Written byDelegate Mike McDermott
Much has been stated lately regarding Hardwire LLC's use of the Worcester County Firearms Training Center site to test some of their armor products. The products are manufactured in Pocomoke City and are being utilized to protect our military members fighting to protect our freedoms around the world. The company is an Eastern Shore success story, starting in a garage and fast becoming a billion-dollar corporation and a star employer with an ever-increasing payroll.
Their product is bringing home our fighting men and women in one piece, and that's something for which we should all be grateful.
When important issues like this are discussed, common sense and known facts should not be checked at the door. This has not been the case with much that has been stated. Some would have you believe this area is a "pristine wilderness" that is going to soon have mushroom clouds on the horizon.
This is not a difference of opinion, it is an outright falsehood. We are talking about a barren surface mine and a large firing range, which has been discharging weapons and explosive devices for decades. Utilizing the same location to conduct much more limited and confined activities only makes sense.
To scare people with "ground water contamination" and some type of lost habitat is disgraceful and without any merit whatsoever.
We must have a balanced approach on land use. We need jobs and a prosperous local economy. This need not be in conflict with our environment. Eagles nest in the tall pines near the range, and one usually makes a low pass over the firing line each day I am there.
They have not fled the area; in fact, they prosper. They do this in the face of regular discharges of all manner of weapons and explosive devices for the past 20 years.
If you want to be taken seriously on the environment, intellectual honesty would be a good place to start.
We need farming, fishing, tourism and industry to prosper.
"Governing for the good of the public" takes all of this into consideration minus the emotion and hyperbole.
I think the eagle gets it, and he does not seem to mind sharing.
» Delegate Mike McDermottR-38B, has served as range master for Worcester County for the past 20 years.
Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110919/OPINION01/109190317/Testing-appropriate-site
4 comments:
I think it is a WIN WIN situation myself.
The Hardwire gets to conduct much needed testing here, where it is produced. And, make needed changes quickly instead of days later on much needed projects that "Make our Servicemen and Country Safe."
Worcester County benefits by the addition of jobs and trade into our marketplace and further entrenching of a business that we want to keep in this area for decades to come.
I think our governing bodies see this and thats why they made a sound decision to allow the testing. Now its our turn, to support and trust the people we put in those positions and the decisions they made!
Well said Mike and Anon. 6:00
I sometimes disagree with Del McDermott on his views, but I certainly agree with him on the fact that Hardwire Testing at the Worcester County Firing Range would both benefit our troops by testing new equipment used to protect them, and also in supporting a business of Worcester County. The scare tactics used by some people, without knowing the facts, should stop. Disbelievers should stop by the County Range and see the hard working people who have over the years have made this shooting range one of the best in Maryland. The location is away from the public. No animals are or ever have been in danger. I say lets support Hardwire and stop scaring businesses away. I know this because I was assistant rang master from 1996 till 2010. I have seen the dedication of the range personnel over the years to make this range safe.
I agree with all of the above. Bobby B is correct about the scare tactics. Someone told me that they were going to test bombs there! The way they were talking it was like nuclear bombs or something!
I had an opportunity to visit the range a few years ago, and I remember a Killdeer had nested and layed eggs and those connected to the range had built a barricade around her nest so vehicles wouldn't run over it.
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