Challenge For the Candidates

[Vote Flaherty]

I'm not sure how I stand on Code Home Rule. One of the current commissioners told a resident of CRE that the lack of Code Home Rule is the reason the County cannot do anything for CRE. Poppy Coc... According to the CRE resident, the Commissioner said that since we didn't vote for Code Home Rule the Commissioners could not even try to negotiate the return of gas tax funds. I'm not sure I understand it yet....

That Commissioner could eaily lobby the lesgislature for more return on gas tax funds.

 

[Midnightrider]

I was stuck in traffic in Huntingtown today. I was able to take an alternate route. If I were new to the community ... I would have been in a fix.

I want the evacuation routes marked. The price of signs.... and some maintenance of those signs. After they're up then we can all pray that life goes on without having to use them.

CRE is working on an evacuation route. Our problem is we have 66 miles of winding roads and 13,000 people to coordinate. I asked for assistance with this but got nothing. See this is something the County could help Common Ownership Communities with. They continue to ignor the Common Ownership Communities.

Seriously, for what events are you thinking we will need to evacuate?


And why do you think clogging all the back roads with traffic is going to make the situation better?

Besides, your plan, with buttloads of evac routes and alternatives and signs pointing down every little road, would have the masses, especially those who are "new" to the area, lost in say broomes island instead of safely traveling up rt 4.


Oh, and if you live in the ranch club and can't get to all three gates from your house, you are an idiot.

 

[Toxick]

All I know is that suddenly this has turned into the coolest thread ever.


I wish ALL candidates on both sides of the aisle, on the local, state and even federal levels would do this on internet forums.

Although I'm pretty sure that state and local level debates would end up having to be moderated (which greatly reduces much of the beauty I'm seeing here, by removing voter input), because the threads would fill up with assinine posts like this one, and trolls and hecklers would reign supreme.




Anyway, I salute both Candidates currently engaged in this debate. It is a thing of beauty.

 

[willie]

All I know is that suddenly this has turned into the coolest thread ever.


I wish ALL candidates on both sides of the aisle, on the local, state and even federal levels would do this on internet forums.

Although I'm pretty sure that state and local level debates would end up having to be moderated (which greatly reduces much of the beauty I'm seeing here, by removing voter input), because the threads would fill up with assinine posts like this one, and trolls and hecklers would reign supreme.




Anyway, I salute both Candidates currently engaged in this debate. It is a thing of beauty.

Was there some sarcasm in there somewhere?

I'd like to see Doug Parran express some views here. Maybe the 6 people that voted for him in the survey would wake up.

It is most important that we get these candidates into a Q & A session. In Calvert County, the label Dem or Repub means little anymore, it appears to be a choice for the easiest nomination.

 

[Toxick]

Was there some sarcasm in there somewhere?

No.

 

[residentofcre]

Our volunteers are the finest, second to none. To bring in paid fire & rescue
would only bring division in the ranks. I am against it, period.

Workforce Housing means "affordable" and affordable presumes that a family can pay market price, or rent, for a starter home.

I agree with keeping the fire and rescue as volunteer as long as we can. I would love to see us fully funding their equipment needs so that we can build that up to the very best it can be.

I would love to offer them the same benefits as the paid county employees. The only reason I can see they would want to go to paid is the lack of benefits. You know... county employees are eligible for the down payment assistance on their homes. I think our volunteer fire & rescue should be eligible for that as well.

There was quite a healthy conversation on this forum about affordable housing. It seems everyone was opposed to "affordable" housing but were happy with the "workforce" terminology. I tried to get someone for HFAC to explain the process and the need for workforce... but that didn't happen. I would love to see them have a couple more rallies to get the information out there.

 

[residentofcre]

That Commissioner could eaily lobby the lesgislature for more return on gas tax funds.

If elected would you lobby to have the gas tax funds returned to the common ownership communities? Would you also lobby for any grants that may be available for parks & rec in these communities? We're talking new money here, nothing out of the pockets of those who do not live in these old "private" communities.

I really resented her using the CRE Business Meeting as an opportunity to campaign. I thought it was insulting. Then when I heard she was misleading the homeowners..... well I am still simmering down....

 

[residentofcre]

Seriously, for what events are you thinking we will need to evacuate?


And why do you think clogging all the back roads with traffic is going to make the situation better?

Besides, your plan, with buttloads of evac routes and alternatives and signs pointing down every little road, would have the masses, especially those who are "new" to the area, lost in say broomes island instead of safely traveling up rt 4.


Oh, and if you live in the ranch club and can't get to all three gates from your house, you are an idiot.

First of all, thank you for your kind words....

Let me see if I can make this easier to understand. Sometimes I get going and forget that people haven't been working on these projects with me.

I do not under any circumstances want to clog up the back roads with traffic. If the people who live on the back roads wanted to deal with traffic they would have moved to a busy street. I have been behind someone who was obviously lost on a back road and it's no picnic. I want to have the signage on these routes for two reasons.

The first reason is the one stated several posts ago... Most counties maintain the roads better if they are main roads or evacuation routes. Also, grant funds may be available from the state for maintenance of county owned evacuation routes. [please note I said county roads so yes that leaves CRE roads out of this funding source].

The second reason is the one everyone is dogging me about. I would hope that we would never have to do a speedy "right now" type of evacuation but in the event you need to bypass an accident or other incident, a clearly marked route would be of great assistance. Not long ago there was a horrific incident at Sixes Road and Rt 2/4. Traffic was tied up for hours. At $3.00 a gallon or more... do you want to be wandering around in Calvert County back roads?

Now about the CRE evacuation routes. We are in the process of designing an evacuation plan. This would include working with the County to have the reverse 911 calls occur in a pattern and having our security posted at some intersections to direct traffic. If CRE put up evacuation route signs it would be helpful for some. We would also pay for our own signs. LNG has an evacuation route that goes right through CRE. They claim that the LNG is very safe but they still have a plan. With 13,000 people in one location, I feel it's important.

I also know that people don't notice evacuation route signage on a normal day to day basis. In the event they are needed, however, I feel they should be there.

 

[Midnightrider]

First of all, thank you for your kind words....

Let me see if I can make this easier to understand. Sometimes I get going and forget that people haven't been working on these projects with me.

I do not under any circumstances want to clog up the back roads with traffic. If the people who live on the back roads wanted to deal with traffic they would have moved to a busy street. I have been behind someone who was obviously lost on a back road and it's no picnic. I want to have the signage on these routes for two reasons.

The first reason is the one stated several posts ago... Most counties maintain the roads better if they are main roads or evacuation routes. Also, grant funds may be available from the state for maintenance of county owned evacuation routes. [please note I said county roads so yes that leaves CRE roads out of this funding source].

The second reason is the one everyone is dogging me about. I would hope that we would never have to do a speedy "right now" type of evacuation but in the event you need to bypass an accident or other incident, a clearly marked route would be of great assistance. Not long ago there was a horrific incident at Sixes Road and Rt 2/4. Traffic was tied up for hours. At $3.00 a gallon or more... do you want to be wandering around in Calvert County back roads?

Now about the CRE evacuation routes. We are in the process of designing an evacuation plan. This would include working with the County to have the reverse 911 calls occur in a pattern and having our security posted at some intersections to direct traffic. If CRE put up evacuation route signs it would be helpful for some. We would also pay for our own signs. LNG has an evacuation route that goes right through CRE. They claim that the LNG is very safe but they still have a plan. With 13,000 people in one location, I feel it's important.

I also know that people don't notice evacuation route signage on a normal day to day basis. In the event they are needed, however, I feel they should be there.

k, becky, i guess i need to be less "nice" to you if you can't take a serious question without taking offense.

You still haven't come up with a reason for this supposed evacuation. The closest you have come up with is a huricane, which we have never, and most likely will never get an evac for. CCNP and CPLNG have their own plans, and the routes are established. So i don't see why this isn't good enough for you.


Posting evacuation route signs on the evactation routes is one thing, but putting signs on all the back roads is just rediculous, if you can't get out of your own community you should die in whatever disaster occurs.


As for the ranch club, you idiots on the board should be doing more to get the roads fixed, put our freaking cluster boxes closer to our houses (mine is over 1/2 mile away) and worry about the missuse of funds. All of the signage you are suggesting just for the ranch club would be hugely expensive, and the funds could be used to a much better end.

Maybe instead (since you are worried about the new people to the area) you could have the CRE office provide a map of possible evac routes with the new homeowner package you get from the front office when you move in.


And get the freaking people at the main office to stop answewring the phone PO-Acre.

 

[Vote Flaherty]

DACCA right?

No Becky, it's called independent thought.

 

[Vote Flaherty]

You know... county employees are eligible for the down payment assistance on their homes. I think our volunteer fire & rescue should be eligible for that as well.

Now here's a good one. Why are we paying, as taxpayers, to help house County employees? Everyone is in the same boat here. Why give preferential treatment to one group over another? Because it make good politics?!
It is a bad plan that ignores the main problem. Runaway housing costs due to way too much cheap money and loose lending standards. A national problem created by the US Gov't and Federal Reserve. Not just a problem unique to Calvert County.

And, "workforce housing" is just another term for affordable.

Our fire and rescue volunteers are not clamoring for pay or benefits. They just want the County to properly support them with the funds they require for equipment maintenance, new equipment and the like.

 

[Vote Flaherty]

If elected would you lobby to have the gas tax funds returned to the common ownership communities? Would you also lobby for any grants that may be available for parks & rec in these communities? We're talking new money here, nothing out of the pockets of those who do not live in these old "private" communities.

Yes I would, but only to bring the funds to the County's general fund. Then to properly discuss how those funds would be used. Such as building more roads to bypass usage on Rt.4. Just like the Prince Frederick loop road.

Becky, CRE already has a beautiful private freshwater lake, access to a Bay beach, twice over, campground facilities, equestrian center and more. What else do you want? What else will you pay for, and the CRE residents.
How do you envision "grant money" to be used within CRE? If something does get built in CRE, how are you with letting people outside of CRE using those facilities.

 

[residentofcre]

k, becky, i guess i need to be less "nice" to you if you can't take a serious question without taking offense.

You still haven't come up with a reason for this supposed evacuation. The closest you have come up with is a huricane, which we have never, and most likely will never get an evac for. CCNP and CPLNG have their own plans, and the routes are established. So i don't see why this isn't good enough for you.


Posting evacuation route signs on the evactation routes is one thing, but putting signs on all the back roads is just rediculous, if you can't get out of your own community you should die in whatever disaster occurs.


As for the ranch club, you idiots on the board should be doing more to get the roads fixed, put our freaking cluster boxes closer to our houses (mine is over 1/2 mile away) and worry about the missuse of funds. All of the signage you are suggesting just for the ranch club would be hugely expensive, and the funds could be used to a much better end.

Maybe instead (since you are worried about the new people to the area) you could have the CRE office provide a map of possible evac routes with the new homeowner package you get from the front office when you move in.


And get the freaking people at the main office to stop answewring the phone PO-Acre.

Who can't take a ribbing....

You are the first person to say anything about cluster boxes. I have a mail box at the end of my road [walking distance]. I will bring this topic up at the next Board meeting....

Ok.... the signs inside CRE would be something that would be years away because I actually would want some grant funds to pay for them.... later... after the gax tax issue....

Your point about signage on the back roads.... I thought you meant back roads like Mt. Harmony Road... that's where I want the signage.... the little roads off of the main road would be too costly....

Getting the roads fixed has been a major problem... Golden West Way has gone to bid and should be under contract by the end of this month and started next month .... Algonquin is under engineering.. I have been having trouble with the Roads Committee because they keep telling people that if they want to have their road paved they should pay for it themselves and POACRE will do the work to get it ready for pavement. I think that is very unfair to those of us on dirt roads that are washed away.

New item... we have put an fine on the paving contract if they don't get it done within a specific period of time. That was my idea... I have also been asking for an estimate on the cost to repair the damage done to our roads by the water company.... Why should we have to pay to fix what they messed up?

You are right... I guess.... it's ok for the majority of the people that CCNP and LNG have a disaster plan.... and I truely hope they are there if we ever need them....

Did I do a better job this time? Oh... and you are right about the PO-Acre... I am surprised you got them to answer the phone... I have been trying to get that answering machine taken off for months....

 

[residentofcre]

Yes I would, but only to bring the funds to the County's general fund. Then to properly discuss how those funds would be used. Such as building more roads to bypass usage on Rt.4. Just like the Prince Frederick loop road.

Becky, CRE already has a beautiful private freshwater lake, access to a Bay beach, twice over, campground facilities, equestrian center and more. What else do you want? What else will you pay for, and the CRE residents.
How do you envision "grant money" to be used within CRE? If something does get built in CRE, how are you with letting people outside of CRE using those facilities.

I wasn't talking about using the parks & rec money in CRE.... we do have our own...

There are plenty of common ownership communities all over the county that have a vacant lot... they were left by the contractor/developer... to be built by the homeowners but no funds were ever set in place to build, maintain, or upgrade them. I believe the Community would have to have matching funds but at least they could do something with the vacant lot. I'll talk more about this item later.

 

[Midnightrider]

Who can't take a ribbing....

You are the first person to say anything about cluster boxes. I have a mail box at the end of my road [walking distance]. I will bring this topic up at the next Board meeting....

Ok.... the signs inside CRE would be something that would be years away because I actually would want some grant funds to pay for them.... later... after the gax tax issue....

Your point about signage on the back roads.... I thought you meant back roads like Mt. Harmony Road... that's where I want the signage.... the little roads off of the main road would be too costly....

Getting the roads fixed has been a major problem... Golden West Way has gone to bid and should be under contract by the end of this month and started next month .... Algonquin is under engineering.. I have been having trouble with the Roads Committee because they keep telling people that if they want to have their road paved they should pay for it themselves and POACRE will do the work to get it ready for pavement. I think that is very unfair to those of us on dirt roads that are washed away.

New item... we have put an fine on the paving contract if they don't get it done within a specific period of time. That was my idea... I have also been asking for an estimate on the cost to repair the damage done to our roads by the water company.... Why should we have to pay to fix what they messed up?

You are right... I guess.... it's ok for the majority of the people that CCNP and LNG have a disaster plan.... and I truely hope they are there if we ever need them....

Did I do a better job this time? Oh... and you are right about the PO-Acre... I am surprised you got them to answer the phone... I have been trying to get that answering machine taken off for months....

Here is the answer to the cluster box issue, if there is ten in a cluster, then they should be every ten houses. Mine is out on thunderbird, and i am at the furthest point off the main raod, it takes me 20 mins walk each way, wouldn't be so bad, but its also past the turn-off for my road, so i would have to pull a u to get home after picking it up....



as for the roads, Someone needs to get a clue, and stop doing all this work wrong. they put in all kinds of drains on a road near me last winter, paved a portion, but now the rest is still only patched with gravel, so a road that was decent last year will be destroyed by the end of this one.

 

[MMDad]

Your point about signage on the back roads.... I thought you meant back roads like Mt. Harmony Road... that's where I want the signage.... the little roads off of the main road would be too costly....

Becky, you are still concentrating on something that would not help. In order for an evacuation plan to be effective it has to be simple: Get to route 4 and follow police direction. Route 4 IS the evacuation route. If you come to an intersection and there are signs pointing in three directions, how would that help?

The plan should include stationing police, SHA, and fire people at the key intersections to determine when to use the side roads, and how much traffic to put onto them. We don't want every Jimmy Joe Bob trying to figure his best way out. We need people to get to route 4 and follow directions.

Remember, the roads you are thinking about are also the evacuation routes for the people who live on those roads. They will already be filled. There's no way that putting more traffic onto a two lane road will help when route 4 would be six lanes.

This evacuation route thing is getting close to being your "firebox trailors" issue. Just like the "trailors", it is a non issue. If you want to earn votes, get back to issues that matter to the voters.

 

[MMDad]

Here is the answer to the cluster box issue, if there is ten in a cluster, then they should be every ten houses. Mine is out on thunderbird, and i am at the furthest point off the main raod, it takes me 20 mins walk each way, wouldn't be so bad, but its also past the turn-off for my road, so i would have to pull a u to get home after picking it up....

Are you sure this is a CRE issue and not a USPS issue? If they start turning down the side roads, they'll have to rewrite the delivery contracts, and that's money.

 

[residentofcre]

Here is the answer to the cluster box issue, if there is ten in a cluster, then they should be every ten houses. Mine is out on thunderbird, and i am at the furthest point off the main raod, it takes me 20 mins walk each way, wouldn't be so bad, but its also past the turn-off for my road, so i would have to pull a u to get home after picking it up....



as for the roads, Someone needs to get a clue, and stop doing all this work wrong. they put in all kinds of drains on a road near me last winter, paved a portion, but now the rest is still only patched with gravel, so a road that was decent last year will be destroyed by the end of this one.

You must live over near me.... I am off of Thunderbird.... You should make it a point to go to the Roads Committee meetings. If you don't have time, send me an email and I will take it up with Roads.... I've been dogging them all year and I have made a little progress.

 

[residentofcre]

Are you sure this is a CRE issue and not a USPS issue? If they start turning down the side roads, they'll have to rewrite the delivery contracts, and that's money.

I see no reason why the CRE Manager can't give the USPS a call about the boxes. The boxes belong to the USPS but the cement is CRE and the placement of the box is a combined issue. It would only take a couple of minutes for me to bring it up during Director Comments and it would make life easier for someone.... I don't mind bringing it up at all.

 

[residentofcre]

Becky, you are still concentrating on something that would not help. In order for an evacuation plan to be effective it has to be simple: Get to route 4 and follow police direction. Route 4 IS the evacuation route. If you come to an intersection and there are signs pointing in three directions, how would that help?

The plan should include stationing police, SHA, and fire people at the key intersections to determine when to use the side roads, and how much traffic to put onto them. We don't want every Jimmy Joe Bob trying to figure his best way out. We need people to get to route 4 and follow directions.

Remember, the roads you are thinking about are also the evacuation routes for the people who live on those roads. They will already be filled. There's no way that putting more traffic onto a two lane road will help when route 4 would be six lanes.

This evacuation route thing is getting close to being your "firebox trailors" issue. Just like the "trailors", it is a non issue. If you want to earn votes, get back to issues that matter to the voters.

I am so happy that y'all seem to be willing to move on to another topic. I have learned a lot from this forum about what y'all would like done and I would be happy to go to another topic if someone wants to make a suggestion.

You are usually one of the posters I learn a lot from... what would you like us to discuss next?