John Peter,
This entire subject of the Rural Tier has been an extremely hard topic for me to get my arms around as there are some very different and opposing views on this topic. Cool heads must prevail on this important topic as we do not get a second chance to do it over. '
I constantly hear from those who are living out in the Rural Tier that they do not want anything or anyone encroaching on the beauty of this area and to let them be to enjoy its serenity and beauty. I can agree 100% with what they are saying because I to want to preserve it for generations to come so they can see the beauty of the wildlife and nature found in the Rural Tier. Plus, where else do we have any resemblance of farming so close to the Nation's Capitol.
However, the playing field was not level when the opportunity to purchase and own a piece of "Heaven" in the Rural Tier was occurring many years ago when it was and still is owned by primarily White Prince George's County residents. To say you cannot move into this area now that you have the money to do so is somewhat of a problem and that is exactly what we are saying if we tell a new generation of Minorities that you cannot build your home in this area and secure your piece of "Heaven." Yes, their lifestyle is different from those who have lived on the land for sometime only because they were unfairly kept out of this area and do not hold the same sentimental value.
They want to see infrastructure and necessities within a reasonable proximity to where they can now own their piece of "Heaven." The Rural Tier is not just for those families who own the property now to be able to continue to pass it on from generation to generation enjoying the beauty and serenity and possibly farming while others who want to cannot. We cannot continue to let a small segment of society enjoy the fruits of the land at the expense of another segment who must continually experience overcrowding, no open space and green areas, poor air quality, and high crime rate.
We must compromise and carefully select those areas within the Rural Tier that truly have an environmental impact or historical significance worth preserving so as to not give the impression to our residents of Prince George's County that one's home area is more important than another and the lifestyle of those living in that area must be kept at a better level than those living in another. Yes, we are Prince Georgians and we have a unique and distinctive heritage and a bright future for all. We have some tough decisions in front of us and I know we are up to the challenge.
Henry C. Turner, Jr.
Chairman
Commission for Veterans
240-678-8709
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