St. Mary’s Board Bails Out Developer for 2^nd Time;


Buys Property for New Park Located 2 miles from  Existing Park

By Kenneth C. Rossignol
ST. MARY’S TODAY

LEONARDTOWN --- There is going to be yet another new park in St. Mary’s County with $760,000 in tax money going to bail out a developer who owns the property and could not get the highest density zoning he wanted but he has the good fortune to be a close pal of Commissioner President Jackie Russell.

 At the St. Mary’s Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, the board considered and then approved the purchase of yet another park.

St. Mary’s Commissioner Tommy Mattingly (D. Leonardtown) abstained but didn’t leave the room.

 “We have a great need for a new park as Chancellors Run Regional Park is packed every night and weekend,” said Commissioner Dan Raley (D. Great Mills).

 Raley moved that the county go ahead with the purchase of the property and apply for open space funds.

 “I will second for discussion only, there are serious questions here,” said Commissioner Kenny Dement (R. Piney Point), who never asked any serious questions prior to voting for the motion.

 An additional drain field area  on the property to accommodate a restroom facility at the park cannot be applied for until wet month perc testing season in February which could not be obtained until after the settlement in November, says Parks and Recreation Director Rollins.

 “I have a high degree of confidence we can get additional perc area,” said Rollins.  “We have until Nov. 15^th to go to settlement.”

 “Are we talking about going to settlement prior to the Board of Public Works approving the grant?” said Raley, making it clear that the board knows at this point that they are committing the public to purchase the land prior to having the full picture on the suitability of the property for setting up restrooms that a park with 15 ball fields would require.

 “We will never get this far unless we get this application, in, today is the day we have to go,” said Russell who appeared as if he had to get the meeting over with so he could catch a train.

 “I am not going to support this motion,” said Commissioner Larry Jarboe (R. Golden Beach).  “We have 192 acres at Myrtle Point, we can’t even launch a canoe or kayak, we have the southern portion of the Flat Tops property which is already cleared and could be used, and the issue of a narrow mouth toad.  I think there is going to be public perception of a bailout for the developer.”

 “ I might have to vote against my own motion, Commissioner Jarboe brought up some good points,” said Raley, who often talks on both sides of an issue but always goes for higher taxes and spending more money.

 The master plan adopted by the commissioners for Myrtle point doesn’t allow for any ball fields,” said Rollins.  “There might be some concerns from the Navy for using the south parcel, and we are going to use the existing road system for trails.”

 County Administrator John Savage, showing that he is also an driving force for the bailout of the developer said: “There is no property which will not have uncertainties and we will  have to move ahead with similar questions on any piece of property, is the need pressing or not.”

 Russell pushed ahead for a vote, which was 3-1, with Russell, Raley and Dement voting in favor and Jarboe opposing.

 “This is just to move forward,” said Dement, showing he still didn’t understand the motion but he does understand accepting campaign contributions from the Empire Homes developers.