Vote FOR Question 1 on the State Ballot

[FromTexas (Premo)]

I will vote for it just to bring up a roadblock to increased housing buildout. I could care less about the protected land. I just want less housing built so mine is worth more.

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by FromTexas

I will vote for it just to bring up a roadblock to increased housing buildout. I could care less about the protected land. I just want less housing built so mine is worth more.

It's great to hear somebody honest for once! I agree, my house is built, stop NOW!

[willie]

My absentee ballot just came in. I voted for it even if it has a huge loophole, it's better than nothing.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by mygoldnhorse

Ballot Language:

Question 1 - Constitutional Amendment

Disposition of Park Lands

The Board of Public Works may not approve the sale, transfer, exchange, grant or other permanent disposition of any state-owned outdoor recreation, open space, conservation, preservation, forest, or parkland without the express approval of the General Assembly or of a committee that the General Assembly designates by statute, resolution or rule.

One of the BIGGEST problems we, the people, face in choosing our representatives is the creation of committees and boards and so on and so forth that are sold to us as these 'above board' solutions to sticky questions.

Sticky questions and the answers to them are precisely what we need to make our judgments when we vote. They are precisely the type things our public servants should have to decide, publicly. We can't elect or kick out some bi-partisan committee.

On the other hand, folks with specific interests, learn to focus in on these groups, out of the spotlight, to get what they want and no one ends up being responsible if it turns out to be a bad or smelly decision.

This isn't delegation in the interest of fairness, it is passing the buck. I want MORE accountability, not less.

[FromTexas (Premo)]

Originally Posted by willie

My absentee ballot just came in. I voted for it even if it has a huge loophole, it's better than nothing.

I did the same on my absentee but for the reason I stated above.

[SEABREEZE 1957]

Thanks all...I just read my Official Specimen Ballot mailer today over breakfast. This is one of two I wasn't quite feeling warm and fuzzy about (the other is Question 4)...So far my inclination is to vote for Question One.....

[Bruzilla]

Gee whiz... another "I got mine, so go f-yourself" law in St. Mary's County. I would like to see a law that states "in addition to prohibiting the development of new homes this law will also require that the county sieze 40% of existing homes, demolish them, and return the property they were on to their former pristine state... all in the name of conserving St. Mary's rural character." Yeah... let's see who thinks preserving the county's rural character was such a vital thing then.

At the rate that house values are skyrocketing in St. Mary's county, and those prices are being met by people who work at high-paying jobs in Washington and Fairfax, who's going to be left to enjoy all the parks and farmlands that this law protects? Certainly not the young families that the area needs over the long term. They're all having to moev out of the area to find affordable housing.

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by Bruzilla

They're all having to moev out of the area to find affordable housing.

As long as it is people like you who are leaving,

[mygoldnhorse]

Originally Posted by FromTexas

I will vote for it just to bring up a roadblock to increased housing buildout. I could care less about the protected land. I just want less housing built so mine is worth more.

So what you are saying is that you/your family never use protected land...via our State parks, Recreation Parks, etc. So if they were gone it would not be of concern to you? This I find hard to believe...but to each his own. I myself spend very little time within the confines of a house and I enjoy being outside. With so much building going on in Southern MD protecting these amenities I would think would be of the utmost concern to us all.

[Oz (Premo)]

This is a HORRIBLE ammendment that I will be voting AGAINST!

The current system worked. The Salem Tract was not sold to private developers. It would have been a good deal for St. Mary's County. Instead, it was blown all out of proportion for political purposes and has become an attempt to strip the Governor of more powers and give it to the Democrats in Annapolis. Ridiculous AND a bad idea!

What happens during the 9 months that the legislature is not in session to vote on such proposals?