Mr. Cecil County: RIP, Nelson Bolender– An Appreciation

AN APPRECIATION Nelson Bolender was a forgiving man. From misbehaving teenagers who ran afoul of the principal of Elkton High to critics or foes in Cecil County politics, Nelson Bolender practiced the often lost art of being able to disagree without being disagreeable. He took some bold and at times controversial steps during his two terms as a County Commissioner but always did so with respect for those who did not support his positions. And most of those who disagreed with him respected him in return. Name-calling, of the sort we have come to witness with all too frequent regularity in the past few years in county politics, was simply not in his vocabulary or personality. He was never one to hold a grudge, tally up an “enemies list,” or make allegations or unfounded accusations against political rivals. In politics, he was a Democrat at a time when Democrats still dominated Cecil County elections. But he was never a partisan ideologue. He forged agreements with Republicans or independents if it was in the best interests of Cecil County. And even when Cecil County voters turned their back on him, he never turned his back on his beloved county. Cecil County [...]