Councilman Marks' Blog Has Moved...

Councilman Marks' blog has moved to his campaign page, www.councilmandavidmarks.com.   Visit here for posts that were written after February 10, 2013.

School Board Should Reconsider Air Conditioning Priorities

Over the past several years, Baltimore County has made steady progress as it seeks to air condition all its public schools.   Despite limited funding, the county is on track to reduce the number of schools without air conditioning from 54 percent in 2010 to 36 percent within two years.

Unfortunately, that progress is not shared uniformly throughout Baltimore County.   There is a significant disparity between the western, northern, and eastern parts of the county.

Looking at schools by County Council district, tfter the current round of air conditioning, the number of non-air conditioned schools will stand at 28 percent in the First District (Catonsville); 19 percent in the Second District (Pikesville and Reisterstown); 20 percent in the Third District (Cockeysville); and 18 percent in the Fourth District (Randallstown).

In the Fifth District that I represent, 35 percent of schools will still need air conditioning.  The number is 40 percent in the Sixth District, which stretches from Parkville to Middle River, and 36 percent in the Seventh District, based in Dundalk.

When County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins and I wrote to the school system, the response from the Director of Physical Facilities indicated that "the final selection of projects is based upon several factors, including geographical parity."  The current list for immediate funding excludes nearly every school in Loch Raven, Carney, Parkville, Perry Hall, and Kingsville.  I don't know how this reflects geographical parity. 

I am grateful that Seven Oaks Elementary School will receive air conditioning through an energy grant.  But Joppa View Elementary School, built within one year, ranks dead last among elementary schools, even though it would presumably be less expensive to retrofit due to its age.

I am urging the school system to reevaluate this list so that it better reflects geographic equity.   Students in Loch Raven, Carney, Parkville, Perry Hall, and Kingsville deserve the same access to air conditioning as those in western and northern Baltimore County. 

State Transportation Cuts Affect Baltimore County

For 15 years before my election to the Baltimore County Council, I worked in the transportation sector.    During my two years on the County Council, I have tried to advance long-needed funding for resurfacing and interchange improvements throughout the Fifth District.

Transportation does not garner the attention that other issues command, but it is critical to our way of life.   Crumbling roads and congestion impact both businesses and families.   Local governments like Baltimore County not only need to repair roads that were originally built in the 1950s and 1960s, but deal with bottlenecks that are clogged with traffic.   In my district, much of this congestion results from Harford County motorists who use Belair and Harford Roads for their commutes.

Unfortunately, recent state budgets have sharply cut the money Baltimore County and other local governments receive for road improvements.   In 2007, when Governor O'Malley was inaugurated, local jurisdictions shared $535.3 million in Highway User Revenues.  Baltimore County received $45.6 million of this amount.  

Within four years, local road funding had been cut by about $402.6 million, shrinking from $535.3 million to $132.7 million.   Excluding Baltimore City, all other jurisdictions shared a total of only $7.9 million in 2011!   Highway User Revenues have recovered slightly from 2011, but the amount is pitiful compared to the 2007 level when Governor O'Malley was inaugurated.   

These cuts have not received a lot of attention.   While Governor O'Malley crows about school construction money--and I commend him for that funding, which has been very helpful in Baltimore County--his administration deserves scrutiny for its treatment of local road needs.

Fortunately, County Executive Kamenetz proposed robust funding for resurfacing in the most recent budget.   Thanks to that funding, major routes throughout the Fifth District are targeted for resurfacing.  But imagine what could be done if Highway User Revenues were restored to the level that counties received before 2007!

50 Years for Perry Hall's High School and Library

1963 was a big year for Perry Hall. Not only did the fast-growing community celebrate the opening of its new high school, but civic leaders dedicated a new library—and all within one week's time.

Neither, of course, remain at an original location. The high school opened on September 3, 1963, at what is now Perry Hall Middle School. Five years later, a new campus opened a mile down Ebenezer Road, and the original building became Perry Hall Junior High School. For many years, Perry Hall was somewhat unique in that students simply walked further down Ebenezer Road as they became older:  from Perry Hall Elementary to Middle School, and from Middle to High School.

The original library on its last day.

The library opened five days later, on September 8, 1963. Prominent elected officials attended the opening, including then-Congressman Clarence Long and former County Executive Spiro Agnew. Many residents have fond memories of this branch, especially those of my age who attended children's programs in the basement. Over the years, however, it became obvious that the building needed to be expanded or replaced. It was not accessible to the disabled, and it was simply too small for the growing community. 
When I became President of the Perry Hall Improvement Association in 1999, we made it a priority to get a new branch built. The PHIA strongly supported keeping the branch at its Belair Road location, but that would have required buying the property (it was leased from a nearby family) and acquiring an adjacent parcel.  When that did not work out, the county relocated the library to its current site on Honeygo Boulevard in 2009. Because the Perry Hall Improvement Association negotiated a covenant agreement with the owner of the "old" site, that location has retained its residential characteristics.

I am proud of both Perry Hall High School and the Perry Hall library. Both are essential parts of our community. I hope you will lend a hand to the Perry Hall High School 50th anniversary efforts and also support our library's ongoing good work.

Long-Awaited Redevelopment at Towson Commons

When it opened in 1992, Towson Commons was seen as a catalyst for growth in Downtown Towson.  The complex at York and Pennsylvania Avenues included a 100,000-square-foot shopping area, a 10-story office building, and an 882-space parking garage, and it immediately brought new customers into Downtown Towson.   I can remember coming home from college just to catch a movie or browse the Borders bookstore.

 

By the late 1990s, however, Towson Commons seemed to be fading.   My personal opinion is that the opening of The Avenue at White Marsh, with its free parking and more advanced movie theatre, was a key turning point.   For the next decade, while the offices at Towson Commons remained strong, the retail component struggled.  The movie theatres closed in May of 2011.

Towson Commons.

Since I took office, I have been frustrated by Towson Commons.  Important redevelopment projects have advanced to the north, east, and south, but not at Towson Commons.   That is why I am thrilled by signing of a lease for a 50,000-square foot fitness center at Towson Commons, replacing the old movie theatre complex.   When I toured the renovation in December, it was amazing to see where the theatres had been gouged out for a future swimming pool.

I introduced legislation that will modify the parking requirements in Downtown Towson to help with this project.   No one expects, for example, a health club to need more parking than a movie theatre complex.

I believe this facility will succeed because we are bringing more workers into Downtown Towson, at places like the the newly-opened Towson City Center.  We also have a successful residential neighborhood, Towson Green, taking root only a few blocks away.

This is a very good announcement that bodes well for Towson's future.

A Preview of Important Milestones in 2013

Over the past two years, our office has worked to improve communities throughout the Fifth District, from Towson to Perry Hall.   Some of these projects are big, such as the additions at Stoneleigh and Hampton Elementary School or air conditioning at Seven Oaks Elementary School.  Other projects are small, but will have a measurable impact on our neighborhoods-- road improvements in Towson Manor Village and Loch Raven Village, for example, or new acreage at Honeygo Run Park in Perry Hall.   I would like to thank the County Executive and our state legislators for their help with a number of these initiatives.

My main focus in 2012 was preserving open space in our neighborhoods.  2012 was a rezoning year, and I used it as an opportunity to try to protect green space.  Acting on my recommendations, the County Council downzoned more than 417 acres, the most ambitious plan in two decades in this part of Baltimore County, and the most land ever downzoned in Towson, Carney, and Cromwell Valley.   The Fifth District now has more land zoned as open space than any other district in Baltimore County.  

It is impossible to predict exactly what 2013 may offer the Fifth District, but we do know there will be some important milestones.

In Towson, the newly-renovated Stoneleigh Elementary School will open in August.   More than $38 million has been invested in Towson's schools, but we need to work to make sure that all of our schools have adequate classroom space.   Redevelopment will accelerate in the Towson core, which means we need to address important needs such as security, maintenance, and traffic.   There will be a resolution of the Towson fire station issue and also changes to the magnet policy, which particularly impacts Cromwell Valley Elementary School.   I will continue to work with BGE to make sure electrical service becomes more reliable, particularly in places like western Towson, Campus Hills, and Hillendale Park.

In Loch Raven and Parkville, one of my biggest priorities will be the impact of the Hess settlement on the Yakona Road neighborhood.  Some road improvements will occur along the Joppa Road corridor, and we will hopefully have a new Baltimore NeighborSpace acquisition near the Harford/Joppa Road intersection, guaranteeing open space for the Carney community.

In Perry Hall, one of my main priorities will be the beautification of the commercial area at Belair, Ebenezer, and Joppa Roads.   Thanks to legislation passed by the County Council in 2011, this is now a revitalization district which offers special incentives to business owners.  The resurfacing of Chapel Road will be finished, and hopefully so will the trail along Indian Rock Park.   I expect progress on projects like the Perry Hall dog park and the renovation of the Perry Hall Mansion.   2013 is also the 50th anniversary for two local landmarks:  the Perry Hall library and Perry Hall High School. 

In closing, I want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year.    It is an honor to represent the citizens of the Fifth District.

Two New Greenways in Perry Hall

One of my priorities over the past two years has been to preserve open space in our communities.  During the 2012 rezoning process, at my request, the Baltimore County Council applied open space zoning to 54 acres in Towson, 47 acres in Parkville, and 72 acres in Perry Hall.  As a result, the Fifth District now has more land zoned for open space than any other County Council district.
 

I am very happy to announce that Baltimore County will protect more than 38 acres of forested land at two locations in Perry Hall, the largest dedication of open space in more than a decade in this part of northeastern Baltimore County.

The Seven Oaks Environmental Conservation Area.

The county will reclassify about eight acres of publicly-owned land in western Perry Hall as the Seven Oaks Environmental Conservation Area.  This is the wooded property in the 9200 block of Seven Courts Drive, north of the Seven Oaks Senior Center and southwest of Pinedale Drive.

Baltimore County will also preserve about 30 acres of publicly-owned land to the north and south of the existing Indian Rock Park, creating an almost-uninterrupted greenway from East Joppa Road to White Marsh Boulevard. This will become the Indian Rock Environmental Conservation Area.

Not only is this announcement important for the environment, but it is great for taxpayers.   The land was already owned by Baltimore County; the Indian Rock area, in fact, was the never-used alignment for Perry Hall Boulevard.   I did not want the property ever surplused for development, which is why this new status is so important.

Today's announcement is a very important milestone as we work to preserve green space in a fast-growing area of Baltimore County. 

Remembering Chris Jackovitz

I was very saddened to learn of the death on December 1st of Chris Jackovitz, a longtime Perry Hall community activist.  Chris passed away at Oak Crest Village after a long struggle with dementia.

Chris was a former educator, homemaker, and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.   But she was also an extraordinarily involved community activist, helping to establish the Woman's Club of Perry Hall.  

I got to know her in the late 1990s when the Perry Hall Improvement Association wanted to celebrate our community's 225th anniversary in 2000.   The PHIA worked with the Woman's Club and the Perry Hall Business and Professional Association to create a Millennium Committee.  In 2000, with Chris Jackovitz's support, we implemented a series of projects, including a concert featuring the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, new community signs at Perry Hall's borders, tree planting along Belair Road, and a Perry Hall Halloween Parade.

But perhaps Chris Jackovitz's most enduring contribution was her work to preserve the Perry Hall Mansion.   Meeting at her house on Richlyn Drive, several of us plotted strategy to save this historic landmark, which was purchased by Baltimore County in 2001.

Chris Jackovitz was an extraordinary woman.  You can read her obituary here.  Many new Perry Hall residents have probably never heard her name, but her work over five decades left an enduring imprint on our community.  

George Roberts, Our Fifth District Citizen of the Year

Source:  Patch.

In 2011, I started a new tradition by naming three individuals as Fifth District Citizens of the Year:  one from Towson, one from Parkville, and one from Perry Hall.   When I asked for nominations this year, many of the individuals who were recommended were somehow associated with what was probably the biggest event in the Fifth District this year:  the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

This year, based upon input from residents and community leaders, I am recognizing Perry Hall High School Principal George Roberts as the Fifth District Citizen of the Year. Since arriving at Perry Hall High School in 2008, Mr. Roberts has instilled a spirit of excellence, pride, and tradition at Baltimore County’s largest public school. He brought back the sense of history that had faded before his arrival. He improved the look of the school and focused on student achievement, positioning Perry Hall as one of Newsweek’s top American high schools. 

What particularly distinguished Mr. Roberts this year, however, was his calm but assertive presence during and after the August 27th shooting. During the most difficult day in the history of Perry Hall High School, he set an example of leadership that was truly exemplary.

There were many individuals who provided extraordinary assistance that day, from the heroic faculty who restrained the gunman to our public safety professionals, but Mr. Roberts set the tone of leadership that was needed on August 27th and days afterward.

Mr. Roberts and his family live in another part of the Fifth District, in Towson.  I am proud to recognize Mr. Roberts and thank the entire Perry Hall family for those who supported the school during such a difficult year.

2012 Was a Year for Preserving Green Space

Source:  Baltimore Sun.

During my second year on the Baltimore County Council, we passed several bills that will improve Baltimore County's neighborhoods and help our families, including major reforms of the development process. But I am particularly proud of the work we are doing to preserve open space and improve the environment in Baltimore County.

Bill 21-12, for example, prohibits panhandle building lots in the hilly Parkville and Carney areas. Bill 23-12 expands a property tax credit for energy-efficient homes. Bill 36-12 adds "Little Valley" off Rushley Road to the list of protected historic landmarks in Baltimore County. I was a principal sponsor of all three bills.

I am particularly proud, however, of Bill 7-12, which created the first-ever open space overlay in Baltimore County.  With this legislation, the County Council was able to designate 174 acres in the Fifth District as open space, more acreage than in any other County Council district.

Development is needed to provide more housing and commercial areas, create jobs, and expand our tax base, but I also want to see more land left green and pristine throughout our neighborhoods. This year, we made real progress in reaching that goal.

A New Opportunity for Baynesville?

As reported in Patch and the Baltimore Sun, a legal settlement has been reached in a dispute over possible contamination by the Hess gasoline station on Joppa Road. The settlement between Hess and nearby residents calls for the demolition of 16 homes along Yakona Road. The demolition of these structures will create a new, four-acre open space which may be owned by NeighborSpace of Baltimore County, a land preservation trust.

This issue predates my service on the Baltimore County Council. When I learned about the settlement a few weeks ago, I quietly turned to several longtime community leaders who knew about the history of this problem. My predecessor Wayne Skinner distinctly remembers walking the area with a resident more than ten years ago.

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, including the future of the open space. I have been a strong supporter of Baltimore County NeighborSpace and am urging that organization to seize the opportunity to acquire this property. I have already reached out to the state legislators from this area and will work with them to promote any public meetings.

My hope is that this settlement becomes the catalyst for improvements in this neighborhood. While the homes along Yakona Road were built about the same time as nearby homes along Doxbury Road and Pleasant Plains Road, the Yakona Road area doesn't have the same degree of neighborhood stability. It's been neglected, and it shows.

My friend Donna Spicer, a longtime community activist, tells me that this region was once part of Baynesville.  That name has largely disappeared from the maps, but maybe it's time to form a Baynesville Community Association.  When NeighborSpace acquired a property in western Baltimore County, it worked with residents to actually start a neighborhood association. I also want to look at improving the overall look of Joppa Road and possibly put this area under the approval of the Design Review Panel so there is better architectural design for new businesses.

Since my election to the County Council, I have wanted to help this long-neglected part of Baltimore County.  The Hess settlement may offer a new opportunity.

At Midterm, A Thank You to the Fifth District

Two years ago, the voters of the Fifth District entrusted me with the responsibility of representing them on the Baltimore County Council. I would like to thank my family, community leaders, business owners, and everyone who has contacted my office to offer their advice and support.

Election Night 2010.  Source:  Patch.

I promised to be an independent voice on the County Council, and I have differed with some of my colleagues and the administration on some issues. I joined with my Republican colleague Todd Huff to oppose an expansion of the speed camera program, for instance, and to support term limits for County Councilmembers. But I also promised to build coalitions across party lines to get things done for our communities.

Reforming Government.  One of my first bills required that an input meeting for a proposed development optimally be held near the affected neighborhood. That bill set the stage for several bills, many of which I cosponsored with Councilman Tom Quirk, that have made county government more accessible to the public. We reformed the Planned Unit Development process by requiring agency review and a Community Input Meeting before a County Councilmember initiates a PUD resolution. We passed a bill that expands a property tax credit for energy-efficient homes, and enacted legislation that requires on-line posting of proposed regulations.

Preserving open space. I am perhaps most proud of the bill I sponsored this year that created the first-ever open space zoning classification. During the rezoning process, we designated 173 acres in the Fifth District as "open space zoning," more than any other Council district. Altogether, at my request, the Council downzoned more than 417 acres to protect our communities from overdevelopment, including the most land ever downzoned in Towson, Carney, and the Cromwell Valley.

Strengthening Our Businesses and Communities.  Finally, I am happy that with limited resources, we have worked with the Kamenetz administration on some important local initiatives. New additions were funded at Stoneleigh and Hampton Elementary Schools; air conditioning isscheduled for Seven Oaks Elementary School. Acreage was added at Honeygo Park in Perry Hall, and a dog park is closer to becoming a reality. New sidewalks and trails are advancing throughout the district, routes like Chapel and Forge Roads are being resurfaced, and new businesses are anchoring Downtown Towson and Downtown Perry Hall thanks to a boost from county government.

In closing, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the police, firefighters, and other public servants who have admirably served the Fifth District during four emergencies over the past two years. Three were natural--the two hurricanes and the Derecho--and one was the shooting at Perry Hall High School.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve you. I always appreciate your input.

Prepare for Possible Late October Hurricane

The Baltimore area faces the possibility of a rare late October hurricane next week.  Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) is preparing for outages and urging residents to take precautions. 

Customers should have a backup plan in case of an outage and prepare an emergency kit of supplies.  If there are outages, they can be reported to 877-778-2222.   I recommend you review BGE's Web Site before the storm possibly strikes, and also read Baltimore County's Emergency Preparedness Web Site.  

BGE is making improvements in many of the neighborhoods worst hit by Hurricane Irene and the summer Derecho, but in the meantime, please take precautions in the event of a similar emergency.  

It's Time to Televise County Council Work Sessions

Some people who come to a County Council legislative meeting are surprised by the efficiency with which the Council conducts meetings.   That's because Councilmembers ask most of their questions at the work session, which is held the Tuesday afternoon before the Monday legislative session.

At a work session, Councilmembers have the opportunity to discuss pending contracts with agency heads.   Sponsors of a bill give their reasons for the legislation, and there is an opportunity for the public to speak for or against its approval.   

While legislative sessions are held at 6 p.m., work sessions start at 2 p.m.   From time to time, there has been discussion about moving work sessions to the evening, but I understand there are concerns with the cost of overttime for staff.   In the meantime, one important reform we should adopt is the televising of work sessions.

Televising work sessions would give the public the opportunity to watch the back-and-forth between the legislative and executive branches of government on bills and fiscal issues.   It would improve transparency and openness in government, and is a reform that hopefully could be done with minimal cost.   I have already talked with Council Chair Vicki Almond about this reform, and I hope our cable provider can implement it over the next few months. 

A"No" Vote on Question 5, Governor O'Malley's Redistricting Map

The proposed Third District.

This fall, I am teaching a course in political science at Loyola University. When I needed to illustrate some examples of Congressional gerrymandering, it was easy to find them right here at home.

The map proposed by Governor Martin O'Malley and passed by the General Assembly twists and turns the state's eight House districts in order to maximize the Democratic Party's chances of gaining as many seats as possible. A Philadelphia-based consulting firm recently concluded that three of Maryland's districts are among the most gerrymandered in the country. One of these is the Third District, which a judge said reminded him of "reminiscent of a broken-winged pterodactyl, lying prostrate across the center of the state." You can see that district to the right.

Some Democratic politicians have courageously challenged this map. Montgomery County Councilman Phil Andrews recently wrote that "whenever proponents of Maryland's new congressional districts make their pitch, there is something missing: the map itself. The gerrymandered map of Maryland's congressional districts produced by Gov. Martin O'Malley and a majority of the General Assembly is so outrageous that proponents of the new map are embarrassed to show it in public."  Here is a link to the map if you want to judge for yourself.

I will freely admit that Republicans have been guilty of the same type of gerrymandering in states like North Carolina and Texas. Here in Baltimore County, the new Council districts are more compact than the ones adopted in 2001, and certainly nowhere as egregious as the Congressional map.

Voters have been inundated with information about the other ballot questions, but not about Question 5. That is wanted to share my opinion on this particular question.  When you go into the voting booth, there won't be a picture of the map on the ballot, but you can look for yourself beforehand to determine if this is the type of redistricting that epitomizes the best in government.

Legislation Protects Those Who Buried at Pet Cemeteries

On Monday night, the Baltimore County Council passed legislation I sponsored that protects those who have purchased lots in pet cemeteies.

The new law requires a pet cemetery owner to notify newspapers, as well as those who purchased lots, if the cemetery will be sold or used for a purpose other than a cemetery.  Within 90 days, those who provide a receipt must be compensated.

Much attention has been focused on the Oakleigh Pet Cemetery.  This property does not meet the standards we would expect for a cemetery.  To the best of my knowledge, there are no plans to sell the property--but I wanted this legislation in place in case that ever occurs.

Resurfacing to Improve Bangert Avenue and Chapel and Forge Roads

During this difficult economy, money is tight in Baltimore County. We need to spend our limited funding wisely. I believe that capital projects like schools, roads, and infrastructure are important to keep our neighborhoods desirable places to live.

 

I have been able to secure commitments from County Executive Kamenetz for new school and road improvements in the Fifth District. This afternoon, I was happy to announce the first of road resurfacing projects throughout the Fifth District.  

 

Baltimore County will resurface the entire 1.1-mile stretch of Chapel Road from Joppa to Belair Roads; the 2.9-mile stretch of Forge Road; and the .92 mile length of Bangert Avenue. Altogether, that includes nearly five miles of heavily-traveled roads in Perry Hall. None of these roads will be widened.

 

I would like to thank the County Executive for his support. I would also like to thank Senator J.B. Jennings and Delegate Kathy Szeliga for consisently advocating for improvements to these roads, which are mainly in the Seventh District. Chapel Road is the dividing line with the Eighth District, which is represented by Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegates Joe Boteler, Eric Bromwell, and John Cluster. The Perry Hall Improvement Association has also championed these improvements.

 

There will be future resurfacing projects throughout the Fifth District, but this work is a good start. As a transportation professional, I am pleased we are investing in the roads that are critical for families and local commerce.

Information About Saturday Night's Incident in Downtown Towson

I have had numerous conversations with police, business owners and leaders regarding the incident in Downtown Towson on Saturday night. I have also communicated with Towson University's President, Dr. Maravene Loeschke, even though the event seems not to be specifically related to Towson University's Homecoming.

I respect the Police Department's work as we sort out what occurred and what steps can improve public safety in the immediate future. Below is the official statement from the Police Department:

http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/policereleases/0924rechercrowdarrests.html

This was an isolated incident of an unusual magnitude.

There are many outstanding restaurants, businesses, and events in Downtown Towson, with many positive developments underway. We will continue to make a great Baltimore County community even better.

Chapel Road: A Unique Place in Perry Hall

Like hundreds of other families, we enjoyed the Perry Hall Apple Festival this weekend.   Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery and the Perry Hall Improvement Association deserve a lot of credit for sponsoring such a wonderful, family-friendly event.

Source:  Patch.

Chapel Hills Farm and Nursery is popular with families because it's a reminder of Perry Hall's small-town past.  During the fall, when Maryland's weather seems perfect, the farm sponsors hayrides and other seasonal events.   The rest of the year, you can always wander up to the goats with your kids or have them explore the pirate ship while you buy some flowers or vegetables.  It is one of my favorite places in Perry Hall.

Like Weber's Farm in Cub Hill, growth has encroached on the farm.   My goal as County Councilman is to make sure the Chapel Road corridor retains as much of a small-town, lightly developed feel as possible.

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works has, at times, supported widening Chapel Road.  In August of 2011, I obtained a commitment from the county that were no plans to expand the road.  I support resurfacing Chapel Road, but I do not want this to become an expressway that obliterates the homes along its route (Honeygo Boulevard was always envisioned as a corridor for traffic in this area).  At my request, the county has not required the builders of two pending housing developments to build their entrances any larger than the current Chapel Road.

Zoning will affect what can built in this area in the future.  Last month, at my request, the County Council downzoned 69 acres along Chapel and Joppa Roads.  This will lighten future development and take pressure off infrastructure in this area.  

I want to thank all those who made this weekend's festival possible.  I hope this area continues to be a very special part of our Perry Hall community.

Seven Oaks Elementary School to Receive Air Conditioning in 2013

Source:  Patch.

This morning, I confirmed with the school system's director of physical facilities that Seven Oaks Elementary School will receive air conditioning in 2013.

"Seven Oaks is included in a group of four schools that we hope to complete through an Energy Performance Contract program (the first phase of perhaps three). It was included as part of the group of schools that were evaluated to fit into the program," Baltimore County Public Schools physical facilities director Michael Sines responded to an inquiry I made.

Although it was built in the early 1990s, air conditioning was not included as part of the original structure.

Air conditioning at the school has been a top priority for me and the four state legislators who represent the area, Senator Kathy Klausmeier and Delegates Joe Boteler, Eric Bromwell, and John Cluster. I would like to thank them for their bipartisan support of this project, and especially Superintendent S. Dallas Dance and his team.