CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
November 13, 2018
Dear Readers:
Below please find my Cambridge Matters and one attachment mentioned about Bradford House. I hope they are helpful in understanding what City Council is doing on behalf of its citizens.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
October 26, 2018
Dear Readers:
I have just heard that there will be time for public comment at the meetings on October 29th and 30th. as described below. If there is a large group at either meeting, your time may be limited in order that as many comments as possible can be received.
I am not in charge of the meeting, so it might be helpful for those planning to say something organize your thoughts and get to the point that you want to make. Also, if someone has already made the point, multiple repeats of the same point may not be helpful.
I would like to see as many questions or comments as possible be provided so that staff can consider them in their process.
Remember that each meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. and both meetings are at City Council Chambers where there is limited capacity.
Steve
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CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
October 17, 2018
Dear Readers:
Below is some information that I just received today from Pat Escher about community meetings that are going to be held with regard to the proposed rezoning of the Sailwinds Property and the Mill Street School Property, code enforcement, and the Pine Street Project.
Please place these on your calendar and plan to attend, if possible, so that you can hear about the proposed changes and, hopefully, have an opportunity to ask some questions. There is a lot to learn, and it is important that the community be aware of all that is happening here in Cambridge.
Please feel free to share. See below.
Steve
Monday, October 29th, 6:00 pm at Council Chambers
Waterfront Properties – Explain the proposed Text Amendments to the Unified Development Code. The main change is to have the proposed development use the City’s Form Based Code as opposed to standard zoning. This will give the City and the developer more flexibility with their proposals.
Tuesday, October 30th, 6:00 pm at Council Chambers
Code Enforcement – Introduction of Susan Webb and an update on code enforcement in the City.
Pine Street Revitalization – Discuss what the City is doing in the Pine Street Area.
School House Property on Mill Street – Discuss a proposed Text Amendment that would allow the property to redevelop with a previously approved multi-family development. This amendment would apply only to the school property.
Patricia Escher, A.I.C.P., Division Manager
Division of Planning, Housing and Economic Development, D.P.W.
1025 Washington Street
Cambridge, Maryland, 21613
410-228-1955
pescher@choosecambridge.com
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
October 26, 2018
Dear Readers:
I have been asked to be the “Enrichment Programs” representative of the Cambridge Center Strategic Planning Work Group. Over the next 3 months or so, the Work Group will meet to discuss possibilities for the Cambridge Center. The college provided me with the following as an explanation of what they are hoping to learn with regard to how the Cambridge Center might become more engaged in the life of Cambridge and Dorchester County residents.
The College defines enrichment programs as those outside of credit and workforce training initiatives and provides opportunities for lifelong learning. These can include everything from Oil Painting, Introduction to Meditation, Computer Confidence to Cake Decorating. Currently we offer very few of these classes at the Cambridge Center. And, as the population is changing in Dorchester County we want to explore if there is role for the College to provide these type of classes. These offerings are considered educational and a part of the College’s mission. We have a very robust offering of enrichment classes on the Wye Mills campus. Bottom line, should we be doing more of these in Dorchester County.
The Work Group would determine if there is a need and if so, what is it.
As I have this list of all of you who are interested in what is happening and could happen in Cambridge, I thought that I would reach out to you to hear your thoughts on the above and how we as residents of the city and county could be engaged or more engaged in the Cambridge Center and what that engagement might look like with regard to “Enrichment Programs”.
I certainly do not have all or, at this point, any of the answers but thought that you might. If you are silent, then the answer may well be that the Cambridge Center is not a place for Chesapeake College to spend its resources for “Enrichment Programs”. However, If you have ideas, please share them.
For those of you who are involved with other organizations including nonprofits, how do you see you or your organization being able to partner with the Cambridge Center to support or engage in enrichment programs that could use their and our community resources and impact our community with a dream that you have had for years or have been trying to get started for years.
There are no stupid or impossible ideas. They may not happen now or even down the road; but if you do not share them, we know that they may never happen. What kind of class would you like to lead or take? Who do you know that has talked about wanting to learn something but never having the opportunity?
Years ago, the Court Service Unit that supported our court with programs submitted a grant proposal for a program they wanted to do for 7 years in a row and were turned down every year. In the 8th year, the Arlington County Virginia Court Service Unit asked if they could submit the grant proposal. Our group had given up on it and so agreed. That next year, the Arlington Court Service Unit was funded for the exact program that we had failed to get 7 years in a row.
Now may be your chance to let me know your dream. Let’s see if it happens.
You can respond to me alone; or, if you think you have a great idea about an enrichment program, respond to “all”. You will be letting over 200 people know about your idea. Maybe there are others who have that same dream to learn about what interests you, and you just did not know about them.
Thanks for your help. I look forward to hearing from you.
If you do respond, I may not have time to respond to each of you, but know that your idea and level of interest that others might express will be brought to the attention of the folks at the Cambridge Center.
Please share this with anyone you think might be interested in offering an idea or participating in an enrichment program.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
October 25, 2018
Dear Readers:
To clarify: The Council has not reinstituted the old speed cameras that were stopped here a few years ago.
The “speed camera” was not set up to catch and charge people with speeding. It is the display that shows how fast you are going and records it for the report and other reports that I have sent out. For instance one was done regarding High Street due to the complaints of neighbors about the speed of vehicles in the 100-200 blocks causing vibration damage to the homes in those blocks.
This one showed that of the many drivers on School Street a very very small number were actually speeding. That is good as it shows the community is complying with the law and is, apparently, concerned about the safety of people living on that street. You, of course, are free to drive on whatever street you choose.
There is no interest in reinstituting the speed cameras that cause tickets to be issued against the owner of the vehicle, and no such program has been put in place.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
October 23, 2018
Dear Readers:
While we had a short meeting last evening, there were a couple of matters of substance that needed more explanation. Rather than try to summarize them, I am attaching the Council reports for you to review if the topic interests you. I am also providing some other information that I was provided after the meeting
This is also a reminder that there will be public meetings on October 29th and 30th at city council chambers. These are not city council meetings but rather public information meetings about several important matters. On the 29th will be a presentation regarding the proposed rezoning of the Sailwinds property where staff will explain the reasoning behind it and what the plan entails. On the 30th will be a presentation about a proposal for the rezoning of the School Street property as well as information on what is happening with code enforcement and the Pine Street Revitalization Project.
Both meetings will start at 6:00 p.m. All of these matters are important to the economic health of Cambridge and the quality of life here, so please attend, if you are able. Seating is limited.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
September 28, 2018
Dear Readers:
In the event you had not heard this news, I received an email regarding some funding that the county received to support the rails to trails program that it is undertaking. Cindy Smith reports that
Dorchester County was awarded $220,700 in construction funds for the Cannery Park Rails to Trails project. The project will renovate 1/3 mile of an abandoned rail line to serve as a multi-modal path in Cambridge, Maryland. The project incorporates a renovated park space and restored stream, and brings to fruition one component of the multi-year planning and redevelopment effort of Cannery Park. The project will link to the Phillips Packing House redevelopment project and an envisioned county-wide 30-mile rail trail project. The effort has leveraged public and private investments.
Thank you Cindy for your efforts.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
September 24, 2018
Dear Readers:
Last evening Commissioner Hanson and I attended a presentation by the Maryland Department of Transportation regarding a study that they are undertaking to determine when/if another bridge should be built to cross the Bay and, if so, where.
Here is the link to the project website – http://www.baycrossingstudy.com/
No decisions have been made on the issue but some will be made later this year or early next year when public input will be sought.
I thought that you might be interested in the study, where it stands, and what might happen. No decisions have been made on where or if the bridge is to be built but the study is being done as it would have a significant cost and financial impact on wherever it would be located.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
September 24, 2018
Dear Readers:
Attached please find my unofficial report on the September 24th meeting of City Council. Much continues to happen here in Cambridge.
You did not miss my report for September 10th, as I did not prepare one. Bobbie and I went away for a short vacation later that week with friends, and I had too many other matters on my list of things to do.
It was a very short meeting with an even shorter agenda. I am attaching the proposed minutes of that meeting that were amended as explained in the attached report.
I hope these keep you up to date.
Steve
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
September 4, 2018
Dear Cambridge Matters Readers:
Kathy Foster forwarded to the mayor and commissioners the short email below along with the attached. I hope that you had a chance to board the ship when it was here in early August. All the best.
Steve
—–Original Message—–
Good Morning:
In case anyone missed it, attached is the thank you that was published in the Star Democrat last week.
Kathy
CAMBRIDGE MATTERS
By: Commissioner Steve Rideout
swrideout@aol.com
August 27, 2018
Dear Readers:
Attached is my unofficial report on our most recent City Council meeting. While there were not as many residents attending Monday night, the issues raised during the public comment portion of the meeting made it clear that more and more people are coming to understand the importance of civic engagement if we are going to continue on a positive trend here in Cambridge.
Late last week I sent out a Cambridge Matters email that talked about the new Police Athletic League that is coming to Cambridge and the need for volunteers. At our meeting on the 27th, City Council approved receiving the grant and placing $20,500 in the police budget. I am not aware if anyone has decided that he or she wants to volunteer in any way to support the children of this community, but no one has contacted me seeking information on where they might help. School is about to start and there are children in the Dorchester County Public Schools who are unable to read or have difficulty in reading, and you can be someone who can help them, if you will volunteer.
As I mentioned in that earlier email, go to the school website, find the “Let’s Talk” Icon, and provide information to someone in the school system who can find the right place for you to help.
Thanks for reading.
Steve