Paid for by Citizens for Colburn Committee. Authority John W. Phillips, Jr., Treasurer

Colburn's reasoning?
April 26, 2006
Star Democrat

In a recently published letter, I criticized Sen. Richard Colburn for his role in blocking legislation to prevent degradation of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and for claiming that decisions determining the fate of nationally owned property should be restricted to local inhabitants. Following the bill’s defeat, I believe he said in part, “I’m proud of the Senate for upholding local courtesy. A senator who’s 113 miles away from a project can’t make local planning decisions.”

Since then, Colburn has reassured us of his concern for environmental matters, saying the real reason he helped to defeat the legislation was because it applied only to Blackwater. If he knows of current threats to other Maryland refuges, he didn’t mention them. It is my impression the legislation was designed to rescue Blackwater for the logical reason that it is the threatened refuge. (Obviously, there are environmentally oriented legislators of the same opinion, or the bills never would have been submitted.) But this is water over the dam. Now, along with many of his constituents I look forward to seeing what positive actions Sen. Colburn will take to preserve and protect this national treasure.

ELLICOTT MCCONNELL, Easton