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Statement in Opposition to the Proposed Washington Security Group “Research Facility” in Nanjemoy,Feb. 2009

I am Johnnie DeGiorgi and I am a concerned resident of Nanjemoy. As many of you know I am running for County Commissioner in 2010. I am speaking here as a concerned resident of the community and because I am concerned about the future of Charles County. In all that I have read on the proposed use of this site, I find that there are more questions than answers. I understand that the Washington Security Group is an established company with sites in several states. However I have seen no logical explanation as to why Washington Security Group wants to open this facility in a remote rural agricultural area of Charles County. There is a significant Navy presence in the county, but it is not in Nanjemoy. If the intention of the company is to be able to easily link to these facilities, Nanjemoy is not the location they should be looking at. Nanjemoy is isolated. The opening of a paramilitary training facility in an isolated region worries me.

What plans does the company have for the airfield? It is already listed as a facility on their website. Who or what will be flown into the field? How often will flights arrive and depart? What control will there be on the hours of operation of the airfield. What emergency response capabilities will be required in case of any airfield related accidents? What emergency response will be on site for the airfield?

In their proposal they actually requested sunrise to sunset operation 5 days a week. Saturday they will let the neighbors sleep in with a leisurely 7 am opening. These are the hours the company is requesting. These are long hours of operation, especially in the summertime. What will be the actual operating hours?

I have experience in handling hazardous materials and explosives from my days working for the US Navy, both at NRL and EODTECHDIV. What materials (explosives, ammunition, hazardous materials) will be stored on the facility either on a temporarily or permanent basis. The company claims that no such material will be permanent stored at the facility, however based on their plans such materials must be brought in for daily use. How is this material going to be stored and for how long.

Who is going to be attending the courses taught at this facility? Are we going to wake up some day and see a headline in the Washington Post saying that the latest American Taliban fighter caught trained in Nanjemoy? We need to know more about the company and their clients.

What emergency fire and medical response capabilities are going to be on site for any accidents related to the training and research planned?

Nanjemoy Health Clinic is on the verge of closing. While it is not an emergency clinic, it is the closest medical facility to the location. Is the company prepared to help support this community asset?

What is company going to bring to the community? This is a rural agricultural conservation area. There are no restaurants. There are no gas stations. There are no hotels. Anyone coming to train at the facility will not spend addition time or money in the community because we do not have the typical amenities that thrive off of tourist or other transit individuals. We are a residential community.

There is much that is needed in our community. This facility with no connection to the character of the community is not what is needed. We are a community of day care centers, churches, families, land conservation regions and have a distinct rural character. High tech paramilitary training is not consistent with Nanjemoy. Please vote against this special exemption request.