Another broken promise from a developer just another fish story



 GOLDEN BEACH (March 21, 2010) --- Following the rejection of my fellow commissioners to hold a hearing on their recent changes to the Comprehensive Plan, the Golden Beach Civic Association hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Long Point Beach and boat ramp.

Though most people would have been happier spreading mulch or working up their garden, about 200 people came to see what the commissioners are slipping through the process this time.

Civic Association President Dale Antosh opened the meeting. He then turned the mike over to me. I brought a concise four page history of the evolution of a State purchased commuter parking lot on Golden Beach Road with the potential for high density housing and 50,000 square foot box stores on the same lot.

I did my best to explain the convoluted process and expressed the frustration that I felt and feel for our community when such a change is slated with no option for citizens to comment.

Both John K. Parlett and Sonny Burch were in attendance. I recognized their presence and as developers of this parcel, I invited them to present their plans.

John K. Parlett did most of the talking for Sonny Burch, the owner. He assured the audience that he had no intention of building high density residential as his sewer system would not accommodate this use. He wanted the higher commercial use so he could put in a greater variety of businesses like he built across the street, cancer center, guitar inlay shop, and Walden Sierra counseling center.

This blend of use was far more appealing to many of the participants. The questions back and forth between the developers, civic association, citizens, and I were pointed but very civil. This is what Town Hall meetings should be about, people coming together to guide the destiny of each neighborhood on a local level.

The main problem the civic association has is the additional traffic from a 600 car commuter parking lot on Golden Beach Road.

John K. Parlett agreed that there were better locations for another park n' ride lot in Charlotte Hall. He recommended the Millison owned property south of Mechanicsville. I recommended the land off the Hughesville Bypass beside the railroad track near Gallant Green to add already established rail infrastructure to Bowie/BWI with bus service to DC.

Regardless, we agreed to work together with the Civic Association and the County to find a new location for the future park n' ride.

Most people were content with this solution and left knowing they had made their voices heard despite the rest of our Board's unwillingness to listen.

A short while later, as I was traveling from the Town Hall meeting to the Valley Lee Fire/EMS Dinner, I got a call from John K. Parlett I pulled my pick-up truck off the road to talk rather than drive using a cell phone. The diners at the Valley Lee Firehouse can verify that I was a half hour late.

John K. told me that he appreciated the open dialogue. I told him that people were glad the commuter lot will be moved from the property. He then told me that though there was not yet a firm offer from the State, Sonny will build the lot on Golden Beach Road Finding another location for the lot on Ben Burroughs' property across the street is what he agreed to.

I was disappointed and I am sure many of those who attended will be disappointed as well. At present, the potential for a commuter parking lot, high density residential development, and big stores is still pending for Golden Beach Road.

The St. Mary's County Commissioners discussion/decision regarding approval of the Comprehensive Plan will be at 10:45 AM on March 23 at the Governmental Center Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown.

Larry Jarboe
St. Mary's County Commissioner

Commissioner Jarboe talks about the backroom deal which his fellow members made to give increased density to land owned by Sonny Burch, in plaid shirt, and to developer John K. Parlett, standing with arms crossed next to Jarboe, who is holding the microphone.  This scene was from the Golden Beach Citizens Association rally on Saturday at one of the boating areas in the community.  
Photos for ST. MARY'S TODAY by Rich Johnson, a member of Jarboe's Town Hall Alliance slate who was in attendance.

Parlett, left, always knows what he is talking about and doesn't mind letting everyone else know.  As a school board member, he voted to ban posters proclaiming "God Bless America" from schools after the 9/11 attack.  The posters were being distributed by students trying to raise money for the Red Cross to give to victims of the attacks on New York and the Pentagon.  As a member of the task force appointed by the commissioners in 2007, Parlett said at a meeting that the county needed "a benevolent dictator" as a county executive, a post for which he wanted to run for election, if it was created. After Parlett's revelation of his real views on charter government, the proposal to move to charter government fizzled and died.

Fred Pumphrey, right, a long-time leader of the Golden Beach Citizens Association, asked a question.  The S.O.B. stands for "save our beaches".   Jarboe reports that on Sunday, in a phone call from Sonny Burch, that Burch confirmed that the single commuter parking lot site that he supports is his own, a new one on Golden Beach Road and it is his position that the existing commuter lot near the Farmers Market be eliminated.

RAISING THE RABBLE: St. Mary's Commissioner Larry Jarboe explained the last minute vote to the group, who were then romanced by the developers Parlett and Burch, who sought the support from the citizens on their increased zoning, which was slipped in at the last minute as part of the comprehensive zoning revision by the Board of Commissioners without any public hearing.  After fooling the citizens on Saturday at the rally, the developers admitted later to Jarboe that the are not backing off on their plan to add a 600 car commuter parking lot with access off of Golden Beach Road.

Political campaign donations of F. Elliott "Sonny" Burch,

family members and friends....to various candidates.