September 12th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Despite Senator Mike McKay’s plea for a delay, the Maryland Board of Public Works voted to approve the Department of Natural Resources’ purchase of Savage River Lodge on Wednesday.  The 42 acres, purchased for almost $9 million dollars will become part of New Germany State Park.  McKay had asked the BPW for time to have a town hall about plans for the land, saying there was no public input allowed before the sale…

“The public has questions. And all I’m asking for is a delay to allow DNR to have a town hall. That town hall may not have anybody show up. I do believe there may be 25, maybe 50 people. But at the end of the day, good governance and transparency starts where we have public input. And I just ask for this grace that you pump the brakes.”

The Board also heard from State Treasurer Dereck Davis who abstained from the vote, State Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and DNR Chief Ranger Paul Pedito.  McKay did say he believes that once plans are explained to the public, there should be buy-in…

“Like a balance sheet, I see both debits and credits for this piece of property, And I think at the end of the day when DNR really explains to the public what they plan to do with it, I think we’ll have public support for it.”