Proud of work that will bring wine industry

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

I am deeply grateful to the team of individuals who work in land use/growth management and economic development for the St. Mary's County government, as well as our elected county commissioners. Derick Berlage, Phil Shire, Bob Schaller and their staffs worked diligently for a good portion of this year to forge a zoning text amendment that will bring wine growing, making and tasting to St. Mary's County. This effort took a great deal of time and research and the approved amendment is an excellent start.

Throughout the process of reviewing the text language, which was aided significantly by Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association, politics and drama were given a decided rump seat as the fine art of zoning and legal wording was used to preserve the intended habitat of rural, residential and commercial areas within an environmentally sensitive region. Untested issues dealing with winery capacity and local vineyards can all be addressed over time. But the point is that vineyards and wineries are now part of the mix that we call our heritage, at a time when tobacco has almost vanished along with the significant agricultural tradition it offered.

These are frustrating times for government and those governed and we see this on the national level as well as in St. Mary's County. The importance of health care reform is hard to dispute, yet the debate has degenerated into unproductive name-calling. Close to home we see many examples over the past few years where reason and common sense were overshadowed by partisan bickering and the battle of personalities.

It is easy to be cynical about government, but in the case of bringing wineries to St. Mary's we can be very proud of those who worked on this legislation.

Thank you to our county commissioners, Derick, Phil, Bob, Kevin, the Farm Bureau and the many other citizens who helped to support this legislative text amendment.

Jim Grube, Leonardtown