[RP TownTalk] Critical Issue PLEASE READ

[Dwight Holmes]

Right on, Bruce!  Thanks for the detailed letter & suggestions. Let's let
County Exec Baker hear a little Riverdale Park team spirit!

On Sun, Nov 6, 2011 at 12:56 PM, Bruce Wernek <bruce.wernek at verizon.net>wrote:

> 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?nivel=subfoldmenu(0,0)
> ****
>
> Phone:****
>
>
> http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/Government/ExecutiveBranch/executive_staff.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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