Month: July 2021

FSK Lions’ Canines on the Creek Back for 2nd Year

By Gary Bennett

One of many contestants in the doggy parade and costume contest.

This article appeared in the Frederick News-Post July 1, 2021.

Francis Scott Key Lions Club, in conjunction with Downtown Frederick Partnership and Leader Dogs for the Blind, is hosting its second annual Canines on the Creek event, Saturday, July 3, 3 – 5 pm in the trellis area of Carroll Creek.

The event features a dog and owner patriotic-themed costume contest and parade, a dog training demonstration from Sit Means Sit of Frederick, speakers, giveaways, and discounts from exhibitors.  Some of the dog-friendly exhibitors scheduled to attend are Sit Means Sit, Camp Bow Wow, Pet Smart, My Pet Store and More, Happy Dog Groomers, Green Canine, T and L Company, Viatoris Dog Training, Megan Purtell Photography and Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter.  Businesses serving dogs and their owners that wish to exhibit should contact FSK Lion Gary Bennett at 301-606-3012 or gabennet01@comcast.net.

Last year’s event was held on March 7 and featured a St. Patrick’s Day- themed costume context and parade.  Due to Covid, this year’s event was moved to July 3 and will kick off the long Fourth of July weekend. 

According to event chair Lion Gary Bennett, the highlight of the day’s activities is the costume contest and parade. “Watching the parade is free but if you wish to participate, we ask for a small donation to the nonprofit organization Leader Dogs for the Blind,” said Bennett.  Dog owners can sign up at fsklions.org/canines.  “The costume contest and parade are loads of fun. We judge the entries and have prizes for best owner and dog look-alikes, best small breed costume and best large breed costume.”

Along with the costume contest, parade and demonstrations, attendees will have the chance to speak to vendors that provide services to dogs and their owners and can take advantage of event discounts. The event will take place rain or shine. 

“Frederick’s dog friendliness is well known and observed everyday downtown,” Bennett said.  “And since Leader Dogs for the Blind is a key organization that Lions support, the idea for this event seemed to be a no-brainer. We hope it takes off in years to come and becomes a draw for Carroll Creek and downtown Frederick and at the same time helps support this worthwhile organization.”

Leader Dogs for the Blind raises and provides leader dogs for blind and low-sight individuals all over the world at no cost to the recipient helping them live a life of independence and mobility.  FSK Lions Club serves the Frederick community through eyeglass donations, free used medical equipment lending, and sponsorships.

For more information on this event and to sign up to participate in the costume contest and parade, visit fsklions.org/canines.

MC Gary Bennett as Uncle Sam

Wilson Should Go

By Gary Bennett

{Editors Note: Roger Wilson is a democratic member of Frederick’s Board of Alderman. He has been accused of sexual misconduct by several female acquaintances.}

Alderman Roger Wilson (D) Frederick

This article appeared in the Frederick News Post, May 21, 2021.

A couple of years ago, I ran into Alderman Roger Wilson in the audience at a Frederick County Council meeting.  He noticed my Virginia Commonwealth University-logoed hoodie and explained that he attended that Richmond, VA school, too.  He was there in his then role as the director of government affairs and public policy for the county. The exchange was pleasant enough but mostly unremarkable. 

Fast forward two years and now Alderman Wilson finds himself in political turmoil for what he terms “flirting” and the independent investigation calls “unwelcomed sexual advances.” I do not know if the charges against Alderman Wilson warrant his expulsion from the city council.  I do know, however, that we must demand his resignation from the council. Not because he necessarily did anything illegal, but because he should be ashamed of his lack of judgement and self-control when he should have known better.

Politicians must know, even in a small town, the spotlight is always on them. When they accept public office, their lives to a large extent become public, too. Shame used to be a powerful motivator but now, unfortunately, it seems to be a quaint relic of days gone by. Now, politicians only leave if they have no other choice, kicking and screaming “political hit job” as they go even after the charges have been proven. See Anthony Weiner, Denis Hastert, Tim Murphy, John Conyers and now, possibly, Florida republican Matt Gaetz.

As a lifelong democrat, I applaud the many democrats and the Frederick County Democratic State Central Committee who are calling for Mr. Wilson to resign from the city council. Mr. Wilson may indeed be innocent of any serious wrongdoing, but that doesn’t mean he is entitled to be a public figure. Serving in office should be a temporary honor, not a long-term career goal. Just as with Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) of New York, we must expect a higher standard of behavior from our leaders, not just enough to stay out of jail. We should demand better.

Gary Bennett
Frederick