Citizens Association of South Bowie
General Meeting Minutes
March 26, 2008

The Citizens Association of South Bowie's March 26th 2008 meeting was held at Pointer Ridge School at 7:30 P.M. 

The meeting was called to order at 7:36 P.M. by President Russ Ideo. There were eleven members attending, therefore we had a quorum.

Russ decided to forego the Presidents Report so we could go directly to the guest speaker Ada Clark Edwards from the office of the State Attorney's office and the department of "Nuisance Abatement Unit."

Mrs. Edwards did a fine presentation on what to look for and how to report any strange or unusual activities one might see in our neighborhoods involving, especially, drug abuse.

What to look for:

[1] Evidence of storage, concealment or distribution of drug paraphernalia.

[2] Evidence of purposeful assemblage on a property to administer dangerous substance.

[3] Evidence that a nuisance may exist when a high volume of vehicular traffic comes and goes in a short time.

[4] Evidence of a documented history of certain people offering sales of drugs.

[5]Evidence of excessive loitering, fighting ,use of drugs, or any display of weapons at a premises. 

Mrs. Edwards said to contact her department whenever and as many times necessary. Citizens need to work with her department. When enough evidence comes in, they take action in a Task Force caravan, after a letter notification is sent] consisting of her department and including the Fire department, department of Social Services, and department of Environmental Resources. 

June asked Ms Edwards about unlawful businesses in city homes. The answer was that a permit allowing this would have to be issued. If not , it wouldn't be allowed.

Richard then asked about the most number of people a household could hold, and the answer was any amount as long as they were relatives. Otherwise there is a limit to the number of people who occupy one dwelling. 

Mrs. Edwards was thanked after her talk and the regular meeting was continued. 

The treasurer's report was given by June showing a balance of  $1,751.57.

Under "Old Business” 

The Hall road development and Library was discussed. Russ and Richard, who sat in on the County budget hearing, said that even though many items brought reductions in money originally set aside  because of budget problems, our Library, as the County Executive stated, would not suffer any changes and that every thing is on course just as before. Richard said the Executive made that very clear.

Russ attended a meeting to recognize all our state representatives, and also he feels condition 5 on hall road would remain the way we want it.

Russ talked about John Rouse, the former editor of "The Bowie Blade News” saying that he doubted the new library would be built, was an opinion not to be taken seriously as he does not know that everything is in place and going very well.

Under “New Business”

A discussion about the status of the Pointer Ridge shopping center and the Amber Ridge shopping center was covered. Nothing has happened with the old Giant space other than talk that a Bloom store, [a high end Food Lion store] may replace it.

Frank's Italian restaurant is moving to Delaware, and the people at the Seafood shop are looking for another place to move to. C.V.S. drug store will move to Amber Ridge when completed, and the State Highway Department is still a GO as far as a new light on Rt. 301 to alleviate the problem the Amber Ridge shopping center would bring.

Russ then introduced City Councilman Dr. Ike Trouth to give us some. Mr. Trouth talked about new fencing and sidewalks along the Hall road side of the Library and shopping center site on Hall road. 

He also mentioned the Bowie Health Center and sale of the operating powers to preserve it's existence and to hopefully tie it into an educational facility for training and additional knowledge for patients care.

With no answer from the members about any new information as to the good of the Association, Russ then mentioned our next Executive Board meeting date of

April 10th, and our next membership meeting of May 28th at 7:30 at Pointer Ridge school.

The meeting was then adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

By acting secretary Fran Sweet, in the absence of Secretary Mary Kirby who was ill.

Last Modified on 04/02/2008
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