Dear Editor,

 I am writing on behalf of the Mid-Shore Coalition, to express our concern over the recent “Declaration of Deficiency” issued against the Kent Island Defense League (KIDL) Referendum Petition by the Queen Anne’s County Board of Elections.

 Queen Anne’s County recently granted growth allocation to a large residential development on Kent Island.  In response, Kent Island Defense League gathered signatures, so that this decision could be put to a public referendum.  The voters would then be able to decide for themselves whether or not the project was a good idea.

 Reasonable people can disagree about the pace and scale of development on the Eastern Shore.  But the public’s ability to express its will through the democratic process should not be derailed simply because a topic is controversial.  Indeed, it is precisely these difficult topics that require the active engagement of our citizens.  

 The Board of Elections argues that the County ordinance amending the Critical Area maps is not a “public local law”, and therefore not subject to a referendum petition.   This is a curious distinction, and raises the question of what a “public local law” might be if it is not an ordinance voted upon by the County Commissioners.  In fact, the County’s own public notice in the Record-Observer specifically stated that the ordinance would take effect unless “a referendum petition… is filed.”  

 The Board also argues that KIDL botched its petition drive by showing people only the words of the ordinance, and not the Critical Area map itself.  Yet when KIDL asked the County for the appropriate materials to include with their petition, they were not given any map.  They were given the ordinance itself.  Presuming that the map is actually required by law, it makes no sense to penalize KIDL for not using materials that they do not own and were not given.

 The Mid-Shore Coalition includes a wide range of people who love Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  We believe in a thriving economy, built upon high paying jobs and a rich quality of life.  But we do also believe that the people of the Shore should be able to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.  They should not be shut out because of controversy or curious technicalities.  
 

Sincerely,

Brad Rogers
On Behalf of the Mid-Shore Coalition