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Well this is indeed, a sad day for Riverdale Park.<br>
<br>
To receive word, late in this discussion, about a very important issue
from one of the town's officials.<br>
<br>
We asked College Park about this issue and got an immediate response.
It took a day later to hear from our own elected official.<br>
<br>
Now we hear that some officials are reciting the exact definition of
transparency.<br>
<br>
Well, anyone educated in the civics, knows that there is a term called
intent. Contracts, legal documents, etc. inherently have an implied
clause called intent.<br>
<br>
To have transparency in government means that it is incumbent upon the
leadership to keep its constituency informed.<br>
<br>
It is obvious to everyone in this town that this listserve, which was
mandated by our town government, is a viable and valid form of
communication.<br>
<br>
So now I'm quoting chapter and verse:<br>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b><span style="color: black;">§3-2.
Letters to the Editor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">(a) General
Rule - The newsletter shall accept for
publication letters to the editor from<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">town
residents who are not elected officials of the town.
Any letter must include a name, address<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">and telephone
number of the person submitting the letter
and be signed by that person. Any<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">person
writing such letters shall be limited to one letter
of two hundred and fifty (250) words or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">less per
edition of the town newsletter. Such letters must
relate to administrative, regulatory or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">Legislative
functions of the town, or be of some matter of
unique concern to the town or<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">its residents
(e.g., obituaries, events of town groups or
town-sponsored organizations, history of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">- 301 -<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">Revised 01- 08<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">the town,
etc.). Such letters may promote a position on
matters of public policy, but may not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">advocate
support or opposition for any candidate for public
office. Such letters shall be directed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">to the
Editor-in-Chief of the newsletter and shall be
printed in the next issue of the newsletter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">after it has
been received.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">(B) Time of
Submission - A deadline of the 15th day of the
calendar month shall be set<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">for any
submission to be printed in the next edition. If a
letter to the editor is received after the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">submission
deadline, it shall be printed in the following
edition. In the event multiple<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">submissions
are received for an upcoming edition, the
Editor-in-Chief shall set forth two (2) full<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">pages for
such letters and if ample space is still not
available, provide a written rationale for why<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">some letters
were printed and others were held to the
subsequent edition. No letter deemed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">appropriate
under the guidelines may be held for any reason
for more than 45 days before<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">publication.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">(c) Editing
for Length and Content - In the event a letter
exceeds the two hundred and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">fifty (250)
word length, it shall be subject to editing by
the Editor-in-Chief who shall shorten its<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">length by
removing or replacing words, but who shall not
change the intent of the letter writer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">In the event
any portion of the content shall include curse
words inappropriate for publication,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">the
Editor-in-Chief shall have the authority to remove or
replace such words at his or her<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="color: black;">discretion.<br>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="">==========================================================================<br>
<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
So, it seems that this administration is in violation of town
ordinances requiring an editorial section of the Town Crier., which has
not existed for some time.<br>
<br>
I request that the ordinance staff serve this administration a
citation to this effect which is proper under the balance of powers.<br>
<br>
It would be nice if for once this current administration would focus on
the needs of this town.<br>
<br>
We recently had a business fail in town center and not one council
member or mayor bothered to make a comment. <br>
<br>
Again, it is a sad day in Riverdale Park.<br>
<br>
Don<br>
<br>
================================================<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br>
<br>
Vernon Archer wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:f86ada2a0908190922v25473986hc0139eb93f6f2b26@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div>To all concerned about the signs marking our boarders, and
related issues, </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Having had the time now to clarify with our public works
department exactly what transpired regarding our sign in the proximity
of our boarder with College Park I will share the following relevant
facts:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The town had worked an agreement with College Park sometime
prior to June 2005 to place our welcome sign slightly within the
boundaries of College Park. This was a courtesy from College Park not a
permanent right. When CP decided to follow the example we set some
years ago and place signs on there boundaries, they removed our sign,
withdrew their permission to post our sign on their territory and
returned the sign to us.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Riverdale Park's public works is systematically refurbishing all
of our town signs that need it--not just the boarder welcoming signs,
but all signs--as time and resources allow. Our welcome signs went up
in the proximity of 10 years ago and have shown the ware so are being
refurbished. I mistakenly assumed that the one that came down on
College Park's boundary was removed by RP workers, but in fact it was
removed by CP workers--this level of detail as to who actually
physically performs tasks that are directed by me to be carried out are
rarely reported to me in detail for what I assume are obvious reasons,
I just want the signs cleaned up and looking good. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Public works informs me that this sign should be back up, in its
new location within the boundaries of Riverdale Park by the end of next
week. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I thank Audrey Bragg for volunteering to beautify the new
location and Mr. Addison will contact you directly to coordinate with
you.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There also seems to be some confusion about the property
ownership along our boarder with CP. The property to the immediate
south of Albion Street is owned by WMATA, not the Cafritz interest.
The Cafritz property is solely within the boundaries of Riverdale
Park--at least in the proximity of Route 1. I cannot swear the the
Cafritz family does not own property in CP in the area, whoever the
"Cafritz Property" that is currently zoned for single family houses
that they wish to rezone and develop in a mixed use fashion along Route
1 is entirely within the boundaries of Riverdale Park.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I certainly do not have time right now to give a complete review
of where the Cafritz effort to gain rezoning stands. However, it is
safe to say that all four relevant governments, Prince George's County,
Riverdale Park, College Park and University Park are waiting, and have
been waiting for some time now, for the Cafritz team to come back to us
with a revised traffic impact mitigation plan that is acceptable.
Until this happens there in no possibility of the rezoning that the
Cafritz seek ever being granted. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Lastly, I wish to remind all of you that "Town Talk" is not an
official means of giving information to the public. Transparency as
defined by state law and town charter comes from two sources: 1)
reports in public meetings (which all are invited to attend and
participate in); and 2) reports and postings published in periodicals
of general circulation--such as the Town Crier and The Gazette. I
ordered the creation of Town Talk to facilitate the free flow of
information to the public and I think it definitely helps to keep the
public informed, but it is neither the correct way to report problems,
nor is it reasonable to expect quick or flawless answers to every
question or concern every subscriber has.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>That being said, I hope that any concerns about the marking of
our northern boundary are now satisfied, but if not please
bring questions or comments to the next work session on August 31st at
8 PM at Town Hall.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Best wishes,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Vern <br clear="all">
</div>
-- <br>
Vernon Archer, Mayor<br>
Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland<br>
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