I applaud your efforts with Mirant which could have resulted in a decline of the Patuxent aquifer, the last one remaining before bedrock. Parts of Indian Head and Bryans Road are already tapping it…It is essential that the populated areas of the county be connected with WSSC ASAP!
I agree that “planning” has favored developers…the effort to downzone lot sizes in the rural/ag zoned areas from 1 dwelling unit per 3 acres to 1 dwelling unit per 10 or 20 acres (as recommended by the Rural Commission several years ago) failed miserably, mostly due the efforts of the real estate community.
As you probably know, there are plans for as many as 5,000 new homes in LaPlata and another 10,000 residential units (homes, townhomes, apartments, condos) along Piney Church Road and Rt. 488.
I honestly doubt that the available water supply can support these additional withdrawals…and IF the CCC extension proceeds along with an additional 8,000 more homes, I just have to wonder what are they thinking, KNOWING FULL WELL that the water supply is NOT INFINITE!
Now we have CPV that has indicated that it does NOT have to obtain a Water Appropriation and Use Permit from MDE because it will tap into the Waldorf system!! Because there isn’t enough “greywater” for CPV and Panda, it looks as though CPV may be allowed to withdraw potable groundwater for its operation.
Since a major part of my campaign will be about transparency, I have decided to make myself available here and at other on line communities to answer questions and such. In addition, you will no longer see postings from “Burning Coal.”
OK Sir, what’s your stance on the creation of a Career Fire Service in this county.
Let’s face it Sir, it is the 21st century, and our fire service here in Charles County is stuck in the 20th century (1960’s). The days of home response is as unwise and ancient as Firefighters riding the back step of the apparatus?
When a fire department has to depend or rely on someone responding from home in a F.D. Vehicle e.g. Chief’s car or Utility vehicle, or worse their own POV, to the station to get their apparatus out on an emergency now a days, there is something terribly wrong with the Fire Service here in Charles County, this is wasted and crucial time in the timeline of any emergency.
The call volume in this county is reaching a critical level, and the fail rate in responses’ and lack of manpower on the apparatus when they do respond is reaching a grave point, what’s really needed in our county is more stations being built in strategic locations, but you couldn’t find the volunteers to man them, and that would add a cost to the tax payer he/she couldn’t afford, but a more responsible way of spending the Fire Tax we pay would be to hire career personnel to supplement the volunteer service.
It may be a 1960’s approach in terms of the popuation of parts of Charles County. Several districts within the county have had massive population growth and many of the services (including fire and rescue) that should come with that growth have not.
So, sir or madam, to answer your question, yes there should be professional fire and rescue in the populated areas of the county. It should be done before there is a disaster that takes place because of lag time that is no fault of the VERY dedicated volunteers.
In the less populated areas of the county, the volunteer system should remain in place. We should however provide the volunteer fire companies with equipment that is 21st century in terms of technology and communication. It is paramount that professional back-up is available when the situation warrants it.
The smarter growth alliance for Charles county (SGACC) is hosting a “ROAR OF THE FUTURE” Town Hall meeting conducted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. SGACC is presenting a “BETTER VISION FOR CHARLES COUNTY” March 19th, 2009 , 7:00pm-8:30pm at the LaPlata Fire House. This is a consortium of 17 organizations. It promotes an alternative vision, Revitalizing the urban core of waldorf with transit oriented development and light rail to the Branch Avenue metro. Instead of building highways in forest to spawn sprawl development. I hope you Ken Robertson can be part of this effort to change Charles County for the better. THANK YOU AGAIN
Thank you for the alert. I will be there. I too agree that rail (light or commuter) is the answer for the future. Feel free to steal my name for it…SMART (Southern Maryland Area Rapid Transt).
Ken, as an historical antagonist, I am impressed by your stands on the issues posted here. I do like what you said about some developers that see the light and these developers should be separated from those who don’t. I am one that is not against development or developers as long as there is a rational approach. We need to get WSSC on board as quickly as possible even if it means higher water bills. Once this depression is over—and it will be, the surge in development will grow expontially so, we should plan for it and make provisions for it. To spend our time trying to stop it is fruitless.
Mr. Robinson; After reading comment #15 my first thoughts were, “aahhh, another well informed Charles County voter.” However, after thinking about it for a few minutes, it dawned on me that I don’t recall reading anywhere else, except on the local blogs and of course your own Website, that you are indeed a formal candidate (Democrat) for District 1 County Commissioner. Have you indeed formally filed the necessary paperwork to run? If so, why haven’t we read about it in the Indy? To my simple way of thinking it would certainly be a newsworthy event, at least as much so as “Bunky” the clown, which garnered some front-page real estate.
I have filed my paperwork. I was interviewed by the Indy last week. I thought it would run on Friday but I suppose Bunky the Clown bumped the story. I guess it will be in one of the editions this week.
My next question is of a general nature concerning our current election laws. Even though no one else, including the incumbent, has formally declared, I think you’ll agree that you’ll most certainly be facing a primary battle next spring. At last check there were approx. 14,000 county voters registered as “unaffiliated”. Under our current sysatem of closed primaries, these folks are not allowed to cast a vote in the primary elections. Is this system fair? Though I doubt anything could be changed in time for the 2010 cycle, none-the-less I’m curious as to what your feelings are here? Would you be in favor of switching to a completely open system? That would include allowing Republicans to cast a vote for a Democrat if they were so inclined.
I am a Democrat. I have always been and likely always will bea Democrat. That being said however I am a true believer in the two party system. Since right now it is the Dems time both in Maryland and in the nation, the odds will heavily favor that the person getting the democratic nomination n Charles County will win the election. This will keep thousands of Charles County voters from having a true say in who will represent them as commissioner(s). The primaries should be open but like you said, that will NOT happen in 2010.
In addition, the way we elect Charles County Commissioners is kind of silly. In reality citizens are voting for five at-large commissioners since the entire county votes for all district candidates. Though I am planning to represent District One, I cannot win without the support of the rest of the county. It should be called what it is.
You have much greater influence to change what I stated above by being an elected official. Though not on my top five list, it is certainly something I would like to see changed.
An email to Reuben might be worth a shot. I think he dabbled in this prior to being elected. If I get a chance to go to his meeting tonight, I’ll try and bring it up.
Mr. Robinson,
I would be very much interested in meeting with you to discuss your views on the local educational issues. Please call 301-659-4112 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are interested. - Jennifer Abell
Jennifer always likes to meet individually with certain people to discuss certain issues—which is fine, except that all of the rest of us on this forum would be just as interested in your views on education as well.
Sorry, I wasn’t trying to exclude anyone, just looking for a little bit more of an in-depth conversation. I’m sure Mr. Robinson would be more than happy to post his views.
“I’m sure Mr. Robinson would be more than happy to post his views.”
And I’m sure that the large body of posters on this forum will be more than eager to respond with questions, comments and opinions such as why the BOE has not solicited resumes for School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent and any other high contract School Administration position to see if they can find a more competent group at a better price. If we are always expecting other projects in the County to be put out for competitive bidm then why do we keep rubber-stamping these exorbitant contracts without seeking other applicants?
I don’t believe Mr. Robinson would be able to answer that question but I can answer for myself. Why haven’t they? Well the only one we (the Board of Education) has any real control over is the Supt. contract. I am all for opening up the process. Said so before the last contract was issued 4 years ago and I’ve told my fellow board members the same for this year. Meaning we accept applications for the position. If Mr. Richmond would like to apply again, than he can but at least lets see what is out there. Personally I don’t have anything against Mr. Richmond, I think he’s done a good job, but maybe it’s time to move on. With that being said, I doubt if I will have any support from other board members in this endeavor, much less a majority. And that’s why it hasn’t been done.
Thank you Jennifer. I’m sorry that you will probably be in the minority on this issue since it is these major items that the public observes as being done for political expediency rather than for the benefit of the taxpayer and the school system which denegrates the status of the BOE in the public’s eyes. Any group can be transparent on the easy issues but the true test is being transparent on the big issues. I also thought that the Associate Superintendent position was a contract position.
Nope, the Assoc is hired by the Supt. The only contract position is the Sup and that is up this summer. The BOE has to let the Supt. know during the month of February whether or not we will be offering another 4-year contract. As I said, I will not be supporting it but I for see all other board members voting for it. Maybe some of the constituents need to voice their wishes to some of the other members
This is just what I was hoping to happen. Thanks Burning coal for particiapting in the open.
