On Monday, July 13th, the town of St. Michaels will hold an election to fill four of the five seats on its five-member governing Commission. Because both our town and the nation are at an inflection point, this election is an opportunity for St. Michaels to consider which candidates have a vision for the future and the courage to take us into the post-pandemic world, one that cries out for unity and inclusion as yesterday’s peaceful march and rally in Muskrat Park demonstrated.
For the past eighteen months St. Michaels has been consumed by the debate over the location of its new town office. It has generated nearly $100,000 in legal fees because of ethics charges, determined each time to be spurious, filed by an angry group of citizens against the Commission’s President to pressure him to reverse votes already made. There may be disagreement over the decision and the process used to get there, but that is no excuse for behavior bordering on extortion. What concerns me is that at a time when we should be coming together and watching each other’s backs, St. Michaels is divided over what it is, who we are, and what we should be.
My wife and I live in The Homes at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, the townhouse community just north of The Inn at Perry Cabin. At the beginning of March, about 16 of our 48 townhomes were occupied by full-time residents. After the lockdown orders were issued, our full-time population more than doubled. Is that a temporary trend or one here to stay? That should be a major question for consideration in our election. Only 45 percent of all living units in St. Michaels had a full-time resident before the outbreak of COVID-19. Will that be changing because of the new world we are entering and, if so, what are the implications for the town’s economy, budget, services, and governance?
In speaking with people hunkered down on the Shore working remotely during the pandemic, they say it could be 2021 before their offices in metropolitan areas will be fully operational again. At the same time, large companies have been surprised at how well they function virtually. Several have announced policies that will permit certain employees to live most anywhere if they are within a reasonable travel distance and located in a community providing the necessary infrastructure for remote work. Further, crowded metropolitan areas are now viewed as less desirable places to live from a health standpoint, and there are numerous articles in the national media about the benefits rural communities such as those found in Talbot County provide.
These shifts mean that the demand for primary homes and workspace in Talbot County should increase. Already, residential real estate activity has accelerated, and many short-term rentals are booked by people opting for the entire season. Does St. Michaels want active professionals with good incomes working remotely in our community and becoming permanent residents? Would an increase in our full-time population be a positive development for key segments of the town’s economy and its populace? Does St. Michaels want the property tax stability these remote workers would provide along with the vibrancy they would bring? Or do we prefer a community of second homes often empty?
Those considering moving out of overcrowded metropolitan areas to places like Talbot County may use the web to assess how its towns approach change, handle discussions of town administration matters, and envision their future. What will they see in the case of St. Michaels? A commitment to providing what is needed for a 21st century career environment? A community dedicated to continuous improvement and making St. Michaels more attractive? A citizenry preserving its past while having the imagination to look to the future? Or will they see something much different?
When we first moved to St. Michaels twenty-three years ago, I often heard mention of the need for “diversification of the local economy.” For a long time, I could not figure out what that meant. St. Michaels is a collection of densely packed houses, retail shops, restaurants, B&Bs, museums, marinas, and hotels with a dash of workspaces thrown in. Its economy was then and still is driven by tourism. How could St. Michaels create a significant additional revenue stream? Where would it be located? We have no industrial park and only one office complex. There is hardly any empty land. Zoning, appropriately, is designed to preserve the town’s historic character. It took years for me to realize that diversification did not mean expanding the economy. It was a euphemism for throttling it back and pursuing a variety of personal and parochial agendas against existing institutions and endeavors that provide the community’s economic lifeblood. Over time, the lesson learned was that great caution needs to be taken by anyone wanting to do much of anything in St. Michaels from an income producing standpoint.
In 1998, for example, I became a partner in Mathews Brothers, a boat repair company located in the mill which was in the process of transforming itself into a boat builder. Soon after beginning production of watercraft attracting attention at area boat shows, we and our employees were chased out of St. Michaels by an angry group of citizens. My assumption in joining the company was that a place with a three-century old history as a shipbuilder would welcome a maker of classic Bay boats along with the revenue it would generate. Wrong on that one.
More recently, when American Corner purchased the junkyard and gas station leading into town and started cleaning it up for renovation, a group of citizens together with the local print media whipped the community into a frenzy. It is now for sale once again because of that opposition. Is anyone in town stepping up to buy it? Or are vacant commercial buildings the preferred version of shabby chic in St. Michaels?
Nine eleven was a sea change for our nation, but this pandemic may generate even deeper societal shifts which, long term, could be a net positive for St. Michaels. To recognize and act on the opportunities this crisis is generating, we need leaders with vision, people with courage, wisdom, and empathy to take us forward. St. Michaels’ governing principle should not be to fear the future. There is a silver lining in this pandemic. We need to come together to find it for the betterment of all.
Jeff McGuiness
St. Michaels
c. zlocki says
Might be the most intelligent and thought provoking article I’ve read since moving here 21 years ago. Pay attention to it. It’s absolutely correct, and a direction we we live here, should all want to be moving towards.
Juanita Robbins says
Thank you for your commitment to this community to share this insightful and optimistic perspective. Forward focused leadership is critically important. Many businesses and organizations – healthcare, education, government, technology, retail, financial, legal and several other service industries are seeing the significant benefit remote working affords them. It also affords them the opportunity to expand the pool of candidates from which to hire. Not only has this virus opened up opportunity for young professionals and families to relocate here, it has opened up a vast array of job opportunities for our existing residents, that before would have required extensive commutes with the associated diminishing quality of life returns. How wonderful it will be to layer our historic strengths with greater opportunity for our young adults and experienced professionals.
I have been very concerned about declining property tax revenues to the Town of St. Michaels and Talbot County, the volume of retail and commercial vacancies, the decline in employment opportunities for our residents resulting from technological and manufacturing shifts, and therefore the resulting decline in population.
Innovation is a product of youth. Vibrancy is a product of young families with hope and experienced individuals committed to fostering enriching experiences and investing in opportunity. We are greatly blessed with extensive historic strengths that have attracted many extraordinary individuals with experience to help lead at this pivotal moment of transition.
That we also care to look at our historic strengths and the weaknesses that have suppressed opportunity for all our residents is significant. The Walk for Unity was such a beautiful example of how we care, choose to nurture and can support our residents. It demonstrates how much more we know we want, should and can do, so all our residents have hope, are mentored to realize and share their gifts and talents, experience opportunity, and are able and have the chance to contribute to our community. The story of a 15 year old young man, only a two month resident of our town, using a town social media group, to ask residents for advice (because they had been so nice to him), about how best to demonstrate that racial injustice and inequities cannot continue. He thoughtfully considered and responded to their advice, and as a result met with our exceptional Police Chief Smith (a most thoughtful and understated leader), who further mentored him, as we trusted he would, and together with others in our community, the will for more was given voice. This “seed” grew into a “tree” in less than a week. How much more can we do if we nurture innovation and inclusion with innovative minded experience?
We can help more know more. Preserving doesn’t mean “to limit”. Preserving is an action to enrich life by appreciating the past and reflecting that experience. The action of preservation occurs in the present and is done for the future. It’s intention is to foster continuous learning so current and future generations can build upon, not be fixed, in the past.
Mr. McGuiness, thank you for thoughtfully fostering how critical it is to elect inclusive, forward thinking leaders.
We are so grateful to be part of this whole community.
Rebecca Jeffery says
Jeff McGuinss’ letter is well written and thought provoking. My children are working at home in a metropolitan area and recognize the possibilities this has opened up for them.
Thank you Jeff.
Lisa mansueti says
Jeff
Thought provoking article
But I think you missed some things
If st Mike’s becomes the new hamptons or refuge for many from covid
We have to address the Affordable housing and fair wages for the locals that will service the onslaught of new
Residents now like me working again in retail
Loads of people coming in from covid hot spots
They should contribute to the community
Not create a high end bunker to ride out the virus
Your thoughts
Jeff McGuiness says
Lisa, I couldn’t agree with you more. That is why I think the election debate should be about more than the town office and its location. There are far bigger issues in play. Like it or not, we are going from a town where second homes are in the majority to one in which there are many more full time residents. My sister lives in the San Juan Islands. Imagine St. Michaels on an island requiring an all day trip and two ferry rides to go to Home Depot. Service workers can’t afford to live there, so restaurants have closed, the supermarket has limited hours. They are wrestling with the same problem you have identified. Affordable housing is essential for the future if St. Michaels, and that is why I’m hoping for a reasoned, balanced and honest discussion in the next five weeks.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Charlie Cricks says
Well done Jeff!
Joel Danick says
Well stated! My wife and I have been part time residents for 15 years and just this year retired to St. Mikes full time. Of course the small town charm has always been part of the appeal but that doesnt mean that smart vision/smart growth has to wipe that out. There are many businesses that have recently opened or expanded as well as the Perry Cabins Inn’s investment over the recent years to make the attraction even greater. I believe that the town will always have somewhat of a reliance on the tourist trade due to it’s waterfront nature but as Jeff outlined we could see more of a consistent demand with the right vision & leadership.
Thanks for putting ot out there Jeff!
Maureen McHugh says
Bravo Jeff – well said… New optimistic initiatives can bring the community together and strengthen and support our tax base at the same time. The future for St. Michaels is bright, now is the time to move forward!
Rita E. Connolly says
Dear Mr. McGuiness, When you live in or move to a small town most people want the small town ambience. I have never understood why so many move to a lovely little town and then proceed to change it. Some say you need to grow to survive… not always so. You need to maintain and keep homes, businesses and other properties in good working order. You don’t move to a small town to become a millionaire.
In a small town you can’t have everything you get in a big city. If you want all that…then stay in the big city. The reward for living in a small town is peace, calm and beauty.
Talbot county has survived a very long time with it’s small towns and small businesses. It can continue to so.
Jeff McGuiness says
Dear Rita,
Thanks very much for sharing your thoughts. I’m not sure if you are a resident of St. Michaels or some other place in Talbot County. Because my letter focused primarily on the upcoming election in St. Michaels and the changes underway in our community, this reply assumes you are speaking about St. Michaels.
I understand what you are saying, but to me St. Michaels is not a typical small town such as the one you are describing. To me, Oxford, Centreville, Easton, Claiborne, Sherwood, Wye Mills, and Trappe are places where you can find peace and calm on Saturdays and Sundays. All those places have the small-town ambience you are describing. St. Michaels, on the other hand, is a tourist town, one of the top tourist destinations in the mid-Atlantic which, under normal circumstances, attracts tens of thousands of people each year. Every town needs an economy to survive, and St. Michaels has chosen tourism as its economic base which means weekends here are not always peaceful and calm.
I’m not advocating for the expansion of St. Michaels, far from it. What I am saying is that on the first of March, 55 percent of the dwelling units in St. Michaels were second homes. Because our town is so attractive and has so many amenities, we need to be prepared for the likelihood that St. Michaels will change in the coming months because the way people work is fundamentally changing, driven in part by the effects of the pandemic. For decades people have come to St. Michaels and elsewhere in the county to vacation. Now, some will stay because now they can stay which means the number of empty second homes will lessen. I don’t see empty homes as a positive. I’d rather have people living in them committed to making our county thrive.
It wasn’t so long ago that St. Michaels had both a grocery store and a gas station within the town’s limits. Perhaps we will have businesses like those once again which will make us a true small town.
Again, I appreciate your sharing your thoughts. We are at an inflection point.
Jane Hopkinson says
Jeff, thank you for your excellent letter. I appreciate your thoughts regarding the upcoming election of four commissioners for St. Michaels. Your insight is refreshing when considering the agenda of certain narrow-minded, mean-spirited people who think they know everything there is to know about St. Michaels and at least three of whom are running for commissioner.
Since mid-March, when social distancing and isolation began, my husband and I have realized how very fortunate we are to be living in St. Michaels. This beautiful spring weather has created a virtual paradise for us and, I’m sure, many others.
After 9/11, I was sure that many companies and people would retreat from large cities to smaller towns. But this time with the coronavirus, it’s different. It’s possible that we’ve reached the tipping point where companies and workers have realized the possibilities and benefits of working remotely. As more cities and businesses begin to reopen, I agree that we need leaders with vision, courage and a little optimism to act on the opportunities this crisis is generating. Can we talk you into running for Commissioner?