There are two more meetings on the question of the loan request for the town's spray irrigation upgrade. Thursday, March 27, 2008, there will be a meeting at 7:00 PM in the Ridgely House devoted entirely to this question. And, Monday, April 7, 2008, there will be final discussion and a vote at the Commissioner's monthly 7:00 PM meeting at the Ridgely House.
Last night, the Planning and Zoning Commission met and the question dominated our meeting like a 900 pound gorilla sitting in the middle of the room. We all wanted to know how we got into this position and had voted for a Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA) that doesn't cover all the costs of development. No matter how good a development might be, our citizens SHOULD NEVER PAY FOR DEVELOPMENT. The question of the spray irrigation upgrade could have been addressed in the DRRA in a way that would have required the developer to make the upgrade first.
Commission member Martin Sokolich brought up the fact that the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) has recently been more strictly enforcing its regulations. Municipalities are no longer being allowed to do what was once considered standard.
For my part, I APOLIGIZE FOR MY VOTE ON THE DRRA. We shouldn't be in the position that we are now in. Although not standard procedure, I should have gone to MDE myself. (In this case, only the Town Manager contacted MDE.) They should have been at our meetings. In the future, we will not consider contracts with developers without MDE.
The question now, however, is whether or not we should complicate a bad situation with a risky loan. The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT! The only prudent course is to apply for grants to make the upgrade. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a program that could help. This, of course, might put Ridgely Park at risk because of the time involved. We have a classic choice here between the lesser of two evils.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
No Higher Water Sewer Bills For Development!
Monday night the Ridgley Park developer did not come forward with the funding in advance for the spray irrigation system. They are, however, contractually obligated to pay for it if and when their project is well under way. This leaves the town with the choice of whether or not to borrow $1.5 million to build it ourselves for Ridgely Park.
We are being told that we've always had this "need" and we need to get the funding ASAP. Yet, we are still being told by the administration that our current system will hold an additional 247 homes. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS! IT'S EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER.
IF I HAD ANY IDEA THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, I WOULD NEVER HAVE VOTED FOR THE DEVELOPERS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AGREEMENT UNLESS IT CLEARLY STIPULATED THAT THEY WOULD UPGRADE OUR SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN ADVANCE! I FEEL I'VE BEEN MISLED, NOT BY THE DEVELOPERS BUT BY OUR OWN ADMINISTRATION! WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS POSITION OF EVEN CONSIDERING A LOAN FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH COULD RAISE WATER SEWER BILLS.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO STOP THIS TRAVESTY. NO VOTE ON THE LOAN HAS BEEN TAKEN. THE LOAN IS DANGEROUS TO OUR FISCAL FUTURE AND WOULD BE STRONGLY OPPOSED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS IF THEY REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NO TAXPAYER MONEY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND NO INCREASE IN OUR WATER SEWER BILLS FOR DEVELOPMENT!!
We are being told that we've always had this "need" and we need to get the funding ASAP. Yet, we are still being told by the administration that our current system will hold an additional 247 homes. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS! IT'S EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER.
IF I HAD ANY IDEA THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, I WOULD NEVER HAVE VOTED FOR THE DEVELOPERS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AGREEMENT UNLESS IT CLEARLY STIPULATED THAT THEY WOULD UPGRADE OUR SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN ADVANCE! I FEEL I'VE BEEN MISLED, NOT BY THE DEVELOPERS BUT BY OUR OWN ADMINISTRATION! WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS POSITION OF EVEN CONSIDERING A LOAN FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH COULD RAISE WATER SEWER BILLS.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO STOP THIS TRAVESTY. NO VOTE ON THE LOAN HAS BEEN TAKEN. THE LOAN IS DANGEROUS TO OUR FISCAL FUTURE AND WOULD BE STRONGLY OPPOSED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS IF THEY REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NO TAXPAYER MONEY FOR DEVELOPMENT AND NO INCREASE IN OUR WATER SEWER BILLS FOR DEVELOPMENT!!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
No Ridgely Roulette!
The residents of Ridgely should NEVER have to PAY FOR DEVELOPMENT. Yet, there is now a proposal before the Commissioners to borrow $1.5 million to improve our spray irrigation system because the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) won't approve plans for our Ridgely Park project until improvements are made. Paying back the loan could COST RESIDENTS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER WATER SEWER BILLS.
Improving the spray irrigation system is an idea that has been around a few years. However, it was NEVER CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY. Money to pay for these improvements was included in the Developer's Rights and Responsibilities agreement (DRRA)negotiated between the developers of the 403 home Ridgely Park development and the town. Ridgely Park was to pay for phase I of the spray irrigation upgrade prior to the issuance of their 185th building permit, followed by the funding for phase II of the new spray irrigation system.
ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO, OUR TOWN MANAGER WAS MAKING THE CASE TO MDE THAT OUR SYSTEM WAS FINE AND COULD ACCOMMODATE THE FIRST PORTION OF RIDGELY PARK AND SOME SMALLER DEVELOPMENTS TOTALING 247 UNITS.
NOW, WE ARE BEING TOLD THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE TOWN NEEDS TO BORROW MONEY ASAP. What has happened? How in only a VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ARE WE FACED WITH AN EMERGENCY WATER SEWER PROBLEM? A letter to the town received from MDE dated February 15th stating that "any additional allocations should await the installation and successful operation of the newly configured spray irrigation system" highlights our problem. Some small developments totalling 27 homes are permitted but NO OTHER DEVELOPMENT WILL BE APPROVED UNTIL SPRAY IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE. This is the "EMERGENCY" and it means that it is obvious that the upgrade is to accommodate new development. This means that MDE grant funding is out of the question since there are no MDE grants made for development.
The Town Manager's solution is the quick fix or a loan for $1.5 million. Such a course of action is potentially catastrophic. Our budget is already way off target and the loan will be added to what we already owe for our existing system. This, of course, is going to be done with in the context of a record housing market slump.
Ridgely Park as noted above is contractually obligated to pay for the system upgrade. But, the agreement allows them 184 building permits for 184 houses on our current system BEFORE this obligation must be meant. Since MDE won't allow this, do we want to carry a $1.5 million loan hoping Ridgely Park stays through this point? If they walk, the debt is all ours.
This piece of ground will eventually be developed. If Ridgely Park leaves town it would be a shame for the town. Ridgely Park is an excellent concept put forth by people who have pioneered smart growth and traditional neighborhood development in Maryland. These people and their plans respect our community. However, RIDGELY PARK NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE and to make the improvements to our spray irrigation system FIRST, and not AFTER the 184th home.
GOING INTO DEBT IS A HUGE GAMBLE FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE. THE TOWN MANAGER WHO PROPOSES THIS COURSE OF ACTION ONLY STAYS HERE A FEW NIGHTS A WEEK IN A RENTAL AND HASN'T BECOME THE STAKEHOLDER IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAD HOPED. He certainly won't feel our pain if he is wrong. In fact, the Town Manager can pick up and leave for another job anytime.
The Commissioners and Ridgely Staff will be meeting with the Ridgely Park developers Monday, March 17th at the Ridgely House at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Gearhart is opposed to taking out the $1.5 million loan. The best solution would be for the developers to include all the payments for the spray irrigation upgrade FIRST and not after the 184th home. Then, of course, the town would not need a loan. This, in fact, is the only solution to our problem that puts the residents of Ridgely first.
There are times in life when we all must take a stand. Let the Commissioners know that WE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WANT THEM TO PUT RIDGELY FIRST. DON'T MAKE A $1.5 MILLION GAMBLE WITH OUR FUTURE. WE THE RIDGELY RESIDENTS DO NOT SUPPORT ANY LOANS FOR DEVELOPMENT!!
Improving the spray irrigation system is an idea that has been around a few years. However, it was NEVER CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY. Money to pay for these improvements was included in the Developer's Rights and Responsibilities agreement (DRRA)negotiated between the developers of the 403 home Ridgely Park development and the town. Ridgely Park was to pay for phase I of the spray irrigation upgrade prior to the issuance of their 185th building permit, followed by the funding for phase II of the new spray irrigation system.
ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO, OUR TOWN MANAGER WAS MAKING THE CASE TO MDE THAT OUR SYSTEM WAS FINE AND COULD ACCOMMODATE THE FIRST PORTION OF RIDGELY PARK AND SOME SMALLER DEVELOPMENTS TOTALING 247 UNITS.
NOW, WE ARE BEING TOLD THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE TOWN NEEDS TO BORROW MONEY ASAP. What has happened? How in only a VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ARE WE FACED WITH AN EMERGENCY WATER SEWER PROBLEM? A letter to the town received from MDE dated February 15th stating that "any additional allocations should await the installation and successful operation of the newly configured spray irrigation system" highlights our problem. Some small developments totalling 27 homes are permitted but NO OTHER DEVELOPMENT WILL BE APPROVED UNTIL SPRAY IRRIGATION IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE. This is the "EMERGENCY" and it means that it is obvious that the upgrade is to accommodate new development. This means that MDE grant funding is out of the question since there are no MDE grants made for development.
The Town Manager's solution is the quick fix or a loan for $1.5 million. Such a course of action is potentially catastrophic. Our budget is already way off target and the loan will be added to what we already owe for our existing system. This, of course, is going to be done with in the context of a record housing market slump.
Ridgely Park as noted above is contractually obligated to pay for the system upgrade. But, the agreement allows them 184 building permits for 184 houses on our current system BEFORE this obligation must be meant. Since MDE won't allow this, do we want to carry a $1.5 million loan hoping Ridgely Park stays through this point? If they walk, the debt is all ours.
This piece of ground will eventually be developed. If Ridgely Park leaves town it would be a shame for the town. Ridgely Park is an excellent concept put forth by people who have pioneered smart growth and traditional neighborhood development in Maryland. These people and their plans respect our community. However, RIDGELY PARK NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE and to make the improvements to our spray irrigation system FIRST, and not AFTER the 184th home.
GOING INTO DEBT IS A HUGE GAMBLE FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE HERE. THE TOWN MANAGER WHO PROPOSES THIS COURSE OF ACTION ONLY STAYS HERE A FEW NIGHTS A WEEK IN A RENTAL AND HASN'T BECOME THE STAKEHOLDER IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE HAD HOPED. He certainly won't feel our pain if he is wrong. In fact, the Town Manager can pick up and leave for another job anytime.
The Commissioners and Ridgely Staff will be meeting with the Ridgely Park developers Monday, March 17th at the Ridgely House at 6:00 PM. Commissioner Gearhart is opposed to taking out the $1.5 million loan. The best solution would be for the developers to include all the payments for the spray irrigation upgrade FIRST and not after the 184th home. Then, of course, the town would not need a loan. This, in fact, is the only solution to our problem that puts the residents of Ridgely first.
There are times in life when we all must take a stand. Let the Commissioners know that WE THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WANT THEM TO PUT RIDGELY FIRST. DON'T MAKE A $1.5 MILLION GAMBLE WITH OUR FUTURE. WE THE RIDGELY RESIDENTS DO NOT SUPPORT ANY LOANS FOR DEVELOPMENT!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Quote And Unquote
Commissioner Gearhart is quoted in today's papers (Star Democrat and Times Record)as saying she would be "willing to pay $1 a day for her toilet to continue working". This is not what she said and a correction is in order. She along with many other residents of Ridgely question the need to pay a $1 a day more if there is no water sewer emergency. IF the 1.5 million loan request (which could lead to citizens paying more for water sewer)is for development, she opposes putting such a burden on town residents.
This is the big question before the town. The Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (which the Planning and Zoning Commission negotiated with the developer of Ridgely Park) puts the burden of payment for the improvements to the spray irrigation system on the developer. Taking out a loan now puts the burden on us. Is there now an emergency situation which requires us to take out this large loan instead of waiting for the developer to do what they are contractually committed to doing?
A detailed blog post on this important issue is forthcoming.
This is the big question before the town. The Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (which the Planning and Zoning Commission negotiated with the developer of Ridgely Park) puts the burden of payment for the improvements to the spray irrigation system on the developer. Taking out a loan now puts the burden on us. Is there now an emergency situation which requires us to take out this large loan instead of waiting for the developer to do what they are contractually committed to doing?
A detailed blog post on this important issue is forthcoming.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Smoke And Mirrors Show At The Ridgely House (The Real State Of The Town)
Ridgely is heading in the wrong direction.
According to Maryland State auditors our town has borrowed $162,716.00 (pgs. 16 & 20, Ridgely 2007 Financial Report)from our water/sewer fund to keep the general fund afloat. This is despite the fact THAT THE COMMISSIONERS PASSED BALANCED BUDGETS! Don't let anyone around here "SPIN" it otherwise, the money will have to be paid back which will require major budget restraint and/or A WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASE to fix the problem.
Our problem is due to the fact that money is being spent as if all Ridgely's stalled development projects have been approved by the Maryland Department of Environment and were on schedule. This is despite the fact that THE COMMISSIONERS WERE ASSURED THAT FUTURE REVENUES FROM DEVELOPERS WEREN'T BEING SPENT.
So far, the only solution to the budget fiasco is a NEW AMENDED BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. SMOKE AND MIRRORS won't solve our problems. The proposed budget deletes the developer fees and adds a 1.5 million dollar loan instead.
A second serious and expensive problem comes from the ghost of developments past, Lister Estates. The streets there are STILL NOT FINISHED. Much of the developer bond was returned and the Commissioners were not told until after the fact! Now there is only $300,000.00 left. If the recent repair of 3rd street cost $150,000.00, clearly $300,000.00 is not enough to complete Lister Estate's streets if the developer walks. What is worse, is the fact that the developers of Lister Estates are claiming WE OWE THEM for the pavement of Walnut St. because of a VERBAL agreement with an earlier town administration. It will end up in a court fight and we will never get what we are owed. Well, guess who will have to PAY to fix this mess? Can anyone spell TAXPAYERS?
It was hoped that by having our Town Manager living here and making him a stakeholder in our community that we'd never face the type of problems outlined above. However, THE TOWN MANAGER STILL DOESN'T REALLY LIVE HERE. As many of you know, he's only at his rental address a few days a week. At how many public meetings did he make it clear that he knew what living here really meant? Over and over he told us that he and his family were looking for a home here. He clearly knows what was expected. Does he take us for fools?
If the Commissioners were to force the issue and it ended up in court, he probably would win. His rental address on a license would count toward establishing residency. Is this, however, how we should conduct business with someone we are supposed to trust? A couple of nights a week in a rental, and a new license, doesn't mean that he lives here or is a stakeholder in our community! If we can't trust him on this matter how can we trust him on other matters? Are we also being taken for fools with the smoke and mirrors budget proposals?
Whenever, Commissioner Gearhart starts raising heck about these and many other lapses, she is accused of not letting the "professionals" do their jobs. Well folks, someone needs to be paying attention and doing their job on behalf of the Ridgely taxpayers. ALL the Commissioners need to wake up to the fact that it's time for a bit of housekeeping up at the Ridgely House. I'm sure none of your households use the "Ridgely House method" of budget management! Commissioner Gearhart is firmly opposed to such fiscal funny business. Contact the other Commissioners or go to their meeting to encourage fiscal sanity. IT IS YOUR MONEY AND YOUR TOWN.
Finally, the REQUEST FOR A 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN for our waste water spray irrigation system (the whole story about this issue will appear on this blog as soon as all the facts are in)should be A SEPARATE ISSUE. It should NOT be considered as part of the above amended budget.
According to Maryland State auditors our town has borrowed $162,716.00 (pgs. 16 & 20, Ridgely 2007 Financial Report)from our water/sewer fund to keep the general fund afloat. This is despite the fact THAT THE COMMISSIONERS PASSED BALANCED BUDGETS! Don't let anyone around here "SPIN" it otherwise, the money will have to be paid back which will require major budget restraint and/or A WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASE to fix the problem.
Our problem is due to the fact that money is being spent as if all Ridgely's stalled development projects have been approved by the Maryland Department of Environment and were on schedule. This is despite the fact that THE COMMISSIONERS WERE ASSURED THAT FUTURE REVENUES FROM DEVELOPERS WEREN'T BEING SPENT.
So far, the only solution to the budget fiasco is a NEW AMENDED BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. SMOKE AND MIRRORS won't solve our problems. The proposed budget deletes the developer fees and adds a 1.5 million dollar loan instead.
A second serious and expensive problem comes from the ghost of developments past, Lister Estates. The streets there are STILL NOT FINISHED. Much of the developer bond was returned and the Commissioners were not told until after the fact! Now there is only $300,000.00 left. If the recent repair of 3rd street cost $150,000.00, clearly $300,000.00 is not enough to complete Lister Estate's streets if the developer walks. What is worse, is the fact that the developers of Lister Estates are claiming WE OWE THEM for the pavement of Walnut St. because of a VERBAL agreement with an earlier town administration. It will end up in a court fight and we will never get what we are owed. Well, guess who will have to PAY to fix this mess? Can anyone spell TAXPAYERS?
It was hoped that by having our Town Manager living here and making him a stakeholder in our community that we'd never face the type of problems outlined above. However, THE TOWN MANAGER STILL DOESN'T REALLY LIVE HERE. As many of you know, he's only at his rental address a few days a week. At how many public meetings did he make it clear that he knew what living here really meant? Over and over he told us that he and his family were looking for a home here. He clearly knows what was expected. Does he take us for fools?
If the Commissioners were to force the issue and it ended up in court, he probably would win. His rental address on a license would count toward establishing residency. Is this, however, how we should conduct business with someone we are supposed to trust? A couple of nights a week in a rental, and a new license, doesn't mean that he lives here or is a stakeholder in our community! If we can't trust him on this matter how can we trust him on other matters? Are we also being taken for fools with the smoke and mirrors budget proposals?
Whenever, Commissioner Gearhart starts raising heck about these and many other lapses, she is accused of not letting the "professionals" do their jobs. Well folks, someone needs to be paying attention and doing their job on behalf of the Ridgely taxpayers. ALL the Commissioners need to wake up to the fact that it's time for a bit of housekeeping up at the Ridgely House. I'm sure none of your households use the "Ridgely House method" of budget management! Commissioner Gearhart is firmly opposed to such fiscal funny business. Contact the other Commissioners or go to their meeting to encourage fiscal sanity. IT IS YOUR MONEY AND YOUR TOWN.
Finally, the REQUEST FOR A 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN for our waste water spray irrigation system (the whole story about this issue will appear on this blog as soon as all the facts are in)should be A SEPARATE ISSUE. It should NOT be considered as part of the above amended budget.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Quotas And Set Asides Coming To A Small Town Near You
History is as interesting as it is often tragic.
Once upon a time, in the name of "democracy", Germany, limited the access of a talented and successful minority of its population to a whole host of occupations and positions within society. Of course, we all now know that the Nazis had a lot worse in store for the Jews than ruining careers. German Jews were successful and that led to resentment, which was, of course, Hitler's political capital. Power and not democracy was the focus of the Nazis agenda and removing a "pesky" group of people seen to be blocking the road to power was the goal.
The Maoists during the "cultural revolution" promoted a leveling agenda that specifically excluding informed and articulate academics from their occupations. In the name of equality and "democracy", they were sent to fields to be worked to death. Again, these folks stood in the way of the communists and their dream of their "democratic" ideals and power.
America is a "kinder gentler nation" when promoting quotas and set asides. Here, "democratic" inclusion goes under the name of "affirmative action". However, a quota by any other name is still the same. FOR SOMEONE TO BE PUT FIRST IN LINE, SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO BE HELD BACK. Of course, voting blocks and political parties seeking good old fashion power are the engine that drives the "affirmative action" phenomenon.
What does this have to do with reality in small town America? Every type of foolishness eventually comes to town. And, there are small towns where town managers propose limiting how much citizen volunteers may serve their town. In the cases I'm familiar with, the criteria has nothing to do with righting old racial wrongs. Such proposals are promoted in order to "open up" more positions and bring more people "in" and make the system more "democratic". Plain and simple, it's a "set aside" or quota system. Such proposals are all the more amazing when NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN TURNED AWAY FROM THE VOLUNTEER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT DETERMINE TOWN POLICIES. In fact, there are rarely enough people available to even fill the openings on most of the town boards and commissions. WHY WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS MOST TOWNS FACE WOULD SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEEN ADDED TO AN AGENDA? I submit that this smarmy move is a SET ASIDE for THOSE WHO WILL SAY "YES " to whatever an administration proposes. The INFORMED citizens who give of their time and serve on multiple boards and commissions or boards are simply in the way of those who would lead us in a direction only the UNINFORMED would follow.
Once upon a time, in the name of "democracy", Germany, limited the access of a talented and successful minority of its population to a whole host of occupations and positions within society. Of course, we all now know that the Nazis had a lot worse in store for the Jews than ruining careers. German Jews were successful and that led to resentment, which was, of course, Hitler's political capital. Power and not democracy was the focus of the Nazis agenda and removing a "pesky" group of people seen to be blocking the road to power was the goal.
The Maoists during the "cultural revolution" promoted a leveling agenda that specifically excluding informed and articulate academics from their occupations. In the name of equality and "democracy", they were sent to fields to be worked to death. Again, these folks stood in the way of the communists and their dream of their "democratic" ideals and power.
America is a "kinder gentler nation" when promoting quotas and set asides. Here, "democratic" inclusion goes under the name of "affirmative action". However, a quota by any other name is still the same. FOR SOMEONE TO BE PUT FIRST IN LINE, SOMEONE ELSE HAS TO BE HELD BACK. Of course, voting blocks and political parties seeking good old fashion power are the engine that drives the "affirmative action" phenomenon.
What does this have to do with reality in small town America? Every type of foolishness eventually comes to town. And, there are small towns where town managers propose limiting how much citizen volunteers may serve their town. In the cases I'm familiar with, the criteria has nothing to do with righting old racial wrongs. Such proposals are promoted in order to "open up" more positions and bring more people "in" and make the system more "democratic". Plain and simple, it's a "set aside" or quota system. Such proposals are all the more amazing when NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN TURNED AWAY FROM THE VOLUNTEER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS THAT DETERMINE TOWN POLICIES. In fact, there are rarely enough people available to even fill the openings on most of the town boards and commissions. WHY WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS MOST TOWNS FACE WOULD SOMETHING THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM BEEN ADDED TO AN AGENDA? I submit that this smarmy move is a SET ASIDE for THOSE WHO WILL SAY "YES " to whatever an administration proposes. The INFORMED citizens who give of their time and serve on multiple boards and commissions or boards are simply in the way of those who would lead us in a direction only the UNINFORMED would follow.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Obamamania Or Bust
Barack Hussein Obama, if nominated, now has a chance of success in November. Supporters swooning and tearing up at his rallies is a phenomenon not seen in America since the sixties. This doesn't mean, however, that the Democrats are guaranteed the Presidency. As it has RECENTLY developed, this election is now ONLY a Democrat VICTORY WITH OBAMA.
First, the conservative opposition to John McCain is a major factor in the growing possibilty for a Democrat victory this November. Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are right in depicting McCain as a chameleon. And, they have already done major damage to his candidacy that will lead many to third parties or on a proverbial fishing trip on election day.
From the right, however, it is Pat Buchanan who is in the position to deliver the knock out blow. There is no forgiving McCain on the Paleo-right. Despite the war, most of it grudgingly voted Republican in the close 2004 election, and, were paid back with a Supreme Court judge. However, McCain isn't trusted on the Supreme Court and he certainly is not trusted on Iraq (and Iran). Don't forget that Buchanan has opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. Buchanan takes McCain at his word when he says that we could be in Iraq for 100 years. Because of the war (and other issues such as "free" trade), Buchanan's magazine the "American Conservative", even flirted with the possibility of a Ralph Nader endorsement back in 2004. Now that Nader is once again considering a run for the presidency (if no anti-war candidate wins the Democratic nomination), he could be able to count much of the Buchanan anti-war right among his supporters.
Would the war be enough to transfer Paleo votes to Obama if he as the anti war canadidate wins the Democrat nomination and Nader doesn't run? Thinking about the war producing such an outcome is mind-boggling. He is the most liberal member of the Senate. The fact that he has gotten as close as he has to the presidency is, however, also mind boggling. Support from the Paleo right for him may come indirectly through the already mentioned election day fishing trips.
The next important ingrediant is the Clintons. Today, Hillary slipped behind in Texas polls. This leaves her Pennsylvannia, Ohio and the "super delegates" with which to pull out a victory. Pennsylvania is still very much in play. Despite the Osama Obama phemonenon that I referred to in Philly (January 4th post), the older voters from Philly's river wards and other older traditional Democrats in the coalfields from Shamokin to Scranton may not be enough to save her. Remember, vote rich Philly is three cities. In this case, the young and liberal mostly white Center City will unite with the black North and West to give Obama the edge in PA. What's Ohio going to do? It's similar to PA with Cleveland analogous to Philly. Ohio is no firewall for the Clintons either.
If they can't win with the voters, this only leaves them with the "super delegates". The Clintons have a lot of IOUs out there and many of the "super delegates" are recipients of the Clinton largess. Winning enough of them is still a very big question. However, WINNING the nomination WITH the "SUPERS" would be an absolutely WORTHLESS Phyrric victory. With Obama having made it so far, the sense of BETRAYAL that would overwhelm the black base of the Democrat party would sink any chance of victory in November.
To my Democrat friends, it's Obama or bust!
First, the conservative opposition to John McCain is a major factor in the growing possibilty for a Democrat victory this November. Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh are right in depicting McCain as a chameleon. And, they have already done major damage to his candidacy that will lead many to third parties or on a proverbial fishing trip on election day.
From the right, however, it is Pat Buchanan who is in the position to deliver the knock out blow. There is no forgiving McCain on the Paleo-right. Despite the war, most of it grudgingly voted Republican in the close 2004 election, and, were paid back with a Supreme Court judge. However, McCain isn't trusted on the Supreme Court and he certainly is not trusted on Iraq (and Iran). Don't forget that Buchanan has opposed the Iraq war from the beginning. Buchanan takes McCain at his word when he says that we could be in Iraq for 100 years. Because of the war (and other issues such as "free" trade), Buchanan's magazine the "American Conservative", even flirted with the possibility of a Ralph Nader endorsement back in 2004. Now that Nader is once again considering a run for the presidency (if no anti-war candidate wins the Democratic nomination), he could be able to count much of the Buchanan anti-war right among his supporters.
Would the war be enough to transfer Paleo votes to Obama if he as the anti war canadidate wins the Democrat nomination and Nader doesn't run? Thinking about the war producing such an outcome is mind-boggling. He is the most liberal member of the Senate. The fact that he has gotten as close as he has to the presidency is, however, also mind boggling. Support from the Paleo right for him may come indirectly through the already mentioned election day fishing trips.
The next important ingrediant is the Clintons. Today, Hillary slipped behind in Texas polls. This leaves her Pennsylvannia, Ohio and the "super delegates" with which to pull out a victory. Pennsylvania is still very much in play. Despite the Osama Obama phemonenon that I referred to in Philly (January 4th post), the older voters from Philly's river wards and other older traditional Democrats in the coalfields from Shamokin to Scranton may not be enough to save her. Remember, vote rich Philly is three cities. In this case, the young and liberal mostly white Center City will unite with the black North and West to give Obama the edge in PA. What's Ohio going to do? It's similar to PA with Cleveland analogous to Philly. Ohio is no firewall for the Clintons either.
If they can't win with the voters, this only leaves them with the "super delegates". The Clintons have a lot of IOUs out there and many of the "super delegates" are recipients of the Clinton largess. Winning enough of them is still a very big question. However, WINNING the nomination WITH the "SUPERS" would be an absolutely WORTHLESS Phyrric victory. With Obama having made it so far, the sense of BETRAYAL that would overwhelm the black base of the Democrat party would sink any chance of victory in November.
To my Democrat friends, it's Obama or bust!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Development Dependency Complex
Development is like a drug addiction for some small towns. This town needs to be careful not to yield to the temptation to use the fees to be generated by development as the cornerstone of its budget. It's a deal with the Devil and the temptation is right here on our doorstep. WE MUST NOT GO INTO DEBT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT DEVELOPERS AND THEIR FEES. Ridgely must be careful to continue with the policy that DEVELOPMENT MUST PAY ITS OWN WAY.
Many of you have heard about the problems that Ridgely faces with getting its development plans approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Many of you also know that our town is way off budget. Sadly, spending has gone on as if everything was already approved and the money needed has been taken from the water/sewer fund. If(and it's still a big "if")the Ridgely Park development falls through because of the delays, we must NOT go ahead and borrow money (about $5 million) to build a wastewater treatment plant. If Ridgely Park is not OK, Ridgely and its plans to build a wastewater treatment plant are not OK. Ridgely Park is to pay for the plant. This fact can't be more plain and simple.
THE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE FOR DEVELOPERS TO MAKE HUGE PROFITS. The town has correctly made sure developers cover their costs to the citizens of Ridgely. We've increased our impact fees from $3,000.00 (at the time of Lister Estates) to $12,000.oo (by the time Ridgely Park was proposed). Ridgely Park is a carefully planned development that RESPECTS our community traditions AND IT WOULD PAY ITS OWN WAY. WE SHOULD SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. Without it, we are back to the drawing board. And, we should certainly not put ourselves as a community over a financial barrel. WE MUST NOT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE MUST DEVELOP IN ORDER TO PAY FOR DEFICIT SPENDING.
We are not alone in facing such a problem. Below is a link to a town that is still fighting to regain control of its destiny after making mistakes. >http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=13844
Many of you have heard about the problems that Ridgely faces with getting its development plans approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment. Many of you also know that our town is way off budget. Sadly, spending has gone on as if everything was already approved and the money needed has been taken from the water/sewer fund. If(and it's still a big "if")the Ridgely Park development falls through because of the delays, we must NOT go ahead and borrow money (about $5 million) to build a wastewater treatment plant. If Ridgely Park is not OK, Ridgely and its plans to build a wastewater treatment plant are not OK. Ridgely Park is to pay for the plant. This fact can't be more plain and simple.
THE PEOPLE OF THIS TOWN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE FOR DEVELOPERS TO MAKE HUGE PROFITS. The town has correctly made sure developers cover their costs to the citizens of Ridgely. We've increased our impact fees from $3,000.00 (at the time of Lister Estates) to $12,000.oo (by the time Ridgely Park was proposed). Ridgely Park is a carefully planned development that RESPECTS our community traditions AND IT WOULD PAY ITS OWN WAY. WE SHOULD SETTLE FOR NOTHING LESS. Without it, we are back to the drawing board. And, we should certainly not put ourselves as a community over a financial barrel. WE MUST NOT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE MUST DEVELOP IN ORDER TO PAY FOR DEFICIT SPENDING.
We are not alone in facing such a problem. Below is a link to a town that is still fighting to regain control of its destiny after making mistakes. >http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=13844
Monday, January 14, 2008
Religious Freedom And Obama's Conversion To Christianity
Whether he is elected President or not, Barack Hussein Obama 's candidacy could do much to promote religious freedom world-wide. The simple fact is that Obama is a apostate Muslim. His father and stepfather were Muslims. He attended Muslim religious schools early in life. He is, therefore, according to Sharia law a Muslim. Today, he is under that same law, as an apostate, living under a "death sentence". How Obama deals with questions of his conversion to Christianity will provide his greatest legacy.
Most Westerners are not aware of the fact that conversion from Islam carries such a threat. Only the few brave Christian missionaries who dare to venture forth into Muslim lands have run up against this harsh reality. In his case, it's unlikely that anyone could penetrate through his Secret Service bubble to carry out the "sentence". The threat of harm isn't the big question here. How the Muslim world will react to it's most famous apostate is the question. When the inevitable press conference occurs, and a reporter asks him about conversion, he will have no choice but to defend religious freedom -- a type of freedom that is not allowed in much of the Muslim world. For instance, what will the rulers of Saudi Arabia tell their people? What would they do if somehow Obama is elected and comes a calling? Would the American President be turned away or would they admit and honor an apostate?
Obama's conversion may may not have been as dramatic as a certain Paul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. However, like St. Paul, his actions are about to effect the lives of millions looking for the truth.
We live in interesting times.
Most Westerners are not aware of the fact that conversion from Islam carries such a threat. Only the few brave Christian missionaries who dare to venture forth into Muslim lands have run up against this harsh reality. In his case, it's unlikely that anyone could penetrate through his Secret Service bubble to carry out the "sentence". The threat of harm isn't the big question here. How the Muslim world will react to it's most famous apostate is the question. When the inevitable press conference occurs, and a reporter asks him about conversion, he will have no choice but to defend religious freedom -- a type of freedom that is not allowed in much of the Muslim world. For instance, what will the rulers of Saudi Arabia tell their people? What would they do if somehow Obama is elected and comes a calling? Would the American President be turned away or would they admit and honor an apostate?
Obama's conversion may may not have been as dramatic as a certain Paul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. However, like St. Paul, his actions are about to effect the lives of millions looking for the truth.
We live in interesting times.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Osama Obama
Iowa or not, Obama has a name recognition problem. A close friend of mine formerly from the 33rd Ward of Philly told me an interesting story recently.
His 84 year old devout Democrat mother was really worried about her party. As she put it to him, "I sure hope that that OSAMA doesn't get it". Therein is a name recognition problem that can't be overcome for hundreds of thousands of elderly Democrat voters. It simply can't be done and these are the voters that he really needs to win.
His 84 year old devout Democrat mother was really worried about her party. As she put it to him, "I sure hope that that OSAMA doesn't get it". Therein is a name recognition problem that can't be overcome for hundreds of thousands of elderly Democrat voters. It simply can't be done and these are the voters that he really needs to win.
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