Tuesday, June 16, 2009
WWTP "Cancer" -- The Real State Of The Town Report
The following report is from the commissioner's meeting last night and sums up the dire straights our town is in. (click on report to enlarge.)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Day Of Reckoning Has Arrived
I wrote the post below on March 15, 2008. Now, everything I feared would happen has materialized. There is no developer. We not only have the debt for the waste water treatment plant upgrade, but the former town manager's $238,000.oo deficit as well. And, don't forget this deficit preceded the global financial meltdown. It was made in Ridgely-- excuse me, Westover.
Our town's financial situation requires drastic action on the part of our commissioners. I want to remind everyone that commissioner Smith, and commissioner Gearhart before her, sounded the alarm to their apparently deaf fellow commissioners. Commissioner Mumford has been a vocal opponent of the fiscal foolishness long before being elected in April. Yet, the task of cleaning up after our former town manager has fallen on these two. We need to support both commissioner Mumford and Smith as they are forced to take drastic steps to salvage our town's finances.
No To Ridgely Roulette!
March 15, 2008
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!!
Our town's financial situation requires drastic action on the part of our commissioners. I want to remind everyone that commissioner Smith, and commissioner Gearhart before her, sounded the alarm to their apparently deaf fellow commissioners. Commissioner Mumford has been a vocal opponent of the fiscal foolishness long before being elected in April. Yet, the task of cleaning up after our former town manager has fallen on these two. We need to support both commissioner Mumford and Smith as they are forced to take drastic steps to salvage our town's finances.
No To Ridgely Roulette!
March 15, 2008
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!!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Remembering D-Day
This is D-Day. I heard my Dad talk about it my whole life until he passed last September. Thanks to all of you who fought for this just cause.
Here in Caroline county we had a D-Day tribute put on by the Caroline County Historical Society at Linchester Mills which or Historical Society just renovated. Thank you J.O.K. Walsh, Mickey McCrea and the Historical Society for all the good work you do.
My father had his uniform and a video of him on display talking about that most important battle. Thank you Dad. (Click on the photo to see the details.)
Monday, May 25, 2009
Strawberry Festival Time
It's Strawberry Festival Time in Ridgely. Every year the Ridgely Lions Club puts on this event that reminds us of the time when Ridgely proudly boasted being the strawberry capitol of the world. It was an old fashioned small town good time for all.
The Historical Society on the wagon...
My favorite strawberry blond wins the big prize from the Lions Club presented by the Reeps...
Hard at work on chicken lunch with MYF...
Ethan Thomas and Jenna Guthrie, the unofficial prince and princess of the festival...
The Schwab family and our Bonnie strawberry dog..of course, click on photos to enlarge...
The Historical Society on the wagon...
My favorite strawberry blond wins the big prize from the Lions Club presented by the Reeps...
Hard at work on chicken lunch with MYF...
Ethan Thomas and Jenna Guthrie, the unofficial prince and princess of the festival...
The Schwab family and our Bonnie strawberry dog..of course, click on photos to enlarge...
Monday, May 18, 2009
FIRED!!!
The Ridgely town manager was sent back to Westover at the commissioner's meeting tonight. Specifically, it's because of his failure to honor his contract and live here. As most of you know there are about 238,000 other reasons too.
All I can say is please never let us have to go through this again. The problems could have been solved a couple years ago. We the taxpayers of this town will pay a heavy price for more town management than we bargained for. At $80,000.oo, do we really need a town manager? Maybe it's time to reconsider the whole idea of the town manager.
God bless our courageous commission majority of Kathy Smith and Dale Mumford for the stand they have taken!
All I can say is please never let us have to go through this again. The problems could have been solved a couple years ago. We the taxpayers of this town will pay a heavy price for more town management than we bargained for. At $80,000.oo, do we really need a town manager? Maybe it's time to reconsider the whole idea of the town manager.
God bless our courageous commission majority of Kathy Smith and Dale Mumford for the stand they have taken!
The Whole Constipation Blues Story
Somewhere there must exist a recording of Big Bill Broonzy's Constipation Blues. Unfortunately, even in the age of the Internet, I have found no evidence of either a performance or the lyric. Yes, a Google search will yield up Screamin Jay Hawkins doing a tune about the same affliction but not the 12 bar Blues of legend.
About 40 years ago one of the kids I knew, Harry Hayes, would from time to time issue forth a tuneful statement in mock Blues format: "I got 'dem old constipation blues". Curious to the provenance of the line, he told me it came from a Chicago Blues musician named Big Bill Broonzy. Unfortunately, no one had the record.
Being a resourceful young man and appreciating the sentiment of a song about constipation, I thought about writing my own version. With my Silvertone acoustic guitar in hand I went over Mike Beane's house on Aycock St. in Greensboro, N.C. There also at the time was Alan Thornton, guitarist extraordinaire,(who would later grow up to play with Nantucket) with his Kay electric (a radical improvement over my Silvertone). Together we three produced a 12 bar paean to constipation. It's a standard E7, A7 and B7 blues -- no copyright infringement here. The verses wail about high school and our discontents and climax in the chorus:
Oh baby I'm constipated... I'm so full of it
Oh baby I'm constipated... sure wish I could do it
I got 'dem ole... constipation blues..
Mercifully, this marked the end of our song writing career. I have sung this gem around many campfires and other gatherings. Once at the Gettysburg Bluegrass festival, a friend, Maryanne Seifert, told us about someone at another campsite singing "my" song. An immediate search of the area did not yield up the body of this wandering minstrel. Who knows, maybe he was playing something close to the Big Bill Broonzy legend or maybe he had heard me wailing away earlier. It doesn't take a whole lot to pick this tune up and make it your own.
There you have it. If any of you Blues aficionados out there know any more about this legend feel free to add below. If any of the above characters I mention have an even clearer recollection of this story, comment away.
About 40 years ago one of the kids I knew, Harry Hayes, would from time to time issue forth a tuneful statement in mock Blues format: "I got 'dem old constipation blues". Curious to the provenance of the line, he told me it came from a Chicago Blues musician named Big Bill Broonzy. Unfortunately, no one had the record.
Being a resourceful young man and appreciating the sentiment of a song about constipation, I thought about writing my own version. With my Silvertone acoustic guitar in hand I went over Mike Beane's house on Aycock St. in Greensboro, N.C. There also at the time was Alan Thornton, guitarist extraordinaire,(who would later grow up to play with Nantucket) with his Kay electric (a radical improvement over my Silvertone). Together we three produced a 12 bar paean to constipation. It's a standard E7, A7 and B7 blues -- no copyright infringement here. The verses wail about high school and our discontents and climax in the chorus:
Oh baby I'm constipated... I'm so full of it
Oh baby I'm constipated... sure wish I could do it
I got 'dem ole... constipation blues..
Mercifully, this marked the end of our song writing career. I have sung this gem around many campfires and other gatherings. Once at the Gettysburg Bluegrass festival, a friend, Maryanne Seifert, told us about someone at another campsite singing "my" song. An immediate search of the area did not yield up the body of this wandering minstrel. Who knows, maybe he was playing something close to the Big Bill Broonzy legend or maybe he had heard me wailing away earlier. It doesn't take a whole lot to pick this tune up and make it your own.
There you have it. If any of you Blues aficionados out there know any more about this legend feel free to add below. If any of the above characters I mention have an even clearer recollection of this story, comment away.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Town Meeting Report
With a quick goodbye, former commissioner Hunter left the Ridgely House and Dale Mumford was sworn in. The crowd enthusiastically welcomed him and the change that he represents.
It was then on to the department and commission reports. After his report, commissioner Smith praised our new police chief Gary Foster for the changes he has implemented. Cathy Schwab reported that the Ridgely Historical Society raised $1547.00 over the past weekend with the 2nd annual Old Time Ridgely Days Festival in the Railroad Park. In addition, she reported on plans to establish a weekly farmers market in town in the very near future. Robin Eaton and public works were roundly praised and thanked for their efforts on behalf of the Ridgely Arbor Day activities.
The town manager's report elicited questions and opinions starting with the problem of bringing leachite from the new landfill to our waste water treatment plant. Strong opposition to this exists and few support the measure pointing out that any gain in revenues is cancelled by the risk. Martin Sokolich pointed out the fact that the spray fields are near the little league fields and wondered how we could justify such a risk to Ridgely's children. Commissioner Mumford expressed opposition to the idea worrying that we might find out too late about the hazardous makeup of the leachites after harm had been done to the town. Former commissioner Gearhart requested an info meeting on the issue.
Ridgely Park was finally declared dead and the Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement came into question. Dale Mumford asked whether or not it should be voided. Town manager Mangini then said he'd consult with our attorney. I added there was no need since Jack Hall, the town attorney, has already advised the planning commission in a memo to void it. This will be on the next planning commission agenda.
Joanne Stepp asked about administering the grant for the renovation of the train station and commissioners Smith and Mumford said they were considering the whole question of the project. During the planning commission report it was also pointed out that the train station has been added to the Ridgely Historic district which currently includes only the Ridgely House. Commissioner Smith said we needed more grant money to successfully complete the project. I added that the Historic District designation would aid in that quest.
Other issues includeed the reappointment of Leo Stepp to the Economic Development Commission but he declined a second term on the Tree Commission. And, there was some discussion of the biding process to get a better deal for our trash pick up. Finally, proposed ordinance #321 which provides for the town to take responsibility for the streets in Lister Estates was tabled and what bond the town still has from the developer will be held for the time being.
Major issues regarding the budget, the $238,000 deficit, personnel,as well a charter reform remain and will certainly dominate town meetings in the weeks ahead.
It was then on to the department and commission reports. After his report, commissioner Smith praised our new police chief Gary Foster for the changes he has implemented. Cathy Schwab reported that the Ridgely Historical Society raised $1547.00 over the past weekend with the 2nd annual Old Time Ridgely Days Festival in the Railroad Park. In addition, she reported on plans to establish a weekly farmers market in town in the very near future. Robin Eaton and public works were roundly praised and thanked for their efforts on behalf of the Ridgely Arbor Day activities.
The town manager's report elicited questions and opinions starting with the problem of bringing leachite from the new landfill to our waste water treatment plant. Strong opposition to this exists and few support the measure pointing out that any gain in revenues is cancelled by the risk. Martin Sokolich pointed out the fact that the spray fields are near the little league fields and wondered how we could justify such a risk to Ridgely's children. Commissioner Mumford expressed opposition to the idea worrying that we might find out too late about the hazardous makeup of the leachites after harm had been done to the town. Former commissioner Gearhart requested an info meeting on the issue.
Ridgely Park was finally declared dead and the Developers Rights and Responsibilities Agreement came into question. Dale Mumford asked whether or not it should be voided. Town manager Mangini then said he'd consult with our attorney. I added there was no need since Jack Hall, the town attorney, has already advised the planning commission in a memo to void it. This will be on the next planning commission agenda.
Joanne Stepp asked about administering the grant for the renovation of the train station and commissioners Smith and Mumford said they were considering the whole question of the project. During the planning commission report it was also pointed out that the train station has been added to the Ridgely Historic district which currently includes only the Ridgely House. Commissioner Smith said we needed more grant money to successfully complete the project. I added that the Historic District designation would aid in that quest.
Other issues includeed the reappointment of Leo Stepp to the Economic Development Commission but he declined a second term on the Tree Commission. And, there was some discussion of the biding process to get a better deal for our trash pick up. Finally, proposed ordinance #321 which provides for the town to take responsibility for the streets in Lister Estates was tabled and what bond the town still has from the developer will be held for the time being.
Major issues regarding the budget, the $238,000 deficit, personnel,as well a charter reform remain and will certainly dominate town meetings in the weeks ahead.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Ridgely Arbor Day
Tree Commission members and the Ridgely United Methodist Church Youth join forces to plant trees in town on the 25th.
The Ridgely Tree Commission was started 5 years ago to save our old roadside trees. Most have been pruned back into shape and we've planted lots of new trees to replace those lost over the years. For two years now Ridgely has participated in the National Arbor Day Foundation activities and is officially designated a Tree City USA. Take a look around town and see how the canopy of trees over our streets has been restored.
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