Author: Jay Ferguson
Local officials concerned about secession movement
Matthew BieniekCumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Two county commissioners in far Western Maryland are concerned about the impact and publicity that talk of secession is gaining, leading to hostile reactions in other parts of the state.
They say public officials aren’t behind the talk, oppose the idea and haven’t been asked about the question by some of those who have written about the topic in newspapers and other media.
“We have never had a conversation about this. … The unfortunate thing is some people in the central and more urban areas of the state think we are out here pushing this,” said Garrett County Commissioner Jim Raley.
Considering the obscurity of the group pushing the idea, it has received enormous publicity, Raley said.
Some of the articles imply that the state’s five westernmost counties are in support of the idea, which simply isn’t true, local officials said.
What’s interesting to us … none of us (public officials) have been asked to weigh in on it,” said Raley.
“I certainly believe there are issues … on which the citizens of Western Maryland don’t agree with the state,” Raley said. “But our region has been very fortunate as part of the state of Maryland.”
He said many citizens in the larger urban and suburban areas of the state come to Garrett County and spend money, aiding the local economy.
“We have an amicable relationship with the state,” Raley said. “Many citizens of Garrett County don’t get Maryland television and don’t realize what a hornet’s nest this has become.”
Raley even dismissed the secession talk at first, but is now concerned it’s doing damage to the region. He said he began to realize the negative impact when a constituent told him of a call from an acquaintance in an urban region concerned about the movement and why it was receiving support.
The organization pushing for secession is the Western Maryland Initiative, led by Scott Strzelczyk. The group wants the counties to secede and form their own state, according to The Associated Press.
An Allegany County commissioner also opposes the idea.
“I do not believe the movement has any likelihood of success. The movement is more of a distraction and is taking away valuable time from the issues facing Western Maryland,” said Allegany County Commissioner Michael McKay.
McKay, though, does understand why the movement might have appeal to some residents of the area.
“The secession movement has pulled on the emotions of many Western Marylanders because of the overall lack of respect shown to rural residents in counties like Allegany. We, the state of Maryland, need to get back to the philosophy of ‘One Maryland,’” McKay said.
The five counties — Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll — represent just 11 percent of Maryland’s population, but the majority of their registered voters are Republicans in a heavily Democratic state, according to The AP.
“If you don’t belong in their party,” Strzelczyk said of Democrats, “you’ll never have your views represented” in Maryland. “If we have more states,” he said, “we can all go live in states that best represent us, and then we can get along.”
Approval of both the General Assembly and the U.S. Congress would be required to approve secession.
McKay said the movement is a distraction to the real issues facing Western Maryland.
“Instead of wasting time on this non starter, I would rather focus on building relationships that will produce fruits to change the appearance Maryland is being viewed as less than friendly to businesses, taxpayers, drivers, sportsmen, families, farmers. … This must stop. Talking about secession only gets in the way. I completely understand the frustration but, at the end of the day, it is easier to get flies with honey than a baseball bat. Respect and common sense must prevail,” McKay said.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
POA opposes Text Amendment
Special POA Board Meeting Concerning the Proposed Text Amendment
To the
Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance
At a Special Meeting of the POA Board held on September 14, 2013, the Board authorized me as President to send the attached letter on behalf of the POA to the Garrett County Commissioners opposing the petition for a text amendment to the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance submitted by an individual applicant as well as a modified version of the text amendment recommended by a simple majority of the Garrett County Planning Commission.
A Public Hearing on this matter is scheduled for September 24, 2013, at 5:00 PM in the County Commissioners’ meeting room of the Courthouse in Oakland, MD.
The POA Board is deeply concerned that the proposed text amendment would upset the integrity of the Watershed Zoning Ordinance by opening the door to unknown consequences without further public review that go far beyond the individual applicant.
Day to Serve – Maryland
Day to Serve Is Here!
Day to Serve is a unique annual event that transcends politics and religious differences. It unites people of all faiths, races, cultures, and backgrounds with the shared goal of helping those in need and improving the communities where we live.
More here. and their Facebook page.
Water Levels will be above Lower Rule Band – DCL POA
From the eBlast:
“The information below was in an email I received from David Myerberg, Chairman, DCL Policy and Review Board, on September 12, 2013. He requested I forward it to our membership due to rumors that have been circulating that some unusual water releases were planned that would cause a dramatic drop in lake levels. The lake water levels can always be checked at the POA website or the Deep Creek Hydro site. The email information follows:
I just finished a conversation with Eric Null regarding the projected effects on lake levels from the dam releases planned for the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 2013. As you know, during that week, Brookfield is permitted to have three releases, including one on Saturday. They are also permitted to have three additional releases for the week leading to the Gauley Fest. Although the Gauley Fest is in Summersville, WV, it attracts a large number of kayakers and rafters to Garrett County. “….more here.
Wind farms killed 67 eagles in 5 years
The investigation into these eagle deaths excluded the deadliest place in the country for eagles, which kills more than 60 per year.
WASHINGTON — Wind energy facilities have killed at least 67 golden and bald eagles in the last five years, but the figure could be much higher, according to a new scientific study by government biologists.
The research represents one of the first tallies of eagle deaths attributed to the nation’s growing wind energy industry, which has been a pillar of President Barack Obama’s plans to reduce the pollution blamed for global warming. Wind power releases no air pollution.
But at a minimum, the scientists wrote, wind farms in 10 states have killed at least 85 eagles since 1997, with most deaths occurring between 2008 and 2012, as the industry was greatly expanding. Most deaths — 79 — were golden eagles that struck wind turbines. One of the eagles counted in the study was electrocuted by a power line.
Reduced! Watch the Savageman Triathlon from the front porch! $49,900!!! 324 Spruce St
This is an amazing house for the money!
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Swallow Falls – lots of water!
A cool pic of Swallow Falls from a few weeks back –
Western Maryland secessionists seek to sever ties with the liberal Free State
By Michael S. Rosenwald, Published: September 8
West Virginia was the last state to break off from another. Now, 150 years later, a 49-year-old information technology consultant wants to apply the knife to Maryland’s five western counties. “The people are the sovereign,” says Scott Strzelczyk, leader of the fledgling Western Maryland Initiative, and the western sovereigns are fed up with Annapolis’s liberal majority, elected by the state’s other sovereigns.
Should Western Md. counties be allowed to form their own state?
Yes
47%
53%
“If you think you have a long list of grievances and it’s been going on for decades, and you can’t get it resolved, ultimately this is what you have to do,” says Strzelczyk, who lives in New Windsor, a historic town of 1,400 people in Carroll County. “Otherwise you are trapped.”
THE BEST FALL WHITEWATER: UPPER YOUGHIOGHENY, MARYLAND
By: HEATHER HANSMAN