[RP TownTalk] Critical Issue PLEASE READ

[Bruce Wernek]

Attention All Town Talkers,

Many of you may not be aware, but the Town is facing a critical issue and
that issue is success of Dumm's Corner Market.  Most of you are probably
aware that Dumm's will be moving to the old Federal Credit Union building
~67 feet from its current location.  Part of that move involves the transfer
of their liquor license (beer and wine) from the current location to the new
location, the future "Town Center Market".   The ability of Dumm's to sell
beer and wine at their new location is critical to the success of their
business. 

Pete Spiropoulos (owner of Dumm's) applied to have Dumm's liquor license
transferred to the new location and it was approved by the PG county liquor
board in late July/early August.  Pete started the improvements on the new
building assuming all was well.  Unbeknownst to him, the MUTC guidelines
require that a "special permit" be issued for the liquor license transfer.
Since late July, Pete has attempted to obtain the special permit and get it
approved by Parks and Planning (P&P).  Due to the difficulties he
encountered he was forced to hire an attorney.  These difficulties include
sending 38 letters to the residents adjacent to the Town Center Market
location and surrounding municipalities soliciting comments; allowing 30
days for comments to be received; posting signs around the Town Center
Market location again soliciting comments; waiting an additional 30 days for
more comments; and finally appearing before P&P to hopefully obtain approval
for the "special permit".  This is after the Town and our MUTC committee
approved the Town Center Market plans and issued the appropriate permits.
Keep in mind that attorney's, legal fees, and delays cost money, a lot of
it.  And this is just for permission to do what Dumm's has been doing for
~100 years, just 67 feet away from where they were doing it.

I don't know about you, but I find this is totally unacceptable.  This
action on the part of P&P is mindless adherence to law with a total
disregard for the spirit (purpose) of the law.  Apparently, the PG liquor
board approval had no bearing on their decision.  Is this what PG county and
P&P calls "support for small businesses"?    

Pete and his family have taken an incredible risk investing in our Town to
make these very significant improvements to their store.  If they don't
receive this permit, they may go out of business.  And what will we have,
more vacant buildings in the Town Center.  I think enough is enough and it's
about time each and every one of us called or emailed the County Executive
and let him know that this is totally utterly unacceptable.  I also think
it's about time our Mayor and Town Council take aggressive action with P&P
to expedite the process and I'm not talking about writing letters or making
public statements.  Caftritz and "Whole Foods" are getting more attention
than a historic landmark business (100+ years old) in our Town.  As far as
I'm concerned, the Town manager should be visiting P&P several times a week
to check on the status of the "special permit".  We as a community need get
off of our lounge chairs and rally around Pete and his family to "put the
wood" to P&P and let them know how we feel about their "special permit".

Here's the link to the office of the PG County Executive.

Email:

http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/ExecutiveBranch/index.asp?ni
vel=subfoldmenu(0,0)

Phone:

http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/ExecutiveBranch/executive_st
aff.asp?nivel=subfoldmenu(0,2)

I'd both call and email.  Please reference P&P "Town Center Market, Permit
No: 19412-2011".  Let him know how you feel about P&Ps and PG County's
"support for small business".  

For God's sake people, let's do this!

Bruce

 

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