Plain Speaking Tom Dernoga addresses Environmental
Concerns of Beltsville Business Group
By Paul G. Zurkowski, Breakfast Coordinator

The Chairman of the Prince George’s County Council, Tom Dernoga treated a full house to a rich and varied accounting of local issues and answers at the 5th Beltsville Business Breakfast on Wednesday, May 16th at Cross Creek Club:
                 •  Why do we lack a recycling program for businesses?  The business community balked at supporting a recycling program similar to PG County’s residential recycling program out of cost considerations.  Given the current economic conditions, it is unlikely that a recycling program for business could be publicly funded today. While the Chamber has not supported business recycling, Beltsville Business may want to advocate for business recycling in future years.  Call 301-883-6091 for help with individual recycling efforts.
                 •  Where does our bad air quality come from? Surprisingly, the polluted air comes from Ohio and Indiana industrial plants.  While air  quality in our area has improved we still have dirty air coming into our area from the west.
                 •  Is it true that “Crabs are back?”   Yes, but that may be temporary.  Water quality programs at the mouth of the Bay have protected the spawning areas for crabs and has had the effect of bringing back the symbol of Maryland’s waterways, the crab.  However, overall water quality is still a problem and will require continued vigilance to protect the long term future of the crab.
                 •  What is the key to the disparity in public resources between Montgomery and Prince George’s county?   Why does Prince George’s County receive 72 cents for every $1 Montgomery County takes in?  Look at the traffic flow on the beltway  -- more westbound traffic in the morning –demonstrating more PG folks are heading to jobs, predominantly lower paying jobs, in Montgomery County.  Prince George’s county needs industry, technology and upscale employment opportunities to reverse this fact.  Right now the western part of the County is generally a warehouse-distribution economy without many high paying jobs. As a result, housing is at the lower end of the economic scale paying lower real estate taxes. The folks traveling west to Montgomery County jobs leave their kids to be educated here.  Not many industrial giants are headquartered here paying bigger real estate tax bills to support the schools.
                 •  What can existing businesses do to reverse these trends?  Buy locally.  Shop farmers markets. This reduces the pollution that truck and auto traffic generates and supports local businesses.  Key into government pollution control and environmental efforts for contracts for your business.   Strengthen the local economy and respond to environmental concerns.
                 •  And a political question:  Do you support “Term Limits”?   Yes, I supported terms limits when they were first approved in 1992 and I support them now even though I am term limited and will not be back on the County Council in 2011.   Earlier control has held by one group and people did not even try to run against it, since it was perceived that this would be detrimental to the system.  Term limits have had a beneficial effect in Prince George’s County since.
                 •  What will you be doing next year?   I am completing 9 years on the County Council this year.  I am a candidate this fall for States Attorney in the County.  If I am not elected I may return to my law office in Laurel.   Other opportunities may also open to me.