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October 17, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

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Easton Incumbents Unopposed in May 4 Election

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Easton voters go to the polls Tuesday, May 4, to vote for council president and town council members for Wards 2 and 4.

The three incumbents — President Megan Cook, Ward 2 Councilman Donald Abbatiello, and Ward 4 Councilman Rev. Elmer Neal Davis Jr. are unopposed.

All three are seeking a full four-year term to their respective positions:

• Abbatiello won election in May 2019 to serve the last two years of Pete Lesher’s term. Lesher won election to the Talbot County Council in November 2018 and vacated his town council seat.

• Cook was elected town council president in a special election after the death of John Ford.

• Davis was appointed after Cook became president, vacating her Ward 4 seat.

The election will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Easton Firehouse, 315 Leonard Rieck Drive, in Easton. Absentee ballots must be returned to the town office by 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 4.

Easton has staggered four-year terms for elected officials, with elections every two years. In 2023, voters will choose a mayor, and town council members for Wards 1 and 3.

This article has been corrected from its original publication.

Cook Backs Removal of ‘Talbot Boys’ Statue

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This video is about two minutes long.

Easton Council President Megan Cook personally believes the statue to rebel soldiers should be removed from the courthouse grounds.

Cook said she attended two recent rallies protesting the Talbot County Council’s 3-2 vote to keep the “Talbot Boys” statue outside the courthouse.

“And I personally believe it needs to be removed as the courthouse is a place where all residents expect justice and equality,” she said.

Cook noted the town council previously had issued a welcoming statement that the town believes “a more diverse community is a stronger, more vibrant community and is committed to treating all of its residents in a fair and just manner.”

“And I hope that the actions of the county council do not cast a heavy shadow on the amazing town and community we have here in Easton,” she said.

Easton Mayor Robert Willey said there had been some confusion about the town’s role concerning the statue.

The statue is on county property on the courthouse green. The town’s involvement would only occur if the county council votes to remove or modify the statue, he said. At that point, the town’s historic district commission would consider the county’s decision.

Willey also noted that the county would be responsible for issuing assembly permits, if required, for rallies on the courthouse grounds since it is county, not town, property.

Cook to be Sworn in as Easton Council President

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Megan Cook will be sworn in tonight as the president of the Easton town council.

Cook defeated fellow Councilman Ron Engle in the July 9 special election to serve out the remainder of the term of John Ford, who died Feb. 4.

Cook has represented the town’s 4th Ward for more than a decade.

Engle, the town’s Ward 3 councilman, has served as interim council president since mid-November.