This is a follow-up to my August 13, 2024, podcast and video – Speed and Traffic, and the article in the latest Town newsletter. There is a need for traffic calming options and a community/town cooperative program in our residential neighborhoods. This is needed to reduce speeding and prevent a tragedy from happening.

Two recent incidents in Clarks Run - first, last week, a car did not stop when a school bus deployed its STOP sign as children got on the bus at Scarlet Oak and East Patuxent, and the second Tuesday morning, October 29th, two cars both ran the to stop at STOP sign at Scarlet Oak/East Patuexnt. These recent incidents again highlight the persistent and real speeding and safety concerns by residents in CR and all La Plata neighborhoods.

I’ve reached out to the Clarks Run Citizen Association (CRCA) with this information and to the Town Council and LP Police Chief, hoping we can initiate a quick, and cost-effective safety program in La Plata’s neighborhoods.

Thanks again for listening and watching.

YouTube Link

Streets and Sidewalks, People and Cars THE CITIZENS’ GUIDE TO TRAFFIC CALMING -

Tactical Urbanism Short-Term Action | Long-Term Change

How to Calm a Street, Starting with Your Own Anger -

Smart Growth America - Quick Build Demonstration Projects -
South Bend, IN demonstration project: Neighborhood traffic calming -

A Safer Intersection in 80 Minutes

I want to follow up on my October 8th podcast/video, La Plata 2025 Election, why I’m not running for re-election, and my greatest regrets comments – the lack of a Town citizen participation/engagement program, and little resident participation with their town government.

I want to tell you a different perspective about citizen engagement/participation learned from my recent Facebook post and then a citizen response.

YouTube Link

Reference: Staying Strong, Chuck Marhon, November 3, 2017

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and videos, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music.

The 2025 Town election schedule and new Town Ward Maps are provided in this episode. This also includes my intentions about the 2025 La Plata Town election.

YouTube Video Link

Reference Links:

• Candidate Information, Nomination for Candidacy - Town Election 2025
• Candidate Certificate of Nomination Package
• Town of La Plata Council Ward Map 2024
• So You Want To Be An Elected Official Maryland Municipal League
• 2025 Election Schedule

The Town needs to improve our citizen outreach and information sharing. This is a critical need, as seen from feedback from our FY 25 budget process. There were many negative comments about the lack of budget information, other than the minimal and required two-week public hearing notices and materials included on Town Council agendas.

Let’s look at a better way from Strong Towns (Community Engagement That Works).

Now here are examples from different communities, including Charles County.

Upcoming podcasts/videos: 2025 La Plata Election schedule, MDOT 2025 Transporation Consolidated Transporation Program (CTP), and La Plata Priorities.

YouTube Video Link

References:

• Holly Springs, NC - Strategic Plan/Dashboard
• Chapel Hill, NC - 2024-2025 Budget Development
• Charles County, MD Stay Engaged
• Frederick County, MD - Budget Portal

The first podcast/video in this series (posted August 19, 2024) was about the housing shortage from the Maryland perspective.

This podcast/video episode now focuses on Charles County.

YouTube Video Link

References:

• Charles County Planning Commission 2022 Annual Report - Pages 3,4
• Maryland Department of Planning 2022 American Community Survey Pages 5,6,7
• Charles County Comprehensive Plan, 2026, Page 8
• Charles County Housing Initiative Project: Inclusion, Affordability, and Diversity, Final Report May 2018, Pages 9, 10, 11
• Charles County Housing Authority, Pages 12, 13
• HAND Housing Indicator Tool, Charles County

This is the first in a series of episodes about the housing shortage in Maryland, and La Plata/Charles County.

This first episode provides Maryland housing information, from Municipal League’s (MML) August 1, 2024, Housing Symposium.

The second episode will provide Charles County housing data and needs.

YouTube Video

Turning the Key: Unlocking Maryland’s Potential

Maryland Municipal Leagues Housing Symposium, August 1, 2024

Hi and welcome again to this latest episode of La Plata Ward 4 Update Podcast.

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and videos, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music.
This episode is about speed and traffic, and the continuing deaths on our highways.

First, facts from a US perspective, then Maryland, and finally Charles County show the increased death rate and crashes across and country and here locally in Charles County.

This is personal, with two brothers surviving bad crashes, and my recent close call almost hit by a car, in my neighborhood, walking my dog. The car ran a stop sign. I cycle and also walk, so this is a passion.

I hope we can perhaps pay more attention when we drive, and have consideration for others.

References:
Zero Deaths Maryland, Crash Data
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2023 Preliminary Date
Dangerous by Design, 2024 Smart Growth America

Podcast video