I wish that I could wish Beltsville a Happy New Year....but as the Beltsville News goes to print it looks like the Grinch who stole Christmas actually stole a portion of Chestnut Hills Neighborhood Park! The Grinch is building a "temporary Fire Station" on MNCPPC park property. The Grinch (otherwise known as Fire Chief Green) told Peter Shapiro, Chairperson of MNCPPC, she needed park property for a temporary station because Beltsville Volunteer Fire Station 31 had Health and Safety issues. This process began in August 2024.
The Grinch keeps telling our "Elected Officials" that this is a "temporary" solution. No one has had the consideration to give the Beltsville Community any information. My opinion, based on the financial crisis in Prince George's County and Maryland, it will be years before the "temporary" station is removed and our park restored. It is my understanding that the County is not going to take care of the "deferred maintenance" at Beltsville Volunteer Fire Station 31. That means I have to assume the temporary Fire Station at Chestnut Hills Neighborhood Park will be there until the County builds a County Owned Station somewhere in Beltsville. I hate having to assume anything. Unfortunately, because of the deafening silence and lack of communication and transparency all I can do is assume. I'm not very good at betting, however, based on the County and State Finances this "temporary" Station will be with us for at least five years if we are lucky.
Beltsville constantly gets the short end of the stick. I have personally spent over 25 years fighting for a new and/or totally renovated High Point High School. Beltsville Academy received new windows a few years ago and modular trailers. You should see what the base of the trailers looks like. Calverton Elementary has trailers as well. Approximately 4 years ago the state allocated approximately $500,000 to MNCPPC upgrade Beltsville West Neighborhood Park located at 11540 Montgomery Road. Again, nothing has happened. Prince George’s County rarely spends money improving anything in Beltsville.
There will be a special election in 2025 to elect a County Executive. Who knows if things will change. I testified before the county council in November. I have had numerous conversations with county and state elected officials. I have repeatedly told all of the elected officials about the discrepancies between what the assessment says about Beltsville Volunteer Fire Station 31 and what the Grinch claims.
On December 20th our elected officials have a meeting with the Grinch. My wish for the Beltsville community is that truth will prevail. I care deeply about our community. I have given over 40 years of my life to volunteering in Beltsville. As I close my first column of 2025, I am very disillusioned and disgusted.
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