Commission approves funding for concept drawings, wants more plans
Elaine Blaisdell
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Commission approved to allot $25,000 for design concept drawings to revitalize the town of Friendsville with a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner Gregan Crawford opposing.
Crawford indicated during the public meeting Tuesday that he thought that it was premature to hold a vote on the funding because Commissioner Jim Raley’s proposal was received two weeks ago and they didn’t have a chance to hold a substantive discussion.
“We don’t know the next step and, to me, if we are going to approach revitalization it needs to be more like a business plan,” said Crawford. “I have a lot of questions about the open endedness of this. What defines success in this matter? We are telling the train to get under way and we will tell you where we are headed when you get there.”
Crawford suggested waiting and holding a future work session on the proposal with staff.
“I think we are just dangling that carrot to get the horse to move,” said Oakland resident Eric Robison.
Crawford said that he felt that the commission was overstepping its authority.
“I think we are overstepping our jurisdictional authority. Friendsville has a Town Council and mayor who set their priorities,” said Crawford.
Commissioner Jim Raley noted that he does have endorsement of the Friendsville Council, which is supportive of the proposal.
Crawford said that the council should have sent a formal letter voicing its support and noted that they weren’t at Tuesday’s meeting.
Robison said that he had spoken with people in Friendsville and they are excited about the project but are also skeptical about the commissioners’ participation.
“There is nothing going on in most of our small communities to that degree and it brings that out and starts that conversation,” said Robison. “I support what Jim (Raley) is looking at and I appreciate it. It always feels better to have a little more policy.”
Crawford agreed that revitalization is a good thing but said that the proposal lacks much-needed framework. He questioned what type of community the revitalization would create — a bedroom or a sustainable community.
“I think we need to work out the details first,” said Crawford. “We are setting in motion a process with no policy framework to guide it.”
Chairman Robert Gatto indicated that the framework could be tweaked as the project progresses.
“We need to form partnerships. I think it’s very necessary and very timely,” said Gatto. “I know we got hurdles to work through and we got some other towns that need the same kind of help but hopefully this will guide our way to helping others as well.”
Raley agreed that there are details that still need to be ironed out.
He stressed the importance of moving the project forward due to the loss of students in the school systems. While some schools throughout the county have lost students, Friendsville Elementary has grown by eight students, according to Raley. A total of 130 students left the school system with 100 of them moving to another area in the state or out of the state.
“I don’t think we can afford to wait another year or two and lose another 130 or 200 kids without some deliberate efforts,” said Raley.
Raley noted that the proposal isn’t going to solve all the problems with people leaving the area.
“The proposal is not designed to be some false sense of hope. $25,000 isn’t necessarily going to save our schools or grow our population,” said Raley. “What I do believe, is that we can’t sit back and watch the erosion of our population, especially our young population.”
The proposal matches the Garrett County Economic Development strategy that was adopted in 2011 under the auspices of the commissioners. The vision of the county for 2025 projects a growing, thriving rural community that is made up of successful farms and businesses as well as vibrant towns and user-friendly public parks and forests.
Raley indicated that he would like to see the county obtain the vision of the strategy before 2025.
He met with the town’s governing board, investors, developers, business owners, entrepreneurs, Habitat for Humanity, Community Action and other individuals who are interested in the project. The economic development office completed a relocation kit designed to attract people to stay in the area.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
