• December 26, 2004: Headlines: COS - Peru Conservation: Preservation: Maryland: Baltimore Sun: Peru RPCV Peter Jay, a former Baltimore Sun editorial columnist, was president of the Harford Land Trust and figured it would raise the money for the island.  Sunday, January 16, 2005 - 3:11 pm [1]

Peru RPCV Peter Jay helps preserve Cecil Island



Peru RPCV Peter Jay helps preserve Cecil Island

Susquehanna island added to nature refuge

GARRETT ISLAND, Md. (AP) — This rocky mound in the middle of the Susquehanna River seemed destined a few years ago to become home to a hotel and conference center.

But two local residents pooled their money, bought the island from a developer and after five years, an act of Congress and a presidential signature, Garrett Island is now officially preserved.

Last month, the nonprofit Conservation Fund bought the mile-long, 189-acre island. The group will turn over ownership of the island to the federal government's National Wildlife Refuge System, setting up Garrett as a bird sanctuary where the Chesapeake Bay begins.

"There aren't many of these left," Harford County preservationist Grace Hiter told the Baltimore Sun while touring the island this month. "And once they're gone, they're gone forever. You don't get them back."

In 1997, Pennsylvania developer Ed Abel paid $250,000 for the island. Mr. Abel planned to build a hotel and conference center on the island. Local environmentalists were concerned that a slots bill under consideration in Maryland could pave the way for an island casino.

In 2000, Mr. Abel sold the island to Harford County farmer Peter Jay for $750,000. Mr. Jay, a former Sun columnist who was then president of the Harford Land Trust, joined forces with Bill Kilby, a dairy farmer who runs the Cecil County Land Trust. With the help of a $50,000 donation from Mr. Abel, the trust raised about $200,000. Perryville marina owner Gary Pensell became the third owner.

The trio then tried to transfer the property to a local government or education group. Havre de Grace and Perryville flirted with annexing the island. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation talked about buying it. But in the end, they all passed.

Some Cecil County officials even ridiculed the men for buying the property. Former state Sen. Walter Baker said the island was a "hole" inhabited by snakes, and that no tax money should be spent to bail out the misguided "do-gooders."

"We thought we were doing a good thing and would be widely hailed for our efforts," Mr. Pensell said. "It didn't quite turn out that way."

The trio turned to Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest, a Republican who represents the Eastern Shore, and he lobbied his colleagues to establish an island refuge where migratory birds could land undisturbed by development.

In November 2003, President Bush signed into law a bill authorizing Garrett Island to become part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

The Conservation Fund paid $550,000 for the island, enough to pay back Mr. Jay and Mr. Pensell. The land trust donated its share.

Mr. Gilchrest chuckled at Mr. Baker's comments that the island was full of snakes.

"That description may not be appealing to a person who dislikes the outdoors, but it is very appealing to tundra swans and Canada geese," he said. "It's their motel. It's their diner. It's their gas station."

When this story was posted in January 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Peace Corps issues appeal to Thailand RPCVs Peace Corps is currently assessing the situation in Thailand, anticipates a need for volunteers and is making an appeal to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps. Also read this message and this message from RPCVs in Thailand. All PCVs serving in Thailand are safe. Latest: Sri Lanka RPCVs, click here for info.

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January 1, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Lesotho RPCV starts "Touching Tiny Lives" 1 Jan Guatemala RPCV was grassroots veterinarian 31 Dec Reginald Hodges will head Durham Literacy Center 30 Dec Ed Seidel is Director of Marine Resources Aquarium 30 Dec PC wants happy, shiny faces without felony convictions 29 Dec Newspaper says PC could go to India and Indonesia 29 Dec Tom Johnson choses to spend Christmas in Sierra Leone 28 Dec Barry Rosen helps compile textbooks for Afghanistan 28 Dec Dorinda Dove learned to appreciate midwifery in Africa 28 Dec RPCVs host Exhibition at University of Rochester 28 Dec Mike Tidwell calls on Sierra Club Official to step down 28 Dec RPCV says we can express patriotism as we see fit 26 Dec more top stories...

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The World's Broken Promise to our Children Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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