Letter: Resident Asks Olszewski Sr. About Decision Making

Dundalk Patch received a copy of the following letter that Dundalk native Carolyn Jones sent recently to Baltimore County Councilman John Olszewski Sr:

Dear Councilman Olszewski:

As a native Dundalkian and a current resident, I have had the opportunity to discuss the situations hurting this town with neighbors, relatives and former residents. As an elected community leader you have heard our concerns. We are afraid you no longer listen to "we the people" and only hear the political machine view!

We deserve answers so here are the questions you need to address with all of us!

WHO:

Is making the decision on what Dundalk needs?

Decided we no longer needed 28 acres of parkland?

Decided we could further hurt the Chesapeake Bay with run-off from larger paved areas?

Decided the rain tax would make it better for this situation?

Decided rather than finish the Heritage Trail, to give the missing money to Towson for a park there?

Decided to place us in a situation of more pollution with another recycling center, heavy industry proposed for North Point Boulevard and heavy truck usage as the basis for the repaving of Merritt Boulevard from Peninsula Expressway to Wise and Holabird avenues?

Is deciding what our quality of life should be?

WHAT:

Is the PLAN for the greater Dundalk area—decided by who knows who?

Replaces a building that provides community program and services?

Authority allows you and whoever to decide major changes without prior discussions with the community?

Are you doing to improve the image of Dundalk?

WHY:

Do we continue to have the highest voucher number in the county?

For years, we have been lied to! We have been told we have only our fair share (ha ha), there is nothing that can be done. Well, your son tried to get passed in Annapolis the Home Act. The fact is DC and Montgomery County passed this years ago, to spread the vouchers throughout the area so as not to concentrate and destabilize any community.

I expect the Baltimore County Council to pass this law as quickly as possible. The mantra for the Democrats is spread the wealth and a fair share vision, it is time the rest of the county participates and we get the break along with Essex and Middle River on the East Side.

Do we have so many registered offenders?

So many of what I refer to as the walking wounded? Why no shelters or mental health facility for them?

WHEN:

Are permits being issued to clean up the Seagrams property?

Are permits for the new Rite Aid at Merritt Park to be issued?

Is a community meeting to be held to discuss what is planned for our future?

Did you decide you knew better than the rest of us as to our visions and community needs?

WHERE:

Are the written plans you all seem to working from but not presenting the community?

Did the idea of Dundalk being expendable come from?

There are 114,000 people in the greater Dundalk area. We deserve fair treatment and honest answers to our questions. One school has been affected and the rumor mill knows a middle school is targeted to be next on the change list.

What input are we having prior to decisions? Sadly NONE
The County Council, Board of Education and  Recreation and Parks all are supposed to work for the people. We seem to be taxed without representation and you need to be accountable to the people of Dundalk. The political machine has ignored our many requests in the past and that needs to stop now!

Sincerely,

Carolyn Jones