Facade Improvement Check Presented

From Left to Right: Alton Darling, Contractor; JoAnne Baker, Torchio Architects; Jim Beauchamp, Town Council Member; Jack Ashley, Property Owner; George "Smokey" Sigler, Town Council President; Tim McCluskey, Town Council Vice President; and Steve Walls, Town Manager.

Centreville Town Council President George “Smokey” Sigler presents Jack Ashley a check in the amount of $10,000 for façade improvements he is making to his building at the corner of Water & Commerce Streets in Centreville. The check is a portion of a grant the Town received through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Community Legacy Program. This grant program provides local governments with funding for projects aimed at strengthening communities through activities such as business retention and attraction, encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization. The town received a $50,000 grant and funding is available for any commercial business in the designated Sustainable Community area who wishes to improve their façade. This grant requires a dollar for dollar cash match from the property/business owner with a cap of $10,000.
If you are interested in improving the facade of your building, please contact Carolyn Brinkley at 410-758-1180 or cbrinkley@townofcentreville.org for more information.

Centreville Celebrates Arbor Day

DNR Arborist Terri Batchelor presents the Tree City Plaque

National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April.  This year, we had a lot to celebrate.  We were named a "Tree City USA" and we dedicated a "Liberty Tree".

The Town of Centreville has pursued the Tree City USA designation over the past several years.  Some of the requirements include:

1. We had to establish a Volunteer Tree Board, who is responsible for the care and management of the community's trees.  The Town Parks Advisory Board members function in this capacity.
2. We enacted a Tree Care Ordinance that designated the establishment of a tree board responsible for writing and implementing an annual community forestry work plan.
3. We established a tree program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita with evidence that the community has established a community forestry program that is supported by that annual budget. (This amount can be utilized as in-kind expenditures, including labor costs from Public Works, etc)
4. We must hold an annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation with a simple tree planting event or an award ceremony that honors leading tree planters.

The planting of the Liberty Elm tree

We also planted a "Liberty Elm" tree, which will provide shade for generations to come.

Council Vice President Sigler reading his Liberty Elm speech

Council Vice President Smokey Sigler spearheaded this program, and here is the text of his speech explaining and commemorating the tree:

"The first, famous Liberty Tree stood on the Boston Common, an American Elm with a political history.  The elm was a commons tree in the pre-Norman ‘English borough’ tradition:  A place for the people of the shire to gather on their own terms and for their own purposes.

In the decade of agitation that fed into the American Revolution, Boston radicals rallied beneath the tree’s canopy, speaking against imperial authorities and calling for home rule in the colonies.  

After the speeches, the people marched.  In one case, hundreds of marchers ended their protest at the docks, where they cheered on scores of activists as they dumped East Indies Trading Company tea into the harbor.  In another case, the march ended in a volley fired from imperial rifles, martyring Crispus Attucks and four others as the first casualties of the dawning revolution.

In the first months of the Revolutionary War, imperial troops occupied Boston, and cut the elm to the ground.  Yet the Liberty Tree lived on.  In hundreds of towns, and in every colony, the revolutionaries consecrated new Liberty Trees and Liberty Poles, and flew their likenesses on their flags. 

Thomas Paine wrote of the Liberty Tree in poetry and prose, and soon the tree was an international symbol.  The French revolutionaries hailed the tree, as did the Irish republicans.  In Haiti, the great Toussaint L’Ouverture prophesied:

By overthrowing me, you have succeeded in cutting down the tree of liberty of the blacks in Santo Domingo, but have failed to destroy the roots that are deep and strong. The tree will grow again."

It is our hope that this tree will continue to grow roots, provide shade, and promote liberty to all who encounter it.  So, next time you're down at the Wharf, look for it and sit on the bench next to it, and ponder the meaning of the tree.

Tree City USA Flag!

League of Women Voter's Candidate Forum available Online

Here is a great way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. J

If you were unable to attend last Tuesday night’s League of Women Voter’s Candidate Forum, it is now available online.  You can also watch it on TV (the listings are below).

The entire forum is about 1 hour and 9 minutes long.  In my opinion, this forum is particularly important, as I believe it clearly shows the contrast between our policies. I believe that I am the only candidate prepared to continue to move Centreville forward.

I would urge you to watch the entire forum, but if your time is short, just scroll to the questions you are most interested in, based on the timeline below.

Here is the link to the forum: (this link is available to watch anytime)

http://origin.peg.tv/pegtv_player/index/affiliate1?autostart=true&height=480&noplaylistskin=true&video=51743&width=640

Candidate Opening Statements

6:13    McCluskey

8:00    Lins

Question 1:    How do you feel about the current state of the Wharf and what do you see as its role in the future of Centreville?

9:30    Lins

11:45  McCluskey

Question 2:    With the rapid growth in Centreville in the last 8-10 years, what services are we providing to our citizens that fit the needs of our various neighborhoods?  Are those services adequate?  If not, what additional services would you provide?

14:00  McCluskey

16:00  Lins

Question 3:    What steps would you have the town take to improve communication with citizens?

17:25  Lins

19:10  McCluskey

Question 4:    How can we preserve Centreville’s small town atmosphere while encouraging economic development with a friendly, concerned business environment?

21:25  McCluskey

23:15  Lins

Question 5:    Federal, State and County governments are facing fiscal problems and cannot provide the support they have in the past.  How would you help the town address financial stability?

24:40  Lins

26:25  McCluskey

Question 6:    What is your vision for the town ten years hence?  If elected, how would you make your vision a reality?

28:45  McCluskey

30:20  Lins

Questions from the audience:

1.         Royce Herman: What will you do to incentivize non-retail businesses to come to town? (33:05)

            34:00  McCluskey

            35:05  Lins

2.         Bob Elliott:     How is the town being run now?  Do you think it’s positive or negative and why? (36:30)

            36:55  Lins

            38:20  McCluskey

3.         Dick Smith:    What has been your plan over the last 3 years to bring in revenue at the Wharf? (40:00)

            40:20  McCluskey

            41:40  Lins

4.         Corey Jenkins:          Do you want to cut taxes and if so, do you plan on selling the Wharf or postpone infrastructure such as

Railroad Avenue

improvements? (42:30)

            42:55  Lins

            43:50  McCluskey

5.         Mary Margaret Goodwin:     Does the Don Braden letter represent your campaign?  How many Town Council meetings over the past 18 months have you attended to prepare for this position?   (44:45)

           

6.         Greg Kavanagh:        What is your current understanding of previously proposed subsidized housing projects from last year?

            46:40  McCluskey

            47:29  Lins

7.         Fred McNeil:  What are your ideas to deal with the burden of traffic in town and heavy vehicles at high speed? (49:40)

            50:33  Lins

            51:40  McCluskey

8.         Jean Moore:  What can you do to see if the State Roads department will put painted arrows on

Water Street

at the intersection of Water & Liberty Streets? (53:40)    

            54:38  McCluskey

            55:30  Penny

9.         Kara Snyder: How do you plan on being a present, daily face in this town to serve it’s citizens? (55:50)

            56:35  Lins

            57:14  McCluskey

10.       Joe Brown:     What kind of a plan do we have to repair some of our roads that are in really bad shape? (58:38)

            58:55  McCluskey

            1:00:30           Lins

11.       Lauri Giordano:         Does that town have plans to repave Kidwell in the same manner of

Chesterfield Ave

? (1:00:40)

            1:01:00           McCluskey

            1:01:29           Lins

12.       Mary Roby:     Can you speak about the constant yield? (1:01:40)

            1:02:00           McCluskey

            1:03:05           Lins

13.       Jim Kindle:     What are your ideas on the constant tax rate with all the growth? (1:03:20)

            1:03:42           McCluskey

            1:04:35           Lins

Closing Statements:

1:05:25           Lins

1:06:50           McCluskey

The election is on MONDAY, APRIL 2^nd.  The polling location is the Goodwill Fire Company, 212 Broadway.  Polls will be open from 12:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m.

This is an important election.  If you believe that Centreville has moved forward over the past 3 years, I urge you to stay the course and re-elect me to another term.

I am available anytime if you have any questions.

I welcome your comments and critique on my performance in this forum, and I look forward to seeing you at the polls.

Centreville earns "Main Street" Designation!

Downtown Centreville

Just this week, the Governor announced that Centreville was one of only three Maryland Communities to join "Main Street Maryland".

Main Street Maryland is comprehensive downtown revitalization program, which has been nationally recognized model for Smart Growth.

This program was created in 1998, and before Centreville was added, there were 23 communities in 16 counties statewide.  This is the first Main Street Maryland designation in Queen Anne's County.  According to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, this program has resulted in the opening of 1,392 new businesses and the creation of 5,574 new jobs.

One of the successful downtown Block Parties on West Water St.

"Paint the Town Pink" Breast Cancer Awareness Event

This effort was started in 2009, with the creation of "Centreville Alive!", a downtown business association.  Centreville Alive (www.centrevillealive.org), has sponsored many annual activities, including a summer time block party, "Paint the Town Pink" events, Fall Festivals, Christmas Tree decorating on Lawyer's Row, and "A Taste of Centreville".

Kara Snyder, President of Centreville Alive, along with Centreville Alive Board Member Gene Magary present a $4000.00 check to the Town Council to help defer costs for the annual 4th of July Fireworks

This designation will enable the town to be eligible for special state grants for economic revitalization.  We will also hire a Main Street Manager who will be responsible for economic redevelopment, attracting new businesses to town, and coordinating town & business activities.

"Strong main streets with thriving business districts and neighborhoods are the foundation for healthy, sustainable communities," said Governor Martin O’Malley. "These three towns will be great additions to the Main Street Maryland program due to their strong commitment to downtown revitalization, and they will surely serve as great examples of Smart, Green & Growing communities."

"I’m happy to welcome Centreville, Ocean City and Sykesville to the Main Street Maryland program," said Maryland DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner. "With public and private investment in our traditional commercial districts, we can enable entrepreneurship and job creation in these communities. The Main Street Maryland program has a proven track record of using precious state resources to support local strategies and expertise as well as leveraging community resources to create a better future for our cities and towns."

The Town Council looks forward to it's continued commitment to the economic revitalization of Downtown Centreville, and the entire commercial district.

Northbrook Traffic Signal now working!

The Signal Switch

At about 10:45am this morning, the Northbrook Traffic Signal was turned on to 'flash' mode.  The Town Council had a 'lighting countdown' this morning, assisted by several Northbrook residents, local Law Enforcement Officers, representatives from SHA, and the Northbrook Developer Tom Sperl. 

A worker adjusts the traffic light

After almost 10 years of waiting, this morning it went live!  The contractor took just over 2 months to install the light, exactly on schedule.  There were some final adjustments that needed to happen this morning, but other than that, everything functioned as expected.

The "Brain" of the traffic signal

Centreville Town Council with local Law Enforcement Officers (from L to R): Frank Ogens, Vice President, Centreville Town Council, Major Williams, QAC Sheriffs Department, Tim McCluskey, President, Centreville Town Council, Lt. Duane Boardman, Maryland State Police, Chief Charles Rhodes, Centreville Police Department, George "Smokey" Sigler, Member, Centreville Town Council

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...0...

 

 

It works!

According to the SHA, the signal will 'flash' for approximately 72 hours, at which time, it will become a fully operational traffic signal.  It is our hope that the signal will make traveling this section of Rte. 213 & the entrance/exit to Northbrook and Spaniard Neck Road safer for everyone.

New Town of Centreville Website

The new Town of Centreville Web Site

The Town of Centreville has recently unveiled an all new website.  As another upgrade to our focus on communication with our residents, the town enlisted Corsica Technologies, a local business, to build out our new site. 

New features include a town-wide business directory, a planning & zoning page with lots of information to make the permitting process easier.  Agendas and meeting minutes are also prominently featured, as well as an interactive calendar function.

Along with our newsletter, and email communication tool, this new website should provide our citizens with ample ways to communicate with the town.  While a considerable amount of time and effort went into upgrading the site, it is a work in progress, and we anticipate additional features will be incorporated as time goes on.

Check it out: http://www.townofcentreville.org

Christmas Parade Winners 2011

On Friday, December 2nd, the Town of Centreville held our annual Christmas Parade.  I believe this is the largest parade on the Eastern Shore, and this year, we had over 100 groups!  The parade theme this year was "Toys For Tots!"

The groups and observers were very generous, donating hundreds of toys to the program.


At our January Town Council Meeting, we handed out trophies to the winning floats/groups.  This always seems to be our most popular (and crowded) meeting.

We had 2 categories of awards for the parade:
"Keeping with the Theme"   and
"Most Original"

Third Place: "Keeping with the Theme": Farm to Market 4H Livestock Club

First Place: "Keeping with the Theme": Cub Scout Pack 496

Third Place: "Most Original": Brownie Troop 1271

First Place: "Most Original": Gunston Day School

Gunston Day School also won the Overall Most Original Trophy.  Great Job everyone!

This was also the third year that Lawyers Row was decorated with Christmas Trees by local groups.  We gave out awards for these as well:

First Place Winner: Girl Scout Troop 419

Totland pre-school decorated 3 trees this year.  They won second and third place

Totland receiving their second place trophy!  The young man accepting the award is no other than the son of Goodwill Fire Company Chief Nathan Powell.  Great Job.

Day Care Inc., received an honorable mention certificate for their tree decorating.

Girl Scout Troop 487 also received an honorable mention certificate for their tree decorating.

Kent School received an honorable mention certificate for their tree decorating.