CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
February 11, 2019
Dear Readers:
I am attaching my unofficial meeting notes from last evening’s City Council meeting along with a report on the February meeting of Planning and Zoning that Judd Vickers prepared.
The City Council meeting went smoothly and quickly with mostly unanimous decisions.
I hope this is helpful for you.
-Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
February 1, 2019
Dear Readers:
This past Monday a friend, who is the Executive Director of the National PTA, came and made a presentation to a board that I am on about the basic responsibilities of Non-Profit Boards. As I know many of you are volunteering in one way or another on church, Non-Profit, and other company, I thought that I would share with you the handouts that he provided.
It was an excellent training that gave me much to think about with regard to my responsibilities as a board member.
I hope that you find these helpful.
– Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
January 28, 2019
Dear Readers:
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
January 4, 2019
Dear Readers:
Last evening I attended the first of several anticipated school board meetings regarding the budget for the Dorchester County Public Schools. When the meeting began, aside from the board, the Superintendent, and staff, there were three people from the public including me. One person did not speak, and the other person was Glen Payne, a former member of the school board.
While I had no information regarding the proposed budget upon which to comment, I was given the opportunity to speak on the issues of concern that I had based on my past experience and what I have observed over the years since we moved here.
The attached letter to the editor that went to the Banner on Wednesday summarizes my concerns. The board chair was appreciative of my comments and asked that I come to the county council meetings when the school budget is presented to them.
Later in the meeting I learned that Mr. Bramble,who is the board chair, and Mr. Rice, a board member, will be meeting with the school finance/budget director and staff next Thursday to start discussions on the details of the budget. They asked that any of the board members be in touch with them regarding any issues or concerns that they might have with regard to the budget.
As I, Mr. Payne, and Shay Lewis-Sisco were the only citizens who discussed our concerns about the budget, I would ask that you email Mr. Bramble and Mr. Rice prior to next Thursday about your concerns and interests in funding priorities for the school system. Understanding that you do not know what the budget may look like, I hope that your comments will parallel the concerns that Steve Heyneman and I raise in the above mentioned letter, or express your own personal concerns.
The email addresses for Mr. Bramble and Mr. Rice are as follows:
brambleg@dcpsmd.org and ricep@dcpsmd.org
Without community engagement at a greater level than I saw last evening, I am concerned that the budget for the coming school year will not focus on what the community believes are the priorities.
Thanks for anything that you might be willing to do.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
January 3, 2019
Dear Cambridge Matters Readers:
Below is a link to a short survey that we have put together to obtain more feedback from the community about how Chesapeake College could best use the Cambridge Center and also collaborate with the community, local non profits, and other groups to support its mission and the educational interests of people on the Eastern Shore. I previously sent out an email that told you about the work that the college and an advisory group of the business community, the school system, and the community at large are doing that will finish its work in February and make recommendations to the college.
The survey can be done quickly. It is important that as many people as possible participate in order that we can know the interests of the community and find out how best to serve it. There is space provided in the survey for you to give us your ideas on what you think and also for you to offer yourself in the event you might be a resource to the college.
Here is the link: Chesapeake College Cambridge Center Questionnaire or https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HHJ52KN
It would be most helpful if you could fill this out by January 21st.
Thanks for your interest and willingness to help.
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
December 11, 2018
Dear Readers:
I just received a notice about the Frederick Douglass Cambridge Walking Tour.
Here is a link to the event provided by the Dorchester County Visitor Center
https://visitdorchester.org/events/walking-tour-of-frederick-douglass-in-cambridge/
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
December 10, 2018
Dear Readers:
Attached are my unofficial notes of what happened at last nights closed meetings and our regular public one. As the next regularly scheduled meeting would be on Christmas Eve, I know that will not be happening. There is a meeting scheduled for next Monday the 17th but I do not expect it will be more than what I mention in the attached report.
Best wishes to you as we wind down 2018, and I look forward to keeping you up to date on what will be happening in Cambridge in the New Year.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season to you all.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
December 7, 2018
Dear Readers:
As part of my work with Chesapeake College and their effort to increase the use of the Cambridge Center, I have received the attached announcement for a course on learning Spanish that will occur in February. While there are some job specific courses, the attached also indicates that there is a course on a basic course that helps us learn to speak it.
I thought that you or someone you know might be interested.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
November 28, 2018
Dear Readers:
Every once in a while I take a look at some aspect of our community and write about it. Some time ago it was about how we are doing as a small town in America.
What is attached is some information about how well we are doing in the county and in the City of Cambridge with regard to kindergarten readiness. The difference between the readiness of kindergarten students arriving at schools in the county and those in the city is striking. I am also attaching a power point presentation that was provided to the school board this past April about the 2017 results for Dorchester children arriving at kindergarten.
I welcome your thoughts about the above. Please share this with whomever you wish. We need to do more sooner to help our school system improve.
Thanks for reading.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
November 26, 2018
Dear Readers:
Here is my report on the City Council Meeting of November 26th including two matters that were taken up in closed session and reported out at our public meeting. The normal City Council Meeting was very short this time with most of the items approved quickly and unanimously. The longer meetings were the two closed meetings that were held as well.
In addition to the Cambridge Matters Report, I am also attaching the Administrative Standard Operating Procedure (ASOP) #46 that was passed and about which it is important for all of us to be aware.
I hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving and will have a blessed Christmas Season as well.
Until next time.
Steve