NAVIGATING THE DUSTY TRAILS OF PUBLIC OPINION: SAFARI AT THE QUARRY
Wicomico County, MD - A small neighborhood in Wicomico County has shown discontent over the upcoming off-road event, Safari at the Quarry. A delicate turbulence, sparked by the promise of adventure against the fear of neighborhood disruption, has set the community abuzz.
To some, this is a pioneering step towards diversifying entertainment in the area. In contrast to others, it presents a vehicular onslaught that could shatter the quintessential peace of the Wicomico County (Delmar) neighborhood.
As a Delmar resident who lives within walking distance of the property where Safari at the Quarry will be held and a vocal advocate for community welfare, I find myself at the crossroads, grappling with the various contours of this contentious issue.
The Pros of Pioneering
An event like Safari at the Quarry is not merely a congregation of car enthusiasts or a loud motocross event; it is a tapestry of experiences woven with threads of exhilaration, natural splendor, and community bonding.
Off-road fanatics, often painted with the broad brush of recklessness, are instead individuals eager to share their passion for adventure within the confines of a controlled environment.
Economic Uplift
Pioneering ventures like Safari at the Quarry serve as catalysts, breathing life into the local economy by luring visitors, forging collaborative ventures, and opening new avenues for small businesses.
If you watched or attended the most recent Wicomico County Council meeting (Video), you would know that the residents all agree that most of the Jeep participants will come from outside our area. But is that a bad thing? What do visitors do for our economy?
Hotels will love it because it will fill several hundred rooms. Restaurants and local dining spots will be thrilled with the additional customers who could utilize their businesses. The list goes on and on.
While some may not agree with the event, its economic impact on the county is positive.
Addressing the Impending Challenges
While the endeavor is promising, it would be remiss to turn a blind eye to the community's apprehensions. The specter of noise, congestion, and disruption looms large, casting a chilly shadow over the genuine warmth of positive potential.
This happens in every neighborhood when a new event is discussed. No one wants the "what ifs," and let's face it, that is all they are: "what ifs." This event has yet to happen in Wicomico County, and we, as a community, appear to be crucifying it before it gets underway.
The organizers of Safari at the Quarry, in harmony with local law enforcement, have a solemn duty to mitigate the event's impacts on the residents. Noise and traffic management must assume the forefront of their agenda, with well-orchestrated plans that safeguard the tranquility of our neighborhoods. It is not a matter of whether challenges will arise but how swiftly and effectively they are dealt with.
Law enforcement and event organizers are well-versed in this sort of operation and can undoubtedly maintain law and order with an event of this magnitude.
The sudden influx of vehicular traffic cannot be understated and, at face value, would be concerning to most. However, the information that was provided needs to be more accurate. It was said that at any given time, 200 Jeeps would be circling as if to present a picture of vultures ready to dive down on a deer carcass; however, the reality is that only 200 Jeeps are allowed to be registered each day.
From my experiences in Ocean City, these Jeeps are sometimes at different locations at different times. You may have 40-50 Jeeps in the area, which is far from the 200 mentioned in the council meeting.
Safari at the Quarry reflects the values we, as a community, hold dear. It allows us to manifest our respect for shared spaces, commitment to fellowship, and resilience in the face of the unknown. It is a test, not just for the organizers and law enforcers but for each resident who calls Wicomico home, to embody the spirit of coexistence and collaboration.
Community Comments at Council Meeting - Legit Facts or Embellished Statements
During the March 19, 2024, Wicomico County Council Meeting, several people spoke about the Safari at the Quarry. While I want to believe that some people were speaking from the heart, the truth of facts is what I wish we would have heard.
I am concerned about some comments made by both residents who spoke and council members.
First, one of the speakers in public comments was a gentleman who stated that "these events may include many types of vehicles, including Jeeps and Broncos, as well as various loud, unlicensed vehicles such as quads or ATVs."
This is emphatically incorrect. All vehicles allowed on the premises must be licensed. That is a fact, not an opinion.
Additionally, this man stated, "Shadow Hills is a mere 300 feet from the event site." Again, this needs to be corrected. I have researched and found that treelines buffer the closest house to a slow trail and are 400 feet from the nearest home.
Continuing with his statement, he stated that vehicles with custom exhaust systems would participate in the event. Again, this is not true. Custom exhaust systems are not allowed at this type of event.
Then there was concern for the "no staging or parking areas and the concern over the traffic leading into the event. A quick look at the overhead map will show you that the entrance is 1 mile from Bi-State Blvd and nearly 1500 feet from Shadow Lane. The entrance road is over 1700 feet, which allows vehicles to come off Connelly Mill Road.
The next part of the commentary that I want to address is the issue of housing prices and property values declining due to this Jeep event. I'm sorry, but with all due respect, that is not true. I've reached out to several people in the real estate industry who strongly disagree that a Jeep event held two days a year, hundreds of feet away from their homes, does not impact home values.
The next speaker identified herself as the President of the Shadow Hill Homeowner's Association. During her speech, and also alleged by Council Member Shanie Shields, it was stated that the bald eagle is on the endangered species list. This is not true and has not been true since 2007. As you can see in the article linked to this post, "bald eagles were delisted from the Endangered Species Act in August 2007 because their populations recovered sufficiently".
The Way Forward
The clock ticks and the event looms on the horizon, equalizing hope and concern. As we stand on the precipice of change, a steadfast commitment to dialogue, preparation, and action is not just a choice but an obligation.
The Safari at the Quarry is a catalyst for multifaceted discourse, a canvas upon which the mosaic of Wicomico's future is waiting to be painted. We must be bold in the unknown and plunge into it with foresight. As the heart of Wicomico resonates with debate, our collective heartbeat must guide us, pulsing with the rhythm of a community that values adventure and harmony in equanimity.
I currently live 2.1 miles from the Delmar Speedway, where on any given weekend throughout Spring and Summer, you can hear the rumbling of engines and the turning of wheels. We've become accustomed to it, and unless someone mentions it, we forget about it.
I also live 2.2 miles from where this Jeep event will occur, and I have no concerns about it. That could be because I have photographed these Jeep events in Ocean City and have seen the experience firsthand.
Sometimes, people forget that these aren't $1,000 or $2,000 toys; they are vehicles that people take great care of and cost more than $40,000 to $50,000. These owners care about their vehicles and don't want to drive at outrageous speeds; they are more concerned with showing that their vehicles can overcome a rock pile, go through a water feature, and take photos of their vehicles muddy.
In Conclusion
If we allow a small community of three roads to make a decision that can affect future events in Delmar, what is next? Will we allow the folks on Glen Avenue to determine what events they want and will accept at the Civic Center? Will we allow the folks on Hobbs Road to determine what teams can play at Shorebirds Stadium because maybe some are rowdier than others. Will we limit what events can be held at Pemberton because the folks off Pemberton Drive want to avoid alcohol being served?
I could go on, but you all get the point....
Safari at the Quarry signifies our indomitable spirit when we come together in the face of change, surging forward with cautious yet invigorated steps. It is not merely about a weekend of dust-kicking joyrides; it is about the legacy we craft, the conversations we proclaim, and the legacy we depart for future events in Wicomico County.
Our verdict is collective, etched not in ink but in the actions and intentions we choose to uphold as a community. Let the event occur, and if it is a disaster, it doesn't return in 2025.
