(Aug. 24, 2017) Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) stopped by Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin last Thursday.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the visit was part of Cardin’s “Made in Maryland” tour, highlighting the diverse products being produced in the state.
“He talked about how good the beer was and how Bryan [Brushmiller] also farms his own ingredients,” Wells said. Joining Wells and Brushmiller, the owner of Burley Oak, were Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and Councilman Zack Tyndall.
Cardin posted about the experience on Facebook, later that day.
“At Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin, Md., with founder Bryan Brushmiller talking about the critical investments in new equipment that propel small businesses forward. I am dedicated to helping Maryland companies craft more delicious successes like the ones on tap here,” he said.
One day later, Cardin addressed the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the subsequent response by President Donald Trump, in an official news release.
“The hatred and violence on display last week in Charlottesville have shaken many of us to our cores,” he said. “It’s difficult to describe the horror of watching white supremacists flood the streets with torches in hand. My heart breaks for the inexcusable and senseless loss of life.
“In the days since, Americans across the country have come together to grieve this tragedy and condemn bigotry unambiguously. Yet at a time when our country needed moral leadership, President Trump equivocated, claiming that there were ‘very fine people’ among the neo-Nazis, white supremacists and Klansmen whose actions led to the horrible violence in Charlottesville.
“It’s a dark day when Americans cannot turn to their president for healing after tragedy. Instead, we must turn to each other for strength and compassion. We know that on this issue, there are not ‘many sides.’ The only response to white supremacy, racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry is to stand fearlessly against these ideologies.
“Our voices and our values are stronger than hatred. I truly believe that what is good and just in America will prevail, no matter who tries to tear our country apart.”
Williams said he received a call from Cardin on Sunday, telling him how much he enjoyed his visit to Berlin. He apparently stopped by Burley Café for breakfast that morning, on his way back to Washington, D.C.
“He could have gone to any of the many great restaurants in Ocean City, but he chose to come back here,” Williams said. “That says a lot about our little town and how far we’ve come.”
Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford also visited Berlin last week, touring the Electronic Transaction Systems offices and the downtown area on Friday, Williams said.
Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said the visit was part of Cardin’s “Made in Maryland” tour, highlighting the diverse products being produced in the state.
“He talked about how good the beer was and how Bryan [Brushmiller] also farms his own ingredients,” Wells said. Joining Wells and Brushmiller, the owner of Burley Oak, were Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and Councilman Zack Tyndall.
Cardin posted about the experience on Facebook, later that day.
“At Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin, Md., with founder Bryan Brushmiller talking about the critical investments in new equipment that propel small businesses forward. I am dedicated to helping Maryland companies craft more delicious successes like the ones on tap here,” he said.
One day later, Cardin addressed the recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the subsequent response by President Donald Trump, in an official news release.
“The hatred and violence on display last week in Charlottesville have shaken many of us to our cores,” he said. “It’s difficult to describe the horror of watching white supremacists flood the streets with torches in hand. My heart breaks for the inexcusable and senseless loss of life.
“In the days since, Americans across the country have come together to grieve this tragedy and condemn bigotry unambiguously. Yet at a time when our country needed moral leadership, President Trump equivocated, claiming that there were ‘very fine people’ among the neo-Nazis, white supremacists and Klansmen whose actions led to the horrible violence in Charlottesville.
“It’s a dark day when Americans cannot turn to their president for healing after tragedy. Instead, we must turn to each other for strength and compassion. We know that on this issue, there are not ‘many sides.’ The only response to white supremacy, racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry is to stand fearlessly against these ideologies.
“Our voices and our values are stronger than hatred. I truly believe that what is good and just in America will prevail, no matter who tries to tear our country apart.”
Williams said he received a call from Cardin on Sunday, telling him how much he enjoyed his visit to Berlin. He apparently stopped by Burley Café for breakfast that morning, on his way back to Washington, D.C.
“He could have gone to any of the many great restaurants in Ocean City, but he chose to come back here,” Williams said. “That says a lot about our little town and how far we’ve come.”
Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford also visited Berlin last week, touring the Electronic Transaction Systems offices and the downtown area on Friday, Williams said.