(Aug. 11, 2016) While declining to comment about the proposed excursion train project that would link Snow Hill and Berlin — where his name is often mentioned in discussions — Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development Kenneth Holt did offer thoughts on the administration’s view of the lower shore.
Though recent governors have taken tours and attended events here, their visits were fewer and farther between than appearances by Gov. Larry Hogan or a member of his administration. Hogan vacations in Ocean City, and has been spotted on the Boardwalk both on- and off-season.
“It’s important to Gov. Larry Hogan to reach out to the rural communities,” Holt said.
Sometimes, he continued, that means financial support. Other times, he said, it means pointing agencies able to solve problems in the right direction.
Because the urban and rural lifestyles within the state are so different, the unique problems of the lower shore might not make their way up the chain as is normally expected. Holt said his agency, and others in the Hogan administration, are working to bridge the gap.
But when asked about an update on the proposed train project, Holt declined to comment on the issue specifically, but said the railroad approached the state to see what help was available, and what could be offered.
Other officials in the audience were similarly mum on the project, like Commissioners Ted Elder and Jim Bunting, along with Holt and Economic Development Director Merry Mears.
Though recent governors have taken tours and attended events here, their visits were fewer and farther between than appearances by Gov. Larry Hogan or a member of his administration. Hogan vacations in Ocean City, and has been spotted on the Boardwalk both on- and off-season.
“It’s important to Gov. Larry Hogan to reach out to the rural communities,” Holt said.
Sometimes, he continued, that means financial support. Other times, he said, it means pointing agencies able to solve problems in the right direction.
Because the urban and rural lifestyles within the state are so different, the unique problems of the lower shore might not make their way up the chain as is normally expected. Holt said his agency, and others in the Hogan administration, are working to bridge the gap.
But when asked about an update on the proposed train project, Holt declined to comment on the issue specifically, but said the railroad approached the state to see what help was available, and what could be offered.
Other officials in the audience were similarly mum on the project, like Commissioners Ted Elder and Jim Bunting, along with Holt and Economic Development Director Merry Mears.