March 11, 2009
The Honorable Martin O'Malley
Office of the Governor
State House
Annapolis Dear Governor O'Malley, Yes Governor O’Malley, “Pinochio” and Secretary Shari Wilson Remember when we were just kids that great Walt Disney movie about the little wooden boy created by the shoe maker? He exaggerated the truth and his nose just got longer and longer! I know, you are wondering what this has to do about Sullivan Cove? Well, it’s all about the slight of hand of the Maryland Department of the Environment and their lack of true transparency in their press release announcing the issuance of permits for the bridges and docks. The dictionary defines a “ruse” as an action meant to confuse or mislead. Well, Secretary Wilson, your press release certainly does that and more. The MDE explained that they eliminated an entire pier across the tidal pond and are having two applicants share a pier. Doesn’t it sound good when you match those words with the MDE goal of minimizing the impact on the tidal ponds? What they did not explain is that the shared pier will be 6 feet wide instead of 3 wide in the case of the pier that is not shared. Yes, you read it correctly! The shared pier will be six (6) feet wide instead of three (3) feet. Granted, they did save a few pilings, but they still have the same surface area in one combined pier like they would have in two separate ones. This is akin to building an interstate highway over the State Tidal Ponds! If this is how the Department of the Environment does their work, maybe we really do not need the Department and it should be eliminated from the State Budget. Governor O’Malley and Treasurer Kopp, you can still correct this great injustice by bringing this issue to the Board of Public Works! Now you a have a reason to do it! It’s obvious that the Department of the Environment and Secretary Wilson are not up to the job. “Pinochio” needs to be called on the carpet! Sincerely, Ted Kinkel Community Affairs OSPIA tedkinkel@mris.com
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