From the past

Grollman said Aldridge was chosen from five candidates, and his selection was made on the recommendations of planning officials, planning commission attorney Robert Price and personnel administrator Royden Powell. “I have a sincere concern for the future of our county,” Aldridge said.

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The Memorial Hospital Association has elected Thorpe Nesbit of Queenstown, president of the hospital’s board of directors. Serving with Nesbit will be Allen K. Jennings of Easton, vice president, and Mrs. James D. Spencer, also of Easton, secretary.

“I very much appreciate the high honor you’ve given me,” Nesbit said. “We have a fine hospital and we want to keep it that way.”

“I’m not afraid of work, and I expect to work hard to justify your confidence in me,” he added.

Elected to serve as directors were J. Dallas Blades of Preston; John L. Brady of Easton; Mrs. M. Stephen Bremer of Easton; Lee McMahan of Federalsburg; and Maurice E. Newman of Easton.

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How many Maryland counties, or counties anywhere, have a link of sorts with a rather crater on the moon? Not many, to be sure. It turns out that one is named for Brigadier General William Hemsley Emory (1811-1887), who was a noted astronomer and photographer with the U.S. Army who surveyed part of the U.S.-Mexico border, and he was born in Queen Anne’s County.

In anticipation of war with Mexico in May 1846, the governor of Maryland ordered the raising of two regiments of volunteers. Emory, then a lieutenant colonel, was placed in command of a troop that was formed in Queen Anne’s County. He served with distinction both in the Mexican War and the Civil War and at some point, a crater on the moon was named for him, apparently in connection with his distinguished military career.

NASA confirmed that Emory Crater is a small one that is near where the Apollo 12 astronauts touched down last December, and that it is on all the maps.

Concerns about a tax squeeze on working families were voiced at the third and final public hearing on Queen Anne’s County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 1999. Finance Director Joe Zimmerman said the proposed general fund budget includes the operating and capital budgets. The total operating budget is $50,885,243, and the capital budget is estimated at $16,633,989.

“It’s really a struggle with young folks in the county to pay property taxes,” said James Deemer of Crumpton. “It’s a real struggle, I’ll tell you.” Another Crumpton resident, Bob Newberry, said residents should be allowed to ask questions on the budget at the hearings. Only comments are taken.

The proposed budget includes a cut in the property tax rate from $2.25 to $2.19 per $100 of assessed value. Deemer said he appreciates the proposed tax cut, but the combination of federal, state, and county taxes is overwhelming.

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Learning that it could cost $1 million to pipe in water to the old Kent Narrows Factory Stores has dampened but not extinguished developers’ desire to turn the vacant outlets into a recreation center. Keith and Patti Moore of Chestertown, and Paul and Terry Klaasan of Grasonville, applied for an extension on their contract to purchase the vacant buildings for $2.8 million.

The developers want a June 15 deadline to complete their feasibility studies, which will tell them whether their idea to create The Place at Kent Narrows is a pipe dream or a realistic business venture. “We’re cautiously optimistic,” Mr. Moore said. He said they were still trying to evaluate uses and see what interest there is in the community.

They envision using the two buildings’ 100,000 square feet for a multi-use center that could offer a sports recreation complex, conference center, a small private school, a movie theatre, retail space, and assisted living apartments. The Moores are owners of USA Fulfillment Center in Chestertown.

Compiled by Jack Shaum from Record-Observer archives.