At yesterday’s meeting of the Wicomico County Council, the resolutions to approve two persons nominated by Rick Pollitt for the Planning and Zoning Commission were removed from the agenda for review and discussion at a work session. For whatever reason, that had not occurred previously. As this blog has reported earlier, there are very significant reasons why neither of the nominees should be members of the Commission.
Dwayne Lockman has for about 10 years been a developer and builder of sorts in this area, “Rajun Cajun Homes, LLC,” having previously been a career federal employee who worked on welfare matters in the Clinton administration among other things. Several years ago he got the City of Salisbury to annex land on Jersey Road that he plans to develop. Besides that obvious conflict, there are other objections.
In his resume submitted to the County, Lockman presents himself as an experienced developer in North Carolina, but in news reports there it appears that his various projects never got off the ground and at least one may be in foreclosure. In the past he has had several significant lawsuits in Wicomico County, including one by Ed Wilgus, a local resident who appears to be or have been a partner in a North Carolina venture.
The other nominee, Jacob Day, has very little actual experience, having completed his academic training just two years ago. At present is employed by a non-profit organization that advocates against development on the Eastern Shore. He lives in Salisbury, and if appointed that would increase the concentration of the Commission’s members in the Salisbury area.
It is astounding both that Mr. Pollitt would have nominated these persons and that they would be on the Council’s agenda without having been reviewed in a work session. Had that happened, both probably would have been canned at that point. We urge that Rick Pollitt withdraw their nominations without further waste of the Council’s time.
Those who may want to be on the Commission should contact the County Executive’s office.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
9 comments:
Jacob Day sure as heck doesn't advocate against development on the Shore. Ever talk to him? He talks about growth and development in Salisbury all the time. I've worked with him on the design of several projects on Rt. 50 and one downtown. Somebody needs to get their facts straight.
Unlikely Mr. Lockman would've made it out of a work session, Joe. I'd be shocked if there weren't bipartisan support for Mr. Day though. Joe or somebody should find out where he stands on zoning, though. Anybody (Rick Pollitt included) ask him?
Jake Day would be a tremendous asset to the P & Z Commission board. He brings a wealth of knowledge about developement and land conservation (including "green" sustainable development). If anyone had not taken the time to do so, Mr Day was the President of the Junior Chapter of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) He has earned a Bachelor's in Architecture from University of Maryland, Master's Degree in Planning, Etc from Carnegie Mellon as well as one from Oxford University in England in the same/similar fields. We are very fortunate to have someone of that pedigree on the Eastern Shore and the fact that he is willing to find holes in his busy schedule to serve on P & Z, we should consider ourselves fortunate that he is willing to step up and serve.
Joe, it is my hope that you would reconsider your stance and help him get on the board, not discourage him.
Respectfully,
Charles R. Moore, CPA
Mr. Day's resume says he wrote a letter to the editor of the Daily Times called "Growth is nothing to fear". I'm guessing its about growth around here. Anybody know what it says?
If Rick likes them I don't.
12:53 You are a prime example of what's wrong with this county and country for that matter. Your intelligent manner of making decisions is truly remarkable. By the way, I heard Rick really likes you!
Why is it that the good people of Delmarva want a Planning & Zoning Commission devoid of people with experience in...wait for it...planning and zoning??
Jake is a thoughtful and dedicated guy. I don't know Mr. Lockman, but I do know that these commissions are at their best when populated with bright and passionate people that occasionally disagree with one-another.
The Eastern Shore would be fortunate to have such an entity representing its physical environment and guiding its future.
Sounds like Day would be good on this board, but not Lockerman. Just say no to developers being on planning boards. End up like that board with landlords on it, just ridiculous.
At lesat the county council has real reasons to consider this in work session unlike that hag Smith on the city council who didn't like a realtor because the woman had the audacity to speak the truth once. It's all personal with that Smith woman. Giveaways to cronies, feel good projects that suck taxpayers dry, fight crime she says while cutting police budgets. Sickening!
My experience with P & Z, and I have quite alot, has been that they
deny things because of personal reasons... Maybe the new people, whoever they are, will base decisions on the actual plan for the property and how it might affect neighboring properties, rather than whether the applicant "needs it" or not.
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