As many of you probably are aware, there’s a movement to change the county motto from “the wild side of the potomac - where eagles soar” to “maryland’s southern shore”.  There’s a promotional video and survey available on the charlescounty.org site to allow you to give your thoughts about the video and the motto.

I’d like to talk about the motto here - if need be, please start a video critique discussion in another thread.

The justification, or narrative about the switch is “The proposed slogan, “Maryland’s Southern Shore,” emphasizes the county’s rural character and desirable location, ”  Now frankly, when I think “Southern Shore”, I don’t think “rural character” - in fact I don’t know of anyone, in a word association game that would put those two phrases together.

I don’t really see what’s wrong with our current motto, or why there’s a need for change. And how much will the change cost? The tri-county area combined is more often called the western shore of Maryland, not the southern shore.

My connotation of a southern shore is beaches and bodysurfing and people sunbathing. Sure, some deep sea fishing and kayaking and sailing - but shore brings to mind a whole lot of things that we don’t have. As far as I can find, there’s ONE boat/kayak rental shop in Charles County - not a lot for a water oriented “shore” community. And it ignores a lot of things we DO have. Eagles and beautiful vistas, historical churches and homes, our little stadium to name a few. (yes, I know some of them appear in the video, but it’s mostly water focused.) There are a lot of things to boast about in Charles County that have little to do with “Shore”. I’d hazard to guess that more people would think Solomon Islands if you asked “where’s Maryland’s southern shore?”.

Personally, I prefer what we have now.

“Where eagles soar” is generic.  Most states have eagles and they soar.  If you really want to see eagles soar swope, and dive, go to Alaska during the salmon runs…thousands of eagles all competing for a fresh fish or two or three.  “Where eagles soar”....I don’t know who decided that or if it cost any money, but, if the county paid for that motto, we got ripped off. 

Maryland’s Southern Shore works for me.  Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert are Southern Maryland.  It’s like when one speaks of Maryland’s Eastern Shore:  We all know what area is being discussed.  To include the other 2 counties is a good thing—lots of offer to anyone who wants to check out Southern Maryland for whatever reasons. 

Trying to think up a motto that pertains just to Charles County like Home of the Blue Crabs or Where the Mattawoman Runs Though It or JWBooth Escape Trail doesn’t give the flavor of the whole county.  I like Maryland’s Southern Shore—it’s a good play on Southern Maryland.

Agreed seahorse!!  I think MARYLAND’S SOUTHERN SHORE is much more appropriate than the current slogan.

Thanks for starting this thread. Any slogan is going to be subjective and that is why we are asking for official input from citizens at: http://www.charlescounty.org/apps/ccquestionnaire/public/questionnaire.jsp

The survey includes questions on everything from loving or hating the proposed new slogan, to suggestions on how to make a marketing campaign more successful if we use Maryland’s Southern Shore.

I do want to point out that this has, to this point not cost the taxpayers any money. The video as well as the graphics have been done on my time and my dime.

If adopted, the future costs will be for replacing the Welcome to Charles County signs which need replacing anyway. The current signs are difficult to read.

No new collateral materials will be created for the new slogan. Again, as materials need replacing, they will include the new slogan.

Whether you like it or hate it, please weigh in!

Thanks for encouraging the dialogue, Ken - I’m sure you’ve been working hard on this and are eager to move forward.

I think seahorse’s post points out exactly what I’m trying to say when he writes “Most states have eagles and they soar.  If you really want to see eagles soar swope, and dive, go to Alaska during the salmon runs…thousands of eagles all competing for a fresh fish or two or three.”  You see, while we can never rival Alaska - and though a great majority of us will probably never see what he describes any place other than on tv, I’ve had plenty of guests who had never seen an eagle before thrilled to see an eagle on the side of the road on rt 257 trying to drag off some fresh road kill, or carrying off a golf ball on the SP golf course, or watching them glide around the sky above Swan Point Rd - but like seahorse’s point about eagles in Alaska, I can think of plenty of states that have far better “shores” with far more public access where I could sunbathe, build sand castles, windsurf, order a mai tai, boogie board, surf, fish, snorkle, scuba dive, rent a jetski, and a myriad of other water related activities than the shores of the rivers that we have here. And I certainly don’t think “rural character” when I’m going to “the shore”. So, to piggyback off seahorse’s post, if I came here as a tourist to enjoy the shore, I’d feel pretty ripped off!

I’m also a bit confused - if we’re talking about Welcome to Charles County signs needing to be updated (or changed if the motto is adopted) - why would we include St Mary’s and Calvert as suggested? Perhaps you’re more accurately suggesting the signs be changed to Welcome to the Tri-County Southern Shore?

Additionally, are there any statistics on how much of the shore is public and how much is privately owned shore?

I can think of plenty of states that have far better “shores” with far more public access where I could sunbathe, build sand castles, windsurf, order a mai tai, boogie board, surf, fish, snorkle, scuba dive, rent a jetski, and a myriad of other water related activities

Here in CC you can fish, kayak, canoe, see all sorts of wild and bird life, etc.  You don’t have to have a Miami-type shore to use the word “shore” in your motto.  I don’t think anyone would fly in from Dubuque looking to find Miami beach in Charles County without doing some internet research first.  What we do have is 1. we’re only 35 miles south of DC and a very populous metro area, 2. we can cater to those who DON’T want an Ocean City atomsphere and there are plenty, 3. we already have a name, thanks to the Mattawoman, in many circles.  What I don’t know is how to count those who come for a low-key vacation or a one or two day overnighter.  We’re allowed to march to a different drummer.

why would we include St Mary’s and Calvert as suggested?

I’m not saying to include St Mary’s and Calvert on our motto signage.  What I meant was that Maryland’s Southern Shore is encompassing.  Those who google Southern Maryland will come across SM and Calvert.  A Civil War buff, for example, will want to do the tour from Ford’s Theater down to the Mudd House and onward.  He/She may find something of interest in the other 2 counties so to try and isolate Charles County would be a wasted effort.

I DO KNOW_ all our welcome to the County signs are dull and uninteresting- in all my travels to even the tiniest of towns they have beautiful entry signs with landscaping. When entering it makes you think the Community takes pride in where they live.

Its kinda like the proven broken window syndrome. Fix the window- plant some flowers and the neighborhood starts to change for the better.