By Christy Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Developer John M. Gott and Calvert County officials reached an agreement that will bring improvements to West Dares Beach Road and 24 units of modest income housing to the county.
Gott has plans to develop 240 housing units west of Calvert Pines Senior Center on West Dares Beach Road. The county agreed to the density, to provide the easements for the road construction and to be a co-applicant on any non-tidal wetlands applications. In return, Gott agreed to build a portion of West Dares Beach Road through his property and to offer the 24 units at more affordable prices.
Gott's company will begin the road improvements from Prince Frederick Boulevard. The county plans for the road to eventually connect to J.W. Williams Road.
The affordable housing will include owned and rental properties and will be priced according to federal standards.
Utility Elects OfficersThe Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative board of directors recently chose officers for 2008-09.
Joseph V. Stone Jr., owner of Joe Stone Insurance Agency Stone in St. Mary's County, was elected chairman; Samuel "Jack" Hammett, owner of Hammett's Building Services of Calvert County, as vice chairman; Kenneth L. Dyson, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Charles County, as secretary-treasurer; and Fern G. Brown, domestic violence coordinator for Charles Circuit Court, as assistant secretary-treasurer.
The utility is a customer-owned electric cooperative providing electricity to southern Prince George's County and Charles, St. Mary's and all but the northeast portion of Calvert counties.
Busch Visits Southern MarylandHouse Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) was scheduled Tuesday to visit Civista Medical Center in La Plata, where he was to be briefed about health care challenges for rural areas, including doctor and nurse shortages.
Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties have "critical shortages" in 25 of 30 physician categories, leaving Southern Maryland with 44.4 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents, well below the state average of 57, according to a report released this year by the Maryland Hospital Association and MedChi.
Bush also was to visit the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center in St. Mary's and Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby. The plant is owned by Constellation Energy, which recently agreed to be bought by MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Votes on Pensions, Going GreenThe Board of County Commissioners voted this week to keep Calvert from using money from its employee pension plans in transactions that involve county government.
The board's 3-1 vote was prompted by the controversy over county pension money being invested in Maryland Economic Development bonds used to buy the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course in 2001. The county recently voted to buy the course.
Commissioner Linda L. Kelley (R-At-Large) voted against the action; Commissioner Susan Shaw (R-Huntingtown) was absent.
On Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to instruct county staff members to continue working on a plan to promote energy efficiency in construction and to adopt other environmentally sound practices.
Staff members plan to work with builders to use energy efficient equipment and construction materials and to upgrade the county building code to reflect some of the changes. They also are working to improve ordinances to allow for green design, such as living roofs and solar panels, in town centers.
Greg Bowen, director of county planning and zoning, said Calvert is not requiring green standards but is drawing up a list of recommendations for builders.
Commissioner Gerald W. Clark (R-Lusby) said the county should be setting the example for homeowners.
Watermen Areas Focus of BookThe Calvert Marine Museum has published "Islands in a River: Solomons and Broomes Island, Maryland," drawing from the museum's archives, photographs and interviews with older families in the area.
Under the direction of Richard Dodds, curator of maritime history, the 230-page book tells the story of Solomons and Broomes Island, once the most important watermen communities in Calvert.
The origin of Solomons and Broomes Island dates to the 19th century, when oystering in winter and farming in summer formed the backbone of the local economy. Over time, the once isolated communities have been transformed by a growing population, an emergency network of roads and a decline in the Patuxent River's oyster population.
"Islands in a River" highlights the families who developed Solomons and Broomes Island, as well as it schools, stores and churches.
The book can be bought for $15.95 at the Calvert Marine Museum Store in Solomons, Len's Marina in Broomes Island and the Calvert Historical Society. Dodds will be signing books Oct. 12 at Patuxent River Appreciation Days in the museum lobby.
Input Sought on Historic RoadsThe Historic District Commission has begun a project to update Calvert's historic and rural roads inventory, which will address strategies for designating and protecting roads.
The most recent inventory, completed in 1997, is at http://www.co.cal.md.us under the Planning and Zoning link, followed by the Historic Preservation link.
Comments and stories can be sent to Kirsi Uunila at uunilak@co.cal.md.us or to Linda Collins, Historic District Commission chairwoman, 175 Main St., Prince Frederick, 20678.
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