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Post by paulcomfort on May 13, 2014 16:06:59 GMT -4
I testified at the QAC Commissioners budget hearing last night on Kent Island calling on the Commissioners to repeal their new beach parking permit program which requires county residents to purchase a $35 annual permit to park at county beaches. It was revealed tonight that there are no new Park Rangers or staff of any kind in the budget paid for by this new beach permit fee. So why is it being charged? I ask the Commissioners to keep our beaches free. If they refuse I will make the motion to eliminate this extra tax on county residents at my first meeting if elected. Let's keep our beaches free to our citizens!
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Post by ravens20 on May 13, 2014 21:51:31 GMT -4
I'm willing to give them one year to see how it goes. I'll be pissed too if nothing has improved by this time next year.
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Post by frankf on May 14, 2014 6:51:54 GMT -4
I testified at the QAC Commissioners budget hearing last night on Kent Island calling on the Commissioners to repeal their new beach parking permit program which requires county residents to purchase a $35 annual permit to park at county beaches. It was revealed tonight that there are no new Park Rangers or staff of any kind in the budget paid for by this new beach permit fee. So why is it being charged? I ask the Commissioners to keep our beaches free. If they refuse I will make the motion to eliminate this extra tax on county residents at my first meeting if elected. Let's keep our beaches free to our citizens! Thanks Paul!
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kncook07
Junior Member
Please check out Kent Island Beach Cleanups at https://www.facebook.com/KentIslandBeachCleanups
Posts: 54
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Post by kncook07 on May 14, 2014 7:48:35 GMT -4
I attended the Commissioners FY15 Budget Hearing's last night in Stevensville and this evening in Centreville. Tonight, I took the opportunity to testify regarding the new Beach Permit Process and asked the current commissioners to reconsider the process. I explained that I had a meeting with QAC Parks and Rec on 4/22/14, and that it seemed as though little to no planning was involved in making the decision, but that KIBCU had better suggestions to keep our beaches and parks clean. I explained that although Parks and Rec has suffered (like many departments) massive layoffs a few years back, that I didn't understand how the revenue generated from these permits would be a sufficient enough of a salary for 1-2 Park Rangers. In addition, I offered up suggestions for the Sheriff's Department to continue to have their Auxiliary Team Patrol Terrapin Beach (for example), and allow my grassroots group to continue on our path to success. While the beach permit may seem like a quick fix in the present, it is not going to solve the issues of pollution or any illegal activity in the future. I also included that my group has so many ideas that we are 100% confident in - and shared a few with them. I will continue to fight for our residents, my volunteers and for a trash-free KI! Kristin Cook, President and Founder Kent Island Beach Cleanups, Inc. www.KentIslandBeachCleanups.comFind us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KentIslandBeachCleanupsFollow us on Twitter: @kibeachcleanups
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Post by Frank on May 14, 2014 8:01:57 GMT -4
Keep the beaches free!
Free of bottles and cans Free of used diapers Free of alcohol Free of garbage
How about free for county residents that pay taxes used in supporting the park? How about a fee for non-residents? That would make sense.
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Post by ravens20 on May 14, 2014 19:44:44 GMT -4
Keep the beaches free! Free of bottles and cans Free of used diapers Free of alcohol Free of garbage How about free for county residents that pay taxes used in supporting the park? How about a fee for non-residents? That would make sense. I would support that one hundred percent. Although I think Kristin mentioned that the state provides funds for the county parks and that is why they can't make it free for country residents.
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danw
New Member
Posts: 6
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Post by danw on May 15, 2014 11:39:26 GMT -4
Can Conquest Beach be made free too?
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Post by jackbquick on May 15, 2014 11:51:22 GMT -4
Can Conquest Beach be made free too? You would think since Steve Wilson is campaigning on elimination of the beach permit fee. I guess he is not talking about his own beach permit fee. $300. Good Grief! Isn't he already rich enough on the backs of the taxpayers who bought his land at rediculous prices!
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Post by alleycat on May 15, 2014 11:57:45 GMT -4
Ridiculous
Btw, where is conquest beach?
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Post by jackbquick on May 15, 2014 13:02:59 GMT -4
Ridiculous Btw, where is conquest beach? I asked the same question. Up on the Chester River outside of Centerville. County spent $8 million dollars buying Steve Wilson's land. And now you have to pay him $300 to use a beach that is owned by the taxpayer. How about them apples!
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Post by alleycat on May 15, 2014 13:40:35 GMT -4
Not cool. Is Steve Wilson someone special?
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Post by jackbquick on May 15, 2014 14:03:57 GMT -4
Not cool. Is Steve Wilson someone special? Running for commissioner!
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Post by KITransplant on May 15, 2014 14:05:03 GMT -4
I remember hearing about Conquest Beach (near Centreville off Spaniard Neck Road, I believe) years ago, thought it sounded nice, drove up to the place, and it was gated off.
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Post by kiboater on May 15, 2014 14:18:59 GMT -4
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Post by shoreterp on May 15, 2014 15:00:48 GMT -4
Go to Conquest Beach by boat like the rest of us do. They can't gate the Chester River
As to the comment about chargint out-of-county residents but free for in-county residents, I'm not positive on this but I believe if they use state funds towards the park they are not allowed to charge different rates based on what county they come from (same with boat ramps). They can charge more for out-of-state resident however (not to mention to many "out-of-country" visitors LOL)
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Post by KITransplant on May 15, 2014 15:21:09 GMT -4
Go to Conquest Beach by boat like the rest of us do. They can't gate the Chester River I like the way you think.
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Post by alleycat on May 15, 2014 18:35:39 GMT -4
Ridiculous Btw, where is conquest beach? I asked the same question. Up on the Chester River outside of Centerville. County spent $8 million dollars buying Steve Wilson's land. And now you have to pay him $300 to use a beach that is owned by the taxpayer. How about them apples! How are you paying him if he sold the land to the county?
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Post by eileen on May 15, 2014 19:10:19 GMT -4
Yeah, have been irritated by this conquest beach deal for years. Not only was he paid a fortune for the property, but he gets to live there. For the rest of his life. For free. And I believe the county maintains the property for him, cutting grass etc.
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Post by jackbquick on May 15, 2014 19:24:06 GMT -4
I asked the same question. Up on the Chester River outside of Centerville. County spent $8 million dollars buying Steve Wilson's land. And now you have to pay him $300 to use a beach that is owned by the taxpayer. How about them apples! How are you paying him if he sold the land to the county? How are we paying. Cash cow with huge cash cow cash flow to really stick it to the taxpayers. We should get Kristen to ask him why he supports repealing the beach fee but will not repeal his own fat cash cow beach fee.
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Post by alleycat on May 15, 2014 21:22:16 GMT -4
I don't understand. The property now belongs to the county, yes? The county charges a fee (thanks, county), yes? The money goes to the county, yes? Where is it that Wilson charges a fee for something that he does not own, and where is it that any fee paid to the county for use of county property goes to Wilson? Is there some piece of info missing here?
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Post by eileen on May 15, 2014 21:48:51 GMT -4
I don't think Wilson gets the beach fee for Conquest, I guess it goes to the county. The irony here is that he is campaigning against the beach permit fee, yet you'll pay hundreds of dollars for the right to use Conquest beach. Even though we, the taxpayers, own it.
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Post by oriolesfan on May 15, 2014 22:32:24 GMT -4
Typical Politician
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Post by bluecrabber on May 16, 2014 0:47:35 GMT -4
Never understood the notion of a taxpayer owned county park that is locked up and only available for $300 a day. Been a complete puzzle to me since i first heard of it. However, maybe some are thinking they don't want it abused like Terrapin.
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Post by jackbquick on May 16, 2014 9:02:59 GMT -4
Eileen, You might be right about who gets the fee and I am checking into that but you would think a guy campaigning for commissioner on the fact that the existing commissioners are not being conservative enough would not be able to keep his food down when he makes that comment considering the county taxpayer gave him $8 million dollars and then as if that was not enough of wasteful spending, he asked us to pay for all the following below. How ironic is that. He should change his name to Gordon Gekko!
the Reserved Rights Agreement (Agreement) between the Commissioners of Queen Anne’s County and Stephen K. Wilson be amended to allow for the curatorship provision. The Board reviewed the Amended Agreement which provides the following: • Use of the Main House and Main House Property for and during the term of Mr. Wilson’s natural life • Day-to-day maintenance of the Main House by Mr. Wilson • Major maintenance of the Main House by the County, and commencing April 1, 2009 maintenance of the Main House Property by the County (landscaping, grass cutting and general maintenance of outbuildings and grounds) • County responsibility for insurance on improvements and payment of any real property taxes on the Main House (County currently pays all taxes associated with the property) • An annual contribution by Mr. Wilson of $12,000 for the term of the life estate with an annual CPI adjustment • Continued use of the “air strip” and “horse pasture” by Mr. Wilson • Acknowledgement by the County that Mr. Wilson has fully performed and fulfilled his monetary obligations as they relate to the Second Agreement ($400,000 worth of improvements) • A commitment of 5 (five) years to the terms of this agreement, at which time Mr. Wilson can void and revert to the status prior to the execution of this Amendment.
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Post by eileen on May 16, 2014 12:26:19 GMT -4
I agree jackbquick, hard to believe he stepped into this issue considering the hypocrisy on his part.
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