Vote FOR Question 1 on the State Ballot

[mygoldnhorse]

Sprawl is paving over Maryland, threatening our drinking water, and imposing on our quality of life. At the very least, we must stop this from happening to lands already protected from development.

Two years ago, the state was caught red-handed trying to sell protected land to a developer to build luxury homes. In 2004, the state tried to sell the so- called Salem Tract—an environmentally sensitive 836- acre tract of land in St. Mary’s County—to a private developer for the same price the state purchased it in 2003. The developer, who stood to gain approximately $7 million in tax breaks in exchange for donating about 200 acres to St. Mary’s for schools and to preserve the remaining land, pulled out of the deal when press exposed that he planned to build houses on portions of the “preserved” property. Next month, we’re going to have the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment that would prevent that sort of thing from happening.

The 2005 General Assembly, passed a bill with bipartisan support which established the language for the constitutional amendment and that it be submitted to Maryland voters for adoption or rejection. This amendment, Question #1 on the November ballot, will prevent the state from selling any preserved state park, conservation, or recreational land without approval from the General Assembly and if passed would ultimately protect farms, parks, and open spaces for future generations. Both gubernatorial candidates support the amendment, which goes hand-in-hand with other legislation passed to protect open space.

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.

[vraiblonde]

I feel like, who cares? If some developer wants to purchase protected land to build on, he'll just grease the palms of the General Assembly instead of the Public Works people. So, in the end, it won't really matter.

[mygoldnhorse]

That's just the point we do need to start caring. Unless, of course you want all of Southern MD to look like Waldorf, Lexington Park, etc..... but I for one do not and hope that there are others who do care.

[willie]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

I feel like, who cares? If some developer wants to purchase protected land to build on, he'll just grease the palms of the General Assembly instead of the Public Works people. So, in the end, it won't really matter.

Greasing the General assembly would be much more public.

[Makavide]

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.

So, we will vote on this amendment, it passes, the general assembly will then pass a resolution that will appoint some other agency, or group (probably back to the public works) or even one person to be charge. If they got rid of the last 14 words it might work.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by Makavide

So, we will vote on this amendment, it passes, the general assembly will then pass a resolution that will appoint some other agency, or group (probably back to the public works) or even one person to be charge. If they got rid of the last 14 words it might work.

And there you have it.

I see stuff like this as feel-good legislation designed to shut the masses up - "See? We DID something. Now go back to your soap operas ." In the end, it really won't make a bit of difference. Some developer will come calling with his checkbook out and all bets are off.

[mygoldnhorse]

Originally Posted by Makavide

So, we will vote on this amendment, it passes, the general assembly will then pass a resolution that will appoint some other agency, or group (probably back to the public works) or even one person to be charge. If they got rid of the last 14 words it might work.

I absolutely agree with you. I feel at least this is a start and hopefully an eye opener for the public.... If people will just become aware of open space land, etc...that is in their district and watch over it, than our combined efforts should ensure us that we will be able to continue to enjoy Southern MD as it was intended. If we do not start somewhere than the rural/agricultral districts that we now take for granted will soon become incorporated into residential/higher occupancy a little at a time.

And by the way I do work for a Developer, and I do know that its not just a pull out the checkbook/grease the palms of the local politians that allow things like this to happen....it's unconcerned citizens that sit back doing the complaining that Southern MD is becoming more and more like PG County all the while pushing aside anyone who does give a damn.

[willie]

Originally Posted by Makavide

So, we will vote on this amendment, it passes, the general assembly will then pass a resolution that will appoint some other agency, or group (probably back to the public works) or even one person to be charge. If they got rid of the last 14 words it might work.

Absolutely right! It is worthless.

[residentofcre (Premo)]

Willie... question for you...

If the General Assembly is the only one that can allow the use of open space... how does that affect the LNG Pipeline?

Or does it affect it at all?????

Just curious about your opinion....

Thanks... Becky

[willie]

Originally Posted by residentofcre

Willie... question for you...

If the General Assembly is the only one that can allow the use of open space... how does that affect the LNG Pipeline?

Or does it affect it at all?????

Just curious about your opinion....

Thanks... Becky

The General Assembly has already done their job. The new line will parallel the older line, correct? All this was hashed out years ago. The General Assembly is getting involved in the Sparrows Point LNG plant. Why?