Maritime Republic of Eastport

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In 1998 the Maryland highway administration announced it would close the bridge linking the neighborhood of Eastport to the rest of the City of Annapolis, Maryland, USA, for repairs.

The Maritime Republic of Eastport was accordingly founded on Super Bowl Sunday 1998 as an advocacy tool for the local merchants, who expected to lose business, and for the distinct neighborhood and rather 'island-like' mentality of the Eastporters themselves. The early activities of the fledging nation included a revolt involving declarations and flying brussels sprouts.

Since then, the Republic has continued a local charitable organization which includes a number of unique fundraisers, chief among them the annual Annapolis/Eastport Tug Of War.

The distinctive approach of Eastport to both the 1998 State Highway closure, and ongoing pursuit of a good time in a good cause, can best be expressed by the motto and attitude of the rather remarkable Republic: "We Like It This Way."

Since 1998, the MRE has raised thousands of dollars for charities. The Eastporters have taken the powerful sentiment to help each other and applied it to work to help others. Powerful groups within the Republic include The Daughters of the Eastport Revolution, The Royal Order of Drunken Sailors, and The Revolutionary Council.

[edit] Governing body

Premier - Mark Travaglini
Vice Premier- Jan Cort
Treasurer - Jeff Wilson
Secretary of State - Megan Jones
Chief Revolutionary – Andy Terry
Minister of Propaganda - Nicole Cullari
Minister of War - Mike Pachler
Quartermaster - Brett Curreton
Minister of Benevolent Activities - Susan Wilson
Minister of Conscription - Steve Smith
Foreign Minister - John Morgan
Minister of the Navy - Bob Slaff
Seal Team Commander; Ambassador to the Florida Keys - George Dowling
Minister of Athletics - Andy Terry
Attorney General - Rick Kennedy
Ambassador to Cyberspace - Karen Grahne, Joyce Bolton, and Elvia Thompson, Emeritus
Minister of Mixology - Lew Woodward
Historical Rabble Rousers - Josh Cohen, Mike Raab
Resident Greybeards (Wisdom-Dispensers): Jeff Holland, Kevin Brooks, Chris Kellogg, Sam Shropshire, Mike Raab and Cindy Fletcher-Holden