From the office of Harford County Councilman Jim McMahan:
Farmers Markets will return to Bel Air April 9th
One issue I receive more complaints about is the unsightly commercial yard signs that proliferate the public rights of way on our State, County and Town road ways. For more than a year I have been working on a local solution but fortunately the current session of the legislature has helped by passing HR 289 and SB410. This legislation will finally put some teeth into the litter law as it pertains to these unsightly signs. These bills in no way infringe upon proper signs on private property.
Finally the topic of the week is all the unfounded rumors regarding the construction of a super Walmart at 924-Plumtree and 24. This area is where Councilmatic Districts “B” and “C” meet so both Councilman Woods and I have concerns. FACTS to relate to date: Walmart agents met with Harford County Planning and Zoning on March 7 for a fact finding meeting to see what State and County requirements would be IF that site were to be considered. They were told the first step would be for Walmart to obtain a traffic study to include 20 different intersections. Walmart must pay for the study and then submit it to P & Z for review by State Highways and Harford County DPW officials. This site is only one of SEVERAL being considered by Walmart for future expansion. You can bet I will follow this.
April 9, Annual Ruritan Pancake Supper at Churchville Elementary School 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, $6.00 per person, children under 5 free.
April 10 Chamber Concert to Benefit the Judith Famous Musical Scholarship Fund. St Matthew Lutheran Church Churchville Rd Bel Air 3:00 PM Tickets at the door $20 ( adults) $15 (students)
April 15 – Bull Roast and Silent Auction from 8 p.m. to midnight at Richlin Ballroom, 1700 Van Bibber Road, To Benefit the German exchange program of The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Bel Air. Tickets are $40 per person. For tickets or information, please call (410) 838-8081 or visit www.lcgselca.org.
April 16 Kite Day in Bel Air in Memory of Paul Hines. Rockfield Park on Churchville Rd in Bel Air. 10 AM to 6 PM Admission is free.
April 16 Bull & Oyster Roast to benefit Patterson Mill HS Athletic Boosters. Jarrettsville Gardens Rt 165 at the Fire House 7 to 9 pm Proceeds will be targeted towards the uniform replacement program. For more information and ticket prices go to www.pmathleticboosters.org
April 16 Evening –Greater Bel Air Night in Paradise – Southern Shrimp Feast. 7 to 11 PM Tropical Attire Tickets are $50 and benefit the community projects of the Greater Bel Air Community Foundation. Go to www.gbacf.org
April 17 Tour of Tudor Hall. The Historic Booth Home 17 Tudor Lane off Churchville Road. Reservation required. Suggested donation $3 Tour at 1 Pm and 2 PM Call 443 619 0008
April 23 Rockfield Manor’s 11th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Grounds open at noon and the hunt begins promptly at 1 PM Event is for children 6 and under. $5 per child. No rain date For more information call 410.638.4565
April 30 Edgewood High School’s Alumni Assoc. Annual Spring Shrimp Feast at the Prince of Peace Church on Willoughly Beach Road in Edgewood. 7 to 11 PM Music by Double Play. Tickets $40. For information or tickets call Helen Morrison at 410-676-2641 or email: robbmorrison@comcast.net
Matt Spearman says
Why would there be another Wal mart? I dont get it, are they like wawa’s? I hope this doesnt happen, its the last thing we need another of.
ced says
agreed Matt, but looking at the past history of the county i am sure there will be a new walmart at that intersection in no time. just as sure that traffic study they pay for will be in walmarts favor also.
Hacodem says
I am sure Councilman McMahan will support the project as soon as Team BS (Boniface & Slutzsky)tell him to.
Rob in Bel Air says
Yikes, another Walmart? I like Walmart but there is one in Constant Friendship, one in Aberdeen, and now one in Fallston. Businesses coming to Harford County is a good thing (taxes, jobs), but do we truly need another one in this small county?
business says
Other than restaurants/bars and second hand stores, it’s hard for retail stores to stay in the black in our small but growing town. Many storefronts have turned into office space that support the courthouse or the county. I think that the county should stop subsidizing this space with offices that should be consolidated …but that’s a different discussion.
The amount of jobs that a Wal Mart creates is undeniable. Shift work in such close proximity to home would allow families that require two working parents to make ends meet and still manage parental responsibilities. This, while not ideal, can not be found in the Bel Air area other than food service or law enforcement.
Free market entrepreneurs and “downtown” supporters may be well served by looking at ways to differentiate themselves and monetize the flow of traffic that this would create in a “business district.” The piece of land we’re talking about is in the development zone and will most likely go retail within the next decade unless someone wants to a gift it and develop it as a park. Of course, that’s really nice but not likely, because there are other areas along 24 that are already being considered for this. I for one would like to tenant that would keep occupancy for decades to come and make a considerable contribution to the tax base as opposed to the vacant space that litters Bel Air and makes it hard for neighboring businesses to survive let alone thrive.
bel air fed says
I used to be a fan of green grass and open space as a life long resident of Harford. In this case, moving the Abingdon Walmart out of Constant Friendship might be a good thing. The traffic in and out of the present shopping center at CF on the weekends is miserable. Having only one way in and out of that place with Walmart, Target,BJs, Lowes, and the rest – pretty miserable planning. So, what’s one more traffic light on 924.
Bel Air Mom says
Bel Air has three empty former grocery store buildings already (Giant, Superfresh on Rt 1, Weis on 924). If Super Walmart arrives, I can see the Shoprite at The Festival and the Rt 24 Weis joining them.
Parry Jones says
Don’t forget the ACME grocery store is also now closed!
ATSS Management says
Parry,
Please get back to work. Thanks.
ced says
Mars is going to replace the empty superfresh, and i heard a basspro may take the place of the empty weis (heard that rumor while walking thru the weis and overheard some manger types talking)
Been Here says
Who said they were building a “new” Wal-Mart? The comment made was for future expansion of the existing Wal-Mart. That area is a poor place to build anything at this point.
Harford County says
We will all be working for the “Super” Walmart some day!
Retiredawhile says
Nope, not all of us. I will not be working for them, and I rarely shop there.
belairfed says
Harvest House or some similar sounding name – new grocery opening in the old Fallston Acme.
Darwin Rules says
Man, do we need a double dip recession to stop all of this consumptive madness….