Arundel Situation update, SVP etc.

[Tompaleo@aol.com]

Hi All,

Well, it's been busy as all hell since my return from Bozeman! And much of it for good reason, for once! 

Once again I had the honor of crashing with Tracy Ford and George Olshevsky and had a great time. It was nice meeting those of you who up until then I had not met, great seeing all those I have and sorry I did not get to meet everyone else from the DML who was there. 

Both during SVP and upon my return home (via email) I received some very encouraging news regarding happenings with my site and I want to take this opportunity to especially thank Tom Holtz and Mike Brett-Surman for their efforts on behalf of the Arundel and of my work!

This past week I was interviewed by a reported from the Associated Press both by phone and in person at my home where we discussed my work in general and of the dinosaur site in particular. While the subject of saving the site did come up, the subjects covered were varied. The following day a photographer came by to get some mug shots for the article. Today, I received word confirming a regional feed to the various news papers (Washington Post and Times, Baltimore Sun, USA Today, etc.) and a _National_ week long series called "Explorations." Since AP is a wire service, nearly any (or none) news outlet might pick it up. Therefore I would appreciate a heads up on where the story shows up. Also, I don't know the gist of the article myself as we discussed allot of things at some length so let me know what is said.

Also, I have learned that through one of my sources that he or she "believes" that the State DNR is bowing out of the dino park issue which leaves the Md. National Capital Park and Planning Commission as my sole opponent if true. Therefore I want to extend a major "thank you" to everyone on the DML who wrote and emailed the Governor's office. The pressure has paid off at least for now. 

Lastly, I was finally able to get through to the owners office to confirm that my access is still allowed! So starting Monday, I'll be there crawling around the outcrop. And later that day, a group of science educators is coming in for a short visit whereby I get to give my spiel again! 

So that's the good news for now but it's far from over. Parks and Planning is still determined to "acquire" the land and has written to the owner a "letter of interest." I too have a possible lead with the Maryland Chapter of the Nature Conservancy who I hope to get in touch with in the upcoming week.
Thanks again to _everyone_ who helped!

Cheers,

Tom


Thomas R. Lipka
Geobiological  Research
2733 Kildaire Drive
Baltimore, Md. 21234 USA