Dorchester Banner/Paul Clipper
Comptroller Franchot stands with Gloria Cornish and Santo Grande of Delmarva Community Services during a recent visit to Cambridge.[/caption] CAMBRIDGE—Maryland state comptroller Peter Franchot traveled to this city on Tuesday, September 29, to visit Delmarva Community Services facilities and learn about ongoing and future projects at DCS. He was joined by DCS’ CEO and president Santo Grande, and facility staff members. Mr. Franchot’s first stop was the Community Action Agency on Goodwill Road, which provides poverty assistance programs in the form of financial assistance, temporary shelter for single men, a food pantry and housing counseling. Comptroller Franchot commented on the need for community service organizations like DCS. “I think Pope Francis’ visit to the United States reminded everybody that we need to take care of our neighbors,” said Mr. Franchot, “It’s just a tough time in the economy, and to come down and see this wonderful individual, Santo Grande and all his staff and volunteers. A place like this is just so vital to the health of a community—nobody is taking care of people these days. We’re all so busy running around like crazy, trying to keep our heads above water. Here we have people like Santo Grande and his employees—what would we do without them?” While there, Comptroller Franchot met the staff and learned about services provided, and distributed two of his coveted Comptroller Medallions, to “Marylanders who make a difference.” One to Santo Grande, and one to staffer Gloria Wise Cornish. “I’m just so pleased that the county gets recognized for all the work we’re doing for our citizens,” said Ms. Cornish. From the Community Action Center the entourage moved on to DCS headquarters on the Cambridge Beltway. The comptroller toured the facilities and met some of the participants in the senior center. There, the comptroller met staff member Brenda Cornish working with an active group of seniors, and also met Mildred Myster, who is 101 years old and comes to the center every day. Both were presented with his Comptroller Medallions. Mr. Grande gave a short presentation of the new Chesapeake Grove Campus, now ready to go into the construction phase in summer of 2016. The campus will consist of an Intergenerational Center, senior living facilities, and an assisted living facility—which will be the first formal assisted living facility in the county. Of the construction of Chesapeake Grove, Santo Grande stated, “We’re going to create another 50 to 60 jobs within the organization, and we will bring in 150 construction jobs over a five year period.” Upon completion, the center will be able to accommodate 30 seniors in assisted living, and will offer three buildings with a total of 87 apartment units for senior housing. “We’re spending so much money (in Maryland),” said Mr. Franchot to Santo Grande, “and not getting good results. Santo, you’re getting a good result. You’ve got your act together.”