Prince Georgian

A Brief History Of The Marlboro High School/Elementary School - Part Two of Two

2012-01-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

reprinted courtesy of the PGCHS (PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society)

"News & Notes", Volume XLI,Number 1, Jan/Feb 2012.[1]

A Brief History Of The Marlboro High School/Elementary School - Part One of Two

2012-01-26T06:56:00.000-05:00

reprinted courtesy of the PGCHS (PrinceGeorge's County Historical Society)

"News & Notes", Volume XLI,Number 1, Jan/Feb 2012.[1]

Public Planning Forum: Where and how should Prince George's grow? Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

2012-01-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

PlanningIn Prince George's County is well thought out on a grand scale but ignored whenconvenient. The triple tiers of developed, developing and rural serve as broadguidelines for a future but not necessarily the future. In an attempt to bring predictabilityand professionalism to the land use planning process, M-NCPPC was created bythe Maryland General Assembly in 1927 to develop and operate public parksystems and provide land use planning for the physical development of themajority of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, and to operate the publicrecreation program in Prince George's County. State-of-the-art facilities andnational, regional and state award-winning programs have been the result. Thecounty planning department is charged with helping to "...preserve, protectand manage the County's resources by providing the highest quality planningservices and growth management guidance and by facilitating effectiveintergovernmental and citizen involvement through education and technicalassistance."[1]

PrinceGeorge's County's growing population brings an ever greater interest in landdevelopment processes and the public and private services that its citizensexpect. The planning department values community engagement and is committed toenhancing knowledge and participation of the public in every element of itswork. All too often the citizens of the county, however, feel they are left outof the process because of pressing family or businessconcerns which are not focused at that moment on the long range concept and planning opportunities to participate early in theplanning process. In other words, we get excited and vocal when theconstruction is ready to roll feeling left out of the visioning and conceptual pieceof the process. Part of this is the demand on time and perhaps someday Prince George's County will have webinar and wiki planning sessions so that residents can attend and participate online as well as in person in all the stages of planning.

Be thatwhat it may, tomorrow the planning department is holding a public forum: Whereand how should Prince George's grow?[2]

The forum appears to be in collaboration with Coalition for Smarter Growth.[3]

Event date: Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 6:30 PM to 8:00PM

Location: CSC Building, 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham - by NewCarrollton Metro station

Date: Thursday,January 26, 2012

Time: 6:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m.

Location: CSCBuilding, 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham - by New Carrollton Metro station

Contact: RSVP Required. Clickhere to RSVP.

Comments:

Prince George’s grew by seven percent over the last decade,yet little of it occurred at the 15 Metro stations or in established towncenters. Beginning in 2002, the county adopted a General Plan to provide anoverall land use approach to focus growth at transit stations, in new andexisting town centers, and to preserve rural lands. However, much of thecounty’s growth over the last decade spread out across former fields andforests, and far from transit stations. The county is preparing to launch aupdate to its General Plan to guide where and how the county should grow.

This forum will begin a public conversation around how toplan a better future for Prince George’s by taking stock of past experience andaddressing changing needs and emerging trends for the county and the region.Hear from a former County Council Chairman, a new Council Member, and thecounty’s leading economic development advisor on their vision for guiding amore prosperous and sustainable county in the future.

Moderator:

Derick Berlage, Chief of Countywide Planning, PrinceGeorge's County Planning Department

Panel:

Mel Franklin, District 9 County Council Member

David Harrington, former Prince George’s County CouncilChair, State Senator and Bladensburg Mayor

David Iannucci, Assistant Deputy Chief AdministrativeOfficer for Economic Development, Office of the County Executive, PrinceGeorge's County

[1] AboutPlanning. [accessed January 25, 2012] http://www.pgplanning.org/About-Planning.htm

[2] > Planning Home> Calendar > Public Forum - Where and how should Prince George's grow?

[3] Coalitionfor Smarter Growth. Partner Organizations: Piedmont Environmental Council; AudubonNaturalist Society; Sierra Club; Clean Water Action; Chesapeake Bay Foundation;Partnership for Smarter Growth; Southern Environmental Law Center; Surface TransportationPolicy Project; Friends of the Earth/DC Environmental Network;

Environmental Defense; Prince William ConservationAlliance; Campaign for Loudoun's Future;

Montgomery Countryside Alliance [accessed January 25,2012] http://smartergrowth.net/anx/index.cfm/1,104,521,0,html/CSG-Partner-Organizations

What will it take to reduce the cost of cleaning up the litter, trash and pollution in our County?

2012-01-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

Jon Devine’s Blog

Taking Out the Trash

"Whatwill it take to turn the corner on restoring the environmental (and economical)treasure that is the Chesapeake Bay?", asks Anne Arundel County Councilman,Chris Trumbauer.[1] Delegate Lafferty(D - Dsitrict42, Baltimore County) is proposing legislation to require "...the operator of specified stores toestablish an at-store recycling program for plastic carryout bags; requiringspecified stores to print or display specified language on plastic carryoutbags; requiring specified stores to provide collection bins for the recyclingof plastic carryout bags"[2] HB 169 is an attempt to do more than wish theChesapeake Bay and our local landscapes clean of litter and pollution. The significantchange in our ecosystem resources means that the "free" services uponwhich we depend are changing. Trash in the waterways is just one symptom of thedegradation of the environment in which everyone of is lives. And because we maynot see the trash or the damage, it does not follow that it is not there.

CouncilpersonTrumbauerpoints out that "[w] need to consider the long-term impacts of an impairedBay when we consider the current investments needed to secure our fisheries,recreational activities, maritime industry, and other benefits of a restoredBay."[3] The costs of throwing our trash into the commonareas is not zero; externalizing our trash onto others is a significant cost toeveryone. Allowing trash and pollution to enter into the river systems and openspaces is a form of taxation; a cost to everyone. So the question is why shouldI pay so that you can make a profit at my expense? Why shouldn't the litterer, whois not thinking about future ecological impacts at the moment, pay for the easeof disposal?

Without awillingness to try new things we are doomed to sink into a landscape filledwith litter, trash, pollution and waste. Is this what we want our community tolook like?. Prince George's County spent$2.15 million on for picking up roadside trash in the 2007 and $2.72 million inthe 2008. Any thoughts to how much we are paying today? And the costs for picking up roadside trash inPrince George’s in those years were nearly two to three times higher than forother metropolitan counties in the Washington-Baltimore region.[4] It is evident to me that voluntary measuresare not enough, that I am paying an ever increasing amount in taxes to clean upafter someone has externalized his or her trash into the environment because perhapsit took too long to find a trash can or because it was simply easer at themoment to use the supposedly infinite service of the ecosystem to remove the litterfrom sight.

There shouldbe a discussion about accountability for personal and corporate actions. We oughtto explore new ways to meet the challenges of an increasing population with acorresponding decrease of natural resources. And yes resources are decreasing,for after all there is a finite amount of land on to which to throw our trash,and a fixed amount of water to receive it. Addressing these issues is PG 402-12, sponsored by Delegate Barbara A. Frush (Democrat, District 21, Anne Arundel & Prince George's Counties,Prince George's County - Authority to Impose Fees for Use of Disposable Bags authorize"Prince George's County to impose, by law, a fee on certain retailestablishments for use of disposable bags under certain circumstances; definingcertain terms; and generally relating to the authority for Prince George'sCounty to impose a fee for use of disposable bags."[5] Some consider this a new additional tax, butit is not; the clean-up tax already exists imposed on all of us by the wantonact of throwing trash without a care orthought into the ecosystem,

TUESDAY, JANUARY 03, 2012 PG 402-12 Authority to Impose Fees for Use of Disposable Bags

[1] ChrisTrumbauer, Anne Arundel CountyCouncilman. It’s Time to Put Up or ShutUp. January 21, 2012 [accessed January 23, 2012] http://www.bayactionplan.com/2012/01/it%E2%80%99s-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up/

[2] HOUSEBILL 169. Bill is in the House - First Reading Environmental Matters. [accessedJanuary 24, 2012] http://mlis.state.md.us/2012rs/billfile/HB0169.htm

[3] ChrisTrumbauer, Anne Arundel CountyCouncilman. It’s Time to Put Up or ShutUp. January 21, 2012 [accessed January 23, 2012] http://www.bayactionplan.com/2012/01/it%E2%80%99s-time-to-put-up-or-shut-up/

[4] MargieHyslop. County’s costs for roadside cleanup are highest in state. Gazette.net. July31, 2008. [accessed January 24, 2012] http://ww2.gazette.net/stories/073108/prinnew185442_32358.shtml

[5] Legislation- Bill History: PG 402-12 Prince George's County - Authority to Impose Fees forUse of Disposable Bags [accessed January 24, 2012] http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/legislation/bill-history?local=PG%20402-12

Gambling & Politics: Anonymous Prince George's Comments

2012-01-23T07:33:00.000-05:00

TracingTechnology and its Effects on Slot Machines

http://hotgates.stanford.edu:3455/tenthings/1270

Theever-present Anonymous of Prince George's County left a comment on my blog fromDecember 28, 2011, Anonymous support for gambling in Prince George's CountyMaryland. In my last blog, What do We Know about Gambling, Gaming, Casinos &Economic Development in Prince George's County, Maryland?, I asked for any links to detailed reports.

Today,with special thanks to Delegate Levi (D-23A Pri. Geo's), I now am reading the 128 page report from2004, The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack Video LotteryTerminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County.[1]

Iam intrigued by some of the detailed information in this report. For example, thereport notes that the slots industry, when established in Prince George's County, would create animpressive 3,866 jobs in the county. Then I read the gaming or gambling industry's purported wage of $12,491 per year. The report also notes that there would be significant shortterm construction jobs at a higher rate.[2]

Ialso found in the 2004 report the curious presentation of educationalstatistics for Atlantic City casino workers to be a form of faint praise atbest for bringing gambling to Prince George's County. For a county that shouldbe an international leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation, only14.8%of the casino workers had 4 years of college or more.

Of course this means thatthe gaming industry will provide work for those of us without higher learningand that is a good thing for we too need jobs. However the wage statisticsindicate an hourly median figure of $11.25, hardly a living wage, but betterthan nothing.[3]The question remains is this how high (or low) are we setting the bar ofexpectations and excellence that this county wants and deserves? Besides slotsand malls, what else do we have in the pipeline?

Belowis the Prince George's Anonymous comment without comment from me, at leasttoday.

Mr. Thompson writes again that hesupports gambling but questions the mismanagement of the potential tax revenuegenerated and the supposed benefits derived from the increased county and statetaxes. He then questions Prince Georgians decision making as if we areincapable as he wonders why if gambling were such a good idea how come Bethesdaand Potomac are not clamoring for a gambling operation?

Thesetwo areas have been bolstered by BRAC, the influx of government jobs, andtechnology. For some odd reason or another our US Representatives, Congressman StenyHoyer and Congressman Chris Van Hollen who are two of the highest rankingCongressmen have not been able or choose not to move the above into PrinceGeorge's County to bolster our economy. We not only have the government notwanting to move into our County but there is also a lack of private businessesdesiring to move into Prince George's County. Our residents need jobs. We musteither somehow figure out how to capitalize off the businesses who are willingto move here and incentivize others to move here or we must learn to use ourvoting power and elect those into office who will look out after PrinceGeorgians and ensure we ge the types of jobs and businesses we deserve in ourcounty.

[1]Optimal Solutions Group. The Economic and Social Impacts of Racetrack VideoLottery Terminals on the City of Baltimore and Prince George’s County. CommissionedBy: The Presidents’ RoundTable, Inc. & Greater Prince George’s BusinessRoundtable, Inc. February 2004. [accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.responsiblegambling.org/articles/economic_and_social_impacts_racetrack_vlt_baltimore.pdf

[2] ibid. page 34

[3]Occupational Employment Statistics. National Industry-Specific OccupationalEmployment and Wage Estimates NAICS 713200 - Gambling Industries. May 2010.[accessed January 22, 2012] http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_713200.htm

Informational Meeting on the Issues Regarding the Old Marlboro Elementary School (originally built as the Marlboro High School in 1921)

2012-01-22T09:12:00.000-05:00

On December 23rd, 2011 I posted Connecting the Dots: Upper Marlboro seeks input on historic school’s fate - Washington Business Journal.

The Prince George's County Historical Society and the Town of Upper Marlboro are sponsoring an informational gathering on the issue regarding the Old Marlboro Elementary School (originally built as the Marlboro High School in 1921) at 14524 Elm Street, Upper Marlboro.

This meeting will be held on THURSDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2012, at 7:00 p.m., at the Parish Hall of Trinity Church, 14519 Church Street in Upper Marlboro.

As you may have read, the County is considering demolishing the school building in order to build in its place a new Family Justice Center - there are logistical problems regarding the site, and because the school property is a designated Historic Site under the County's Historic Preservation Ordinance, it is important that we have a good public discussion of the issue before the case comes before the Historic Preservation Commission the following week. 

We are sending out notice of this meeting to a number of organizations and individuals who should have an interest in the subject. Any ideas you have on the subject will be much appreciated. Steve Sonnett, President of the Town of Upper Marlboro Commissioners, is preparing a press release on the subject.

Please be sure that your organization is represented at this meeting!

INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE OLD MARLBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012, 7:00 P.M. TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PARISH HOUSE 14519 CHURCH STREET, UPPER MARLBORO

What do We Know about Gambling, Gaming, Casinos & Economic Development in Prince George's County, Maryland?

2012-01-21T10:21:00.000-05:00

It isprobably the inadequacy of my search skills that prevents me from finding adetailed report on gaming and gambling in Prince George's County. I am prettysure that I am one of the very few voters who has not seen such a report andtherefore ill-informed on the social and economic impacts and benefits ofslots and casinos in Prince George's County and in the Sate of Maryland. I would be interested in readingthe 300 years of Maryland laws on gaming and gambling as well as a review ofcourt cased that involved enforcement. I am also looking for metrics andexpected development goals and gains besides the now faint to nonexistent support of thehorse racing industry.[1]

Theimportance of the social effects cannot be understated, though theliterature is growing it remains thin;there is much work to be done to support anecdotal and personal observations asto the negative impacts of gambling on a community. A report from the GAO notesthat the "...social effects of gambling on communities are more difficultto measure than the economic effects, primarily because of limited quality dataon social effects, the complexity of identifying and measuring social effects,and the difficulty of establishing a cause-effect relationship between gamblingand social problems due to the difficulty of isolating any one factor thatcauses social problems. NGISC made no conclusion on whether or not gambling hasincreased family problems, crime, or suicide for the general population."[2]

Because casinos are subject to higher levels of taxation than otherenterprises in most locations. the benefit to government revenue streams is well documented. This success means that government itself is a major stakeholderwith a big interest in the establishment and will encouraged growth of gaming and gambling asan industry of choice. There is little doubt that gambling benefits government directly. And there seemsto be some indication of positive economic development gain. Taxes from casinogambling typically more than pay for government expenditures on roads, policeservices, and fire protection needed to support the casinos. However the same report points out that social costs were not considered and even recognized and thatthese costs might be significant.[3]

Laurie Volk, an economic development consultant based in NewJersey, said casinos do little to attract the highly educated younger workerswho are considered crucial to urban redevelopment. Those workers prefer morecultural amenities and meeting places such as coffee shops and casualrestaurants.[4] Myinability to easily find a detailed Prince George's County Maryland report onthe impact and economic development plan that explains the strategy for establishinggaming and gambling in the county raises some concern that we are embarking onanother quick fix to some problem scheme. Research indicates that casinos which"...cater to a local market generally do not bring outside money into theeconomy through the spending of their patrons. In fact, such casinos may haveno net ancillary economic impacts. Residents patronizing such casinos maysimply substitute gambling for other goods and services. The secondary impactsof spending on the foregone goods and services would therefore be lost, offsettingany ancillary benefits from gaming expendituresat the casino. However, if a casino attracts gamblers who otherwise would begambling out-of state, it can have net positive ancillary economic effects."[5]

It isclear that a new casino catering to alocal market can generate positive secondary economic effects that positivelyimpact the high unemployment rate. If there were an equal amount of attentionto science, engineering and venturecapital projects, the overall effect of casinos would be a plus at least in theshort run. If however our economic development strategy is to create endless entrylevel service jobs, we probably are not positioning our county to compete in theworld markets of tomorrow. It is veryclear that gambling and full casino services would help enhance National Harboras a major national convention site destination. It is important for thedynamics of National Harbor to provide a wide range of services to attractconvention customers.

Moreover, we need to keep in mind that casinos and gambling will have unintended, butpredictable, consequences on established small business in the county. TheNational Gambling Impact Study Commission Report summarized evidence fromacross the country on the ancillary impacts of casinos on other forms ofentertainment. Small business owners from Atlantic City, NJ testified that in 1978,the year that casinos opened, there were 311 taverns and restaurants in thecity. Nineteen years later, only 66 remained. Thesame report discusses the dangers of inter-jurisdictional competition point outthat “[i]f every metropolitan area had a Las Vegas style hotel (and perhaps asmall casino) … no one would travel far to gamble, and the substitution effectwould reach 100%.”[6] And there are unintended consequencesfor the gambling industries' major constituency, government, which, in itshaste to solve one revenue problem, may exacerbate its financial problems byenabling casinos at the expense of individual discretionary spending on statelotteries.

If Icould find funding, I would provide a complete white paper including literaturereview, history of the industry and detail of the county and state plan for theeconomic development potential of gambling and its impact and relation to othereconomic development strategies. If such a detailed report isalready out there I would appreciate any help that would lead me to it so I cansort out the gambling issues before us here in Prince George's County and in Maryland.

[1]Once upon a time we were told that the reason to bring slots was in major partto help support the horse racing industry. I note a very loud silence on thisoriginal concept. We seem to be engaged in political mission creep.

[2] Bernard L. Ungar. United States GeneralAccounting Office. Impact of Gambling. April 2000. [accessed January 21, 2012] http://www.gao.gov/new.items/gg00078.pdf

[3] BernardL. Ungar. United States General Accounting Office. Impact of Gambling. April2000. [accessed January 20, 2012] http://www.gao.gov/new.items/gg00078.pdf

[4] JohnGallagher. Detroit casino gaming has not led to any noticeable redevelopmentdowntown. Detroit Free Press. September 30, 2007. [accessed January 21, 2012] http://www.theverifiabletruth.com/2007/09/detroit-casino-gaming-has-not-led-to.html

[5] HeatherBrome. This memo summarizes data on state revenues from gaming in New Englandand provides a review of the literature on the potential secondary impacts ofcasinos on local economies. Preliminary findings Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.September 14, 2006. [accessed January 21, 2012] http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/neppc/memos/2006/brome091406.pdf

[6] HeatherBrome. This memo summarizes data on state revenues from gaming in New Englandand provides a review of the literature on the potential secondary impacts ofcasinos on local economies. Preliminary findings Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.September 14, 2006. [accessed January 21, 2012] http://www.bos.frb.org/economic/neppc/memos/2006/brome091406.pdf

:"Nevertheless, a newcasino catering to a local market can generate positive secondary economic effectsthrough its employees if it induces an increase in total employment in andaround its host community. Such affects are greatest for new casinos in areasof high unemployment (for example, rural Mississippi). Under such conditions,the increased purchasing power of workers who otherwise would be unemployed or“underemployed” generates multiplier effects. However, at the other extreme, anew casino in a tight labor market may cause competition for service sectorlabor."

Colonial Maryland Slave Laws 33-36: Bacon's Laws of Maryland

2012-01-20T18:50:00.000-05:00

33. Free Mulatto Women, and their Bastard issue, shall be subject to the same Penalties as White Women and their Issue are, for having Mulatto Bastards, by the Act of 1715, ch. 44. (See above, Art. 3 and 4.) Free Negro Women, having Bastards by White Men, and their Issue, shall be subject to the same Penalties; and the Proceedings hereon shall be the same as prescribed in that Act. 1728, ch. 4.

    34. Any Negro, or other Slave, convict of Petit-Treason, Murder, or wilfully burning of Dwelling-houses, shall have Judgment to have the Right Hand cut off, to be hanged, quartered, and the Head and Quarters set up in the most public Places of the County.1729, ch. 4, §. 1.

    35. Persons stealing any Negro, or other Slave, or who shall counsel, hire, aid, or abet, or command any Person to commit the same, or who shall be accessory to the said Offence; on Conviction, Outlawry, standing Mute, or peremptorily Challenging above Twenty, shall suffer Death without Benefit of Clergy. 1737,
ch. 2, §. 4.

36. The full Value to be adjudged by the Court, of any condemned Slave, who shall either be actually executed, or die after Condemnation, under Confinement in Order for Execution, shall be paid to the Owner by the Public Treasurer, without any Fee or Reward, out of the Public Stock, on Certificate from the Sheriff of such Execution or Death.  Ibid.  §. 5, 6.

Bacon's Laws of Maryland . Vol 75 page 690 - 691. Maryland Archives

http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--690.pdf

http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--691.pdf

In Prince George's County, Maryland's hidden-in-plain-sight, 21st century science research facility

2012-01-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

Wheredoes nutrition information about beef and pork come from? The answer: Prince George's County, Maryland'shidden-in-plain-sight, 21st century science research facility: the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Data Laboratory (NDL) which ispart of the research campus at BARC. BARC is shorthand for the Henry AWallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the largest in the world.One would imagine that the county makes this a center piece of economic development,and one would be wrong...at least up to now.

BARC'sNDL lab just released a report of its collaboration with the beef industry andvarious universities. BARC has conducted several research studies designed toupdate or expand the nutrient data on beef and pork cuts in the USDA NationalNutrient Database for Standard Reference (SR).[1]

Accordingto USDA's website, "These studies have not only provided current andaccurate estimates of beef [and pork] data to update SR, but the study resultsare now being incorporated into a data set that can be used for nutrientlabeling. NDL has developed a referencecalled the USDA Nutrient Data Set for Retail Beef Cuts, Release 2.0 whichpresents beef data in an easily usable table format.[2]

Thequestion I have for Prince George's County and Maryland is why we are notactively working in partnership to take advantage of USDA's technology transferprograms as a tool for economic development? Can't we think of something elsebesides retail malls? How about a state and county incubator directed at bio-agro-techsolutions that takes advantage of the leasing authority for research that BARCand NAL have?[3]

TheState of Maryland has as one of its key focus for economic development a commitment to "work witharea research institutions, universities/collegesand the private sector to develop a strategy for connecting researchers withfederal and State resources and funding opportunities to aid new businessdevelopment."[4]USDA-ARS BARC through its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement(CRADA) program is the primary tool linking government and industryresearchers. This program has sat here unsupported by any Prince George'sCounty initiative since 1986. The program, authorized under the FederalTechnology Transfer Act of 1986, allows federal laboratories and businesses toform partnerships that help move new technologies to the marketplace.

Whatexactly are we here in Prince George's County waiting for?

[1] RosalieMarion Bliss. Nutrient Data in Time for the New Year. January 13, 2012.[accessed January 19, 2012] http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120113.htm

[2][2]USDA Nutrient Data Set for Retail Beef Cuts, Release 2.0. [accessed January 19,2012] http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=18961

"This data set providesretailers with easier access to the most accurate beef nutrient data for thepurpose of on-pack nutrition labeling and for nutrition claims. This data setfocuses on the beef cuts identified by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service(FSIS) proposed labeling regulations for fresh, single-ingredient meats inaddition to some new Beef Value Cuts. The FSIS, an agency of the USDA, is thepublic health agency responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercialsupply of meat, poultry and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctlylabeled and packaged."

[3] USDA-ARS-BARCSeeks Expressions of Interest to Lease Thisprocurement is for an Enhanced Use Lease (EUL) opportunity for 5 separateparcels located within the Beltsville Agriculture Research Campus inBeltsville, Maryland. USDA's objective for this RFP is to receive proposalsfrom a prospective Offeror from qualified private or public entities interestedin leading the development and long-term operation of facilities to promote themission of ARS and the research programs at BARC. Offerors are expected to haveeither a collaborative agreement in place or a plan of a potential project withcurrent research program at BARC. Before a lease can be signed a collaboratorresearch agreement must in place. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=fb6753a961bfc08baacf8f2cb4377708&tab=core&_cview=0

[4] FederalFacilities Advisory Board. Interim Report To The Governor And Legislature.February 2011. [accessed January 19, 2012] http://www.choosemaryland.org/aboutdbed/Documents/ProgramReports/Final_FFAB%20Interim_Report_3-22-11.pdf

Prince George's County Libraries, SOPA and PIPA - it's about information and power

2012-01-18T09:16:00.000-05:00

Access to information is the pathto life with quality, to health, to wealth, to bare necessities and ultimatelyto power. Prince George's County libraries are on the forefront of the battleto provide access to information to all people regardless of the size of theirbank accounts. Libraries today are in trouble, even national libraries such asthe National Agricultural Library herein Prince George's County; and the PrinceGeorge's County Memorial Library System is no different. Funding is flat ordeclining and access to media isshrinking. Some publishers have decided not to sell electronic books tolibraries further diminishing access to information. The greed of the fewoutweighs the need of the many.[1]

The powerful few say that we donot need books anymore, and then try to restrict on-line access through proposednational laws that benefit the few today leaving the many to fend for themselves outside the informationhighway tomorrow. So on top of nothaving money to by library materials, and publishers unwilling to sell tolibraries even if there were funds we now have SOPAand PIPA; "two bills in the UnitedStates House of Representatives and the United States Senate respectively. SOPAis short for the "Stop Online Piracy Act," and PIPA is an acronym forthe "Protect IP Act." ("IP" stands for "intellectualproperty.") In short, these bills are efforts to stop copyrightinfringement committed by foreign web sites, but, in our opinion, they do so ina way that actually infringes free expression while harming the Internet.Detailed information about these bills can be found in the Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act articleson Wikipedia, which are available during the blackout. GovTrack lets you followboth bills through the legislative process: SOPAon this page, and PIPA on this one. The EFFhas summarized why these bills are simply unacceptable in a world that values an open, secure, and freeInternet."[2]

Make no mistake, it is not in theinterest of wealth to provide free access to information. Business are set upto make a profit not give away the store. Only large groups of people workingtogether can ameliorate the drive to exclusion by regulating through theinstrument of the people known as government. You cannot boycott information asyou might boycott tennis shoes. But the sword of government has to edges andtoday we are seeing special profit interests try to restrict the flow and accessof information to the benefit of a few now at the exspense of the good of the many later.

[1] ChristianDavenport. As demand for e-books soars, libraries struggle to stock theirvirtual shelves. January 14, 2012. [accessed January 18, 2012]

"...among librarianstrying to stock their virtual shelves and working with limited budgets and littlecooperation from some publishers; and among publishers who are fearful ofpiracy and wading into a digital future that could further destabilize theirindustry. In many cases, the publishers are limiting the number of e-books madeavailable to libraries."

[2] WikimediaFoundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. [accessed January 18, 2012] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Learn_more

Prince George's County works to be the next home of the new Headquarters of the FBI

2012-01-17T08:59:00.000-05:00

PrinceGeorge's County needs the new FBI headquarters; deserves the new FBI headquarters and is best situated to providethe infrastructure for the headquarters. A GAO report explicitly notes that "[a]ccordingto FBI and GSA assessments, the FBI's headquarters facilities--the HooverBuilding and the headquarters annexes--do not fully support the FBI's long-termsecurity, space, and building condition requirements."[1]

In a recent news story, Senator Cardin is quoted as saying that "[t]he FBIurgently needs a new home...The sheer overcrowding at the J. Edgar HooverBuilding and the lack of physical and information security there and at 20overflow offices scattered throughout the area at best complicates the FBI'simportant work and at worst severely compromises national security."[2] Thedetailed federal report "..identified a need for a headquarters facilitycontaining an estimated 2.6 million gross square feet—including 2.1 millionuseable square feet—to house nearly 11,600 personnel. Required site sizes wereestimated at between 55 and 65 acres based on zoning assumptions for suburbanand more urban locations."[3] Prince George's Countym vt rgw qT, has a "quarter ofthe region's federal work force, but contains only about 4 percent of theregion's federal office space."[4]

Bringingthe hi tech jobs that go with the FBI headquarters represents the type ofeconomic development to which this county should be dedicated. Prince George'sCounty needs to become more than a sleepy bedroom community that serves theneeds of other jurisdictions. It is good to see the County Executive move quicklyto assemble a team to bring this project to the county and taking advantage ofexisting infrastructure. This is the kind of development that can rejuvenateour established communities or enhance our developing tier.

SenatorCardin took a leadership role that resulted in the Senate's direction to build withintwo miles of a Metro station and 2.5 miles outside the I-495 Beltway, though these same conditions make it possible for Montgomery County to pounceon this choice project too. Mr. Cardin also worked to ensure that the project containabout 2.1 million square feet of rentable space with 170 square feet peremployee. This will create demand for retail and will address sustainabilityissues at the same time. And, theSeantor supported a limitation of 4,300 parking spaces, again stronglysupporting a ecologically sensible and sound development project for PrinceGeorge's County."[5] The Prince George's County Executive's officesaid that the resolution's criteria bode well for the county; that is good to hear.[6]

[1] GAO-12-96.Actions Needed to Document Security Decisions and Address Issues with Conditionof Headquarters Buildings. November 8, 2011. [accessed January 16, 2012] http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-96

[2] CharlesS. Clark. Plan To Relocate FBI headquarters advances. GovExec.com December 9,20125 [accessed January 16, 2012] http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1211/120911cc1.htm

[3]GAO. Actions Needed to Document Security Decisions and Address Issues withCondition of Headquarters

Buildings. November 2011. [accessed January 16, 2012] http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586151.pdf

[4] PhilipLangdon. GSA will put federal agencies near Metro stations. New Urban NewsPublications. December 20, 2012. [accessed January 16, 2012] http://bettercities.net/article/gsa-will-put-federal-agencies-near-metro-stations-15724

[5]Andy Medici. Washington-area counties ready proposals for new FBI HQ site. Federal Times. January 12, 2012. [accessedJanuary 16, 2012] http://www.federaltimes.com/article/20120112/FACILITIES02/201120301/

[6] GSAwill put federal agencies near Metro stations

"Trees really in Prince George's County?" asks yet another anonymous commenter.

2012-01-15T10:37:00.000-05:00

"Treesreally?" asks yet another anonymous commenter.[1] Missing the point about the need to workwith the ecosystems we have the commenter frantically assumes that preservingthe environmental mean that we must forget about creating "...hundreds of[low paying service] jobs, increase property value [for those who live farenough away and for the developer as well as giving] a struggling county aboost". With evident lack of environmental literacy in hand the anonymouscommenter chooses an ad hominemattack indicative of a barren argument writing that I "...haveentirely too much time on [my]hands."

The next quirky statement ("Whydon't you use that energy to bring more business to PG? ") shows accomplishedlack of any ability to do anything but mindlessly react as I indeed have beenwriting speaking and working to save the 6figure science research jobs of USDA-ARS BARC and NAL that this county hasbeen losing - some 200 super grade research jobs since this county began tofocus on malls instead of high pay 21st century work.[2]I would wager that my hidden commenter has never brought Maryland's DBED to ameeting in the county whereas I will be bringing together federal state and localpolitical stakeholder this week to discuss hi tech economic development inPrince George's County which interestingly enough would involve the science of trees,very important to the world but not to the narrowly focused resident commenter.And it would involve more than trees; the research would involve everything youeat and the health of your family, not just discount items that help make our dailylives better.

The next statement shows that my commenter hasnot read the footnotes or has no ability to provide substantive factualinformation to support his or her position. I would guess that the commenter isdealing with emotional opinions, the same kind that paralyzes our national politicalconversation when it comes to science. The anonymous resident is of an opinion that "[r]esidents like me]chase away big business because [I] fear change." I submit that it exactlythe narrow short sighted fixation on temporarytransient development that sends hi tech campus to woodland properties. Thehigh tech 21st century jobs do not want to place themselves in a forest of crumblinginfrastructure surrounded by service malls designed to last 10 years.

You live in a city the commentercries. And indeed I do but my city of Prince George's is blindly movingbackwards to a concrete desolate desert, while cities like Washington, D.C. andChicago trumpet urban forests working to "green" the infrastructureand work to develop quality of live for as many as they cannot just a few.

Next in the diatribe ofill-considered ranting comes a off-hand slight to another great State followedby a complete lack of comprehension as to my personal and public position as tothe historyof Salubria. The record shows that I personally made the motion to removethe historic setting making it possible to develop the property per theexisting zoning. None of my blogging has every stated that I thought theproperty should remain an empty lot, none, not ever. When the county decided tozone the property as it did the die was cast for this type of project. Thereare those of course who feel differently as there are those such as my commenterwho at best find history a bother.[3]

. Anonymous resident sums up the oddaggregation of splendidly convoluted opinion by strongly welcoming change whichof course is welcomed by every living creature for it is the essence of life. Cloakedin his or her anonymity complete with grandiose rhetorical flourishes, residentanonymous welcomes growth (implicitly externalizingany costs onto someone else in this case our established under served communities).Resident anonymous welcomes, with a quaint rustic sophistry, "...civilization;welcomes ANYTHING that resembles class, cleanliness and sophistication in P.G.It is of course the use of PG at the end of the resident's sentence that piquedmy curiosity for who does not know that the use of PG is a pejorative diminutiveused to keep this county down and out. Resident anonymous continues, "PetersonCos is the best thing to happen to this county." Superlatives are always asign of hidden bothersome factoids, but given the lack of vision I would agreewith the statement.

As to using my energy to combatweeds my new anonymous friend has done no homework what so ever. I have writtenover 300 articles on invasives species much of which is found at Invasive Notes. [4] I am working with the Prince George's CommunityCollege and federal agencies to develop work force curricula to prepare PrinceGeorge's County residents for the jobs of tomorrow. PGCC is committed to be anational leader in sustainability even if a few anonymous residents are lookingbackwards to a past that never was. It is not about the tree as tree but how wedevelop and grow in relationship to the world around us a world that providesneeded and necessary services that anonymous resident implicitly seems to takefor granted.

I surely agree that we need tofind away to re-use the property that anonymous mentions next with its chainedoff buildings and failing development. On the other hand the wildly hystericalfinal comment defies reply - " That mall is being built on prime realestate between two major highways. Trees don't belong there, and it's about timethey put it to use." The inabilityto have a conversation about ecosystem services and development must end.Chicago can grow and thrive with ecosystem services front and center, Washingtondc works hard to find collaboration between shopping needs and environmental enhancement.Montgomery county tries to build a science city in partnership with JohnsHopkins and we fall over ourselves in ecstasy about a discount mall. Why can't PrinceGeorge's County dream large and demand better instead of settling foryesterday?

[1] Seecomment Prince George's County mauls itsway through its woodlands and forests http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/2012/01/prince-georges-county-mauls-its-way.html

[2] Welcometo the home of the National Agricultural Research Alliance - Beltsville: JohnPeter Thompson, President http://www.nara-b.org/

The National Agricultural Research Alliance -Beltsville, Inc. (NARA-B) was created to:

1. support the advancement ofagricultural, human nutrition and scientific research missions of the U.S.Department of Agriculture Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC),located in Beltsville, Maryland, thereby securing the benefits of BARC researchfor farmers, the general public, the nation and the environment;

2. support the acquisitionand preservation of agriculture and rural development information missions ofthe National Agricultural Library located in Beltsville, Maryland, which housesone of the world's largest and most accessible agricultural informationcollections;

3. advocating in support ofBARC and its agricultural and horticultural activities before legislative,executive, administrative and judicial bodies, and the public generally,regarding the contributions to agricultural science, safe and healthful foods,environmental quality, national security and other benefits of BARC, and

4. consistent with BARC'smission, the maintenance and preservation of the natural and historic qualitiesof BARC, including but not limited to, open space, watershet protection andenhancement, clean air and water, and architecturally significant or historicalstructures.

[3] Anonymousresident

"And what is thisgarbage about saving a vacant lot because it has historic value? Every emptypiece of land has history, and you want to save it because a slave childmurdered the innocent white children of a slave owner? I'm thrilled it will becovered in concrete."

[4] www.ipetrus.blogspot.com

Prince George's County mauls its way through its woodlands and forests

2012-01-14T13:28:00.000-05:00

Prince George's County is maulingits way through its woodlands and forests with convenient zoning ordinancesthat allow trees to be mitigated (cut down) with a simple request for avariance. The underlying assumption is that trees contribute little whileshopping malls are the key to economic development and quality of life. And withouta doubt we need quality shopping malls as part of any sustainable economicdevelopment strategy, however consideration of trees should be part of the equationnot a bothersome after thought. Somehow the county leadership has arrived atthe idea that it is better to cut down trees than to rehabilitate and adaptivelyre-use already disturbed and degraded, treeless properties. Behind this proposition is the obvious profit margingain that comes from paving over open space rather than reusing existingdevelopment within exitisting communities.

So it is easy to sell a mallproject and put forth the number of service industry jobs that it will createas well as calculate the sales and property tax that might be collected. It isof course almost impossible to calculate the opportunity costs of the trees. Sowe don't; we present a one-sided and short-sighted option based upon a baselesspremise of infinite resources available for development. Let me tell you aboutwhat we lose every time we cut down a mature tree and pave over a woodlandplot.

A community's trees and its urbanforest remains one of the first impression a community projects to visitors. Thetree's of an urban woodland, forest or landscape is an extension of its prideand community spirit. Trees enhance community economic stability by attractingbusinesses and tourists; people linger and shop longer along tree-linedstreets; apartments and offices in wooded areas rent more quickly and havehigher occupancy rates; businesses leasing office spaces in developments withtrees find their workers are more productive and absenteeism is reduced.[1]

Urban forests, woodlands andlandscapes can increase traffic safety by enhancing traffic calming measures, such as narrowerstreets, extended curbs, and other infrastructure. According to Tall trees givethe perception of making a street feel narrower, slowing people down. Closelyspaced trees give the perception of speed (they go by very quickly) slowingpeople down. A treeless street enhances the perception of a street being wideand free of hazard, thereby increasing speeds. Increased speed leads to moreaccidents. Trees can serve as a buffer between moving vehicles and pedestrians.Street trees also forewarn drivers of upcoming curves. If the driver sees treetrunks curving ahead before seeing the road curve, they will slow down and bemore cautious when approaching curves.[2]

According to a website composedand compiled by Kathleen Alexander trees are a "free" resource thatabsorbs carbon and pollutants from the air generated by our cars and trucks.One tree compensate for automobile fuel use equivalent to driving a car between7,200 and 8,700 miles per year (Prince George's County just cavalierly agreedto cut 38 trees down for a parking lot).[3]Trees according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, create organicmatter on the soil surface from their leaf litter. Their roots increase soilpermeability that results in: Reduced surface runoff of water from storms; reducedsoil erosion and sedimentation in streams; increased groundwater recharge thatis significantly reduced by paving; lesser amounts of chemicals transported tostreams; and reduced wind erosion of soil. Without trees, Maryland DNR contends,cities and counties would need toincrease sewage and storm water drainage channels and waste treatmentcapacities to handle increased water runoff.[4]These are costs that our leadership prefers its citizens to discover after themall is in place. This is the externalization of costs onto the tax payer thatcomes when the trees are cut down because we could not rebuild, readapt orrefresh and existing sight because it would cut the profits of a few.

Prince George's County needsdevelopment and it needs retail. It also needs ecosystem services and it needsto look to its establish communities for develop0mental opportunities notalways towards a field of trees. We need to find away to rebuild and refreshexisting malls and the grey fields of our existing established communities notalways find the quickest most expedient green field because a few think that pavingover a green space is not harming anything; that green spaces exist so that afew can make money; that someone somewhere later can bear the costs ofreplacing the lost ecosystem services.

[1] MichiganState University Extension, Urban Forestry #07269501, “Benefits of Urban Trees”

[2] NationalArbor Day Foundation pamphlet #90980005

[3]Kathleen Alexander. Benefits of Trees InUrban Areas. [accessed January 14, 2012] http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm#16

a) this answer depends ontree density per acre, diameter structure, species composition, and growthrates. Estimates from Chicago are 2.7 t C/ac of tree cover/yr (Nowak 1994b); theChicago area: 2.2 t C/ac of tree cover/yr (Nowak, 1994b); and in Brooklyn, NY:1.0 t C/ac of tree cover/yr (Nowak et al., in review). These are gross carbonsequestration estimates and do not account for carbon emitted due todecomposition. The Chicago estimates are likely liberal as they do not accountfor tree condition or stand structure effects on growth. Gross carbonsequestration estimates for individual trees in Brooklyn, by various diameterclasses are (Nowak et al., in review):

DBH Class (in) Carbon Sequestration (lbs/yr)

0-3 2

9-12 19

18-21 43

27-30 55

39+ 93

b) Estimate of carbon emittedper vehicle mile is approximately 0.24 lb C/mi (see Nowak, 1993 for calculationand references) but is as high as 0.29 lb C/mi if carbon produced fromtransportation and fuel processing is included. Thus, a car driven 26,000 mileswill emit 6,240 lbs C (22,880 lbs CO2) or 7,540 lbs C (27,647 lbs CO2) if thewhole fuel process is included. Thus, one acre of tree cover in Brooklyn cancompensate for automobile fuel use equivalent to driving a car between 7,200and 8,700 miles, depending on which estimate you choose to use. However, whenthe tree dies, most, if not all, of the carbon stored will eventually bereleased back to the atmosphere and form CO2. Thus, the CO2 gains made by treesare sustained as long as the forest structure is sustained. Also, the gainsmade are only good for the first generation of trees, unless the carbon isprevented from decomposing. If first generation decomposes, the secondgeneration of trees will only compensate for the loss of the first generation(Nowak et al., in preparation).' Trees remove several tons/day of O3, CO2, SO2,NO2, PM10. How many trees does it take to remove so many tons of one element?

We are currently completing acomparison of pollution removal by trees in 50 cities across the United States.Pollution removal varies based on meteorology, amount of tree and shrub cover(acres), pollution concentration, and length of growing season. Pollutionremoval (ozone, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, andcarbon monoxide) by trees and shrubs in Chicago in 1994 was estimated at 651tons (rates varied for each pollutant) (Nowak, 1994c). In Brooklyn,1994pollution removal (same 5 pollutants) by trees and shrubs was estimated at 287tons (Nowak et al., in review). Average individual tree pollution removalestimates for Brooklyn by various diameter classes are:

DBH Class (in) Pollution Removal (lbs/yr)

0-3 0.07

9-12 0.8

18-21 2.2

27-30 2.0

39+ 5.3

Differences in removal ratesper tree by diameter classes are due to differences in the average amount ofhealthy leaf area per tree among the diameter classes.

[4] TheMaryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service. [accessed January 14,2012] http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/publications/urban4.html

Prince George’s County Social Innovation Fund (PGCSIF) - initiative is designed to identify and recognize young leaders

2012-01-13T07:42:00.002-05:00

The Prince George’s County Social InnovationFund (PGCSIF), a sponsored program fund of the Community Foundation for PrinceGeorge’s County, has just announced its Forty Under Forty Awardees for2012. The initiative is designed to identify and recognize young leadersin the county and connect them to the nonprofit community and broader civicactivities. The awards presentation will be held on January 31^st from 6-8:30 at Bus Boys & Poets inHyattsville. For more information about the PGCSIF visit http://innovateprincegeorges.org/. To meet thisyear’s 40 Under 40 honorees, visit fortyunder40.innovateprincegeorges.org. PGCSIF alsolaunched its #MyBigHope campaign on twitter (@pgcsif) to create a bit of buzzand optimism for the New Year, and to hear and learn from the community abouttheir #BigHopes for the County. PGCSIF’s Managing Director, Tonia Wellons,blogs about the campaign and next steps for the Fund at http://innovateprincegeorges.org/2012/01/40-great-reasons-to-get-excited-about-prince-georges-county-in-2012-2/

PGMC 109-12, sponsored by Senator Peters of Bowie would create a fee in lieu of transportation infrastructure adequacy

2012-01-12T07:47:00.000-05:00

PGMC 109-12, sponsored by Senator Peters of Bowie wouldcreate a fee in lieu of transportation infrastructure adequacy option fordevelopers. Applying to only certain corridors and centers found in the currentversion of the Prince George's County Master Plan. The legislation allows a developer whoseproject would raise the amount of traffic on roads nearby to make a onetimepayment instead of addressing the future congestion brought by the project. Thefee according to the language in the bill shall be based upon a fair andequitable assessment of the cost of increasing the traffic capacity of theexisting road system.[1]

SenatorPeter's testimony in December explains that "these funds would then beused to pay for the design and construction of roadway or intersectionimprovements or to offset the impact of the increase in traffic caused by thedevelopment. If interim improvements areneeded, the Planning Board could require that the developer construct those, solong as they are deducted from the escrow contribution. PG/MC 109-12 is modeledafter successful policies and statutes used by neighboring Howard andMontgomery Counties. It is an excellenttool to build quality developments while still having adequate road andintersection improvements."[2]

Severalquestions occur to me right off the bat. Why do we need this bill?Specifically, what part of the current process obstructs development? How willthis legislation ensure capacity is in place by completion of the project? Aperception of the traffic mitigation process inadequacy is clearly expressed by a posting on the Prince George'sPolitics blog: "The County Adequate Public Facility ordinance does nothingto solve this problem. Either developers just add an acceleration lane in frontof their property, or they do “mitigation” (which usually means adding anotherturn lane at a congested intersection). They only have to “mitigate” the supposedtraffic that they add to the failing system, not actually fix the problem."[3] The perception is fuelled the understandingthat the current version of the bill, according to a Gazette story, "wouldeffectively negate a resolution introduced by Prince George's County CouncilmanMel Franklin (D-Dist. 9) of Upper Marlboro and passed by the council torestrict the use of a similar escrow fund, the Brandywine Road Club, in theBrandywine area because of the fund's ineffectiveness, producing no measurableimprovements to roads in the area in its existence."[4]

Developmentthat creates an adverse transportation-system impact is required to mitigatethose effects. The cost of the enhancements can be externalized onto thecommunity by increased traffic and more frequent repairs to roadways (andcorresponding tax increases) or it can be borne by the project developer whocan either pass the traffic mitigation costs onto the buyers or can reduce thesize of its profits. It is interesting to note that the legislation has notprovision for future valuation of construction planning and costs. In otherwords how will we know what those cost might be in ten years when we finallyget around to doing the transpiration improvements, and who will pay for thedifference if not enough money was set aside in the first place?

There isan additional questions raised by a research report from Montgomery County:"How can new development best contribute to a sustainable network?"[5]Any development that externalizes its transportation costs onto the public isby definition not sustainable. Sustainable development occurs when the desiresof the present are met without compromising the ability of future generationsto meet their own needs. It recognizesthe fundamental inseparable interdependence among the economy, the environment,and social equity which works to enhance each to the benefit of all.[6] Put directly, the lingering question is: Howwould mitigating improvements by paying a fee support sustainable developmentand enhance traffic flow in the county?

[1] Legislation- Bill History. PG/MC 109-12 PrinceGeorge's County - Proposed Subdivisions - Escrow Funds for Traffic Mitigation.[accessed January 9, 2012] http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/legislation/bill-history?local=PG/MC%20109-12

PG/MC 109-12	Prince George's County - Proposed Subdivisions - Escrow Funds for Traffic Mitigation
Sponsor	Senator Douglas J.J. Peters
Synopsis	For the purpose of authorizing the Prince George's County Planning Board, if it makes certain findings, to allow a developer of a proposed subdivision that would increase traffic in a certain roadway or intersection beyond a certain level to pay a certain fee into a certain escrow fund instead of making certain necessary improvements to the roadway or intersection; requiring the Prince Georges County Department of Public Works and Transportation to maintain an escrow fund established under this Act; specify the permissible uses for an escrow fund established under this Act; providing for the calculation of the fee to be paid into an escrow fund by a developer of a subdivision; authorizing the Board to require a subdivision to construct certain improvements under certain circumstances; providing for a certain fee deduction or reimbursement if certain improvements are made; providing that this Act applies only in certain areas; defining certain terms; and generally relating to proposed subdivisions and escrow funds for traffic mitigation in Prince Georges County.
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Bill Text	Read bill text in rich-text or PDF format

[2]email communication from Lori F. Morris, Chief of Staff, Senator Douglas J. J.Peters January 10, 2012

Statement of SenatorDouglas J. J. Peters Before the Prince George’s County HouseDelegation December 3, 2011 PG/MC 109-12Prince George’s County – ProposedSubdivisions – Escrow Funds for Traffic Mitigation

Good Morning Chair and Members of the Delegation.

Iappreciate your time this morning to speak about PG/MC 109-12. This legislationwill provide the Prince George’s County Planning Board a tool to use when adevelopment consisting of several projects is proposed along a major arterialroadway that is already at a failing level of service due to existingflow-through traffic volume. Instead ofrequiring each developer to make the necessary road improvements, which cancause overlapping and/or insufficient construction, PG/MC 109 authorizes thecreation of an escrow fund, to be maintained by the Prince George’s CountyDepartment of Public Works and Transportation, where each developer would berequired to contribute at a rate of 150% of its impact upon traffic.

Thesefunds would then be used to pay for the design and construction of roadway orintersection improvements or to offset the impact of the increase in trafficcaused by the development. If interimimprovements are needed, the Planning Board could require that the developerconstruct those, so long as they are deducted from the escrow contribution.

PG/MC109-12 is modeled after successful policies and statutes used by neighboringHoward and Montgomery Counties. It is anexcellent tool to build quality developments while still having adequate roadand intersection improvements.

Thankyou for your consideration of PG/MC 109-12, and I urge your favorablerecommendation.

[3]Goose Sain. Fwd: PG/MC 109-12 - Sen Peters proposes more sprawl and trafficcong. December 1, 2011. [accessed January 10, 2012] http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PG-Politics/message/14903

[4]Erich Wagner. Developers could pay fee to avoid county road upgrades; SomePrince George's residents, officials nervous about proposed bill. Gazette.Net.December 15, 2011. [accessed January 10, 2012] http://www.gazette.net/article/20111215/NEWS/712159916/developers-could-pay-fee-to-fix-grey-area-of-county-road-upgrades&template=gazette

[5] HardyD., Graye E., & Hanson R. 2011. Are we there yet? Smart growth, travelforecasting, and transportation adequacy in Montgomery County, Maryland.Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy 7(2):43-59. Published onlineNov 04, 2011. http://www.google.com/archives/vol7iss2/1004-021.hardy.html [accessed January 10, 2012] http://sspp.proquest.com/archives/vol7iss2/1004-021.hardy.html

[6]World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission)report Our Common Future. What is Sustainable Development. (Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press, 1987) [accessed January 10, 2012] http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html

"Development that meetsthe needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generationsto meet their own needs."

Salubria Development Hearing Starts at 10 Jan 12, 2012

2012-01-11T08:11:00.001-05:00

Planning Board Meeting Agenda for January 12, 2012 willconsider two major development projects on its Long-Range Agenda: Long-Range Agenda (January 19, 2012 – February9, 2012) Salubria scheduled to start at10:00 am tomorrow Thursday

1. A-10018 Cafritz Property continued to January12, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.

2. CSP-11006 Salubria Center (Click here to view materials.)

First Floor, County Council Hearing Room, CountyAdministration Building, 14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

Click here for directions 8:30a.m.

Administrative/Parks and Recreation Items

10:00 a.m. - Development

Review Items

Interview with Sponsor of PG 411-12; local zoning authority

2012-01-10T07:15:00.001-05:00

Lastweek Iwrote about PG411-12 and had an opportunity to speak with DelegateValentino-Smith last week; a virtual interview about PG 411-12, a bill whichshe is sponsoring.[1]PG 411-12 would give that authority to any Prince George’s municipality with apopulation of greater than 20,000.[2]

The Delegate believes that the "bestgovernment is the most local government. My first question then:

· Thompson: "Why, Delegate, do you think thebest government is the most local one?"

o Delegate Smith: " Government officials thatare at the level closest to the people can make the best decisions regardingland use in their community because they know their community issues the best."

· Thompson: "What about concerns that therewill be too many conflicting requirements leading to a plethora of localdesigns; a mish-mash if you will?"

o Delegate Smith: "The bill requires that thePrince George’s County Zoning Code be used. There need be no worry about conflicting zoning laws. Moreover, the bill streamlines the process. Currently, there is a municipal component, aMNCPPC component and a County component to land use decisions. This bill will slash that process by 2/3. Ialso point out that land use is already Balkanized in Prince George’sCounty. For those who fear thatmunicipal land use authority will balkanize county land use practices, there isalready a balkanized county system with each of nine county councilmen decidingland use for their own districts., Present land use laws in Prince George’sCounty were first enacted in 1927. It istime to bring those laws into the twenty-first century "

· Thompson: "What about the cost to the localcommunities? Won't this increase budgets at the municipal level? Won't thecities have to hire additional professioanls staff?"

o Delegate Smith: "Larger municipalities canhandle land use matters. They alreadyhave planning departments that make recommendations to the County. Municipalitieshave proven they can handle large developments. The best new development in Montgomery County, the Kentlands, was doneby a municipality (Gaithersburg), not by MNCPPC and Montgomery County. Further whysingle out our county? There is noreason why Prince George’s County should be singled out as the only county inthe state prohibiting large municipality land use authority."

[1] Thompson.PG 411-12 Local Zoning Authority for Bowie et al - - Qualifying MunicipalCorporations - Land Use Decisions. January 6, 2012. http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/2012/01/pg-411-12-prince-georges-county.html

[2] Legislation- Bill History. [accessed January 10, 2012] http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/2012/01/pg-411-12-prince-georges-county.html

PG 411-12	Prince George's County - Qualifying Municipal Corporations - Land Use Decisions
Sponsor	Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith
Synopsis	For the purpose of authorizing a governing body of a certain municipal corporation by resolution to exercise the powers of the Prince George's County Planning Board, the zoning hearing examiner for Prince George's County, or the County Council for Prince George's County, sitting as a district council, to make certain land-use decisions; subjecting the exercise of certain powers by the governing body of a certain municipal corporation to the substantial and procedural requirements and standards established in the Prince George's County zoning ordinance; prohibiting a governing body of a certain municipal corporation from amending the Prince George's County zoning ordinance or adopting a municipal zoning ordinance; granting a certain party of record a right to seek judicial review of the certain decision; defining a certain term; and generally relating to land-use decisions by governing bodies of municipal corporations in Prince Georges County.

Colonial Maryland Slave Laws 30-32: Bacon's Laws of Maryland

2012-01-08T08:49:00.001-05:00

30. Owners, suffering any of their Slaves to keep any Horses or Mares, or to raise any Cattle or Hogs, as the proper Right of such Slaves, shall forfeit 500 lb Tobacco; and all such Horses, &c. shall likewise be forfeited. One Half to the Informer, the other to the Use aforesaid.  Ibid.  §. 6.

    31. Runaway, out-lying Slaves, refusing to surrender themselves, or making Resistance against Persons legally impowered to take them up, may be shot, killed, or destroyed by such Persons.  Ibid.  §. 7.  See below, Art. 44 and 45.

    32. This Act shall be read in every County Court, by the Sheriff, or his Deputy, on Forfeiture of 500 lb Tobacco for every Omission. One Half to the Use of the County, the other to the Informer.  Ibid.  §. 8.

Bacon's Laws of Maryland . Vol 75 page 690. Maryland Archives

http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--690.pdf

Snagged by a Speed Camera in Prince George's County

2012-01-07T13:09:00.000-05:00

Having just been snagged by a camera for doing 42 in a30 mph zone, I offer some observation a copy of the Prince George's County'scamera location page. The camera on Church Road sits on the north side of theproperty recording traffic caught speeding some several hundred yards pnorth ofthe school far past the tree line when one would normally accellerate. There isconveniently no 'end of school zone' sign perhaps because the regular speed andthe school zone speed happen to be the same - 30 mph - but I am not bitter.

Home > Government > PublicSafety > Police > Automated Speed Enforcement Program

CameraLocations1stEnforcement Development[1]

Note: Linksto school locations are provided for your convenience using Google Maps. Pleasesee our privacy policy for linking to third party sites.

Isaac Gourdine Middle School and Tayac Elementary School, within the 8400-9000block(s) of Allentown Road

Montpelier Elementary School: 9000-9200 block ofMuirkirk Road

Rosa Parks Elementary School: 5700-6300 block ofAger Road

Northwestern High School/St. Marks ElementarySchool/University of Maryland (Institute of Higher Learning):7600-6900 block of Adelphi Road

Clinton Grove Elementary School: 9400-9700 block ofTemple Hill Road

John Baynes Elementary School: 6900-7400 block ofWalker Mill Road

Ardmore Elementary School/ Herbert Flowers High School:9100-10000 block of Ardwick Ardmore Road

High Bridge Elementary School: 6800-7100 block of HighBridge Road

Barnaby Manor Elementary School: 1800-2400 OwensRoad

Arrowhead High School: 2100-2600 block of SansburyRoad

Vansville Elementary School: 11600-11900 block ofOld Balitmore Pike

Chillum Elementary School: 5400-6100 block ofSargeant Road

Columbia Park Elementary School: 6700-7100 block ofColumbia Park Road

District Heights Elementary School: 2100-2400 CountyRoad

Duval High School/Robert Goddard Middle School/CatherineReed Elementary School: 9800-9900 block of Good Luck Road

Friendly High School: 9800-10000 block of AllentownRoad

James Harrison Elementary School: 8300-8600 ConteeRoad

North Forestville Elementary School: 2200-2500 blockof Ritchie Road

Oakcrest Elementary School: 800-1100 block of HillRoad

Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School: 000-800 blockof Harry S. Truman Drive

Princeton Elementary School: 6100-6400 block of AuthRoad

Tall Oaks Vocational: 2000-2300 block of Church Road

Thomas Pullen Elementary School: 500-1100 block ofBrightseat Road

Thurgood Marshall Middle School: 4600-5600 block ofBrinkley Road

William Hall Elementary School: 5000-5300 block ofMarlboro Pike

2nd EnforcementDevelopment

Calverton Elementary School: 3100 - 4000 BeltsvilleRoad

Concord Elementary School: 5400 - 6100 Walker MillRoad

Cooper Lane Elementary School: 3600 - 3900 CooperLane

Cora L. Rice Elementary School / G. James Gholson MiddleSchool: 7400 - 7900 Hill Oaks Road and 900-1100 Nalley Road

Drew Freeman Middle School: 2400 - 2700 Brooks Drive

Edgar Allan Poe Academy: 2000 - 2400 ShadysideAvenue

Accokeek Academy (Eugene Burroughs Middle School and HenryFerguson Elementary School): 14400 - 15400 Berry Road

Frances Fuchs Special Center: 11000 - 11100 Cherry HillRoad

Grace Brethren Christian School: 9600-10100 Brandywine Road and 6500-6900 Surratts Road

Gwynn Park Middle School: 7700 - 8400 Dyson Road

Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School: 11700 - 12300Daisy Lane

Indian Queen Elementary / Oxon Hill Middle School:9400 - 9700 Fort Foote Road

James Ryder Randall Elementary School: 5300-5800Kirby Road

Robert R. Gray Elementary School / Fairmont Heights HighSchool: 4700 - 5300 Addison Road

St. Phillip of the Apostle School: 5500 - 5600 AuthRoad

Mattaponi Elementary School: 11700-11800 DuleyStation Road

Waldon Woods Elementary School: 10100 - 10400 ThriftRoad

William Paca Elementary School: 6600 - 8200 SheriffRoad

Cool Spring Elementary School: 1900-2200 MetzerottRoad

[1] Home > Government > PublicSafety > Police > Automated Speed Enforcement Program [accessed January 7,2012] http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/PublicSafety/Police/camera_location.asp

"Malling" its Way to Prosperity - Prince George's County

2012-01-07T12:34:00.000-05:00

PrinceGeorge's County has adopted unofficially of course the vision of "mallingits way to prosperity". The salespitch implicitly suggests that open space is a useless resource that needsfixing. It also suggests that the county can address all of its social and infrastructureproblems by simply adding more people who can pay more taxes. Somehow the ideathat the problems will grow with the population escapes notice. Prince George'sCounty keeps promising to fix schools but does so by adding more school withoutrepairing the problems facing the old ones. The county fixes library needs byadding libraries rather than enhancing existing libraries in establishedcommunities. The county's wealthy elite have no time or use for long term high qualityof life concepts that are achieved, according to the State of Maryland,"... through universal stewardship of the land, water, and air resultingin sustainable communities and protection of the environment.[1]

The ideathat the ordinary citizens should be active partners in the planning andimplementation of community initiatives is dismissed or rendered futile by thecomplex Byzantine maize of procedures geared towards the professional purveyorsof development. The process is geared towards the professionals and theirclients because they have the money which makes sense but renders anysensitivity to their responsibilities in achieving community goals mute andvague.

Contrarianto Best Management and Policy Practices and Guidelines, Prince George's Countyin a complete contrarian position does not concentrate its growth in existing populationand business centers or growth areas adjacent to these centers, or strategicallyselected new centers. The county deciders pay lip service to extensive plansand then override them in appeal to the County Council sitting in its role asDistrict Council. The idea of planning and developing compact, mixed–use,walkable designs consistent with existing community character and located nearavailable or planned transit options is ignored. The idea of a family JusticeCenter in Upper Marlboro fails this test instantly, but that is another blog.[2] Prince George's County goes out of its way todiscouraged efficient use of land and transportation resources and preservationand enhancement of natural systems, open spaces, recreational areas, andhistorical, cultural, and archeological resources.

County infrastructureis expanded before repairs and maintenance costs are addressed for existing infrastructure.If we cannot fix what we have, who will pay to fix what we are adding? Growthareas ought to have, as PlanMaryland states, "...the water resources andinfrastructure to accommodate population and business expansion in an orderly,efficient, and environmentally sustainable manner."[3] Thecounty's well known propensity for minimum wage service jobs at retail storesis not in keeping with 21st century economic development practices thatencourage and promote employment opportunities for all income levels with aneye to fair and equitable living wage.

When itcomes to the environment, the small self selected decision makers of what isbest for all of us have artfully suggested that a healthy ecosystem is adisservice to the majority of the county residents. Land and water resources,including the Chesapeake and the Potomac, Anacostia and Patuxent Rivers arecarefully ignored. Efforts to protect are derided as anti-development as are attempts to condition development on restorationand maintenance of healthy air and water, natural systems, and livingresources. The idea that any of the following is anything but an engine topersonal gain is dismissed: Waterways, forests, agricultural areas, open space,natural systems, and scenic areas. We are told that either we cannot affordthem or they are an obstacle to solving all our social and financial problems.

As wepave everything over expanding out disconnected communities, and the size ofour existing problems as a percentage does not change, what, then, will happenwhen we run out of natural resources to destroy? Who then will pay? Where willthe money come from at that point to support our crumbling infrastructure andour diminishing public services? Development should be about the nextgeneration's quality of life, not about the well-being of personal balance sheets of a fortunate few tomorrow.

[1] PlanMaryland.[accessed January 7, 2012] http://plan.maryland.gov/whatIsIt/12visions.shtml

[2] PrinceGeorgian. Connecting the Dots: Upper Marlboro seeks input on historic school’sfate - Washington Business Journal December 23, 2011

[3] Ob.cit. PlanMaryland

PG 411-12 Local Zoning Authority for Bowie et al - - Qualifying Municipal Corporations - Land Use Decisions

2012-01-06T11:52:00.000-05:00

PG411-12 is a local zoning authority bill that would devolve Prince George'sCounty zoning authority to a municipal level.[1] Sponsoredby Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith of Bowie, it would grant county manipulateswith populations greater than 20,000. This would limited the authority to Bowie(54,727), College Park (301,413) and Greenbelt (23,068) allowing these threecities to join Laurel (25,115) which has the authority as a historic anomaly.[2]

For therecord. some version of this bill has been introduced since I first joined thePrince George's Chamber of Commerce in the late 1990s, I recall testifyingagainst the legislation on behalf of the Chamber as a member, and later co-chairof the legislative committee. Zoning ona local level is a not a recent idea. This November just past marked the 85thanniversary of the landmark United States Supreme Court case Village of Euclidv. Ambler Realty Co. Realty, which upheld the basic constitutionality of localzoning.[3] One often hears the argument that that thereis no need zoning and that land use planning is somehow a definition of socialismimplying that socialism is somehow criminal and therefore so is zoning. Planning,however, according to Ed McMahon, in Urban Land Magazine, "...is themulti-faceted process that communities use to prepare for change. It is anactivity as old as humankind itself. In most realms of endeavor, failing toplan, simply means planning to fail. Try to imagine a corporation without abusiness plan. It would have a hard time attracting investment. The same istrue of communities. In America, land use planning is primarily theresponsibility of local government. Zoning is considered the quintessentialtool of plan implementation."[4]

Zoningas practiced in Prince George's County tends to be a is a limited tool. It is sometimesgood at protecting what is already in place and pretty good at preventingnuisances. Because of political pressures that favor short terms interests ofthe few over long terms interests of the many, zoning in this county is notparticularly good at defining, shaping,or improving the future quality of newdevelopment. Because most zoning codes are proscriptive in nature. They try. inMr. McMahon's words, "...to prevent bad things from happening withoutlaying out a vision of how things should be."[5]

Allowingmultiple communities their own zoning may create an mosaic of design whichcould reflect the diversity the county. It may also lead to additional planningcosts for developers restricting the small businesses because of the additionalcosts. Some may claim that city zoning authority will be more responsive becauseit is smaller an closer to the community affected. Other may ask where themoney will come to support the professional staff needed to administrativelyhandle the increased responsibilities that now are spread out across the entirecounty through the services of PG-MNCPPC's planning department.

Why dothe larger municipalities need the additional layer of zoning is a question weshould be asking? Why does Bowie et al. think the planning system inplace is broken? What successes has Laurel had that Bowie and the others wishto emulate? What are the measureable benefits to both Bowie and the County inenacting this legislation? Who bears the additional governmental costs? Howwill the varying local zoning plans connect when it comes to the singleecosystem upon which we all depend? Who will knit together the wider effects oflocal zoning on connecting infrastructure?

16 yearsago this bill would have had strong supporters on both sides debating theproposal; today there is a strange silence - maybe this legislation's momenthas come through anodyne apathy to regulatory process changes.

Meet the 27 Historic Municipalities of Prince George's County, Maryland - Ready for Adaptive Re-use

[1] PG411-12 Prince George's County - Qualifying Municipal Corporations - Land UseDecisions [accessed January 6, 2012] http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/legislation/bill-history?local=PG%20411-12

[2]2010 US Census data

[3] SUTHERLAND,J., Opinion of the Court, SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES. 272 U.S. 365. Villageof Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FORTHE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO. No. 31 Argued: January 27, 1926 --- Decided: November22, 1926 [accessed January 6, 2012] http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0272_0365_ZO.html

"Building zone laws are of modern origin. They began in thiscountry about twenty-five years ago. Until recent years, urban life wascomparatively simple; but with the great increase and concentration ofpopulation, problems have developed, and constantly are developing, whichrequire, and will continue to require, additional restrictions in respect ofthe use and occupation of private lands in [p387] urban communities.Regulations the wisdom, necessity and validity of which, as applied to existingconditions, are so apparent that they are now uniformly sustained a centuryago, or even half a century ago, probably would have been rejected as arbitraryand oppressive. Such regulations are sustained, under the complex conditions ofour day, for reasons analogous to those which justify traffic regulations,which, before the advent of automobiles and rapid transit street railways,would have been condemned as fatally arbitrary and unreasonable. And in thisthere is no inconsistency, for, while the meaning of constitutional guarantiesnever varies, the scope of their application must expand or contract to meetthe new and different conditions which are constantly coming within the fieldof their operation. In a changing world, it is impossible that it should beotherwise. But although a degree of elasticity is thus imparted not to themeaning, but to the application of constitutional principles, statutes andordinances which, after giving due weight to the new conditions, are foundclearly not to conform to the Constitution of course must fall."

[4] EdMcMahon. Happy anniversary, zoning! From Zoning at 85 in Urban Land Magazine. November 23, 2011. [accessed January 6, 2012]

"Successful communitiesthink beyond conventional zoning. They use education, incentives and voluntaryinitiatives, not just regulation. They also use design standards, form-basedcodes, density bonuses, transfer of development rights and other innovativetechniques that foster walkable, mixed use neighborhoods."

[5] ibid.

New Presidential Home in Prince George's County, Maryland

2012-01-05T14:50:00.000-05:00

The Universityof Maryland's President needs a new roof; sodo I. The university presidenthas a foundation;I, however, am still looking for a job so it looks like PresidentLoh will be getting a new roof as part of a new 4000 square foot presidential residence at the University of Maryland, College Park.[1] With the Maryland State Comptroller dissenting,the Board of Public Works gave its approval. Mr. Franchot, it should be noted, also thought top of the line pianos were too good and too expensive for BowieState, so we need to watch for unintended consequences in our reaction to spending and news stories.[2]

What atfirst looks like a tax payer funded project in a time of revenue shortfallsturns out to be a privately funded construction project. The demolition and newconstruction will cost around 7.2 million and will include in addition to the residence, 10000 square feet dedicated to fundraising, as well as activities that raise "...theuniversity's profile and visibility -- hosting high-level conferences,ambassadors, and guest speakers."[3] This construction is to be paid for withprivate, non tax payer funding through the College Park Foundation which was "...establishedin support of the University's [of Maryland] goal to become one of the topresearch universities in the nation. "[4]

Theproject is then an economic development opportunity for constructioncontractors, and one can hope that there is some provision for small PrinceGeorge's County businesses. The private funding raising foundation has the assetson hand to cover the costs. Its June 2011 balance sheet shows current assets ofover 58 million and minimal liabilities.[5]

Thisleaves us with a perception problem which Comptroller Franchot pointed out:"using money to replace a mansion looks bad under current financial conditions.The fact that the university may cut eight athletic teams if they cannot raisemoney to sustain themselves makes the construction project look even worse."[6]

Picture from the Office of University Communications websites

[1] MichaelDresser. Plan OK'd to raze UM president's house, build $7.2M home, event center;Over Franchot's dissent, Board of Public Works approves plan to demolish 1956structure. The Baltimore Sun. January 4, 2012. [accessed January 5, 2012] http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-bpw-umcp-20120104,0,4205752.story

[2]Brian Hughes. Md. approves $550k for Bowie State pianos. Washington Examiner.November 16, 2011. [accessed January 5, 2012] http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland/2011/11/md-approves-550k-bowie-state-pianos

[3]Millree Williams. UM Foundation to Build University Events Center/UpgradePresident's Residence. Office of University Communications. August 11, 2010.[accessed January 5, 2012] http://newsdesk.umd.edu/universitynews/release.cfm?ArticleID=2211

"The needs of the current University of Maryland President'sResidence, a 5,600 square-foot home (counting 1,400 square feet of basementspace) built on campus in 1956, are many. It has not had any significantrefurbishment since the 1980's, before now-USM Chancellor Kirwan moved in asUniversity of Maryland president in 1989. Over time, the residence has accumulated numerous safety, structural,HVAC, and accessibility shortcomings. It is the only remaining campus residencethat does not have a fire sprinkler system. It does not have smoke alarms with battery back-up on each level of thehouse and in each bedroom. It is not on the new campus-wide fire alarmmonitoring system (existing smoke alarms and CO alarm are currently monitoredthrough the security system). The house has asbestos containing materials and(probably) lead paint throughout. The first floor, including the primaryentertainment venue converted from a garage, is not handicapped accessible,except for a wooden ramp entrance in the rear of the house. Natural gasemergency generator, foundation drainage systems, windows and exterior doorsmust be evaluated."

[4] Welcometo the College Park Foundation Website [accessed January 5, 2012] http://advancement.umd.edu/foundation/

[5] FinancialStatements June 30, 2011 [accessed January 5, 2011] http://advancement.umd.edu/foundation/images/stories/pdfs/umcpf-2011-fs.pdf

[6] MeganPoinski. Franchot criticizes new College Park president’s home.

Maybe O'Malley can find a Million for Libraries

2012-01-04T07:37:00.000-05:00

It iswith interest that I note the Governorof Maryland's successful fund raising effort that reportedly brought in over$20 million on behalf of the national Democratic Governors' Association.[1] This is rather close to the budget of the Prince George's County Memorial Library System.The Maryland Politics blog points out that the Governor's "position will also continue to provideO’Malley a platform with which to continue building a national reputation."Prince George's might hope that he might also consider helping the county builda better library system able to address the growing needs of information accessin the age of the internet.

Becauseof budget challenges the library has had to reduce operational hours inconveniencingits customers, the people of Prince George's County. There is reason to believefurther budget problems will be coming as the county tries to deal with itslooming shortfall.[2] More reductions in the libraries funding most likely will result in branchclosings. Maybe the Governor could raise a few million for libraries in PrinceGeorge's County as well as the rest of state while he is on a roll.

In theinterest of full disclosure I am one of the trustees (unpaid, no compensation,no allowance; we serve because it is the right thing to do) of the countypublic library system and thus have a fiduciary responsibility to maintain andprotect county this special county resource that helps anyone regardless ofeconomic status.

[1]Aaron C. Davis. Under O’Malley, DGA fundraising up in 2011. Maryland Politics,The Washington Post. January 3, 2011. [accessed January 3, 2012]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/maryland-politics/post/under-omalley-dga-fundraising-up-in-2011/2012/01/03/gIQAYBVEYP_blog.html?wprss=maryland-politics

[2] MirandaS. Spivack. Pr. George’s looks for new revenue. PostLocal, The Washington Post.December 25, 2011. [accessed January 3, 2012] http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/pr-georges-looks-for-new-revenue/2011/12/22/gIQAV4quHP_story.html

Moscow Festival Ballet Comes to Prince George's County, Maryland - Cinderella

2012-01-03T20:39:00.001-05:00

Date and Time:	Friday, January 6, 8 pm
Event Description:	Founded in 1989 by Sergei Radchenko, a legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet, the Moscow Festival Ballet of Russia presents the highest classical elements of the famed Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies. Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to see one of the world’s foremost ballet companies, as their North American tour comes to the Playhouse to present a magnificent, and magical performance of everyone’s favorite tale.
Ages:	All ages
Fee:	$20/person, $15/seniors, students & DancePass
Location:	Publick Playhouse 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly 20784
Information:	301-277-1710 ; TTY: 301-277-1312

Department of Parks and Recreation | Arts > Calendar > Moscow Festival Ballet: Cinderella

http://arts.pgparks.com/Calendar/Moscow_Festival_Ballet__Cinderella.htm

PG 402-12 Authority to Impose Fees for Use of Disposable Bags

2012-01-03T07:20:00.000-05:00

update from Jan 24, 2012 posting: What will it take to reduce the cost of cleaning up the litter, trash and pollution in our County?

SenatorPaul Pinsky and Delegate Barbara Frush have proposed legislation that wouldallow the county to impose a bag tax.[1]The idea behind PG 402-12 is that users of bags of a certain type should payfor the cleanup costs rather than have the costs borne by everyone includingthose who do not use such bags. Trash (litter) thrown onto the side of theroad, out of windows, and onto public sidewalks is a form of personalexternalization of costs analogous to businesses that externalize theirpollutants on to neighborhoods because they can and because they make largerprofits.[2] Ifor one fill a small container once a day with cans, bottles and bags thrownonto my property from passing cars. I pay (spend time) to clean up so someoneelse can save time for their own use. I bear the cost of someone else'sconvenience.

Thislegislation however is about more than my property or my problem of keeping my property clean because of the actions of others. It is about the environment and theecological system services and resources that are compromised by massive externalizationof trash by some users of these bags. The Anacostia River is so severely impacted bytrash that in 2007 it was declared impaired by trash under the provisions ofthe Clean Water Act, according to the Anacostia Watershed Society.[3] Plastic is a major pollutant of the ecosystemsof Prince George's County. Information provided by the Alice FergusonFoundation states that "[p]lastic is widely used due to its light weight, strength,durability, versatility, and low cost. Plastics can take hundreds of years tobreak down, so they may continue to entangle and kill animals year after year. Onestudy found that almost 90 percent of the debris floating on our oceans isplastic."[4]

Becausethe impact of the trash is not immediate and direct, but the cost of paying thetax is, we find a policy cognitive dissonance. Why should users have to paymore for needed goods now to prevent some nebulous (hard to see) benefit later?In other words, what are ecosystem services and why should I care enough to paymore to maintain them? And more to the point which ecosystem services areimpacted by my decision to use plastic bags without thought to what happens tothe big when I am finished with it (in the case of folks driving past my houseI estimate the use time to be less than two minutes from the convenience storesand fast food down the road)

Like alldesignated taxes, how much of what is collected would actually be used to mitigatethe plastic pollution and how much would go to cover existing and future debtremains to be seen. Will the county use the tax monies to issue cleanup grantsto non-profits or to award cleanup contracts to businesses? Or will theycollect the funds and do nothing much if anything at all? Some are claimingthat it is too difficult to designate the monies for a specific purpose.Council person Lehman is quoted as saying that "A bag tax in PrinceGeorge's likely would go into the county's general fund."[5]

Thereseem to be about ten reasons to be against this tax summed up in by JennyRogers in a blog last year.[6] 1. Taxes aren’t the right approach becausethey hurt consumer's buying power and therefore are anti prosperity. 2. Recycling bags is an important industry andthe tax will hurt it. 3. People reuse plastic bags, and a tax will reduce there-use. 4. If you tax plastic, you’ll encourage paper. (but paper is covered by this legislation) 5.Statistics about how wonderful bag taxes work are inaccurate and misleading. 6.Taxes penalize people unfairly. (But of course so does pollution) 7. GreenSeattle did not like the its bag tax and we should base our opinions on someplaceelse. 8. Customers take anger out on retailers, not legislators. 9. Retailershate it. 10. the American Chemistry Council working with legislators will beinvolved ( I have no idea what this means, of course they will be involved andrightly so)

Arefresher to ecological system resources and services follows. How of these services, if any, are impacted by plastic and paper bags thrown into our communities?[7] And who should pay to pick them up?

1 Gas regulation Regulation of atmospheric chemicalcomposition. CO2/O2 balance,O3 for UVB protection, and SOx levels.

2 Climate regulation Regulationof global temperature, precipitation, and other biologically mediated climaticprocesses at global or local levels. Greenhouse gas regulation, DMS productionaffecting cloud formation.

3 Disturbance regulation Capacitance, damping and integrityof ecosystem response to environmental fluctuations. Storm protection, floodcontrol, drought recovery and other aspects of habitat response toenvironmental variability mainly controlled by vegetation structure.

4 Water regulation Regulation of hydrological flows.Provisioning of water for agricultural (such as irrigation) or industrial (suchas milling) processes or transportation.

5 Water supply Storage and retention of water. Provisioningof water by watersheds, reservoirs and aquifers.

6 Erosion control and sediment retention Retention of soilwithin an ecosystem. Prevention of loss of soil by wind, runoff, or other removalprocesses, storage of stilt in lakes and wetlands.

7 Soil formation Soil formation processes. Weathering ofrock and the accumulation of organic material.

8 Nutrient cycling Storage, internal cycling, processing andacquisition of nutrients.

Nitrogen fixation, N, P and other elemental or nutrient cycles.

9 Waste treatment Recovery of mobile nutrients and removalor breakdown of excess or xenic nutrients and compounds. Waste treatment,pollution control, detoxification.

10 Pollination Movement of floral gametes. Provisioning ofpollinators for the reproduction of plant populations.

11 Biological control Trophic-dynamic regulations ofpopulations. Keystone predator control of prey species, reduction of herbivoryby top predators.

12 Refugia Habitat for resident and transient populations.Nurseries, habitat for migratory species, regional habitats for locallyharvested species, or overwintering grounds.

13 Food production That portion of gross primary production extractableas food. Production of fish, game, crops, nuts, fruits by hunting, gathering,subsistence farming or fishing.

14 Raw materials That portion of gross primary production extractableas raw materials. The production of lumber, fuel or fodder.

15 Genetic resources Sources of unique biological materialsand products. Medicine, products for materials science, genes for resistance toplant pathogens and crop pests, ornamental species (pets and horticulturalvarieties of plants).

16 Recreation Providing opportunities for recreationalactivities. Eco-tourism, sport fishing, and other outdoor recreationalactivities.

17 Cultural Providing opportunities for non-commercial uses.Aesthetic, artistic, educational, spiritual, and/or scientific values ofecosystems.

[1] PG 402-12 Prince George's County - Authorityto Impose Fees for Use of Disposable Bags [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/legislation/bill-history?local=PG%20402-12

Synopsis: For the purpose of authorizing Prince George's County toimpose, by law, a fee on certain retail establishments for use of disposablebags under certain circumstances; defining certain terms; and generallyrelating to the authority for Prince George's County to impose a fee for use ofdisposable bags.

[2] TheDefinition of External Costs. [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.externe.info/definition.html

"An external cost, also known as an externality, arises when thesocial or economic activities of one group of persons have an impact on anothergroup and when that impact is not fully accounted, or compensated for, by thefirst group."

[3] SupportA Prince George's County Bag Bill. Anacostia Watershed Society. November 29,2011. [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.anacostiaws.org/news/blog/support-prince-georges-county-bag-bill

[4] HowCan We Help Protect Our Water Resources? Litter and Debris in Our Waterways.[accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/images/Sec3.litterinwaterways.pdf

[5]Ben Giles. Prince George's County Council begins campaign for bag tax. WashingtonExaminoer.comNovember 24, 2011 [accessed January 2, 2012] http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland/2011/11/pg-county-council-begins-campaign-bag-tax

"It makes budgeting too difficult," she [Lehman] said. "It's good in theory, but inthese tough budget times, I'm just saying it's difficult politically andphysically to designate funds."

[6]Jenny Rogers. 10 arguments from bag tax opponents. January 6, 2011. TBD.com.[accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.tbd.com/articles/2011/01/10-arguments-from-bag-tax-opponents-43278.html

[7] RobertCostanza, Ralph D'arge, Rudolf De Groot, Stephen Farber, MonicaGrasso, Bruce Hannon, Karin Limburg£, Shahid Naeem, Robert V. O'neill, JoseParuelo, Robert G. Raskin, Paul Sutton & Marjan Van Den Belt. The value ofthe world's ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387, 253 - 260 (15May 1997) [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.uvm.edu/giee/publications/Nature_Paper.pdf

Understanding how power is gained and wielded in Prince George's County, Maryland

2012-01-02T10:25:00.000-05:00

Understandinghow power is gained and wielded in Prince George's County, Maryland,as well as most other places that hold elections (and even those that don't)requires one to disavow him or herself of the notion that elections are aboutenabling the will of a majority. Winning an election in this county is about artfullycobbling together the smallest number of electoral partners necessary to win anelection. For example, the current County Executive secured the votes of 206,924[1]citizens. Out of a total countypopulation of 863,420, approximately657,063 people were over the age of 18[2] meaningthat the power to distribute resources and manage policies was gained by 34.5%of the adult population. There werearound 517,494 [3] registered voters, so theeffective margin of victory was around 40%. This means that a substantal number of the county'sadult population had other ideas or even no ideas of how to govern.

PrinceGeorge's County has a long been a stalwart of the Democratic Party and therefore is the easiestroute to winning a seat at the table of power. This route requires crafting a coalition fromthe registered members of the party and working the primary system to ensurealmost inevitable victory in the general election. By coalition, I mean a groupof constituencies with identifiable issues and expectations that will have tobe met to stay in power. This does not mean finding what is best for the mostbut was is possible for the least.

Inthe 2010 primary, the vote that decided who would control the distribution ofresources in the county, 94,123 people saw reason enough to vote, and 44,352decided that the current executive could best address their particular issues. Inother words, 6% of the total adult population felt that their opinions, viewsand needs would best address the hopes of the rest of the county. 6% decidedwhere development would go, which libraries would stay open, how and if we shouldaddress infrastructure repairs in our established communities, and of coursewhether the environment mattered in all of this.

Thisis not to cast aspersions on the current administration in any fashion,. forthis is how politics works in the United States. The current county executiveshowed great skill in carefully crafting his core partnership, just as all theother politicians have through history in Prince George's County, in Maryland,and in the country. And to a certain extent crafting working constituencies isa skill much needed in management of government.

Behindthe number is another story; the story of money. Cui bono asked the Romans when the resources and power of thegovernment were directed to one interest group over another. A leader needs toreward the support of his or her base with success before the next power shift(election). Reward means an increase in net worth; no one creates a politicalbase by promising to reduce wealth for the base - no one. And increasing worthis not a crime, though short cuts to increased wealth can occasionally lead tocriminal conduct. 6% of the adultpopulation of Prince George's County will be expecting their net worth to increasebefore the next election. 86% will be expecting the same increase in wealth andbewildered if or when it does not happen.

Diversityis a strength of Prince George's County. Out of diversity come new ideas andother political parties just waiting to be to explored. The Democratic Party for the time beingremains the most direct way to gain power, but even there only a smallpercentage choose to participate in the tools of governance. How do we reachthe 86%[4] ofadults in Prince George's County who show no interest in government until somethinggoes wrong?

Prince George's County[5]

· Democratic Party 412,750;

· Republican Party 46,716;

· Green Party 757;

· Constitutional Party 58;

· Libertarian Party 790;

· Unaffiliated (Independent) 47,592;

· Other 21,605;

Total 530,268: Inactive 8,287

[1] ElectionSummary Report. Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Gubernatorial General Election, State of Maryland,Prince George's County.

November 2, 2010. [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/AgencyIndex/Elections/Election2010/General_2010/results-1.htm

[2] U.S. Census Bureau: State and CountyQuickFacts. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey,Census of Population and Housing, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates,State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, NonemployerStatistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits,Consolidated Federal Funds Report, Last Revised: Friday, 23-Dec-2011 [accessed January 2, 2011] http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/24/24033.html

[3] ElectionSummary Report. Summary For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Gubernatorial General Election, State of Maryland,Prince George's County.

November 2, 2010. [accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/AgencyIndex/Elections/Election2010/General_2010/results-1.htm

[4]Yes some of these are legal residents of other countries and not entitle toparticipate; and yes there are those who work here illegally providing inexpensivelabor and reducing costs or citizens of this county - one of the short cuts to wealthproduction mentioned above.

[5] MARYLANDSTATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS VOTER REGISTRATION ACTIVITY REPORT. November, 2010.[accessed January 2, 2012] http://www.elections.state.md.us/pdf/vrar/2010_11.pdf

Environmental justice is a concept missing in Prince George's County

2012-01-01T10:47:00.002-05:00

Environmentaljustice is my watch word for the coming year. Environmental justice is aconcept missing in Prince George's County. For reasons of expediency andpragmatic externalization of costs, Prince George's County has been led tobelieve that environmentalism is anti development which it is not. BecausePrince George's County development is about short term gain rather than long termproblem solving, its citizens are left in the dark when it comes to thenegative ecosystem impacts of development decisions. And more to the point,human health hazards that arise when ecosystems are damaged or destroyed are down-playedor obscured.

EnvironmentalJustice, according to the EPA, is the fair treatment and meaningful involvementof all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income withrespect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmentallaws, regulations, and policies. It willbe achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection fromenvironmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-makingprocess to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.[1] When is the last time your neighborhood wasasked for its environmental positions on a development project?

The mindsetwhich says that concerns about the environment are just tools of the anti-developmentcommunity, cleverly ensures that minority and low-income communities havelittle to no access to public information relating to human health andenvironmental planning, regulations and enforcement. We are told that all ofthis is anti-development blather. The result is that the elderly and children,are forced to shoulder a disproportionate burden of the negative human healthand environmental impacts of pollution or other environmental hazard.[2]

Thepushing of environmental damage onto economically challenged communities is notunique to Prince George's County. Whenwe have the choice to power our cars with batteries, we must power the batteryfrom a renewable source such as wind, thereby the killing bats, or reducing corn for fooddriving the price of food up impacting the least among us the most. But thereis more. For in demanding that the spentbatteries be recycled we send them to Africa to be recycled; where there thechildren of Africa die. Our lack of environmental justice plays out in the formof lead poisoned earth. The communitiesin Senegal were not asked to weigh in on the environmental damage developmentbrings.[3]The affluent externalize their quality of life onto some less-able-to-defendthemselves community.

Toodraconian an example you say? Consider then the floods of 2011 in PrinceGeorge's County. Environmental justice does not just cover chemicals. Stormwater management issues that arise from development policies are should be partof every conversation; not just the cleanup costs.[4] The article does not speak to the cost to homeowners and businesses impacted bythe environmental problems. So how about the poisoned ground water and surfacewater by ash disposal in Brandywine in Prince George's County?[5]

Concernsabout the environment are not always anti-development (though they can bepainted as such or used as such), but rather they are pro quality of life. Ifwe do not demand the best at the start of a project we most certainly will notget it at the end. Environmental justice ultimately means sacrifice, and not by Prince George'sCounty alone. We do not have to live in the shadows of environmental justice and downhill from theshining city of dreams.

[1] EPAHome Compliance and Enforcement Environmental Justice. December 08, 2011.[accessed January 1, 2012] http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/

[2] EnvironmentalJustice - Definition [accessed January 1, 2012] http://www.theoec.org/PDFs/EJDocs/EJDefinition.pdf

[3] JohnPeter Thompson. The Dream of Sustainability and its Deadly UnintendedConsequence. January 5, 2009 [accessed January 1, 2012] http://ipetrus.blogspot.com/2009/01/dream-of-sustainability-and-its-deadly.html

“THIAROYE SUR MER, Senegal —First, it took the animals. Goats fell silent and refused to stand up. Chickensdied in handfuls, then en masse. Street dogs disappeared. Then it took thechildren. Toddlers stopped talking and their legs gave out. Women birthedstillborns. Infants withered and died. Some said the houses were cursed. Otherssaid the families were cursed. The mysterious illness killed 18 children inthis town on the fringes of Dakar, Senegal’s capital, before anyone in theoutside world noticed.” By HEIDI VOGT, Associated Press, Jan 3rd, 2009

[4] Ben Giles. Flood caused $14 million in damageto Prince George's government building. December 29, 2011. {accessed January 1,2012] http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland/2011/12/flood-caused-14-million-damage-pg-government-building/2045376

[5]Tim Wheeler. MD threatens lawsuits over coal ash pollution. JAnuary 4. 2011. [accessedJanuary 1, 2012] http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2011/01/md_threatens_lawsuits_over_coa.html

Update: Salubria, Oxon Hill and National Harbor - Jan 4 2012 - One Last Time to be Heard

2011-12-31T09:50:00.000-05:00

Update on Salubria hearing

In path to building outlet mall, historic site stripped of protections

County commission rules Salubria plantation can be built over, eliminating hurdle for developer

by Mimi Liu, Staff Writer Gazzette January 6 2012

original post follows below:

The PrinceGeorge's County, Maryland, property knownoriginally as Mt. Salubria, is identified today in the Prince George’s CountyInventory of Historic Resources as #80-002. Salubria was designated as a PrinceGeorge’s County Historic Site on July 17, 1981. The historic house was builtcirca 1830 by Dr. John H. Bayne, a prominent physician, agriculturalist,nationally recognized horticulturalist, U.S. Army officer and firstsuperintendent of the county’s public schools as well as Maryland Delegate andState Senator. Salubria was home to five generations of the Bayne family untilits sale in 1984.[1]

The Salubriawas zoned M-X-T in 1994. The M-X-T zoning according county ordinances providesfor a variety of residential, commercial, and employment-related uses andmandates at least two out of the following three use categories: 1) retail; 2)office; 3) residential. The historic site’s environmental setting of 2.7 acreswas established in 1995 through the Historic Preservation Commission’s reviewof a development proposal. Through different corporate entities, the currentowner has held the property since 1999.[2]

NationalHarbor, the owner of the property wants to build an outlet shopping center onthe site of a historic Oxon Hill plantation in Prince George’s County, MD justmiles from downtown Washington DC as part of an overall holistic developmentplan for the entire area. Tanger FactoryOutlet Centers, Inc. and The Peterson Companies (NATIONAL Harbor) have enteredinto an agreement to build a Tanger Outlet Center with approximately 80 outletdesigner and name brand stores. The outlet shopping mall marketing plan is to attract"both domestic and international tourists visiting the nation's capitaland residents of Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia", according to an About.com Washington Dcon-line article. The Tanger Outlet Center construction project and retailoperations reportedly will create 400 construction and approximately 900 fulltime and part-time jobs.[3] The current conceptual site plan applicationCSP-11006 proposes a mixed-use development of retail, dining, office andhospitality uses of approximately 460,000 square feet along with supportinginfrastructure, including parking, grading, utilities, and landscaping on 43.79acres. The applicant’s submitted plan is based on the elimination of theSalubria historic site’s current 2.7-acre environmental (historic) setting.

Theproperty is subject to a number of zoning conditions. The developer hasrecently sought relief from two conditions that affect the character of thedevelopment of Salubria property. The structures on the property were allowedto continue to deteriorate.[4] On June 8, 2010 the Prince George’sCounty District Council approved the Prince George’s County Historic Sitesand Districts Plan with amendments per CR-51-2010 (Draft 2). The followinglanguage relevant to the Salubria Historic Site was inserted into the plan bythe District Council (page 144):[5]

Preservationin place that incorporates into any construction any significant

features– identified through required studies – is allowed if the significant site

featureswith appropriate interpretive elements are not relocated to a more

publicly accessible site.

In addition to theEuropean historic above ground structures lost through neglect and the potentialarchaeological information buried there, a second part of the property outside of thedesignated historic setting contains deeply buried, intact Native American features from a short-termresource processing and procurement site dating to the Late Woodland period (AD1300-1700). This portion of the property is eligible for inclusion in theNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

More information may be found bycontacting the Prince George's County historic preservation staff.[6] which provides support to the HistoricPreservation Commission through the review of historic area work permits,preservation tax credits, the preparation of architectural surveys, historicdistrict studies, and preservation outreach. Staff also provide advice tohistoric property owners on property maintenance and preservation. The sectionproduces historic preservation plans and publications on community history anddevelopment, architecture and architectural history, and design guidelines. TheHistoric Preservation Section maintains a resource library that has files onall documented properties.

Salubria hearing announcement

Tanger Outlet Center at National Harbor

Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

6:30 p.m.

1st Floor Media Conference Room

14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

www.mncppc.org/county/hpc.htm

·
Nicely done videoby Suan Gervasi on an important part of the History ofSalubria, a tale I am now calling: "Slavery and Strawberries - Murder andMysteries"

· John H. Bayne of SalubriaPrince George's County Slave-owner and Abolitionist, Horticulturist andPhysician, Politician and Citizen - Scientist

· History of John H Bayne,Salubria, Horticulture and Slavery

· The Strawberry And Its Cultureby John H. Bayne of Salubria, Prince George's County 1855

· Dr John H Bayne of SalubriaPrince George's County, Maryland, writes about strawberries in 1848

· Salubria - A MarylandPlantation Home by Pauline Collins 1992

· On the Cultivation of Fruits:Recognition of Dr John H Bayne of Salubria, Prince George's County, Maryland

· Dr. John H Bayne of SalubriaPrince George's County, Maryland & the Cultivation of Strawberries

· Report by Colonel John H Bayne of Salubria, Prince George'sCounty, MD Acting Assistant Surgeon, US Army

[1] Request to Eliminate Salubria Historic Site Environmental Setting(#80-002)/ CSP-11006, Salubria Center. December 27, 2011. [accessed December31, 2011] http://www.pgplanning.org/Assets/Planning/Historic+Preservation/HPC_12_23_2011.pdf

"The main house at Salubria was a 2½-story frame dwelling with kitchenwing and doctor’s office. The main house was severely damaged by fire in the1980s and 1990s. The immediate grounds of the main house included a number ofoutbuildings: a freestanding kitchen, a well house, a milk house/dairy, and abuilding identified through local tradition as a guest house/slave quarter. Ofthese, the milk house/dairy is believed to date to at least the middle of thenineteenth century. The other outbuildings present when the property wasdesignated as a historic site, specifically the kitchen, the well house, and alarge portion of the guest house/slave quarter, are believed to be the resultof an early- to mid-twentieth century building program. An examination of a1937 aerial photograph of the property indicates that the building, known asthe kitchen, does not appear to have been constructed as of that date. Thedemolition of the guest house/slave quarter in 2006 revealed selected elementsthat appeared to be nineteenth building materials; the majority of thisbuilding was of twentieth century construction techniques and materials. Thesouthern portion of the building, within which the older building material wasfound, stood on a rubble stone foundation that remains in place. The actual ageand historic use of the guest house/slave quarter is not known at this time."

[2] ibid.

[3] RachelCooper. Tanger Outlets at National Harbor. About.com Washington DC [accessedDecember 31, 2011] http://dc.about.com/od/marylandshoppingmalls/a/National-Harbor-Outlets.htm

[4] ob. cit. Request to Eliminate...

"The Environmental Setting of the Salubria Historic Site of 2.7acres was established in 1995 through the HPC’s review of a (conceptual) siteplan for the development of townhouses (SP-95020). At that time, although theframe plantation house was in ruinous condition, several other outbuildings inthe vicinity were in better condition. In 1993, the HPC initiated ademolition-by-neglect proceeding for the property based on the seriouslydeteriorated main house and immediate outbuildings. A citation was issued bythe Department of Environmental Resources (DER) on February 17, 1993. In 1994,DER issued a violation notice for the main house and a non-contributingaccessory structure."

[5] ibid.

[6] PrinceGeorge's County MNCPPC [accessed December 31, 2011] http://www.pgplanning.org/About-Planning/Our_Divisions/Countywide_Planning/Historic_Preservation.htm

"Historic preservationstaff provide support to the Historic Preservation Commission through thereview of historic area work permits, preservation tax credits, the preparationof architectural surveys, historic district studies, and preservation outreach.Staff also provide advice to historic property owners on property maintenanceand preservation. The section produces historic preservation plans andpublications on community history and development, architecture andarchitectural history, and design guidelines. The Historic Preservation Sectionmaintains a resource library that has files on all documented properties."

Colonial Maryland Slave Laws 25 - 29: Bacon's Laws of Maryland

2011-12-31T08:11:00.000-05:00

25. All Slaves belonging to the Owner of the Place, if required, shall aid the Constable, on Penalty of each receiving Thirty-nine Stripes on the bare Back.  Ibid.

    26. Every Constable, so appointed, shall be allowed 500 lb Tobacco in the County levy.  Ibid.  §. 4.

    27. Any Negro, or other Slave, convicted before a single Magistrate of striking any White Person, such Magistrate may cause one of the offending Slave's Ears to be Cropt.  Ibid.

28. The Owner of any Plantation may warn any strange Negro, or other Slaves, (not sent by their Owners on lawful Occasions) to be gone to their Owners; and, on Refusal or Delay so to do, may correct
such Slave by Whipping, not exceeding Thirty-nine Lashes.  Ibid. §. 5.

    29. Any Persons encouraging Negroes to meet in Companies on their Plantations, (unless on lawful Occasion) shall forfeit 1000 lb Tobacco to the Use aforesaid.  Ibid.

Bacon's Laws of Maryland . Vol 75 page 690. Maryland Archives

http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--690.pdf

PG 418-12 could provide property tax reductions for adaptive re-use

2011-12-30T12:48:00.000-05:00

Daniel Leaderman reports that PrinceGeorge's County Executive Baker seeks tax break for projects that spur growth.According to the Gazette article the county executive claims that the measurewould give Prince George's County another tool to attract business.[1] The legislation, PG 418-12, PrinceGeorge's County - Property Tax - Exemption for Economic Development Projects issponsored by Delegation Chair Griffith at the request of the County Executive.[2]

To compete with other cities andcounties and attract businesses Prince George's County could offer incentivesto businesses to locate to a particular area. Among the possible incentives aretax abatements, loan guarantees, municipal bonds and tax increment incentives.[3]For a company to invest in a particular location, it must assess the risks ofconducting business there and not somewhere else. Jurisdictions use economicdevelopment incentives to attract and retain business in the expectation of inducingthe production of goods or services that drive a local economy towardsprosperity. It should be kept in mind as noted by De La Cerda." that muchresearch shows that economic development incentives do not bring prosperity tolocal economies; rather, using incentives results in unfair competition amongbusinesses. Businesses begin pitting cities and counties against each other in battlesof who can provide the better development incentive."[4]

PG 418-12 would provide propertytax reductions for projects located "...within one–half mile of aWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority transit station or one–half-mile of a Maryland area regional commuter transit station, as measured from themain entrance of the building to the nearest entrance of the transitstation"[5] , revitalizationtax credit districts, and designated urban renewal areas. The legislation wouldpermit consideration of relief from property taxes over a fixed period time forreal estate development projects that consist of newly constructed orrehabilitated commercial or multifamily residential property if the real estate development project consistsof at least one of the following:

a hotel project a private capital investment of equity anddebt combined of at least $20,000,000 that will provide at least 100 full–timeequivalent job opportunities; and
an office building project with private capital investment of equity and debtcombined of at least $20,000,000 that provides at least 150 full–time equivalent job opportunities
a retail facility with a private capital investment of equityand debt combined of at least $10,000,000 that provides at least 100 full–time equivalent job opportunities
multifamily residential facility with a private capitalinvestment of equity and debt combined of at least $5,000,000
an off–street parking facility that a. contains at least 250parking spaces and has a private capitalinvestment of equity and debt combined of at least $2,500,000

County executive Baker is on theright track. PG 418-12 needs careful considerationand review, but could be a helpful tool for the adaptive re-use andrevitalization of our established communities . Now we need to dream big - ofprojects more than just parking garages like hi-tech agroscience researchcenters, alternative energy industries and information technology companies.[6]

· Prince George's: County of LimitedVision -

· Adaptive re-use, sustainabledevelopment & Prince ...

· Adaptive Re-use in Prince George'sCounty seems be...

· Prince George's County MarylandTalks Green but Wa...

· Prince George's: County of LimitedVision -

· Meet the 27 HistoricMunicipalities of Prince Geor...

· Sustainable Economic Developmentfor Prince George...

[1] DanielLeaderman. December 28, 2011. Baker seeks break for projects that spurgrowth. [accessed December 30, 2011] http://www.gazette.net/article/20111228/NEWS/799999613/1029/baker-seeks-property-tax-break-for-projects-that-spur-growth-jobs%26template%3dgazette&template=gazette

[2] SynopsisPG 418-12 [accessed December 30, 2011] http://www.princegeorgeshousedelegation.com/legislation/bill-history?local=PG%20418-12

For the purpose of providing certain exemptions fromcounty property tax under certain circumstances for certain economicdevelopment projects located in certain designated focus areas in PrinceGeorge's County; setting forth certain requirements in order to qualify for theproperty tax exemption; requiring certain annual reports on projects for whichPrince George's County has entered in payment in lieu of taxes agreements;defining certain terms; and generally relating to a property tax exemption forcertain property located in Prince George's County.

[3] DeLa Cerda, Joeseph E., "Economic Development: An Economic Impact Analysisof Tax Incentives on a Local Economy" (2010). Applied Research Projects,Texas State University-San Marcos. Paper 341. [accessed December 30, 2011] http://ecommons.txstate.edu/arp/341

[4] Ibid.

Discussion: Overall, theresearch indicates that the construction and opening of

Cabela’s had a significantimpact on the immediate surge in sales tax revenue. Although, minus

the secondary benefits toquality of life and stronger business presence, the presence of Cabela’s

did not lead to a significantincrease in the trend of sales tax revenue after Cabela’s opened.

[5] Op. cit. PG 418-12

[6] I note that this legislation does not addresssmall business needs and hope that some incentives for small and medium sizebusiness might be considered

Salubria hearing Tanger Outlet Center at National Harbor - January 4th 2012 Application for a Change of Environmental Setting (Historic Site #80-002)

2011-12-28T15:49:00.001-05:00

Salubria hearing announcement

Tanger Outlet Center at National Harbor

Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

6:30 p.m.

1st Floor Media Conference Room

14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive

Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

www.mncppc.org/county/hpc.htm

Agenda

Meeting location and agenda order are subject to change.

For confirmation, please call 301-952-3520.

6:30 p.m.
1. Application for a Change of Environmental Setting (to be heard with Item 2.) Salubria (Historic Site #80-002)
6901 Oxon Hill Road
Oxon Hill MD
Applicant’s Representative: William Shipp, Esquire
O’Malley, Miles, Nylen and Gilmore
11785 Beltsville Drive, 10th Floor
Calverton MD 20705
Owner: Pinnacle Harbor LLC
12500 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 400
Fairfax VA 22033
Description: Request to eliminate environmental setting and historic site designation

2. Development Referral
CSP-11006-Salubria Center
Applicant’s Representative: Andre J. Gingles, Esquire
Gingles, LLC
11785 Beltsville Drive, Suite 1350
Calverton MD 20705
Owner: Pinnacle Harbor LLC
12500 Fair Lakes Circle, Suite 400
Fairfax VA 22033
Description: Construction of 460,000 square feet of retail, dining, office,
and hospitality uses
8:30 p.m. 3. Commission–Staff Items
A. Approval of Meeting Summary – November 15, 2011
B. Correspondence Report (to be handed out)
C. Property Update - Old Marlboro High School (#79-019-52)
D. Other/New Business
9:00 p.m. 4. Adjourn