Hughesville Village

Charles County Commissioners do not disappoint...

2009-06-17T23:02:00Z

their good buddy, and campaign contributor, Frank Chaney. Rezoning request approved, unanimously.

Noteworthy is the fact that Sam Graves "Commissioner for the People" was the first to make the motion to approve. Cooper stated because CSM and Red Cross came out to testify, they couldn't be left out in the cold. Nevermind the hundreds of letters from Hughesville residents opposing and the dozens who spoke at the public hearings. Edith only approved because of the land donations and wanted that a condition of approval - illegal. IMHO, Reuben must be a lousy lawyer since he stated he researched the law extensively to determinie a change in the character of the neighborhood and found this request met the criteria. Fink also mentioned, again, his many "negotiations" with Chaney representatives.

I hope everyone remembers this when 2010 gets here. I will do everything I can to see to it not one of them gets re-elected. They do not represent their constituents - it seems they only cut deals for their buddies.

The revitalization plan is dead, unless, we win the appeal. Thanks, commissioners, for ruining our quality of life. I have no idea how you can sleep at night. You make me sick.

Latest Information in the Public Record on the Chaney Rezoning Request

2009-06-11T21:10:00Z

Info packet/Letters Submitted

Great letter from B. Stewart...

Chaney Rezoning Request Work Session - June 17, 2009 @ 3:30 p.m.

2009-06-11T20:33:00Z

Now we'll see our commissioners' true colors...

Village Social & Silent Auction Update

2009-05-28T11:38:00Z

Kool Productions has generously, provided a pair of tickets to the upcoming July 4th, Trace Adkins concert at Regency Furniture Stadium. The tickets will be available through the Silent Auction during the Village Social on June 14th. Don't forget to reserve your tickets today!

PH Yard Sale Fundraiser Update

2009-05-24T11:50:00Z

Friday and Saturday were tremendously successful. We've almost hit our fundraising goal. We'll be out again today, so, come on by and say hello! We've still got some great things left.

Voter apathy plain as no one shows up for public hearing

2009-05-20T19:38:00Z

Don't the commissioners already have too much power? Don't let them take away a decision that is yours to make. Changing the treasurers position to an appointed one does nothing but allow the commissioners to abuse another position. Let the commissioners know you DO care.

Resounding silence on treasurer issue

[...]

"If there are concerns regarding the qualifications of the individual elected to this position, amend the requirements of eligibility for potential candidates running for this office," wrote Pauleen Brewer of Hughesville.

"I share Mr. Peuler's concerns over the consequence of an unqualified individual serving in his position, be it elected or appointed," George Talcott of La Plata wrote in his letter. "However, I feel that the citizens are best served by leaving the decision in who serves in this Office up to them."

Citizens can comment until 4:30 p.m. May 27, after which the record will close, and the commissioners will hold a follow-up work session to decide whether they will pursue the legislation.

More Written Testimony Presented at the 5/19/09 Public Hearing

2009-05-20T15:39:00Z

Joan Herbert Written Testimony

Sharon Moore Written Testimony

Donna Cave's Written Testimony from the 5/19/2009 Public Hearing

2009-05-20T14:30:00Z

Everyone already has access to my testimony from a previous thread. By request, I am now posting Donna Cave's testimony. Use what you will, to help in writing your own letters to submit into the public record, prior to June 3, 2009.

Donna Cave 5/19/09 Testimony

Chaney Community Commercial Rezoning Request Update

2009-05-20T12:53:00Z

Chaney's attorney submitted written testimony from four different witnesses to support Community Commercial Rezoning. A quick summary was traffic information, jobs created (prediction), and compatibility, We will request copies of that information to learn the specifics. Approximately 30 people were in attendance. Only five spoke, all opposing the rezoning. The public record is being held open until June 3, 2009. This is an additional chance to submit testimony to keep big box stores out of Hughesville and support the revitalization plan. I know everyone is sick and tired of this whole situation, but, we must see it through to the end. We must defend our quality of life in Hughesville. If we don't, there is no one who will.

In Anticipation of Tonight's Outcome (The Day the Revitalization Plan Died)

2009-05-19T15:16:00Z

Is this the day democracy dies?

2009-05-19T13:25:00Z

Reminder of one last chance.

PH Yard Sale Postponed

2009-05-15T15:15:00Z

The Preserve Hughesville two day yard sale has been postponed due to the anticipated inclement weather. The rescheduled dates are Saturday, May 23, 2009 & Sunday, May 24, 2009. Original Thread here.

Reminder of one last chance

2009-05-15T13:33:00Z

UPDATED AND BUMPED TO THE TOP

On May 19, 2009 @ 6:00 p.m., we have one last opportunity to persuade the commissioners to make the right decision on the Chaney rezoning request in Hughesville.

I'm working on my "speech". I'm posting it here in the hopes that others who read it can use it as a catalyst for their own prepared statements to be presented that night.

We all have rules to live and conduct business by. There are only two reasons to grant any rezoning request. One, is to prove a change in the character of the neighborhood has occurred. The other is to prove a mistake in the original zoning. As of the date of the last comprehensive plan update, the bypass was planned for, everyone was aware of the tobacco buyout, and the Harley Davidson dealership already existed. These were all quoted as reasons by Chaney Enterprises as a change in the character of the neighborhood. The bypass has not changed the character of Hughesville, but, served to enhance its rural character by relieving the traffic congestion that had existed for 30 years. The Jenkins property was farmland in a residential area. Chaney's amended rezoning request also states that Rt. 231 is a major road. It is not. Rt. 231 is considered a secondary road. Even Rt. 301 and Rt. 5 are not major roads, but, primary roads. If approved, this rezoning will cause equal to or greater than, pre-bypass traffic backups. Add to that, the planned light at the intersection of Rt. 231 and Rt. 381. There was no mistake in the zoning. The two rules for changing the zoning of this property have not been met. Also, a majority have opposed any rezoning.

Rules. When Donna Cave inquired what the timeframe was to appeal a rezoning decision, the county attorney, following the rules, informed her that he could not provide that information. He stated he could only advise the county commissioners and staff on any given subject. However, Mr. Fink broke the rules by conducting private negotiations with Chaney's attorney on this rezoning request. Since when is it the county government's responsibility to be a land broker and ensure a business can make a maximum profit selling their land by allowing them to rezone it?

Rules. The rules are that no new information can be accepted after the close of the public record. Chaney's attorney submitted a proffer after the close of the public record, so, the commissioners reopened the public record to accept it.

Rules. If an applicant no longer seeks a particular rezoning request, he/she must withdraw the request. Any change in the request requires the applicant to start the process all over again. Chaney Enterprises, was allowed to amend its request.

Rules. It seems we all have to follow them, except for Chaney Enterprises.

During this entire process, the rules have been bent or broken for Chaney Enterprises. If the commissioners approve this rezoning request, they will not be confirming a change in the character of the neighborhood in Hughesville, but, a change in the character of democracy in Charles County. ~~where rules are supposed to govern us and where the majority is supposed to rule not Chaney Enterprises.~~ If this request is approved, it sends a message that rules no longer govern us. If this request is approved, it says the majority no longer rules in Charles County. Do not allow Chaney Enterprises to continue to be the exception to the rules in Charles County. Deny any rezoning requests on this property.

Want to Help Hughesville In Their Fight Against the Chaney Rezoning?

2009-05-11T13:23:00Z

Preserve Hughesville has scheduled a yard sale for Saturday, May 16, 2009, and Sunday, May 17, 2009 (Rain Date: Saturday, May 23, 2009, and Sunday, May 24, 2009) to raise funds for the anticipated legal fees to appeal the Chaney Rezoning decision. The Preserve Hughesville Yard Sales have an excellent reputation for selling only quality items. Please plan to come by this weekend to take a look. The yard sale location is Rt. 5/Leonardtown Road, just before the bypass and the entrance to Hughesville main street, on the left, coming from Waldorf. (Monetary donations would also be appreciated.) I hope to see you there!

Cooper's Informative Reply Regarding the Chaney Rezoning Request

2009-05-10T13:02:00Z

Can be read here.

Are you feeling the fairness of this process?

2009-05-09T07:45:00Z

Notice is hereby given that the Charles County Commissioners will conduct a public meeting on the revised Zoning Map
Amendment, ZMA #07-31, Jenkins Property, at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 19, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., in the
Commissioners’ Meeting Room of the Charles County Government Building, La Plata, Maryland.

[...]

Citizens wishing to make oral or written comments are encouraged to attend the hearing. Those individuals or representatives of groups wishing to speak must sign in. Speaker sign-up will begin 30 minutes (½ hour) prior to the hearing and will end at the commencement of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes. The hearing will end no later than thirty (30) minutes from its commencement. Written comments may be submitted in lieu of oral testimony, or to expand upon oral testimony, to the Department representative listed in this notice.

Comment: 30 Whole Minutes!!! Wow...Could the commissioners be more blatant in their bias on this request?

Read it for yourself here.

May 2009 Edition of Hughesville Happenings...

2009-05-06T19:19:00Z

should be hitting the 20637 mailboxes by Monday!

Fire equipment takes its shine to Hughesville parade

2009-05-06T19:05:00Z

Annual Event Draws Hundreds of Volunteers

SMECO, Hughesville, MD - Awarded $154Million Utilities Privatization Contract

2009-05-05T14:36:00Z

For electric distribution services (scroll down) to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Patuxent River, Md.

Hughesville Parade Photos

2009-05-04T12:38:00Z

May 3, 2009