The shot clock in basketball was first introduced by the National Basketball Association in 1954 to rescue fans from boredom. Stall tactics had slowed the game down. Recently baseball installed its own clock to reduce the amount of time between pitches. It seems to me we need to install a shot clock of sorts to govern affairs of the Talbot Planning Commission and County Council regarding Lakeside development.
Objections to the unrestricted development of up to 2,500 homes in Trappe along Highway 50 have been made and then made again. And again. I guess the advocates to revisit Lakeside, through responsible government agencies, believe physics will eventually force definitive action.
Members of local legislative organizations are chosen to make decisions. As are those appointed to government commissions. Persons presumably seek out these positions to become local leaders. Leaders make decisions.
It is hard for me to believe that our County officials can study the history of this broken process and not be embarrassed.
And especially embarrassed given the stakes. The only stakes on the table: the environment, the quality of education, traffic safety, and law enforcement. Simply stated if Trappe’s population triples in less than a generation the ramifications of a population explosion will collide with public budgets and responsibilities. Today’s leaders will bequeath to succeeding ones a real mess, not just a procedural one.
Regardless, make decisions. Put the questions on the clock. Move on. Hopefully we, all of us, will not have to look back with regret.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.