A Tale of Entitlement
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Town meetings in Oxford, Maryland have been much calmer in the past few months. With a new Town Manager and Office that is focused on transparency and three Commissioners who are aligned in their goals for the town, Oxford seems to have turned the corner from the controversy that had been the norm since 2023.
That doesn't mean that Oxford doesn't have some considerable obstacles to face, the most pressing of which is being able to find a way to combat tidal and stormwater flooding in the town. October 29 and 30th have provided more evidence that Oxford needs to find a way to combat this increasing problem as, at one point, people were unable to enter or leave town since all entry ways were covered in tidal waters.
Solutions are being implemented, but none of them will be in place quickly or cheaply. Pumps purchased to remove water from flooded areas and the raising of homes in critical flood areas are answers that will require at least a year and millions of dollars. The creation of a designated town fund robust enough to fight flooding will also take time, time, higher taxes and less spending on items that don't promote that goal.
Tuesday night's meeting did not address these problems specifically as commissioners discussed other pressing issues; how to track and police short term rentals in town, who should be allowed to vote in town elections, and how much to give the Tred Avon Yacht Club for the town's yearly fireworks.
Stream Video - Town Hall Streams
The first two decisions will require commissioners to create work sessions and vote on resolutions/ordinances later.
The third one seemed the easiest one to decide. In the end, it didn't take up much time, but it did cause much discussion in Oxford.
The fireworks funding decision did not come without controversy. Oxford has already been revising and in many cases, eliminating, donations to non-profit organizations in the town. This is because the town was in a situation of a structural deficit and needed to conserve funds for flood prevention and mediation. Plus, many think that tax dollars should not fund non-profits. Here is a link to the story regarding that decision and information regarding the non-profits involved:
So, when the Tred Avon Yacht Club walked in the Commissioners meeting Tuesday night, they might have considered asking for money for the annual fireworks celebration in a more gracious, rather than entitled, way.
The town had budgeted to give $7500 to the annual fireworks celebration. This was not unusual, the town had been donating to the fireworks for a long time. However, this year, the donation amount seemed to upset one of the TAYC officers. His comment regarding the amount was a stern, adversarial, "that's just not gonna work."
That statement silenced the room, and you could almost feel the irritation of many of the taxpayers. While everyone appreciates the annual fireworks, they didn't appreciate the attitude of those begging for hard earned taxpayer dollars.
Leaving the meeting, many were asking why the town had to donate to the display. They were also asking how OTHER Talbot County towns' fireworks displays were funded. We researched this question:
Easton, Maryland: Easton, Maryland funds its annual fireworks display through a combination of community donations and support from local organizations.
The fireworks are part of Talbot County’s broader Independence Day celebrations, which include events in Easton, Oxford, and St. Michaels. While Easton’s municipal budget documents don’t explicitly list fireworks funding, the event is typically supported by local nonprofits, community foundations, and business sponsors.
One key player is the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that supports charitable projects across Talbot County. This foundation often acts as a fiscal sponsor for community events, helping to manage donations and grants that make public celebrations like Easton’s fireworks possible.
Additionally, Easton’s calendar of events and tourism promotions suggest that local businesses and civic groups contribute to the festivities, either through direct sponsorship or in-kind support. The town’s emphasis on community-driven events implies that public contributions and volunteer coordination play a significant role in keeping the fireworks tradition alive.
St. Michaels, Maryland: The town’s Independence Day fireworks celebration is organized and financed by the St. Michaels Fireworks Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This fund relies solely on donations from individuals, local businesses, and community supporters to cover the costs of the event. No municipal tax dollars are used for the fireworks display.
A key part of this effort is the Drew Landis Memorial Fireworks Fund, which was established to honor a local resident and to ensure the continuation of the fireworks tradition. In 2023, this fund reported revenues of approximately $43,818 and expenses of $45,383, highlighting its role in fully underwriting the event and relieving the town government of the financial burden.
Supporters can contribute online or by mailing checks to the Commissioners of St. Michaels, and the fund actively encourages donations to “help keep the sky bright” each July 4th. (From CHATGPT search)
Huge difference between those two and Oxford. Oxford currently splits the cost of the fireworks with the Tred Avon Yacht Club. Here is information about the TAYC:
The Tred Avon Yacht Club is a 501(c)7 organization and are tax exempt. Here are their financial filings:
Tred Avon Yacht Club Inc - Full Filing - Nonprofit Explorer - ProPublica
It's notable that the Club claims assets of $3,112,762 and gross receipts for 2024 of $1,609,679. They collected $464,564 in membership fees, $49,817 in regatta income, $217,426 in sailing classes and $37,155 in investment income. The building they are housed in has a value of $1,430,158. It's an important reminder that having a "non-profit" doesn't make an organization poor or in need of help. It specifically means that your organization is tax exempt and not geared toward making a profit.
A 501(c)7 organization like the Tred Avon Yacht Club is defined as a specific type of tax-exempt entity recognized under U.S. federal tax law. These organizations are commonly known as social and recreational clubs. Their primary purpose is to provide pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofitable activities for their members.
According to records, their occupancy on Oxford town land costs them $25,255 a year, rent they pay to the Town of Oxford. That breaks down to approximately $2,104 dollars a month. We could not find one home in the Oxford area that rented for less than $2300 a month, certainly as valuable as a waterfront location such as the current location of the TAYC. Traditionally, commercial properties like the TAYC demand much higher rent. Here is a copy of the lease obtained from the Oxford Town Office:
The lease has been in effect since 2003 and ends in February, 2033.
In an interesting comparison, the Oxford Community Center pays $1.00 a year in rent for their property. They also asked for taxpayer funds from the town. But that is a discussion for another day.
This is the link to the Tred Avon Yacht Club list of summer events which notably includes the fireworks as one of their "signature" events. That means that they attract visitors to their club with those events. Visitors mean money, dock rentals, new memberships, etc.
Signature Social Events - Tred Avon Yacht Club
As far as we can tell, Oxford has been hosting fireworks displays for decades. My husband, who has lived here all his life, remembers them from when he was a child. He and his family used to go watch them at Cooper's Hill, a small hill near their tidy waterman's home at 103 Tred Avon. My husband is over 70 years old.
We've been unable to determine if the Yacht Club ever paid for the entire fireworks display or if the town has always donated a portion.
Last year, when the Town decided NOT to donate public taxpayer money to non-profit organizations, they left the $7500 for the fireworks in the budget. They were the only non-profit that continued to get Oxford's public taxpayer money support.
There could be several reasons for that. The Oxford Fireworks event, like Oxford Day, is a defining, one time a year branding event for the town. The donation goes specifically to fireworks and the expenditure is clearly designated up front. Other non-profits in town have never been as clear about what donations would be specifically used for.
Here is information on Oxford Day and how it is funded:
Oxford Day in Oxford, Maryland is funded primarily through community sponsorships and donations, organized under the nonprofit Oxford Day Inc.
Here’s a deeper look at how the celebration is supported:
💸 Funding Sources
- Oxford Day Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which means it can accept tax-deductible donations and is eligible for grants and charitable contributions.
- Local Sponsorships: The event receives financial and in-kind support from local businesses, civic organizations, and individuals. Sponsors often include:
- Real estate agencies like Benson & Mangold
- Local utilities such as Easton Utilities
- Restaurants, churches, and community groups like Oxford Market, Oxford United Methodist Church, and the Oxford Garden Club.
- Volunteer Contributions: Much of the event’s success relies on volunteers who donate time and resources to help organize and run the day’s activities.
- Merchandise and Vendor Sales: While all events are free, attendees can purchase food, drinks, and shop with local merchants, which helps offset costs.
🏛 Organizational Structure
- The nonprofit status of Oxford Day Inc. allows it to operate transparently and maintain a mission focused on community engagement and celebration.
- The organization does not appear to publish detailed financials publicly, but its tax-exempt status confirms its charitable purpose.
Oxford Day thrives on grassroots support, reflecting the town’s strong sense of community and pride. It’s a model of how small towns can sustain meaningful traditions through collaboration and generosity.
In contrast to the fireworks, the Town of Oxford does NOT donate to Oxford Day nor have the organizers of this event asked for donation of taxpayer dollars. They are self-funded through other donations and provide a detailed "return on investment" report to the Commissioners every year. That report shows the many financial benefits of the event to Oxford and Oxford businesses. It has been described as a model report that all events in town should provide.
Oxford Day, like the fireworks, gets the support of town and county agencies such as the Oxford Police Department, Talbot County Sheriff's Department, the Oxford Fire Department and Oxford office and maintenance staff. Neither event is asked to pay for that support. Those could be considered "in kind" contributions that guarantee safety and smooth operation to both.
The fact that the TRED AVON YACHT CLUB gets any money at all for the fireworks is somewhat baffling. The fact that they were somewhat arrogant about demanding it was insulting. *
When the TAYC (Tred Avon Yacht Club) showed up at Tuesday night's meeting, many thought they were coming to perhaps thank the town for their continued support and to possibly elicit donations from businesses, citizens, etc.
No one thought they would bring an aggressive, entitled attitude to the table. Even more, no one thought the Commissioners would give in to that attitude and increase funding to $10,150 without public comment. In fact, residents Rose Donovan and Karina Paape asked why citizens weren't allowed to comment on the request for more money before the vote.
Here is the story we did on the meeting regarding public comment at meetings:
Oxford Commissioners Discuss Free Speech And Incomplete Strand Project - The Easton Gazette
Here are Town Resolutions 2417 and 2419 regarding conduct at town meetings. 2419 REPLACED 2417:
The final resolution (2419) allowed public comment before a vote on a resolution or an ordinance. Enforcement of the rules is the responsibility of the Commission President.
The one caveat to the rule is that the ordinance allows the Commissioners and/or staff to answer questions or respond to comments from the public. It does not specify WHEN those questions can be asked although it can be assumed that this is only during the public comment allowed in the ordinance.
So, there was no public discussion prior to the increase in donation.
Did the Commissioners handle this situation properly?
Some don't think they did. However, the funding issue is somewhat time sensitive in that the fireworks probably need to be ordered now for July 4, especially since 2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our country. Also, many vendors are claiming that tariffs will increase prices if communities do not order now.
As it is, Oxford Town Manager Holly Wahl negotiated a savings of $5,000 on fireworks for this year. She contracted with a different vendor who is well known in the Delmarva area. It's our understanding that the negotiated price included more fireworks for a lower price.
So, what happens next year? First, in our opinion, it is time for the Oxford Fireworks to be funded the same way that St. Michaels and Easton funds their displays. Create a 501c3 specifically for "Oxford Fireworks" run by interested individuals and have that non-profit seek donations from local businesses, community members, etc. If the Tred Avon Yacht Club wants to donate to that cause, they can. This will also provide a tax write off for businesses and individuals who donate.
The Town of Oxford can still help in the negotiation of the contract for the fireworks, which could include a three-year contract with firework vendors, thus preventing yearly price increases. This has been done by other communities.
We value non-profit organizations because many provide a valuable service to communities. The purpose of non-profit organizations is that they provide services but don't PROFIT from them. We have also seen abuses of non-profit status by many organizations in Maryland and U.S. Executives are paid exorbitant salaries; organizations maintain huge multi-million-dollar endowments that are never spent for the supposed intended purpose of that non-profit, or they fail to complete yearly financial reports. Clearly, non-profit status requires strict accountability and accurate completion of required reporting to the State and IRS in a timely fashion.
It's time for Oxford to get out of the public funding for non-profits arena. It's obvious that under the previous town management and commissioners, Oxford taxpayer money was given to various non-profits without public approval and without accountability to the taxpayers. This has created an attitude of entitlement among some of the non-profits who expect to get taxpayer money merely because they exist and are in the confines of town boundaries. It created a system of perceived favoritism as well, making some groups influential with the town office, thus giving them perks while others were ignored.
That also created dependency. Dependency keeps organizations from going out and doing the fundraising they should do. It actually weakens them and their cause.
It's time for that to end.
Link to the Livestream of the October 28, 2025 Meeting:
