Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville
What better way to celebrate Juneteenth and Delmarva Pride in Easton than to capture the Maryland Spirituals Initiative Gospel concert under the masterful leadership of choral director Leroy Potter at the Avalon last night? The Spy caught this remarkable performance at the Avalon last night and documented the early set up of dozens of booths for Pride Day and the always popular Academy Art Museum day of festivities.
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The Town of Easton Planning Commission convened on Wednesday afternoon to discuss ongoing development projects and address concerns raised by community members. And the first part of the meeting focused on the Poplar Hill Farm development application.The Poplar Hill development has been a subject of considerable public debate and scrutiny among various stakeholders recently.
Ryan Showalter, representing the Poplar Hill developer’s LLC, appeared before the commission to request a continuance to allow his client further evaluation and incorporate feedback received from the planning commission, the parks board, and the general public over the last few month.
During the meeting, commission members expressed the importance of addressing key issues raised by the community, such as water quality, critical area regulations, and the potential impact on the Tred Avon watershed.
In response, Showalter clarified that the regulations did not necessarily preclude all development in an impaired watershed. He emphasized the need to carefully evaluate the project’s potential impact and make modifications to address public concerns and suggestions effectively.
The commission acknowledged the importance of considering recommendations from respected environmental groups, such as the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, regarding development in the area. The need for coordination between the state’s regulations, the critical area commission, and local environmental groups was also emphasized.
Discussion also turned to the concept of an adequate public facilities ordinance (APFO). Commissioners discussed the possibility of adopting an APFO to ensure that development projects meet specific criteria related to traffic, school capacity, water, and sewer infrastructure. While the town currently operates under similar policies, the adoption of an APFO would provide a formal framework for assessing development projects and their impact on public facilities.
Ultimately, the commission approved a continuance for the Poplar Hill Farm application. The next planning commission meeting in August will provide time to revisit those revised plans and potential modifications.
The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.
by The Spy
While it was it was a sheer conscience that the Spy’s columnists Al Sikes (former FCC Chair under George H.W. Bush) and Hugh Panero (former CEO and founder of XM radio) would submit for publication their thoughts on the impact of artificial intelligence on the same Monday that we were planning to run Jim Dissette’s interview with Washington College Writing Center director Sean Meehan.
Nonetheless, this kind of serendipity could only have happened at a time when the country and, indeed, the world are starting to come to terms with the serious technologicsal transformation AI will bring to society and its institutions.
One example is the Spy itself where the use of AI has already made its way into the daily life of editors and writers. From simple research tasks and word grammar tools, to now using AI’s power to consume pages of government meeting transcripts into digestible, unbiased summaries can only lead to a more informed public.
The Spy will leave it to such powerhouse columnists of Al and Hugh and local education leaders like Sean to help our readers absorb AI’s full potential and risk for our culture and our future.
We encourage and welcome Spy readers to share their thoughts on all three of these commentaries here.
Artificial Intelligence: Does It Blow Up the World? By Al Sikes
AI in the Classroom: A Chat with Washington College Writing Director Sean Meehan
Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for You? By Hugh Panero
The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.
The Spy’s Al From and Craig Fuller will be joining State Circle reporter Jeff Salkin this evening at 7 pm to share their political insights on national and state issues.
State Circle, Maryland Public Television is its long-running public affairs program dedicated to Maryland government and politics, celebrates its 40th anniversary this month. The show made its debut on MPT on January 8, 1982.
Spy readers can watch a live stream of the program here.
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One of Spy’s favorites Maryland writers (and Mid-Shore native) Lydia Woolever takes on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in the current issue of Baltimore Magazine. In Lydia’s essay, she makes a compelling case that the Bay is not only critical to the state’s identity but extends beyond Maryland’s borders, impacting the surrounding states and the entire region.
Read it here.
The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.
In a world where human beings are inherently social creatures, the value of community and social interaction cannot be overstated. The power of companionship and engagement becomes even more evident as we age, and the consequences of isolation can be profound. That is the Spy’s reason for checking in with Irma Toce, The CEO of Londonderry on the Tred Avon, as part of our ongoing”Ask Irma” series.
This video is approximately 3 minutes in length. For more information about Londonderry on the Tred Avon please go here.
The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.
