Whether Or Not The Groundhog Saw His Shadow - The Jewel Is Readying for Spring

While today is overcast and cold, the outlook for the rest of Winter does not appear to be gloomy. As you walk the streets and byways of the Jewel you will find hyacinths and daffodils in bloom.  However the true sign of Spring is the return of garden waste clean-up, so grab you i-pads, google calendar or more traditional versions of your daily planner and pay attention to the latest update from Annette Green, our Town Clerk.

"Yard waste will be collected by the Town of Betterton within Town limits for two reasons: first to provide a service to residents who would otherwise have no means of disposing of Yard waste safely and efficiently, and as a way to keep garden waste out of the regular trash collection cycle.  This reduces the weight of trash collected and therefore reduces the cost of tipping fees at the landfill.

Yard waste is defined as: leaves, grass clippings, small branches (not to exceed 3inches in diameter), and small plants. The collected waste will be taken to the Nicholson Transfer station to be mulched.  The mulch is available to all Kent County residents at the Nicholson Transfer Station.  No plastics or other non-mulchable materials will be accepted.

The following is the criteria for garden waste collection.  Any waste not conforming to the following specifications will not be collected and is the responsibility of the property owner to remove and dispose.

Yard waste will be collected on the March12, 2012; and then the second and fourth Mondays of April and ending the fourth Monday in October,with the exceptions of July and August where pick up will only be on the second Monday.  A pick-up of live Christmas trees will be scheduled for the second week in January. This collection will be advertised inthe quarterly Town Newsletter. 

Leaves, grass clippings, and small plant matter must be bagged and the bags can not contain any other materials (no plastic flower pots, plastic bags,paper bags, ribbons or bows). Not more than four (4) bags will be collected at each property bi-weekly; and a bag is not to exceed 30 lbs in weight.

No tree roots, sand, stones or plastic will be accepted.

Tree branches no larger than 3 inches in diameter and 4 feet in length will be collected.  All branches must be stacked neatly and the stack can not exceed 3 feet in height.  Any stacks of branches or limbs exceeding this limit will be the responsibility of the property owner to remove."

When one thinks Spring, visions of flowers, emerging fields of grain and of course weddings come to mind.  This past week marks the signing by Governor O'Malley of the Gay Marriage Act.  Just prior to signing this legislation into law the Governor was quoted as saying  "for a free and diverse people, for a people of many faiths, for a people committed to the principle of religious freedom, the way forward is always found for the greater respect of the equal rights of all, for the human dignity of all."

To all the Bettertonians who too believe in liberty and justice for all, thanks for writing our local legislators and encouraging them to stand up for all of their constituents and not their party line.  Sadly, none of our local State representatives had the bravery and courage to do so.

In a recent interview on "Talk of the Nation" a member of Maryland's Black clergy, Reverend Delman Coates spoke on his view of gay marriage. He is the senior pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland. Specifically the Reverend said "I've been able to support the Civil Marriage Protection Act because I believe that it's critically important in a pluralistic democracy that we don't use theology as a basis for public policy.

And so I believe - while there are well-intentioned people on all sides of this question, I think that it's a dangerous public-policy precedent to use one's subjective and personal theology as a basis for determining whether all citizens, and in this instance the residents of the state of Maryland, deserve the same basic civil liberties."  For more of his comments as well as those that continue to stifle this liberty, check out Talk of the Nation.

Who knows if all goes well in 2013, Betterton could be the site for the first Gay Marriage in Kent County.

Perhaps Delegates Hershey, Jacobs and Smigiel along with Senator Pipkin could learn from Pastor Coates.  Wouldn't it be great if Betterton's UMC hosted Pastor Coates for an evening's presentation?  Let's hear your thoughts in a post below.

Gay Marriage Bill (HB 438) Passes the House

A big thanks to all those "Jewel" blog readers who wrote their delegates to support HB 438.  Unfortunately our local delegates, once again, demonstrated their lack of respect and inclusion for all their constituents regardless of race, color, religion and or sexual orientation.  This bill passed because of your efforts as well as across the aisle compromise within the Maryland House of Delegates, sans Jacobs, Smigiel and Hershey, and will move to the Senate and then to the Governor's desk. It is expected that opponents such as Delegates Jacobs, Smigiel and Hershey will attempt to derail this proposed legislation with a public referendum this coming election day. With its proposed implementation in January 2013, Maryland will be able to stand proud and strong as a state that respects all its residents and for this reason shall reap the benefits of more jobs, tourism and money in our State coffers.

Your Voice Makes a Difference

The time has come to grab your tablets, smartphones or one of many beautiful Betterton note cards and tell our State House Delegates to vote yes on HB 438. This past Friday, HB 438, Maryland’s bill to achieve marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples, had a hearing in the House Judiciary and Health & Government Operations Committees. It is expected that the full House of Delegates will be considering this bill very shortly, so your comments are needed ASAP.

Why do gay and lesbian couples want to get married?
Marriage matters to gay people in similar ways that it matters to everyone. Gay and lesbian couples want to get married to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love and to protect their families. Marriage says, “We are family” in a way that no other word does. Marriage is one of the few times where people make a public promise of love and responsibility for each other and ask our friends and family to hold us accountable.
Gay and lesbian couples may seem different from straight couples, but we share similar values - like the importance of family and helping out our neighbors; worries - like making ends meet or the possibility of losing a job; and hopes and dreams - like finding that special someone to grow old with, and standing in front of friends and family to make a lifetime commitment.

Does this change the definition of marriage?
No. Allowing committed gay and lesbian couples to get married does not change the meaning of marriage. It simply allows same-sex couples to marry the person they love, to establish and protect a family, and to make a lifetime commitment in the same way other couples are able to.





What defines a marriage is love and commitment, and the ability to protect your family.
It’s as basic as the Golden Rule. Treating others as one would want to be treated includes allowing marriage for gay couples who are truly committed to each other. Most straight couples would never want someone telling them they couldn’t marry, and when they think about it, many say they wouldn’t want to deny that for anyone else.

How would gay and lesbian couples marry?
All couples who marry in the United States must get a license for a civil marriage, usually at a courthouse or city hall. These civil marriages would also be available to same-sex couples. Some couples also choose to marry in a religious setting if permitted by their religious institution.

Does civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples affect churches or other religious institutions? What if my religion opposes same-sex relationships?
Civil marriage for gay couples does not affect religious marriages, religious institutions or clergy in any way. No religion would be forced to marry same-sex couples, or recognize same-sex marriages within the context of their religious beliefs.

Aren't there other alternatives to marriage for gay couples?
There have been attempts to create marriage-like relationship systems, but they don’t provide the same security and protections. In many states, same-sex couples that have domestic partnerships have been barred from a dying partner’s bedside, and denied the ability to say goodbye to the person they love. That just doesn’t happen when you’re married. Civil unions and domestic partnerships create a second-class status that often does not work in emergency situations when people need it most. In hospital emergency rooms, funeral homes, and when discussing benefits with employers, everyone understands the protections and responsibilities that marriage provides.

This information and more can be found at Equality Maryland or by calling (410) 685-6567.

Our Delegates can be contacted directly at the following numbers:

Delegate Mike Smigiel

Phone: (410 841-3555

Fax: (410) 841-3434

Delegate Stephen Hershey 

Phone:(410) 841-3543 

Fax: (410) 841-3098

Delegate Jay Jacobs

Phone: (410) 841-3449

Fax: (410) 841-3093

Jay Jacobs

Art Hershey

Mike Smigiel