After nearly 16 hours in City and County meetings yesterday, and then checking out the forum last night to catch up on some topics, I came to the conclusion that I simply cannot keep up with clarifying many of the comments that may not fully represent the facts surrounding so many issues discussed on this forum. That said, I also, thought that most folks that post here may not be interested in all of the basic facts surrounding every issue, muddying the exchange of opinions on matters.


Therefore I thought I would start this thread as more of a Q&A for those interested, to allow a place to ask questions on such basic issues, for example "how the annexation process works, and what is the County's role" to better understand arguments and opinions posted in the thread topics on such issues. This is not being created to argue points but rather to simply provide information in arguing points within the threads on each issue. I obviously have no preconceived notion that I will have all of the answers to questions asked, but will try to provide whatever information i may possibly be able to offer.

Do you or do you not have a scooter and plan to ride it to the next joint meeting with Mayor Bob?

Kid
Thanks and smart move. I do have a major concern for you I saw your concern was mentioned about this new Shopping center to be built. What a stink this is. Please do all that you can to stop it in it's tracks. We have enough empty store front's that can be used. I firmly believe this would create more of a problem for the down town area as well at the neighborhood and School out in that area. Further the amount of low paying job's that this developer is bragging about bringing in, is a freakin joke at best. How are those folks that would be potentially hired going to afford most housing around this area.? Kick the idiot out of town and keep him out. Please!!!!
I am a firm believer on doing something with rehabbing an area/ building, before ripping up street's, fields, and all around seriously causing major traffic snarls and building an all new and EEEWWW AAAAAHHHHH LOOKY LOOKY. Big deal!!!!! This is getting nut's that developer's are coming in and the I personally feel that you all are allowing them to do this. So please Don't let this happen I know your smart enough to somehow force this developer into utilizing some of our pre-existing building's that have been left vacant. One more thing the very last thing we need is more Food mart's to contribute to the FAT FARM. ETC..... fast food joint's.

Kid, I have a feeling you're going to regret starting this thread and I'll be sure to ask you what the heck you were thinking the next time I see you.

I can't wait, what were you thinking?

Hag- no I do not have a street legal scooter, but would like to get one, and yes I would ride it to meetings, weather permitting.

Dodge- The BOCC do not have the ability to approve or deny annexation, the only thing we can vote on as it relates to the annexation process is whether it is or is not consistent with County zoning and if not, can only withhold approval of consistency for 5 years.

Dodge, re-read Kid's original post. General questions! Not on specific matters.

This thread is going to go to hell in a hurry.

I would have to agree. Hagerstown should avoid becoming the next Frederick. We have enough shopping centers, hotels, etc.... what we need are good paying jobs, not more low paying jobs.

What about traffic. It's increased a lot in the past couple of years and nothing is really being done to help solve the situation. Look at the new traffic pattern at Lowes/Weis is horrible. You have 1 lanes turning into 2 lanes. 2 lanes end and everyone has to struggle to get back into 1 lane. It's a complete nightmare when traffic is heavy. I won't even ask why the bridge wasn't extended before construction finished on the shopping center.

Kid:

A general question(s) about development:

Who is reponsible for the economic development of Washington County and the City of Hagerstown?

Where can we go to see the annual accomplishments of this group(s) ?

Thanks.

The County has the Hagerstown/Washington County Economic Development Commission, and employs roughly 6 people.

The City, has Debbie Everhart, who works as hard as 6 people, but she is the only one in our administration.

So, you can see the need for a recruiter, no?

Also, it should be known, the State has it's own EDC and the County gets the hand me downs, and so on.

There are a number of organizations that work at the local, county, state, and federal levels within the County that provide soime responsibility to this issue.

Chamber of Commerce(s)
EDC-Economic Development Commission
COPT and PenMar
MD DBED
Greater Hagerstown Committee
CHIEF
Home Builders Association
Ag Center

just to name a few. Most have monthly or quarterly meetings which are typically open to the public as well as newsletters, local office contacts, nad various functions that are often well attended.

All of these organizations work in concert with all levels of govt to increase economic development efforts in this County.

Most of them produce quarterly and annual reports made available to the public.

I attend many of their meetings and functions and try to review as much of the information they provide as I can, as it is updated and provided to the BOCC.

Kid
See you answered it. Thanks.... Now kid get a bike for crap sakes to quiet everyone down ok. LOL

So what is the hold up for a recruiter? If the pay would be based on commission of what they bring to the City, why can't this happen yesterday?

Also, it should be known, the State has it's own EDC and the County gets the hand me downs, and so on. [/quote]
Mayor Bob
Just ain't right is it??

Let's see, I have one council member who wants to hire an Economist.

I have one who believes that we need our own commission, non-payed, volunteers.

I have one who is too frugal.

I need to be able to have a fund available for reimbursement of travel expenses etc. for a recruiter. This makes sense, I mean after all, we can drop 100K a year for a Federal lobbyist, we could certainly find 100K to put in an account for a recruiter/head hunter type company.

I have been asking for this since 1999. No luck. Heck, even Bob Maginnis agrees with me, so you know I must be right.

Ah yes... commissions, committees, and boards: the most effective way to stifle progress.

I was actually asked to join a board for a local organization recently; it took me about 2 seconds to make a decision.

Kid:
What are your thoughts on keeping out large trucks from parking in developments?
10 tons and up in weight. Would the county make its own regulations?

As I said yesterday in a different thread, I commend Mayor Bob for everything he tries to do or accomplish. Given the mentality of the council he has to work with, his job is no easy task.

Mcgee.

We discussed this issue at length recently given that it is one of our legislative requests to the Delegation for the enabling ability to pass this local law. My preference as it pertains to residential neighborhoods would be that the new law would apply to tandem axle vehicles, similar to how the law is written in many other communities. However, it was made clear during that meeting that there was not support to go to that "extreme" especially on the part of the Delegation, and so it was settled that the law if granted enabling legislation to the BOCC this year would apply to tractor AND trailers parkjed in a residential neighborhood. It does not apply to just the tractor or trailer part, nor to single heavy load trucks. I think the direction I preferred would have addressed all types of heavy load vehicles subject to the tandem axle language.

Found it!!

Ok, the question again.

Could you please inform me of the total cost to the County for the Pen Mar Water System Installation?

Thank you.

Mcgee, just a follow up to let you know that I have heard that when the funsktown bridge amendment was attached to the changes in highways bill which would have addressed at least to some degree your question about large trucks parked in residential neighborhoods, that as it went back and forth over the bridge issue, it was finally killed before the session closed, so it looks like some of these basic changes we were looking for were killed along with it.

Oh, and for Patton (I think) here is the thread I was referring to

Kid,

Any response to the question I posted?

Thank you.

Bump

Kid?

You still around?

Could you please inform me of the total cost to the County for the Pen Mar Water System Installation?

I think it's a secret.