News from the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Awards Honor Leaders on Growth

The recipients of Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s (ESLC) 3rd annual Eastern Shore 2010 Achievement Awards, a program distinguishing outstanding leadership on growth, were honored during ESLC’s 8th annual land use planning conference, held November 10 at Chesapeake College.

The following individuals were selected for leading the way toward growth and development in harmony with the Shore’s rural lands and communities:

• Timothy Dills – Talbot County developer (posthumous)
• William Giese – Dorchester County citizen
• Francis J. Hickman – Kent County farmer
• Elizabeth Krempasky – Caroline County Director of Planning
• Anne Roane – City Planner of Cambridge

Mr. Dills, a long-time developer, was honored posthumously, having passed away in February of this year after a struggle with cancer. He is credited with sparking the revitalization of downtown Easton through his innovative projects, his outspokenness, and his dedication to the town. Among his best-known projects are Victoria Walk and Talbot Town. Victoria Walk is an innovative and attractive renovation of run down apartment buildings into condominiums that match the town’s architecture. His Talbot Town renovation project reinvigorated an aging strip commercial shopping center.

Mr. Giese, a life-long resident of Dorchester County, was a leader in the fight against the proposed Blackwater Resort development project. The Blackwater Resort, which originally included 3200 homes on nearly 1100 acres, was planned next to his Spring Hill Farm. Early on, Mr. Giese recognized the serious impacts the massive project would have, not only on his own property, but also on the Little Blackwater River, surrounding farmland, and the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge downstream from the development. He persisted in his opposition despite the sensitivity of his place in the community and the strong support of local politicians for the resort project. Mr.Giese’s leadership helped bring about the recent demise of the project, after some three years of opposition.

Mr. Hickman, a farm owner in Kent County, manages an additional 15,000 acres of farmland in Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties through his business, Francis J. Hickman Farm Management Company. As a farmer and as a member of the Kent County Planning Commission, he has been a strong and outspoken leader for zoning to prevent the development of farmland. He has demonstrated the courage and strength of his convictions by testifying in favor of effective agricultural zoning at hearings where some members of the close-knit farm community stood strongly opposed to the zoning proposal.

Ms. Krempasky, Caroline County Planning Director since 1985, is credited with placing Caroline County among the ranks of the nation’s leading counties on agricultural preservation and land use policies protective of farmland. Under her leadership the county recently instituted restrictions on residential development on farmland that are among the strongest on the Eastern Shore. She plans to retire from her position at the end of this year.

Ms. Roane, city planner for Cambridge, exhibited fairness, courage, and integrity in carrying out her responsibilities on the Blackwater Resort development project. The highly controversial project generated strong opposing views within the community. In the face of intense pressure from both sides of the issue, she gave respect to all points of view, maintained her professional objectivity, and stood by her professional recommendations.

The Eastern Shore 2010 Achievement Awards obtain their name from a regional land use agreement sponsored by ESLC. To learn more about the latest Eastern Shore 2010 agreement, click: http://www.eslc.org/actioncenter/index.php

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