Delusional Duck

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FROM THE DUCK HOTLINE…

Last night’s planning commission public meeting on rezoning the Jenkins Property in Hughesville to Heavy Industrial:

Audrey Scott, formerly of the State Highway Administration, currently a Chaney employee, tried to pull a fast one by stating Chaney has never intended to move their gravel washing facility to Hughesville and further stated she didn’t know where that rumor started. Several Hughesville residents pointed out this to be a lie. They attended the Hughesville community meeting with Frank Chaney in January and he spoke and was questioned, in detail, about the possibility. Frank Chaney stated they were trying to plan for the future, and Hughesville WAS a possibility - at this time, it was stated there would be a 20% chance of this happening, 5-10 years from now.

Chaney representatives gave a lengthy presentation as to why this would be good for Hughesville’s economy, but, was countered at every point by Hughesville residents. Chaney sunk to a new low by bringing representatives from the American Red Cross and CSM to speak in favor of the rezoning, stating their case that they greatly need to have a location in Hughesville, and Chaney was the only one to step up and was so wonderful to offer land for such a move. Funny thing is, the parcels need no rezoning to allow these types of facilities. If this is truly out of the goodness of their charitable hearts, why the rezoning request? That’s right, the charitable donation of the land is a front for their hidden agenda….

It was a huge turnout which spilled into the kitchen outside the meeting room. Hughesville residents were totally prepared and went toe-to-toe with Chaney’s big guns. The public record will be held open for 30 days.

Posted by: Pauleen Brewer on 03/18/08 at 09:07 AM

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1. · I commend all those who attended and fought against the norm of Charles County of giving away every square inch of land to developer's/cronies.
Maybe this will inspire our lousy leader's to act. More people in Charles need to get involved be strong and stay for the long fight if there is ever going to be a chance of turning things around it starts with our citizen's who must remember this during our next election cycle.
Cooper and the puppets I hope are shoveling out horse stalls after the next election.

Comment by jdman1 on 03/18/08 at 09:33 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
2. · Those Hughesvillians are a force to be reckoned with!!

I wish everyone in the County could even come close to their organizational skills, knowledge, preparedness and concern about their community.

For those of us who were unable to attend last night's Hearing - PLEASE submit a written comment for the record!

Remember - whatever happens in one part of the County affects EVERYONE! We must ALL band together to stop the "special interests" from running roughshod over us!

Comment by cheryl on 03/18/08 at 10:04 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
3. · Maybe Donna Cave will run in the next election??

Comment by gizmo123 on 03/18/08 at 12:53 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
4. · Without knowing all the "ins and outs" of this particular issue, I will however, give much compliments to the residents of Hughesville.

Once again, whichever side of the fence you sit on, you might just want to take a look at this community and how they organize as a "whole", speak in "one voice" and commit "to the bitter end".

Lessons to be learned here, again. Heed...Not indicating anything is neither finished nor even close given our situation in Charles County. And the dancers @ the ball are no slouches either; CSM, Chaney & of course our own CC Commissioners.

But certainly this round the bear did not come away with any honey for the bees were ready to protect the Queen!

formerly known on the ‘Duck’ as boozacbe

Comment by Rick Campbell on 03/18/08 at 03:22 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
5. · It amuses me to see Chaney saying how wonderful gravel pits are for the local economy.

Gravel pits cause more truck traffic, which cause accidents and lots of broken windshields, resulting in higher insurance costs for everyone!

Plus thise trucks really do a number on the roads, meaning higher taxes!

Where is Chaney's rationale that gravel pits are good for the economy - not to mention the hundreds of gallons per day of OUR DRINKING WATER that will be used for the gravel washing operation and to keep the dust down!

Also, gravel pits adversely affect the marketability of nearby homes.

Comment by cheryl on 03/18/08 at 04:20 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
6. · Go Hughesville.

Comment by Jack Wyatt on 03/18/08 at 07:01 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
7. · It was a huge turnout which spilled into the kitchen outside the meeting room. Hughesville residents were totally prepared and went toe-to-toe with Chaney’s big guns.

I watched most of it on tv, and I can tell you those Hughesville folks had their information and their acts together--they kicked butt. One gal from La Plata, Kathleen Quade, told how "wonderful" it was to live near a gravel wash plant--she couldn't open her windows or hang her clothes out due to the amount of crap in the air and she said the noise was horrendous! She's a prisoner in her own home!

Cheryl's right when she says what happens in one part of the county affects everyone especially with us running out of water. One of the speakers said it would cost $30,000 to sink a new well down to 1,000 feet should Chaney get approval and then drop the water table. Wonder if the Commissioners are willing to foot the bill for any resident who needs a new well?

Comment by seahorse on 03/18/08 at 08:59 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
8. · Anyone notice? This hearing against a Chaney rezoning in Hughesville was on Monday night (March 17). Anyone see any reference to it in Wednesday's Maryland Independent or today's Southern Maryland Extra (Washington Post, Thursday, March 20th)?

If this is being suppressed on purpose, I take that as a sign that the woes of CC are becoming more and more known to the general populace much to the detriment of the commissioners and those who "run" the county. If the 2 papers are merely behind in reporting, so be it, but there surely isn't much to read in the SoMd Section of the Post today, and I was looking forward to how the hearing would be reported.

Comment by seahorse on 03/20/08 at 08:38 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
9. · Seems to me the Southern Maryland Extra hasn't been covering the Commissioners' meetings like they used to...wonder why?

The Maryland Independent will probably have an article about the Chaney meeting in Friday's edition. Someone told me they saw a reporter there, but said the reporter left before the public had a chance to speak. They said the meeting lasted until 10:40 p.m.

Just in case anyone has forgotten, the Maryland Independent ran an editorial about Chaney's proposed request.

Maryland Independent Editorial: Chaney request deserves consideration

Comment by Sammy on 03/20/08 at 09:03 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
10. · The Indy also ran a favorable editorial about the Stadium, even when it was "planned" for Hughesville.

Too bad the reporter left before the speakers, because that's the REAL STORY!!

Comment by cheryl on 03/20/08 at 09:20 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
11. · the reporter left before the public had a chance to speak. They said the meeting lasted until 10:40 p.m.

Any reporter worth his/her salt would NEVER leave until hearing what the public had to say--no article can be fairly written without the input of both sides. Further, any professional-acting reporter would move heaven and earth for a story despite the time of day or night (why'd they send a weenie?).

While Chaney's request may deserve consideration, that doesn't mean the rezoning to heavy industrial should be approved as the public comments at that hearing so demonstrated.

Comment by seahorse on 03/20/08 at 09:34 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
12. · Perhaps the reporter taped the live meeting to view again later...

Comment by Sammy on 03/20/08 at 09:47 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
13. · A good reporter would have stayed to cover the entire story and then interview some of the speakers afterwards.

I mean this is a big story - much like the Stadium, a David vs. Goliath type story. You'd think the reporter would be salivating to make a "name" for him/herself!

Comment by cheryl on 03/20/08 at 10:10 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
14. ·
A good reporter would have stayed to cover the entire story and then interview some of the speakers afterwards.
I agree, Cheryl. And, I wonder if there was a reporter from the Washington Post there?? Or a reporter from The Bay Net??

Comment by Sammy on 03/20/08 at 10:13 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
15. · Hmmmm? I wonder too.

Do I smell a rat somewhere??

Comment by cheryl on 03/20/08 at 10:16 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
16. · FYI - Anna Dailey has left The Baynet - They no longer do investigative pieces...They will simply copy and paste from other sources.

formerly known on the ‘Duck as CCCitizen and, unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed are those of my own.

Comment by Pauleen Brewer on 03/20/08 at 10:25 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
17. · That's a shame - because Anna Dailey was one helluva good reporter!!

She really did an excellent job reporting on the water supply issue - She will be sorely missed!

Comment by cheryl on 03/20/08 at 10:42 AM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
18. · You'd think the reporter would be salivating to make a "name" for him/herself!

You'd think, wouldn't you? Sort of reeks that a reporter was actually sent to that hearing and then left right after Chaney was finished with its presentation. How sleazy does that look? Was the reporter given marching orders to leave right after Chaney had its say? Would any reporter EVER leave right in the middle of a hearing like that with the action yet to come in the form of irate citizens? I doubt it!

Comment by seahorse on 03/20/08 at 02:22 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
19. · OK, I want to weigh in on the potential for a gravel wash site in Hughesville. As any Duck regular knows, I am normally opposed to unchecked growth in this county (that is to say "un-smart" growth). As an outsider to Hughesville, I can completely empathize with their desire to keep this kind of plant out of their "backyard", but the fact is, there are lots of facilities that I wouldn't want to see move in next door that have to go somewhere. Nobody wants to live next to a prison, airport, halfway house, meth clinic, etc, and if they were slated to go in next door to me I'd fight like hell. Chaney employs roughly 250 people in this county which makes them a top 20 employer here. That's important. Chances are, if you live in Charles County and have sidewalks, a driveway, decorative stone, etc, you have contributed to Chaney Enterprises. Their employees have kids to raise and bills to pay just like the rest of us. I must admit that I don't have all of the facts but I am pro-business and just wanted to offer up another point of view.

Comment by Birdman on 03/20/08 at 02:50 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
20. · Birdman,

If Chaney were to move the wash plant to his property in Hughesville (Jenkins property), he told the Hughesville residents that he would need under 20 acres for it. He also told the Hughesville residents there was only a 20 percent chance he would need to use that site. And, if he needed to use the site it would be from 5-10 years before he would move the plant there. Chaney is asking to rezone the entire 150 acres to Heavy Industrial zoning. Have you looked at what is allowed in the Table of Permissible Uses in the Heavy Industrial Zone? Do you know where this site is located in Hughesville that he wants to rezone? The property is the next driveway past the Hughesville Post Office on the right going east on Rt. 231 (Prince Frederick Road). That turn has been the site of some really bad accidents over the years. If you have time, take a drive to Hughesville and check out the site. Check out the close proximity to the round-abouts and the lane to access the bypass.

Hughesville residents, as well as the commuters, just got some relief from the traffic congestion in Hughesville and on Prince Frederick Road.

I can only imagine the traffic back-ups if this rezoning proposal is approved. Before the opening of the Bypass and the use of the round-abouts, traffic was frequently backed up on Rt. 231 east during the evening rush hour for more than two miles.

Brookleigh Woods housing development is right next door to this property. Would you want a 150 acre Heavy Industrial zone next door to your house, not to mention the amount and type of traffic this site will generate and add to an already heavily traveled road.

Comment by Sammy on 03/20/08 at 03:51 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
21. · Don't get me wrong. Like I said, I'd be the first on line to fight it if it was going to be my new neighbor. Hell, I was mad when Ryan Homes and Fucchina decided to put up 47 new homes in my neighborhood when I was originally told that no homes could be built there because of the Zachia Swamp. I just don't believe that Chaney should be villified here. If the county decides to re-zone this area to heavy industrial, than Chaney would be operating well within their rights to build the wash site. The COUNTY would be the "bad guys" here if that happened. They're the ones who are supposed to be looking out for the best interests of the citizens. Chaney has some responsibility here to act in a manner consistant with community interests but, ultimately, Chaney is a business and must look out for their bottom line. I'll bet if it were going to be cheaper to set this facility up elsewhere, we wouldn't even have this topic on the Duck.

All I'm saying is that the citizens of Chuck County are getting what they voted for in the last local election. Don't blame Chaney. Your safety concerns, Sammy, are points well taken, though. I can only imagine the back-ups, road wear and accidents caused by big rigs turning into and out of a plant at that locale. Yuk!

Comment by Birdman on 03/20/08 at 04:24 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
22. · Birdman- I agree with your reasoning as to the final source of blame should be laid.

However, if these Companys want to be good neighbors things would not seem so "close" between the County and themselves.

So when people focus anger on them it could be well founded if they have felt there is some collusion happening or that some facts are glossed over or plans not told.

else why rezone 150 acres if only 20 need to be used for this use?

Chaney could immedietly calm some fears with just that one action.

It still wouldnt be great, but if they are being honest it would at least show some good faith.

YET ULTIMATELY EVERTHING APPROVED in this county is the Commisisoners call. A lot of power. Yes, checks are in place; but they can easily uncheck everything and allow almost anything to happen. Maybe the Balances is what is missing.

formerly known on the ‘Duck’ as spirit of the elder & BJGoodwin

Comment by Barbara on 03/20/08 at 04:41 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
23. · Birdman, check out the Supplemental Report on the Traffic Anaysis for this proposed amendment. Click here.

Comment by Sammy on 03/20/08 at 05:28 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]
24. · Chaney already owns sufficient property zoned in an industrial area that would be perfect for such a facility on Billingsley Road - where Heavy Industrial belongs...in the development district NOT a rural village. That is totally absurd!

Also, to further cause distrust among the citizens, Audrey Scott tried to say they never discussed moving the site to Hughesville and didn't know where the rumor started! She was at the community meeting WITH Frank Chaney when he discussed that very thing with Hughesville residents. That is certainly NOT showing themselves to be an "ethically run business", in my opinion. Something's up...

formerly known on the ‘Duck as CCCitizen and, unless otherwise stated, any opinions expressed are those of my own.

Comment by Pauleen Brewer on 03/20/08 at 05:55 PM | [Back to Top] | [Back to Main]

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