The WCD doesn’t solve our problems
In a letter in the June 13 edition, Lisa Garlock questioned my motivation in opposing the watershed conservation district and stated the WCD is the most effective tool in addressing Charles County’s growth issues. As do most proponents of the WCD, Ms. Garlock fails to acknowledge the reality of growth here in Charles County. Unbridled residential growth is not occurring in western Charles County, the area most affected by the WCD. One need only to drive down Rosewick Road and St. Charles Parkway to understand our reality. Rampant growth is occurring in and around Waldorf. And it’s getting ready to accelerate. Our county just allowed the sale of the St. Charles Companies to Lennar. St. Charles was previously owned by a private equity fund, Federal Capital Partners, and was limited to how many units they were building based on the limited financial commitment from the fund. In a deal that Charles County residents still haven’t seen or been briefed about, Lennar, the largest homebuilder in the country, bought the St, Charles Companies and has the resources and capital to increase the rate in which Waldorf is developed. Lennar primarily builds homes, lots of homes, not infrastructure. Waldorf’s problems of overcrowded schools, lack of infrastructure, and increased traffic congestion are about to get worse.
The WCD does nothing to address the real problems with unbridled growth here in Charles County. In addition, the WCD hurts our property owners. It hurts businesses. It restricts opportunities around Maryland Airport, an asset that could create hundreds of high paying, career focused jobs right here in Charles County. It basically kills the proposed science and technology park, an employment center that should be providing careers for future generations. How ironic it is that we stress the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses in our schools and then restrict employment opportunities that utilize these skills. Lastly and equally important, as property values fall within the WCD, each and every property owner in Charles County will be forced to pay higher property taxes. For all of these reasons, I opposed this policy.
Ms. Garlock’s letter attempts to deflect from these issues and implies my motivation for opposing the WCD is based on something different. Since it’s very easy to make assertions with no evidence, I’ll provide facts. I love the rural character of Charles County and will fight to maintain this. I’ve stated clearly my desire to dramatically restrict residential development until we have adequate infrastructure in place to accommodate current and future residents. We have the highest property tax rate of any county in the state. We are dead last in the state of Maryland in retaining our business tax base. We have the worst commute times of any county in the country. As commissioner president, these are the issues I will focus on. It is my belief that the WCD will only make matters worse. Next week, Charles County will have an opportunity to elect new leaders. In their most recent elections, the towns of Indian Head and La Plata chose new leaders and new visions. It’s my belief Charles County is also looking for a new direction. I believe I have a vision for Charles County that is significantly different than the two career politicians I’m running against. They’ve created the problems we need fixed in our county. We will never have different results if we keep electing the same people over and over again.
Brian Klaas, Nanjemoy The writer is a candidate for Charles County commissioners’ president.