I live on Kent Island. I am writing to you today because I am a concerned Queen Anne County resident. My concerns stem from the proposed Hard Skills Training Facility that the Federal Government want to build in Ruthsburg. I have been to both of the meetings that were held in the QACHS and my heart aches for these families myself included.
First, I would like to take this opportunity to say that I am deeply disappointed in the media for NOT covering more of this story. It is bad enough that the citizens, families & businesses of Ruthsburg and the surrounding vicinity were left in the dark about what was happening in their own back yards but once it was finally brought to their attention we still had to beg the media to even consider putting the story out there. I personally work with two people that live only miles from the proposed site and these people were clueless about what is being proposed. The only reason I myself am aware is through my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. They are literally 60 feet away from this proposed training facility. It IS in their back yard!!
I am sure that you have heard how the GSA public meeting and the scoping meeting went at the QACHS on Tuesday and Thursday night. To reflect on that a bit, I am deeply confused and can not believe that the representatives of GSA basically refused to answer our questions. Do they NOT know the answers? Do they know the answers but do not want to tell us? This is how “we” (QAC citizens) have interpreted their responses. How are we expected to support a project that will be taking over our community, homes, farms, parks & lives when we feel the entire project has been intentionally kept secret?
My brother in law, David Adam and my sister-in-law, Sherry Adam live on Ruthsburg Road with my niece and nephew (1636 Ruthsburg Road, Centreville, MD 21617 to be exact). They moved to QAC almost 10 years ago to get away from the hustle and bustle and stress of city life because Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Dave has been and will forever be struggling and fighting this terrible disease.
In case you are not familiar with this disease “it is an auto immune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). The Symptoms vary because the location and severity of each attack can be different. Episodes can last for days, weeks or months. These episodes alternate with periods of reduced or no symptoms (remissions). Fever, hot baths, sun exposure and stress can trigger or worsen attacks. It is common for the disease to return (relapse). However, the disease may continue to get worse without periods of remission. Because nerves in any part of the brain or spinal cord may be damaged patients with multiple sclerosis can have symptoms in many parts of the body. There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis at this time. However, there are therapies that may slow the disease. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms and help maintain a normal quality of life.”
Now with that being said may I ask what kind of “Normal quality of life” will my brother-in-law have if this training facility is built in his back yard? Dave has lost quite a bit of his eye sight and can no longer drive. Dave’s main source of transportation is by foot or by bicycle. How many more vehicles is he now going to have to dodge and /or hope they dodge him?
Do you yourself consider that scenario stressful? I do. Since Dave is no longer able to work, just for plain sanity twice a week he goes to Tuckahoe State Park and walks the trails, listens to the birds, listen to the squirrels playing in the leaves, hops in his canoe with a fishing pole or his kayak for a paddle through the quiet waters. The “current” peace and quiet of Tuckahoe State Park is: stress relieving.
When my husband and I wanted to purchase our first home he wanted to start looking in the Centreville area. I was 100% against crossing the Bay Bridge. I refused to put myself in the beach traffic situation. However,when Dave & Sherry settled their family in Centreville our visits to them and the peacefulness of the Eastern Shore was enough to convince us this is where we wanted to be. As soon as you cross that bridge there was serenity. From the moment your car drives off that bridge there is certain calmness to the air. That calmness will no longer be there if this training facility moves in. There will be silence but not calmness. The silence will be the animals that are no longer playing in Tuckahoe. The silence will be the citizens of QAC staring at each other when those 3lb bombs go off.
This is yet another concern. Traffic in general. With the 10,000 people traveling to this facility in a year let me repeat that, TEN THOUSAND!! This will be a nightmare for the people who travel Route 50 on a daily basis. More congestion ~ just what we need! Also Route 301 and 304! There have been too many accidents and DEATHS at this intersection. Why hasn’t this been a priority?
Time is running out on this proposed facility. Can you will you listen to us? It would be nice to know that our senator is at the very least willing to listen to our concerns.
I may be one person in QAC writing this letter but know that I am the voice of many!
Rebecca L. Mitchell