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bluecrabgardencafe
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 20th, 2009 |
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| Posts: | 44 |
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Posted: Fri Sep 11th, 2009 02:57 am |
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Yes, as in most strapped small towns Crisfield has an undercurrent of gangs, drugs, alcoholism, that flows from poverty and educational deficiencies. Sure, point it out but better yet would be offering a solution that involves being a part of that solution. (i.e. request that the city council have the police chief offer a 15 minute gang educational seminar during a meeting). Just last month I had to testify in a case that involved a gang related assault I witnessed at 2:41pm on main street and the police officers of Crisfield did an extraordinary job in managing the case, collecting the evidence and providing their expertise.
Back to the Main Street Revitalization issue, I anticipate you will be seeing much more about it and would invite anyone interested to learn more about the 4 point approach and read about what happened to America's Main Streets (http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/about-main-street/getting-started/what-happened-to-main-street.html
It wasn't your local municipalities that caused the decay, nor the economy. It was essentially everyone working, the desire for overwhelming selection of goods in one store, our limited spare time, plus our ability to access interstates and the creation of the 'shopping mall' Downtowns eroded, jobs dried up and viable merchants moved out.
People will need to pass many other unique small towns to get to Crisfield; so what niche will Crisfield carve out to convince people its worth passing the others by?
My suggestion: Crisfield - The Last Frontier on the Eastern Shore
Do you have a suggestion? If so, join the upcoming main street meetings. Its every other Tuesday. Its not going to be easy, its not going to be over night, but it can happen if we all pitch in.
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Vavoom
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| Joined: | Wed Apr 8th, 2009 |
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Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 05:16 pm |
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| Crisfield could be a jewel again but first something has to be done about the gangs-yes,I said it.We all know they are here and if you deny it,you are naive.
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yarnycat
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| Joined: | Mon May 4th, 2009 |
| Location: | Crisfield |
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Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 02:24 am |
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Frank, I appreciate your concern for Crisfield. My family has been here for generations, and I also dearly loved the "old days." I also share your sadness at the current condition of the town. However, with all due respect, I have to disagree with your assessment of the causes and cure of our problems.
We did try to bolster the seafood and water-related industries. In fact, our current problems are primarily due to that very thing. We could not face the fact that the seafood industry was dying out, and we tried to bolster it far past the time that it was feasible. We all wish at times that things could stay the same, but that is a naive desire. Communities are like living organisms in that they must adapt and develop or face decline and death.
When it became apparent that seafood could no longer sustain the town, we should have adapted to the changing conditions and worked to bring in other industry or to capitalize on our beautiful natural resources to develop tourism--many Eastern Shore communities successfully did this. But we could not let go of the past to embrace a new way of life, so we foolishing worked to "preserve" a dying way of life--always a futile endeavor. Rather than working to keep "outsiders" on the outside, we should have worked to welcome new friends with new ideas.
Today our town finds itself in a sad state. Yet what makes me even sadder is the fact that we still have not learned our lessen. Our mayor and leaders are still the good ol' boys who are still dedicated to clinging to the old ways--no matter how dead and decayed they may be. Like you, I pray that more people will step up and work for a better future. But unlike you, I pray that these people will have better ideas than trying to go backwards. Unless you can restock the Bay with oysters and crabs, and cause the water levels to go back down, and cure the corruption that rules our city hall, your proposal is a recipe for disaster.
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coramarieparker
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Posted: Fri Aug 14th, 2009 01:10 am |
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I am truly saddened when I think about the many events which some boast as progress that have changed the face of Crisfield during the past 25 years since the outside world discovered the towns charm and simple way of life.
I become outraged at the greed exhibited by some who for years, only thinking of themselves, hoarded the towns prime real estate, allowing it to fall into disrepair, while waiting zealously ready sell to any outside interest who would only forever change it's unique way of life.
In short, for profit, a few well to do, crafty local individuals managed to destroy most of the real, unique and genuine attributes the town had which attracted tourists in the first place. Crisfield needed visitors spending dollars, not settlers having no local attachments coming from far away places to buy condominiums.
Crisfields elected one's would have better served all Crisfielders by bolstering all the towns, one of a kind, seafood processing and related water industries and not by allowing condos to be built on the waterfront. I' have never been attracted on interested in visiting any place because of the beauty or wonderment of its condos.
For years I blamed National Geographic's 1984 Documentary “Chesapeake Borne” for destroying Crisfield by bringing the world to its door. But today I blame the citizens who failed to get involved, run for office, or speak out at meetings and take control of their towns destiny.
During the 1980's I spent more than 100 weekends and many vacation weeks, staying in each of the towns motels, getting to know the people and loving and admiring all things that were Crisfield.
I subscribed to the The Crisfield Times when I wasn't around to buy my copy from Charlie, almost bought a wonderful old home on Somerset Avenue that was in need of some loving care after I applied to Charlie Bradshaw at the bank, enjoyed countless meals with the residents at The Plain & Fancy and The Circle Restruant, bought groceries at Douglas's Store and both Meatlands, frequently ending my days conversing with working watermen from Smith and Tangier Islands while enjoying the atmosphere at the old Captain's Galley or at Watermens Inn. I learned to love your people and wanted to one day be able to call Crisfiled my hometown. I never minded overhearing the word "Foreigner" when it was whispered because I knew the person saying it was only a friend I had yet to meet..
Since my mid 1990 visits, after seeing how Crisfield's choices had made it become just like 'Anywhere Else, USA", I have only returned on two occasions, and left having the same feelings in my stomach that I usually get when attending a dear friends wake.
My prayer is that all of those who think they truly love Crisfield as much as I did please come forward and get involved with all things that are going shape your hometowns future.
Last edited on Thu Aug 27th, 2009 02:31 am by coramarieparker
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Vavoom
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Posted: Wed Jun 24th, 2009 01:35 am |
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| Thanks BCC...I am not a resident of Crisfield proper,I just work there!BTW, I do not know if you are "come-here" or "from-here" but it is obvious that you care about the city and are making an effort to change things for the better-I salute you for it!
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bluecrabgardencafe
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 20th, 2009 |
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Posted: Mon Jun 22nd, 2009 09:04 pm |
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| Feel free then to attend the meeting so that your topic (littering) can be addressed. This issue has been brought up at the city council by Kim Lawson and he is correct that the issue is enforcement. Perhaps gettingthe local police department involved along with concerned citizens is the route to go. Last edited on Mon Jun 22nd, 2009 09:05 pm by bluecrabgardencafe
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Vavoom
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Posted: Sun Jun 21st, 2009 04:37 am |
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| It would be great to see Main Street brought back to life but something has got to be done about all the littering.Its a terrible blemish on a great town.
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bluecrabgardencafe
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Posted: Wed Jun 17th, 2009 09:45 am |
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First tuesday of the month at Blue crab garden cafe 6pm to 7pm.
Since the city is neither interested in total main street revitalization (requirement for designation) nor willing to fund the $300 main street 501c IRS application fee.... it was recently donated by someone who actually cares about revitalization! http://www.friendsofcrisfield.org is now moving forward independently.
Be a part of the solution! Join us July 7th, Blue Crab Garden Cafe 6pm - 7pm
agenda:
data collected discussed (surveys)
next steps after nonprofit status achieved (grant review/applications) for 2010
Partnership with Princess Anne Executive Director of Main Street (new person starting 7/1/09)
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Current time is 09:01 am | |
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