Tonight is the Night!

Friends, neighbors, relatives and all other Bettertonians, you have barraged the Blogger with your concerns and solutions over the recent incident in Town.  However, as much as I have pleaded no one would put their thoughts, no matter how well thought or not, into a comment on the Blog.  Well the time of judgement comes tonight, January 8th, 2013 as our Town Council and Mayor gather to discuss what should or shouldn't be done.  As the adage goes it is time to "Put Up or Shut Up" (excuse the vulgarity).  I would urge all who can make it to attend tonight's Town meeting at the Community Center, if you can't, pick up a phone and call your favorite Council person or the Mayor and let them know your opinion(s). Our Town leaders will and do listen to their constituents but being quiet will not resolve existing and or prevent new issues from arising.  For more information on timing of tonight's meeting go to the Town website on the Blog's link or contact Annette Green this morning!  Good Luck and God Bless- Remember the future is up to you!

Lights, Cameras and Speed Bumps - A View for 2013

Well with over 490 views on the Blogger's posting of our recent stabbing in Betterton, it is a surprise that not one viewer has posted their thoughts and or possible solutions. So you should all know that this posting is a request for feedback. There is way to much wisdom and insight within the minds of Betterton to let this go.  Is it time for a change? Do we let bygones be bygones? City Council will only take action if they hear from us and our Blog is an opportunity to share thoughts and get things moving. Silence is not an option whether you're a resident of Kent County or just a property owner or renter.

From what the blogger has learned from sources in town, once again a big thanks to our volunteer fire department who got to the scene of the crime and got the right medical care in the right time, THANK YOU!. The Kent County Sheriff's office did respond but it took some time.  The latter is understandable in that there are limited resources that need to be shared throughout the county, so an hour's wait is not inconceivable, but this doesn't bring comfort to the victim of a crime especially when physically harmed.  So what is the answer? Is this stabbing and the unexpected home invasions and thefts in 2012 the beginning of Betterton's downfall? What options need be considered and where will the resources come from?  While Congress has managed to "put a hold on" our nation's fall from the fiscal cliff, I don't see them coming to the rescue of Betterton.  So here is the B-Blogger's perspective, not a solution but rather an initiation of comment and feedback that will set the priority of this as an issue for our City Council and Mayor in 2013.

First, we need to be realistic that we cannot expect to receive a "rapid response" from our County Sheriff's office, there aren't enough men and women on their force to respond within minutes to a 911 call and the resources needed to make this an option aren't coming either.

Second, what about the Jewel's resources, one thought is the money that we pay out to the Sheriff's office to provide on site speed control.  Personally, I don't see value in having to pay for off duty members of the Sheriff's department to hand out speed violations on a Monday afternoon.  The Blogger has heard from several residents about an over zealousness to ticket Bettertonians rather than having a police car combing the streets of Betterton on Friday and Saturday nights from 11 pm - 4 am. Perhaps the dollars spent could be more wisely used to install speed bumps if the wisdom of our Town's leadership feels that speeding is a critical issue.  The B-Blogger has heard that, in the past, there has been objection to speed bumps in that they cause issues with snow plowing our roads, however, there are millions of speed bumps in shopping centers, local communities and public spaces where snow fall is a much larger problem and they seem to manage well with speed bumps

Third is the increased use of lights and cameras.  Today's technologies have created a host of cameras that can record in bright light as well as night time.  While the B-Blogger has been told that traffic cams are illegal in Maryland except within a school zone, cameras on commercial residences, the community center, the Methodist Church and private homes are certainly within the realm of possibility.  In fact the B-Blogger was told by law enforcement that camera's can be an immense help in fighting crime and burglary as a picture is worth a million in solving crimes.  Perhaps our Town leaders could negotiate a reasonable cost so that residents whether full-time or part-time could  purchase and install cameras and lights on and in their homes.  B & H photography  (www.bhphotovideo.com) would certainly be a first stop as one of the largest and most economical sources for cameras according to Consumer Reports. Let's also not forget about the large number of cell phone cameras owned by the community residents and discussing their role.  Additionally there are "Medic Alert" devices that individuals, especially those living by themselves and or with issues of health can utilize to rapidly alert a group of people to critical situations such as robberies, medical alerts etc.

Fourth is the potential for the Town Council to create a committee of volunteers to develop a cost effective plan within a 90 day period to address security and safety within our Jewel.  This committee could hold several Town meetings, on weekends to attract the largest audiences, which could bring in security experts to discuss effective options and address questions and concerns.  The Town Council could then implement any necessary regulatory changes and or updates to bylaws that were needed to move forward with the committee's recommendations. The committee as well as Town Council would need to commit to action and not create a committee for the sake of a committee.

Fifth, the Town could once again try to implement a Town Watch using local volunteers.

Finally, every viewer of this post should submit a comment as to how they feel and what their thoughts are for action.  Posts will be made public as long as they contain no foul language and are constructive.  If you see a problem, verbalize it and then offer possible solutions.  If we all contribute, empathize and compromise we will find effective solutions.

The rest is up to you!   Happy New Year!

A Last Minute Snow

 As Bettertonian's prepared to welcome the New Year, Mother Nature gave the Jewel its last snowfall.  Enjoy the pictures that follow:

Betterton Stabbing - Be on the Lookout

Just several hours ago a large African American man approached a Betterton resident in front of Marzella's Pizza and stabbed him.  The resident, whose name is being kept confidential by police ,was taken via helicopter to Shock Trauma for treatment.  At present time the Kent County Sheriff's office has not apprehended the assailant and Betterton residents are strongly encouraged to assure that their property's are locked and be vigilant about your surroundings, especially at night. Contact the Kent County Sheriff's office immediately should you see any suspicious individuals and be cautious of any stranger who might approach.  Prayers are with the victim for a speedy recovery.

Santa Visits Betterton

It has been a bit of a drought in B-town news since the elections so Santa dropped off these photos as his reindeer took him from chimney to chimney last night.  Enjoy them with your Christmas dinner and don't forget to check out the "Betterton Group" on facebook.

Vote Yes on 6 on November 6th!

While the Betterton Council Election has been decided and the new City Council is preparing for its first meeting, there is still the State and National ballots to be filed, counted and the new order to be determined.  This coming Monday, October 29th is the beginning of early balloting in our State so if you can't get to the polls on Tuesday November 6th, go early and vote at the Kent County Library.  Of critical importance on a State level is the Equality referendum # 6 that will not only reinforce our US Constitution that declares all people equal but specifically will allow Gay and Lesbian couples to marry.  The PFLAG (parents and friends of lesbian and gays) gathering at Fountain Park that made the Kent County News' front page emphasized that we have not only good neighbors but strong leaders in our State who are lesbian and gays who cannot formally declare their relationships under present law. Right now we are not a State where all people are equal.  Many lesbian and gay couples have children who are being raised in loving homes, yet their parents (both natural and adopted) cannot be married.  Contrary to what opponents are saying, this referendum if passed will NOT stifle religious freedom but actually enhance it, whereby anyone in the State with the legal right to perform a marriage will be able to do so, and those that don't wish to do so will not be required.  What this referendum will do is assure that when a spouse is ill, the other spouse regardless of sex will be able to visit and care for their ill or disabled spouse without discrimination nor a court declared order.  Family's will remain stable and financially secure when one spouse dies or is severely injured just as heterosexual couples do today.  There was a time when women couldn't vote, when African Americans rode in the back of the bus or worse had to leave towns such as Betterton after 4:30 PM.  However, as our Nation has matured we have corrected those wrongs and on November 6th YOU will have an opportunity to strengthen these freedoms with a Yes on Referendum # 6. Equality Maryland

Fig Follow Up and More

Despite the B-Blogger's faux pas of stating the date of Fig Fest as August 5th rather than 25th, Bettertonians from near and far gathered to celebrate what has become the annual fig harvest for this quaint town on the shores of the Chesapeake.  While organizers had stated this event was for Bettertonians and their friends, there were several who had been before and couldn't resist not returning.  From the B-Blogger's perspective it should be an open event so that indeed our Town becomes a "desired destination" rather than a point on a map.  If the Town can manage Betterton Day then we should be capable of doing the same with Fig Fest.  Let's see if this stirs up some comments below, perhaps even from some of the candidates running for City Council seats this October.  For businesses to thrive they need a steady stream of regular and new customers and it is successful local business that will keep our Town in good fiscal state.

However, before leaving the Fig Fest a huge shout out to the organizers, the BCDC volunteers and others who banned together to put up tents, arrange and serve the food and create an amazing event.  See some memories of August 25th below.

Speaking of working together don't forget that October 6th is Betterton's town elections.  While the B-Blogger and others are anxiously awaiting the official announcements of candidates, it is our civic duty to get out and vote!  Remember that Town Council elections are not on our national election day but before it. As one Council member said to me, if residents don't vote then they can't complain.  Those of us who are legal residents of the Jewel need to know what the candidates stand for and what they view as the issues.  You may recall at the last election we had the local League of Women Voters provide a forum for the candidates to present, unfortunately several of those running for seats didn't bother to show up for a variety of reasons.  Our Town's electorate therefore found good reason not to seat them at the Council's table, hopefully this year's candidates will all share their perspectives, proposals and plans if elected, so debate and discussion can once again occur.

As Labor Day Weekend marks the last of the big summer weekends take a moment to relax and enjoy the sights of Fig Fest 2012.