The Mission of the Kent County Chamber of
Commerce is to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the business
interests of its membership in ways that enhance the environment of the
business community and quality of life and well being of residents and visitors.
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So what have you done for me lately? That's a question often heard in the sports and entertainment industries. But have you heard it in other arenas? Have you heard it from other Chamber members? Or, perhaps, have you asked the question yourself, about the Chamber? As the Chamber's Mission Statement states, we are here "to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the business interests of its membership..." In order to accomplish this, the Chamber acts as a spokesman for the business and professional community
and transforms into action the group-thinking of our members.
We also provide specific services of a type that can be most
effectively rendered by a community organization, both to its members and
to the community as a whole. Examples of these services are: -
Partners In Education - to help our young citizens prepare for their future and to help build a solid base for our community's future
- Grand Openings to announce your business, products or service
- Membership Directory listings for your business and linked on our website
- Maps for your customers, with member advertisements
- Networking Events to increase your exposure
- Free workshops & seminars through our association with SCORE to build your business smarter
- A voice to lobby for your interests in Annapolis & Kent County
- Networking and much more
In addition to services the Chamber provides, there are also benefits associated with your Chamber membership. The buying power of a large organization of
businesses has generated an impressive list of member benefits.
Some of these benefits include: - Bulk Mail Permit available to all Chamber members
- Chamber Member Discount Programs
- Web Page Links
- Web Page Promotional Opportunities
- Networking Events
- Advertising Corner in the Visitor's Center exclusively for our Chamber members
- Sponsorships available to our members
So how are we
doing? As YOUR Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to
provide high-value services to our members. Over the coming months, we
look forward to introducing new services. But before we do, your input is
needed.
Which services are important, interesting and helpful to you and
your business? What new services would you like us to introduce in the
future?
Please take a moment to give us your feedback: by email, phone
or letter. Help us make your membership more valuable.
We look forward to your feedback. It will serve as the focus of
our efforts in the future. Thank you for your time, advice and support.
LorettaLoretta M. LodgeExecutive Director |
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Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland BBB Board of Directors Wanted:
Submit your nominations today!
Business owners and senior level executives interested in helping
advance marketplace trust are sought to serve on the BBB's Board of
Directors. The Board is responsible for the governance of BBB
operations including fiduciary responsibilities and adherence of the
organization to BBB Standards.
If accepted, a Board member serves (1) three-year term and
can serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Director must represent
a BBB Accredited Business in Greater Maryland. Nominations will be accepted through Friday, August 20,
2010. For more information about BBB Board responsibilities, please
contact Angie Barnett or call 410-347-3981.
The election
proceedings for new Board members and officers will be announced at the
2010 Torch Awards for Marketplace Excellence on September 22.
Apply Here
CASA of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties Left to right, Kathy Sells, president of CASA of
Queen Anne's & Kent
Counties, welcomes new
Board members Robin Klinefelter and Janice Duty.Janice Duty and Robin Klinefelter have joined the Board of
Directors of Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties. Both were unanimously appointed to a
three-year term. Duty has owned and operated Wye River Custom Builders with
her husband Butch for nearly 30 years. She also worked in her family's wholesale seafood business, where she
was vice president and treasurer. She is
a licensed Realtor�
with Champion Realty, Inc. and is a Maryland notary public. Duty lives in
Queenstown. Klinefelter, a resident of Crumpton, is a personal and
professional coach who specializes in working with leaders in nonprofit
organizations. She was previously employed
by Chester River Health System for more than twenty years, where her
responsibilities included communications, development, strategic planning, and board
relations. Kathy Sells, president of CASA of Queen Anne's & Kent Counties,
said, "We are pleased to welcome Janice and Robin to the Board, and we look
forward to the expertise, community connections and energy that each of these Directors will bring to CASA." CASA's mission is to advocate for the best interests of children who are
under the protection of the court system because of abuse, neglect or
abandonment. CASA provides trained
volunteer advocates to make assessments and recommendations.
Chester River Health System
Chester River
Hospital Center Purchases New Telemetry and Anesthesiology
Equipment from Philips Healthcare Chestertown, MD., July
8, 2010 - Chester River Hospital
Center selected Philips
Healthcare to install and supply new telemetry and anesthesiology monitoring equipment
to be completed by mid-July. This new
medical equipment, IntelliVue Telemetry System, utilizes half a million dollars
of the funds allotted to the hospital by the University of Maryland Medical
System (UMMS). These upgrades will
replace the two oldest systems in the hospital and will increase the number of
monitored beds from 16 to 24.
The new telemetry system uses cellular technology,
which ensures seamless information management and more flexible patient
monitoring. This increases clinical efficiency and improves patient outcomes.
The system is designed specifically to manage flows of time-critical, round-the-clock
patient monitoring. Kathy Abend, RN and director of adult inpatient services,
comments, "The new equipment is more efficient, and while high tech, still
user-friendly. We are very fortunate to have this equipment available to us
through our affiliation with University
of Maryland Medical System."
Chester River Health System & Parker Harris Designs
Barbara Parker, interior designer, (right) donates a cherry wood rocking
chair by Adden furniture, designed with a mother's comfort in mind. Carol Leonard, maternity nurse at CRHC, accepts the chair and comments,
"This chair will be perfect for our nursery. The new mothers will love
this."
Kent County Extension Service
JOHN E. HALL Extension Education, Ag
And Natural Resources for the University of Maryland Extension, Kent County, retired
on July 1, 2010.
John's 30 years of dedicated service to the
University of Maryland and the citizens of Kent County will be
recognized on
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010, Noon to 4 p.m., at the Kent County Public Works
Complex, 709
Morgnec Road, 1st floor, Chestertown, MD 21620. If you wish to
contribute to John's
Retirement Gift/Retirement Reception, please send your contribution to:
University of Maryland Extension Kent County Public Works Complex 709
Morgnec
Road Ste. #202 Chestertown, MD 21620. Checks should be made payable
to: Elizabeth M.S. Hill.
If you would like to send a card or letter
for John's "book of good wishes" please send to the above address.
(Must RSVP to 410-778-1661 or mail to address above or email:
[email protected]) DEADLINE
FOR RESERVATIONS, DONATIONS and BOOK ENTRIES IS AUGUST 16, 2010. If you
have questions or need more information, please call the Kent
County Extension Office at 410-778-1661.
SCORE (Senior Core of Retired Executives) invites retired executives to become counselors for new and existing local businesses. Contact Bart Stolp at S.C.O.R.E. to get more information: [email protected]
If you or a member you know
is making headlines, please submit a brief description to Loretta at [email protected] with the subject line: "members in the news." Send it to us and we'll include it in our next issue! |
Focus on New Members
Welcome to our New Members in July!
Chester River Landscaping/Neff & Son, Inc. 301 Clovelly Lane Chestertown, MD 21620 Owner: Stormy Neff Landscape Sales Consultant: Lisa Spears
Phone: 410/778-9686 (Office) 410-708-1720 (Cell) Fax: 410/778-9128
From the Owner:Chester River Landscaping is a family owner/operator
landscape company doing business on the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
and Delaware
areas since 1984. Our services range
from landscape design & installation, unit paver walkways & patios,
fencing & decking, property irrigation, shoreline restoration, reforestation, and lawn maintenance. In addition to our landscaping business, we
also own/operate Clovelly Nurseries, a 200+ acre tree growing nursery in
Chestertown, MD.
We are pleased to be
"new members" of the Chamber community and we look forward to meeting you at upcoming events.Lauretum Inn, LLCBed & Breakfast Inn 954 High Street Chestertown, MD 21620 Owners: Kelly & James Anthony Innkeeper: Heidi Frey Phone: 410/778-3236 | 800/742-3336 Website: www.lauretuminn.com
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A long winding lane invites you to
Lauretum (1881), sitting splendidly atop a tree graced knoll on
six acres in Chestertown,
MD. The complex form and massing of the house reflect
the eclecticism of the late Victorian period.
In 1877 the original owner, Harrison
W. Vickers, commissioned the
internationally renowned architect, Edmund George Lind to design his country
estate which he named "Lauretum
Place". The name Lauretum or "Laurel Grove",
is the name of a place on the Aventine Hill in Ancient Rome. Now operated as a
Bed & Breakfast, it provides a unique setting for your visit to the Eastern Shore.
"Lauretum is a most extraordinary building, by far the best example of
picturesque architecture on the Eastern Shore."
- Maryland Historic Trust
"We couldn't have imagined a more perfect getaway. The hospitality
made us feel welcome, and the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere was a nice
departure from the usual chain hotel stay. Just the right balance of
pampering and privacy."
-
A Washingtonian Couple
Dollars & Sense Financial Services Owner: Mark W. Blackmer Registered Principal Investment Advisor Representative 357 High Street Chestertown, MD 21620 Phone: 410/348-3069 Fax: 443/282-0290 Email: [email protected] Website: lpl.com/mark.blackmer
Mark has 21 plus years as a full service Financial Advisor with experience in: - Tax Advantage Investing - Cash Flow Analysis - College Planning - Retirement Planning - Investment Portfolio Analysis - Estate Planning
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings! August 6 at 5:00 P.M.
Dollars & Sense Financial Services 357 High Street Chestertown
Please join us as we welcome Mark Blackmer and congratulate him on the opening of his business Dollars & Sense Financial Services.
Congratulations Molly's Mart on your recent Ribbon Cutting!
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Chamber News & Events Calendar
REMINDERS & NOTICES - The 2010-2011 Kent County Chamber of Commerce Directories have arrived! In the interest of going green, saving on postage and administrative time & materials, copies are available at the Chamber Office and in the Visitor's Center at 122. N. Cross Street for you to pick up. Please let someone in either of these office know if you do pick up your copy so we don't duplicate it by mailing a copy to you. Thanks!
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
August 6, 2010 5:00 P.M. Ribbon Cutting for Dollars & Sense Financial Services 357 High Street Chestertown
August 12, 2010 12:00 P.M. Kent County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting at the Chamber Office, 122 N. Cross Street, Chestertown. The meeting is open to all members. Please contact Loretta in advance if you plan on attending.
August 14 & 15, 2010 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. The Chamber Booth will be at Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend in Rock Hall
Stop by and see us!
Remember! If you have any literature you would like distributed from the Booth, please let Loretta know by no later than Wednesday, August 11.
If you are interested in manning the Booth for one or two hours on either day, please contact Loretta at 410/810-2968 or [email protected] to sign up!
RSVP for any of these events to Loretta at 410-810-2968 or [email protected] or on our website at www.kentchamber.org
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Member News & Events
Artworks
Gallery Show: A STUDY IN CONTRASTS: METAL AND GLASS First Friday, August 6, 2010Reception from 5:00 P.M. -8:00 P.M.6:00 P.M. - The artists will present an informal
talk on their techniques and inspirations. For more information, call 410-778-6300 or [email protected]
Smooth or rough, delicate or strong, subtle or vibrant. In August the Artworks Gallery at 306 Park Row
in Chestertown demonstrates how ordinary raw materials can become exquisite
pieces of artwork when put in creative, skilled hands.
Chestertown craftsman Rob Glebe is back to curate the August
show. Artworks is honored to exhibit his new metal work along with glass
art created by Douglas Conner of Millington
and Patti and Hegland Glass of Chestertown.
Glebe is an award-winning artist who admits to a love of
metal fabrication as well as pottery, bowls, and textures. Originally
from Pennsylvania,
he began his career as a toolmaker eventually switching careers which lead to
operating his own yacht service. In his spare time he began making lamps,
furniture, and decorative art, and participated in local art shows. Five years
ago with a leap of faith he embarked on his career as a metal artist. He
sees his opportunities and possibilities with metal as limitless. Metal -
who knew?
Douglas Conner is a glass artist from Millington who creates jewelry, seashells,
and assorted sea life. While studying flameworked glass at Salem Community College,
he worked with several world-renowned artists. He notes, "while glass is
thousands of years old, the medium of glass in fine art has not been fully
explored."
David and Patti Hegland create handcrafted contemporary
functional and sculptural art glass. Both have studied with
internationally-recognized artists in kiln-formed glass. Their work will be
featured on the Artworks Studio Tour October 30-31 and November 6-7, at the
Arts at Still Pond Station.
Regular hours are Wednesday through Friday, 12-3 and
Saturday, 9-3. The Artworks gift shop is
also featuring a new selection of one-of-a-kind reasonably-priced items made by
local artists. Proceeds benefit community art programs for adults and children.
For more information on classes, membership, or shows, call 410-778-6300 or
visit www.artworkschestertown.org.
Chesapeake College
Chesapeake Lab for Environmental Education (CLEEn) Monday, August 16, 2010 11:00 A.M. Dorchester Building, Board Room
Chesapeake College will present their proposed Chesapeake Lab for Environmental Education (CLEEn) in the Dorchester Building Board Room at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 16, 2010. You will be able to view plans and talk informally with staff about the College's vision for the Upper Shore's first regional training center for green technologies. This meeting will be held immediately after the ribbon cutting at 10:00 A.M. to open the newly renovated Kent Humanities Building.
It is anticipated that the Lab will become a substantial regional resource, and a vibrant part of the Chesapeake College curriculum. The College's goal is to establish this facility as a demonstration and training tool for energy efficient technologies and to link that training with careers in green technologies.
If you plan on attending , please contact Anita Simpson, Executive Assistant to the President at 410/827-5802, or by email at [email protected], no later than August 5, 2010.
Chester River Health System
Golf
Tournament to Benefit
Cancer Center Monday, September 20, 2010 Talbot Country Club Easton, MD
The Shore
Health System Golf Invitational will be held on Monday, September 20 at the
Talbot Country Club in Easton. Pepsi
Bottling Ventures is the presenting sponsor for this fundraiser that benefits Shore Regional
Cancer Center.
The
tournament begins at 11:30 a.m.
with a single shot gun start. All golfers will receive a deluxe gift package,
and beverages, lunch and snacks will be served on the course during play. A
reception and awards presentation will follow the tournament.
The Foursome entry fee
is $1,500. The Memorial Hospital Foundation welcomes Golf
Invitational sponsors. Sponsorship levels are:
Eagle - $5,000; Birdie - $2,500; Pro - $1,000. Tee sponsorships are also
available at $100 for teams and $150 for individuals and businesses not playing
in the tournament. For more information, call the Memorial Hospital
Foundation, 410-822-1000, ext. 5481
Galena Lions ClubSixth Annual "Ride To See"
Bicycle Tour of Kent County, MDSaturday, August 14, 2010- Sponsored by Galena Lions Charities, proceeds from this ride will be used to proudly sponsor the Galena Lions' sight-oriented foundations, scholarship fund and community organizations.
- Any financial support you may wish to contribute will be gratefully accepted. Donations of $100 or more will sponsor a route and have your name and/or business displayed on a route sign along one of the four routes.
Your gift is tax
deductible to the extent allowed by law as goods andservices were
not offered in exchange.Kent County Public Schools
*Kent County High School Marching Band to Play at The Gator Bowl!*
January 1, 2011 Jacksonville, Florida
The Kent County High School
Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Keith Wharton, will be traveling to Jacksonville, Florida
to participate in the 5 mile Wynn Dixie Parade on December 31, 2010. The
highlight of the trip will be the band's halftime performance on the field
during the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. The KCHS Music Boosters are
currently in the process of raising money to cover the cost of the trip,
including over $10,000 for transportation. As a result of their "Cow
Plop Bingo" event held during Rock Hall's 4th of July Celebration at the Civic Center, they raised over $5,500 towards the trip. As you can see, they
still have a long way to go in their fund-raising efforts. They are asking
local businesses and organizations for contributions so that their students can
experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity & represent Kent County
with Pride! Contributions are being accepted
at: KCHS Music Boosters c/o Grace Eyler, Treasurer P.O. Box 210 Chestertown, MD 21620 Checks can be made payable
to: KCHS Music Boosters PRINCE
THEATRE
IMPROV NIGHT & TALENT SHOWCASE
Friday, July 30 @
7pm - $5.00
The Prince Theatre Playmakers invite you to join them for a fun fundraiser.
Join in
the fun as an audience member or, on stage as an IMPROV
ARTIST!
FUNDRAISER supports Prince Theatre Education Programs
& Scholarships
*Additional Donations Encouraged
(and are tax deductible
to the fullest extent of the law) SASSAFRAS RIVER BUSINESS COUNCILOpen House
Tuesday, August 3, 2010 5:30 PM
Harbor Cafe
1 George Street, Georgetown
HOSTED BY: SUSAN & JOHN ARCUICCI Come join us for an evening of Networking and
Business. Stop by and have a drink or a snack with us and meet other local
business leaders. You may even walk out with a new client or lead! ****The Sassafras River Business Council will
be holding their meeting during this event**** Washington CollegeFilmmaking and Photography Boot CampAugust 23, 24 & 25, 2010Washington CollegeA letter from Brian Palmer Manager, Multimedia Production Center Washington College Hello
all, I'm running a Filmmaking and Photography Boot Camp in August, and am looking
for people with some sort of dynamic talent that might translate well to photos
and/or video. Off the top of my head, I'm picturing BMX street, street skaters, break
dancers, dancers (in general), etc. Are you a summer-saulting, gymnastics
wiz? Can you do crazy dunks on the basketball court? Do you juggle
fire? Are you a karate or kung-fu kicking dynamo? We need you! What's in it for you? You'll get a DVD disc with both high res images
(for personal printing) and low res images (for web, Facebook, etc). If
your talent translates well to video, we'll include high quality video clips as
well on the disc. Plus, you'll get to help inspire student of the visual
arts! We've got three available blocks of time, one of which we hope will align with
your busy schedule. Monday 8/23 from 12:30PM-6:00PM, Tuesday 8/24 from
1:30PM-6:00PM, and Wednesday 8/25 from 8:30AM-11:00AM. If this sounds intriguing to you, please contact me with your name and your
talent, and which time(s) you are available. We'll only need you for one
block of time, but knowing you are potentially available for multiple times
helps us coordinate things. Please also include your email and phone number
where you can be reached during the day. Thanks! -Brian Brian Palmer Manager, Multimedia Production Center Office of Information Technologies Washington College [email protected](410)778-7864 (Office) (410)810-5800 (Lab) (443)282-6531 (Mobile)
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Business Tax Reform Commission Update
Thursday, July 22, 2010 By Ronald W. Wineholt
Vice President of Government Affairs
Maryland Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 07:58 AM
Subcommittees of the Maryland
Business Tax Reform Commission have met recently, as the Commission works
to develop a consensus for its final report that is due by December 15, 2010.
Although no votes have been taken, considerable time and support has been
devoted to the issues of corporate income tax changes such as combined
reporting, single sales factor apportionment for all corporations, additional
tax credit authority for local governments, and enhanced reporting
accountability for business tax credits.
The Commission is planning on public hearing in the late
fall and final votes on recommendations in November. If your business has
concerns regarding these issues, we need you to contact us now. Contact Ron
Wineholt for further information at [email protected].
$30 Million in Funding
from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 Budget Appropriations to be Made Available
to Qualified Small Businesses
Department
of Energy Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC (Thursday, July 15, 2010) - U.S.
Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced yesterday that $30 million in funding
from the Recovery Act and FY 2010 budget appropriations will be made available
to qualified small businesses to support the commercialization of promising new
technologies. Today's funding announcement builds on the Department's existing
efforts under the Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR) and the
Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) to develop near-term clean
energy technologies and support American small businesses that will play an important
role in building the clean energy economy of the future. This is the first time
DOE has offered Phase III awards under these small business programs.
"Small businesses are
the engine of job creation and innovation, and we need their ingenuity and
entrepreneurial spirit to drive a clean energy economy," said Secretary
Chu. "By helping America's
small businesses bring these innovative technologies to market, we will spur
economic growth and help reduce the country's energy use."
Small companies previously
awarded Phase II grants through DOE's Small Business Innovation Research
program (SBIR) or the Small Business Technology Transfer program (STTR) are
eligible. Projects that include developed technologies with a strong potential
for commercialization and impact on U.S. manufacturing and job creation
are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants may receive up to $3 million
over three years to research, develop, and deploy new technologies.
Applications are currently
being accepted for the following technology areas of interest:
Biomass Technologies
1.Harvesting/Dewatering Technology for Algal Biofuels Production.
Buildings Technologies
1. Transitional Technology for Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)
2. SSL Products made from Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)
3. "Core" Technology for Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs)
Fuel Cell Technologies
1. Advanced Materials for Fuel Cell Technologies
2. Bio-Fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Geothermal Technologies, High Temperature Tools and Sensors
1. High Temperature Downhole Tools
2. High-Temperature-High-Volume Lifting
3. High Temperature Downhole MWD Tools for Directional Drilling
Industrial Technologies
1. Sensors and Controls
2. Industrial Membrane Process Systems
3. Advanced Materials
4. Integrated Reaction-Separation using non-thermal processes
5. Mitigation of Heat Losses, Fouling, and Scaling in key Manufacturing Unit
Operations.
Solar Technologies - Lowering the Cost of Photovoltaics through Innovative
Augmentation
1. Lightweight, Flexible and Low Cost Multi-junction Solar Cells
2. Static Module PV Concentrators
3. New Methods of Crystallizing Silicon
Vehicle Technologies
1. Technologies to Address Internal Heating in DC Bus Capacitors
2. Improved Magnetic Materials for Motors
3. Advanced Materials for Lightweight Vehicles
Wind Technologies
1. Advanced Wind Power Technologies and Systems
Fossil Energy
1. Pollution control
2. Advanced power systems
3. Stationary power fuel cells
4. Clean fuels
5. Carbon sequestration
6. Recovery of oil, natural gas, and methane hydrates
7. Advances in materials, sensors, monitors, controls, biotechnology, and
computational processes
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
1. Smart Grid Technologies and Systems
2. Electric Transmission Technologies
3. Superconducting Technology for Power Equipment
4. Advanced Materials for Power Electronics and Energy Storage
Nuclear Energy
1. Advanced Instrumentation and Control, Radiation Resistant Sensors, and
Wireless On-Line Monitoring Systems for Nuclear Power Plant Applications
The deadline for submission
of applications is August 4, 2010, at 8pm EST.
Information
regarding applications is available in the funding notice section at: http://www.er.doe.gov/sbir/.
For more information about the DOE FY 2010 Phase III Xlerator Program
please visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov.
THE EASTON PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 23,
2010) - Governor Martin O'Malley
today issued the following statement regarding Post Master General Potter's
decision to further investigate the possible impacts of the consolidation at
the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility:
"We are pleased to learn of
Postmaster General Potter's decision to further investigate the possible
impacts of consolidation at the Easton Processing and Distribution Facility.
This facility is vital to the entire Eastern Shore,
servicing 91 rural and remote post offices.
The many families and small
businesses that benefit from the excellent service provided by the employees in
Easton have a
right to have their voices heard in this matter. It is very encouraging to hear
that additional public meetings will be scheduled should the Postmaster General
decide to continue with the Area Mail Processing study.
The overwhelming opposition
of the community, as demonstrated at the June 15 public meeting, has clearly
sent a strong message to the United States Postal Service. This is too fragile
an economic time to jeopardize 124 jobs on the Eastern
Shore. A consolidation at
this facility would have a devastating ripple effect throughout the community
and indeed the entire Delmarva Peninsula. I
will continue to stand with Senators Mikulski and Cardin and Congressman
Kratovil to ensure that the budget of the United States Postal Service is not
balanced on the backs of the families of the Eastern Shore."
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