Help Save Fort Howard for our Veterans by 11/28/11

Over 200 concerned citizens participated in the meeting on 11/15/11 along with the following elected officials: Senator Norman Stone, Delegate Sonny Minnick, Delegate John Olszewski, Jr., as well as Bryan Sheppard acting as a representative of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Members of the Ford Howard Development Corporation and their legal representative were present as well. A reporter from the Dundalk Eagle and the Baltimore Sun were also present.
 
All Citizens Present (with the exception of a single person) including Senator Stone and Delegate Minnick vehemently voiced their opposition to the “mini-city” plan currently being pursued by the Fort Howard Development Corporation.  Additionally, everyone present (with the exception of the same person) agreed they would only be in favor of redevelopment of Fort Howard if the site was to be developed with residential and hospital facilities exclusively for veterans.  This was expanded upon by stating residents did not want the 1,500 residential facilities proposed in the current plan, but preferred the 500 residential facilities proposed in the original 2007 plan.
 
The Main Concerns of the Citizens Present Are:
 
•         Development should be for Veterans Only and include medical / rehabilitation facilities with appropriate housing. A “Veterans Preference” of 50 units at market price with no medical facilities is not acceptable.
 
•         The final EA (Environmental Assessment) is deficient and does not meet the standards of NEEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) processes. A comprehensive EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) should be required in this case do to the complexity of the proposed development and the nature of the property in question (a former military installation)
 
•         The current infrastructure of the area cannot handle the proposed development of the Fort Howard.  Roads, power, and sewer are nearly at capacity currently and to upgrade capacity on any of these will cost millions of dollars and require the purchase of private property and infringement on environmentally protected areas.  BGE has stated all gas / power line must be run underground in this area requiring additional land.
 
•         Research on the historical significance of all structures on the Fort Howard Property should be conducted and released to public comment / impact.  An opportunity should be give to preserve any historically significant structures identified by this study. What has been presented to far is insufficient.
 
At the meetings conclusion Delegate Sonny Minnick urged all citizens to write letters to Senator Mikulski and Congressman Rupersberger immediately to let them know your concerns (We only until 11/28/11).  If this is action is not taken immediately the developers will move forward with the current proposed plans.
 
Note: Delegate John Olszewski, Jr., Bryan Sheppard (acting as representative of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz) and members of the Ford Howard Development Corporation and their legal representative declined to speak, answer any questions, or comment during the meeting.

For Additional Information please contact:
Russell S. Donnelly, Coordinator
Environmental Analyst
Phone: 410-388-0898
Email: irsd7@verizon.net

Petition to save Fort Howard: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-fort-howard/

*US Troops Wounded in Afghanistan - 14,837. (Total excludes psychological injuries.)
*US Troops Wounded in Iraq - 32,219, 20% of which are serious brain or spinal injuries. (Total excludes psychological injuries.)
*US Troops who have lost a limb serving in Iraq or Afghanistan - 1,345
*Average number of months seriously wounded soldiers requires a care giver ? 19
*US Troops currently stationed in Iraq returning home at the end of 2011 ? 45,000
*US Troops with Serious Mental Health Problems after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan - 30% develop serious mental health problems within 3 to 4 months of returning home

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger

Washington, DC
2453 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2002
Phone: 202-225-3061
800-877-8339 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 202-225-3094

Timonium, MD
The Atrium
375 West Padonia Road, Suite 200
Timonium, MD 21093
Phone: 410-628-2701
800-877-8339 (voice/TTY)
Fax: 410-628-2708
 

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski

Washington, DC
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-4654

Baltimore
901 S. Bond Street, Suite 310
Baltimore, MD 21231
Phone (410) 962 - 4510
Fax (410) 962 - 4760
 

 
Congressman John Sarbanes
 
WASHINGTON D.C. OFFICE
2444 Rayburn HOB
Washington D.C. 20515
P. 202.225.4016
F. 202.225.9219
 
TOWSON OFFICE
600 Baltimore Ave., Suite 303
Towson, MD 21204
P. 410.832.8890
F. 410.832.8898
 

Senator  Ben Cardin
 
Washington D.C.
509 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC, 20510 Get Directions »
Tel: (202) 224-4524
Fax: (202) 224-1651

Baltimore Office
100 South Charles Street
Tower 1, Suite 1710
Baltimore, MD, 21201
Tel: (410) 962-4436
Fax: (410) 962-4156
 

 
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

Washington D.C. Office
2235 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington , D.C. , 20515
Phone:   (202) 225-4741
Fax:   (202) 225-3178

Baltimore City Office
1010 Park Avenue
Suite 105 Baltimore, MD, 21201
Phone:   (410) 685-9199
Fax:   (410) 685-9399
 

 
Congressman Steny Hoyer

1705 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone - (202) 225-4131
Fax - (202) 225-4300

U.S. District Courthouse
6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 310
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone - (301) 474-0119

Please call or email:
Russell S. Donnelly, Coordinator
Environmental Analyst
Phone: 410-388-0898
Email: irsd7@verizon.net