Why Are You Living in Calvert County?
What can the average voter learn to make an informed decision this election year, and where can they find the information needed to decide?
- Controlled Growth. Changes to the present controlled growth actually advocates a change from the rural environment of Calvert to one more like other parts of Maryland including a need for greater police presence, environmental impacts such as sewage spills near the northern county beach area, more traffic on the County’s Country Roads, and overcrowding in schools leading to increased citizens’ taxes. Controlled growth permits Calvert County to educate in schools instead of building them.
- Build Apartments and Townhouses. High Density does not equate to low cost more affordable housing. Richfield Station townhouses and north county beach area condo prices demonstrate that High Density simply equates to higher profits per acre. This approach presents a short term (and near sighted) solution. In fact, changing the existing Planning and Zoning regulations opens the flood gates to High Density living with much congestion.
- Reduce Construction and Settlement Costs. The building and development community could address the lack of moderately priced housing by reducing building construction and settlement costs. The current affordability problem is market and bottom line driven. This option would permit the development and real estate community to demonstrate sincerity towards younger and less fortunate. This industry can simply absorb the costs, construct smaller homes, and thereby sell houses that are more affordable.
Controlled Growth versus Uncontrolled Growth When voting, do you want someone as a Calvert County Commissioner who could benefit financially from changing from Controlled to Uncontrolled Growth? Do you want candidates who might be inclined to represent the interest of realtors and developers? Do you know which candidates might simply follow another “Pro Growth” candidate’s lead? Which candidates advocate opening up the zoning book to wholesale changes? Interested in learning which candidates represent the citizens?
Spend one evening this year and hear which direction the candidates will take Calvert County. A free county-wide forum will occur at the Mary Harrison Center in Owings, Maryland, during the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 6to 10 p.m. This forum focuses upon the growing population and its implications for the future of all Calvert County citizens.
Since 1984, Dunkirk Area Concerned Citizens Association (DACCA) provides a voice for citizens. Hear from:
-Greg Bowen, Director Calvert County Planning and Zoning, the historical context regarding growth throughout Calvert County presenting real facts/figures that are associated with population growth,
- Corinne Becker who writes for the Baltimore Examiner about quality-of-life issues with growth issues and communities.
This forum sponsored by DACCA will provide you an opportunity to interact with candidates running for County Commissioner, Sheriff, and States Attorney.
Visit DACCA at: http://www.daccamd.com/
The DACCA is now accepting questions for possible use at the County-wide Growth Forum.
All questions must be "concerning Calvert County growth issues only." DACCA Board of Directors will review and decide which questions are used. Ideal questions will include a brief background and cite an authoritative source.
Candidates running for County Commissioner, Sheriff, and State's Attorney are being invited separately to participate in this forum.
Send questions to Dunkirkdacca@aol.com
Thank you,
Evan Slaughenhoupt, President, DACCA
