July 2010

2009ecember

ATTEND BQA RALLY SEPT. 16TH-- MEARS POINT MARINA-6 PM (See2008 Page 3!)

Linda Kohler – District 2, Republican COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES MEET WITH BQA Brings to the table a financial background. Sat on the BOARD Citizen’s Budget Committee and was alarmed at the state of the County’s finances. Feels the county does not The following candidates meet with the BQA board at do a good job following their budget. Stated that the their May meeting: Budget Committee was given limited information and not

allowed to address certain areas of the budget.

Steve Arentz – At Large, Republican ü Steve was the QAC Economic Development Would love to help change the notion that QA County Commission Chairman. Has seen the EDC make is not open for business ü recommendations with no action and believes there We need to make sure that we are one step ahead of has to be a better way. the groups that bring litigation against every development.

ü ü Feels we need to utilize John Borders more. Very Wants to see QAC actively seeking the right kind of economic development knowledgeable but not listened to. ü ü Would like to see county EDC rep in a 4/5 year Wants to help county behave more fiscally conservative. contract to remove fear of firing and just let them ü do their job Supports Wye Mills plan; initially supported FASTC ü Having Fordonski as the Commissioner rep to EDC but does not see great indicators for economic is anti-EDC! She’s not on the same page benefits. ü Would bring back Wye Mills plan in a heartbeat. Believes he witnessed a gross misuse of power by Livingston Banks – Sheriff Candidate Planning Commission when it was tabled. Presently with the State Police. Lives in Queenstown with wife and two children. Loyalty, Honor, Professionalism and Integrity are the values he wants to Jack Broderick – District 4, Democrat bring to the office of Sheriff. Has run for County Commissioner before. Very involved with county issues. Has a background with ü Fiscal Responsibility – Manages the budget for the the Federal Government that focused on mediating Safety Division with the State Police and was the relationships. Feels that he could help bring about a prior CFO for the State Police. collaborative effort for responsible growth. ü Proactive Policing – Wants to see more police presence in neighborhoods. Right now there are ü Commercial Growth – Wants to see commercial communities that pay for extra patrols and he would growth that would contribute to the strength of our reduce or eliminate that cost to the neighborhoods. culture (Tourism) Also, wants to see something ü Partnership – Wants to create a better partnership happen to Matapeake building and Kaplanges with surrounding resources (DNR, State, CHART, building which are now sitting empty. Bay Bridge Police) ü FASTC – Had trouble with the hard skills aspect. ü Wants to create a central crime database Wants to see Environmental Impact Study. ü Wye Mills Plan – Does believe that it makes sense More candidates met with the board at the June to see growth around the college but would meeting. See their write up on page 3 along with info on support revisiting this project. the BQA Rally! Make sure to send in your questions and ü Budget Process – Has been to all budget comments to rally chairs: meetings. Needs more information available to Dave Thompson at [email protected] public. Felt they hung the Citizens Committee out to dry. Camille O'Donnell at [email protected]

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE INCREASE FOR MEMBER NEWS CONTINUED… LANDFILL TICKETS After almost two decades as an affiliate of the

Washington Redskins network, the Annapolis station

As part of the County’s 2010-2011 budget, which made the decision to change affiliations. The decision reduced services to prevent an increase in taxes, was made based on the results of a survey of both the following press release was received on June listeners and advertisers in addition to other market

23, 2010: data. The outcome overwhelmingly favored a transition

to broadcast the Ravens. The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have approved an increase in the price of landfill tickets, as “The move had been contemplated for a few years” well as a schedule change for all county trash and says Steve Hopp, V.P. and General Manager, of recycling stations. The changes will take effect July 1, WNAV. “As a community based radio station, we are 2010. dedicated to listening to the needs and interests of our

audience.”

The schedule change will reduce the hours of operation from nine to eight hours daily. This 1430 WNAV is operated by Sajak eliminates all overtime as directed by the County Corporation, owned by Wheel of Fortune TV host Pat Commissioners in Budget Resolution 10-11 passed on Sajak. WNAV’s sister station, WTTR, Westminster, is June 15, 2010. These changes will result in a net also a Baltimore Ravens affiliate. The dual affiliation increase of about $310,000 to the Queen Anne’s will provide additional marketing opportunities for County General Fund Budget. regional advertisers.

FASTC UPDATE Ticket books will increase from $25 to $45 for a book of 15 tickets. After further analysis, the Department of State (DoS) and General Services Administration (GSA) have For more detailed information about the Fiscal Year determined that the Hunt Ray/Crismer Farm in Queen 2011 budget, go to www.qac.org and click on Budget Anne's County will no longer be considered for the and Financial Information under the Quick Links on the proposed DoS Foreign Affairs Security Training Center. home page. DoS and GSA remain committed to a robust and transparent public engagement process and value the MEMBER NEWS! input from the citizens of Queen Anne's County and the leadership of both Federal and local representatives on behalf of the community throughout this process.

As DoS increases its workforce and presence in unstable regions of the world, the need for a consolidated training center for DoS' Bureau of Annapolis Radio Station Changes NFL Affiliation Diplomatic Security is even more important to ensure WNAV joins the Ravens radio network the safety and security of our civilian employees and partners. DoS and GSA are actively engaged in a site Annapolis, MD (July 1, 2010) - Radio station WNAV, selection process and look forward to opening this 1430 AM, announces signing an agreement to essential national security facility and being good broadcast Baltimore Ravens NFL Football this season. neighbors. (See ad on page 4!!)

BUSINESS Queen Anne’s Newsletter ………………………………………………………………….…..Page 2

CANDIDATES - JUNE BQA BOARD MEETING

David Dunmyer – District 1, Republican David came onto the scene with the FASTC project as he lives in Ruthsburg. He’s a home builder originally from AA County.

ü Moved from AA County for the quality of life here and wants to maintain that. ü Growth is important but wants the right type of businesses brought to QA County. ü Says that while he is involved with the Anti-FASTC group, he is not running because of FASTC. ü Admits he needs to learn more about Four Seasons and the Wye Mills Plan. ü Wants to see the empty commercial properties filled not with just retail, but with businesses that offer products/services/manufacturing. ü Wants to see more condensed housing developments.

Mr. Dunmyer ended by saying that he is honest, conservative and has an ear for honest solutions. He is open minded and hard working. (Note: Mr. Dunmyer led the charge to boycott businesses that supported FASTC)

Frank Frohn – At Large, Republican Mr. Frohn has been on the County’s Planning Commission for many years. Was there when the 2002 Comp Plan was implemented.

ü Feels that our county is positioned in a great spot for telecommuting. (BRAC, Fort Meade) ü With Delaware so close, feels we need to roll back our Sales Tax to 3-5% ü Regarding the effectiveness of the EDC, is not happy with all the empty commercial spaces. Also wants to see something happen at the Matapeake Site. (Nick Deoudes pointed out that this is State owned and does not have proper water and sewer) ü Frank stated that it is important that a consensus be reached regarding any development of issue such as the south KI water and sewer to avoid litigious situations such as Four Seasons. (He would like to see W&S in South KI) ü Mentioned that all five surrounding counties had to agree on the Wye Mills Plan’s water and sewer. Once the State did not support the project, the Planning Commission felt they could not support. ü Wants to see Blue Ribbon Panel recommendations implemented in Comp Plan.

All Candidates that make it through the primaries will be asked to attend the BQA Rally!

BUSINESS Queen Anne’s Newsletter ………………………………………………………………….…..Page 3 BUSINESS Queen Anne’s Newsletter ………………………………………………………………….…..Page 4 Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court House Land unanimously approved at the urging of the Court Acquisition House Committee.

One of the critical decisions facing the County is the “Although the negotiation had its ups and downs, we disposition of the Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court feel that a fair and equitable deal has been struck with House. Built in 1796, the Court House is the oldest still the landowners on behalf of the citizens of the in continuous use in and the sixth oldest in county,” said Deoudes at the February 9, 2010 the United States. The historic building has been Commissioner’s meeting when the property rendered obsolete and a public safety hazard due to acquisition was unanimously approved. spatial deficiencies, increased judicial caseloads, modern technological demands, and glaring security “The 2,200 square foot historic, commercially zoned issues. To address these issues, the commissioners house at 204 North Commerce can remain in place appointed local residents and elected officials to the without impacting the Court House development on Court House Committee to develop a strategic Court the remainder of the property. This house, which was House replacement plan. valued by the appraisal at roughly $454,000, can be

subdivided from the property and sold as commercial Two main principals were identified by the Court House office space at a future date, ensuring that the historic Committee; the historic nature of the Court House streetscape of Commerce Street is maintained and dictated that it must remain and land should be that additional revenue can be generated for the identified within downtown Centreville to house its project,” said Scott MacGlashan, Clerk of the Court replacement. who also served as a member of the Committee.

“In our first meeting, it was determined that to best Foreseeing a potential burden on general fund tax benefit Queen Anne’s County and the county seat, the dollars, the Commissioners dedicated a portion of the town of Centreville, it was vital that the site selected be recordation fee proceeds to the Court House project. within the Centreville town limits. We conjectured that in Additionally, the seller of 204 North Commerce Street light of the economic downturn of the last 18 months or agreed to a multiple-year contract which enables the so, Centreville would have been a ‘ghost town’ had it County to utilize future recordation fee proceeds for not been for the Court House and the activity it the purchase of the property. generates,” said Nick Deoudes, Chair of the

Committee. All information pertaining to these land transactions

are public record and are available for review by The Committee identified the commercially zoned contacting Gregg Todd at 410-758-4098. contiguous properties at 132, 136, 138 and 204 North

Commerce Street as viable sites providing a 1.1 acre COUNTY COURT HOUSE COMMITTEE parcel for the construction of the new Court House. Nick Deoudes, Citizen, Committee Chairman These properties were also contiguous to the Queen Norman Pinder, Councilman, Town Centreville Anne’s County Health Department, providing 4 Charles Rhodes, Commissioner, Town of Church Hill Winsie Ann Cannon, Register of Wills contiguous acres of county-owned land. Scott MacGlashan, Clerk of Court Chris Drummond, Esquire Appraisals were commissioned for the properties and Thomas Keating, Esquire Lynn Knight, Esquire negotiations with the property owners ensued over a Elizabeth Draper Brice, Citizen period of months. Although the property at 204 North Col. Harry Dermody, Citizen Commerce was valued at $1,100,000, the asking price Frank Frohn, Citizen George Gould, Citizen of $1,300,000 (down from a previous asking price of Susan Pilsch, Citizen $1,500,000 which the commissioners refused) was Alan Schmidt, Citizen

BQA Members! It’s time to renew your membership investment… Your invoice will be coming soon! Thank you for your continued support!

BUSINESS Queen Anne’s Newsletter ………………………………………………………………….…..Page 6 BUSINESS Queen Anne’s 2009-2010 Board Members

Mareen Waterman Karen Oertel Al Helfenbein Coldwell Banker/Waterman Realty Harris Crab House Helfenbein Insurance Agency 410-643-5005 410-827-8104 410-643-2291 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Nick Deoudes Tim Champion Cheryl Russell Deoudes-Magafan Realty, Inc. Champion Improvements Inc. Delmarva Power 410-827-5441 410-643-4886 410-758-4127 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Mike Dahle Bob Wilson Camille O’Donnell Bay Carpets Flooring America Mears Point Marina O'Donnell Properties 410-820-7288 410-827-8888 443-786-0200 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Dave Thompson Sandra Early CNB Administrator 410-643-2233 410-643-6288 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY

2010 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

UPCOMING DATES

July 19, 2010 Special Planning Commission Meetings to be held at: 8:45 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Planning Commission Conference Room Review of Public Comments 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, MD 21617

July 28, 2010 8:45 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Review of Revised Plan and Approve Plan by Resolution Forward to County Commissioner’s for Adoption

August 5, 2010 8:45 A.M This will replace the regular meeting of August 12, 2010 P.O. Box 1065, Stevensville, MD 21666 410-643-6288 Fax: 410-643-6278 www.businessqueenannes.com