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Addition to Earlier Post
SPECIAL ADDITION:
A flood of emails has pointed out that the recent newsletter, in congratulating District 6 Councilman Ferrar, omitted recognition of the role played by Senior General’s Highway Councilman, Jamie Benoit, District 4. Their districts represent Crownsville.
This omission was purely unintentional. Jamie has been a stalwart friend of and effective legislator for the GH corridor, who wisely opposed bill 12-10 from the outset.
We are grateful for his efforts on behalf of his constituents.
Richard Falk
President GHCCA
Ferrar appointed to District 6 Council Seat
Chuck Ferrar has been appointed by the County Council to serve the remainder of Josh Cohen’s term. It is a pleasure to announce that the new District 6 Councilman will attend our January meeting to discuss his legislative plans, field questions, and hear our suggestions and comments.
Comprehensive Rezoning
The Comprehensive rezoning process is under way. As most of you know, every 10 years or so, the County undergoes this exercise, whereby individuals can request that their properties be rezoned. For those of us along the historic General’s Highway Corridor, rezoning is synonymous with increased commercial development.
GHCCA has been accused of being against new growth. This is false! We are nonprofit community advocates. Companies that profit by developing real estate and owners seeking to benefit by upzoning properties are advocates for development. It is the nature of advocates to “push” their viewpoint to the legal maximum. Developer/land owner interests must be balanced by community advocacy. In the absence of vigorous and reasoned community input, government has historically demonstrated the tendency toward unchecked overdevelopment. (Do I have to give examples?) GHCCA will exert as much influence as possible with elected officials to ensure that development
- Is in accordance with the Small Area Plan and the GDP
- Will not overwhelm the established infrastructure (roads, utilities)
- Will not have an adverse effect on the environment
- Will not materially change the nature of our area.
We will carefully monitor all rezoning applications for our area during this comprehensive rezoning process, bring them to the attention of our member communities for consideration, and make our feelings known to our County legislators.
GHCCA Dues due
GHCCA’s fiscal year starts on January 1. As such, we are requesting dues for 2010. The dues are $100 for community associations, of which $75 goes into the legal fund, and $20 for individual members. We appreciate that individuals and associations have remitted payment within the last year, but this was for 2009 dues. We would appreciate remittance for 2010 as soon as possible-GHCCA, P.O. Box 14, Crownsville, MD 210326. Thanks
Next GHCCA meeting:
7:30 Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Schoolhouse behind Historic Baldwin Hall.
- Chuck Ferrar, County Councilman, District 6
- Mark and Suze Zablotny – Crownsville Hospital property.
- Miriam Mellin – Rolling Knolls School campaign
- Zoning issues on General’s Highway.
See you then:
Richard Falk
President, GHCCA
GENERAL’S HIGHWAY COUNCIL OF CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Unfettered vistas: The mobile billboard overlooking “The Highway” at the north junction with Old General’s Highway has now been absent for 2 weeks. Hopefully it will not return. We should continue to document and direct County attention to other such violations.
County Councilman District 6:
The election of Josh Cohen as Mayor of Annapolis leaves district 6 with a vacant seat on the County Council. This position will be filled by a selection of the other councilmembers until the election is held in November. Although rumors abound of individuals interested in the position, few have formally declared their intentions. Two have contacted GHCCA and requested a meeting to introduce themselves to our group.
Michael G. Miller, County resident, real estate investor and commercial property owner, co-founder of Anne Arundel County for Obama.
Lisa Hillman, Sr. vice president and Chief Development Officer of the Anne Arundel Health System.
It will be of mutual benefit for the candidates to introduce themselves to GHCCA, and present their views as well as hear what our expectations are of our representatives.
I encourage you to attend the meeting, and bring friends and neighbors as
The contest begins.
As a 501(c)(4) organization GHCCA is permitted to take a stance on political elections, but it is premature to do so at this early juncture in the District 6 electoral process,
As other candidates declare themselves, they will be welcome to address GHCCA as well.
Next GHCCA meeting:
7:30 Tuesday, December 8
Schoolhouse behind Historic Baldwin Hall.
Agenda:
County Executive’s Office – Brenda Reiber, Report of the recent County Council meeting; Growth Action Network; Crownsville Hospital property.
Guests: Lisa Hillman, Michael G. Miller, County Council Hopefuls
See you then:
Richard Falk
President, GHCCA
Read the minutes of the last meeting. Continue reading Next GHCCA Meeting – December 8 An Invitation from Pres. Falk
The May meeting of the Generals Highway Council of Community Associations met on Tuesday, May 12 with a pleasant change of venue. Every corner of Historic Baldwin Hall was filled with a variety of community activities. The GHCCA’s usual basement meeting room was no exception so we were able to meet in the historic reconstructed schoolhouse behind Baldwin Hall – a delightful place for our meetings.
Among the items on the evening’s agenda was a report on zoning and development. The Fisher property in Crownsville has requested a zoning change; however, the information on the request has not been publicly available. Dutton Farm, next to Carriage Hills has posted a sign advertising hot tubs and spas creating a zoning question.
The main agenda item for the evening was guest speaker, Delegate James King from district 33A. Del. King has represented the district since January 2007. His presentation for the evening recapped the most recent legislative session. Continue reading Del. King Speaks at GHCCA Meeting
Crownsville, April 14: The basement of Historic Baldwin Hall is a rather stark place for a meeting. The ambience created by the cinder block walls is accented or rather punctuated by the thumbing on the ceiling of what I’m sure are graceful dancers upstairs in the main room.
It really doesn’t matter though because the information and the exchanges bring the place right to life. This month’s guests provided information and insight into opportunities and issues affecting your quality of life. Below are some of the highlights from the evening: Hammond’s Connection at the Dairy Farm; Brenda Reiber from the County Executive’s Office; Gail Smith from County Councilman Josh Cohen’s Office; GHCCA President Richard Falk; and Sara Caldes from Severn Riverkeepers; Don Yeskey, County Affordability Committee. Continue reading GHCCA Meeting Full of Info Important to You
Baldwin Hall Basement Room – General’s Hwy & Millersville Rd 7:30 PM April 14, 2009 (Always the 2nd Tuesday each month) Continue reading Next GHCCA Meeting 4/14 — You should be there
 Josh Cohen, our 6th district Anne Arundel County councilman, graciously gave me an interview. We talked about growing up here, getting elected, the issues, and getting involved. Here’s what we talked about. If you’d like to hear what he has to say in person and ask your own questions, plan to attend the next GHCCA meeting on February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Baldwin Hall. Continue reading Meet Josh Cohen -6th District County Councilman
Do you like living in Crownsville? The General Development Plan will determine what you see, the amount of traffic, the quality of your environment, the availability of services and more. We all need to read it and comment on it. We need to know where it will have its impact with zoning changes and what it will cost. On January 20, Dinnie White of the SAC presented concerns about the GDP to members of the GHCCA. (A few words about the acronyms: GDP- General Development Plan; SAC-Special Advisory Committee; GHCCA – your own Generals Highway Council of Community Associations.) Read on! Continue reading SAC Member Presents GDP Concerns to GHCCA
Last Sunday’s forum on the General Development Plan left as many questions unanswered as it answered. Speakers under a gag order relative to details of the plan were able to present only generalities and left the audience with the impression that available public information would lack specifics. The plan, which will determine our zoning future for years to come, will be released this Tuesday. It will be available on the county website in time for the Generals Highway Council of Civic Associations meeting on Tuesday evening at 7:30 in Historic Baldwin Hall. Plan to attend, but first read the rest of the story. Continue reading Tuesday GHCCA Meeting Critical to Crownsville’s Future
You know the saying, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Keeping up with the news of the Generals Highway Council of Civic Associations (GHCCA), attending the meetings and lending your support is a good way to keep the reasons you moved here from being altered, damaged, or destroyed. GHCCA is there for us at meetings and hearings that affect our neighborhoods in the short and long term. Right now the GDP is a hot topic for all of us– it’s about another old saying, “Speak now, or forever hold your peace.” Continue reading Keep Crownsville the way you like it or better–Next GHCCA Meeting
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