June 2, 2014 - Wicomico County Council Meeting Approved:
1. Michael and Dawn Harcum - Hebron, MD - 184.71 Acres
2. WTK, LLC - Dagsboro Road, Salisbury - 182.48 Acres
3. WTK, LLC - Dagsboro Road, Salisbury - 76.35 Acres
4. Log Cabin Properties, LLC - Salisbury - 153.78 Acres
5. Log Cabin Properties, LLC - Salisbury - 123.33 Acres
6. C. Jones and Ron Jones - Powellville - 73.3 Acres
7. DAH Investments, LLC - Hebron - 91.68 Acres
8. Hamblin Farm, LLC - Pittsville - 199.11 Acres
All told - 1,084.74 Acres (almost 2 square miles) - in just (1) County Council Session alone - wiped out or basically confiscated by the State Government. The one time capital injection of taxpayers money into the pockets of the program applicants -
'will forever diminish the development potential for future generations to come'.
On the surface one would think this type of confiscatory activity could only happen in places like Socialist Russia. Better think again, it is happening each and every year right in your own backyard here in Wicomico County.
Thousands upon thousands of valuable acreage being silently confiscated by your very own Government.
What was the County Council's vote - 6 In Favor and 1 Abstention.
Here at Salisbury News we encourage you to contact your local State/County local representatives and voice your concern from what we consider an unconstitutional encroachment upon your individual liberty - right to own property.
Article by SBYnews Editorial Staff
39 comments:
Ok Joe, I'm not a big fan of the majority of State mandates and legislation that neglects or inhibits progress on the Eastern Shore, but before you go stirring the pot on this you should accurately represent the truth.
You use the word "Confiscated" like the State simply decided to come down from Annapolis and grab up land. That is not the case AT ALL! These landowners were compensated (Paid) by the MD Agriculture Preservation Foundation. All of the landowners AGREED to place their properties in the preservation program. Believe it or not, there are people out there (landowners, not the State) that want to preserve agriculture and their way of life; not make a bunch of quick money by selling their land to a developer. So, since these people AGREED to sell their development rights into this program then why are you so upset about it Joe? Don't get me wrong here, I think what you do for our community is great, but that doesn't mean that I always agree with you. These people made a decision about what THEY would like to do with THEIR land, how is that a State takings issue?
In another aspect, large easements like this don't necessarily hurt the County. 1,000+ acres just lost development potential which reduces supply of potential developable land. You know the rest; supply and demand.
Perhaps, I'm missing your point, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree this time around
While I do not agree with State Confiscation - I say good job this time! America is all about Economic Development - which is needed. But what happens when all the land is gone and there are no more lands for farms? You don't want GMO products - but you don't want the land designated for farm. What do you want? Do you even know?
no farms no food CITY SLICKER!
It is decision made by that those of us who have worked hard for this land. No one is holding a gun to our heads. We understand the reasons why this is the best decision for us. I bet you own a lot with a house in it.
ABSOLUTELY! Program STOPS big business from moving in...AGRICULTURE is the best use of the land. There are way too many housing developments popping up consuming farm land across Wicomico County!
Nothing was confiscated. The property owners agreed to the deal and were compensated by the State for those easements. What's the problem?
I have no problem with this. If I wanted to live in an area like the western shore, I would move there. Please stop trying to turn everything into the area you left. Believe it or not, Ag is still the number 1 driver of the local economy and I would prefer to keep it that way.
What development are you worried about anyway? There are no manufacturing jobs or large tech companies hiring or moving here anyway to support development. The only development needed right now are communities for people working on the western shore to live in. Preserving farmland and not overdeveloping is not a bad thing. That and whoever wrote the article is a conspiracy theorist, the land owners agree to be a part of the program.
Obviously Joe, your Editorial Staff doesn't understand this program. It's been in place for years and years and it is a good program. The land owners have agreed to place their land in this program & they will be paid for it. Not all will be accepted. It will depend on how much money is available to do this.
Maybe your Editorial Staff needs to do some research before they go off half cocked and start stirring the pot. I know you would never do that --- you would do your research.
1013-You think "Big business" would come to the Eastern Shore? For what? A handful of backwards thinking citizens with .02 in their pockets?
What bothers me is not the agricultural land being preserved through this program but all the fertile fields I see being consumed for housing developments and apartment complexes. Why don't they tear down some of the derelict structures instead of consuming valuable farmland?
Anyone who does this is nuts. If you want to preserve your land then do a private land trust to be sure the land will be handled to your liking in perpetuity.
There was an elderly lady (Elizabeth "Nancy" Smith/Blandair Farm) in Howard county years ago inquiring about state government easements and she got a rude awakening.
Since the state is looking to increase it's acreage, there is no guarantee that somewhere down the line some developer may want some of these parcels in exchange for giving the state more acres elsewhere.
According to Byron Hall in reference to Blandair, and in speaking with Nick Williams, Coordinator for Land Trust Assistance of the MD Environmental Trust (MET) on April 5, 2004 when asked about this possibility, Williams did not deny it. He said it would depend on the circumstances. Had the conservation easement been given to the MET and not sold, then the gift would signify a serious intent to preserve the particular site.
Basically what they people have possible done is to get pennies when somewhere down the line the state could be making a fortune off of their naivety and lack of good judgment.
"Anonymous said...
It is decision made by that those of us who have worked hard for this land. No one is holding a gun to our heads. We understand the reasons why this is the best decision for us. I bet you own a lot with a house in it.
June 9, 2014 at 9:58 AM"
Nope just about 400 acres and was offered a bit over 6 million from a private individual not so long ago and our place isn't even for sale. A lawyer called after a client of his expressed interest in a large parcel, that is private, with a large home and outbuildings in this area.
The prudent option for those who wish to preserve their land for whatever reason would be to create a foundation and deed the land to the foundation. This according to our attorneys who are the best. With all due respect though this takes quite a lot of money because the foundation needs to be funded for forever.
Joe (and Johnny);
It is anything but confiscation -- the owners get huge overpayment for their development rights -- at the taxpayers' expense.
Matt Holloway abstained because he is part of a group getting that will be getting rich off this scam.
Rick --
Please get your pal O'Malley to "confiscate" may property for twice what it's worth.
4 & 5 on that list are Matt Holloway's. Do you think he would let that land be "confiscated"?
He's been trying to get this deal done for months and will be getting a big check compliments of the taxpayers.
11:25 the YOKE is on you! I'm 58 years old and retired from the POULTRY INDUSTRY after a very rewarding career...I was born here, educated here and now enjoying retired life HERE (Wicomico County)...so i will inject my pennies where I want...LOL suck it up and get back to work!
Folks this is not a good program for you or future generations of your family. You have given up all rights, present and future. Who knows what that land could be used for 75 or 100 years from now... The State will benefit and not your family. Wake up American, when the government knocks at your door and say's we are here to help, close the door.
This was probably the only way these folks could get any money for their land at all. Nobody's moving here to start businesses and we shouldn't be developing farmland in to houses that don't have jobs supporting their pricetags.
Good for these farmers!
People sell their land. Once it is sold they have no say over what the new owners do with it. No difference than what these owners are doing. You guys are trying to create a drama when there is none.
Josh Hastings, the self proclaimed moderate, is a plant put up to run for the County Council District 3 by Chuck Cook and the Democrat Party. This is exactly what Josh Hastings job entails at the Maryland Land Conservancy. His job is to grab as much land as he possibly can for the Land Conservancy. If you value your property rights you might want to dig a little deeper into Josh Hastings background. We don't need that lying Democrat on the County Council.
Anonymous said...
Ok Joe, I'm not a big fan of the majority of State mandates and legislation that neglects or inhibits progress on the Eastern Shore, but before you go stirring the pot on this you should accurately represent the truth.
You use the word "Confiscated" like the State simply decided to come down from Annapolis and grab up land. That is not the case AT ALL! These landowners were compensated (Paid) by the MD Agriculture Preservation Foundation. All of the landowners AGREED to place their properties in the preservation program. Believe it or not, there are people out there (landowners, not the State) that want to preserve agriculture and their way of life; not make a bunch of quick money by selling their land to a developer. So, since these people AGREED to sell their development rights into this program then why are you so upset about it Joe? Don't get me wrong here, I think what you do for our community is great, but that doesn't mean that I always agree with you. These people made a decision about what THEY would like to do with THEIR land, how is that a State takings issue?
In another aspect, large easements like this don't necessarily hurt the County. 1,000+ acres just lost development potential which reduces supply of potential developable land. You know the rest; supply and demand.
Perhaps, I'm missing your point, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree this time around
June 9, 2014 at 9:38 AM
You might be right, but we have hit hard times and the state is taking advantage of these property owners during this recession.
Anonymous said...
ABSOLUTELY! Program STOPS big business from moving in...AGRICULTURE is the best use of the land. There are way too many housing developments popping up consuming farm land across Wicomico County!
June 9, 2014 at 10:13 AM
So you are saying that it's Ok to take a farmers land and confiscate it for pennies on a dollar just because YOU don't want a housing development moving next to you.
You must be one of the moonbats Pretyl or Grout.
I have a problem with the government telling me what I can and can't do with my land.
I have a bigger problem with moonbats like Pretyl and Grout and the other likes of CBF and WET pushing their agenda on us.
Big question to everyone! Where do you think these Moonbats live? In the rural parts of the county! That is the main reason these goof balls are pushing the developement to the "metrocore" because they don't want anyone building in their back yards. I think it would be in the best interest of everyone to do away with the so called metro core and encourage more development in the county. The city of Salisbury is entirely to congested with a crumbling infrastructure. Salisbury is starting to look like a third world country. Wake up Wicomico!!
Anonymous said...
What bothers me is not the agricultural land being preserved through this program but all the fertile fields I see being consumed for housing developments and apartment complexes. Why don't they tear down some of the derelict structures instead of consuming valuable farmland?
June 9, 2014 at 11:28 AM
So what you are saying is that property owners and farmers don't have any rights to do what they please with their land. You are saying that it's Ok for the government to tell them what they can and can't do with their land? Why don't we have the government tell you that you have to knock down your house and put 2 houses on your lot and you have to live in one of them.
nothing like letting bureaucrats implement Agenda 21 on the taxpayers' dime! don't any of you who approve of this realize that our governments are bankrupt and are virtually borrowing the money they are paying out? your children and grandchildren (human capital) will be paying for this - maybe their Common Core math will find a way out for them.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Joe (and Johnny);
It is anything but confiscation -- the owners get huge overpayment for their development rights -- at the taxpayers' expense.
Matt Holloway abstained because he is part of a group getting that will be getting rich off this scam.
June 9, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Matt must have had some worthless swamp land and sold it to the trust. What a crook.
These easements are very short sighted for the property owner. I have 300+ acres and no one could pay me enough to encumber my land of it's biggest benefit which is it's flexibility. Tax policy is what locks a lot of property owners into this questionable practice as well as the need for money. When you look at the land records- MD Land Rec- most if not all of those who do this are mortgaged to the max. A more effective means to preserve farmland would be to eliminate the estate taxes that discourage land preservation in the first place but that won't happen as then the government can control the land and yes eventually sell it to the highest bidder.
Taxpayers should not be funding land preservation,few years ago taxpayers paid 3 million for wetlands in Assateaque,total BS dem donor payback
"Preservation good for - indefinitely. The Governmental control easement - runs in perpetuity - effecting future generations."
Only "indefinitely and in perpetuity IF the government wants it to be. I heard a story about a group of landowners who were seduced into giving over their rights to the government with an easement. Several years later a road needed to be built and would cut through the property of several of these owners. They were paid next to nothing because the condemnation assessment was based on the value of the property which is lower when in easement. I've heard they've done this to build schools and other such projects that supposedly 'benefit the public good.'
Here is why I am adamantly against the Agricultural Preservation Easement. About 10 years ago a prominent Salisbury farmer (I'm not going to mention his name)informed me that he would never sell his land development rights for what would amount to a quick buck. The farm was several hundred acres.
Within just a few years, he got sick and died. He left his entire farm to his only child. His child was divorced and hurting for money - and he went for the bait. He sold his land development rights. Now here is the real kicker. He had a close relative that wanted to buy a small portion of the farm so that he could build a house on it for himself. When the child who inherited the farm inquired, he was notified that the selling of a portion of the farm was a prohibited condition and thus could not do it.
Now here's my point - these people who are going for the quick gratification of reaping a quick buck, HOWEVER, each successive generation is being hamstrung whereby regulatory conditions will prohibit the land sales transaction from taking place because the land has been STRIPPED of his potential value. In essence, the State has direct control over its future use - which is direct contradiction to the precepts contained in our US CONSTITUTION - Pursuit of happiness clause. Thus, I truly believe that although these type of Agricultural Preservation transaction activities are being conducted by our State, they are illegal. It's just that no one has officially challenged it in a US Court of law - at least not yet. But a showdown is coming, believe me.
I hear you 6:04. After the first generation passes away, then the Gov will have those who have inherited the lands over a barrel. There is little recourse because the previous landowners took the bait.
I wholeheartedly agree that this is socialism in its purest form.
Reference to 3:33 Posting about selling the wetlands through the Land Preservation Act.
I know what you are talking about as it was the Nassawango Creek estuary. Those landholdings were owned by the Adkins family. That land could never be developed anyway because most of it was underwater. I believe it was more than 3 million dollars that was paid by the State.
If the county council approved almost 1100 acres at Tuesday nights council meeting and if it encompasses almost 2 - square miles of land in Wicomico County, does anyone know just how many square miles in Wicomico County have been put under this program.
7:22 - (2)square miles is a lot of land for any county. I to would like to know just how many acres have already been put into the State Preservation program. Maybe someone could chime-in and let some of us know just how much damage has been done. I was not aware that the land could not be used for any other purpose except basically agriculture. Something here doesn't seem to be quite right.
Responding to 9:38 Posting that says 'barking up the wrong tree'.
What is it that you do not get? I understand about the landowners AGREED to sell their developmental rights - BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION? I for one do not believe it is right for the State to retain the right to set-a-side all of these lands for agricultural use only. Come on - this is not good for any economy. Maybe this is the primary reason Wicomico now finds itself in financial chaos.
Joe, I think this is a darn good article. Once again, I wasn't aware of the ramifications of this legislation. Does anyone know just how many acres Wicomico has in this program. For that matter, how many acres on the entire eastern shore. This gravely concerns me.
Looks as though our leaders need to look at themselves in the mirror before they critique another renown socialist state. I guess Maryland and Russia aren't so different after all.
Been saying for a long time the people in power around here DON'T want growth.If you want better jobs and higher wages you will have to go somewhere else.
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