After listening to the Talbot County Council discuss the merits of a proposal to delay approval of the Lakeside community in Trappe and then defeat a process to protect the health of Trappe Creek, I think I would have preferred to watch a sausage made.
The process would have seemed more logical and driven by the customer’s taste buds, not by satisfying the developer’s investment in a proposed 2,500-unit community that will change the rural quality of Talbot County.
Councilpersons Chuck Callahan, Frank Divilio and Corey Pack voted to approve the connection of 120 homes to a faulty sewage treatment plan in a small town that will never be the same. The consequent development will make a blunt statement: Talbot County is favorable to a residential community that would loom incongruously large in northern Virginia, or even the mess that is Middletown, Del.
The votes by Councilpersons Pete Lesher and Laura Price were meaningless. They knew beforehand that the three Amigos were determined to delay the developer no more and honor his years-long investment. Their votes to move forward represented an alarming lack of concern about the future of a county known for its peaceful beauty.
In response to the council’s action a week ago, Dan Watson, the indefatigable leader of opposition to Lakeside, raised the specter of legal action. He also noted it should be a last resort, acknowledging the expense of litigation.
While I commend Watson’s observation about the steep cost of litigation, I believe that a lawsuit could focus on the council’s neglect of the Comprehensive Plan, its disempowerment of the Planning Commission and lack of concern over the polluted condition of Trappe Creek due to a sub-par sewage treatment.
Unfortunately, stupidity is legally permissible. This council, in its delay to approve the movement of the Talbot Boys Monument and now this fiasco, has shown an alarming lack of wise governing. County residents deserve far better.
In his Spy interview, Callahan repeatedly referred to “they”’(environmental opponents) and implied they were too late in objecting to the development. He further implied that the county council’s hands were tied. He was wrong. The council’s actions are legally assailable.
Lesher and Price were lone voices in the wilderness of pro-development forces in Talbot County. Lesher was relatively quiet; he cited constituents’ concerns. Price was not. She tried to push an amendment that called for a modular sewage treatment facility to augment the overloaded Trappe plant. Her three Republican colleagues were dead set on moving ahead with a residential development inappropriate for a county that for the most part has preserved its pristine nature.
Change is coming for the worse.
In politics, whether local, state or federal, forces typically hidden from ordinary citizens (like this writer and readers) influence our elected officials. They give money and advice. It is legal and commonplace. What the public does not know, unless immersed in a policy issue, is the motivations and agendas of these loyal supporters.
A pro-business county council is perfectly legitimate. Their supporters expect decisions favorable to their interests and opinions. Environmental sensitivity suffers. Dan Watson envisions through the formation of the Talbot Integrity Project an effort to elect people more attuned to the preservation of the county’s rivers and creeks and a superior quality of life.
Life would be easier for the Talbot County Council if Watson blithely enjoyed his retired years by reading books and traveling. Instead, he has become a thorn in the side of councilpersons who would prefer far more passive elective service. He typifies the concerned, engaged citizen.
Sausage-making a.k.a. policymaking by the county council has become distasteful and disappointing. Concern about the future is secondary to senseless governing.
Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. In retirement, Howard serves on the boards of several non-profits on the Eastern Shore, Annapolis and Philadelphia.
David S. McClain says
As a farmer and a purveyor of fine Talbot county sausage, I can assure you the process of making sausage is much cleaner and more transparent than what is going on at Lakeside.
Robert C Jones says
Thank you, Howard Freedlander. This should take care of the need to raise funds from any other source for the future election camapigns by Three Amigos.
Mary Dunlavey says
Maybe we could initiate a community Go Fund Me strategy to hire a lawyer? Let’s see if citizenry 101 works.
Brian H. Childs says
I would gladly help with funding a legal action. I also would help fund any candidate to run against the three amigos and vote the sausage makers out so they could read books and perhaps travel on their own dime.
JT Smith says
Mr. Callahan’s interview is quite dispiriting. The citizens of Talbot County are blessed by the energies and perceptions of Howard Freedlander and Dan Watson. Regrettably, they are less well served by a majority of their council members who manifestly lack courage or imagination— and appear to be receiving inadequate legal counsel. As to sausage making, perhaps scrapple would be a more apt metaphor.
Mike McConnel says
Lakeside is a run-of-the mill story about malfeasance in office.
Gerard Marconi says
Thank you, Howard for your spot-on comments. I agree with your conclusion that the current county council is engaging in senseless governing on this issue and that “Change is coming for the worse.”
Douglas Firth says
Howard, what a wonderful new twist on stuffing a sausage in the political realm of Talbot County.
I was so disgusted and saddened after watching the video on the Talbot Spy several days ago by the president of the council trying to justify the 3 council members decision that I turned it off after 5:30 minutes. Howard, I am almost envious that you are now living in Annapolis.
Brice Gamber says
While I’m on a different political spectrum than Howard, this has no politics – it’s Right v Wrong. The three counsel persons are tone deaf to their constituents. We have an opportunity this year to vote in people who represent US, not their business biases
Carol Voyles says
👍 Can you see this thumbs up?
Bishop Joel Marcus Johnson says
Would that this development be in Caroline County? Not on your life. The developers are zeroing in on the high prices for residential property in Talbot County, surely an enormous yield in contrast to the peanuts of their initial legal and environmental costs. Talbot is a cash cow.
jan bohn says
I am definitely an ‘outsider’ and haven’t lived here very long. But I’ve discovered Talbot County is a wonderful place. I have lived in a lot of places in the USA and abroad and have NEVER seen the amount of duplicity evidenced here regarding Lakeside. It’s appalling and I applaud Dan Watson and will happily contribute to whatever entity evolves to fight this development. Apparently some politicians and developers think the ‘locals’ (and the newly arrived) don’t care or know enough to fight – they are So Wrong! We must band together and save Talbot County!!
DANNA MURPHY MURDEN says
Thank you, Howard Freelander. I often wonder if anyone in politics has Talbot County at Heart any more for the county and it’s people. The county council has sold us out more times than I care to count and not just the present one. The Town of Easton loves Building Sprawl no matter how many store fronts are vacant not only down town but in the NEW shopping centers. I have heard it said over and over they won’t be satisfied till there isn’t a piece of green left. We used to have wonderful zoning in this county but now whom ever is the greediest all those laws can be worked around.
Dan Watson says
HOWARD–If I’d have known this was coming, would have read sooner and had a response!
Indeed, litigation is coming soon–action plan is well advanced and will be announced soon. And yes folks, funding is an important part of it! The Talbot Integrity Project is an organization committed to upholding our Comp Plan, taking actions to defend it–like litigation on Lakeside–and fighting to elect the right candidates and defeat those who see the Comp Plan as but a nettlesome obstacle to what they wish to do.
If you’re interested in helping, email [email protected].
DW
Warren Zevon says
The Southern Poverty Law Center would take on this case in a heartbeat. SPLC represents causes and organizations like Talbot Integrity Project.
Howard Freedlander says
Thank you all for your substantive comments. Our county council has failed the community in its deficient response to the environmental and cultural impact of the 2,500-unit Lakeside development. It makes large decisions poorly, enduring terrific pressure to support constituents with sound thinking. Talbot County citizens deserve far better.