Selections from Mayor Jake Day’s 2022 State of the City Address
Jake Day • January 17, 2023
Edited by CSES Staff
Jake Day, mayor of Salisbury in Wicomico County, delivered his 2022 State of the City Address on November 15, 2022. As it’s rather long, Common Sense for the Eastern Shore cannot publish the entire speech, but our staff has chosen sections to be published on January 18 and February 1. The speech is organized around a series of dates corresponding to events that mark a particular issue. Starting from that date, Mayor Day brings us up to the present, focusing on changes and progress in that area. Common Sense would like to express our gratitude to Mayor Day and his office staff for generously providing us with the full text of his speech.
1990 (Culture — Zoo/ABCD)
- “That’s our big goal for 1990, getting the pavilion built. It will provide a permanent facility for outdoor performances in the warm weather.”
- That’s Davina Grace Hill, Director of the Salisbury Arts Council, speaking to the Daily Times about what then seemed to be a project on the brink of becoming a reality. In 1989, the Chamber proposed the construction of an entertainment facility on the site of Riverwalk Park, where the Riverwalk Amphitheater is located today.
- By bringing the National Folk Festival to Salisbury, we were able to successfully lobby for funding from Gov. Hogan that helped get us across the finish line. Quality of life, high quality public spaces, the arts, parks - these things that make a place lovable are things that have been seen as secondary concerns – or, at very least, ideas that seemed great until it came time to fund them. Today, though, the way we view the arts and entertainment, recreational opportunities, cultural enrichment has changed.
- And our prioritization of the arts will soon and for years to come manifest as the Maryland Folk Festival. The Festival has been the catalyst for our rapid revitalization, with $67 million in direct economic impact, and some 400,000 visitors attending over the four years that we served as host city. We have been given a tremendous gift, and it’s incumbent upon us to do everything we can to keep the excitement and momentum up, and that’s precisely what we’re doing.
- Anyone who has volunteered in Salisbury knows, it takes a small army to plan, schedule, coordinate, and execute the events we’ve come to expect. But if we truly want to be the cultural capital of the Eastern Shore, we can’t only depend upon community organizations to do the lifting. That’s why, this year, we stood up the City of Salisbury’s Arts, Business, and Culture Department. This team is tasked with identifying unique entertainment opportunities, developing and implementing a rigorous marketing campaign for events, and providing technical and production support, for all of our tourist attractions.
- Our most beloved such attraction, the Salisbury Zoo, remains at the center of our efforts to serve up unique regional amenities. Construction is soon to be completed on the long-overdue new administrative building; and we have welcomed new sloths, new red wolves, baby wallabies, and 2 new Andean bear cubs this year. Coming soon is a new pavilion that can be rented for outdoor events and weddings.
- We ought not forget the joy that these amenities provide. Look no further than what a splash of paint can do for a building or a neighborhood. And I don’t mean to make light of the effort that art requires, but it’s a wonder that more murals weren’t always a part of our history. Today, though, you can find 20 painted electric transformers, 10 murals, and 4 sculpture projects throughout the city center. Just a few weeks ago we cut the ribbon on our area’s largest mural on the recently-exposed side of the Evolution Craft Brewery and the basketball court mural on Waterside Park. Prioritizing the arts, cultural enrichment, and recreational opportunities pays off, and the proof is in the pudding.
2015 (Youth)
- “We resolutely believe this proposed [curfew] ordinance does not address the root causes of juvenile crimes, and thus will not solve the problem.”
- That was Theo Williams of the Salisbury-Wicomico Youth Civics Council, speaking to 2015’s proposed youth curfew, which applied to children 16 and younger.
- As you likely remember, the curfew wasn’t approved, and as weeks and months passed without any thoughtful efforts to combat them, juvenile crimes persisted throughout the city. We knew that that root cause was still our target, so we set out to find an actual solution — one that we could maintain and support with people-first programs and concrete goals. We determined neighborhoods where juvenile arrests were rising. We looked into what set these neighborhoods apart, and it became glaringly obvious: other safe options simply weren’t there for kids. These neighborhoods had no youth programming, no facilities, little to no community outreach. The system failed them, setting them up on a path with one clear end point. We had to offer our youth a safe space, the freedom to choose a new path. So, we got to work.
- I’ve learned that sometimes, building community means just that: quite literally constructing community. We started renovations on Newton Street Community Center in 2018, opening in summer 2021 to open arms — we offered after-school activities, 3D printing, homework help, cooking classes, music studio space, and lots more. Every room in Newton is bursting with potential — the potential for a new art project, a new experience, a new conversation or a new friend. We encouraged expression and fostered relationships with neighborhood families, and gave our youth a reliable, safe place to find their path. We’re doing the same thing at Truitt Street Community Center, too, where we broke ground on the second building just one week ago. And these aren’t the only assets we have built for our kids in recent years. The Salisbury Skatepark is currently in the midst of its third and final phase, and construction will be complete in the coming weeks. These spaces and more have become crown jewels in our City, exceeding expectations and effecting real and honest change in the young lives.
- Proud as I am of these facilities, we can’t let four walls define the extent of our services. This can be as simple as setting up a table on a corner for a Pop-Up Bus Stop or bringing out the grill to a Neighborhood Walk. Newtown, Prince Street, Doverdale, Smith Street, North Camden — you name it, and we’ve probably been there. We’ve knocked on doors all across the city, ate a burger and a snowcone with a new friend, shared a laugh and a smile.
In the next edition, Common Sense for the Eastern Shore will look at what the city of Salisbury has done in dealing with traffic safety and crime under the Mayor’s guidance.
Jake Day is the 28th mayor of Salisbury, Md. Born and raised here, he was first elected to City Council at the age of 30 and unanimously elected president. Recently, Mayor Day was selected for the 2022 Just City Mayor’s Fellowship, facilitated by the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Before becoming mayor, he spent his career revitalizing downtowns and making them more vibrant, livable places. Day was recently appointed to be Secretary of Housing and Community Development by Governor-elect Wes Moore.
Common Sense for the Eastern Shore
At Shore Progress’s monthly meeting last week, the tension between national politics and local opportunity was on full display. With President Donald Trump escalating his attacks on offshore wind, representatives from US Wind and the Oceantic Network made their case directly to members gathered in Salisbury. From the outset, the presenters stressed the scale of what’s coming to the Eastern Shore. “This project is the equivalent of building two nuclear power plants off our coast,” US Wind representative Dave Wilson said, pointing to plans for 114 turbines and four offshore substations. Together, he said, the project will generate two net gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 26% of the homes in Maryland. The presentation walked members through the timeline: a four-phase buildout beginning in the southeast corner of the lease area, with each phase, including its own export cable, routed through Indian River Bay into the regional grid at the Indian River Power Plant in Delaware. Environmental safeguards on display Slides showed how US Wind plans to minimize negative effects on wildlife. The company will use an aircraft detection lighting system to keep turbines dark until a low-flying aircraft approaches, reducing night-sky light pollution. Marine protections include bubble curtains to dampen noise during pile driving, visual and acoustic monitoring for whales, and strict shutdown zones if animals enter construction areas. Lights will be on less than 1% of the time in any given year, underscoring their view that offshore wind can coexist with migratory birds, commercial fishing, and marine transit. Economic promise for the Shore The discussion turned quickly to what the project means locally. US Wind pledged hundreds of jobs for the Shore, with commitments to use union labor and partner with minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses. Officials noted that the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance has already received $700,000 from Maryland Works for Wind to build training programs, while community colleges are adjusting trade curricula to educate the next generation of turbine technicians. A planned operations and maintenance facility in West Ocean City will house technicians and crew transfer vessels, bringing steady employment and infrastructure investment to the harbor. A national fight with local stakes The meeting didn’t shy away from politics. Several members noted Trump’s repeated attempts to derail offshore wind projects including his latest push to revoke US Wind’s federal permit. US Wind officials acknowledged that such lawsuits could delay progress but insisted that the project’s federal approvals are on solid ground. “This is the Eastern Shore's moment,” Shore Progress Chair Jared Schablein said, referring to a slide that showed more than $815 million in offshore wind investments statewide. “The question is whether politics will slow us down, or whether we keep building for the Shore’s future.” The presentation had a clear message: Offshore wind is not just about clean power, but also about jobs, investment, and opportunity for Eastern Shore families. Jan Plotczyk spent 25 years as a survey and education statistician with the federal government, at the Census Bureau and the National Center for Education Statistics. She retired to Rock Hall.
Standing at the Legacy at Twin Rivers apartment community in Howard County, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order aimed at addressing his state’s deepening housing crisis. Titled Housing Starts Here, his order is designed to accelerate construction of affordable homes and cut through what Moore called years of “no and slow” decision-making in state housing policy. Maryland is facing a shortage of at least 96,000 housing units, according to state estimates, a gap that officials say has driven up prices, pushed families out of the state, and stifled economic growth. “Building pathways to wealth for Marylanders, creating jobs, attracting new businesses and residents, growing our economy, and securing our future all start with housing,” Moore said at the signing. “We need to be the state of yes and now.” Five guiding principles The executive order lays out five core priorities for state housing policy: Use state land for housing . Agencies must identify surplus properties and land near transit stations that can be converted into new housing developments. Cut red tape. State permitting processes will be streamlined, with new rules allowing third-party reviewers to accelerate approvals. Strengthen partnerships. A new State Housing Ombudsman will serve as a liaison to help coordinate projects between state agencies, local governments, and developers. Set clear goals. By January 2026, the state will publish housing production targets for each county and update them every five years. Incentivize affordable housing. Jurisdictions that meet housing targets or pass pro-housing policies will be recognized with new Maryland Housing Leadership Awards, making them more competitive for state funding. Speed as the priority State officials said the new framework is focused on cutting delays that can hold back projects for years. By digitizing applications, engaging multiple agencies simultaneously, and allowing outside reviewers, the state aims to expedite project completion while upholding environmental and community standards. What could this mean for us on the Eastern Shore? Moore acknowledged that housing affordability consistently ranks as Marylanders’ No. 1 concern. For young people in particular, high costs and long commutes are major reasons they leave the state. The order seeks to reverse that trend, tying housing growth to job creation and transit access. On the Eastern Shore , where rental availability and starter homes are limited, Moore’s order could open opportunities for mixed-use, transit-oriented projects on state-owned land, as well as accelerate approval for affordable housing initiatives backed by nonprofits and local developers. What comes next The Department of Housing and Community Development will publish the state’s first set of production targets by Jan. 1, 2026, followed by annual progress reports starting in 2027. Agencies have until March 2026 to implement many of the new permitting and funding acceleration rules. Moore framed the executive order as a generational investment. “Making housing more affordable is not just about building shelter, it’s about building a legacy,” he said.
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has intensified her calls for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down, releasing a detailed report that she says proves his tenure has been a disaster for American families. The first senator to demand Kennedy’s resignation in May, Alsobrooks joined Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in unveiling a 54-page report that chronicles what they describe as the “costly, chaotic, and corrupt” record of Kennedy’s first 203 days at the department. Released before Kennedy’s Senate hearing last week, the report outlines examples of alleged mismanagement for each day since he was sworn in on Feb. 13. “Robert Kennedy’s tenure as America’s chief health officer has been higher costs, more chaos, and boundless corruption,” Wyden said. “His actions are endangering children, leaving parents confused and scared, and forcing families and taxpayers to pay more for their health care.” Echoing that assessment, Alsobrooks cited testimony from scientists at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland who she says have watched critical cancer research grind to a halt under Kennedy’s leadership. “His actions are increasing Americans’ health care costs, causing chaos, and furthering the Trump administration’s endless stream of corruption,” she said. The report argues that Kennedy has: Driven up costs by backing the Trump administration’s budget plan, which Alsobrooks says strips health coverage from 15 million Americans while handing tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations. Created chaos by dismantling HHS programs, undermining research institutions, and promoting vaccine misinformation. Engaged in corruption by using the office to advance personal and family financial interests, particularly around limiting vaccine access. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, praised Alsobrooks’ leadership. “President Trump and Senate Republicans made a grievous error when entrusting Kennedy with our nation’s health,” the group said in. “It is far past time that President Trump rectifies this error by firing Kennedy before more lives are unnecessarily put at risk.” Alsobrooks appeared on the Morning Joe TV show on to discuss the findings and to reiterate her demand that Kennedy resign or be removed. “This is about protecting families and protecting science,” she said. “Our nation’s health system cannot afford another day under Robert Kennedy’s reckless watch.” As a community organizer, journalist, administrator, project planner/manager, and consultant, Gren Whitman has led neighborhood, umbrella, public interest, and political committees and groups, and worked for civil rights and anti-war organizations.
Wicomico County leaders have announced plans to move forward with the federal government’s controversial 287(g) program, entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would deputize local officers to serve immigration warrants inside the county jail. Under the model selected, known as the Warrant Service Officer program, specially trained deputies at the detention center would be allowed to serve civil immigration warrants on individuals already in custody. County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis emphasized that deputies would not conduct street-level immigration enforcement. “Public safety is our top responsibility,” Giordano said. “The Warrant Service Officer program provides our sheriff’s office with the tools they need to address individuals already in custody who may pose a risk to our community at no additional cost to the county.” Lewis added that the program “gives our deputies the ability to safely and lawfully carry out their duties while ensuring that Wicomico County remains a secure place to live, work, and raise a family.” Community pushback The announcement drew swift opposition from civil rights and community organizations, including the ACLU of Maryland, the Wicomico NAACP, and local grassroots groups such as Crabs on the Shore, who have warned that the agreement will harm immigrant families, sow fear, and erode trust between residents and law enforcement. Opponents also criticized the process, arguing that the decision was rushed through without meaningful public input despite repeated calls for hearings. “This is being framed as an administrative detail, but it has huge consequences for our neighbors,” one advocate said. Concerns about cost and precedent Supporters of the WSO model have emphasized that the partnership comes “at no additional cost” to Wicomico taxpayers, but critics point out that other jurisdictions have found otherwise. Anne Arundel County canceled its own 287(g) agreement, citing high costs and community backlash. The Camden Police Department in Delaware withdrew from a similar partnership after public protests in May. Advocates note that the federal government does not fully reimburse counties for the time, training, and legal exposure associated with 287(g) programs, leaving local taxpayers to shoulder hidden expenses. First on Delmarva If finalized, Wicomico County would become the first government or police agency on the Delmarva Peninsula to formally enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE. Supporters say that distinction demonstrates a commitment to accountability and public safety. Opponents warn it risks branding the county as hostile to immigrant communities that have long been central to the Shore’s workforce, particularly in poultry processing and agriculture. The county’s decision comes amid a broader national debate about local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, with critics warning that partnerships like 287(g) make communities less safe by discouraging victims and witnesses from coming forward. For now, the final agreement is pending federal approval. But with strong opposition already mobilized, the fight over Wicomico’s new partnership is likely only beginning.
Wicomico County Republicans have moved forward with an agreement to join the federal 287(g) program, aligning the county with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). County Executive Julie Giordano and Sheriff Mike Lewis are backing the program to train county officers at the detention center to help ICE identify non-citizens for deportation proceedings. The agreement has triggered strong pushback from immigrant advocates, civil rights groups, and community leaders who warn that this partnership will erode trust between residents and law enforcement, risk racial profiling, and allot local tax dollars to assist federal immigration enforcement. Yet amid the growing controversy, the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee has issued no response to the ICE agreement, even as residents voice frustration that the Democratic establishment’s silence has ceded the conversation to Republicans. Moreover, the Central Committee has remained silent with regard to recent comments by Democratic Councilwoman April Jackson, who told the Washington Post that the poultry industry should reduce its reliance on immigrant workers. Jackson also said, “a lot of Americans aren’t employed because the Haitians are taking our jobs.” Jackson’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism from immigrant advocates. For many residents, the Democratic leadership’s silence is as much of a concern as the county government’s new partnership with ICE. As the county waits for federal approval of the 287(g) agreement, the absence of a Democratic counterweight has left immigrant families and community organizers to carry the opposition on their own.
With speculation mounting that Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D-37A) may run for County Executive for Wicomico County in 2026, the longtime Eastern Shore lawmaker will headline a Community Conversation in Dorchester County on Sept. 17 at 6 pm. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Democrats, the event will give residents the opportunity to hear Sample-Hughes speak about local priorities — schools, public safety, health care access, and economic development in the mid-Shore. Sample-Hughes, former Speaker Pro Tem of the Maryland House of Delegates, has represented portions of Wicomico and Dorchester counties for more than a decade. Her record includes bipartisan work on district projects, as well as efforts to expand health services and invest in infrastructure. Although organizers emphasize that the Sept. 17 gathering is not a campaign event, the timing has fueled interest. Political observers note that any appearance by Sample-Hughes will be closely watched as Democrats weigh potential challengers for County Executive in the upcoming cycle. The forum will include remarks from the delegate, followed by a question-and-answer session. Seating is available first-come, first-served and residents from across the Shore are encouraged to attend. Key details What: Community Conversation with Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes When: Sept. 17, 6 pm Where: Dorchester County, venue to be announced by organizers. Format: Remarks followed by audience Q&A Before her election to the House of Delegates, Sample-Hughes served on the Wicomico County Council. Should she enter the county executive race, many believe she would be a serious challenger to Republican incumbent Julie Giordano.
