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Letters to the Editor

We welcome your opinions and letters – with name and address. We will edit when necessary. Include your name, address and phone number for verification. Mail them to Bay Weekly, P.O. Box 358, Deale, MD 20751 • E-mail them to [email protected]. or submit your letters on line, click here

Riverkeeper Seeks Advice

Dear Bay Weekly:

We have used Letters to the Editor in the past to let people know what the West/Rhode Riverkeeper thinks on issues relating to the protection and restoration of our rivers. Now we would like to use your space to ask readers in our watershed to join in an online survey to let us know about the issues they think are important.

The survey consists of 10 questions and should take less than five minutes to complete. The results will give us a better idea of what people think the most significant issues are and what they think we and they should be doing to address those issues.

Find the survey at www.surveymonkey.com/westrhode. Or complete it by phone at 410-933-9002. Leave your name and phone number; your call will be returned.

Because we are a grass-roots organization whose priorities are driven by local concerns, the survey is a key tool for us to set those priorities.

–Bob Gallagher West/Rhode Riverkeeper

Calvert’s Future Floats on Its Aquifers

Dear Bay Weekly:

Your next drink of water just might determine the future of Calvert County.

Our current Calvert County Water & Sewer Plan (www.co.cal.md.us/government/departments/planning/default.asp) identifies population growth of 91,000 by 2010; 96,000 by 2020; and 100,000 (Build-Out) by 2030. Experts estimate that our Aquia and Piney Point/Nanjemoy aquifers can sustain themselves while serving 37,000 households — 100,000 to 105,000 citizens.

The build-out of 37,000 households, predicated upon a sustainable aquifer, impacts businesses and citizens. Local businesses are unrealistic if their business plans project growth that serves greater than 37,000 households.

Individuals moving to Calvert County desiring the same type of large shopping center conveniences and business park communities as elsewhere also have unrealistic expectations. After reaching build-out, what happens to others who want to move here? What happens to property values and associated tax assessments?

A grand opportunity is underway to address the myriad issues and concerns regarding Calvert County’s quality of life. Various Town Center Master Plans are being updated. Solomons, Lusby and St. Leonard communities are underway, followed soon by Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, Owings and Dunkirk. Completion of these master plans is intended by the end of 2009. If you are unfamiliar with the citizens in your community who are involved with these updates, perhaps you need a little more involvement. Take on some individual responsibility.

To become more involved, contact the county Planning and Zoning office: 410-535-1600 x 2356; 301-855-1243 x 2356; [email protected]

–Evan Slaughenhoupt, Dunkirk;

[email protected]; 410-257-3694

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