Kamenetz Addresses North Point Peninsula Council
Photos
The people were there waiting for the Baltimore County Executive to make his appearance and discuss the future plans for the North Point Peninsula. Just before 7 p.m. a smiling and cordial Mr. Kamenetz entered the cafeteria, stopping at each table to shake hands and greet those in attendance.
Longtime NPPC President Harry Wujek called the meeting to order and outlined some of his concerns for the peninsula, including a 2007 Community Plan that continues to languish in the county’s bureaucracy.
Mr. Kamenetz then began his presentation by referring to the peninsula as the birthplace of the county with a reference to the War of 1812.
That opening remark was followed by some ominous words from the county executive.
“Tough times are still out there,” he said, adding that the council was reviewing his proposed budget for final approval.
He cited declining property taxes and tax revenues along with the fact that 70 cents of every tax dollar goes towards the county’s payroll.
“The economy is bad and it’s a challenge,” he said, while pointing out the county has consolidated numerous agencies in an effort to cut costs and increase efficiency.
“We were able to delay a police academy class by six months by assigning the PAL duties to Recs (recreation) and Parks," Kamenetz said "That allowed us to put more officers back on the street."
The county executive pointed to the advancements in technology in cutting costs. People can now report crimes online where a police officer will assist the victims in determining if an investigation is warranted.
Kamenetz also alluded to the county court system adopting a recording system thus freeing up court stenographers for other duties. In addition, he pointed to a new phone concept the county will adopt utilizing the internet via Comcast, eliminating the costly Verizon phone service.
Russ Donnelly, the Environmental Representative for the council, asked Mr. Kamenetz about his stance on the LNG issue.
“I don’t think it creates a lot of jobs,” the executive replied, indicating his stance on the project has not changed and he opposes it.
In response to another citizen concern over a delay in the county not marking a pedestrian crosswalk in front of the Food Lion on North Point Road, Mr. Kamenetz promised that the director of public works would be given two weeks to rectify that situation.
Fort Howard was the next topic of discussion. Mr. Kamenetz reported that his office has heard nothing from the developers and thought they were trying to line up financing.
This brought a response from President Wujek, who held up a copy of a signed lease agreement which indicated construction could begin in the fourth quarter of 2012.
To be sure, this story is just heating up.
The highlight of the evening was a quote from NPPC President Harry Wujek when he said, “We expected more from tonight’s meeting.”
Mr. Wujek spoke out of frustration at the county’s failure to act on a community concept plan submitted over five years ago. Mr. Kamenetz promised to look into the situation.
Mr. Wujek wanted to know if there was any movement on the streetscape project, and again Mr. Kamenetz said he would look into it. He went on to urge members of the community to take an active role in their own destiny by getting involved in the many issues that impact the peninsula where they live.
President Wujek also presented Senator Norman Stone with a plaque for his 50 years of government service. A side note to this part of the story, Senator Stone drove down from Delaware to attend this meeting unaware of his pending award.
Shell9
1:57 pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wouldn't you think with Stone being in office all these years, Sparrows Point/Edgemere would have gotten more projects approved and finished? I guess he has no pull after all.
Buzz Beeler
11:47 am on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Shell9 not sure on that one. I will tell you the citizens will need his help in their opposition to the Fort Howard development.
I will have some more photos up shortly.
On another note, Mr. Kamenetz promised to have that crosswalk marked in two weeks. We'll hold him to that promise and I'll be the first to take a photo of it.
Miss Migraine
11:48 am on Thursday, April 19, 2012
He cited declining property taxes and tax revenues along with the fact that 70 cents of every tax dollar goes towards the county’s payroll.
That statement says it all!
Matthew
12:43 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Why did he say, "We expected more" once Kamenetz left the room? Why didn't he say it to his face?
Buzz Beeler
6:53 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Matthew, I thought he did say it while the county executive was still there. That's what caught my attention.
johnny towson
3:20 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
A half a billion dollar project and he hasn't heard from the developer? He is either 1. lying or 2. asleep at the wheel. Nice. What he wanted to say was, I don't care to talk about Ft. Howard because it doesn't involve you people. You people wouldn't understand the complexities of the deal. By the way, "lining up financing" means shaking the unions down for capital and debt. More on that another day.
FactChecker
10:53 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
The County Executive stated that the developer has not filed for any permits with the County, and that no process has been initiated with the County. The County Executive stated that the developer appears to be waiting to resolve financing issues before submitting any applications with the County, but once an application has been filed, the County Executive assured the community that all public input processes would be followed.
Buzz Beeler
6:55 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Johnny I think you touched on something I have been hearing rumblings about. I talked to a ranking VA representative and I was quite surprised by some of his answers.
One fact I know is that the VA's authority to sign leases expired on 12/31/11 at midnight. The next question I asked dealt with the developers meeting the deadline and the answer was "they are doing due diligence," meaning they have yet to provide all the necessary documentation.
When I asked about the VA's failure to respond to certain other documents that were filed by the community he responded, "I can't answer that."
I have heard the same rumblings about he heat on the unions for money. There is a lot more to this story and I would bet, based on the Jim Smith connection the county executive knows the rub of the green, as we golfers say.
johnny towson
9:46 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Mr. Beeler,
You may want to look into the Governor's interest in this project. If you can get anyone to talk about it, you will learn that the Gov. and the County Exec. are grasping at straws together. The Gov. wants to make this a "legacy" project and the County Exec is looking to ride his coat tails. They both are limited on capital and debt capacity so the development is having trouble finding financing to get off the ground. The unions really want to put some people to work and are trying hard to make the investment- So the Gov., Exec, and unions all want the environmental and infrastructure issues to just go away so at least they have a shot to force this deal- that is a tough trio to challenge in this town- Also, the project as described by have the VA in name but its name only. I dont know how many VA retirees can afford $1 Million Dollar condos. This is a luxury condo deal built on the back of the VA hospital and its retirees... pretty disgusting, at least call it what it is... a beautiful piece of waterfront property that is under-utilized and overpriced for what it can handle- so let it be and go back to the drawing board.
Buzz Beeler
10:59 pm on Thursday, April 19, 2012
Johnny, you and I must be talking to the same people. What a grand stage a project like this would be for O'Malley in the national arena, irrespective of the plight of the veterans. Just connect the dots. Dutch, Smith, O'Malley, Olszewski and some others. The back scratching has been going on for decades and they are starting to rub the people raw.
I took my brother downtown to the VA today for a procedure and talked to people who had to drive from long distances away just to see the doctor. They talked of waiting all day for that opportunity. That is where you can sense the real needs of the vets and not the politicians or developers.
I can tell you the community has some rather nifty surprises in store for the congressman. I plan on doing an extensive blog on this including releasing a copy of the auditors report on the VA's handling of these EUL's or Enhanced Use Lease agreements.
I don't see the developers downsizing. They already made it clear at the one and only community meeting that the overall size of the project is the driving force as in profit margin.
There are a lot of trees down there and that is what concerns me. The amount of shade!
Speaking of shade:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/04/19/widening-probe-suggests-neely-wife-benefited-from-free-gsa-spending/
Ron Burgundy
6:28 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Two peas in a pod, both summarily dismissed from the County now pretending to be the eyes and ears for everything that's going on. Nice! When does Mel Gibson join the group.
Donna
8:47 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Ron is always so dreamy when he parrots the lines. Just like I remember him, many years back! Greenwood dreaming.
Buzz Beeler
7:02 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
If I got summarily dismissed than I guess I should send my retirement money back. Mr. Fred showed me the light and I was reborn into a truthsayer.
It's not the Officer of Mel, it's the Office of Fred.
Show me where I'm wrong? I had a long talk with the VA. I don't blame you for attempting damage control though, I would do the same. A lot of money at stake.
I've said this before, they make their bed, they have to lie in it. Who else got the axe, you said there were two of us. Don't forget the crosswalk, My notes said a promise was made.
Speaking of pensions where is the $21 million? Why the LA Confidential - Hush, Hush? I would be curious to see who the broker was, I mean $600,000 and between $1 million is a lot of money.
Bruce Kahl
11:57 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Buzz, Keep us all informed on this. They expect the residents to "go away" on this issue. They contemplate that the few residents of the community is not enough to make a difference. you will see that there are many fingers in this "pot". The VA wants to unload prime property that is no longer used. Veterans a concern or considered for this bay view resort. Once they start planning the "bridge" from I695 to come across the creek, it will be a done deal. You heard it first right here.
Bruce Kahl
11:58 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Correction: veterans are NOT a concern or considered for this "Bay View Resort"
Buzz Beeler
12:38 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Bruce, I will. There are some real knowledgeable people within the community that have a great deal of insight into this matter.
The federal government is no different that the county bureaucracy. They do what they want until they get caught with their hands caught in the cookie jar.
Gone are the day of back door politics. Too many eyes watching now. Too many questions being asked.
There is a lot going on down here and it's just starting to heat up. Could be a long hot summer, or at the very least an interesting one.
I had to rent a backhoe for this one. A shovel would never do.
Interesting retrospect on the I 695 issue.