This is David Jenkins, your host for Crosswalks, Smart Growth, Stronger Communities, podcast and videos, now available on YouTube, YouTube Music, and Substack.  

This is a good summary of the County’s required update to the 2026 Comp Plan, including What is a Comprehensive Plan,  2016 Plan background and the timeline for preparation/approval, and the critical public engagement process. 

References: 

• 2026 Charles County Comprehensive Plan Update, May 2025
• Charles County Planning Commission 2023 Annual Report
• Stay Engaged, Charles County website
• Crosswalks YouTube 

After completing a rewarding four-year term on the La Plata Town Council, I’m excited to rebrand and expand the La Plata Ward 4 Update podcast and YouTube channel.

Page 2 - The new platform, Crosswalks: Smart Growth, Stronger Communities, will bring fresh stories, expert conversations, and thoughtful insights on the issues that shape how we grow and live — planning, transportation, housing, economic and community development, and more.

Crosswalks focuses on how La Plata, Charles County, and Southern Maryland can become more resilient, sustainable, and people-centered. It aims to connect people, share knowledge, and contribute to building stronger, healthier communities by highlighting key policies, plans, and perspectives.

I’ve also launched a new Substack to support this work — check it out and subscribe at: davidjenkins.substack.com or https://davidjenkins.substack.com/

Thanks for continuing the journey with me. I look forward to this transition

Stay well! 

YouTube Video

 Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata. 

This is the fourth in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets. 

This episode is about the Town Council’s discussion of the proposed Capital Budget 

The sources for this podcast/video are materials provided to the Town Council for those items on the published Town Council agenda and posted to the public and emailed to the Council, Thursday, April 17, 2025 

 As of May 2, 2025, the recording of the April 22, 2025, Town Council Meeting had not been posted to the Town of La Plata YouTube site. I would have then provided the time the Capital Budget discussion started. 

YouTube Video 

 April 22, 2025 Town Council Meeting Agenda Packet 

 This is a quick video providing clarification and context about campaign finances from questions and comments from recent La Plata Town Council candidate forums. 

 When filing as a candidate, a Certificate of Nomination,  Financial Disclosure Statement, is required and includes: 

• Schedule A – Real Property Interests 
• Schedule B – Interests in Corporations and Partnerships 
• Schedule C – Interests in Non-Corporate Business Entities Doing Business with the Town 
• Schedule D – Gifts 
• Schedule E – Officers, Directorships, Salaried Employment, and Similar Interests 
• Schedule F – Debts You Owe 
• Schedule G – Family Members Employed by the Town 
• Schedule H – Employment/Business Ownership 

 Certificate of Nomination/Financial Disclosure Statement 

YouTube Video

What is Ex Parte Communications?  When decision-making processes (e.g., in local government) give the appearance, real or imagined, of being one-sided or prejudiced, and therefore, full due process is not provided to the public. 

This is important to ensure impartiality and fairness by the Planning Commission and Board of Appeals as they review projects for consistency with the Town Ordinance, the 2020 Comprehensive Plan, and other requirements.  

• To ensure our consideration & the commission’s discussion is open & multi-sided, rather than one-sided.   
• The Town Planning Commission (PC ) is a Governing Body that must abide by Maryland State Law.

The Town Planning Commission, at their September 5, 2023, reviewed their Rules of Procedure and will include an ex parte policy or clause: 

“Ex Parter Communication: 

Ex Parte Communications Prohibited - An ex parte communication includes an oral or written communication not on the public record to which reasonable prior notice is not given to all parties. Such communication between Commission members and interested persons is prohibited if relevant to the merits of a Commission proceeding. Members should not discuss applications with applicants or other interested persons outside the confines of a public meeting ,but should recommend that the person(s) contact Staff with any questions or concerns. 

b. Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications - If a member does inadvertently engage in an ex parte communication, the member should - at the next meeting in which the relevant application is to be discussed - state the nature of the communication and submit for the record any written communication received, any written response to a communication, state the substance of each oral communication received, and state the substance of any oral response to a communication. Alternatively, the member may recuse himself or herself from voting on that specific application. If a member does not disclose ex parte communications, they may be subject to the provisions of Chapter 20, Ethics of the Town Code.”

I hope the incoming Town Council will include this clause in their Rules of Procedure. 

Source: Planning Ethics and Ex Parte Communications
Planning Commission Training Course 

YouTube Video

 The 4/5th Democratic Club hosted a La Plata candidate forum at the Green Turtle, La Plata, on Monday, April 14. 

All candidates attended:
Mayor, Jeannine E. James (incumbent), Ralph Wayne Winkler 
Ward I, Paul C. Guttenberg, David Winkler (incumbent)
Ward II, Richard Gilpin, Patrick McCormick 
Ward III, Tarinna Olley, Gregory Sampson, Jr. 
Ward IV, Tyjon C "TJ" Johnson – unopposed  
 
Questions were provided to the candidates before the forum. 

Format:
2-minute opening statement 
2-minute response to three questions 
2-minute closing statement 

All candidates were requested to provide written or video responses after the form ended.  
The forum was recorded. 

This was an informative event. It provided an opportunity to learn about each candidate, their communication skills, and why they are running.  

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

My view/takeaways: 

Candidates provided thoughtful answers.  
Some were better prepared than others 
Some responses were critical of the Town Council: 

*Approving development without the necessary infrastructure 
*Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO not done 

Full disclosure- perhaps I'm biased by criticism of the Town Council, but accept them as a current Council member (until May 12, 2025)

While these criticisms are valid, additional facts (good and bad) and perspectives are provided rather than just criticizing the town and processes. 

YouTube Video Link

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata. 

This is the third in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets. 

This episode is about the Town Council’s third review and discussion of the proposed Operating Budget and the proposed FY 2026 Fee Schedule.

La Plata YouTube Meeting Link
Discussion - Fee Schedule: Minute 29:49
Discussion of Any Outstanding Budget Items: Minute 42:33

La Plata General Election - Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 7:00 AM-8:00 PM, Town Hall 

 Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata.

This is the second podcast series about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets.

This episode is about the Town Council’s second review of the proposed Operating Budget, and first review of two proposed draft versions of FY 26 Enterprise Funds (Water, Sewer, Sanitation, Stormwater Management, with the 457 Deferred Compensation, and with Pension, plan, from the March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting. 

The draft Enterprise budgets were emailed to the Council at 11:35 AM on Friday, March 21, 2025. I emailed my initial Enterprise draft budget comments and questions to the Finance Director and Town Council on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The sources for this podcast/video are materials provided to the Town Council for those items on the published Town Council agenda and posted to the public and emailed to the Council, Friday, March 21, 2025.

The Finance Committee provided additional information to the Town Council at the meeting. Finance Comm materials 25mar25
*Fact Sheet: The State of US Public Pensions in 2024
*Sources for 457 (b) Vs Pension Plan Comparison

La Plata YouTube – March 25, 2025, Town Council meeting
 
*Monthly Finance Report – Finance Director Larsen –  Minute 10:18 
*Finance Committee Discussion /FY 2026 Enterprise Budgets Discussion – Minute 28:12 

La Plata Ward 4 Update YouTube Video

Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views of the Town of La Plata. 

This is the first in a series of podcasts about the Town Council’s review of the FY 2026 Operating, Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Enterprise Funds (water, sewer, sanitation, stormwater management) proposed budgets. 

This episode is about the Town Council’s first review of two proposed draft versions of the FY 26 Operating Budget at our March 18, 2025, Town Council meeting.  Operating budget options:

*FY 2026 Operating Budget – With 457  
*FY 2026 Operating Budget With Pension 

These were provided to the Council by email at 4:47 PM on Friday, March 14, 2025. 

Council questions and discussion followed this. No vote was taken, and Council discussion will continue at our March 25 Council meeting.   

I emailed comments and questions to the Town Council and Finance Director at 7:39 PM on Monday, March 17, 2025.  

This podcast/video is based on the materials provided to the Town Council for those items published on March 18, 2025.

 The Town Council agenda was posted to the public and emailed to the Council on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Council discussion of the two alternative draft operating budgets will continue at the March 25 (Tuesday) Town Council meeting, and two alternative (with 457, with pension) Enterprise Fund budgets.

La Plata Ward 4 Update YouTube Video

Finance Committee Recommendations

March 18, 2025, Town Council Meeting YouTube :

*Finance Committee Recommendations Discussion/Questions - 8:50

*Town Council Operating Budget Discussion/Questions - 56:27

This is David Jenkins, La Plata Town Council member from Ward 4 and your host for this podcast and video, now available on YouTube, and YouTube Music. 

This is an excerpt from my last article for the forthcoming Spring 2025 Town Newsletter - my hopes for the incoming Town Council, in place May 10, 2025.  

It's been a privilege and honor to serve on the Town Council. I am proud of the progress we have made working together to improve La Plata’s quality of life. 

Also update on:

• Town Manager Selection process 
• Finance Committee meeting since January 2025.  

 Links

• YouTube Video

 Town engagement examples:

• Charles County YouTube
• Frederick County, MD Budget Portal
• Chapel Hill, NC

Strategic Plan Dashboard example - Castle Pine, Colorado

Complete Streets

Vision Zero

Monroe County, NY, Community Safety Team 

 Thanks for listening to and watching.  

Email your questions and comments to [email protected] 

Stay safe. Looking forward to spring!