Paulshock: A Proposal for Space Next to Library

recently appointed a to make a recommendation on the prospective use of  of land, directly southeast of the along Honeygo Boulevard.

A land-swap deal in the plans of a will likely result in this space being deeded for public use.

Former and owner of , , is one of nine members on the land use committee. Paulshock has said that he favors the construction of an all-purpose community center, an idea conceived by as president of the .

In response to from community members, Paulshock submitted the following statement as a letter to the editor.

The great people of our community:

The comments that I have been hearing and reading on the Perry Hall Patch are all great ideas for this community. I would like to say that an all-purpose community center has been a vision of Jerry and Pat Soukup for many years. Jerry, along with Fred Levinsky Sr. and Willie Rau, were the founders of the Perry Hall Recreation & Parks Council. For years, Jerry, as president of the rec council, has seen the need for additional space for the youth in our area since schools are so overcrowded. Space is now even more limited to everyone, including our senior citizens.

Jerry, along with the rec council, have committed a significant contribution for the financing of a new all-purpose community center. We have been working for the past year to get this project done, even in these tough economic times. Moving forward on this project, we should get the best and most use for this center. There is also a great need for a senior center in our area and this project is a perfect fit. The area could be used as a senior center, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and converted into an all-purpose gymnasium from 4:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the weekends. This would be the most efficient use of the center and a way of using money from taxpayers and the private sector most wisely.

I have recently read comments about preserving open space and adding a butterfly garden for this area. Jerry has also envisioned a playground, sitting garden and kick ball field for this project, similar to Annie’s Playground in Harford County. The concept would also have an Angel Park area, where there would be a garden where bricks could be laid in honor of lost loved ones. This project would be community funded and community built.

Great things that are accomplished in our community are done by people like Jerry and Pat Soukup. I would like to thank Jerry and Pat for their commitment to the youth and the seniors of this community. I look forward to seeing this project completed and I am proud to be a member of this task force.

Bill Paulshock

Would you support the construction of an all-purpose community center next to the Perry Hall Library? Tell us in the comments.