THE PEOPLE UNITED!

Can never be defeated! Thanks to everybody who participated this morning. Our elected officials were interested in helping out, and the commuters had lots of great ideas! It sounds like some of the problems might actually get resolved! Isn't democracy great?

Here's Pat Willis' summary of what happened. Feel free to post your comments or version of events either as a comment below or as an email to aberdeenparking@gmail.com. Thanks again to everybody!

From Pat:

All - Today was the opportunity for you to voice your opinion on the parking situation and other things pertaining to the Aberdeen train station. Kim and the Queen of Aberdeen wanted to give you a brief update on what was discussed. Harford County Executive David Craig and Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett visited with the commuters who take the 6:58 and 8:37 a.m. trains. Also there were James Richardson, Director, Office of Economic Development (MARC), and Robert Thomas, Management Assistant Public and Media Affairs, Office of Government and Community Relations. Thanks for listening to us! And thanks for the donuts and coffee!

Here is a summary of what they said:

-Lighting on both sides of the track: This will be looked into.

-Northbound side parking: This issue will be taken to the Aberdeen City Council.

-Southbound side parking: The city will look at adding additional parking on the side of the road to include right at the edge of the corner near the gas station and possibly repaving the current parking.

-More train stops: MARC is looking into the possibility of reopening Elkton train station.

-Ticketing and Towing: The Mayor said he will discuss the situation with the Police Chief. Cars that are blocking traffic will still have to be ticketed and/or towed, but there could be some policy change for others.

-Pennsylvania commuters: No special accommodations will be made. (They're not paying Maryland taxes, after all.)

-The tunnel: It has surveillance cameras which are linked to the Aberdeen police department. The Mayor stated he will look in assuring that the tunnel is cleaner. He didn’t appear to think that was a difficult task.

-Fred’s e-mail was given to Mr. Craig.

-Jobie’s comment about tower parking was mentioned.

TELL IT TO THE MAN - RESCHEDULED to Jan. 31

Harford County Executive David Craig, who has said he wants to meet with the commuters to discuss our problems and possible solutions, has asked to reschedule the meeting to Jan. 31. He'll be at the Aberdeen train station at about 6:45 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. This is your chance to have your voice heard! Help shape the best solution for yourself, your wallet, your community and your environment!
Tell everybody you see on the train! Jan. 31!
Post your ideas, comments or complaints here or email them to aberdeenparking@gmail.com

CHECK OUT TODAY'S BALTIMORE EXAMINER!

Here's the lead:
"BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Commuters whose cars spill onto the streets around the jammed Aberdeen MARC station have asked the city, county and state to ease the parking crunch."

Read the whole story here.

The reporter dug out many interesting facts, including:
1) The Aberdeen City Council president recognizes there's a problem.
2) Various officials are working on a verrrrry long term solution to build a new train station somewhere else.

It's heartening to know that the problem is acknowledged.

BUT - we need some sort of immediate solution right now! We need a more commuter friendly ticketing policy, a redesign of the existing parking space to maximize the number of parking places, we need closed-off areas to be reopened for parking. We need everyone to think creatively about other cheap and quick solutions, such as perhaps some sort of shuttlebus from feeder towns like Have De Grace, and/or more and better train service to other communities such as Elkton.

And - Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall any public hearings or any customer surveys in which MARC commuters were invited to give their input to a solution. This idea for a new station might be wise, but it also sounds extremely time-consuming and expensive. Shouldn't there be some analysis of the alternatives to find the most cost-effective and best long-term solution?

MARC officials: If that's been done, please let us know! If not, is that any way to run a railroad?

Commuters: Post your ideas for solutions or comments here, or email them to aberdeenparking@gmail.com

Your chance to make a difference!

Get your voice heard! Call this Baltimore Examiner reporter to tell him your views and experiences!
Matthew Santoni
Reporter - The Baltimore Examiner
400 E Pratt St., Baltimore MD 21202
410-878-6141 - Office
410-259-5377 - Cellular

K

Del. David Rudolph says he supports us

I contacted Del. David Rudolph about the parking problem. Here's his response:

"I totally agree with your concerns regarding MARC and the importance of addressing the multitude of issues currently facing MARC service prior to BRAC becoming a reality.

In order to try and make sure we ready and minimize the impact of BRAC, I have been working with other individuals and organizations from Baltimore, Harford and Cecil County on expanding and increasing MARC service along the corridor to Elkton. I have also expressed the need for additional parking to Mr. Wiedefeld, Administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration.

I assure you that I am committed to expanding and improving MARC service."

Thanks, Del.Rudolph! We need all the help we can get! Unfortunately, this response echoes those we've gotten from several other public officials. Sure, they recognize the problem. And they all say they are working towards solutions. But waiting 6 months or a year won't help the folks who will come home tonight to a $30 ticket, or worse, a $240 towing bill. It won't help the people who will pull into the lot tomorrow morning and then miss the train because they can't find a parking place. We all recognize the need for a long-term solution. But we also need some sort of short-term fix RIGHT NOW!

What do you think? Have things been getting better or worse since the petition drive started? Have you gotten a ticket or been towed recently, for example? Do you have any ideas for solutions? Post a comment here or email aberdeenparking@gmail.com.

90 signatures and counting!

The signatures keep coming in! 90 Aberdeen commuters have now signed the petition saying the parking situation is out of control and needs a quick resolution. Although we've been contacted by several public officials, including those from the city, county, state legislature, MARC and US Senate, and gotten many nice words of support and concern, we still haven't seen any meaningful action.

What do the commuters say?

53 train commuters – a whopping 59 percent of this informal survey - say the parking shortage already has or could in the future cause them to drive to work, rather than take the train.

At least 77 signers, an overwhelming 85 percent, want the city of Aberdeen to only ticket vehicles that are truly blocking somebody. By the way, Aberdeen officials, that includes at least 24 of the 25 Aberdeen residents signing the petition. YOUR VOTERS ARE CALLING ON YOU TO REIN IN OVEREAGER TICKET WRITERS!

Elected officials: these are your voters and constituents!

Geographical breakdown:

Aberdeen, MD - 25 residents

Abingdon, MD – 3

Bear, DE - 2

Bel Air, MD – 8

Belcamp, MD - 2

Cherry Hill, NJ – 1

Churchville, MD – 2

Edgewater, MD – 1

Edgewood, MD – 1

Elkton, MD – 6

Fallston, MD – 1

Havre de Grace, MD – 20

Kennett Square, PA - 1

Lancaster, PA - 1

Northeast, MD – 1

Oxford, PA - 1

Perryman, MD – 1

Perryville, MD – 9

Port Deposit, MD – 1

Rising Sun, MD -1

No hometown given - 3

Comments? Ideas for solutions? Post them as comments here or email them to aberdeenparking@gmail.com.
Thanks!