Oh my god, so many errors. The English major side of me is weeping, but what can you expect from hashed out, fresh thoughts

What I wouldn't do to recreate the whole scene!!! It is sooooo frustrating to live in town and NOT be able to feel comforted by what is needed...you are so right about the "fluff" versus what creates a magnetic and sustaining energy to the town itself...! I have a million affordable, practical and awesome ideas! It is time to create a place that can stimulate healthy family affordable fun...outlets for all socio-economic levels, a place to destress and produce a positive and restorative vibe to all who visit and live here!

Honestly, if there are more people out there with ideas, we should be going to city council for those meetings or talking to the tourism... council, or whatever they are. BUT I know that being a college student with no job, I have some, uh, extra time on my hands. I got an email with someone who contributed another epic post but it seems to have disappeared ;) Haha!

Having lived in HdG most of my life (I grew up here, graduated from HHS and then moved away for a few years, returning in 1982 and have been here since. I understand what the writer is saying, but what the writer doesn't know is that HdG was once a thriving town with all the sustaining type stores that one could possibly need. There were many clothing shops, specialty clothing shops for men, women and children, drug stores, 2-5 and 10 cent stores, an appliance store, a hardware store, a paint store, a stationery store (when people used to write letters), a card shop, a few grocers, 2 shoes stores, dry cleaners, a theatre, 2 pool halls, a music store, several hair salons, several banks and more businesses than I'm listing here. All the stores and businesses were open at normal business hours and everyone in HdG shopped in HdG...when the Harford Mall was built in the late 1960's that is when all the merchants started to close up shop for lack of business, as many HdGracians were choosing to do their shopping at the mall and again, that is what is happening to HdG merchants today. Between the high cost of their rent and HdGracians shopping elsewhere, the business is not strong enough to support HdG merchants and businesses.

Ms. Kinlin, how disheartened I was to read your current opinions about our fair City of Havre de Grace. Your negative references, mis-statements and perceptions are exactly what contribute to the "problems" here. You say you've lived in our town for two years, and (by opinion) claim to have this great understanding of what it's all about (or rather, what it isn't). I moved to HdG over 3 years ago from Annapolis and I can honestly say this town has won me over. From it's historical heritage, it's thriving cultural environs, and it's classic nautical flair, there is indeed something for everyone. Antiques and Decoys included. Your repeated use of the dsiparaging term "fluff" (from an English Major, no less) infers a lack of substance and sustenance within Havre de Grace's downtown Historic District. You really don't know Havre de Grace at all. From our Mayor, Wayne Daugherty, to every member of our City Council, Bill, Randy, Fred, Jim, John and Barbara, to Meaghan Simmons in our Economic Developement Office, local residents and business owners, and everyone in between, all have worked diligently together to promote the success and longevity of Havre de Grace. Nothing to do? Right. Eight thriving restaurants in a four block reach provide a social hub like few within 50 miles, Have we forgotten the Promenade, Tydings Park, the SkipJack Martha Lewis, The Tidewater Players and their Community Theater? How about Graw days, the Seafood Festival, and City Fair?

Of course, we can't forget First Fridays, a great street festival where you can really meet the town you live in! Or Concerts in the Park. The mighty Susquehanna River and hearty Susquehanna Trail... Boat, swim, fish, hike... booor-ing, I know. HdG has a tremendous B & B industry as well, catering year-round to Weddings, Anniversary's, Special Events, and that quiet Get-Away Weekend. Booked solid, by good folks from everywhere! We'll miss Kelley and Jason from Island Jack, and Phil at Main Street Cigar, and the China Wok, but those closings are not indicative of the continued growth of HdG, I'd invite you to stick around for the renaissance, but sounds like you already made up your mind. Shame.

I don't think Joe at the Vineyard Wine Bar, or Victoria at Pizzazz! consider themselves ""wacky, unique Ma & Pa" shops... that bakery that's never open? It's called Goll's, and it's open every day (except Wednesdays) at 7am til it's fresh baked goods are gone, since the 1940's. That theater that's closed down? Wrong again, it's been the Evangelistic Church of the Deliverance for the last eight years, had you checked... and finally, General Lafayette? If you had looked, he stands at the entrance to our historic district, welcoming all!

Young lady, before you so readily dismiss HdG as a never was, LIVE here while you live here. Or, since it seems you're so eager, there are three roadways out of town, unless, of course, you want to take a boat. Good Luck, and God Bless America!

I have to agree to some of the Blog but not all of it. If you have lived in HdeG for 2 yrs. you have to know where Golls Bakery is, EVERYONE knows where it is and how Good the donuts, cheesecake and everything else is. I have said for years our town needs more for our kids their kids and the older adults. If our children want to do anything they have to another town or out of state to have fun. We have NEVER had anything as long as I can remember except for the pool hall many years ago. There are many places in town or on the hill that could make a fine place for Bowling, Skating Rink, Nice shopping places, we don't need another antique shop or Bar, maybe another fast food place something different then what we already have, there are lots of things they could try.

Oops!!!!!! we did have a theater years go I forgot it was closed many years ago.

It must be so wonderful to have all the answers at such a tender age. Have you talked to the business owners to find out why they make the decisions they do? It sounds like you may have Wednesdays free. The bakery has been closed on Wednesday since WWII (when businesses were asked to close one day each week to save resources for the war effort).

Who do you think should open the theatres, bowling alleys and diners? All of these require large amounts of capital, with a very long payback, Without a proven audience, no one is going to sink large amounts of money into businesses where the average spending per person is under $20 or so. It might be interesting to find out why there are only two bowling alleys and two theatres in Harford County, when there used to be so many more. I challenge you to do the research and talk to local business owners before you put down the Mom & Pop shops again.

To respond to Amy's comment, I suggest you check out the new and flourishig Creative Sanctuary on Washington Street. They are teaching yoga, belly dancing and tai chi.

I just moved here via BRAC and was excited to visit Havre De Grace! The town has so much potential but no draw! Where is a Starbucks or equivalent ? A great bakery is a must and a big stocked hardware store. I agree that the essentials are not there. There is a town back in Jersey that is similar in location called Ocean Grove that is packed year round with religious conferences, music festivals , food festivals etc. It is pack with little stores, an outside covered ice cream pallor, old fashioned drug store, candy shop and even the little shell shop is busy! I hope someone in the town council lives this little town enough to save it it can be done GET GOING! J Elmore Nutting
Ig

I live in HDG I could not tell you the last time I was downtown, everything is on Route 40. I know you want to preserve the historic sight but you need to bring name brand stores down there. how about a DIARY QUEEN, or a major clothes chain store.

I agree with many of your sentiments, Katie.

While I have some wonderful HdG friends, and the majority of people here are lovely and friendly, I am perplexed and downright disappointed about some of the things in this town where I too have lived for two years.

Why isn't there a coffee shop that welcomes customers with friendly, not surly, service and with hours that encourage people to come in and stay awhile? Also, having wifi would bring it in step with other coffee shops I've patronized in the last 10 years.

I've wondered why so many of the stores, except it seems for the antique ones, have erratic hours. Either it does not pay to stay open regularly, or these business owners don't really need the business.

I am disappointed about the new grocery store that opened. Very little produce and lots and lots of processed (junk) food. Absolutely nothing organic. Just what people need. It is shameful really.

I'm perplexed as to why there is no stop sign at an intersection where there are lots of kids -- right where Union Street ends at Commerce at the park where, in good weather -- there are lots of children and other people walking around and getting out of their cars. To me, that says much about the town: not paying attention to what's important and not putting the people who live here first.

Havre de Grace has been referred to as the "town with such potential" for 40 years or more. Over the years many creative, forward thinking, business minded, knowledgable, educated people in lots of different fields have seen the potential of this town and volunteered their time, energy and money to attempt to move this town toward being all that it can be. They soon find that a very small group of about 2000 people (about the number of same people who vote in each city election) run this town of 15,000 and they continually recycle the leadership of the town through those same people/families. That grouping of people don't seem to want what you speak of Katie and Amy. They want a sleepy little residential city that offers nothing to the outside world. They want to be left alone. Havre de Grace has more employees than similar cities three times its size creating the necessity to tax and burden its citizens for the cost of their services creating an unfriendly and costly environment for new residents and new businesses. The most refreshing thing that has come to HDG recently is the 7 Eleven and the remaking of David Craig park.

The reasons behind Katie's observance are so clear. H de G is a wonderful place to live, however, there seems to be a lets leave it alone attitude, similar to other small towns in America. I agree there is no way H de G should ever come close to the ways of overpopulated, too many fast food places, and the traffic from hell. But, new ideas even on a small scale that would encourage more tourism while maintaining a quieter, slow life style can be met. Katie, while the English major side of you might have been interrupted...it is only because you care. That is the best side of you.

A lot of cool replies. My intent was not to "disrespect, downplay, etc, etc" Mom and Pa stores... I don't think the entry came out like I wanted it to, I probably should have actually read it and looked over it before hitting submit. But I just submitted brain to type thoughts.

I actually wanted to try and think of ideas on how to help them, like the whole idea of having the "essential" shops/whatever to draw in more for the older themed cool stores that make HdG. Good conversations~

Please don't disparage our town and the people who work in it without doing credible research. It's insulting to them and everyone else for you to dismiss their hardwork so easily. The people who you so easily dismissed as the problem work their butts off on a daily basis to bring people into town and create events and run their businesses. There is way more going on than just the Re-enactment and Pirate Gala. And people not knowing where here is? Talk to The Vandiver Inn about how many weddings come through their doors each year or how many places choose the Laurripan to cater their events or the Visitor Center about how many people come through each year. Do your research, volunteer, get involved. Even as a college student you can do things to help out those already working to better the town. Please choose to do the research and try to help instead of throwing out belittling opinions of people who work hard for this town.

Did you even understand what my article was even about or what I said. Or my point.

Let's do some critical reading here: nowhere in my post did I "insult" downtown store owners for their hard work. In a matter of fact, my article just centered off the idea of having other essential stores to BOOST their business. The people who work their butts off to create the extra events are awesome. The few events that go on around here are cool, and I think they need some extra help too. And I have been involved. I've been speaking with Mr Welsh about creating better events in the downtown area and making Havre de Grace a better place. I had no idea that throwing my two cents about making the town better and helping said businesses somehow belittled them.

Anyone below this who continues to feed the fire of "disrespecting stores", blahblahblah have no idea what I'm trying to say or what ideas I'm trying to put out there. Trolls feeding trolls, thanks.

I think the point of the post was to show your town from an outsiders perspective. It is an opinion, and opinions are not necessarily wrong. I agree with Ms.Kinlin, I've visited Havre de Grace with my parents and then again with my boyfriend. It is not a trip I would make by myself. You may think that there are festivals, places, and other happenings that appeal to everyone, but who are you to say what EVERYONE likes? If even one person isn't attracted to the scene, then the word "everyone" can no long be used. For one, I don't think that the youth (being one of them) would find the events all that appealing. At least the ones whose interests have not been taken into account. Second, I agree with her somewhat proposal of taking Harford college students into consideration. My question is: Does Havre de Grace have a night life? Or does it close down at 9pm? I've found my visits to Havre de Grace dull. But of course, that is just my opinion. I feel that I need to take it upon myself to make my visit more enjoyable.

I've been living here all my 22 years of life and frankly this town is an animal dying slowly. I support the growth, radical, new, fresh ideas. I've been to first friday's outside of Maryland (or their similar counterparts) and BLOCKS were closed off for it. Beer, food, concerts, bands, displays, car displays, bikes etc. etc. We need a new, fresh attack at turning the town I've spent all my life in thus far into a town with stuff to do for all ages, from children to teens to adults. Party's, events, stuff like that regularly. Not annually. Sure you have the gala and the re-enactment. But they're annually. Advertisement, investment and ideas will turn this hole into something great. I know it can be done. I'm all for it. I'm sick of how this town is as dusty and decrepit as the wares of the antique shops. Antiques, bars and restaurants. To me? If I were a tourist? I'd be on the next bus out of this joint. And believe me, I'm doing my best to get my education and take it to more greener pastures. Trust me, I love my home, Havre de Grace is always my home, I know its streets, corners, nooks and crannies and people. I don't want to see it stay a "Sleepy, quaint town" the rest of my days. Niche stores never last here either.

More or less, this is a topic I hear about regularly around town—making Havre de Grace more youth- and young adult-friendly. Maybe the best thing to do would be to host a town hall discussion about the topic sometime this summer. We'd talked about doing a youth-activity-oriented one last year following the drowning last May at the swimming hole. I'd be interested in helping coordinate something like that if we can get involvement from the city, Main Street, the Chamber and young residents and regular visitors. I'll start doing some behind-the-scenes work to see if this is a reality. If you'd be interested in getting involved, please email me at sean.welsh@patch.com

-Sean

This has been a topic for all of my 51yrs living in this town. We never had anything for the youth back then and we still do not. We use to be able to walk along the water front but even that has gone away. I can remember as a kid my parents did all of our shopping downtown but like many towns similiar to HdeG, that all changed with Malls and Walmarts. Just sayin....

Sorry I did not jump through hoops to go to tourism, the mainstreet committee and the city council to post an opinionated post on the HdG patch.

I totally agree with the "LACK OF" things to do for our youth!!I have said before the youth are the "FUTURE" of HavreDeGrace....One thing i have been wondering "FOR YEARS" what are they going to do with that "NON-FUNCTIONING" Charcoal Pit below 7-11..other then a place for the MTA and other police officer to pull people over in it has NO other function...oh and the occasional person who walks behind it to relieve their self..YES i know how do I know well when they walk back there undoing their clothing and walk out buttoning their pants it does not take much to figure it out...AND...I have also seen other "QUESTIONABLE" behavior walking from behind there as well...JUST ASKING???

Ms. Kinlin.....the key to writing an opinion post is to "write it and leave it alone" that is, write what you have to say, then walk away. There, you've done said it, stand by it. If you wish to engage everyone who posts their opinion then you take away the Editorial aspect of journalism and you reduce this to nothing more than a tweet.
You had your opinion, now let people have theirs.

Alrighty then.

I have a question (being from Edgewood, I wouldn't know the answer): Is there a (clean) place where the youth are permitted to gather? Like a late-night event that they themselves are allowed to create? Is there an open space that they can use (day or night) that they are allowed to just do their own thing? What if youth from Harford county wanted to make their own good clean fun? Could we do it? Pretty much taking night life from Baltimore (where I'm originally from) and bringing it to Havre de Grace and making it fun for all ages, or at least appropriate for any age to join in.

I'm done reading the Patch. It's gotten out of hand. It is no longer a place to get news. The nasty comments and negative opinions show the ugly side of humanity.
And by the way Ms. Kinlin, I'm glad you recognized all the grammatical errors in your article. Not sure what college you go to but when I was in college we would proof read our writing BEFORE we submitted our work. Best of luck to you.

This isn't journalism. This blog is a conversation. Too bad for the ugliness and personal attacks, which are completely unnecessary and do not add anything to the conversation. Katie, I applaud you for bringing this conversation out in the open. Just ignore the ugly ones. They don't matter.

Oh and one more thing......As far as things for the youth to do?I have to say HDG Little league and the youth football program are GREAT!!!!!Just wish there were more for them to do not EVERY youth has the interest in organized sports.WE,THE CITY OF HDG really need to broaden their minds and think about our YOUTH.There have been MANY ideas put out there in ref to our youth most recently after the drowning of "BIG MIKE" Just seems no one is interested in them?The local school systems offer "AFTER SCHOOL" activities when u ask a student to get involved the answer is usually...."I have been in school ALL DAY....OR...I had practice for 2 hours there I want to do something "FUN"

When I say youth, I don't just mean children, I mean teenagers and young adults. Sports teams tend to be a bit too time consuming and too much of a commitment for the older youth. That is the thing I kind of want to talk about "...I had practice for 2 hours there I want to do something 'FUN'"...that is exactly what I'm talking about. I mean something none school or work related. An event for relaxing and socializing. Weekend fun. Can youth like myself take on the responsibility of making their own fun but in a public manner that wouldn't be seen as a disturbance? Sometimes we/they just need somewhere public to go.

Having worked in PR briefly, I advertised events catered to people who liked things such as flow arts, anime, cartoons, video games, cosplay, things that are big in larger areas. Special interest events. Events where people actually sit around and play video games on big screens with music in the background at clubs. Events where the people who went to the Baltimore Convention Center for Otakon would come for a discount to relax and have fun, listen to music and dance.

I'm just wondering if there is open space for the public to use, and guidelines for its use. Not being from Havre de Grace and barely having any knowledge of how things in Harford County, despite spending the better part of my upbringing here. I don't know what action to take to get something social going. Social events bring in more people...alert more people of a new location.

Ok enough. Want to hear FROM a visitor? My daughter the impetuous English Major with a huge heart, made the youthful mistake of expressing an opinion online and without knowing the spelling police where here. I blame myself for teaching her to express herself. She wrote an insightful, spoken from the heart, trying to help you people, opinion on a blog. This is how you encourage your youth? When I deposited her there 2 years ago to attend college, YOUR local college, which by attacking her grammar i suppose says more about whats not working there and i should consider a refund. i can tell you when i came there I was NOT charmed. I thought it was dirty, run down and had seen much better days. but she liked it, who is a parent to say. her comments were written from having traveled to MANY small towns in her lifetime such as HDG such as Cocoa Village Fl, Cape May, NJ, Hyannis, MA, Niagara, NY. You can look at ANY of these towns and track their highs and lows, but they have all succeeded in making successful, prosperous towns that people want to live in and vacation at by government and business owners having a plan, addressing the problems and taking the YEARS and commitment needed to actually have a place people want to be. Sharon hit it on the head, something i haven't taught her yet...the wall of obstruction to change by the establishment. Thanks for teaching her a valuable lesson HDG. I cant wait till she graduates and I can get her the hell out of there. Enjoy.

Wow, I guess that was necessary. If you were my mom I would be embarrassed right now. Not every one reacted negative to the original comment.

I understand that this BLOG has invited opinions both neg and positive.....HOWEVER....When one writes a BLOG they need to prepare theirself for many OPINIONS and sometimes distasteful remarks it is part of it.I hope that the author of this BLOG has thick skin and realizes that with writng a BLOG opinions and remarks are a given.Do not give up stating your opinion or putting info out there that is close to your heart but prepare yourself for the responses.

Unrelated.

Wow Katie, I’m really impressed! 52 comments on your blog. I thought I got a lot of interest when I generated 6 comments on my blog. And I must say, reading all the comments was entertaining. You have done a great job generating excitement among the Patch readers!

You pointed out some areas where HdG is lacking, and you are right, HdG is not known for its exciting night life that would appeal to the 20 something crowd. “Essential” businesses are not here either. If we had a Mall, a Target a Walmart, a Best buy and a bunch of Chain restaurants, then we’d be just like everybody else. but the HdG motto is: “Unique on the Chesapeake”. I think HdG is more of a tourist town. Maybe you were thinking it wasn’t.

But let’s look at what HdG does have. HdG has a bunch of museums; we have a Lighthouse, a Promenade, plenty of open Parks on the river, plenty of Antique stores, and unique “non-chain” Bars & Restaurants. We even have a Paddle Boat Restaurant, one of only a few in the world. We have Motor Boating, Sailing, Canoeing, and Kayaking, We have wooden boat building events and classes. We even have a Yacht club that hosts a Regatta! We have plenty of parades and seasonal outdoor events (including the upcoming 1812 war re-enactment which you mentioned). We have art shows. We are the decoy capitol of the world, (albeit a self nominated title). We have a really charming downtown that doesn’t have much traffic hassles. We have beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets. We have B&B’s nestled among some fascinating historical architecture. We have old Churches and new Churches. Not many people know that we have four federally licensed gun dealers. And something people seem to forget; we do have a community swimming pool (on Bayview Drive). I almost forgot, we have plenty of great fishing.

Great post. Thanks again for stirring such a wild discussion.

Excellent post. You've certainly struck a nerve with folks, many of whom would really rather not acknowledge what HdG looks like to the rest of the world. I can't imagine how much energy goes into that level of denial. Wouldn't it be great if it were used instead to actually address the problems? Like the main points in your post: Businesses are closing, and, unless you want to drink or shop for antiques, there's nothing to do. Those are real issues. Scheduled events like the war re-enactment and Friday night concerts are nice, but no quantity of tourist events will create a living, breathing town. The main elements are missing, and as another poster pointed out, HdG seems to be slowly dying. It's sad to think of how many people are contributing to that by refusing to acknowledge the realities.

I think the biggest issue with shopping in Havre de Grace is the business hours of most of the shops. I would say most people that live in Havre de Grace don't work there, and so it makes it nearly impossible to get to a store between the hours of 7-5 on weekdays. While I'd love to shop a Goll's, Panera is on my way home and open when I'm leaving work. Same goes with Jana's vs. Starbucks, for example. Better hours and acceptance of debit/credit cards would really make shopping in HdG much easier.

Also, I think if the town was a little more dog friendly, that would help businesses and restaurants. We love to take our dog to the Tidewater Grill! A dog park downtown would help bring more people in -- the only dog parks in the county are in the Bel Air and there are none in Cecil County I believe. When we lived in NJ, one of the bars by the beach had "Yappy Hour" every week. It brought a lot of people to the area with dogs -- the dogs would play while the owners enjoyed some drinks. We usually shopped after Yappy Hour was over as well. I think some unique events like that would help the downtown area.

Honestly? I really can't believe business owners who have failed can blame that on the city of HdG. It isn't for the City to drum up customers, it is for the residents to decide that the owners have something they are interested in, something they want to spend their hard earned money on. They antique shops survive, because Grace has been known as such a quaint and quiet town with its beautiful historic buildings, slow pace and water views. That is the tourism aspect, the "draw". People move here because of our "quaintness",,,, don't try to turn us into Bel-Air. I have said this before and I will say it again. You moved here because it was a small town, so now why would you want to change it? By the way I would also like to go on record saying tourists drive me crazy...B0)

HdG has a vibrant arts community, museums, some decent restaurants and a few fun events throughout the year. But shopping, forget about it. The majority of the downtown retailers simply do not have the variety, depth of inventory, prices and facilities that people expect today. More will close because they simply cannot compete and that is the cruel world of economics. Eventually, the boarded up storefronts will necessitate redevelopment and the town will lose some of its charm, history and quirkiness in the name of real economic development.

Wow, it is very interesting to read through these posts. I can tell you that I spent almost all of my life in Havre de Grace and all of my memories are there, which I still consider my home. My parents live a block from the lighthouse and my mom is the manager of the Seneca Cannery. I love this Havre de Grace and you really never realize how much you love it until you leave it. Sure there are a few things about the town that you would love to change, but every place is like that. I live in Tampa, where we are next to the gulf of Mexico and you have an easy drive to the beach. I have seen a lot of sunsets here in Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, Treasure Island, Sarasota, and St. Pete Beach. After seeing Ed's photos on here, it brings me a lot of joy and love for my hometown. I remember going to McElhinney's newspaper stand and getting comic books for a quarter. I remember my grandfather taking me to Golls bakery and getting eclairs, that are worth the walk downtown. I remember running through the 5 and Dime, to look at all their toys. How about buying those new pair of Levi's at Joe's Department Store? How about every day going to Bomboy's just to overdose on sugar and chocolate? How about sweating like crazy at the top of the lighthouse, where the temperature is over 100 degrees in the summer? We all have great memories and I can go on and on for days about them.

Continued.......

Going back to the article, I agree and disagree with a lot of points. I believe the goal was to talk speak about the potential opportunities with Havre de Grace and how there are a lot of things that we need to update. I learned a long time ago that you cannot complain about something unless you bring solutions to fix the problem and you have to then take on that challenge. HdG does have a lot to offer and that is why you see a lot of outsiders really enjoy HdG when they come. The focus should be on targeting boaters into town. Why not fix up the peers and allow more docks for outsiders to dock their boats for a dinner with amazing scenery. By focusing on the town's history, it should be kept untouched from commercialism. That is what gives Havre de Grace it's beauty. How many other towns do you know in Maryland or any where else that has a french name and captures curiosity as you drive down I-95? It is a quiet town, peaceful, and beautiful. This is what I see when I come home to see my parents. I get to relive my memories, loving every moment when I relive them. Just as my mom would say, if you have concerns, pray about it and give them to the Lord. If you have constructive feedback, let it fuel you for great ideas and propose them to the city. Just remember the cities' historical factor and it's beauty when thinking of new ideas for change.

Havre de Grace downtown is demographically, geographically and politically doomed.

Demographically HDG has no daytime population which general retailers require. For example Starbucks wouldn't open a location downtown today if built it for them and gave it to them rent-free since there are no customers.

Geographically the downtown has no automobile traffic because there is no arterial road running through it. Downtown is a landlocked business district bypassed by both Rte 40 and I95 which renders it a destination only commercial area.

Politically the city is run by a pathetic joke of a mayor who couldn't find his butt with both hands and he insults the community with his perpetual election campaign city council meetings where he never misses an opportunity to spend more time handing out awards to his various supporters as opposed to doing the city's business.

I'm sorry but to me personally I never found the "museums" interesting. A museum with wooden ducks used for hunting; how stellar. A lock house and a light house. Put on the breaks, I can't even contain my excitement! I find none of these three at all interesting. If I was a tourist Here...? Well, I wouldn't be. THe town has zero charm and the town holds onto those three historical aspects for dear life. They are completely uninteresting. About as interesting as a dead insect on the sidewalk. Frankly I've been in every single antique store to know exactly what and where everything is. How do they stay open? So many of them and I hardly see but maybe 2 souls inside looking at stuff? There is a lot of stores that I question how they stay open. Most are niche stores with artsy stuff in it. Completely uninteresting to me. I have never once set foot in these stores nor will I ever. We need less art and history and more business because the artsy crap and historical this and that isn't cutting it. There's nothing historically astronomical about this town. People harp and hoop and holler about how historical it is. A few painted lady's, Lafayette statue, lock house, light house and decoy museum is pretty depressing. The British came, the town burned, a guy with a cannon fended off a longboat of Brits and that's that. Spectacular. Riveting tale.

Actually, the truth of the matter is Mayor Dougherty withdrew his veto of the MOE Zoning for that area. There was no developer that was interested in purchasing and developing the property. Now it belongs to Upper Chesapeake Health System/ University of Maryland Hospital. They propose to build a new hospital along with retail and office buildings over a course of time.
Just wanted to set the record straight.
l

@Fred -

What are the projected real property taxes that the hospital will pay?

If i may.....Sean... The editor does NOT say on here 24/7 ....he has a life as most of you know.....If you are concerned about a post...which I understand...E-mail him and let him know he acts pretty quickly....:)

I do like the town but there is nothing to do here besides eat and maybe go to a little shop if it is actually open. This town seems to be dying literally. Next to the entrance of Bulle Rock on RT 40 there is another old folk’s home going up, that’s 2 within a year. Now that the hospital has bought the land on top of the hill, what is to be done with the old hospital? Another old folks home, a psychiatric ward and empty building?
A bowling alley would be perfect at the old Save a Lot on Congress Ave, a plaza at the top of the hill with shops along with a Havre de Grace Visitor’s center could help get people into town. Also the town needs a nice hotel put in asap. When the events are in town during the year and all the people come in from out of town I am sure 90% of them do not stay here. So Aberdeen, Riverside, and Bel Air will be getting the shopping and diner business.
In my opinion a hotel is # 1 priority and 2 find an investor to open a bowling alley at the old Save a Lot. Not only for the kids but there are many adults in bowling leagues.

enough with the havre de grace bashing. please. stop comparing us to other places. i love my city and if you don't then get the heck out!!

@sef

No.

Hdg sucks nothing but old ppl who look at u crazy if your not their color n wat the hell does her spelling have to do with anything ppl out here are very judgemental and stuck the hell up noses high like their better than the next person there is nothing to do out here at all so katie I feel where u r coming from and u don't wanna eat at that bakery because its dirty as hell katie good luck on finding anything to do in this rinka dink towne it suck I wish I never would have moved here

Havre de Grace is a quite little town not a Frantic Big City, that's one reason so many people love it here. I don't like big cites they are nice sometimes to visit but nothing like home. But one thing about any town no one makes you stay here if you don't like it. We love to have people come and stay but if it's not your cup of tea, there are several roads that lead out of town, of course you will always be welcome back if you like because that's just the way we are in Havre de Grace. Blessings to you all

The problem is it's constantly stuck in a paradox of nothingness. Nothing's ever truly lost nor truly gained. This town is a black hole of stubborn old people who want to make it a big community of "No Fun Allowed". Havre de Grace is the literal purgatory of northern Maryland. You've got Baltimore to the south and Philly to the NE. Harford county in general is nothingness along with Cecil county easily. Infact given the fact I've been a resident of HDG and of MD for the past 22 years I dare say that Maryland in general is most certainly one of the worst states in the union. A Governer who doesn't know what the hell he's doing, a senator who's about as useful as an ass on the elbow and in regards to local matters... I hope the town sinks into the Chesapeake. It's a black, inescapable void. Honestly have any of you people even seen what Florida or Delaware or even NJ is like? At least NJ has real diners. That shitty, poor, sad excuse of a "diner" right before the bridge doesn't even qualify as a greasy spoon. You just accept it as a diner cause you're ignorant to what a REAL diner really is. Long story short: HDG is filled with a bunch of old people who don't want change because they're scared of it. A bunch of old, decrepit single-track minded people who are scared of new and exciting ideas that don't have 15 years of dust covering it like these worthless antique shops that by the grace of God stay in business. And QUIET is not spelled QUITE. A QUIET town is what you mean.

S.A.F. Oops your are right "Quiet" I didn't get an A in spelling : ). I agree we need new idea's as much as I don't like some of the things in this town it's where I live and when I'm away from it there is nothing like the feeling of getting home from where ever I've been. I also believe people are afraid of change, you could tell that by the last election. People down town were afraid that those elected from around BullRock would forget about the towns people how silly the ones living in town weren't so concerned about those living up on the hill. We do need some change. But Oh Dear Not Like The Change Obama Has Giving Us, We Need Some Good Change.