Cecil Whig Editorial: Elkton Fighting for its Future

As Elkton continues it decades long effort to revitalize what the Cecil Whig characterizes as a once bustling “’bygone’ Main Street,” that “seems deserted most days,” an editorial in the paper notes that what is most needed is “town leadership willing to make unpopular choices — men and women willing to take a risk towards making real, immediate change.”    This column came about following a discussion at a town workshop about the need to do something about “the vacant or blighted buildings dotting the town.”  The decline is multifaceted but in particular the impact of county government moving out of town and the economic collapse of the past five years are sources of the problem, the Whig wrote.

Commissioner Charles Hicks, taking note of conditions around the municipality, urged his colleagues to not worry about a “popularity contest” and make decisions that protect the community.  “Something needs to be done. I think it’s about time.”  The Whig agreed, saying that the paper hopes his passion is a sign of things to come.

The status of Elkton’s attempt to reinvigorate Main Street and improve the central business district has been the subject of in-depth reporting and editorials periodically for a long time now.  Seven years ago, the editor said something similar in an opinion piece titled “County Seat Due a Major Overhaul.”  Here’s part of what they said in that old column.  “Elkton continues to have a problem with abandoned building sites . . . that hamper efforts to revitalize the town.  . . County government officials are working on a plan for relocating some county offices.  It’s a shame some of the abandoned building properties in Elkton cannot be utilized for future county government office sites.

 

June Meeting of Elkton Historic and Architectural Review Committee Cancelled

The Historic and Architectural Review Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, 2012 has been cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.  The meeting will be rescheduled for early July, the Town of Elkton announced.  We’ll update readers once a new date is announced.

A non-profit affordable housing group was on the agenda to discuss plans for the old 1870s Cecil County Jail. Click here for more information on that project.

Affordable Housing Group to Present Plans for 140 Year Old Jail in Downtown Elkton

A non-profit affordable housing group, the Home Partnership, Inc., is interested in purchasing the old 1870s Cecil County Jail from the county for $400,000.  The developer want to transform the building into 50 affordable apartments for seniors in downtown Elkton, the Cecl Whig recently reported.A reprsentative of the affordable housing group will appear before the town’s Historic District Review Board on June 27th at 6: p.m., to discuss concept plans for the 1.12 acre pracel.  This regulatory zoning board is charged with protecting Elkton’s architectural and cultural resources.  At that time, the developer will probably present his plans for developing the 50 apartment unit structure at 214 North Street.

When it was built in 1871, the sheriff’s home and jail was hailed as a state-of-the-art monument to law and order, a credit to the county. Considering that it replaced “a so-called jail” where notorious types were “chained to the floor,” it probably wasn’t hard to make that claim.  For those who ran afoul of the law there were 20 cells at the new prison, surely enough to “accommodate any demand that Cecil county culprits,” could place on it, said the Whig.  Sheriff Thomas, the first official to turn the key and swing open the wide heavy grated iron door, let in his “house guests.”

In the years to come, those cells would have their own stories to tell and the jailhouse walls would stand as silent witnesses to more than a few tragic scenes.  Out in the old jail yard, more than one man would draw his final breath while at the end of the hangman’s noose.   One early spring day in 1912, as the county felt the first tentative nudge of the approaching season’s warmth, a cold-blooded shooting in the outer yard snuffed out the young life of a Cecil County Sheriff. The incident took place when Sheriff J. Myron Miller attempted to take a pistol away from a trustee who had refused to obey an order.

Somehow the place managed to outlive its usefulness to the county in a mere 128 years, so a modern detention center started sprouting out of a corn field at the edge of town early in the 1980s. Then in January 1984, in a secret nighttime operation, Sheriff John F. DeWitt moved inmates from the jail to Landing Lane.

One era had ended but another one might be getting underway for a structure that has been on the market since 2009.  The Elkton Historic and Architectural Review Board will get to weigh in on this matter at its public meeting in June.

Elkton Prepares to Celebrate 225th Anniversary

Elkton is preparing to celebrate its 225th anniversary in a few weeks, according to signs that sprouted up around town.  The municipality, Town Commissioner and Elkton Alliance Director Mary Jo Jablonski reported at a recent council meeting, was established on May 25, 1787.  To mark this important milestone in the annals of the community, the Alliance, the county seat’s revitalization authority, is hosting a number of activities.  These include a downtown classic car show, national marriage day, a 5K run & old fashion street dance, and Memorial Day parade, the elected official reported. For more information contact the Elkton Alliance at 410-398-5076 or www.elktonalliance.org.

It seems just a short time ago that the county seat, a place that always found its history important, was observing the 200^th anniversary.   For that big celebration, there were publications detailing the history of the old colonial town, lectures, a reenactment of the charter signing, a theatrically inspired performance portraying an early town meetings, special postal cancellations, and lots of other heritage products.  Of course, the typical community festivities filled the calendar too, including a big parade and popular downtown festival.

One of the highlights we fondly recall was a program that brought history to life.  Mayor James Crouse and the commissioners skillfully played the role of those early founding officials.  Complete with council members in colonial garb, and motions and votes from the era,  some engaging theatrics filled the old original chamber hall, as the public enjoyed the performance.  Mayor Crouse, played his part well, bantering with the crowd.  Other commissioners fell right in line with the show as if they were regular performers on stage, joking with the town bailiff, newspaper reporters and the audience.

These are great life-time memories to be made as a community honors it roots and its heritage.  We have some video tape of that day (especially the reenactment) so perhaps we’ll digitize some of it to share with readers.  Those publications that explored Elkton’s history are also something we keep nearby on a shelf for frequent consultation as questions come up.  Mrs. Dorothy Robinson, Mrs. Eva Muse and others spent lots of time digging up stories about Elkton’s past and getting it into print.  And there were Mrs. Robinson’s informative lectures on town history.

And now we near another anniversary, a moment in time to be proudly recalled for decades, as the Elkton Alliance prepares to celebrate the 225^th anniversary of the founding of a historic town and honor its roots.

Erica Jesonis and Cecil County Public LIbrary Receives Prestigious “Mover and Shaker” Award From Library Journal Magazine

Erica Jesonis, Web Manager and Graphic Designer at the Cecil County Public Library has been named a “Mover and Shaker” in the library industry by the national publication, Library Journal.

In its March 15, 2012 issue, Library Journal named 53 outstanding professionals committed to providing excellent service to meet the needs of the people they serve.

Library Journal honored Erica Jesonis, Web Manager and Graphic Designer at Cecil County Public Library in Elkton, MD. She was selected because of her commitment to the profession and her innovative approach to the management of the library’s comprehensive website, blog and advocacy efforts.

When Salem Press awarded its 2011 Local Library Blog prize to the library, staffers there knew the credit should go to Jesonis as the driving force. In the last two years, Jesonis “has taken the website to new heights and made striking photography and graphic design an integral part of our marketing and publications,” says CCPL director Denise Davis. She was also responsible for the My Library, My Lifeline tree-inspired logo used as part of a successful postcard marketing campaign aimed at telling local officials how vital the system is to its community.

“Being recognized as a ‘Mover & Shaker’ indicates that, as a professional, one has the passion, dedication and desire to serve the public,” said Francine Fialkoff, Library Journal Editor-in-Chief.

A native of Cecil County, Ms. Jesonis graduated from Perryville High and attended the University of Delaware. She has worked at CCPL since 2006.

The 2012 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession’s leading trade magazine. Each of the Movers & Shakers will be prominently featured in the March 15th issue of Library Journal and celebrated at a special luncheon in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Anaheim, CA. The print feature’s companion website is sponsored by OCLC and available at http://www.libraryjournal.com/movers2012. The luncheon and awards ceremony is made possible by the support of sponsors, including ABC-CLIO, DEMCO, ProQuest, Reference USA, and Rosen Publishing.

Read more about new inductees at http://www.libraryjournal.com/movers2012.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY

The Cecil County Public Library operates seven branches located throughout Cecil

County, MD. The library serves over 50,000 registered borrowers. The mission of the Cecil County Public Library is to provide access to educational and cultural resources for all and to promote individual and community success.

About Library Journal

In its 136th year of publication, Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the library field. Considered to be the “bible” of the library world, LJ is read by more than 100,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries.

Video Documentarian Examines Historical Society and the County’s Heritage

Making A Difference, a video for a Cecil College photojournalism class, was produced by Robert Moreland.  In this production, the videographer takes a look at the Historical Society and the county’s heritage.  Thanks Robert.  We enjoyed watching this creative work.  It’s good to see a new generation starting to use new media to present the county’s story.  This is the future medium for sharing history and we hope to see much more of this work coming out of videographers.   We’d previously noted one you did that examined the development of the county.

The McCool Armory, Which Once Served as Community Recreation Center, Placed on Surplus List by State

This week the Cecil Guardian reported that the Maryland Military Department has placed the “armory in Elkton” on a surplus property list. This historic structure, one of only four on the National Register in the county seat, was built of light gray granite in 1915 as part of state’s expansion of the National Guard. It has a large drill hall and imitates a castle’s design with its two corner towers flanking the front and its flying buttresses. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and officially named the LTC James Victor McCool Armory by the State some years ago.

In addition to serving its protective role as the headquarters for the local company, it also served as a social center for the community with all types of public events being held in the hall. Since the Mayor and Commissioners of Elkton have been searching for property for a recreation center, this state-owned site with its large drill hall for the guard might fill the role. Such an action might also preserve a historic reserve as so many have been lost in Elkton.

Elkton Commissioner Jablonski Tells Cecil Whig Downtown Business Climate is Looking Up

2012 Paper Americana Show in Elkton Features Over 30 Collectibles Dealers

Singerly Fire Company of Elkton, MD. will present their 25th annual “Paper Americana Show” on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10 AM to 4 PM. The show will feature over thirty dealers from several states who are offering for sale antique books, postcards, newspapers, art prints, advertising & regional collectibles, photographs, and general ephemera.

The Singerly Fire Hall is located at 300 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD. near the intersection of Routes 213 and 279. From I-95 take exit # 109 (Route 279) interchange toward Elkton, approximately 3 miles on the right.

Admission is $3.00 per person ($2.00 with this ad) — children under 12 admitted free of charge. For additional information contact ayersj@zoominternet.net or call 410-398-7735 or 410-398-7300 during show hours.

Cecil County’s daily newspaper says Elkton’s deal with “Artesian was not a good one”

The editorial writers at the Cecil Whig offered their take on the nearly 60% increase in water rates Elkton residents are facing, in an opinion piece in Tuesday’s paper (Oct. 25, 2011).  The “gigantic increase” that came about after
the town signed a new contract with Artesian is “a pretty big pill to swallow, the
column stated.  The paper’s conclusion:  “What seems clear is that the agreement with Artesian was not a good one.   We wonder how carefully the town considered it before signing off.  It looks like water users think not carefully
enough, and we’re inclined to agree.”