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Rural Counties Join Forces Against PlanMaryland Development Plan

December 13th, 2011 by WCBC Radio

Four rural Maryland counties, including Allegany, have officially joined forces against a proposed statewide development plan called PlanMaryland.  Allegany, Carroll, Frederick and Washington counties announced last week that they have formed the Maryland Rural Counties Coalition, largely to lobby against the plan. They say they hope to expand the group to include other rural counties, including those on the Eastern Shore, to strengthen their influence in Annapolis. Allegany County Commissioners President Mike McKay says the interests of rural Maryland are often overshadowed by those of urban and suburban areas in the General Assembly. Opponents portray PlanMaryland as a power grab against local authority that will hurt economic development in rural parts of the state. The first joint appearance by the MRCC came Monday with a rally against PlanMaryland held outside of the Department of Planning is briefing the Senate environmental affairs committee on the plan in Annapolis. Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr said the plan, in its current state, could be devastating for rural Maryland…





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