On September 28 the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and League of Women Voters of the MidShore, in partnership with Mid-Shore Community Television and The Talbot Spy, hosted an environmental forum for candidates running in the 2022 Talbot County Council election. Spy columnist Howard Freedlander moderated the forum in which candidates shared their views on the environmental health of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Here are the subject and timeline:
Candidate Opening Statements 1:40
Climate Change Adaptation 19:30
Civility in Public Life 29:45
Climate Impacts on Vulnerable Communities 39:55
Chesapeake Bay Restoration 50:10
Land Use Management & Quality of Life 1:00:25
Regulation of Adequate Public Facilities 1:11:05
Approval of New Dwelling Units 1:21:25
Reconsideration of Lakeside Development 1:25:20
Role of Talbot County Planning Commission 1:30:20
Expansion of Easton Plastic Bag Ordinance 1:36:20
Most Important County Environmental Issue 1:39:50
Reed Fawell 3 says
This is a very encouraging discussion. Much advanced in perspective, focus, and priorities than earlier Council discussions on these issues. A far deeper intellectual and conceptual foundation and framework has recently been, and now is obviously being, built to insure that in the future the applicable law and spirit of it, and necessary skills to implement them, will be far more effectively applied by elected officials and those others appointed to make land use and development decisions in the county, including not least to site plans. This can include towns within county as discussed. Congratulations to all participants, and those who informed and motivated them.
Linda Hamilton says
And going back to the original quandary of the plastic grocery bag. Why are the responsible folk of Talbot County being penalized for the irresponsible. What of the good people who have pets, as so many folk in Talbot County do; how will their pet’s droppings be collected. Are they too to purchase plastic bags. Not to mention, when traveling, how will shoes be carried. What will the good people use under their bathroom sink.
As for the studies that were referenced: What is the genesis of these studies. Were any of these studies generated here in Talbot County for Talbot County. After all, that is the seat for which these people are running. And I must ask: Has anyone actually spoken with the good ladies of United Methodist Church in St. Michaels about this issue. And what of the couple who own the Country Store on Tilghman. They are in daily contact with the watermen whose many gripes, apparently, do not include plastic bags.
In reviewing the listed exceptions by the Easton Town Council, I find it astonishingly ironic that all the exceptions are for every conceivable single use throw away mutation of plastics, whereas the plastic bags from the grocery store are multiple use.
“Exceptions were made in the ordinance for certain items, including:
-fresh fish, meat and poultry products;
-otherwise unpackaged fruits, nuts, or vegetables;
-otherwise unpackaged confectionery, fresh cheese, baked goods;
ice;
-food and goods from farmers’ markets;
-prescription drugs from pharmacies;
-newspapers;
-dry-cleaned or laundered items;
-packages of multiple bags intended for disposing garbage, food waste, pet waste or yard waste;
-plant material, flowers or potted plants to prevent spoilage and moisture damage to other purchases;
-live creatures including fish, insects, mollusks or crustaceans from a store normally selling such items;
-freshly prepared hot or cold food, including sliced deli and foods prepared to order.”
Of course, this begs the question: what could possibly be left? Oh yes, plastic grocery bags that can, and are, easily reused.
There have been numerous articles and reports about the theft of grocery baskets in states that have banned the use of plastic grocery bags, the latest article being about New Jersey, but certainly not limited to the Garden State.
Would it not make more sense to simply have grocery stores provide recycling bins for any unused plastic bags at their entry. I see them already at Grauls and Harris Teeter. Again, please do not penalize the many responsible people for the work of the few irresponsible.