New Member Welcome 

The following businesses have recently made an important investment in their future and a significant commitment to the community by joining the

Kent County Chamber of Commerce.

We urge the membership to use the goods and services of other Chamber members.

This is what the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is all about. 

  _________________________ 

From: Linda G Weimer, PR Chair

Kent Co League of Women Voters

Common Cause leader to address strengthening democracy

"Reclaiming our democracy: What citizens can do" will be the topic at the annual meeting of the Kent County League of Women Voters on Tuesday, April 14, at the fellowship hall of Emanuel Episcopal Church, on Cross Street near High in Chestertown.

Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, will address the issue in light of what many see as threats to a functioning democracy - judicial removal of limits on individual and corporate campaign contributions, declines in voting, efforts to suppress voter participation, and the growing influence of extremist groups. Her talk will begin at 12:45 p.m., and free seating will be provided for those coming only to hear the address.

Members of the league and others are also welcome to attend a luncheon that will precede the address, the meal starting at noon.  For reservations to the lunch, which costs $25, please call 410-810-1883 and leave a message no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 7.

Ms. Bevan-Dangel joined Common Cause Maryland in January, 2013. She is responsible for implementing the organization's policy campaigns and building its capacity. The director came to Common Cause with a background in advocacy at the state and local levels, having worked for 1000 Friends of Maryland, Patuxent Riverkeeper, and Environment Maryland on a variety of land use and clean water reforms.

She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland School of Law.

 #######

              Mid-Shore Pro Bono, Inc.

                    Providing Access to Justice Throughout the Mid-Shore

                    Serving Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot & Dorchester Counties

                    8 South West Street

                    Easton, Maryland 21601

                    410-690-8128 www.midshoreprobono.org

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Cyndy Carrington Miller, Public Relations Consultant

410-770-9410, 443-521-2330 (cell)

April 1, 2015

Mid-Shore Pro Bono Launches New Program For Seniors

Volunteer attorney Dick Tettelbaum, left, assists Lois Space of Easton at Mid-Shore Pro Bono's first Elder Law Clinic.

On March 26, Mid-Shore pro Bono launched its new Elder Law Clinic, expanding its scope of civil legal services with this program designed for seniors.  The first Clinic was held at the organization's office in Easton and served eight senior citizens with the help of two retired attorneys and the Mid-shore Pro Bono staff.

The Elder Law Project evolved from recognition that seniors represent a growing proportion of Eastern Shore residents. Not only is the general population aging, but the Mid-Shore lifestyle attracts increasing numbers of retirees from other locales. According to the latest U.S. Census statistics, more than 37,000 residents of Mid-Shore Pro Bono's service area are 62 years of age or older.

Not only do they have unique legal needs, but also often face personal obstacles, whether physical or psychological, in reaching out for legal assistance.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono's Executive Director Sandy Brown explained, "With too many con artists out there preying on seniors' insecurities, they can be reluctant to deal with necessary legal issues before it is too late." The Elder Law Clinic helps overcome those challenges and gives seniors a safe and trusted place to come for legal advice and assistance.

"We put seniors at ease in taking care of late-life legal concerns," Brown added. "We give them peace of mind in knowing that their issues are being handled professionally, in an atmosphere of respect and dignity."

In addition to legal instruments such as wills, powers of attorney and advance directives, clinic lawyers can help with many other issues, including abuse and neglect, adult guardianships, senior-related homeowner and consumer concerns, Social Security and pensions, nursing homes and assisted living programs.

Retired attorneys Jimmy Persels and Dick Tettelbaum offered their services at the debut clinic. "This was a unique opportunity for senior citizens to receive legal advice from volunteer attorneys related to issues they are confronting at their current stage of life," said Persels.

"Almost without realizing it, I have become both an attorney who is a senior and a senior with an even more senior parent," Tettelbaum added. "It is not an easy thing to deal with the late- and after-life legal and financial issues that every person ought to be able to address. Legal counsel can be extremely helpful in this process but is simply not affordable for all who need it."

Starting in May, Elder Law Clinics will be held on the last Thursday of each month at the Talbot Senior Center in Easton, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seniors may call Mid-Shore Pro Bono at 410-690-8128 to schedule free appointments.

If the pilot project receives adequate support through donations and grants, Brown hopes to expand the clinics and offer them at senior centers throughout Mid-Shore Pro Bono's service area of Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono also will participate in Senior Law Day on May 1 at eight senior center locations in all five counties. The event will include a general presentation on elder law issues along with opportunities to meet with lawyers at no cost. Those wishing to attend Senior Law Day should contact the individual senior centers to register.

Additional attorneys, both practicing and retired, are welcome and encouraged to participate in Mid-Shore Pro Bono's Elder Law Project. The volunteer hours help fulfill attorneys' annual pro bono service goal established by the Maryland courts.

For Tettelbaum, however, volunteering is more than just about meeting a numerical goal. "It has become obvious to me that there is a great, unmet need for basic legal services by seniors who are not armed with counsel to help them navigate a complex and often bewildering environment," he explained. "Having seen this need, it is a pleasure to be able to help address it through volunteering at Mid-Shore Pro Bono."

For more information or to make a donation, call Mid-Shore Pro Bono at 410-690-8128 or visit www.midshoreprobono.org.

###

delmarva.com

NYSE: POM  

Media Contact: Matt Likovich                                                                                                                               

Office 410-860-6203 | 24/7 Media Hotline 866-655-2237 | matthew.likovich@delmarva.com   

Delmarva Power Reminds Customers to Call Before Digging

Know What's Below; Call Before You Dig

SALISBURY, Md. - April is National Safe Digging Month and staying away from underground utility lines is as easy as 8-1-1. That is the underground utility locating service number to call before you put a shovel into the ground.

Whether you are putting in shrubbery or installing a fence, deck or mailbox, you should call 8-1-1 before each job in order to prevent damage to underground electric and gas lines, avoid fines and repair costs, and keep you, your family and neighbors safe. By law, the underground utility locating service must be called at least two days in advance of any work you plan to do.

"The underground utility locating service is free, and simply calling 8-1-1 will bring someone to your home or business to mark all underground utilities so you will be able to dig safely," said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. "Calling 8-1-1 before digging will help you avoid fines and disgruntled neighbors if a hit line cuts off electric or gas service. But, more importantly, knowing where it's safe to dig will avoid an accident that could result in injury or death."

Be smart, dig safely and call 8-1-1 before you dig.

Find additional information about Delmarva Power by visiting www.delmarva.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Our mobile app is available at www.delmarva.com/mobileapp.

###

STEP UP TO  THE MIC!

Don't miss out on this

marketing opportunity

Exclusively for Chamber Members!  

Every Thursday morning at 8:40am a Chamber Member will be featured on WCTR Radio 1530 AM and 102.3 FM to talk about their business at NOCOST to the Chamber Member.

Please call or email Loretta at the Chamber office to set up a date today!  410-810-2968 OR  kentchamber@verizon.net 

WCTR - The Voice of Kent & Queen Anne's Counties

Listen to WCTR online:  www.wctr.com