Councilman Shoge Broaches Race and Place to Council

Published in Chestertown Spy | Daniel Menefee | February 21, 2014

Ward 3 Councilman Sam Shoge says Chestertown’s elected officials need to connect with the black community — and not just when they’re stumping for votes.

“When it comes to their voice and opinions, it only matters come election time,” Shoge said at Monday’s council meeting. “When I was campaigning in Ward 3 that’s something that came up quite a lot. These are the sentiments that I heard a lot…that the town council only comes to their area, [and] only comes knocking on their door, come election time.”

Shoge suggested holding a council meeting at the BIG MIXX, a black-owned barber shop at Kent Plaza that serves as a community hub for Chestertown’s black community. He said the owner,  Jamie Barrett, is a social “staple” in the community and has operated a barber shop in various locations in town for nearly 20 years.

Barrett recently invested in renovations at his Kent Plaza shop after six years there, Shoge said.

“It’s something that will gain a lot of traction in the community by having one of our council meetings there,” Shoge said. “It’s a fantastic outreach opportunity.”

Ward 2 Councilman Marty Stetson vehemently objected and said it would set a “dangerous precedent.” He said it could bring pressure from other businesses like Dixon Valve and the Chester River Hospital to host meetings.

“The African American community is welcome here anytime on any issue, and this is where it should take place, right here in this town hall,” Stetson said. “Next thing you know we’ll be going to churches and schools…it’s not something I think we should start a precedent.”

Shoge responded that he didn’t think there would be a run on requests to host meetings at other locations because of one meeting at the BIG MIXX.

Ward 1 Councilwoman Liz Gross suggested a compromise — by changing the venue of a scheduled economic workshop for the C-1 District from Town Hall to the BIG MIXX on March 10. The council approved unanimously.

Mayor Chris Cerino acknowledged the issue of race and the lack of black participation at town meetings.

“Technically [Town Hall] is a welcoming environment for everybody in town, but look, there are no African-Americans in this building right now,” Cerino said. “Whatever is going on we need to think outside of the box.”

Cerino suggested that Shoge could host a Ward 3 meeting in Washington Park where the council could also attend.