Kudos to the Glassman administration for its role in bringing a BGE vehicle charging station to county property. While the station will only slightly benefit the government’s one electric vehicle, perhaps a dozen or more residents with EVs can use it. And installing the station certainly supports the county’s stated “protect and preserve” goal for the environment.
Wouldn’t it be great if our county executive would also stop stonewalling the hundreds of concerned residents who have for months actively opposed the development of Abingdon Woods? Surely leaving that pristine area as green space would benefit many more people than one utility-provided power box. Astonishingly, the proposed Abingdon Business Park would destroy over 300 acres of established forest and critical wetland buffer to build warehouses while vacant ones sit within minutes of the same location. Why did our county government ever approve this ill-conceived project? Why did they amend the tax-friendly Enterprise Zone to include such a sensitive environmental area?
Despite mulitple requests, Mr. Glassman has refused to even meet with constituents on this matter to discuss alternatives. Fortunately, a number of organizations, including Harford County Climate Action and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, are fighting for a better solution. Concerned citizens are not remaining silent but continue to petition their representatives at Stop Abingdon Business Park.
Mr. Glassman, environmental protection and smart growth are long-term undertakings that should outweigh simple profit or political gain. Keep Abingdon Woods as perfect as it is now, for the future. Harford’s kids, particularly the students at William Paca Elementary School next to Abingdon Woods, deserve better from you.
JEAN SALVATORE
Bel Air