Evelyn’s Place and allow more use for people in need of housing.

The Spy spoke with Executive Director Julie Lowe about what this milestone means for the organization and its mission. We also discussed the TIS’s financial needs as the nonprofit enters a new era that anticipates less support from the state and national government levels in the upcoming years.

One way the community can support the Talbot Interfaith Shelter is to participate in their annual Lip Sync Battle 2025 on April 26 at the Waterfowl building in Easton. Doors open at 6:00; show starts at 7:00. For more information, please go here.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about Talot Interfaith Shelter please go here.

The Spy and the Avalon Foundation will continue their tradition of hosting town hall meetings for local election candidates on April 29th at 6 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. Once again, Spy Columnist Craig Fuller will moderate an informative discussion of the issues and opportunities to improve the Town of Easton.

Candidates for Town of Easton Council President, Don Abbatiello and the incumbent Frank Gunsallus, have agreed to participate. The Avalon and Spy will be reaching out to the candidates for Ward 2 and Ward 4 Council seats to welcome them as well. Those include Rev. Elmer Davis, Moonyene Jackson, and Cameron Keefe for Ward 4, and Lynette Keefe and Robert Rankin for Ward 2.

The program is anticipated to last 60 minutes. It will be live-streamed on Mid-Shore Community Television’s YouTube channel and the Spy’s Facebook channel. Attendance at the Avalon will be on a first-come basis, and admission will be free.

Election Day: 

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – from 7am-8pm

WHERE:
The Easton Firehouse, located at 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, Easton, MD 21601

Pete Lesher appeared to represent the entire Talbot County Council on Tuesday night when he commented on a joint letter to Annapolis leaders urging them to reject a Senate and Assembly bill allowing the state to regulate the zoning of solar farms seeking to operate in the state, especially on the Eastern Shore. The Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to sign that letter.

This is an outtake of that portion of the meeting.

This video is approximately three minutes in length.