Marks: 'Thank you to our Eastside heroes'

On August 8 and 9, eastern Baltimore County was hit by one of the strongest storms since Hurricane Isabel over two decades ago.

Then as now, the Eastside showed grit, resolve and an uncommon degree of neighborliness in responding to the aftereffects of Hurricane Debby.

On Saturday morning, I toured the waterfront with Captain Shannon Stallings, Chief at Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire Rescue & Marine. We were joined by Delegate Ryan Nawrocki and Josh Sines, president of the Essex-Middle River Civic Council.

We saw neighbors helping one another, and a community where much of the debris had been removed only hours after floodwaters receded.

I would like to sincerely thank our first responders for their extraordinary work before, during and after the storm. We are continually reminded of their heroism, as well as the need to provide modernized police and fire stations for the community.

I would also like to thank the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation for working so diligently during this emergency. Not only did DPWT remove debris efficiently, but they provided dumpsters through the weekend for citizens to unload materials.

Shaffer Landscaping also volunteered their services—a terrific and very neighborly gesture which was greatly appreciated!

Thank you also to community leaders throughout the Eastside such as Mr. Sines and Carol Hart, the president of the Oliver Beach Improvement Association. These tireless volunteers spent hours responding to requests for help.

Thank you to our Eastside heroes!