Sample Letter (Suggested Recipients List with Contact Information Below) . . .
SAMPLE LETTER TO MAIL OUT TO PEOPLE FROM CONTACTS LIST BELOW
(Note: You may use our sample letter and modify it with your own words or completely write your own letter. If you are using our sample letter, you can choose which issues are most important to you and that you would like to include in your letter from the issues paragraphs below . . . simply insert the issues paragraphs you choose into the middle portion of the sample letter. It's best to keep your letter to no more than two pages and everyone should include some of their own wording so each letter is unique.)
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your Phone)
(Your Email)
Date
(Name & Address of Recipient Here)
Dear (Mr. or Mrs. “Last Name Here”): (for County or State Elected Officials and Government Offices)
Or
The Honorable (“First & Last Name Here”): (for Mayor, Governor, U.S. House or U.S. Senate Member)
I am writing to you today in regards to the proposed Koch Homes development on East Joyce Lane in Arnold, Maryland. This proposed plan includes the building of 75 non-age restricted townhomes. As a resident of Arnold, I am extremely concerned over the impact that this development will have on the infrastructure, schools, environment, wildlife and cultural history of the area including Arnold and the entire Broadneck Peninsula. The issues and negative impacts of this development are outlined below:
(CHOOSE YOUR ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO INCLUDE FROM PARAGRAPHS BELOW . . . ADD HERE)
In addition to the proposed East Joyce Lane development, Koch Homes is also proposing that three other developments be built in Arnold – a community to be built off of Jones Station Road, a community to be built off of Pendleton Avenue at College Parkway and four single-family homes to built off of Arnold Road behind the existing Furniture Solutions store (formerly Danker Furniture). In addition, Joyce Lane Properties is proposing a community of 42 townhomes to be built on Ritchie Highway between the Arnold Safeway and East Joyce Lane. These communities are all proposed in an extremely small geographical area. As a constituent, I respectfully urge you to consider the significant negative implications of the proposed Koch Homes East Joyce Lane development as well as these additional developments and intervene on behalf of the citizens of Arnold and The Broadneck Peninsula as a whole to prevent this rampant overdevelopment of the area. I’d like to thank you, in advance, for your time and effort in preserving this beautiful piece of Anne Arundel County and our wonderful way of life by halting this project and for allowing both Arnold and the Broadneck Peninsula to remain a safe and unique residential community filled with natural beauty.
Sincerely,
(Your Name Here)
(Note: You may use our sample letter and modify it with your own words or completely write your own letter. If you are using our sample letter, you can choose which issues are most important to you and that you would like to include in your letter from the issues paragraphs below . . . simply insert the issues paragraphs you choose into the middle portion of the sample letter. It's best to keep your letter to no more than two pages and everyone should include some of their own wording so each letter is unique.)
(Your Name)
(Your Address)
(Your Phone)
(Your Email)
Date
(Name & Address of Recipient Here)
Dear (Mr. or Mrs. “Last Name Here”): (for County or State Elected Officials and Government Offices)
Or
The Honorable (“First & Last Name Here”): (for Mayor, Governor, U.S. House or U.S. Senate Member)
I am writing to you today in regards to the proposed Koch Homes development on East Joyce Lane in Arnold, Maryland. This proposed plan includes the building of 75 non-age restricted townhomes. As a resident of Arnold, I am extremely concerned over the impact that this development will have on the infrastructure, schools, environment, wildlife and cultural history of the area including Arnold and the entire Broadneck Peninsula. The issues and negative impacts of this development are outlined below:
(CHOOSE YOUR ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO INCLUDE FROM PARAGRAPHS BELOW . . . ADD HERE)
In addition to the proposed East Joyce Lane development, Koch Homes is also proposing that three other developments be built in Arnold – a community to be built off of Jones Station Road, a community to be built off of Pendleton Avenue at College Parkway and four single-family homes to built off of Arnold Road behind the existing Furniture Solutions store (formerly Danker Furniture). In addition, Joyce Lane Properties is proposing a community of 42 townhomes to be built on Ritchie Highway between the Arnold Safeway and East Joyce Lane. These communities are all proposed in an extremely small geographical area. As a constituent, I respectfully urge you to consider the significant negative implications of the proposed Koch Homes East Joyce Lane development as well as these additional developments and intervene on behalf of the citizens of Arnold and The Broadneck Peninsula as a whole to prevent this rampant overdevelopment of the area. I’d like to thank you, in advance, for your time and effort in preserving this beautiful piece of Anne Arundel County and our wonderful way of life by halting this project and for allowing both Arnold and the Broadneck Peninsula to remain a safe and unique residential community filled with natural beauty.
Sincerely,
(Your Name Here)
Issue Paragraphs to Include in the Body of Sample Letter Above
(Choose Issues of Importance to You & Modify Into Your Own Words & Your Own Font)
Infrastructure Sample Paragraph:
The proposed Koch development, located on East Joyce Lane, would have a detrimental effect on an already stressed infrastructure. The entrance to the proposed development is situated on a turn that is so narrow that two cars cannot pass each other safely. There are schools at each end of East Joyce Lane as well as Asbury United Methodist Church at the south end. During school drop off and pick up times and events at the schools and church the traffic already backs up and becomes virtually impassable for local traffic as well as emergency vehicles. There are also currently significant traffic backups at the traffic light in front of the Arnold Safeway at Arnold Road and Ritchie Highway (the way to travel to Route 50 from East Joyce Lane). During heavy rains East Joyce Lane also floods at both ends and there is a blind hill that must be navigated with extreme caution. Students that live on or adjacent to East Joyce Lane are considered walkers to Arnold Elementary and there are no sidewalks in that area. Elementary school children are forced to walk in the road which is bad enough with the current traffic load and completely unacceptable with additional traffic from the proposed development. This is already an extremely dangerous situation as many non-residents use the road as a short cut to and from Ritchie Highway. On the north end of East Joyce Lane (at Ritchie Highway) there is an extremely dangerous intersection where numerous accidents have already taken place both before and after the county’s attempt to resolve the traffic situation there by blocking the ability to turn left across traffic. The proposed development would significantly add to this already hazardous and potentially life threatening traffic issue. It is unimaginable what an extra 100-150 vehicles per day on that road would cause!
Environment Sample Paragraph:
Here in Arnold and on the Broadneck Peninsula as a whole, we are blessed with an environment filled with natural beauty and abundant wildlife. As stated in the Broadneck communities’ small-plan vision statement our purpose is “first and foremost to preserve the unique residential and close-to-nature character of our communities.” The addition of the proposed Koch Homes developments seriously undermines our vision statement. The East Joyce Lane development alone will destroy over 15 acres of green space, which is the home of a large herd of whitetail deer, bald eagles, red fox, grey squirrels, rabbits, red-tailed hawks and wild turkeys to name just a few of the many species that call the property home. The East Joyce Lane development would destroy their habitat and displace them into residential areas. The proposed development area also contains a protected stream that is a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, is potentially a Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and which would be detrimented by an influx of additional runoff. We chose to live in Arnold for abundant natural beauty and serene way of life. We instill in our children that they must become “stewards of the environment”. We hold this value so close to heart that Broadneck High School, our local high school, has been made Anne Arundel County’s Environmental Literacy Signature School. Students there will use the Broadneck Peninsula itself as a classroom in order to learn how to protect and preserve the environment. What kind of lesson are we teaching these students if we allow their natural classroom to be destroyed by overdevelopment?
A portion of the proposed development site is also located on a former unpermitted landfill site; a Superfund/Brownfields investigation site designated by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) as the "A.S. Pearmon Site" which currently remains on the State Master List that identifies potentially hazardous waste sites in Maryland
Schools Sample Paragraph:
Lastly, I am concerned about the overcrowding of our schools and safety of our school children. Arnold and the Broadneck Peninsula are fortunate to have some of the highest performing schools in the state of Maryland. Over the past several years the overcrowding in all of our area schools has resulted in them being given a status of “closed” for any new development. Oddly enough, all schools were suddenly listed as open once Koch Homes donated a $2 million addition to Broadneck High School. While our high school will be reaping the benefit of new addition, one of our elementary schools, Arnold Elementary, is literally falling to pieces. Arnold Elementary consistently receives some the highest test scores in the county, has a phenomenal faculty, and a highly dedicated PTA. Unfortunately, their classrooms are already crowded. One fifth grade class alone had 30 students in the classroom. Arnold Elementary, which has one portable classroom for instrumental music, is unable to have any additional portable classrooms for safety reasons. Not only is our childrens’ quality of education at risk, but their health and safety are at risk as well. In the past few years classrooms have been destroyed by pipes bursting, mold is present throughout the building and rodent droppings are routinely found in teacher’s desks. The students and faculty have overcome tremendous obstacles and still manage to rise above the shortcomings of the facility, but how many more obstacles do we expect them to overcome? The influx of students from a new, non-age restricted development would bring undue strain on an already overwhelmed facility. Our students and teachers do not deserve or want this happen. We, as parents and taxpayers, will not allow this to happen.
Suggested Recipients List for Letters . . .
Current Elected Official Contact List: (Mail, Fax or Email Letter or Contact By Phone)
John Leopold, Anne Arundel County Executive
44 Calvert Street
Box 2700, 4th Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1821
Cathleen M. Vitale, Anne Arundel County Council, District 5
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
Annapolis Office: (410) 222-1401
Email: [email protected]
Legislative Assistant: Diane Jennings
Email: [email protected]
Serving Second Term That Expires 12/2010
Virginia P. Clagett, Maryland House of Delegates
Democrate, District 30, Anne Arundel County
House Office Building, Room 160
6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3211, (301) 858-3211
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3211 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3386, (301) 858-3386, District Office Fax: (410) 867-1493
Michael Erin Busch, Speaker of House of DelegatesDemocrat, District 30, Anne Arundel County
State House, H-101
Annapolis, MD 2140 -1991
(410) 841-3800, (301) 858-3800
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3800 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3880, (301) 858-3880
Ron George, Maryland House of Delegates
Republican, District 30, Anne Arundel County
House Office Building, Room 152
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3439, (301) 858-3439
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3439 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3256, (301) 858-3256
John C. Astle, State Senator
Democrat, District 30, Anne Arundel County
James Senate Office Building, Room 123
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3578, (301) 858-3578
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3578 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3156, (301) 858-3156
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland (Democrat)
100 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21301-1925
(410) 974-3901; (800) 811-8336; MD Relay (800) 735-2258
Web: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/ (through Email Form)
Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor of Maryland (Democrat)
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21301-1925
Web: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/ltgovernor/ (through Email Form)
Frank M. Kratovil, Jr. (Democrat)
U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Maryland
(Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester & Somerset counties; & parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore & Harford counties)
Capitol Hill Office:
314 Cannon House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5311; fax: (202) 225-0254
Web: http://kratovil.house.gov
Barbara A. Mikulski (Democrat)
United States Senator, Maryland
Capitol Hill Office:
503 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2003
(202) 224-4654; Fax (202) 224-8858; TDD (202) 224-5223
Web: www.mikulski.senate.gov
Annapolis Office:
60 West Street, Suite 202
Annapolis, MD 21401-2448
(410) 263-1805; (410) 269-1650; Fax: (410) 263-5949
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat)
United States Senator, Maryland
Capitol Hill Office:
509 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4524; Fax (202) 224-1651
Web: www.cardin.senate.gov
Baltimore Office:
Tower I, Suite 1710
100 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-4463; Fax (410) 962-4156
Candidates Running for Office:
Maureen Carr-York (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Republican)
Facebook - Friends of Maureen Carr-York
Dick Ladd (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Republican)
Facebook - Committee to Elect Dick Ladd
Paul G. Rudolph (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Democrat)
Facebook - (Info Coming Soon)
Bob Ehrlich (Former Governor of Maryland & Candidate for Governor's Seat, Republican)
Website: http://www.bobehrlich.com/
Community Constituent Services:
Phone: (410) 222-2222
John Leopold, Anne Arundel County Executive
44 Calvert Street
Box 2700, 4th Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 222-1821
Cathleen M. Vitale, Anne Arundel County Council, District 5
44 Calvert Street, 1st Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401
Annapolis Office: (410) 222-1401
Email: [email protected]
Legislative Assistant: Diane Jennings
Email: [email protected]
Serving Second Term That Expires 12/2010
Virginia P. Clagett, Maryland House of Delegates
Democrate, District 30, Anne Arundel County
House Office Building, Room 160
6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3211, (301) 858-3211
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3211 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3386, (301) 858-3386, District Office Fax: (410) 867-1493
Michael Erin Busch, Speaker of House of DelegatesDemocrat, District 30, Anne Arundel County
State House, H-101
Annapolis, MD 2140 -1991
(410) 841-3800, (301) 858-3800
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3800 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3880, (301) 858-3880
Ron George, Maryland House of Delegates
Republican, District 30, Anne Arundel County
House Office Building, Room 152
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3439, (301) 858-3439
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3439 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3256, (301) 858-3256
John C. Astle, State Senator
Democrat, District 30, Anne Arundel County
James Senate Office Building, Room 123
11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3578, (301) 858-3578
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3578 (toll free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (410) 841-3156, (301) 858-3156
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland (Democrat)
100 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21301-1925
(410) 974-3901; (800) 811-8336; MD Relay (800) 735-2258
Web: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/ (through Email Form)
Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor of Maryland (Democrat)
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21301-1925
Web: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/ltgovernor/ (through Email Form)
Frank M. Kratovil, Jr. (Democrat)
U.S. House of Representatives, 1st Congressional District of Maryland
(Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester & Somerset counties; & parts of Anne Arundel, Baltimore & Harford counties)
Capitol Hill Office:
314 Cannon House Office Building
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5311; fax: (202) 225-0254
Web: http://kratovil.house.gov
Barbara A. Mikulski (Democrat)
United States Senator, Maryland
Capitol Hill Office:
503 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510-2003
(202) 224-4654; Fax (202) 224-8858; TDD (202) 224-5223
Web: www.mikulski.senate.gov
Annapolis Office:
60 West Street, Suite 202
Annapolis, MD 21401-2448
(410) 263-1805; (410) 269-1650; Fax: (410) 263-5949
Benjamin L. Cardin (Democrat)
United States Senator, Maryland
Capitol Hill Office:
509 Hart Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4524; Fax (202) 224-1651
Web: www.cardin.senate.gov
Baltimore Office:
Tower I, Suite 1710
100 South Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 962-4463; Fax (410) 962-4156
Candidates Running for Office:
Maureen Carr-York (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Republican)
Facebook - Friends of Maureen Carr-York
Dick Ladd (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Republican)
Facebook - Committee to Elect Dick Ladd
Paul G. Rudolph (Maryland House of Delegates, District 5 Candidate, Democrat)
Facebook - (Info Coming Soon)
Bob Ehrlich (Former Governor of Maryland & Candidate for Governor's Seat, Republican)
Website: http://www.bobehrlich.com/
Community Constituent Services:
Phone: (410) 222-2222
