A recent poll, reported in The Sun May 19, stated that the news business always wants to be its own judge and jury. The basic summary was that news-gathering organizations often don't deserve the public's confidence. H. Jackson Brown Jr. worded it differently when giving advice to his college-bound son in "Life's Little Instruction Book": When talking to the press, he wrote, remember it always has the last word.
With that in mind, and with some trepidation, I would like to share the facts as I know them regarding the purchase of property along Brock Bridge Road for a police substation and recreational facility. At the time of the purchase, I was serving on the Anne Arundel County Council representing Councilmanic District 4, the area where the purchase was made, and I supported the purchase.
Fact: A critical shortage of recreational and park facilities in western Anne Arundel County has existed for a long time.
Records show that the purchase of land for such facilities has been on many council agendas over the years. I served on a special recreation and parks committee in 1992, when State Sen. Robert R. Neall was county executive. The committee was co-chaired by former Del. Marsha G. Perry and Del. David Boschert, a former councilman. Its report showed the need for recreational facilities in West County, including the Maryland City area. Efforts to correct that situation have been in the works ever since. The purchase of the land was the culmination of those efforts.
Fact: A critical need still exists for additional police presence in western Anne Arundel.
Although the population in Maryland City, Jessup, Laurel Highlands, Russett and Bacontown is approaching 30,000 people, many people living there feel estranged from the rest of the county. Area crime includes drug trafficking, prostitution, armed robbery and vehicle theft. In addition, the Maryland House of Correction, Reformatory for Women, Patuxent Institute and the District of Columbia Children's Center are located near these communities. These facilities, housing about 8,000 inmates, are a constant concern to citizens living in the corridor.
For the past four years, public safety and human service needs of residents in the area were severe enough to initiate many meetings in response to hundreds of calls from constituents. Then-Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary, his staff and I met with residents and others concerned, such as the commander of the Western District Police Station and his officers, along with police from Laurel and Howard County, which borders on the area.
We also met with representatives of county departments of health, human services, social services, recreation and parks, and land use and environment. In addition, private organizations and several businesses actively participated in these meetings. As a result, a new library was built in Russett, a new fire station is near completion and two county properties were conveyed to the Maryland City Civic Association for use by the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The decision to purchase the land was made only after long and hard deliberation of many people and organizations.
Fact: The Western District Police Station is overcrowded and must be expanded or replaced. A substation would alleviate this situation by locating it along Brock Bridge Road.
The Police Department testified before the council in support of a capital project to expand the Western District Police Station to help alleviate overcrowded conditions. The concept plan would have some detectives and police officers relocate to the substation, which would then provide better coverage west of Baltimore-Washington Parkway, where citizens have asked repeatedly for enhanced protection.
Fact: Land acquisition money was set aside by the council and was available to purchase property legally.
The perception in the media is of wrongdoing in the acquisition of land on the part of the Gary administration. The council provided funds for the acquisition during the fiscal year 1999 budget deliberations. My understanding is that appraisal of the property had not been completed prior to budget hearings, so the purchase and negotiations could not be discussed before the council. I don't believe there was an intent to deceive or to do anything illegal. The county now owns an excellent, ideally located parcel that can house a police substation and recreational facilities.
Fact: Impact fees generated from Laurel Park are available to build a police substation.
Historically, the county receives about $375,000 annually in impact fees from the Laurel racetrack. State law requires that these funds be used for facilities and services within 3 miles of the track. This could help in the construction of a police substation, as they did in helping build the Maryland City branch library and fire station.
Fact: The Small Area Planning Committee for Maryland City-Jessup is working to develop a comprehensive plan for the area.
This committee's purpose is to help determine the needs of their respective communities. If the Owens administration is supportive of the committee concept, let the process work. Prior to rushing to judgment and selling a well-situated parcel of land, even at a loss, give the citizens a chance to consider its potential uses and express their needs and desires.
Fact: Many planned county projects were eliminated to free up funding for school construction and maintenance in the fiscal year 2000 capital budget.
A balanced outlook must be maintained to include police substations, libraries, fire stations, senior centers, recreational facilities, etc. Many of these worthwhile projects have been eliminated because of the overzealous promises to the school system and county Teachers Association.
Fact: The state's attorney is conducting a criminal investigation of Mr. Gary and the land deal.
A representative of the state's attorney's office was present at meetings when needs of the communities were discussed. Besides, the known animosity between the state's attorney and Mr. Gary raises troubling questions: Would anyone expect a fair investigation? Do we need further vilification of Mr. Gary, or should we move on to solve the many remaining problems facing Anne Arundel County?
Mr. Gary did purchase land hastily during an election year for the express purpose of building a police substation and recreational facilities in an area where they are critically needed. County government does not and should not stop operating during a campaign.
In my judgment, the Gary administration did not violate any law. Mr. Gary and council members at the time merely wanted to see that years of hard work came to fruition by providing constituents with needed services.
Would that the new administration be able to do the same.
Bert L. Rice Odenton
The writer is a former Anne Arundel County Council member.
Pub Date: 6/06/99