Hello Joe,
I have been a fan of sbynews for over a year now. I need your help with getting someone to notice that somerset county planning and zoning is trying to pull a fast one on its residents.
The critical area variances are normally done at 730 pm on the third Friday of every month at the Somerset County commissioners hearing room after being advertised in the paper, (Somerset Herald) for 2 weeks. People who have a problem can show up and voice their opposition or favor for a particular variance, now they are trying to make it an in house deal away from the eyes of the public and during hours which normal working people cant show up.
The biggest problem down here is people building in the critical area and buffer when the state says you cant unless you have 20 acres or more. It is designed to keep the bay area building impact to a minimum but as you well know Somerset County tends to say the hell with the state and do what they want in which i hear they are already in trouble with the state on some things.
I personally find that they let Paul Thornton get a permit for a deck then he builds a 3 story house right on the water. They back date permits for him when people notice, he is well known for doing this and having all sorts of favors done by planning and zoning and the people who approve percs and septics.
I have him stopped in court and I will see this over and done with if I have WBOC or WMDT down here. This man is also a non citizen--he is married to a citizen but rumor has it that he would have to pay taxes on his LLC and personal taxes and this is the way he gets around it. I have a hard time believing I, a veteran, have to defend against a non citizen.
Your sby news has gotten around here alot lately and people in Somerset County are watching and listening, heard that before Joe? If you can use your contacts to look into what Somerset County is up to I would be grateful. You seem to strike fear when you show up and I personally know some people hate you and fear your question asking who are high in the county hierarchy, I think its great and agree with about 85 percent of everything you do and say, the deadline or vote is 2 pm Tuesday and if Jack Willing, head of planning and zoning explained to you what their plan is I'm sure you could see what I mean.
Things are changing here but need more scrutiny and professional sh!tdisturbers like you come in handy, anything you can do would be helpful. Thanks for listening and writing your Blog.
Politics , the most wide spread
ReplyDeletecrimes in America. The public is just taking concern. Toooooo late!
I believe his LLC's have Annapolis connections?
ReplyDeleteHe avoids paying taxes by going back to Ireland.
ReplyDeleteLet them all in, stupid bastards.
ReplyDeleteI think you were talking about a two story house. Everything was gone through properly and legally. I try to make every meeting....funny unless you have the gift of invisibility I did not see you at any meeting voicing your concern. HMMMM....what is your true agenda.
ReplyDeletei am new to mt. vernon, only been here for a year and a half and shortly after moving here from deal island i had my first taste of paul and planning and zoning. i went to planning and zoning and was told no one could build behind us except for a small portion of the land. after i told them who was trying to build did the story change that they--planning and zoning-- were mistaken. i dont care for neighbors who try to take what is not theirs or try to pull a fast one, i am for treating the system equally,and in an open forum. i cannot take off time from work at every instance that i want to. i want to keep the current system, i was originally told that the variance hearings were a joke but after attending two meetings i see that is not the case,i was rather impressed with how they reviewed everything.i only show up to what is relevent and published in the paper to me.my problem with paul will soon be over as the courts have it and i have lots of ammo, plus i never know when to quit, and i like mount vernon alot.
ReplyDeletePlaning and zoning should be downsized. There is not nearly as much building going on as it was a couple years ago. What are they all doing now other than drawing a paycheck? Are you listening commissioners, you want to cut some money from the budget, get rid of some dead weight in P&Z. No one will miss them I will assure you.
ReplyDeleteOnce Again Im Here To Say Pual Is Part Of The Click.He Is Also IMHO One Of The Biggest POS/Shady Contractor I Have Ever Dealt With.
ReplyDeleteP.S If You Need A Contractor That Isn't Out To Get Rich/Rip People Off/Or Have CrackHeads Working On Your Contrustion Project Then Pual ((IMHO)) Is Not The One You Want To Contact.
Wonder If Greg Cox Is Still Part Of The Click Also Another POS IMHO..
Honestly Don't Know How These Guys Can Sleep At Night Knowing They Rip People Off Everyday..
And Yes Im A Contractor!!!That Has Fixed Alot Of There BS...
Oh Yea Almost Forgot The Headline Should Read Somerset Residents And Legit License Contractors Need Help in Somerset County..
Joe, I Have Whole Book Of Problems With Somerset County Planning And Zoning.So You Will Have Plenty More Stories On This :)
Everyone Thank Joe For His Posts!!!!!
I dont care how much property one owns-the rules should be the same.And isnt Mr.Cox a pastor????
ReplyDeleteIf Thats What You Call A Pastor This World Is In Trouble For Sure!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo Check Out The Nice Job Him And His Guys Are Doing On His Church. ( LOL ) Got To Love The Farm Gate Entrance!!!
Again All This IMHO Beleave It Or Not
Good Citizen involvement....
ReplyDeleteFinally, and yes, they need help and Joe is the one to spread the word. But, it is up to the citizens to act.
It makes no sense for the reviewing variance hearings to be behind closed doors unless Planning and Zoning is trying to hide things from the public. The communtiy should know what is being build in the area and around thier property. There is no reason for a small community like Mt. Vernon to have houses being built on top of eachother. i dont want to walk out my back door and be in my neighbors yard. We have a nice communtiy down there and we dont need drastic change like houses going in places they shouldnt be (wetland areas). Especially when its only Paul that can get away with it. Isnt it restricted for a reason if they are going to build on wetlands than that is taking away from what the Eastern Shore is all about Small communities and Chesapeake Bay wetlands. Why ruin whats been here for years.
ReplyDeleteMr. Willing is a nice guy. He is not the problem. You forget the commissioners are his boss and the county administrator is part of the "good old boy system". The citizens of Somerset County need to vote to remove some of those worthless commissioners who are dictators and put some real educated and honest individuals in office. Somerset County is like the "dead zone" from the commercial for Verizon Wireless. It is scary as to what really goes on behind the scenes in Somerset County.
ReplyDeleteYou will never hire a honest person in office. Politics are all crooked.Somerset county is the most shady county around. You know that old saying "Money talks and BS walks". Thats all the county politics are money hungry crooks.
ReplyDeletemy, my don't we need to get a life! is this all you have to do? There are a lot more pressing issues in Somerset County then what goes on in Planning & Zoning. Does the drug problem ring a bell? The best thing to do is "GET THE FACTS" and get them straight!. Then may I suggest to you that if you don't like our County, remember this my friend, "The road that brought you here, is the same road to take you back" P.S. Have a nice journey back!
ReplyDeleteI have read these blogs. You can tell the ones that have honest concerns and those that...well you good citizens know the idea. Yes, there are things that are unsettling regarding certain people but the point isn't to bad mouth or put down. The point is to make things fair and just. As far as the 2 story house goes. I don't know about that. But I have heard from several others as well as my own experience with permits being written after the fact. I think we need to look at the idea that sometimes people do things and then when brought to attention, well, then permits are granted. It is one thing is you made an honest mistake. It is a whole different story when the same thing occurs over and over. Not sure if that is legal but does seem to have some ethic issues. As far as down sizing p&Z. I don't know about that but I do have first hand experience with at least one person there that has difficulty when questioned or things are being requested of her. As far as Mr. Willing. He is a nice guy and he may be pushed by others but I thought the State has rules governing over what can and can not be done. P&Z just needs to take that more seriously. I was told to take it to court. I did. But p&z held a meeting for the opposing party. I could not get that out side of court. How did the opposing party? and a letter was written by p&z which was not totally correct which was not signed but circulated. To "I See U"
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear more of your experiences. I only know what I have endured and am not a contractor so I don't know the ins and outs. In talking with people, I have come across many that have had similar concerns. To :blutojthetotmom", I agree. It shouldn't matter how much you do or do not have. The rules should be the same for all. To Brian Fortune. Thanks for bringing this to light in a sincere and honest thought. I hope you stay in the county for awhile, we need more citizens like you. Good Citizen involvement. Yes, that is what is needed. I can only hope that as many good citizens as possible can attend the vote today. It seems like a hopeless and helpless cause at this point given the limited time but you have to start somewhere. Variance hearings need to stay from behind closed doors and in the public eye. I have been following the variance hearings as best as possible looking for the one that pertains to my area. It is not an easy task. I agree that politics have the potential for being corrupt. But they also have the potential to be just and in the publics best interest. And to the person that wrote..My My. Good attempt in trying to change the subject and even a better attempt of being defensive and rude to others trying to make a positive difference. I only wish I did have more time to spend on trying to make a difference with all the issues in Somerset County. But the issue today is the vote on whether variances should go in house or remain monitored by an outside body. I vote they stay out of house and in the public eye and more obtainable to public access. I just hope the that some of the people opposed to the in house rule show up. I am sure that the ones for it will.
Thanks Joe for giving me this forum.
7:08 I Realize This County Has Hardtime Working With People With Common Sence.Get Use To It We Are Here To Stay.
ReplyDeleteWhich Part Of The Click Department Do You Run????
Something Will Happen With The Drug Problem When The Click Is Affected!!!
I am a little confused in regards to the vote today in Somerset County regarding the variances going in house at planning and zoning. Last week the paper stated that the vote would be today at 2pm. Today, there is no mention of this on it's agenda in the paper. I am taking off of work to attend however it seems like a game is being played. is it or is it not being heard today.
ReplyDeleteAnyone interested, I have started a petition to show support against having variances go in house. If there is interest in signing voice your support.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the hearings should be kept public. The community should be able to speak their oppinion on anything in the county. By p&z wanting to make it behind closed doors seems as if they want to hide things from the community. That would just cause problems though the county.
ReplyDelete6:43 I Don't think Joe Would Want Me To Fill Up This Forum With All The Experiences I Have Had With P&Z Or The Other So Called Contractors.
ReplyDeleteBut I Can Tell You This Much I Went To Commissioners Office To Acquire About The Bidding Of The New Recreational Park On The Left Just Off 413.The Women Behind The Desk Just As You Open The Door (I Won't Post Her Name Just Yet),Hopefully She Reads This And Explains To Me What The Problem Was!!!!
When I Asked Her For The Bidding Package She Told Me...Oh We Don't Do It Like That No More We Are Changing Some Things.I asked Her Well Why Is It Posted In the Somerset Herald For Bids.She Said Oh It Will Be Posted In There Next Week And Then You Can Bid On It!!!!...Well To That I Say BS..Not Even Week Later I See Work Being Done At The Site.So Now She Has Some Explaning To Do!!!!!..
Oh And Whats The Hold Up It Dont Take A Month To Build A Little 10x8Consession Building.Im Sure They Have Some Dumb Excuse.
I Am A Licensed/Bonded/Insured Contractor With MHIC Sick Of Fixing Other So Called Contractors Crap!!!!!!!!! And Will Expose Everyone From Now On With Pictures Of Proof.
Thanks Joe Look Forward To Working With You :)
I am very disappointed people use blogs to spread rumors, innuendos, and make personal attacks on others. A fact may be factual, however, it does not necessarily mean it contains the whole truth. Constructive blogs are generally used to discuss differing opinions of facts and try to resolve a problem, which most of the folks here have done. But the "I heard" etc. are rumors. Rumors do nothing to help solve a problem, because they are just that rumors, gossip, talebearing, etc. If there is a problem, go to the source and fight the battle there.
ReplyDeleteThis blog has is not spreading rumors or any other false statements. It is to get to the bottom of whats right and wrong with P & Z. I have dealt with them and have had major issues trying to get permits. I have lived here for over 30yrs and wanted to build a small shed on my property but when I went to get permits I was given the run around. I know for a fact that other people have went a got a permit in 1 day to build a house. How is that right? The people in P&Z are not doing there job for everyone in the county only certain ones. People need to open there eyes. More people need speak up about certain people in this town getting away with trying to ruin the small communities in the county. It use to be where you knew all your neigbors but now you get house built on top of eachother and people put in them that cause trouble. This is not a big city or town. Why try to over build this area especially when we have all the wetlands around here. It makes no sense to build in those areas. People havent realized that the main person who is doing all building the tries to act like hes the best person in the world cause he fixes up there things for free when in reality he is trying to scoop out what he can buy around here from those people. There have been some people who have caught on to that and are speaking out. It need to be addressed and put a stop to.
ReplyDelete