“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5-7) 

The project called, “Ashton Meeting Place”, by the developers and “Ashton Mall” by the Sandy Spring Ashton Rural Preservation Consortium presents a classic case of the conflict that can arise between the constitutional protection of property rights (Amendment V) and the perceived interests of the community as a whole.  

It is generally expedient for politicians to side with the opponents of any given development, as there are usually many more votes to be had by siding with the opposition. However, to automatically do so leads down the slippery slope of denying others’ fundamental constitutional property rights.  

The longer I followed the development of the conflict, the more confused I became. I could not reconcile the understandable concerns of the SSARPC with the stance taken by interested persons, such as Willard H. Derrick, who, along with his family, has a long history of service and concern for the community. I became more confused still when I saw the modified plans presented by the developers, which appeared to address many of the concerns of the SSARPC 

In June, it was clear from the many vitriolic letters to the editor, that discussions had come to an impasse and that no compromise was in the offing. Both parties affirmed my impression. 

So, although I did not know them, I approached Douglas Farquhar of the SSARPC and Fred Nichols of Ashton Meeting Place, to urge them to come to the table. I also offered to mediate the discussion.

I’m pleased to see that they have since begun negotiations. I hope I played some small part in reestablishing that channel of communication and urge the peacemakers to come to a reasonable compromise.  

I look forward to the resulting development.