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Here you will learn of Debbie's family legacy of integrity, character, courage and community service...the foundation of the person Debbie is today. Through Debbie's engaging account, you'll learn about Salisbury's history. Debbie's historical perspective is valuable to crafting a shining future for the city.
A Family Legacy Begins, 1700s...
I love Salisbury. It is my family’s home. Our family history here on my father’s side begins with an account of John McGrath’s trip from Ireland in the late 1700s. He is reported to have come to America from Ireland when he was about 17 years old.
When the ship he was traveling on encountered a savage storm off the Virginia Capes, the Captain asked for a volunteer to climb the mast and saw out the topsail to prevent the ship from capsizing. Young John, with a saw lashed to his back, climbed the mast and did the work. The ship sailed into the Chesapeake Bay, finally landing at Shad Point, not far from where Salisbury was later built.
A commitment to the community and neighborhoods has always been part of our family’s culture. James Hooper McGrath, one of John’s grandsons, “was always interested in making county roads,” according to a book on family history written by Minnie McGrath.
He is reported to have built several roads, which at the time were called “a great improvement to the neighborhood.” This pursuit was in addition to his farming and timber businesses. His wife Lydia is described as a hard-working busy woman who always made time for her neighbors, especially those in need of help.
Service & Community Continues...
The commitment to serve others and work hard has also been passed down through generations on my mother’s side of the family. Her grandfather, Dr. J. I. T. Long, was the local doctor in Fruitland. One of his sons Con, my grandfather, co-owned and managed Long Lumber Company, the current site of the Fruitland Wal-Mart.
 
 
Con and his wife, Ivy, lived at several addresses in the Camden neighborhood along Smith Street. Around 1948, he built a home on Camden Ave. just North of Holloway Hall.
My parents, Ann and Ken Smith, were married in my grandparents’ back yard, where the Salisbury University dormitories now stand. Today, if you look closely, you can still see the trees that lined the home’s circular driveway where I learned to ride a bicycle.
Recent Generations & Salisbury History...
After the death of Ivy, Con remarried to Naomi Pollitt. Naomi was born and raised at her family’s Salisbury home on the corner of Church and Davis Streets.
Her father operated his blacksmith shop in a building behind their home.
At 17, Naomi swam out to rescue three people, including her father, from drowning in the river.
From her childhood through most of her adult life Naomi kept detailed journals that preserve the history of our family, the city and the nation. She was a graduate of East Salisbury elementary school and Salisbury High School. She was involved in various civic organizations and Bethesda Church. While living in the family home on Camden Ave. she served as president of a neighborhood association there and was an early member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association.
What Parents & Grandparents Instill...
My mother, Ann Long Smith, continues the family legacy of instilling the values of hard work and service to the community. As a young woman, she was a USO girl. Mom is a 1934 graduate of Wicomico High School, and a graduate of what is now, Salisbury University. She worked at Wicomico High School before starting her family.
Once she became a wife and mother she worked actively to encourage young people to help others and serve the community. She was an active volunteer at the Campus Elementary School where she initiated a project to collect personal care items to be boxed and shipped to soldiers in Viet Nam by the 5th grade class.
My father worked for and then became the owner of Boulevard TV. Upon his retirement he worked for and became an active volunteer at Lower Shore Enterprises.
 
Dad’s parents, George and Pearl Smith, lived in Wilmington, Delaware, where my grandfather worked as a house painter and my grandmother cared for their home and children.
My grandmother still lives in Wilmington where she enjoys volunteer activities with her church group and spending time with her family, friends and neighbors. The neighbors in the neighborhood she spent her life nurturing now help to make it possible for her to remain independent in her current home.
Achievements for Today, Legacies for Tomorrow...
In addition to these specific examples, my sister and I were shown the importance of random acts of kindness and volunteerism by the examples set by my parents and grandparents.
The next generation, my children are already talking about the time when one of them will live in our family home and host everyone for the various holiday celebrations and family get-togethers. They have grown up enjoying life in a neighborhood where they can walk to see their grandparents, play at a community park, and visit Salisbury’s many landmarks.
As I have worked with a team of volunteers on this web site, my parents have been going through the family archives to help prepare for this section of the site. While it has been a wonderful journey down memory lane, it has also reminded me that service to others is something that is part of who I am.
Over the past 15 years, I have gained experience in business, non-profit management, housing and community development finance, neighborhood revitalization, and more that I can utilize on the city council to benefit the city of Salisbury.
During this time I have been recognized for many accomplishments locally, regionally and nationally, including selection as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women in 2007. I have worked locally with fellow city residents to attract financial resources and to address issues in the areas of crime prevention, increasing homeownership, revitalizing neighborhoods, leadership development, and youth programs.
More importantly, I recognize and value the vast knowledge, wisdom, and passion that citizens throughout the city have for Salisbury, and the contributions they bring to the decision making process.
Together we can achieve wonderful things and create a legacy of livable neighborhoods, strong business and a vital city for our children and generations to come. It takes planning and sound policy to accomplish this. That’s what the city council does, passes legislation and sets policy.
This is why I ran for city council and why I am running for re-election -- for what we can achieve today and for the legacy we must create. |
