St. Mary's County, MD Commissioners of St. Mary's County, 25 May 2021

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From YouTube: 5/25/21 CSMC Public Forum

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Please come to order good evening and welcome I'm randy guy president, commissioner of st mary county.

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I'd like to welcome you all we're finally looking at faces out there now, rather than empty seats,.

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We've been looking at for over a year. This is great to see somebody here at this at the meetings.

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Now this has been a good day before introducing the other commissioners. I ask that you turn your.

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Cell phone's offer on vibrate settings my right representative, first, commissioner district, which.

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Includes ridge, piney point st john, mr eric calvin good evening representing second commissioner.

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District, which includes leonardtown hollywood, mr mike hewitt good evening, sitting to my left.

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Representing the third commissioner's district, which includes charlotte hall, seventh district golden beach and mechanical general connor good evening representative. Fourth, commissioner,.

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District, which includes lexington park somewhere, california, great mills and some of hollywood. Mr.

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Todd morgan, seen at the table to my left is dr rebecca bridget, rebecca bridgette, our county.

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Administrator alisa castis, our communications director, is sitting at the table to my right.

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Amy carter, our video media producers behind the glass broadcasting live tonight, dr bridget will.

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Now provide the format for tonight's public forum, dr bridget. Thank you, commissioner. President. Guy.

B

So tonight's commissioner public forum is may 25th 2021 here are the guidelines for the commissioners.

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Of saint mary's county public forum for those unable to join us in person. But wishing to.

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Address the commissioners, please call 301-475-4200 extension 1234 to provide your name and address.

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For the record, you will then be given an opportunity to speak to the commissioners.

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Through the phone conference, those wishing to speak in person should sign up on the forms.

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Located in the lobby of the chesapeake building at 41770 baldridge street here in leonardtown.

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All speakers are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners at the end of the three minutes.

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Our communications director, alisa casas, will let you know that your time has expired. We ask.

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That you respect the three-minute time limit in order to give all those who wish to participate an.

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Opportunity to be heard, the public forum is being televised, live on st mary's county government tv.

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95 and the county's youtube channel. If you should miss any part of the hearing, it will re-air on.

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Channel 95 this saturday may 29th at 8pm and will remain available for on-demand viewing on.

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The saint mary's county government youtube channel. Citizens were provided an opportunity to address.

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The commissioners via video submissions, but we didn't have any submissions for this public forum.

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So we'll now begin accepting comments through our teleconferencing system.

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Ms costas, do we have any callers? Thank you, dr bridget. Thank you, commissioners. We do.

C

Good evening and thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners.

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Of saint mary's county public forum, please remember: you are allotted three minutes to.

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Address the commissioners and at the end of three minutes I will let you know your time is expired.

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Please speak clearly into your phone state, your name and address for the record.

C

Good evening you may begin your remarks now, thank you and if I may introduce myself first and then.

D

If you would start the three minute timing, my name is elin bryce davis. I live at 208321.

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I'm retired st mary's county public schools tonight I'm updating the commissioners on the.

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Commercial use of two properties on my street, operating as franchises of airbnb a 38 billion.

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Dollar plus entity, currently trading on the new york stock exchange in spring 2019 208.

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38 waterside drive also known as the sandy beach motel next door to me, began operating as an airbnb.

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Franchise in march 2020, I emailed the absent sandy beach motel operators requesting a temporary halt.

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To rentals during the quarantine or to require longer term rentals by email, they informed me.

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They would consider two-week rentals depending on the trajectory of the pandemic by january 2021. The.

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Sandy beach motel website posted a three-night minimum. Now it's a two-night minimum, a potential.

D

Turnover rate of 180 times per year, this house has become a commercial motel and parking lot.

D

A house masquerading as a private residence 15 feet from my door with an advertised turnover rate.

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Of a two-night minimum is blatantly commercial. The saint mary's county commissioner's failure to act.

D

Thus far to preserve the residential zoning code, I fear may be giving the green light to others in.

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My neighborhood, who are intrigued by the idea of converting their own homes, to airbnbs in this tiny.

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Vintage residential waterfront community of narrow lots and single-family homes. I have been advised.

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By a neighbor to move or to erect a fortress style sense and to install noise cancelling devices.

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Regarding the sandy beach, motel failed sand mound system a commissioner's january 2021 letter to me.

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Advised me to continue to pursue the matter with the saint mary's county health department. This.

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Puzzles me as it is the health department that has twice documented the failed system in its.

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Own previous reports in 2002 and 2020. runoff from this failed mound system continues to leach.

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From the contaminated soil into the potomac river, exacerbated by a year of unprecedented rainfall,.

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I'm not referring to the newly installed pump out system but to the soil of the old system, which.

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Was flushed into for almost 20 years, including five months during covet, the health department.

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Should not need a reminder to follow up its own reports and to implement methods.

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Of removing and replacing the contaminated soil inspired, please wrap up your remarks. Thank you.

D

I'm at the end, thank you. I ask the saint mary's county commissioners to maintain and to enforce.

D

The existing residential zoning code in my community before my historic neighborhood is.

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Irrevocably altered, thank you so much. Thank you very much for calling to participate.

B

Miss casas. Do we have anyone else on the line? Yes, dr bridget, thank you.

C

Good evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st.

C

Mary's county public forum- please remember- you- are allowed in three minutes to address the.

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Commissioners- and I will let you know when your time has expired, please speak clearly.

C

Into your phone state, your name and address for the record, and you may begin your remarks now.

E

Fellow commissioners, william bryant saint mary's county resident, calling in as usual before I.

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Begin I'd like to say that my opinions are my own and not representative of any organization.

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I have been calling and attending these public forums for years each year I feel like there is.

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More and more of a disconnect between you and the citizens between you and other people's.

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Money each year I try to educate more and more people on your terrible practices and spending.

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I'd like to start with this whole adms thing: I've been a volunteer in this county for 12 years and.

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I work for a combination, fire ems system, where I do ride an ambulance, your disconnect, if the.

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System is astounding. The ems staffing uh system has been struggling for a decade.

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Yes, covent made it worse, but you are now being reactive instead of proactive pay. Dms passing is.

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Needed now it was needed 10 years ago. You think that a few ambulances will help yes, but there.

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Are more calls than people right now, even with six uh guaranteed staff ambulances, there will still be.

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More calls than people for the volunteers who say that they can do it. Yes, they can handle one or.

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Two simultaneous calls, but when stations in this county have three four or five calls in their area.

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At the same time, no you can't do it. Yes, you need help. There are more than enough calls for everyone.

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We need more staff ambulances than calls, because the citizens deserve the prompt emergency response.

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Four medics that are proposed- and I guess have been approved in the budget because you guys.

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Approved the budget today before the public forum. That's a start, but it's not enough, especially for.

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24 7 coverage, every ambulance is already on a call. When another call comes in then we are back to the.

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Old problem, public safety is quite literally one of the only jobs of county government, and you are.

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Calling games with it imagine telling someone who wakes an hour for an ambulance but well you.

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Know because of covenant, you're kind of waiting to see if the volunteers involved, what a joke.

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Of a thought process and an embarrassment that we pay you to say things like that also cutting.

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The fts to do the 50 play with the contractor just means that you're going to be paying way.

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More for the same service with, as mentioned in the meetings, less accountability, what a joke for the.

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Thought process each week you waste time yours and everyone else's with pointless proclamations and.

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Photoshoots for 30 45 minutes before your meeting when you instead be focusing on the budget to say.

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This is how you spend other people's money and not just county residents. No, when you accept these.

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State federal grants you are taking money from people all over maryland and the united states.

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Sorry, taking funding from the people of maryland and all over the united states on your project.

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Have you ever considered where the county tax money goes? Where does our money go to the state.

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And the federal tax revenues across the us, I watched all the commissioners, videos and budget.

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Work that this last one was both amusing and sad. You decided how to spend money and then, at the.

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End adjusted tax breaks and credit which impact revenue which impacts how much you spend totally.

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Back, that's akin to spending your money each month and then deciding based off what you spent.

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How much you should have to work that analogy isn't totally accurate, as the government has.

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No intrinsic value, it only has what it takes from others. Your job is to decide if what you.

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Take from me and others is worth it and from my standpoint you are atrociously terrible.

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At spending money, I continue to be astounded at the projects you decide is worthy of taking.

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Other people's money, for it, like a bike, trail at a million dollars a mile millions of dollars on.

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Farmers, markets and county meat processing plants, not to mention the last minute edition of millions.

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For turf fields that had not been discussed at a single budget work session in the current.

E

Fiscal year budget process, sir, your time has expired. Please wrap up your remarks. Thank you.

C

Sir, I'm wrapping up it's sad that most of your constituents don't know that the people they voted.

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For spend their hard earned money on things like a county run golf course that post deficit each year.

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Over six figures last year, golf parks are not government's jobs. You have a 40 million dollar.

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Cit budget, just for parks and rec alone in the next six years, probably needs to be revised up.

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Because of those last-minute turf fields, imagine being poor and living in county and having money.

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Taken from your paycheck but being told it's okay, we are building a nice park with first field 20.

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Miles away from you with your money, no one knows how to spend their income better than the person.

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Who earns it least of all you? I like the motion that last week's budget meeting that was rushed.

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Through then had to be resented because it created a deficit because you didn't do the math, you were.

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Playing with other people's money- and we are tired of it to make a general statement- you don't care.

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About how the government represents the people, because, in your eyes you are the government now.

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That was a lot of complaining, but I will make one suggestion: change the tax year to match the.

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Fiscal year, so you are not estimating six months worth of revenue that might make your decision.

E

Of how to spend other people's money easier, that's it! Thank you. Thank you for your remarks.

B

Thank you, ms costas. Now we'll begin with those that are in person, elizabeth wright.

F

I am elizabeth wright. I live at 4516-0, mallard court hollywood maryland good evening. President.

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Randy guy and county commissioners eric colvin mike hewitt, john o'connor and todd morgan, I've.

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Come to address the need to fully reopen the csm aquatic and fitness center in leonardtown maryland.

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Since 2010, when csm opened, I have come to this fine center, which has become a beacon of light.

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A shining star and an excellent educational center, providing so many different services and lessons.

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To st mary's, county and neighboring areas, the center with its state of art, fitness gym and warm.

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Therapy pool and large swimming pool provide for st mary's college csm college students and also.

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High school swim teams, a place to practice and participate in county swim meets over the years.

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I have observed many fine different classes given here at csm, such as the fifth grade water class.

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Teaching all those students in the pool how to be safe swimmers and even aid persons in distress.

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In the water, other classes were for mothers and babies, regular swim classes, in which my.

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Grandchildren participated and also swim classes for older, older students with special needs.

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In the therapy pool the 88 degree, warm water was soothing and the seated area where the.

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Jets could be turned on therapy for hurting muscles and joints since 2010. I have attended.

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Many different therapeutic exercise classes in this pool, usually two to four days a week. These.

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Hourly classes have given me good exercise, helped to lessen the progression and pain of my arthritis.

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Arthritis kept me alive, flexible, moving, easily and enjoying time in the water, with my fellow students.

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Some who are here tonight, who became my very good friends and socialization, is so.

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Much important when we get older keeps our brains, happy and kind, and loving and caring.

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Our longtime teacher, gina belcher, actually trained by the arthritis foundation provided.

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Outstanding instruction to so many of us with arthritis and others with serious injuries.

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Or rehab from shoulders, injuries knee and or hip replacements, after march 5th 2020, when the aquatic.

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Center closed, many of us were deeply saddened and consequently, at a loss for good exercise.

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Which kept us healthy and flexible since I can no longer swim easily, since I can no longer swim.

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At csm, which is the only exercise I can do easily, my arthritis has become progressively.

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Worse, more painful, more debilitating making it harder to walk harder to stand up and straighten.

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And move easily, please find a way to reopen this most valuable center. With its many lessons.

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Not only for csm students, but all of us who live in saint mary's county and will want a.

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Need to be healthy, flexible, mobile and happy if necessary, write a grant and send to governor hogan.

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To fully support this valuable educational center fitness aquatic center and I'm a retired teacher.

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And I really enjoyed going there after I retired from 20 years teaching I actually taught at st.

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Mary's academy, a long time ago, 77 I taught sandy madinsky dyson children and I taught.

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Her children at piney point and I love teaching and I love learning. So thank you. Blessings.

F

Good evening, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, marcus drake, good evening, everyone, my name.

G

Is marcus drake, I'm a 23 year old, 20, sorry 23 year, retired veteran living in mechanicsville.

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26 301 old red oak lane, it's only been a few years that I've gotten involved in local.

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Politics, I think I was like the vast majority of the 113 000 plus residents here who just go about.

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Their daily lives and don't really see, feel or appreciate the effects of your decisions.

G

This changed when I found out that you were more interested in spending money on new trails at the.

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Local parks, then you were in seeing to it that our law enforcement and ems personnel received.

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A pay raise that was competitive with surrounding areas. I have a son-in-law and several friends who.

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Are sheriff's deputies? They are credit to the law enforcement community and a fine example of the.

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Kind of solid high quality people we need to be able to retain in order to safeguard our citizens.

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As of right now, many of them are considering leaving the force for other departments or.

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Leaving law enforcement altogether because they can't get paid. What they're worth here.

G

I have no doubt if you had door-to-door in this county and asked every adult what they think the.

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Most important items are that should be funded. You will find the law enforcement emergency services.

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Education and infrastructure would be at the top of the list, I'm also just as confident that almost.

G

Nobody would mention new park trails or artificial turf. The people you see gathered here to speak and.

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Witness these proceedings are but a miniscule percentage of the population, but I have no doubt.

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In my mind that they represent the will and voice of the thousands who are not present, I'm going to.

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Give you an analogy that I think everyone here and everyone watching can understand and appreciate.

G

When you own a car, you have priorities that require a certain amount of financial outlay.

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First, you need to make sure the engine and drive line is regularly serviced and properly maintained.

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Then you need to make sure the tires are in good shape to keep you safe on the road. After that, you.

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Want to care for the interior and exterior to keep it comfortable and looking good. Last but not least,.

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You need to be setting aside money for any emergency that may arise, so you don't have.

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To dimp into the rent to fix the problem. After all that, if you've got funds left over then and.

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Only then should you be looking at the fancy stereo the custom wheels or the slick paint job.

G

Gentlemen, the warning light on the gas gauge has been on for a while.

G

The engine is over two twenty thousand miles overdue for a tune-up. The tires are bald and.

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You've decided to buy a gallon of gas, a quart of oil, a bose stereo system and 24-inch custom rims.

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The voice, the will and the best interest of the citizens of this county have been.

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Ignored for too long, it's long past time for the engine that keeps this country county running.

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To get a complete overhaul and the tires definitely need to be replaced.

G

Thank you. Thank you, sir uh elise said do we have any callers we do. Thank you, dr bridget good.

C

Evening, thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st mary's county public.

C

Forum, please remember, you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will.

C

Let you know when your time has expired, please speak clearly and directly into your phone and.

C

State your name and address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

H

Good evening, commissioners, thanks take my comments. This is caroline king from cal state maryland.

H

I'm here tonight to talk about wildwood, of which I am a resident, um I'm aware it's a.

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Pod, that's been approved for many years and there's not much to do to change this down.

H

But when I sat on the cleaning commission, it was frustrating to hear updates from the current.

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Developer and not have any input in plants essentially they've been allowed to run wild.

H

The newer parts of wildwood lacked any of the character of the older sections. Forests have been.

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Clear-Cut with a few immature trees planted in their place, many of which are not maintained, left.

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To die and never replaced storm water, drainage and flooded, yards and basements have become almost a.

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Constant issue new neighborhoods have been built with little common space or no amenities such as.

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Benches or playgrounds there's little connective connectivity between individual neighborhoods.

H

Although the developer advertises walking trails throughout wildwood, what they're referring to.

H

Is really just a bike lane on the shoulder of wildwood parkway? However, it's not really.

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Space to use that bike lane as the traffic on the parkway has greatly increased and the amount of.

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Reckless driving has faced right along with it. The wildwood facebook page has many photos and videos.

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Of drivers, speeding and passing on the shoulder besides the skyrocket number of homes in wildwood.

H

I believe the way lawrence hayden road was recently altered to accommodate the new airport.

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Runway has made it so inconvenient to exit wildwood that way that more people are using.

H

The parkway now also more new homes means more children, districted to evergreen elementary.

H

That school is the most overcompact people in the county and yet when regis christine was done,.

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For duke elementary, no pressure was taken off of evergreen. It's not just the number of kids.

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In the classroom, it's about the staffing space in the common areas of the school more portable than.

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Use every year the overcrowded parking lot during events and again the amount of traffic on wildwood.

H

Parkway, so what am I asking for? I'm asking that you direct lagum to reign in the development in.

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Wildwood require that the developer conserve more forests and open space or plant more new trees.

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Require more amenities for residents and safe walking paths between the various neighborhoods.

H

Beef up traffic enforcement on wildwood, parkway and finally seriously consider redistricting to.

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Alleviate the overcrowding at evergreen. Finally, please appoint a fair and balanced redistricting.

H

Board. Thank you for your time. Commissioners. Thank you for calling in to participate. Elise,.

B

Said do you have any other callers? Yes, dr bridget, thank you very much good evening.

C

Thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of st mary's county public forum.

C

Please remember: you are allotted three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you.

C

Know when your time is expired, please speak clearly and directly into your phone and.

C

State your name and address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

I

Good evening and thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in this forum.

I

My name is mary ludwig and I live at 23356 marvel court in leonardtown. I was very disappointed to.

I

Hear the results of the budget decision today I am not a school teacher, I do not have children.

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In the public school system, but all of my children are past graduates of great mills and leonardtown.

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High school, consequently, I have always had a best interest in the wonderful accomplishment.

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Of our public schools, as reflected in the many success stories of graduates over the years.

I

Having said that, I do not pretend to be an expert in deciding how fun should be distributed to.

I

An individual entity I instead totally rely on the board of education and public school system.

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To identify their funding needs, and that is just what I would have expected. The county.

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Commissioners, to do instead, the majority of you, gentlemen, who were elected to serve the citizens.

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Of saint mary's county have chosen to take a different, apparently self-serving route with.

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Little justification or reasonable explanation to not fully fund the board of education.

I

It is very presumptuous of you to assume that you know more than the school board in identifying.

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Their funding needs- and this is also true of your parents, java affair attitudes regarding the needs.

I

Of our sheriff's department, these men and women deserve to be paid a competitive doubt. I have.

I

Many family members that serve in this field. We cannot afford to lose their support in saint mary.

I

It would be a sad day if you had to call the police emergency support and no one was there.

I

To answer just a brief quote from abraham lincoln lincoln, who said it is a sin to be.

I

Silent when it is your duty to protest, thank you for your time and remember why you were elected.

C

Thank you for calling in to participate, dr bridget. At this time. We don't have any.

C

Other callers on our teleconference line at the moment. Okay, thank you mark miller,.

J

Good evening, uh thank you for this opportunity. My name is mark miller. I'm the president of the.

J

Lexington park volunteer rescue squad, I reside at 22223, goldenrod drive great mills maryland.

J

I'm here to thank the commissioners, the county administrator director of finance, director of.

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Personnel um department of emergency services, the ambulance and rescue association, their chair woman,.

J

um Carol, bohm and all of the presidents and chiefs of all of the volunteer rescue squads.

J

For all of the hard work trying to get a supplemental staffing solution set, it's not a.

J

The perfect solution, but I am sure that the volunteers of saint mary's county will work.

J

Hard with that group to provide the best level of ems care to the citizens of saint mary's county.

J

I'd also like to thank chesapeake medical transport, their employees.

J

And especially, don donato graves, all of their hard work is what enabled us to implement that.

J

Solution in november so quickly without their hard work, and it worked very well until the.

J

Transition started um occurring so their hard work needs to be appreciated and seen by this county.

J

I'd also like to specially thank dr brewster, the whole health department, all of their employees, the.

J

Department of emergency services, all of the county, employees that are helping with the vaccine sites.

J

And all of the volunteers that volunteer there, and especially the county ems volunteer chief sean.

J

Davidson for all of their hard work during this pandemic and at the vaccine rollout without the.

J

Vaccine there isn't a solution and they have done wondrous for this county, both in leadership roles.

J

And getting the vaccines to the people of saint mary's county I'd like to thank all of the first.

J

Responders that continue to work during these times through the pandemic at risk to themselves.

J

Before we had a vaccine and all of their hard work, there was a lot of people that acted as.

J

Front line workers or almost first responders that didn't really fit that role before a pandemic.

J

But they went out there continued their jobs and enabled the community to live I'd, especially like.

J

To thank the chief of lexington park, rescue squad, ken hicks, his officers and all of our volunteers.

J

That actually still continue to run, calls and support the rescue squad during the pandemic.

J

I'd also need to thank numerous businesses and citizens of st mary's county that.

J

Donated to us during the pandemic, to make the life of our volunteers a little bit easier.

J

Those companies are wawa outback, steakhouse, numerous boy scouts and girl scouts troops.

J

um Cracker barrel the lp vars associates joanne fabrics, family dollar mission, barbecue, multiple.

J

Times, olive garden, showtime deli, the leonard town volunteer, fire department, auxiliary.

J

The hope of southern maryland, st inny's coffee, serve pro of st mary's county for sanitizing, not.

J

Only our units, but our stations numerous times staples enabling us to actually buy supplies.

J

That weren't necessarily available at all times the fidelity chapter of the eastern star chapter.

J

Six and valley lee little caesars, the bay district volunteer fire department associates the cecil's.

J

Mill, homeowners association, advanced auto parts and the southern maryland volunteer, fireman's.

J

Association, ladies auxiliary also the lexington park, lions club numerous times provided us drinks.

J

um Gatorade snacks, for our crews throughout the 14 months, it wasn't a one-time donation, they came.

J

Back and came back numerous times and then even also bought us um some n95 masks. Your time is.

C

Expired, could you please greatly appreciate it. I'd also like to appreciate thank over 100 citizens.

J

um For donating food or or or masks, I'm sorry if I missed anyone, but all of those donations.

J

Actually enabled us to continue doing ems work in a very hard time. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir.

B

Donna taggart hi, I'm donna tiger nice to meet all of you. Would you would you tilt the microphone.

C

Up how about that there we go that probably helps that good how's that donna tiger nice to meet you.

K

All I live at 2405.0 abel's run drive in hollywood and I am a retired dietitian from medstar st.

K

Mary's hospital 17 years I worked there. My husband, kids and I came down to st mary's county in 1996.

K

You all may remember that date because, yes, I am from warminster uh we hoot and parlor and.

K

Kicked and screamed and come down here, but one of the things I really missed and hated leaving.

K

Was our hatboro ymca when I got down here there was no place really to swim. Maybe the saint mary's.

K

College the base after 9 11 got hard to get on the base, and you know my kids grew up. Learning.

K

To swim at that y, we hung out there in the summer, because I had an indoor and outdoor pool.

K

I've had lyme disease for 30 years. It affected my joints, so swimming was really really important. So.

K

Every time I heard rumors at the csm college and obviously that's why I'm here to talk about is the.

K

Pool but I heard those rumors I'd be like yes, it's going to be the pool, wasn't the pool then. Finally,.

K

The building went up and it was the pool and the fitness, and I was telling you I am probably one.

K

Of the first people that signed up to join and I've been there ever since um so it's great for.

K

Exercise as a dietitian, I would tell people who couldn't get the exercise on land get over to csm.

K

Get in the therapy pool you're going to benefit tremendously, but it's not just your health. It's.

K

Fear, you know your well-being mentally. I have one person here from my group. We call ourselves.

K

The pool gang we became friends talking with each other in the pool and the locker room.

K

Became a social group we've gone out even during the pandemic, we've managed to kind of do socially.

K

Distance things at dorsey park and for me I lost my husband six years ago and it was a tremendous.

K

Thing to have that group of people, so it meant more than just getting out to the pool, although.

K

I tell you swimming is the best exercise ever so I have schlepped myself down to the great mills pool.

K

Two days a week got really good at getting on that virtual cue and getting a slot when there was only.

K

Seven slots available, and I appreciate that great mills remained open, really appreciate it, but for.

K

Many of us, my friend who came tonight she lives up in country lakes. That's just too far to drive.

K

Down the great mills and when you couldn't get in the locker room, driving home freezing wet in.

K

The winter time was it a challenge I have to say getting to. Hollywood seemed like it took.

K

Forever from great mills, but I am excited- I hear rumors- that yes, it's going to keep the leonardtown.

K

Pool open not like la plata, that's seeing it, you know cement it up, but I hope you realize just how.

K

Important, this pool is, and more than just for the obvious reasons, but for just the social well-being.

K

Of our you know, citizens here and um I'm staying, I'm a marylander. Now I'm not leaving to go back.

K

To warminster my kids have all settled here. I have a person at the great mills, high school.

K

Teaching I have somebody at the hospital. I have a police officer, so I'm here to stay in saint mary's.

K

County, but I sure hope we still keep having our pool and all those facilities thanks. Thank you.

B

uh Thank you. uh Is it henry poole? No, oh sorry, harry.

B

Poole I'm harry poole. I live at 43450 little cliffs road and uh I'm here to talk about it's.

L

Trivial, you know you got law enforcement and you got rescue squad and everybody else beating you up.

L

And I've talked to commissioner hewitt before about the lack of boat ramps on the on the.

L

Patuxent, I understand we bought snow hill farm and we've talked about the progress down there.

L

It would be nice to see some type of progression in the newspaper or whatever to let people know.

L

One of the things I talked to you about at that time was the south sand gates road and I don't.

L

Know how many accidents we've had there already this year since the bikes, the motorcycles and.

L

Everything else on that and then you're going to add big boats to it and the road's just not wide.

L

Enough to handle all that uh currently, you know you go down to uh the other boat ramps. You can't.

L

Get into clark's landing and then you go down to the other one and unfortunately- and I understand.

L

Everybody wants to enjoy the water, so they bring their cars because their friends have a boat well.

L

They park their cars where a boat and a trailer kid a truck in the trailer or whatever could go.

L

So you've lost a uh place there to park. uh It would be nice if- and I've talked to you.

L

About with clark's landing or any place, we got myrtle myrtle point we've had for how many years.

L

And I still don't understand why we don't have a boat ramp there, it's deep water, we wouldn't.

L

Have to put in anything as far as put into boat ramps in a parking lot and just throw your boat.

L

Right in the water, we wouldn't have to worry about putting any type of uh barriers up there.

L

For the reefs or whatever, so it would be nice if we got something and with the police officer and.

L

Rescue squad, I hope you all get everything you all need. You know, because they are the backbone.

L

Of this county they keep us healthy. So with that, I hope you all can do something for everybody.

L

uh Don't waste our money we work hard every day. I know I've been to work every day since coving.

L

I pay my taxes, I don't ask for free money, but when I pay my taxes, I want something in return.

L

And right now it sounds like we're not getting anything in return, so it would be nice if y'all.

L

Could uh man up and let's do the right thing for everybody? I appreciate it. Thank you much.

B

Thank you, carolyn seibert, hello, too hi, my name's carolyn siebert. I live in scotland.

M

Maryland I've been a longtime user of the csm pool in leonardtown and I'm here to give you.

M

Some information regarding issues related to plans for eid, reopening the pool at csm.

M

Heard that the pool the la la plata campus is to be filled with concrete and while we're.

M

Encouraged that that does not seem to be the plan for the leonardtown campus pool. It's not.

M

Enough just to reopen the pool, because there are important programs that have been in place for.

M

Many many years that need to be reinstated when the pool is reopened. The wellness center has had.

M

A fitness program that's been used extensively by many of the county seniors for over 10 years.

M

Although it is open to all ages, you've heard other people speak to the uses of that pool.

M

Both therapeutic programs and others based on guidelines of the arthritis foundation have been.

M

Ongoing in the therapy pool for up to 21 classes each week and 10 enrollees in each class in some.

M

In fact, some people have been faithfully attending these classes for the entire time.

M

This program focused on exercises related to joint replacement, mobility and general fitness.

M

In many cases, the class is supplemented, ongoing, professional physical therapy after.

M

Injury or surgery, the physical benefit of the classes, is only one part of their importance.

M

For many of us, these classes were a major source of social and emotional support.

M

Especially for those of us who are now living alone,.

M

Long-Standing and supportive friendships have been formed in that pool. That would never have occurred.

M

Without the csm program and we meet, and we need to make sure that we maintain this support system.

M

We understand that there are several options under consideration for the operation of this important.

M

County resource and we urge the commissioners to ensure that whoever takes over the pool is made.

M

Aware of the need to reinstate programs like those of the arthritis foundation and, ideally.

M

To include this as a mandate in the agreement made with the new management facility.

M

Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today. Thank you.

N

Good evening, commissioners, thank you for this public forum. I'd like to address the pools at the.

N

Local community college there were several of us continuing ed pool students here tonight with many.

N

More at home- and I know I neglected to tell you my address- I'm doing me- do that at the end that.

B

You can do that now, while you're thinking about it alice, kalini, 45763, elm court lexington park.

N

Thank you. We do not go to that pool to hang out. More correctly, we go to work out with doctors.

N

Authorizations in the 88 degree therapy pool, we have not been there just months, we've been there.

N

Working the conditioning and strengthening program for years, our group represents many.

N

Medical situations from head to toe many of us have had surgeries and months of physical therapy.

N

Afterwards, we returned to the four and a half foot deep therapy pool with our friends. It is.

N

Well known medically, that a sense of community and having friends is critical as we age.

N

But another one of the most critical findings is that we all keep moving.

N

We were blessed for years with instructor gina belcher, whose background was perfectly suited to.

N

Her classes, such as certifications with the aquatic exercise association, the arthritis.

N

Foundation, the multiple sclerosis society, american council and exercise american red cross.

N

And all 10 years teaching these vital classes at the community college.

N

Sadly, we have learned that, due to a new job, our instructor has moved on so far. Commissioners, we.

N

Have rolled with all the punches that pool has given that included, pool cracks, shutting us down.

N

Twice for repairs we rolled with the punches and attend to make up classes when we could.

N

We've dealt with low water, high water, cool, wet chilly water, warm water warm enough to take a.

N

Bath in out of order showers and too few lockers, we have rolled with it all. We have dealt with the.

N

College closing to covet 19 and now the pool in which we have attended classes remains closed.

N

And while our minds have dealt with all of this, our bodies are hurting.

N

We are excited that the connie will take over the pool with parks and rex running programs.

N

While I don't understand all the steps to the reopening of the pool.

N

If there is anything you can do to expedite any of these steps for the eventual rear opening, we.

N

Are here to ask you to do just that and to keep us seniors front and center commissioners we've lived.

N

Here we've worked here: we've raised our families here and we've retired. Here the therapy pool.

N

Is vital to our health, well-being and longevity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, christina highland.

O

Hi, um can you hear me with the mask.

B

Uh-Huh just get me up just get closer to it, that's fine! I can take it off. Okay, so my name.

O

Is christina highland and my address is 44980 hamptons boulevard leonardtown maryland I've.

O

I've never been to these, so I actually came with questions and I'm not going to ask them at this.

O

Point um I'm just going to kind of say the gist of what I was going to say without the questions.

O

I feel like a lot of people here, don't know how to access the government in terms of the.

O

Development that's happening in the country or in the county. um You know like me, I just.

O

Started seeing real estate signs popping up like 22 acres, I think in hollywood to a dc development.

O

Company, I believe not really sure um so so I am concerned about the the development wildwood.

O

Somebody mentioned that earlier I mean it's, it's a beautiful area and it's totally different from.

O

The way it was developed previously, where you're building with the land, the trees, the wildlife.

O

I feel like we do have a good opportunity here to like set an example of how we can build with the.

O

Land, it's such a special area, it's so beautiful. um I guess that's kind of what I have to say.

O

I feel like there's a lot of housing going in. I feel like there's a lot of malls and shopping.

O

Shopping strips going in, um I don't see a lot of incentives for.

O

Kind of outdoor recreation, I still see people going up the road for like putt-putt golf.

O

Or ropes courses, or anything like that hiking trials, people are traveling hours away. For that.

O

um So I guess I'm just gonna just kind of gonna, I'm gonna read. I just feel like people, people.

O

I I see so many license plates where I live now. It's like new york and jersey, california, michigan.

O

Massachusetts, I understand we have people coming here and I understand we need housing. I just feel.

O

Like we could be building with environment and not trashing, it and building house upon house.

O

Upon house, where people just don't have land, they don't have privacy, it's not really healthy.

O

We're just one of those last strongholds I feel like where you can.

O

You know you can walk around and you can smell the scents of the flowers. You can see the ice on the.

O

Trees, you can take engagement, photos. You can see the foilage changing when you drive around here.

O

I would just hate to see that this continue to go in this direction, that it's kind of going in.

O

And I guess that's all I have to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Brandon russell.

P

Good evening, I'd first like to thank the commissioners for today's earlier lgbtqia.

P

Proclamation recognizing june, as pride month in st mary's county, there are many in the community who.

P

Don't agree with the proclamation or don't think it's necessary, but that's what makes it necessary.

P

I also would like to recognize the work that goes into achieving a balanced budget, so I'd.

P

Like to thank the commissioners and the county staff for their efforts during the process,.

P

I tried to understand the logic of presenting the idea to fund turf fields. It seems like more of a.

P

Long-Term project, not something that happens instantly, then I thought about the discussion.

P

Around ymca funding the this board agreed to revise the funding for ymca to accurately reflect.

P

The cost attributed to surveys in engineering the decision was made to ensure that proper funding.

P

Was built into the budget for this long-term project, with talk of various planning stages.

P

To come, why wouldn't turf fields be treated in the same manner? I also spent some time thinking about.

P

The back and forth over the budget first revenue projections were too low. Then they were raised.

P

Later I heard that revenue projections aren't assured and that we can't count on them.

P

If that's true, why did you agree to raise them earlier this month, commissioner colvin shared some.

P

Information from a standard and poor's review of the county finances the report referenced.

P

Quote the county's strong financial position, primarily due to a durable local economy. So I.

P

Ask now, which is it? Are we bracing for covet economic fallout or is our economy strong.

P

Over the past five months, I've watched as this board has ignored feedback from its constituents.

P

A few months ago, I heard commissioner guy remark that no one supported or wanted hb 655.

P

But out of 50 testimony submissions from across the state only 16 were against hb 655. of those.

P

16 all, but one were from elected officials or their representatives. Maybe it's these.

P

Officials who don't want h, h, b 655 many people spoke in favor of a balanced redistricting board.

P

What we got instead was a delay of the process and no real recognition from the commissioners.

P

That they were committed to producing a fair redistricting board. I am still in favor of.

P

This idea, as are others, will we get a commitment from you to appoint two democrats? Two republicans.

P

And one independent to this board that remains to be seen. I remember one of you mentioning the.

P

Thousands of emails that came in about the budget at a nearly four hour public forum, many community.

P

Members, including students, spoke, I didn't hear any of those speakers raise turf fields as a.

P

Budget priority I feel safe in assuming that the thousands of emails you received, probably.

P

Didn't list turf fields as a priority either when officials are elected at large, they have.

P

Access to a greater number of votes and a broader voting base being elected by district would make.

P

Those officials directly responsible for that district and for those constituents.

P

If that were the case, maybe it wouldn't be as easy to ignore constituents when they get involved.

P

Thank you great, thank you elisa. Do we have anyone else signed up uh for the telephone.

C

Teleconference line dr bridget, let me check, I don't see any calls right now.

C

Hi julie, this is elisa casas. I'm calling to see if we have any more teleconference calls.

C

For the commissioner's public hearing, I'm sorry public forum this evening, we do not.

C

Thank you julie, dr bridget. At this time we don't have any more callers on our teleconference line.

B

Thank you for checking. Is there anyone else here tonight that would like to speak.

B

B

Q

Good evening, commissioners, I'm ellen flowers fields associate vice president of continuing.

Q

Education and workforce development at the college of southern maryland and first and foremost, I want.

Q

To thank you for your ongoing support of the college of southern maryland and certainly.

Q

Of your support of the ongoing negotiations of the mou between the college of southern maryland.

Q

And your department of parks and recreations, the citizens who have come here this evening.

Q

Are our impassioned our impassioned students? They are passionate about wellness and fitness.

Q

As well as we are and we're here to assure them that our mutual commitment remains firm.

Q

We're working through this negotiation process and as the college of southern maryland.

Q

Is in phase three of its reopening operations, our first priority is to get our students back in the.

Q

Classroom and to do that safely and we've been operating in a hybrid mode for several months now,.

Q

And we'll continue to do that through the summer as we move towards the fall, we're going to expand.

Q

That reopening to include some of the wellness and fitness activities that you've heard about.

Q

Here this evening I explained to many of those who presented this evening before the forum when.

Q

We had an opportunity to speak in the hall that it'll be slow. We need to make sure everyone's.

Q

Safe and we need to make sure that the protocols that remain in place for the pandemic are being.

Q

Followed but they have our commitment to continue to work with them and get them back into this.

Q

Very important asset in this county. So again I want to thank you for your continued support.

Q

And just thank our students for their passion and we look forward to getting you guys back in that.

Q

Class as well, thank you. Thank you thanks ellen. Thank you. Anyone else wanting to speak. Yes, sir.

R

I'm mike schwartz, I own mike's bikes. I live at 21310c great mills, road upstairs from the shop.

R

It's come to my attention that the new police station at and park is not manned 24.

R

7. due to a funding problem, evidently that's completely wrong. We have the most people in.

R

Lexington park, we have the most crime, but we don't have a 24 7 police presence. There.

R

You spend all that money build that building. You may as well have left the outpost beside the highs.

R

From way back in the day, you need to man that thing: 24 7., the people in lexington park.

R

Need a place to go where they can find a cop when they need one anytime day or night.

R

People say a lot of bad things about accident park, including I've heard.

R

A member of this board there's a lot of hardworking people in lexington park.

R

They need police protection, they also could use a couple other things.

R

Everybody talks bad about lexington park, but nobody seems to want to do anything about it.

R

Because of the at-large system of voting for commissioners is in this county.

R

All of you, gentlemen, are partly responsible for what goes on there, not just todd. You need to start.

R

Going into town looking around and trying to help the people there, I have a couple ideas for you.

R

We need job programs for the homeless people we need summer job programs for the kids.

R

We need apprentice programs for kids coming out of high school. All those contractors making millions.

R

And billions of dollars should be helping the kids in this county to get started in life.

R

The trades could do that too.

R

I believe we need to open the schools, gyms and libraries in the summertime, so these kids have.

R

A place to go where they can continue learning and maybe play a little basketball or something summer.

R

Basketball leagues for the kids would not be a bad idea helping the mission. The mission does a.

R

Lot of work that you guys should be doing the way the mission is treated is despicable in my eyes,.

R

I think we need to find facilities for victims of domestic violence.

R

That's something that this county has needed for decades. No one's ever done anything about it.

R

I think you guys got to change your priorities. We don't need astroturf fields.

R

We need opportunities for the young, we need police presence and law and order in lexington park.

R

And we need to help the people the people in lexington park do all the hard work in.

R

This county they're the ones doing the floors working at retail, for nothing.

R

And they should they deserve respect, and they should they deserve help from this board.

B

Thank you. Thank you, alisa. Anyone on the uh phone call. Yes, thank you, dr bridgette good evening.

C

Thank you for calling in to participate in the commissioners of saint mary's county public forum.

C

Please remember: you have three minutes to address the commissioners and I will let you know when your time is expired. Please speak clearly into your phone and.

C

State your name and address for the record good evening. You may begin your remarks now.

S

Thank you very much. This is troy cowan 21-11 southeast in lovely, downtown lexington park.

S

Thank you for the kind word about lexington park and the hard work the folks do down here. I want to.

S

Thank bishop swell for the support and approval of the ymca community project going forward. We look.

S

We're looking forward with eager anticipation bringing that project in on time, budget and.

S

uh Fully ready to operate, I have three two additional points. I'd like to bring up this.

S

This evening, one is has already been addressed a couple of times, and that is the.

S

Large number and the frequency of budget changes specifically additions to spend about money.

S

I would suggest the commissioners consider coming up with the discipline process for identifying.

S

The candidates when found money is available and then prioritizing those candidates and working off.

S

The prioritized candidate list when funds become available, it would also be important to have that.

S

That list of candidate projects subject to public review and comments. The last thing I would would.

S

Suggest in this speak to the representation issue, uh regardless of how you felt about the house bill.

S

And and all of that, I think it would be a great thing if the commissioners had.

S

Community-Based town hall sessions to supplement these quarterly public forums, getting you guys.

S

Sitting down in the localities would be a great benefit and give y'all a lot of insight into the.

S

Local situation, thank you again for supporting the y looking forward to working with you in the.

S

Coming year, take care bye-bye. Thank you, sir. Thank you for your marks, uh dr bridget. It doesn't appear.

C

That we have any more callers at this time, I'll check in with julie, real quick public forum call.

C

Center julie, it's alisa costas, I'm calling to see if we have any more callers on our teleconference.

C

Line at the moment for the commissioners of saint mary's county public forum, we do not.

C

Thank you julie, dr bridget. At this time we have no more callers on our teleconference line. Thank you.

B

Miss casas, we do not have any more for the public forum tonight. Anyone else that would like to speak.

E

Sure schwartz come on buddy coming up mike. Tell us more. I think you ought to.

A

Adjust the way you do your protocols here at the forum, all these people.

C

Sir excuse me: could you come to the microphone so they can hear you on youtube.

R

All these people came here to speak to you guys in person. I don't think they should have to wait for.

R

The people who just called in I think the people who just called in should have to wait for the.

R

People who had enough gumption and respect to come and actually come here and talk to you in person.

R

And I know it gave you a lot of hard time tonight, but the health department did a good job with the.

R

Vaccine roll out credit, where credit is due. Thank you mike once arranger, always a ranger.

B

And commissioners, this uh completes the public forum. Thank you, dr bridget, and elisa for all your.

A

Time here tonight uh for all of you here tonight, if this is important, we get the some public input.

A

And we'd like to thank all of you who attended in person and those who called.

A

In tonight it's very important that we get feedback. I assure you that all your.

A

Answers are will come to you as soon as possible. We have. Our directors are either listening in.

A

We'll get the information you have just provided and we'll be working. The csm has been a big thing.

A

And believe me we're working hard at that with our erection part group to to finalize that and.

A

Hopefully get that pool fixed and back in order. I agree with the arthritis problem. I know what's up.

A

I'm going through that myself and the pools do make a big difference to water and everything.

A

We appreciate your input is an important part of deliberations and decision making that we have.

A

Up here uh on a daily basis, a weekly basis, you can be assured that each of your concerns will.

A

Be addressed and you will be contacted by us or one of our staff for follow-up information.

A

At this time, thank you all for being here tonight and have a good weekend coming up.

A

This is memorial day. Remember why memorial day is happening. Please remember your service.

A

People who gave the ultimate sacrifice, we will now close the public forum.

A