Backing into the Future

The clash between public policy and public expectation is becoming clearer.  It appears that we are backing into this public policy through the collection of P&Z regulations, building codes, outdated annexation plans and borrowed forestry plans.  The public policy approach should be defined to balance development and quality of life.

How can we balance tomorrow’s public policy and our expectations for quality of life?  How do we get answers to whether we have outlived the old belief that property tax on new developments will pay for those new developments over their lifetime, as seen through the lens of their impact on the overall community?

We will never get out in front of the process without knowing what the process entails.  We may have projects of interest or concern that most closely affect our daily lives, but as I’ve stated before, and which bears repeating, if we expect our elected officials and their appointees to define our future without our input we will always be playing catch-up.  That’s not a tenable position.  We have to be proactive.  We have to keep swinging the hammer at the nail.

All projects were initially ideas for projects.  When an idea reaches the project stage we are already at a disadvantage if we have not been involved with the zoning  process, or engaged in community/environmental plans.  It is time to hold our elected officials accountable; they have to establish and transmit priorities to the appropriate City departments and be transparent about what they’re doing so that we, as residents,  can take an informed and timely role in the process.

We’re seeing a clear indication that City Government lacks environmental leadership, lacks an environmental priority and is operating on a too little too late reality.  Now is the time for City Government to present their policy.  Elections again.   And after the elections will be the time to govern.

Without our participation, our community will be defined for us through uncoordinated development that will be the product of narrow business interests, and not necessarily in the best interests of the whole community.

Without our participation, we will be left behind in the process.

 

[Originally posted in 2015 as The Hammer and the Nail.]

 

Part of the Solution: Opening Doors

In our last post, we did not comment on community social or public safety issues.  These are so important, they need to be addressed alone.

One of the viewpoints put forth in the current election cycle that Annapolis is crime-ridden is over the top hyperbole.  It’s not just over the top on its own, but coupled with “we need more police” as the answer is not the way to go.  That simplistic approach just seems to offer a downward spiral that would consume limited resources and offer no actual solution.

I don’t believe that there is a single solution that will result in a perfect community.  We counter, we fight social strife and polarization through education and opportunity.  I suggest that the solution must acknowledge the importance of education and opportunity.  As the information age matures, it is obvious that the great divide that exists between the haves and have-nots is the ability to be part of that age and help to shape its future.

Education lasts a lifetime.  All education is beneficial – it opens doors and provides self-confidence.  It feeds on itself.  Through education we can make a difference and that difference can produce opportunities.  Building on that premise, I propose organizing and operating a Computer Coding Academy to be housed at, or associated with community organizations such as The Boys and Girls Clubs.  Computer coding is what makes it possible to create computer software, apps and websites.

The new core of education is comprised of reading, writing, arithmetic and computer coding.   The Academy would be a formal multi-year program available to all the Club’s attendees without regard to age or academic status.  The Academy will be structured to give a full range of experience from basic awareness of coding to coding certification.

The participants who so choose could use the skills they derive to support their continuing education, or to just have another skill to assist them in their life’s pursuits.  One of the underlying purposes of this initiative would be to encourage participants to stay in school and make the most of  their education.

I have ideas on funding, logistics, and having the kids participate in the organization, content development, and the concept of ‘train the trainer.’

This is just an overview of the considerable thinking I have done on this subject.  The relatively small cost would be more than offset by the significant benefits to the community.  This is not only a way to actually address social concerns but, in a larger context, it is an investment in our future.

Working in the White Space

Over the past few months we have not had to react to even a single new poorly thought out project proposal.  (We do have continuing problems facing Crystal Spring Forest.)  So what have we done with that white space time?  And when things quiet down are we really aware that we’ve stopped lurching from project proposal crisis to crisis?

My contention is that during this period we have not used that white space to examine, assess and work to address key strategic matters that confront our community.

Our elected officials, from whom we naturally expect leadership, are dealing with their own futures.  They’re out there raising red flags for this or that concern or controversy for their own purposes.  They’re out there playing on our fears and telling us who’s responsible instead of creating a vision for our future.  Bottom line, it is another election year.

To more effectively use that white space, wouldn’t a candidate be more electable if he or she was willing to deal with strategic issues that require real innovation and commitment to take a stand.  How about…

• Give us serious views and recommendations for economic development.
• Give us serious plans to discuss the limits of growth, which will aid in quality of life.
• Give us serious assessments of the true benefits of entities receiving tax exemption status. What are they actually providing for the community?  Even though this is a Federal designation, the impacts are local.
• Give us serious alternatives for ways to fund local budgets other than property tax.
• Give us real plans to deal with climate change and sea level rise.
• Give us comprehensive plans that align developer and community interests – plans that are complete and have codes and real enforcement.

Not everyone will agree with these priorities, but unless we begin a serious and inclusive discussion we will always be behind the curve.

Our leaders need to be out there leading, not falling to the lowest common denominator.  We should be looking for people who can stand up and provide an inspirational message for the future.  Someone willing to be accountable, even willing to tell us what we may not want to hear.

We have seen those politicians who spent much of their administration dealing with transactional matters.  Are we, as a community, better off?  I have made my decision.

What about you?

 

 

 

Meeting

FYI:  Concerning the Forest/Drive Eastport Sector Study

The next Sector Study Open House Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Pip Moyer Recreation Center, Hilltop Lane.