What started as an effort to create jobs in Queen Anne’s County and increase national security has devolved into months of finger pointing, heated Facebook posts, dozens of furious letters, boycotts and a lot of extremely unhappy people.
Community tension has been high since November, when Hunt Ray Farm in Ruthsburg was announced as the preferred site for the State Department’s proposed 2,000-acre Foreign Affairs Security Training Center.
The FASTC is a consolidation of 19 separate diplomatic security training facilities and it’s expected to bring in 400-some, long-term jobs in maintenance, emergency medical services and administration, among others.
Some community members view the facility as a tremendous boost to the economy, while others see it as a detriment to the small, farm town society.
“They’re talking about putting a bomb 60 feet from my backdoor,” said Sherry Adam, whose home backs up to the proposed site. “This is God’s county, this is one of the most beautiful areas, and to tear it up like that…it’s just awful, these are my friends, these are my neighbors…it’s going to be a terrible change.”
The facility would offer both hard- and soft-skills training. Hard skills include weapons and explosive storage, driving tracks and indoor and outdoor firing and explosive ranges. Soft skills include simulation labs, administrative offices and classroom teaching.
Residents are hurrying to speak out by Feb. 19, when the public comment period of the National Environmental Policy Act process ends. NEPA is a law requiring government agencies to consider the environmental and cultural impacts of proposed projects before any plans go into action.
Those with questions and concerns will have their chance to be heard at a much-anticipated public forum scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 16 at Queen Anne’s County High School in Centreville.
Opponents are upset with elected officials who backed the Ruthsburg site, the State Department and the General Services Administration, which is in charge of finding a site and building the facility.
“We don’t want it,” said Adam. “It feels like it’s being shoved right down our throats.”
One of the big areas of confusion has been the stance of elected officials.
Queen Anne’s County Commissioners first learned in August the Ruthsburg site was one of 30 places in the running for the facility. They sent a letter to Rep. Frank Kratovil, D-Stevensville, asking for his support to win the training facility for their county.
In early September, Kratovil and Maryland Democratic Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski sent letters to the GSA and State Department, advocating for the Ruthsburg site.
On Nov. 30, Mikulski, Cardin and Kratovil announced that Hunt Ray Farm was chosen as the preferred site for the “job-rich” training facility. They called it a “big win” for both Maryland and the Eastern Shore economy.
Kratovil sent out a public statement three days later, citing the great opportunities the facility would bring to the area and quoted several residents, including Queen Anne’s County Commission President Gene Ransom.
“This facility will open many new doors for business and commerce right here in Queen Anne’s County,” Ransom said in the press release. “It is a job creator and a revenue generator, and we have the efforts of Rep. Kratovil to thank for that.”
Things took a turn for the worse just two weeks later.
On Dec. 17, almost 100 people went to a citizen’s meeting in Ruthsburg Community Center to vent about the project’s potentially negative impacts as well as the lack of information made available to the public by the government.
The politicians then backed their constituents.
Eric S. Wargotz, a Republican who is challenging Mikulski for her Senate seat, was the first county commissioner to withdraw his support from the project. He sent a letter on Dec. 21 to Mikulski.
In the commission meeting the next day, the training facility was the topic of debate and included a conference call with the State Department and the GSA.
The commissioners said they were upset with the government’s lack of transparency and community involvement on the project. All four commissioners (Commissioner Courtney Billups was absent) voted unanimously to withdraw their support for the facility.
On Jan. 5 and 7 the GSA and the State Department held public information meetings at Queen Anne’s County High School.
Linda Friday, president of the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce and a facility supporter, said the Jan. 5 meeting was civil, but the Jan. 7 meeting was just the opposite.
Those opposed to the facility said the GSA was not prepared to answer their questions and were ignoring the protests, so they got frustrated and upset.
Friday said opponents stole the microphone from government officials and wouldn’t let them speak. One man had to be escorted out of the room.
“The second meeting was really ugly,” Friday said. “It just made Queen Anne’s County look bad.”
On Jan. 8, Mikulski wrote a heated letter to the GSA, criticizing them for not being better prepared and asking them to respond to local concerns. She requested the public comment period be extended from Jan. 15 to Feb. 19.
That same day, Kratovil withdrew his support because local concerns were not addressed, and because the commissioners withdrew their support.
Four days later the GSA responded to Mikulski’s letter apologizing, promising a better public process, extending the public deadline to Feb. 19, and promising tours of other facilities similar to the proposed Ruthsburg site.
Since then locals have been weighing the pros and cons of the project.
The environmental impact of this facility has been a major focus of debate, especially since the Eastern Shore is a watershed for the Chesapeake Bay and the proposed site is next to Tuckahoe State Park, a tributary draining into the Chesapeake Bay.
On Feb. 3, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation wrote a letter to the GSA stating that it is “concerned that the training facility may produce environmental impacts which run counter to federal efforts to protect water quality.”
On the other hand, supporters argue the county needs the jobs and economic boost this facility would provide.
“I’ve seen too many businesses close in my 40 years living here,” said Rachel Carter Goss, a longtime resident of Queen Anne’s County who currently lives in Kent County. “We need this.”
The two opposing sides have also argued the short-term economic influx from new workers spending money in restaurants, real estate, hotels and other businesses — some say it is a great opportunity while others only see it lasting a short time.
“I don’t see the jobs for Queen Anne’s County,” said Commissioner Carol R. Fordonski. “Show me the real benefits, I don’t see them.”
Other controversial issues have been increased traffic hazards, noise constraints and the types of training on the campus.
Opponents are putting all their effort into keeping this site out of Queen Anne’s County.
Sveinn Storm, an Eastern Shore activist and business owner, traveled to a hard skills training facility in New Mexico a few weeks ago to interview the town’s public officials and residents about the negative effect of the facility on their community.
Storm made a 37-minute DVD documenting his findings and is distributing them for $5 each in hopes of informing the public before the public meetings and halting the government’s interest in Queen Anne’s County.
“Right now their plan is to do it and our plan is to kill it,” said Storm, who has also led a boycott against local businesses supporting the project.
Supporters of the project believe those who oppose it are creating too much fear over the facility’s possible effects on the community.
“People are rabble-rousing and creating such fear in people that bombs will be going off and they will be shooting their kids off their swing sets,” Goss said.
Once the public comment period ends, the next step is to put together an environmental assessment, which will help determine the environmental and cultural impact of the facility on the county. That’s expected to be completed in late March or early April, and then the public can comment on that assessment for 30 days.
[By Morgan Gibson for Capital News Service]
Gren Whitman says
This is a reasonably fair and balanced report on the ever-more-complicated and controversial FASTC situation in QA County, although it doesn’t explain what “FASTC” means (Foreign Affairs Security Training Center). The center is supposed to be plunked down in a beautiful location, immediately adjacent to Tuckahoe State Park and creek! Haven’t our neighbors on the other side of the Chester River done enough already to wreck their erstwhile rural and, yes, beautiful county? Let’s hear it for “SLOWC” — “Stop Letting Others Wreck Countrysides!”
Spunkmeyer says
I hope it moves to Georgia or South Carolina so the fine people of the Eastern Shore can be left to have their economy based entirely on selling overpriced houses and drugs to each other.
Steve Meehan says
Gren: I hope you will attend the workshop at QA County High School on Tuesday, February 16, at 5 p.m. I believe John intends to post the details, but visit http://www.state.gov/recovery/fastc.
I am more impressed with the project at it is rolled out. One important factor is that the State Department intends to maintain 90 percent of the ground in open space planted in native species. What a break for the Chesapeake Bay by removing 2000 acres from nitrogen-polluting corn production.
If you accept that the owners of the property willsomething at some point and it is not going to be land preservation, the likely prospects for this big piece of ground are: (1) FASTC (90% open space, green construction, up to 1000 jobs in a region with over 10,000 unemployed or under employed and an opportunity to absorb excess housing and restore property values); (2) 150 residential homesites (which will drive down the value of neighboring aging residential properties already significantly down-valued in the past three years, create no permanent jobs and more burden on an already financially troubled county); (3) Confined Animal Feeding Operation (few jobs and much noise and truck traffic); or (4) a future regional landfill (a few more jobs, but a lot more noise and truck traffic), what would you choose?
Come learn about FASTC. You may find it is one part of the solution to the Mid-Shore’s systemic economic stagnation.
Gren Whitman says
Steve, I’d really like to learn more about “FASTC,” but that Web site you suggested tells me: “We’re sorry. That page can’t be found and may have moved,” which kinda echoes my sentiments about the whole “FASTC” project!
Seems to me that if QA County has clever, responsible, imaginative, energetic, committed leaders — like Kent’s, for example — they can stop-in-their-tracks not only (1) “FASTC,” but (2) any more blatent residential over-development in the county; (3) any “CAFO” — the disgusting and cruel details which I won’t get into (except to say “CAFO” operators don’t permit public viewings); or (4) any landfill. C’mon, Steve, When’s enough development? When the last square inch of courntyside is taken? If not now, when? If not us, who?
Guess I’ll see you at the meeting, weather permitting. (Would “FASTC” operate under several feet of snow?)
Gren Whitman
PS: I like that remark, “selling overpriced houses and drugs,” but “Spunkjeyer” forgot “used cars, 50-foot yachts that don’t leave the marina, and illegal, disease-ridden rockfish.”
Steve Meehan says
Spunk:
Good observation. The gig is up on the over-priced houses. As many who have moved to the QAC and the Shore in the past five to ten years (not surprisingly, they make up the largest contingent of FASTC opponents according to the Hart Research poll) are realizing (including in the Ruthsburg area) that without a local sustainable economy (not black market drugs that is) and disappearing Western Shore middle management jobs, they are now holding highly encumbered, aging used residential real estate they can’t sell at break even to move on to their next garden spot.
PS. More sobering jobs news. Thankfully the Queenstown outlets helped to bouy December’s numbers.
Steve Meehan says
Gren:
That website is http://www.state.gov/recovery/fastc. It works here in Queen Anne’s County. See you tomorrow night at the workshops.
Warrior Bob Kramer says
Mr. Meehan:
I understand you are and have been involved with several political candidates… and I was wondering if you’d like to comment on:
1. What’s with Congressman Kratovil? First, he takes credit for landing this jobs loaded bonanza for QAC. Then he retracts his support as he questions the GSA’s process. And finally offers an ambiguous note of support based on whether the QAC county commissioners support FASTC or not. Shouldn’t Mr K have had all the answers before he took credit for this project?
2. Then there is the disappearing act that the 36th district delegation has performed. IF this project is so beneficial to our area, why aren’t these pols stepping up to the plate and supporting it?
3. Sen Mikulski told the world how hard she fight for this piece of pork for her state, then turned on the GSA/State dept with a vengeance and, in turn, offered that there other localities who would love to have this project in their backyard. Where was she with her questions when she was doing all this fighting?
The bottom line… if the pols who delivered this so-called golden goose on our door steps can’t justify it in our midst, why should anyone else? Do you know something they don’t? If so, maybe you should share it with them
Rachel says
Stephen, Gren and Bobby – I have enjoyed your comments but Spunkmeyer gets my ‘I am so over this snow, and I am almost over the FASTC, Thank You I needed a laugh tonight’ Award. rcg
Gren Whitman says
Mr. Adam may be in error. I believe that in another forum, Ms. Goss explained she’s not related to any of the landowners in question. (She may not see this posting.)
Steve Meehan says
Warrior Bob:
Very good questions.
First, Senator Mikulski and Congressman Kratovil did not disappear. After months of hard work to secure the FASTC project for the First District, they are letting the State Department and the public get to know each other – sort of an expedited courtship. It is often better to let the education and public input process take its course natuarlly rather than for politicians to enter the fray and interrupt the education process.
The FASTC story is such a case. If you attended Tuesday night’s FASTC workshops and meeting, my point was proved. Two groups of people showed up.
The early contingent showed up to learn about the changes to the design footprint based on public comment collected in January. They would have also heard the state of the art technology, the green factor (boy is the Chesapeake Bay going to get some relief- 90 percent open space in native grasses and 100,000 trees), and the developing jobs picture. We did not get all our answers, but many liked what the saw and left satisfied that the State Department is listening, has put together a nice product, and FASTC will be good overall for the community.
A new wave arrived for the forum. The State Department did a good job of providng an open forum. It is clear that many of the questioners did not take the time to prepare for the forum by attending the workshops. If they had, the meeting would not have dragged on so long. The important fact is that they had an opportunity to contribute to the process.
I do not believe that injecting Senator Mikulski and Congressman Kratovil into the fray would have helped move us along and keep the process on track. These are two highly intelligent politicians who are concerned about the more than 10,000 people unemployed or underemployed in the Mid-Shore region, but they want the opposition to have their say.
The reality is that even if QACA-CGC launches its threated NEPA lawsuit, FASTC stimulus funding will survive. That is how important this project is to Maryland and to America. The Leadership in Washington are listening and well aware of the spoil-sport threats from QACA-CGC’s money men. I believe that Maryland’s working families may be winning the battle.
For QAC, FASTC can’t come fast enough. While the Commissioners have remained mum on the immediate fiscal picture, my own number crunching suggests QAC has come up short in revenue this year, maybe has high as $10 Million or more. I suspect next year’s revenue picture looks flat without tax increases. The departing Wargotz-Ransom leaderhip team is leaving a big goose egg for the new county commissioners.
As the FASTC education process continues and the public move away from “ME” to “US”, Senator Mikulski and Congressman Kratovil will be back on the scene working on the hard politics of funding the 301/304 overpass and improvements to our school infrastructure, problem complicated by QAC’s quirky, anti-family Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.
Warrior Bob Kramer says
Mr. Meehan says: Senator Mikulski and Congressman Kratovil will be back on the scene working on the hard politics of funding the 301/304 overpass and improvements to our school infrastructure, problem complicated by QAC’s quirky, anti-family Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. It’s too bad that the Sen and Mr K couldn’t have offered as much when they were working on the ‘soft’ politics of taking credit for this economic gift to the area. Quite frankly, I’m disappointed in any pol who can’t stand up and be counted… one way or the other on issues like this. Their MIA tells me that they truly are waiting for the political cloud to drift wherever… and they’ll follow… wherever.
The Kent County Commissioners offered their support for FASTC… publicly. And it seems clear that you see the benefits of FASTC in our midst. But… the protestants seem to be winning the day… with few proponents offering anything other than… we’ll benefit from FASTC. No discussion about upzoning, W&S and other infrastucture enhancements that might be derived through the political process.
In any case, I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing the Sen’s and Mr K’s hard politics in action.
Tina says
Mr Meehan,
What is Mr Kratovil’s involvement with the Eastern Shore Leadership Council?
For those that don’t know, it is the group that Mr Meehan is the resident agent for and it is also the group responsible for the push poll that was conducted and the glossy posts cards urging support of the FASTC that continue to come in the mail to all registered voters in Queen Anne’s County.
rachel carter goss says
“This omission could easily be construed as deceit.” If I worked for someone affiliated with this project, I could understand that my support could be miscontrued. I have lived on the Shore my entire life – I stand only to gain the satisfaction that I made an effort to bring something here that, in my opinion, would benefit the area where I was raised and where I am raising my children.
Steve Meehan says
Ms. Naumann:
Thanks for your inquiry.
Congressman Kratovil has no affiliation with the Eastern Shore Leadership Council. I am not even sure he knows about it. You should ask him.
You are correct that I am the resdient agent for the Eastern Shore Leadership Council, Inc.
We did not do a push poll. You should rest assure that when I spend money on polling, it is to gather credible, accurate information. I only use the best pollsters. Hart Research is the best. When they say 2:1 support, they are usually right. I know that Andy Harris does do push polling. You should call his campaign if you need a vendor.
No, we ddi not mail to every voter in QAC. Thanks to the great data we gathered from the poll, we were able to target our mail. I hope you found the piece helpful. Of all the people who will benefit from FASTC it will be your family and neighbors. I am certain the Opposition won’t tell you this – truthfulness does not seem to work with these ideologues, but I suspect you are sharp enough to realize if FASTC fails and 150 homes come, not only will you have created a huge traffic mess on 304 (and no overpass at 301), but your house value is suppressed by the new home effect.