In Praise of Street Trees!
The humble tree offers myriad benefits for the streets of our towns, says a recent blog post from the Kansas City planning studio of Gould Evans. While most people probably […] The post In Praise of...
View ArticleOpen letter to Delegate Barrie Ciliberti on fracking and climate change
Delegate Barrie Ciliberti, I visited you on Monday with the Sierra Club. Thank you for taking the time and for your openness. One of the issues we discussed was the […] The post Open letter to Delegate...
View ArticlePictures and stories of a girl collecting trash on the Monocacy River
EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m not sure how Juliana Sedgley’s local blog escaped my attention for almost a year, but I’m glad to have discovered it now, and I’m pleased to help […] The post Pictures and stories of...
View ArticleWalking from Winter into Spring in photos by Dennis Crews
These days of late winter we’re all getting tired of the drab monochrome of the “dead” season. We’re cheered by the sight of green or other colors in the woods, […] The post Walking from Winter into...
View ArticleMarch on Annapolis to Ban Fracking in MD: Photos and Media Coverage
On Thursday (March 2nd), about 1,000 people, from across Maryland, gathered, marched and rallied in Annapolis to encourage state legislators to ban fracking throughout Maryland. Here are some...
View ArticleOn Senator Hough’s ethics bill as underhanded and unethical campaign tactics
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following was submitted as a Letter to the Editor of the Frederick News Post, but was not printed. Before running for County Executive in 2014, Jan Gardner […] The post On Senator...
View ArticleGreat idea: Interconnected street networks
In celebration of the upcoming CNU 25.Seattle, Public Square is running the series 25 Great Ideas of the New Urbanism. These ideas have been shaped by new urbanists and continue […] The post Great...
View ArticleWatershed Workshops scheduled for Thurmont, Walkersville and Urbana
Do you want to learn more about water quality challenges facing the Monocacy River Watershed and what you can do on your own property to protect our water resources? What’s […] The post Watershed...
View ArticleLetter to council president Bud Otis about three major developments
The following letter was sent to Frederick County Council President Bud Otis, from seven local organizations. EXCERPT: “It is difficult to see how the Livable Frederick process can be effective […] The...
View ArticleReprise: Native plants better, cheaper than lawns
EDITORS NOTE: This is a republication of a column I wrote for the Gazette on December 4, 2003. Since then, more people have moved to reduce lawns, cultivate more native […] The post Reprise: Native...
View ArticleMeticulous new analysis confirms that close-in land development reduces driving
A large body of city planning research published over the last two or so decades has demonstrated consistently that close-in real estate development produces less driving than does outlying development...
View ArticleFailure to act (like professionals)
I’m a licensed civil engineer. As an undergrad at the University of Minnesota, I was offered the opportunity to join the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at a student […] The post Failure to...
View ArticleAn opportunity to weigh in on the next Frederick County budget!
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is excerpted from Frederick County Council member Jessica Fitzwater’s most recent newsletter. She regularly publishes an excellent e-newsletter with good information about...
View ArticleGreat idea: Missing middle housing
Increasingly in demand today, missing middle housing forms the backbone of the quintessential American neighborhood. In celebration of the upcoming CNU 25.Seattle, Public Square is running the series...
View ArticleMaryland Senate gives final approval to fracking ban
With governor’s signature likely, state to become second in nation with natural gas reserves to prohibit drilling practice. Maryland’s Senate gave final approval Monday night to a permanent ban on […]...
View ArticleMaking the proposed event venues bill better for neighbors and the county
What we have before the County Council now is a Limited Private Event Venue in the Agriculture Zone: Bill No. 17-05, brought forward by Council Member Tony Chmelik on Feb. […] The post Making the...
View ArticleSolid Waste: “What’s Next” Phase 2 Report complete and available for comment
WHAT’S NEXT PHASE 2 REPORT IS AVAILABLE COMMENTS BEING TAKEN UNTIL APRIL 27 Frederick County’s consultant, Geosyntec has completed the Phase 2 Report, which was presented to the Solid Waste […] The...
View ArticleRural quality of life jeopardized by proposed event venue legislation
If you live in the vicinity of an agricultural parcel of land, your quality of life is in jeopardy. Legislation before the County Council would allow someone to use a […] The post Rural quality of life...
View ArticleFrederick Compost Summit (May 22 at Fox Haven Farm)
Frederick is a beautiful place to work, live, or visit. Covered bridges, Civil War History, Gambrill State Park, Carroll Creek Promenade, and an astonishing amount of productive farmland as well […]...
View ArticleHealthy soil…here and everywhere…is the real key to feeding the world
One of the biggest modern myths about agriculture is that organic farming is inherently sustainable. It can be, but it isn’t necessarily. After all, soil erosion from chemical-free tilled fields […]...
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