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May 31, 2023

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

News News Notes

Volunteers Show Love at One Mission Cambridge

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One Mission Cambridge in Cambridge has a heart for service all year round. As we enter into the holiday season, however, the organization is focusing on its volunteers who are at the heart of its mission – showing the love of Jesus to every client who visits its location at 614 Race Street. The range of services offered by One Mission Cambridge are diverse and include food items, counseling, and connection to resources such as health care, financial assistance, and jobs.

“I was looking for places to volunteer when I retired. One Mission Cambridge just seemed like a natural fit for me. I love people and I love doing things for people. That’s why I became a teacher because I enjoy helping in that respect,” states volunteer Joanne Rue of Cambridge, a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a retired teacher.

“While I teach the Bible studies and I was involved in small group activities at church, that’s giving to people who are more familiar to me. I wanted to reach out and do something to meet a greater need. The community needed a central place for resources. The joy of volunteering here, besides just helping, has been meeting people from other churches, other denominations who have a similar heart.”

Rue credits the safe, peaceful, and welcoming environment with helping build trust with the clients who come. She adds, “I see a lot of familiar faces, so our clients become like close acquaintances, so there’s a connection. Many people just stop in to touch base.”

Pictured left to right are One Mission Cambridge volunteers Miala Harper of Cambridge, Joanne Rue of Cambridge, and Vicki Hayden of Cambridge.

Volunteer Vicki Hayden of Cambridge, also a member of Grace United Methodist Church, and a retired nurse, states, “We are asked to love God and love others – this is an avenue to do God’s work. I hope I am making them feel better. It’s very rewarding.”

“I feel like God blessed me that I can retire and do things like this. The people are so wonderful. It’s wonderful to be able to pray with them. Most all of them are receptive to that, but we’re not going to force anything on anyone.”

Clients mainly come to One Mission Cambridge for its food pantry, but there are occasional needs for connections to other resources.

“If they come in hungry, we can fix meals for our clients,” Hayden adds.

Volunteer Miala Harper, a new resident of Cambridge and previously of Harford County, who started in October and volunteers every other week, states that she saw One Mission Cambridge on Facebook and thought it was interesting what they do. She comments, “This gives back to people in need. I know what it’s like to have needs. My mom and dad occasionally needed help. So, I think it’s very important that everybody at some point in their life volunteers. This is a good way to give back. It gives you insight into how blessed you are.”

“People leave here happy. They have the security that they can get out of bed and have another meal waiting for them.”

“It’s needed here. Resources like food, mental health services, and housing are scarce. I am happy to see them being offered. I am also seeing the difference it makes. It’s good that One Mission Cambridge is in town and walkable for people. Most of the other food pantries in Cambridge are on the outskirts of town,” she adds.

“We are so fortunate to have such giving volunteers. We can’t thank our volunteers, financial supporters, and churches enough for helping to meet the needs of an average of 245 people a month and for keeping food on the pantry shelves,” states Krista Pettit, leader of One Mission Cambridge’s efforts.

Rue adds, “Most of the people are coming in for food, but every once in a while somebody will come in who needs a listening ear. It’s more than just handing them a bag.”

The organization is still in need of volunteers and volunteer training is available for a variety of shifts. To date, over 15 churches are now working with One Mission Cambridge. All Christian Churches are invited to participate. Individuals and organizations can support One Mission Cambridge through its Showing the Love Program for as little as $10 a month on the organization’s website onemissioncambridge.org.

One Mission Cambridge is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, from 1 to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The next Community Dinner will be held on December 5 at its location at 614 Race Street in Cambridge. Visit One Mission Cambridge on Facebook at OneMissionCam or Instagram or their website at onemissioncambridge.org or call 410-901-3959. Donations can be made to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD 21613.

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

“Imperfectly Perfect” Is Main Street Gallery’s Fall Exhibition

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Passages by Maureen S. Farrell

Award winning acrylic painter, Maureen S. Farrell, is Main Street Gallery’s guest artist for September/October. Her show, “Imperfectly Perfect” highlights a collection of the artist’s figurative and abstract paintings which she created both in her home studio in Cambridge and her studio at the Davis Art Center in Easton.

On any given day Maureen’s studio is filled with several paintings she is working on at the same time. Describing her paintings as process oriented, Maureen says she starts a painting by making marks and also journaling directly onto her canvas or paper with graphite and charcoal. “I then obliterate some of those marks and add more marks to the surface before moving on to the paint.” says the New York native who relocated to Cambridge in retirement. She says she works her way through the process allowing each painting to take its own course. “Over the years”, she says, “I have discovered that when I am fully engaged and give up control the magic happens.” She finds that concentrating on self expression and using many marks and leaving what she calls “imperfections” add character and strength to her works.

But while her subjects are usually figurative or abstract, it is really her emotions that have the greatest influence on her pieces.  “I paint what I feel” she declares, “not what I see”.

Interestingly for the former mail carrier, the daily handling of catalogs, magazines and newspapers that come to her through the mail have informed her work as well and often find their way into her paintings as written passages and collaged elements.

It wasn’t until after studying education and sociology in college and working as a rural mail carrier while raising three children as a single mom, that Maureen found her artistic voice. “My passion for art”, she says, “truly blossomed after I remarried, retired and reevaluated my whole purpose in life.”   A gifted watercolor teacher early on became a good friend and mentor and encouraged her to continue painting. That support and the skills she acquired through taking many classes and workshops helped fuel her new found passion.

Maureen is a Signature Member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters and has shown her work locally, nationally and abroad. She is currently represented by Bishop’s Stock in Snow Hill, MD and West Annapolis Artworks.

“Imperfectly Perfect” will open on September 1 and run through October 30. The public is invited to two artist receptions which will take place on Second Saturdays, September 10  and October 8 from 5-8 pm. The receptions are free and light refreshments will be served. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 11-5 and online shopping is always available on the gallery’s website at mainstgallery.net.

Main Street Gallery is located at 518 Poplar St. and is Cambridge’s only artist-owned and run cooperative. The gallery is currently reviewing work from prospective members and guest artists. Please contact the gallery through its website or by phoning 410-330-4659 if you are interested in being a part of this vibrant artist community.

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One Mission Cambridge Hosts Open House

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Since its opening on June 6, 2022, One Mission Cambridge has served over 140 people in need. The first week alone, the coalition of Christian churches and ministries called to meet the physical and spiritual needs of men, women and children in the Cambridge area, served over 90 people and had to order 3,000 pounds of extra food to meet the needs of the community.  The organization will host an open house on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at its location at 614 Race Street in Cambridge. The open house is open to everyone in the community to learn about the mission center and celebrate it.

Pictured is Krista Pettit of One Mission Cambridge in the center’s facility at 614 Race Street in Cambridge.

One Mission Cambridge’s location has proved ideal to serve some of the community’s most vulnerable populations. The building includes a storefront on Race Street with a large communal space in the rear of the building. By consolidating some of the area’s food pantries, One Mission Cambridge can offer a food pantry store where people can shop for what they need in a dignified manner. In addition, the center offers community navigation with computers onsite for people to research jobs and complete job applications and look up resources to help them connect to community services. Whether you need food items, to get a replacement Social Security card or photo ID, or just need a friendly face to talk to, the center is open for walk-in services.

“When you are in a crisis, you are overwhelmed with navigating the process to get on the other side of it. We are the stopgap – stepping into the process and providing support,” comments Krista Pettit, leader of One Mission Cambridge’s efforts.

In the back of the storefront, there is a private meeting room to offer Christian counseling and support groups. Further back, a large community space is available to host community dinners for about 120 people. These dinners hope to start in the fall on the first Monday of each month and will include a sit-down dinner, along with a Bible reading and discussion, as well as music and art enrichment.

One Mission Cambridge is about the Body of Christ working together – combining resources and people. The organization’s name “One Mission” comes from all the churches having the same mission: to love God and to love their neighbors.  All Christian Churches are invited to participate in this exciting organization. The organization was born in the summer of 2021 when a volunteer subcommittee brought people from the community together and interviewed nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and community members who utilize various agencies to determine the unmet needs in the community and what services could be provided. The survey revealed that people in the community have a heart for others, there are a lot of great organizations helping people, and there needs to be a place for people to talk, listen and provide guidance on getting help and encouragement.

One Mission Cambridge, the coalition of Christian churches and ministries, is called to meet the physical and spiritual needs of men, women and children in the Cambridge area. Its storefront location is ideal for serving some of the community’s most vulnerable populations.

To date, over 15 churches are working with One Mission Cambridge. Krista Pettit, who began working on the project as a volunteer with Grace United Methodist Church and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, recognized the need in the community when talking with other churches. The organization wants to partner with everyone providing services in the Cambridge area, including area food pantries, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and churches who, according to Krista, are doing tremendous work in the community. Volunteers are also needed and interested persons can attend the open house to inquire, contact Pettit directly, or sign up via the website at onemissioncambridge.org or call 410-901-3959.

One Mission Cambridge will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 1 to 6 p.m. and the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. These hours were selected as times when other organizations aren’t open and to allow people who work to utilize the services.

Visit One Mission Cambridge on Facebook or Instagram or their website onemissioncambridge.org or call 410-901-3959. Donations can be made to One Mission Cambridge, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD 21613.

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Cambridge Mayor Takes Leave of Absence from Post

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Cambridge Mayor Andrew Bradshaw has taken a leave of absence from his post, according to the city’s website.

According to the post:

“… Mayor Bradshaw is currently on an indefinite, voluntary, and unpaid leave of absence. During this temporary vacancy, all rights, powers, and duties of the mayor shall be assumed by Commission President Lajan Cephas in accordance with Sec. 3-21A of the City Charter.

“As previously stated, the City’s council-manager form of municipal government ensures that the business of the City will remain unaffected during the mayor’s unpaid leave of absence.

“It remains the sincerest hope of all of the commissioners that the mayor will do what is best for the City of Cambridge and its citizens and tender his resignation. Should he fail to do so, then the commissioners are prepared to pursue all available options under Maryland Law and the City Charter.”

Bradshaw was charged in mid-November with 50 counts of distributing revenge porn, the state prosecutor’s office said in a news release.

Bradshaw is charged with posting nude photographs of a former romantic partner to various forums on Reddit without her knowledge or consent and with the intent to harm her, according to the release.

A day after Bradshaw was charged, the Cambridge commissioners voted unanimously to have the city attorney draft a letter asking him for his resignation.

The vote came following an emergency meeting that went into closed session for consultations with the city attorney and city manager.

Section 3-35 of the city’s charter sets forth the procedure for removals from office:

“The commissioners may remove from office, or discharge from employment, the city manager, the chief bailiff and any other officer or employee that may be elected or appointed under the authority of the charter, or any ordinance or order of the commissioner (whether be the term of service under which he holds his office or employment), for neglect of duty, for incompetence, or for any other misconduct, which, in the judgment of the commissioners, constitute reasonable and sufficient ground for removing him from office, or depriving him of employment.

“In all cases, where the official or employee has any fixed or definite term of service, a charge or complaint, in writing, shall be presented to him, and evidence as to the facts alleged in such charge or complaint, shall be taken before the commissioners if he denies the correctness or truth of same.”

If Bradshaw were to resign or be removed, the commission president would assume “all rights, powers and duties of the mayor,” according to the charter, and the commissioners would need to schedule a special election to fill the mayoral vacancy.

Bradshaw was charged about three months after an Aug. 4 police search of his home and the mayor’s office at city hall.

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Cambridge Commissioners Ask Mayor to Resign Following ‘Revenge Porn’ Charges

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The Cambridge commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday night to have the city attorney draft a letter asking Mayor Andrew Bradshaw for his resignation.

The vote came following a Tuesday night emergency meeting that went into closed session for consultations with the city attorney and city manager.

“It is the sincerest hope of all of the Commissioners that the Mayor will do what is best for the City of Cambridge and its citizens and tender his resignation,” the commissioners said in a joint statement. “Should he fail to do so, then the Commissioners are prepared to pursue all available options under Maryland Law and the City Charter.”

The joint statement from Commission President Lajan Cephas (Ward 2) and Commissioners Brian Roche (Ward 1), Jameson Harrington (Ward 3), Sputty Cephas (Ward 4), and Chad Malkus (Ward 5) was posted on the city’s website.

Section 3-35 of the city’s charter sets forth the procedure for removals from office:

“The commissioners may remove from office, or discharge from employment, the city manager, the chief bailiff and any other officer or employee that may be elected or appointed under the authority of the charter, or any ordinance or order of the commissioner (whether be the term of service under which he holds his office or employment), for neglect of duty, for incompetence, or for any other misconduct, which, in the judgment of the commissioners, constitute reasonable and sufficient ground for removing him from office, or depriving him of employment.

“In all cases, where the official or employee has any fixed or definite term of service, a charge or complaint, in writing, shall be presented to him, and evidence as to the facts alleged in such charge or complaint, shall be taken before the commissioners if he denies the correctness or truth of same.”

If Bradshaw were to resign or be removed, the commission president would assume “all rights, powers and duties of the mayor,” according to the charter, and the commissioners would need to schedule a special election to fill the mayoral vacancy.

In a previous statement, the city noted that Cambridge has a council-manager form of government with the appointed city manager, not the mayor, serving as the city’s chief executive officer and heading its administrative branch.

Bradshaw, 32, was charged Monday with 50 counts of “revenge porn,” accused of creating multiple Reddit accounts with usernames that were permutations of a former romantic partner’s name and birthdate and posting intimate photos of her that were “captioned with racial slurs and sexually explicit language, on those Reddit accounts and various Subreddit forums that were related to sexual activity, humiliation, degradation, race, and other topics,” according to the state prosecutor’s office.

“Maryland’s Revenge Porn Statute, Maryland Criminal Law Article § 3-809, prohibits the nonconsensual distribution of a private visual representation of another which exposes their intimate body parts or displays them engaged in sexual activity, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the person depicted,” the Office of the State Prosecutor said in a press release.

Bradshaw was released Monday without having to post bond.

According to charging papers:

• The photos were posted in April and May.

• The woman contacted police in mid-May to say she had learned nude photos of her had been posted on Reddit. She told police that the photos were posted without her knowledge or consent and had only been sent to Bradshaw.

• She said the photos were sent when she and Bradshaw were in an intimate relationship, she did not give him consent to re-distribute the photos, and she is no longer romantically involved with Bradshaw.

• The accounts used to post the photos were from an IP address that provided internet service to Bradshaw’s Cambridge home.

• The photos were posted to subreddits named RacePlay, “with racial slurs in several of the posting titles,” and HumiliatingComments, among others. Charging papers allege that nine posts were made to the RacePlay subreddit and there were racial slurs in seven of the titles or captions.

Bradshaw’s home and the mayor’s office at city hall were searched by police on Aug. 4.

 

 

 

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Cambridge Mayor Charged with 50 Counts of Distributing Revenge Porn

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Cambridge Mayor Andrew Bradshaw has been charged with 50 counts of distributing revenge porn, the state prosecutor’s office said in a news release.

Bradshaw is charged with posting nude photographs of a former romantic partner to various forums on Reddit without her knowledge or consent and with the intent to harm her, according to the release.

The criminal information filed Monday in Dorchester County Circuit Court alleges Bradshaw made multiple Reddit accounts with public usernames that consisted of permutations of the name and birthdate of the woman, and then posted the photos, “captioned with racial slurs and sexually explicit language, on those ‘Reddit’ accounts and various ‘subreddit’ forums that were related to sexual activity, humiliation, degradation, race, and other topics,” according to the press release.

“Using someone’s private images without their consent is a serious breach of trust and invasion of privacy, and the power and breadth of the internet makes such a violation even more egregious,” State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III said in the news release. “Our office is committed to protecting victims from those who abuse their positions of power and trust.”

Maryland’s Revenge Porn Statute, Maryland Criminal Law Article § 3-809, prohibits the nonconsensual distribution of a private visual representation of another which exposes their intimate body parts or displays them engaged in sexual activity, with the intent to harm, harass, intimidate, threaten or coerce the person depicted. If convicted, Mr. Bradshaw would face a maximum penalty of two years’ incarceration and a $5,000 fine for each count.

According to charging papers:

• The woman contacted police in mid-May to say she had learned nude photos of her had been posted on Reddit. She told police that the photos were posted without her knowledge or consent and had only been sent to Bradshaw.

• She said the photos were sent when she and Bradshaw were in an intimate relationship, she did not give him consent to re-distribute the photos, and she is no longer romantically involved with Bradshaw.

• The accounts used to post the photos were from an IP address that provided internet service to Bradshaw’s Cambridge home.

• The photos were posted to subreddits named RacePlay, “with racial slurs in several of the posting titles,” and HumiliatingComments, among others.

Charging papers allege that nine posts were made to the RacePlay subreddit and there were racial slurs in seven of the titles or captions.

Bradshaw’s home and the mayor’s office at city hall were searched by police on Aug. 4.

City officials, in a notice posted on the city’s website, said: “The City is aware of the matter involving the Mayor. The City is currently gathering information and will cooperate fully with the Maryland State Police and the Office of the State Prosecutor.

“As the City has a Council-Manager form of municipal government whereby the City Manager serves as the chief executive officer of the City and the head of its administrative branch, the business of the City is unaffected.

“As this is an active legal matter, no further comments will be made at this time.”

City commissioners were scheduled to meet Monday night for a work session to discuss the composition of the board of the Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. but that meeting was cancelled Monday afternoon.

The commissioners are now scheduled to meet Tuesday night in a closed session.

Maryland State Police and the Easton Police Department assisted the Office of the State Prosecutor with the investigation.

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Gloria Richardson Dies at 99; Led Early Cambridge Civil Rights Movement

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Gloria Richardson, who led the civil rights movement in Cambridge in the early 1960s, died Thursday, July 15. She was 99.

Richardson was one of the first civil rights leaders to expand the movement’s efforts beyond desegregation. A survey of the city’s black population found that jobs, housing, and education were the top concerns of the community.

As a result, the Cambridge Movement focused on economic justice in jobs, housing, education, and health care, in addition to civil rights.

Although supportive of using nonviolent tactics, Richardson also was an early advocate of the right of Blacks and protesters to defend themselves from attack.

Dorchester County’s tourism website offers the following information about Gloria Richardson:

Richardson was the first woman in the country to lead a grassroots civil rights organization outside the Deep South. She helped found — and lead — the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee (CNAC) during a period of civil unrest 50+ years ago caused by racism and lingering segregationist practices.

Her story began in Baltimore during the Depression. Born to John and Mabel Hayes in 1922, Gloria and her family moved to Cambridge Maryland when she was six. Her mother’s family — the St. Clairs — were prominent and politically active. Gloria’s grandfather – Herbert St. Clair – owned real estate, operated numerous businesses, and was the sole African-American member of the City Council.

Gloria left Cambridge at 16 to attend Howard University. She graduated in 1942 with a B.A. in Sociology and worked for the federal government during World War II. When the war ended, she returned to Cambridge. Despite Gloria’s degree and connections, she couldn’t land a job as no agencies would hire a black social worker. Gloria married Harry Richardson, a local school teacher, and was a homemaker for 13 years while raising their children.

Her formal foray into the civil rights movement grew from her daughter Donna’s participation in protests against segregation and racial inequality in Cambridge. Gloria helped form  — and was selected to lead — the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee. She was a leader of the Cambridge Movement, a civil rights campaign in her hometown.

Gloria advocated for economic justice; demanding not only desegregation, but also good jobs, housing, schools, and health care. She was an early advocate for the use of violence in self-defense when necessary. In a seminal photo, Gloria is seen pushing away a national guardsman’s rifle after Maryland Governor Millard Tawes enacted martial law.

In July 1963 – while her city was still under the Guard’s police presence – she met with U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy to negotiate the Treaty of Cambridge, an agreement covering desegregation, housing and employment issues. The following month, Gloria took to the stage at the pivotal March on Washington, one of six “Negro Women Fighters for Freedom” on the program. (None of the six women were allowed to speak, with Richardson managing to say “Hello” before the microphone was cut off.)

Gloria resigned the CNAC in the summer of 1964. Divorced from her first husband, she married photographer Frank Dandridge and moved to New York where she worked for the City’s Department of Aging and National Council for Negro Women.

In 2017, the state of Maryland honored her legacy by dedicating February 11 as “Gloria Richardson Day.” Due to an ice-storm in New York, she was not able to travel as planned to Cambridge’s historic Bethel AME to be recognized in person. Thanks to modern technology, she spoke to the packed church in a live remote broadcast from her apartment.

Cambridge welcomed Gloria home five months later as the honored guest for “Reflections on Pine.” The four-day commemoration of civil rights, community and change was organized by the Eastern Shore Network for Change (ESNC) to mark the 50th anniversary of the ‘long, hot summer.’

A “fireside chat” facilitated by ESNC co-founder Kisha Petticolas at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort in Cambridge drew hundreds of guests eager to hear the civil rights icon’s stories. The following evening, Gloria was the featured guest at the Reflection’s banquet, where her remarks brought 300 guests to their feet in a sustained standing ovation.

Today, visitors to Cambridge are greeted by an image of Gloria boldly demanding justice. One of dozens of African-Americans featured on a 50’x20’ mural, she is prominently placed left of center next to Dorchester native and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman.

In the video below, Gloria Richardson speaks with Kisha Petticolas on July 20, 2017, in Cambridge. This video is about 80 minutes long.

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Cambridge City Manager Will Not Seek Contract Renewal

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City Manager Patrick Comiskey has declined to seek renewal of his employment contract following the current contract’s expiration on July 31.

Comiskey, who was hired following a search in 2018, is Cambridge’s second city manager, having served in that role for
three years. Comiskey’s time as city manager has seen many transitions for Cambridge, with development and growth occurring across the city, according to a press release from the city.

“I wish Patrick, his wife Jane, and their beautiful dog Weaver all the best in the next phase of Patrick’s career,” Cambridge Mayor Andrew Bradshaw said in the statement. “The care they all have shown for the City of Cambridge, and their work to make this city a better place to call home cannot be overstated. Patrick’s good-heartedness and genuine love for others makes him the kind of public servant that is an asset anywhere he goes.”

According to the press release, city commissioners issued the following statements about Comiskey’s decision:

Ward 1 Commissioner Brian Roche — “I’ve appreciated Mr. Comiskey’s service and assistance while Cambridge continues to go through inevitable growing pains of the early stages of our professionally managed form of government.”

Commission President Lajan Cephas (Ward 2) — “We must remember that at the completion of each lap, the city commission did not run the race alone. Mr. Comiskey, thank you for the contributions you and your wife Jane has provided to the city of Cambridge.”

Ward 3 Commissioner Jameson Harrington — “It was always a pleasure to see Mr. Comiskey out at the many local events and businesses in Cambridge. It was nice to have a city manager involved with the local community.”

Ward 4 Commissioner Sputty Cephas — “Mr. Comiskey, thank you for time and commitment to the City of Cambridge. Best wishes on your future endeavors. Continue to share your knowledge and skillsets.”

Ward 5 Commissioner Chad Malkus — “I want to wish Patrick all the best in his future endeavors and to thank him for the great work he did over the past few years. I look forward to the hiring process for a new city manager, and my hope is that we can hire someone with equally extensive municipal experience and knowledge of strong fiscal governance.”

The Mayor and Commissioners of Cambridge will discuss the city manager vacancy at an upcoming meeting in July.

A review of requirements will occur with regard to naming an interim city manager, as well as requirements for search committee members for the hiring of a permanent city manager.

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Bradshaw Earns Decisive Victory in Cambridge Mayoral Runoff as City Votes for Change

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The City of Cambridge likely will have an entirely new elected government as voters chose a new mayor and the challenger leads the remaining incumbent in Ward 2.

Andrew Bradshaw handily defeated longtime Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley in Tuesday’s runoff election.

Bradshaw won by nearly 15 percentage points, earning 1,643 votes (57.41%) to 1,219 (42.59%) for Jackson-Stanley.

The two were the top vote-getters in the city’s Oct. 17 mayoral election, but neither topped the required 50%+1 and so faced each other in the Dec. 1 runoff.

Jackson-Stanley’s support in the runoff was largely unchanged from the initial round of voting six weeks ago, while Bradshaw appears to have picked up most of the votes of the other two mayoral challengers.

On Oct. 17, the incumbent mayor got 40.62% of the vote (1,197 votes), Bradshaw had 27.79%, La-Shon Banks Foster had 19.27%, and Robert S. Larimer had 12.32%.

Only a handful of votes separate the candidates in the two city commissioner races that also required runoff elections.

It was unclear at presstime Wednesday whether there were any provisional ballots remaining to be counted. During the Oct. 17 election, there were only four provisional ballots counted in Ward 2 and three in Ward 3.

Incumbent Ward 2 Commissioner Donald Sydnor is down by five votes to challenger Lajan Natasha Cephas.

Cephas has 223 votes (50.57%) to 218 (49.43%) for Sydnor.

Lajan Cephas, in an interview before the election, said Cambridge has “can do better” and she wanted to be part of the solution to do so.

The Oct. 17 results had Sydnor with 38.84% to 30.28% for Lajan Cephas (30.28%). Paul F. Baiers Jr. had 16.93% of the vote and Tyzann Meekins had 13.94%.

In Ward 3, Jameson Harrington is leading Gary T. Gordy by six votes.

Harrington had 216 votes (50.7%) to 210 (49.3%) for Gordy.

Harrington, in an interview before the election, said he wanted to help the city grow “and take advantage of all the great potential we have here in Cambridge.”

Gordy had 39.24% of the vote on Oct. 17 to 30.59% for Harrington, who barely edged out Duane Farrow (30.17%) by two votes to go on to the runoff election.

Lajan Cephas and Harrington will join Brian Roche (Ward 1), Sputty Cephas (Ward 4), and Chad Malkus (Ward 5) on the city commission.

During the Oct. 17 election, Roche garnered 61.59% of the vote in Ward 1, defeating two other candidates; Sputty Cephas defeated Ward 4 incumbent Dave Cannon by 13 votes (51.14% to 48.86%); and Malkus was unopposed in Ward 5.

Incumbent Ward 3 Commissioner La-Shon Foster ran for mayor rather than seeking re-election. Ward 1 Commissioner Stephen Rideout and Ward 5 Commssioner Robert Hanson did not seek re-election.

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Mayor, Ward 2, and Ward 3 Races in Cambridge Head to Dec. 1 Run-Off Elections

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Roche earns Ward 1 seat, Cephas wins in Ward 4, Malkus unopposed in Ward 5

Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley will face Andrew Bradshaw in a Dec. 1 run-off election.

The incumbent mayor got 40.62% of the vote on Oct. 17, Bradshaw had 27.79%, La-Shon Banks Foster had 19.27%, and Robert S. Larimer had 12.32%.

Since no mayoral candidate won 50%+1 of the vote in the first round, the two candidates with the highest vote counts move on to the run-off election. The same process occurred in Wards 2 and 3.

In Ward 2, incumbent Commissioner Donald Sydnor (38.84%) will face Lajan Natasha Cephas (30.28%) in the run-off election. Paul F. Baiers Jr. had 16.93% of the vote and Tyzann Meekins had 13.94%.

In Ward 3, Gary T. Gordy (39.24%) and Jameson Harrington (30.59%) move on to the run-off election. Harrington barely edged out Duane Farrow, who had 30.17% of the vote. Harrington had 144 votes to 142 for Farrow.

Brian Roche, with 61.59% of the vote, was elected commissioner in Ward 1. Sharon B. Smith had 26.81% and Tom Bradley had 11.59%.

With only two candidates in Ward 4, Sputty Cephas (51.14%) narrowly defeated incumbent Dave Cannon (48.86%).

Chad Malkus was unopposed in Ward 5.

Election officials verified the results of the Saturday election on Monday, beginning the process at 10 a.m.

The Dec. 1 run-off election will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Chesapeake College center in downtown Cambridge. It will be a mail-in election, with all previously registered voters being mailed a ballot during the first week of November. Voted ballots may be returned by mail or dropped off on Dec. 1 at Chesapeake College.

City Manager Patrick Comiskey will discuss the election at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. View the program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTChlDYAnxg

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