[RP TownTalk] Does Riverdale Park have a bright future to look forward to?

[Vernon Archer]

Friends and neighbors,

I've been trying to catch up on some of the postings from the last 36
hours, and I must admit I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. So before I even
start to wade through some of the assertions about the issues that lay
before us as a town I want to say this, I *believe that Riverdale Park has
an incredibly bright future to look forward to*. You will of course make up
your own mind about whether my optimism is warranted or not, but lets look
at the facts and I'll share some opinions based on the facts.

First, there are some who suggest that the town faces a financial crisis
because the residential property tax assessments have declined; however, it
is important to look at the whole range of tax assessments not just the
residential numbers. When you look at the whole picture you will see that
this years "Net Assessable Real Property Base" increased a modest .6%.
While this is not a fabulous increase, it is certainly not the catastrophe
that doom sayers have been arguing. Staff will post both 2012 and 2013
state "Constant Yield Tax Rate Certification" reports on our web site so
you can compare for yourself.

As I suggested in my report of January (you can find it in the Crier
http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/Feb%202013%20Crier.pdf ) the positive news
about surpluses from previous years significantly outweigh the modest
assessment numbers for 2013. Since writing this report almost two months
ago I am all the more confident that we are in solid financial shape based
on the current year because I now know with certainty that the overall
assessment is up, and not the catastrophic collapse that some were
predicting.

Thus, the town is in GREAT FINANCIAL SHAPE, and will likely continue as
such despite the outcry by an alarmist or two.
  And yes, most residential property owners will see a reduction in their
tax bill for town taxes.

I also want to make sure you are informed about the state of the town's
debt.  Riverdale Park has the lowest debt ceiling, as a percentage of the
gross value of its real estate base, in the state of Maryland.  We are not
allowed to borrow in excess of 2% of the total value of all real estate in
our town. How much do we currently have outstanding? Less than 1/2 of
1%. The facts show that the council and I have been very cautious in
borrowing money.

Should both of the current items under discussion by this group go forward
(the youth and community expansion to Town Hall and the taking of Jay's
property) the town will be indebted to approximately 1% of the total value
of all real estate in town. You could also say the town will be utilizing
about 1/2 of its total borrowing authority, which again is the most
restrictive in the state of Maryland.

One last thing I would like to share on the topic of town borrowing.  Over
the last 3 years we have shifted to a new pay as you go program for capital
expenditures for medium term durable goods. That is to say items like
police cars, building repairs and information technology investments are
now paid off in the year we acquire them, and not financed out over
multiple years. This new practice makes the town more able to focus its
borrowing authority on big ticket items like major building renovations and
the purchase of strategic properties.

The youth and community expansion to Town Hall is another matter where some
clarification is needed. First and foremost, it is not a new "center" but
an addition to Town Hall. Nor is it being put forward with the expectation
of hiring new staff in order to utilize it. When doing the needs evaluation
it was clear that there are multiple organizations in our region that
desire space to run programs for young people.  We have been approached by
organizations such as 4H, Boy Scouts and the University among others who
will gladly do programs if we can just provide the space. As a growing and
thriving community, I, the council, and many in the broader community have
concluded that the Town Hall must grow too to meet the needs to our
residents.

Lastly (for this evening at least), as the elected official who has worked
to see "Jay's" rejuvenated the longest I am also probably the most
exasperated in trying to deal with the property owner.  Virtually my entire
time in office, creeping up on 8 years now, I have worked with this
property owner to bring a renewal to the corner, but to no avail.  Most of
that time has also been spent in constant struggle to see the property be
kept up to a minimal state of safety and cleanliness.

Before going forward, there is an important item that has been overlooked
in the discussions of the last few days. The Jey's property is THE ENTRY
POINT TO OUR TOWN! How do you want our town to be seen to every single
driver going up and down Route One? Clearly most of us do not want to be
identified with a white box on decaying asphalt. The MUTC zoning design
calls for the construction of a signature structure to mark the entry to
Riverdale Park. RIVERDALE PARK IS SOMEPLACE! and the entry point to our
town should say that.

That being clarified, I have worked for almost 8 years to have Jey create
an acceptable entry point to our town, but every single plan, assertion,
and promise has lead to nothing. Now most recently he promised before the
RBA a couple of months back that he had a lease all but done to bring in a
Dunkin Donuts! But to do date he still has not produced any evidence of a
lease. And if he did, would that be your idea of a welcome to Riverdale
Park sign? Dunkin Donuts? Now you are someplace? Well, I for one want and
expect more. A LOT MORE!

The gateway to Riverdale Park needs to say YOU ARE SOMEWHERE! We the
residents of this town deserve better and I for one will not again grant
Jey another chance. We shall take this property, give the owner fair market
compensation, and make this entry point to our town into a pocket park with
noteworthy public art or find a developer who will give us a signature
building that will say loud and clear:

"You are in Riverdale Park! Someplace!"

LOOK CLOSE! you are in the town where our residents property taxes are
going to fall and yet the town finances are in order and all despite the
Great Recession; our Town Hall is being rebuilt and expanded to nurture and
welcome future generations to a fabulous community; our economy and street
scape is being rebuilt to show the pride we have in ourselves; top notch
retailers like Whole Foods want to locate here; and oh ya, crime is
declining to the lowest levels in years.

Good night and God bless,

Vernon Archer, Mayor
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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