Hundreds of Residents Sign Petition Opposing Horse Center

County Executive Janet S. Owens (D) said she was "utterly not ready" to commit up to $30 million for a state-run equestrian center. (Craig Herndon)

Several hundred residents who live near an 875-acre site in Gambrills have signed a petition opposing a plan for a state-run equestrian center on the property, county officials said this week.

The former Naval Academy dairy farm was selected last fall as the home for the horse park, which would include walking and riding trails, an amphitheater and facilities for jumping and dressage competitions.

County Executive Janet S. Owens (D) has expressed concern about the projected $100 million cost for the project, which could require up to $30 million from the county. She said last week that she was "utterly not ready to make such a commitment." Her reluctance, in turn, led Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr . (R) to withhold a bill to finance the project from his legislative package. His administration now is asking the county and the proponents of the park to work out their differences over funding.

The petition's 856 signatures are mostly from residents who are worried about strains on roads and other infrastructure in a part of the county that is losing some of its rural character. Sent to Owens and state legislative leaders Friday, the petition supports using the property solely for agricultural purposes.

Rhonda Wardlaw , spokeswoman for Owens, said the county executive had spent "several months" listening to voices on both sides of the horse park issue.

Economic Official Leaving

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Bill Badger , who oversaw much of the growth of the defense and technology industries in Anne Arundel County, is resigning as head of the county's Economic Development Corp. and taking a position at M&T Bank.

During his tenure, the county saw a lot of business expansion as the National Security Agency, based at Fort Meade, grew during the global war on terrorism. To support the massive intelligence agency, office parks popped up along Route 32 to house the offices of some of the country's biggest defense contractors: Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp.

Badger also helped create the Chesapeake Innovation Center, the country's first business incubator specifically designed to foster homeland security technology.

At M&T, Badger will be the vice president of the company's government banking segment. The search for his replacement is beginning, said Rhonda Wardlaw , a county spokeswoman. Badger's last day with the county will be Feb. 20, she said.