News from Annapolis Deadline Looms for Citizen Input on Controversial Pathways Growth Plan July 8, 2009 Dear Friends, Many of you have shared your concerns with me about Pathways, the draft Carroll County Comprehensive Plan. In fact, hundreds of Carroll County residents jammed the Century High School Auditorium last month to protest Pathway's proposed 20-year growth plan for the county.   I too have many concerns about Pathways and am making sure that the Planning and Zoning Commission knows about them before it holds a public hearing July 14 at Winters Mill High School. I strongly suggest that you put your specific concerns and questions in writing and submit them to the Planning and Zoning Commission, as I plan to do.   Friday is the last day comments may be submitted on-line to become part of the official record. However, you may also submit written comments or testify verbally at the July 14 hearing, which is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m.   As a State Delegate, I have no real say-and no vote-on Pathways because it is strictly a county document. That's why I am getting involved as a citizen.   There is a whole group of Pathways planners at the county offices who should be able to answer any questions you may have. Their hotline number, open 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, is 877-349-8309. I hope you will contact them to get some answers. There is also a Pathways website available for more information. Unfortunately, the document is nearly 200 pages long, very redundant, and lacks an executive summary. The information on the proposed zoning changes is very difficult to find. The majority of these changes are noted on page 28 on a map called Pathways Plan Proposal. Although I am frustrated by the documents, I am confident that the Planning Commission will take all our concerns into consideration. The thing to remember is that Pathways is a recommendation from the Planning Department. It must be approved by the Planning Commission before it goes to County Commissioners for final approval. The earlier it gets changed, the better.   In addition to the Pathways website, a newspaper series on the plan by the Carroll County Times may be helpful in answering your questions.     Transportation Trust Fund Needs Protection As reported in the Washington Examiner:          Maryland does not have a truly dedicated source of funding for (transportation) maintenance since the Trust Fund can and has been raided to pay for other projects... Part of the solution is ensuring that money collected for maintaining roads goes to roads and that money in the TTF (Transportation Trust Fund) is spent only on transportation. Carroll County Republican Del. Susan Krebs sponsored legislation to make that happen on multiple occasions-- this year it was HB139 and HB140. Neither made it to a vote. She promised to reintroduce legislation next year because the TTF is 'called a trust fund- it should have some trust.'"

 

Note from Susan:    I am dedicated to being your voice in Annapolis as we work toward better roads, schools and jobs, and also a reduced tax burden.    Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have. My legislative aide, Linda Schmuck, and I are always happy to help.