The first podcast/video in this series (posted August 19, 2024) was about the housing shortage from the Maryland perspective.

This podcast/video episode now focuses on Charles County.

YouTube Video Link

References:

• Charles County Planning Commission 2022 Annual Report - Pages 3,4
• Maryland Department of Planning 2022 American Community Survey Pages 5,6,7
• Charles County Comprehensive Plan, 2026, Page 8
• Charles County Housing Initiative Project: Inclusion, Affordability, and Diversity, Final Report May 2018, Pages 9, 10, 11
• Charles County Housing Authority, Pages 12, 13
• HAND Housing Indicator Tool, Charles County

This is the first in a series of episodes about the housing shortage in Maryland, and La Plata/Charles County.

This first episode provides Maryland housing information, from Municipal League’s (MML) August 1, 2024, Housing Symposium.

The second episode will provide Charles County housing data and needs.

YouTube Video

Turning the Key: Unlocking Maryland’s Potential

Maryland Municipal Leagues Housing Symposium, August 1, 2024

Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast.

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and videos, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music.
This episode is about speed and traffic, and the continuing deaths on our highways.

First, facts from a US perspective, then Maryland, and finally Charles County show the increased death rate and crashes across and country and here locally in Charles County.

This is personal, with two brothers surviving bad crashes, and my recent close call almost hit by a car, in my neighborhood, walking my dog. The car ran a stop sign. I cycle and also walk, so this is a passion.

I hope we can perhaps pay more attention when we drive, and have consideration for others.

References:
Zero Deaths Maryland, Crash Data
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2023 Preliminary Date
Dangerous by Design, 2024 Smart Growth America

Podcast video

This episode is a further discussion/follow-up from my June 27th podcast – Event Attendance – Lesson Learned about how Westminster Maryland was proactive in obtaining a sustainable water supply.

References:

• YouTube Video link
• County-Town of La Plata Water Supply Agreement February 2022
• Securing Sustainable Water for the Future, Westminster, Maryland, June 2024
• House Bill 1378 Task Force on Washington County Regional Water and Wastewater Governance

I recently attended two conferences that have important lessons learned for La Plata – Maryland Municipal League annual summer conference in June, and the 2024 Maryland Smart Growth (SG) Conference (May)

References:

• Maryland Municipal League - Securing Sustainable Water for the Future, presented by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the City of Westminster, Maryland (2020 population 19,960).
• PUREWater Westminster
• Maryland Department of Transporation Model Complete Streets Initiative

The recently adopted fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget, (starts July 1, 2024, ends June 30, 2025) was a tumultuous process.

I want to provide my views on this process - specifically the Town’s outreach and community engagement/reactions.

My Asks:

• This is YOUR town, your neighborhood - get engaged, ask questions, attend meetings – in person, online, or watch later on the La Plata YouTube channel. I know you are busy with your family, work, and other daily activities. I also know this stuff is at times boring, and takes time to understand. But this is YOUR TOWN!
• Research the facts! There was a lot of misinformation in the community. I was then very disappointed not only by the lack of information but also unintended harm to town staff, framing the tax increase, as us versus them. This will have a demoralizing impact on our workforce.
• We all need to have skin in the game. Again, this is your community. This lack of engagement is reflected in the dismal turnout at Town Elections! I will confirm, but the 2021 voter turnout (-+ 1,000?) was below 10% of registered voters!
• So, participate and vote! The next election is May 2025, with filing of applications due in late March 2025, if needed a primary (if 2 or more candidates file to the same ward), then our general election for Mayor and Council seats (4) in early May 2025. A detailed process is under development and will be released in early 2025.

Outreach examples provided to the Town Council:

• Morrisville, NC Budget Connection Portal
• Charles County YouTube Let's Get Fiscal
• Davis, CA Budget Brief
• Charles County Budget Dollar

In this episode, I review the third year of my 4-year term, elected May 10, 2021. My term ends in May 2025.

Please know that I am one of five (5) Council members, and differentiate our accomplishments as a Town Council, versus my activities.

References:

• La Plata Bikeway
• Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)
• Development Capacity Analysis
• What is Complete Streets and Why?!
• Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Process

This is an update to my February 6, 2024, podcast – FY 25 Budget Process

My Ask:

• Review the draft FY 2024
• Attend our Council meetings – in person, virtually (Microsoft Teams), or watch on YouTube. Links are in the Notes.
• Email me at djenkins@townoflaplata.org with your questions and comments.

Thanks again for listening and for your interest and engagement with your Town!

Town Council Meeting Agendas