20070904 Submerging the truth about the fate of the Chambers Farm

Submerging the truth about the fate of the Chambers Farm.

September 4^th, 2007

Contrary to what is being circulated; the Union Mills reservoir project in Carroll County will add another layer of protection to the site of the “pumpkin papers,” and this national treasure is not threatened.

I just finished reading Submerging History on “Red Maryland” by Mark Newgent - Crossposted: on “The Main Adversary.”

I read – and appreciate both blogs. In my appreciation of both blogs I can only understand that the authors on both blogs want to get it right and understand the importance of making available factual information about any particular subject.

I have also read with great sadness: The House of Chambers [Miller, John J.]

… tried to kill himself, Whittaker Chambers wrote a letter to his . . . spy case, which had driven Chambers to what he called "spiritual . . . land that their son, John Chambers, never has left. "My family will . . .

Posted in National Review / Digital on Friday Aug 10, 2007 at 11:25 AM

I can perhaps understand why Mr. Newgent felt alarmed – and the need to spread that “alarm” about the future of the integrity of such a national treasure as the “Pumpkin Papers”….

In “20070307 A sordid saga of communists, reservoirs, congressman, and pumpkins,” I wrote:

“Folks who have been “had” by the great “seizing” conspiracy are in good company - with ah, count them, 12 members of Congress who wrote to the Carroll County Board of Commissioners on January 12th, 2007…”

[…]

In a response to Congressman Bartlett’s January 3rd, 2007 letter, which he penned in addition to the gang of twelve Congressmen’s January 12, 2007 letter, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners wrote on January 18th, 2007:

“With regard to the Pipe Creek Farm specifically, Carroll County has no intention of negatively impacting the field identified as the location of the famed “pumpkin patch” and has designed the reservoir in a way that minimizes impacts on the balance of the farm. Indeed, the impact anticipated by the planned reservoir… is limited to the northeastern edge of the farm where the Pipe Creek stream crosses the property.

The Pipe Creek farm is already protected from future residential development by easement sold to the Maryland Agricultural land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) in 2001. Carroll County has no interest in acquiring Pipe Creek Farm land for the purpose of constructing the reservoir beyond… the ‘normal pool level.’ We estimate this direct impact on the Pipe Creek farm to equal roughly 15.5 acres. The balance of the farm, approximately 346.5 acres, remains undisturbed and under the full control and ownership of its present owner…”

The “National Review” article painstakingly attempted to be as factual as possible, it nevertheless unfortunately did a disservice to not only the reader but also to the “National Review.” It seemingly purposefully mislead or at least at a minimum easily allowed the reader to be left with the impression that the site of the “Pumpkin Papers” was in danger – when this impression could not be farther from the truth.

I know Carroll County history and I am familiar with the history Whittaker Chambers and the Pumpkin Patch – and I also know the history of the deliberations about building a reservoir at the Union Mills location since it was first discussed in the mid-1970s.

The protection of the site of the Pumpkin Papers and the Chambers Farm has always been of the foremost concern in any discussion. I have known many of the folks behind the proposal and the conservative credentials of one of main promoters of the reservoir (he has since passed away) in the 1970s is beyond reproach.

To be certain, the Union Mills Reservoir is a proposal on a piece of paper and has many regulatory hurdles to cross - - including a survey and assessment of any and all national treasures that may lie within binocular range of the proposed reservoir.

Also, please be aware that the protection of the site of the Pumpkin Papers is important as is the basic health safety and welfare of all Carroll Countians who would benefit from having adequate supplies of drinking water in the future.

These two protections and dynamics are not mutually exclusive.

At this point the only thing “splashing about” in the discussions and deliberations is the misinformation that are being promulgated about the proposed Union Mills Reservoir and any perceived impact on the site of the Pumpkin Papers.

For additional reading please see my other “Soundtrack” posts: Chambers – Whittaker Chambers and the “Pumpkin Papers”

But if you are concerned about the future of the “Pumpkin Patch,” the Chambers Farm and what, if any impact the proposed Union Mills reservoir will have on this irreplaceable national treasure, please read in particuler:

20070323 A reader responds to my post on the Chambers Property and reservoir

And: 20070308 Winchester Report: “A Sordid Saga.”

If anyone has addition thoughts or concerns, please feel free to be in touch.

Kevin Dayhoff