Abingdon Community Council eNews

Volume I Issue #28 January, 2014 C. David Copenhaver, Editor

Welcome to our latest issue of the ACC eNews. This eNews has been developed in an effort to reach out to the residents of A bingdon. Our purpose is to provide you an opportunity to become more informed and to encourage more participation at our monthly meetings! Please share this eNews with your neighbors. Why not plan to join us at our next meeting on Monday, January 27, 2014 from 6:30pm -7:30pm at the Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009? Join us and participate; take that leap of faith, you may find it rewarding! (For additional information, contact me at abingdoncc@gmail.com.)
************************************************************************************ (If at any time you wish to have your eMail address removed from our data base, just reply remove.)

Abingdons Treasures:

Walter and Betty Ward Family YMCA

Located on 101 Walter Ward Boulevard, Abingdon, MD 21009

In 2007, The Walter & Betty Ward Family Center Y opened in Abingdon, in honor of the generous gift made by the Ward family in partnership with Ward Development and Chesapeake Health, creating an anchor for Y services delivered to the citizens of Harford County since 1986. This 31,000 sq ft center opened with a full gym, climbing wall, multi-purpose space, fitness floor, Stay & Play area as well as field space for youth sports and Y Journeys camp. In late 2012, the center further expanded to house an Aquatics Center with two pools as well as added multi-purpose space and is made possible with significant help from County Executive David Craig and other generous capital campaign donors In addition, Cheryl Adams, Membership & Program Advisor added, The Y has so much to offer you and your family for your health & fitness goals - *Our great fitness center with Fitlinxx tracking system *Free orientation session with our fitness staff *Exercise classes, many included in membership * Gymnasium and rock climbing wall *Great sports classes & swim & fun programming for kids *Stay-n-Play childcare while you work out *The Ys friendly, family atmosphere. All with no contracts! The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. Its programs, services and initiatives: enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, offer ways for families to have fun together, empower people to be healthier in spirit, mind and body, prepare people for employment, welcome and embrace newcomers and help foster a nationwide service ethic. The Focus: Youth Development: nurturing the potential of every child and teen Healthy living: improving Central Marylands health & well-being Social responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors

********************************************** (Source: Internet search. Some changes were made)

-1-

Harford County Purchases Portion of Havre De Grace Waterfront Property; Craig Plans Purchase of Remainder in FY15 Budget
December 29, 2013 By Cindy Mumby (cindy@daggerpress.com)

Thwarted by the Harford County Council in a previous bid to buy contaminated waterfront property for a public park, County Executive David Craig used another lever of government in late December to buy a portion of the property, and hopes to buy the remainder through the county budget he will propose in April. The $700,000 purchase approved December 19 by the Harford County Board of Estimates consists of .8 acres located at 627 Water Street in Havre de Grace, paid for with county funding for land acquisition, according to Craig. He said the seller was Stonebridge Bank, which held the property in foreclosure. The approved deal also included $50,000 escrowed by the seller to cover environmental cleanup costs, Craig said following the discussion and vote that were held in a closed session of the Board. Decisions on land acquisition can be discussed in a closed session so as not to affect negotiations, however the votes should be held in public, Council President Billy Boniface said following the session. Boniface sits on the seven-member BOE, which is chaired by the county executive, per the county code. Boniface said he was one of two no votes on the measure, which passed 4 to 2 with one member absent. If at first you dont succeed Craigs earlier attempt to buy the waterfront property was in October, through legislation he proposed to purchase 627 Water Street for $770,000, and a 3.7 acre group of parcels known as 649 Water Street for $2.7 million. The legislation called for a multi-year installment purchase plan, which requires council approval. Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti, representing Havre de Grace, co-sponsored the bill, which she said would allow vital connections to existing trails and parkland. Council members agreed there were merits, however, Boniface and others objected to the terms. They said the purchase prices were based on outdated appraisals, plus the environmental cleanup costs not factored into the price could become a burden on county taxpayers. Former uses of the waterfront properties include storage of fuel and pesticides, according to an Opinion of Probable Cost commissioned by the Craig Administration from Geo-Technology, Inc. (GTA). The company in May 2013 estimated the cleanup cost to range from $336,000 to $1.65 million, depending on how much of the land had to be remediated. The estimates assumed that, aside from petroleum, no other contaminants requiring remediation would be found. The legislation authorizing the purchase of both properties required the respective sellers to escrow a total of $250,000 for clean up, but Boniface said at the time that the full cost of remediation should be borne by the sellers. He later said the petroleum contamination could be the tip of the iceberg. Craigs legislative effort to buy the properties failed in a November 5th vote of 5 to 1, with Lisanti the only yes vote an d Councilman Dion Guthrie abstaining. Since then, another assessment of 627 Water Street valued the property at $70,000 below the purchase price Craig originally proposed, down to the $700,000 approved December 19th. Craig said the lower assessment valued the property as a passive park rather than a potential residential development. The approved price does not include cleanup costs, Craig said, however, another environmental review is being done on the property, which he called the cleanest of the waterfront parcels. Asked who would pay if cleanup costs exceeded the $50,000 to be escrowed by seller, Craig said, It wont. When pressed, Craig said that the city of Havre de Grace committed to pay for it. Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty did not respond to a request for comment.

-2-

Responding to questions from The Dagger, Erin L. Schafer, chief of the property management division in the county department of procurement, clarified in a December 19th email: The County Executive and the Mayor are working towards an MOU in this regard; so far it has been verbal discussions. When I have a written agreement I will be happy to provide a copy. Following the Board of Estimates vote, Boniface said that Craig was fully within his rights to buy the property as he did, but council approval would be needed for additional funding of the waterfront project, such as to construct the park at 627 Water Street, or to buy the larger property at 649 Water. The well is run dry until he gets more money from the council, Boniface said. 649 Water Street The primary owners of 649 Water Street are trusts for various family members of Baltimore developer John Paterakis, according to an October memorandum from Schafer that was prepared in response to earlier questions from council members. Craig said that he plans a second attempt to buy that property by including it in the fiscal year 2015 capital improvement program budget he will propose to the county council in April. The budget proposal will be his last as county executive. Craig is term-limited and running for governor. While acknowledging that the council could remove the project before approving the county budget overall, Craig made a pitch for the park: Wouldnt it be better to have that than 15 25 townhouses there? Sitting in the Middle Given that the county now owns a portion of the waterfront property literally at the center of the controversy, Council President Boniface offered his personal view of the councils next dilemma: [By] buying the middle piece, now hes trying to leverage us to buy the other piece. What are we going to do with one parcel sitting in the middle?
(Source: reprinted, with permission from The Dagger, www.daggerpress.com, some changes were made) ***************************************************************************************

Make Reading Your Winter Sport

Start off the New Year by joining a winter reading program at Harford County Public Library! Harford County Public Library has a winter reading program for teens and adults, a Puppy Tales early literacy program for children ages birth to 5 and new Book Groups to Go to make reading with friends fun and easy. The Make Reading Your Winter Sport Winter Reading Program encourages high school teens and adults to be gold medal readers! Participants can register at any branch or online (click More Information below) starting January 2nd. Upon registering, participants will receive a special pen. For those adults who read or listen to at least five books and teens who read or listen to at least three books, completed book lists can be returned between January 9 and March 1 to receive a commemorative mug! Giveaways are while supplies last A special insiders look at the Olympics is planned to build excitement before the start of the games. High school students and adults can join University of Delaware scholar and Director of International Olympic Committees Olympic Solidarity Fund Matt Robinson at the Fallston Library on Tuesday, January 28 at 6:30 pm to get an insiders view of international sports and what the future of Olympic Games may be. Registration is suggested. Call (410) 638-3003 to register. Click More Information below to find book reviews, booklists and recommended reading through BlogaBook, NoveList and My Next Good Book. Lists include books by subject, interest, bestsellers and award winners. Harford County Public Library also offers free eBooks and audiobooks which count towards completing the program. eBooks can be checked out through Axis360 or Overdrive and audiobooks can be downloaded through Hoopla and OneClickDigital --- click Website below. New! Make group reading a fun and convenient way to complete the Winter Reading Program! Harford County Public Library is launching Book Groups to Go, ten titles of a selected book along with a book moderators binder together in a sturdy canvas bag. Bags are available at the Bel Air Library or can be sent to any branch for convenient pickup. Harford County Public Library is also pleased to host Puppy Tales, an early literacy focused Winter Reading Program for children ages birth-5 years. Puppy Tales highlights the importance of early literacy and encourages participation in daily

-3-

activities that strengthen pre-reading skills. Parents and caregivers can register their children for the Puppy Tales Winter Reading Program at any Library branch or online starting January 2nd to receive an activity log with 12 simple but fun learning activities based on five early literacy practicestalking, singing, reading, writing and playing. Once 10 of the 12 activities are complete, return the activity log and children will receive a certificate and special completion prize! Each Library branch also features a special display offering assorted booklists and handouts that offer information and tips on at home activities to continue building the foundation for reading and learning. Go to HCPLonline.org/earlyliteracy for more information. The 2014 Winter Reading Program is supported by Advanced Eye Care, the Friends of Harford County Public Library and the Harford County Public Library Foundation. For more related books, databases, online resources, free programs or information, visit your local library branch. Additional info at: http://www.harfordneighbors.net/index.php?section=1&subtype=81&id=6587#sthash.gMGFzkQ7.dpuf
**************************************************************

Dates to Ponder:
Harford County Government Offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of New Year's Day.
January 1, 2014

Walk-In Computer Instruction at the Abingdon Public Library

January 1, 8, 15, and 22, and 29, 2014 2:00pm 4:00pm Learn basic computer skills and web search techniques. For: All ages Registration is not required. For more information, call 410-638-3990.

Harford County Public Schools Reopen After Winter Holiday

January 2, 2014

Mason Dixon Large Scale Railroad Society

January 2-11, 2014 Thursday and Friday 4:00pm - 8:00pm, Saturday Noon-12:00pm 8:00pm, and Sunday Noon-12:00pm 4:00pm. Bel Air Town Center, 500 Block of Baltimore Pike (US Business 1 enter between Chili's and Taco Bell and go straight), View two G-gauge layouts: a large, 72-foot long modular layout with scratch built model structures depicting local area and lots of animated scenes. Also, a smaller Christmas tree layout with illuminated buildings in a wintry scene is in the store window. www.mdlsrs.com

Zumba for Tony Forte

January 7, 2014 7:00pm 9:00pm Zumba at the Bel Air Armory, 37 N. Main Street, Bel Air. Tony is 7 years old and 2 1/2 years later he has been waiting for a transplant. Tony is in need of a stomach & total intestinal transplant and the longer his wait, he will also receive a liver transplant. He was born with Total Colonic Hirschsprung's Disease. In order for Tony to get better he would have to have a MAJOR transplant. Click here to read on: www.aftft.com/Why-your-help-is-so-important-.html

-4-

Starving Artist Art Show and Reception

January 11, 2014 1:00 pm 4:00pm (Free) Harford Artists Gallery, 503 Churchville Rd, Bel Air. All artwork in the gallery is $99 or less. This is a while supply lasts opportunity. 410.429-9499 www.artinharford.org

Harford County Public Schools Elementary Teachers Planning Time Elementary Students Dismissed 3 Hours Early
January 17, 2014

Family Movie Time

January 18, 2014 2:00pm and 6:00pm Harford Community College, Chesapeake Theater, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. . Adult $2; Youth $1. Bring the family and enjoy a showing of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. 443.412-2211 tickets.harford.edu

Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday Harford County Public Schools And Offices Closed
January 20, 2014

Harford County Public Schools Teacher Staff Development School Closed For Students
January 21 and 22, 2014

The Flying Karamazov Brothers

January 25, 2014 7:00pm Cost $12.00 - $25.00 Amoss Center, Thomas Run Road, Bel Air. A combination of theatrical silliness and serious juggling, these wild-haired, flame-throwing, kilt-wearing performers are ambidextrous and amazing. The audience is invited to bring objects to the theater for the brothers to keep airborne in a challenge that ends either with a pie in the face or a standing ovation. Fastpaced and fun, the entire family will enjoy their humor and remarkable juggling skills. Tickets: tickets.harford.edu 443.412-2211

Annual Shrimp & Bull Roast

January 26, 2014 1:00pm-5:00pm Cost $35.00 per person Jarrettsville Gardens, To benefit Eden Mill Nature Center. Pit Beef and Ham, steamed and fried shrimp, Shrimp Creole, Swedish meatballs, red potatoes, green beans, salads, dessert, beer, soda, no BYOB. DJ. No sales at the door. Tickets must be purchased by January 18, 2014. Reserve your tickets by calling 410.836-3050 edenmillnaturecenter@gmail.com www.edenmill.org

Abingdon Community Council Meeting

January 27, 2014 6:30pm -7:30pm Abingdon Public Library, 2510 Tollgate Road, Abingdon, MD 21009. Special Guest Presenter Sheriff Jesse Bane
******************************************************

Members: Cynthia Hergenhahn, Chairperson C. David Copenhaver Earl Grey Carlin Cook Gregory A. Beaty Joan Hamilton Recording Secretary: Donna Copenhaver

-5-