Middletown, Del. is a mess, dominated by strip shopping centers, housing developments, medical facilities—and monstrous warehouses and distribution centers owned, for example, by Amazon. Once rich farmland is covered by impervious structures.

Progress? We consumers benefit from next-day delivery. We are happy. We care little about the impact of these highly visible buildings on the environment. We want what we buy online as soon as possible.

Kent County, Md., a lovely agricultural jurisdiction, may be the next victim of this peculiar form of commercial growth. Height and setback restrictions might suffer from the rush to feed the beast and deface the environment.

As a 44-year resident of Easton and Talbot County, I often marveled at Kent County ‘s uncanny ability to oppose successfully big box stores and huge wind turbines. Its fruitful stubbornness characterized this rural county, the least populated in Maryland. It refused to scar its beauty despite financial temptation.

Criticism of its anti-development isolation has seemed irrelevant to its outspoken residents.

Pressure will build quickly for county leaders and planners to approve huge distribution centers and warehouses. Accusations of blatant parochialism will abound. Loss of potential tax income and employment will mark the proponents’ arguments during public hearings.

Last summer, my wife and I visited the scenic Poconos in Pennsylvania. The rural ambience was infectious. Tree cover, pristine streams  and clean air characterized the landscape. Then, we saw extremely large structures that served one purpose: logistical aids in the form of distribution centers and warehouses. Trucks and traffic would follow, as would a preponderance of impervious surfaces.

The future seemed settled in the popular Poconos.

Depressed areas, such as Hazelton, Pa., once dependent on coal, might benefit from increased employment opportunities. The implied bargain between progress and economic development and environmental sustainability would likely and regrettably tilt toward financial gain.

In adjacent Lehigh Valley, recent years have seen the construction of 29 million square feet and addition of 30,000 jobs. Discontent over the loss of farmland, impact on lakes and rivers and general appearance of huge warehouses for local manufacturers and monstrous distribution centers has proved powerless.

Its proximity to New York City and the growth of e-commerce have enhanced economic development in the Lehigh Valley cities of Bethlehem, Allentown and Easton. A pro-business culture contributes to the growth of warehouses and distribution centers.

My concern is simple: where is the balance between economic development and farmland preservation?

Where is the breaking point? I trust that question is foremost in the minds of Kent County decision-makers.

I support the opponents of the monstrous structures that will destroy the agricultural beauty of Kent County with its rich, fertile land. Discussion must be vibrant. Industry representatives must understand—perhaps counterintuitively—the inherent damage that surely will occur and try to minimize it with structures that fit the scale of a lovely county that has escaped so far woeful urbanization.

Kent County residents are well aware of the uncontrolled growth so prevalent in Middleton, Del.  Its ugliness is inescapable. It is a role model for chaotic development and a distressing quality of life.

Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. After 44 years in Easton, Howard and his wife, Liz, moved in November 2020 to Annapolis, where they live with Toby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has no regal bearing, just a mellow, enticing disposition.

The death Thursday of Jim Brown, whose running talent and statistics were incomparable for years after his retirement from the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns, prompts a flashback.

The sport was lacrosse. He was playing in an all-star game at Johns Hopkins’ Homewood Field. At age 12, I had watched innumerable college games. Never before or since have I watched a better athlete. He was unstoppable.

Brown scored five goals. He ran around and through opponents. Stick checks just bounced off his powerful arms. He faced the best that college lacrosse could produce. Yet, he stood out.

I followed his pro football career. He was an offensive force that few teams could match. His speed and power became redundant on NFL highlight films.

One last comment: I thought he was a compelling movie actor, particularly in the heralded World War II film, “The Dirty Dozen.” Though not a drama school-trained actor, he impressed me with his cinematic ability. Critics might disagree.

Jim Brown lived to 87. He led a life filled with athletic excellence and acting credentials. His civil rights activism was notable.

I will never forget his exploits on a legendary lacrosse field in Baltimore.

Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. After 44 years in Easton, Howard and his wife, Liz, moved in November 2020 to Annapolis, where they live with Toby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has no regal bearing, just a mellow, enticing disposition.

In June 2018, when Temple B’Nai Israel in Easton was dedicated, Maryland’s senior U.S. Senator, Ben Cardin, spoke. He told a funny story that might be applicable to Jewish houses of workshop—but probably more universal.

Cardin was a young and successful state delegate when he attended with his father, a Baltimore judge, a tense meeting of the membership of their synagogue. As the discussion became heated, the young Cardin told his wise father that he was going to stand up to seek resolution of the conflict. His father immediately told him to stifle his conciliatory impulse, saying “This is much more difficult than disputes in the Maryland House of Delegates. “ 

Ben listened to his dad.

Sen. Cardin then suggested at the brand-new sanctuary, “I’m sure that no such discussions happened at B’Nai Israel.” The comment drew knowing laughter.

The youngest person at age 36 to become Maryland Speaker of the House, Cardin announced his resignation three weeks ago from the U.S. Senate after 58 years of public service. Now 79, he will not run for re-election in 2024. Maryland will lose a true, squeaky -clean and intelligent politician who rarely sought publicity.

My family has known and liked him for nearly six decades. He is one of the best in our nation’s capital, as he was in Annapolis.

I recall that when he was the House Speaker in Annapolis, he was incredibly effective. Gov. Harry Hughes was willing to leave policymaking to the General Assembly. Cardin picked up the gauntlet and acted aggressively on property tax system, the educational funding formula and higher ethical standards.

Exceedingly difficult issues.

What caught my attention was Cardin’s inclination to punish Democratic legislators whose votes he needed at critical moments but were not delivered. Though not much discussed, punishment is commonplace in legislations, as renegade legislators find themselves moved to committees that may not have been to their liking. 

Independence has a cost in politics. Ironically, Cardin took positions in Congress opposed by Democratic administrations, without suffering any political damage. He understood well the intricacies of foreign policy issues.

Cardin’s toughness was disguised by his savvy political instincts, his outstanding constituent service and his civility. His staff has always been outstanding. Turnover has been minimal.

Some years ago, I wrote him a letter critical of his vote against the Iranian Nuclear Treaty negotiated by the Obama Administration. In my opinion, he catered to his Jewish constituents and donors by opposing a landmark foreign policy initiative that I thought was necessary to add a smidgeon of calm in the explosive Mideast.

My letter was a bit snippy. In response, he wrote me a personal letter that fully explained his position. His foreign policy credentials were impeccable.

Known for being serious and cerebral, Cardin has a pleasing sense of humor, as I noted earlier in this essay. At a fundraiser some years ago in Talbot County hosted by a couple he knew and liked, Cardin referred kiddingly to conversations with these loyal, generous Democrats, ones in which the couple rarely agreed. He earned some laughs.

As opposed to focusing on Ben Cardin’s legislative expertise, something justifiably touted in post-retirement announcements, I have opted to provide personal insights into a wonderfully decent person and well-respected  public servant. We can easily ignore the human side of politicians often viewed solely on the political stage.

Cardin’s departure leaves a much sought-after position in Maryland politics. Several Democrats have expressed interest in succeeding Sen. Cardin. I have no choice at the moment. I will seek more than raw ambition and unrealistic promises.

Cardin has 20 months left to serve in the U.S. Senate. While abandoning any worry about re-election fundraising and constant campaigning, he will continue to support Marylanders in his resolute, rational and wise manner.

In his announcement, he opined there was more to life than politics. He’s right. And sensible, as usual.

Columnist Howard Freedlander retired in 2011 as Deputy State Treasurer of the State of Maryland. Previously, he was the executive officer of the Maryland National Guard. He also served as community editor for Chesapeake Publishing, lastly at the Queen Anne’s Record-Observer. After 44 years in Easton, Howard and his wife, Liz, moved in November 2020 to Annapolis, where they live with Toby, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who has no regal bearing, just a mellow, enticing disposition.