This is going to cost the RESIDENTS a lot of money! All we need is more government bureaucracy in a time when we as a society are broke. Don’t be fooled this will cost/hurt the average person and no one else.

Thank you Councilwoman Wagner for introducing this resolution. Thank you Council for passing it. We must all make the effort, baby steps, and not ignore green resources. Living green is not difficult, not too expensive, if we all play our own responsible parts. I applaud the City Council for joining other communities around our great country that understand we can live more green in many ways with no or little cost the public. Most importantly, I applaud government officials who recognize this fact.

I am so glad that Havre de Grace is adopting a Sustainable Maryland Certified Program. Being 'green' is not novel any more. It is a matter of surviving in the future and everyone must participate. Small changes make a big difference as long as we all participate.

OK Danny, How about some examples, some actual facts as to why you made the statements you did. Do you even know what the Sustainable Maryland Certified program is and how the program works and what the benefits are in becoming Certified?

Hi Danny! I'm a member of the Green Team who attended the Sustainable Maryland Certified training before this was passed, and I encourage you to research the program in depth. As the amended resolution states, the Havre de Grace green team is made up of a group of people, more than half of who are citizens like myself. That means we (the residents) have equal (actually more than equal) input in any initiatives that may be presented. Becoming affiliated with this program is also a great opportunity for Havre de Grace to be recognized for many of the green initiatives we already have in place. I also think it's worth noting that joining this program was born out of a grass roots green team (which was made up of residents who gathered monthly at each others homes throughout the city) and had no government oversight, so to speak. I'd be more than happy to talk to you about any of your concerns if you'd like to get in touch.

We applaud Councilperson Wagner for her work on the green initiative and for sharing her recycling knowledge and tips with us at the shop whenever we have a question.

Ok, since I'm the only one not on board with the government mandating our community to operate under green policies, I’ll expound. As a community action I’m fine with it but once the government gets involved, it quickly spins out of control.

For examples, I’ve lived in other states (like NJ) to see first hand how programs can/do strangle businesses thus driving jobs to other communities. Look at all the new businesses opening in the town of Aberdeen and they had over 10,000 new jobs moved in their back yard. It’s all but impossible to open a business in Aberdeen due to bureaucracy.

I’m sure you’ll are 100% correct and I’m wrong in that there‘ll be no cost to cover inspections, employees salaries, and office space, no loss in jobs from (higher operating costs or businesses stopped from coming here), higher rents for residents and businesses.

Lastly, I do support this as a community action not a government action.

Danny,
Passing of the Sustainability Resolution is a collaborative leadership effort on the part of the city, signifying the city's commitment to support the community's wishes regarding sustainability efforts. It is a community initiative that the city is agreeing to support. There are no planned mandates from the city to the citizens to require green actions (or from the citizens requiring green actions from the city). The Green Team is citizen centric (vs. government centric) with more than half of its membership from the community at large. A community survey will be performed to provide opportunity for the community at large to indicate their priorities regarding community based actions regarding sustainability. (Patch has agreed to work with the Green Team to help with the survey process.) As far as I know, the Mayor has yet to select all of the citizen members of the Green team so if anyone is interested in getting involved they should call City Hall at 410-939-1800!! The community decides what actions they recommend the city take (with approval from the Mayor & Council) in their initiatives regarding the Sustainable Maryland Certified program. There are many green efforts that the city and community have already taken action on and can be rewarded for - and these will be highlighted via this program. There are also potential grant opportunities available that the community can take advantage of to assist in sustainability efforts.

Does anyone find the same amusement and irony I do in having this green initiative, pat ourselves for being concerned about the environment moment on the same page justifying shoving another bunch of homes close together because supposedly that's what people want is tiny little lots. Oh the irony; the hypocrisy and the self-indulgent congratulations for a job well done. Carry on...