Save Our Farmland Day in New Market - August 17th

“Save our Farmland” Day!

 

A fun-filled day in support of local agriculture

 

What:  Family Open House
When:  Sunday, August 17th 12pm-4pm
Where:Hall’s Choice Farm
                 11258 Crickenberger Road, 
                 New Market, MD 
Why:   The proposed development in New Market, Maryland affects us all.

Come SEE what farms do for your community and how YOU can protect them!
It’s dog-friendly, with kid-approved activities—including pony rides, face-painting, and more! Plus local crafts, food, a community, antiques, farm yard sale, and tours of the watershed area.
Don’t miss the FUN….Free admission!
Join us! Contact Sarah    Hallschoice@hotmail.com

The Save our farmland day (12 to 4pm) has a rally with a community voices theme that starts at 1:30. Our friends and neighbors will be speaking out about saving the farmland and making government in Frederick County more responsible.

We are raising awareness for the next Hearing for the CASEY FARM PUD  on August 21, 2014.

E-mail each of the commissioners and planners to tell them to

 “ Save  the farmland and develop responsibly PLEASE!!!”

*Blaine Young Contact: Byoung@frederickcountyMD.gov
*C. Paul Smith contact: cpaulsmith@frederickcountyMD.gov
See what he thinks  :http://www.gazette.net/stories/02092011/frednew175041_32611.php
*Billy Shreve contact: billy@frederickcountyMD.gov
Quote: Why I am Running for Frederick County Council… “I believe everyone deserves a decent and affordable home, a good job, schools
that are not overcrowded, and roads that are more than parking lots.”
*Kirby Delauter contact: kdelauter@frederickcountyMD.gov
Quote: So when you hear that this BoCC(Board of County Commissioners)is helping developers, that is true.
*David P. Gray contact : Dgray@frederickcountyMD.gov
*All commisioners: countycommissioners@frederickcountyMD.gov

MCD Horse Council Quarterly Meeting in New Market this month!

Maryland Horse Council      Quarterly Meeting       at the New Market Grange Hall   Tuesday, August 26th, 2014 Please Join Us For The Next MHC Quarterly Meeting Tuesday, August 26th, 2014    at the New Market Grange Hall 1 Eighth Alley | New Market, MD 21774    6:00p - Reception (refreshments provided by the Frederick County Equine Alliance and Damascus Equine Associates) 7:00p - 9:00p - Meeting - All are welcome!   Click HERE to RSVP!   Highlights: * Report on the 2014 Horse Forum and planned follow-up actions * Vote on MHC endorsements of statewide candidates *Final preparations for the 2014 MHC BBQ to be held at Capitol Polo Club, Saturday, September 13th from 4-8pm.  MHC Sponsors        Join Our Mailing List! Membership Current? To renew your membership, or to become a member, you can  Pay Online Today ... or bring your payment to the meeting! 2014 Memberships  are due NOW! If you are a MHC member and would like to renew your membership for the 2014 year, please click HERE to renew online! MHC's 8th Annual  BBQ Picnic Saturday, September 13th 4:00 - 8:00pm Hosted by:The Capitol Polo Club  14660 Hughes Road Poolesville, MD 20837 www.capitolpolo.com Live Music by Hot Buttered Nuggets | Live Polo |  A "Celebrity" Polo Match | Silent Auction | Authentic Argentine Asado BBQ  Bring the family... bring the barn! For tickets,  please click HERE! Become a Member! If you are not yet an MHC member, JOIN NOW to stand with us in support of horses and people throughout Maryland! If you have any questions, or need to check the status of your membership,  please email our  Association Manager,  Margaret Rizzo McKelvy, admin@mdhorsecouncil.org.  Questions about the Maryland Horse Council? Contact:  Association Manager, Margaret Rizzo McKelvy 301.502.8929   |   admin@mdhorsecouncil.org

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Overwelming Crowd of Supporters to Preserve Sugarloaf Mountain causes Old Line Aresnal to ask for a Continuance on Special Exception Hearing

FREDERICK, Md. (WJLA) – Outrage by hundreds of people delayed a major meeting on a proposed Frederick gun range on Thursday night.

Continue reading

Opponents say guns are OK, but putting a firing range close to pristine property is not. (WJLA photo)

When the Frederick County Board of Appeals called the July 24 meeting, it was clear it never expected such an overwhelming response from the public. So many people showed up to talk that the meeting was postponed. Those opposed to the gun range insist their show of force sent a clear message.

Longtime activist Doug Kaplan, of the Sugarloaf Alliance, says this is a first for public hearings in Frederick.
“This is probably the largest crowd that this county has ever seen on any issue,” he said.
So many citizens showed up to testify against the building of a gun range near Sugarloaf Mountain, that the line to get in snaked around the government building.
“It’s Frederick; it’s a close-knit community and everybody sticks together,” said Elizabeth Sebastian of the Sugarloaf Alliance. “There’s plenty of places you can put a firing range. Next to Sugarloaf Mountain is stupid.”
Opponents say guns are OK, but putting a firing range close to pristine property is not.
“What is very scary—beyond the noise—is what is called stray bullets,” Kaplan said.
But supporters insist the range will not taint the area’s aesthetics.
“They will be taking all measures to ensure that there is no noise, and that there is the utmost level of safety,” said Peter Fitzsimmons of the Old Line Arsenal.
Then came word of an unusual ruling; a representative of the gun range got approval from the board to postpone the meeting, on the grounds the crowd was so large that everyone would not have time to testify.
“They wanted to do the right thing and not rush forward without giving everyone an opportunity to communicate with them,” Fitzsimmons said.
Trixi Summers, of the Sugarloaf Alliance, said, “I think they went in and they went, ‘Uh oh.’ This is a lot bigger than they thought.”
But critics insist that on Thursday night, the firing range was outgunned.
“I think, very frankly, they were just plain overwhelmed with the turnout and didn’t know how to handle it,” Kaplan said to the crowd. “So, I want to thank everyone for showing up. It has made a difference.”
The next hearing, which will likely be held in a larger facility, is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28.


Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/07/overwhelming-public-attendance-outrage-postpones-meeting-on-proposed-frederick-gun-range-105415.html#ixzz38UhJD5Wo
Follow us: @ABC7News on Twitter | WJLATV on Facebook

Frederick News Post Letter to Editor Regarding Proposed Gun Range in Urbana

 

Urbana gun range will spoil quality of life for residents

Posted 2 weeks ago

 

It is with great concern we learn that Old Line Arsenal is planning a large firearms training facility and firing range on Thurston Road in Urbana. The facility will consist of multiple firing ranges, a three-story “shooting tower” and 144 parking spaces.This large shooting facility will be sited on one of the most peaceful and beautiful areas of Frederick County less than 2 miles from Urbana High School and just minutes from Sugarloaf Mountain.The proposed facility will devastate the good people of the surrounding area who have chosen this place to live because of the beauty, peace and tranquility the area offers. Quality of life, safety, home values, traffic, etc., will all become a problem.The sound of high-powered weapons going off all day will be heard for miles. Even the major development in Urbana will not escape the noise. Add to that all the traffic coming to the facility on a daily basis from Washington, Montgomery County and Frederick and you have a loud, congested mess.Thurston Road is currently used by hundreds of recreational bikers who travel to and from Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s a beautiful ride not spoiled by traffic and congestion. In addition, a family of bald eagles nests and fishes in the area between Peters Road and Thurston. This family will surely leave once the shooting begins.Please don’t let this happen to one of our few remaining unspoiled areas.There is a hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals scheduled for July 24. Voice your concerns!G. P.Frederick

 

Friends - the hearing before the Frederick County Board of Zoning Appeals will be on Thursday, July 24th at 7pm in Winchester Hall.  There are 4 hearings on the socket for that evening with this being the last.  The first 3 are expected to be short.  Please try to attend to show your support NOT allowing a Special Exemption for this particular proposed use.

 

Judy

 

 

Important News for Everyone Who Lives Near and Enjoys Sugarloaf Mountain!

 

Dear Friends - Please read the information below and become pro-active on this issue.  The Sugarloaf Alliance has a FB page and a website to keep us all up to date on what is happening.  Please mark Thursday, July 24 on your calendars - the hearing will begin at 7pm at Winchester Hall in downtown Frederick.  Please plan to attend.

 

The serenity of Sugarloaf Mountain is threatened by a proposed firearms training facility and range. The farm on tranquil Thurston Road abuts land with Stronghold Foundation hiking trails, as well as, several equestrian training and boarding businesses. According to the application: “The proposed use involves the establishment of a training facility for the use of law enforcement and military pers...onnel . . .” Please review copies of the application at the Frederick County offices or on www.sugarloafalliance.org or check it out on Facebook under Sugarloaf Alliance. Time is of the essence as the hearing for this Special Exception before the Board of Zoning Appeals begins on July 24. This proposal will cause greater harm in the Resource Conservation Zone and in an area of hiking and biking trails and active horse facilities than it might in other zones such as the Limited Industrial or General Industrial Zones.

 

Thanks,  Judy

Patuxent River Trail Assessment Project Public Information Meeting on June 12th

Patuxent River Trail Assessment Project Public Information Meeting Thursday, June 12th, from 7-8:30pm Izaak Walton League  26430 Mullinix Mill Rd Mount Airy, MD 21771 The initial project will only be for the upstream area between Route 94 and Route 27, but in the future, an additional assessment may be conducted downstream to Route 97. The project will be led by Jeremy Wimpey, PhD, and his company, Applied Trails Research. ATR will be mapping all the trails on state park land, taking pictures, and documenting environmental concerns such as muddy areas (in the flood plain) or unsustainable trail alignments (which have become washed-out gullies over time). Jeremy will be on hand for the public meeting, and he will be leading a park walk-through on Saturday, June 14th in the morning. The public meeting will be hosted by Captain Dave Powell, the park ranger for Patuxent River State Park, and Dan Hudson, the Trail Manager for the Maryland Park Service. They will kick off the meeting, and then Jeremy will give a presentation on his trail assessment process. The organization MORE (Maryland Off-Road Enthusiasts) have taken the lead in developing and funding this multi-user trail project, but are making every effort to involve all the local equestrian organizations. Explained Tom Newton, MORE Patuxent Liaison, "We would like to work together with you to plan, build, and maintain multi-use trails that give all trail users a positive recreational experience that is both environmentally sustainable and fun for everyone."

REMINDER! Tuesday, May 13th - Next Quartly MHC Meeting!

You Are Not Going To Want To Miss Our Upcoming Quarterly Meeting! Dear Maryland horse person,    The Horse Council's Quarterly meetings are always fun and engaging, but our next meeting, Tuesday, May 13 at the MD Department of Agriculture in Annapolis, is going to present you with a unique opportunity to meet some of our state's senior leaders and to directly discuss your ideas and concerns with them. The Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, Del. Mike Busch, will be there to accept our Leadership Award in recognition of his longstanding support for the horse industry, and particularly for his help in our fight AGAINST SUNDAY HUNTING. We also are looking forward to welcoming MD Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Assistant Secretary Pat McMillan, as well as a representative of Natural Resources Secretary Joe Gill. Come early to our 6:00 pm reception and talk to Matt Teffeau of the MD Farm Bureau about how horse people and other farmers can unite to solve the deer overpopulation problem and still preserve Safe Sundays!   Also on the agenda for the meeting: * This Year's Legislative Session In Review  * Sunday Hunting: Where we are and where we are going in our fight for Safe Sundays   * 2014 Maryland Horse Forum - coming up in August!  * Maryland's New Manure Matching Service Every year, the Horse Council works tirelessly to represent everyone's interest in the legislature and before State and local regulatory agencies. HERE is a summary of what we have been working on just this winter. Each item represents an issue that at least some segment of the industry cares deeply about.  Once again, we are asking you for your support and involvement in achieving our mutual goals. If your membership has expired, or will soon expire, no worries!  Renew your membership at our next Quarterly Meeting Tuesday, May 13th 6:00pm Reception (refreshments included) 7:00pm Meeting - all are welcome! RSVP HERE Hosted by:    The Maryland Department of Agriculture 50 Truman Parkway | Annapolis, MD 21401   If you've already renewed for 2014, thank you, and we  hope to see you at the meeting!     What is coming up with MHC?: MHC's Day at the Races  Sunday, June 1st at Pimlico Racetrack   MHC's Annual BBQ Saturday, September 13th at Capitol Polo Club Don't forget! MEMBERS of the Maryland Horse Council   are eligible for significant vendor savings!    The following discounts are available to current MHC Members only...make sure your membership is up-to-date! If you are not sure whether your membership is current, please email admin@mdhorsecouncil.org.    admin@mdhorsecouncil.org  Be Sure to Check Out the MHC Web Store!     Click on the shopping bag below to visit the store and purchase your MHC Saddle Pads, exclusively embroidered with our logo!     MHC Sponsors          Join Our Mailing List! Questions about the Maryland Horse Council?   Contact:  Association Manager, Margaret Rizzo McKelvy  301.502.8929   |   admin@mdhorsecouncil.org

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