Page 18 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch January 3, 2014 Phosphorous Bills Likely To Get Early Review FromLegislature By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER SNOW HILL – With at least three pending bills pre-filed calling for a delay, a contentious regulation should be getting an early review this month once the Maryland General Assembly reconvenes Jan. 8. Debate over a new Phosphorous Management Tool (PMT) has raged since late this summer. Environmental advocacy groups like Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) as well as the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) have argued that the tool, which would limit the amount of manure that can be applied in certain areas, is an absolute necessity to combat runoff into local waterways. Farmers on the lower shore have had the opposite reaction, claiming that the PMT would unreasonably force them to stop using chicken manure on too many of their fields and have to replace that with more expensive forms of fertilizer. Lower shore legislators have so far been vocal about their concerns in moving forward with the new PMT. There are at least three bills already pre-filed for review once the assembly resumes in Annapolis on Jan. 8, according to Worcester County Commissioner Virgil Shockley. “What you’ve got on the phosphorous right now is you’ve got several pre-filed bills that basically have been pre-filed to make sure there is an economic impact study,” he said. Shockley reported that bills have been filed by state Sen. Jim Mathias and Delegates Norm Conway and Mike McDermott for further examination of the proposed PMT. One of the bills is asking for an in-depth economic impact survey to gauge how hard of a hit farmers, especially poultry farmers, will take if mandated to follow the new regulation. At the last lower shore representative meeting with Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Secretary Buddy Hance in November, farming representatives and local elected officials predicted that the PMT could devastate farming on the Eastern Shore. “I understand the environmental side of it. But those environmentalists … their skin in the game is theoretically cleaning the bay,” McDermott told Hance in November. “The NEXT SEE PAGE Council President Reviews First Year By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER SALISBURY – Salisbury City Council President Jake Day reflected this week on a busy 2013, when he was not only elected but became a part of what his campaign was mostly about – bringing life to downtown. Day said his highlight in 2013 was being elected to the council in April immediately followed by being voted to be council president as a newcomer. Another highlight for Day in 2013 was being part of a number of initiatives to redevelop downtown. Day listed 11 restaurants were redeveloped in the downtown out of four older buildings, five partnerships with state agencies were announced to redevelop the downtown, free WiFi was installed in the downtown, the opening of the Orange Route bike lane between Salisbury University and the Downtown Plaza and the success of the Third Friday event every month in the Downtown Plaza. “Thousands flocked to downtown for Third Friday and the first Plaza Christmas tree lighting in over a decade,” Day said. “There is an increased pride in Salisbury.” Looking back, a few issues the City Council tackled this year that stood out for Day was the hiring of Fire Chief Rick Hoppes, who was named to the position that had been vacant for over a year; providing a raise for the first time in seven years to city employees in accordance with a study commissioned in 2012; selling the old Fire Station 16 for redevelopment; and approving the construction of a new skate park and bike trails in the City Park. Also, Day reported he was proud to implement a $1.5 million Economic Development Incentive program (EDU Zone), establish the wastewater credit and be a part of the Economic Development Action Team in partnership with Wicomico County and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce to make Salisbury more business-friendly. In moving ahead to 2014, Day has set the bar high by setting goals to hold taxes where they are in the upcoming budget session, implement a Manufacturing Tax Credit, open a downtown performing arts center and co-working space, reduce vacant housing stock in the city and implement community gardens and public art efforts. Day is eager for the new year as he looks forward to a downtown planning process with the University of Maryland School of Architecture beginning in January through May, the sale and redevelopment of parking lots downtown as a Request For Proposal just went out in December and the first class of the Youth Civics Council in September. Additionally, he is looking forward to the implementation of Veterans Preference and Local Business Preference policies, the construction of Rivers Edge development with demolition of the old building on Fitzwater Street and an opening of a dance academy on the Downtown Plaza.