MARVIN MANDEL, Governor

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Church, I do not believe that the State should be
required to purchase the land. I have discussed this
project with those persons most interested in the
preservation of the Church, and have agreed to a
commitment of State funds to preserve the structure, but
always with the understanding that the land would be
donated to the State. Accordingly, it is my express
intention, in taking this action, to treat the two
appropriations as separate and distinct ones, and to
approve the appropriation of $25,000 for restoration and
renovation, and to veto the appropriation of $100,000 for
acquisition of land. If, for any reason, the Item is
held not to be so severable, then this action should be
deemed as a veto of the entire Item (M)(1)(g).

(9)    With respect to Item (M)(1)(j), this
appropriates $30,000 as a one—third State match to
restore the Benson—Hammond House in Anne Arundel County.
The appropriation is contingent upon an equal
contribution by the County and of private funds.

This project was reviewed last year by the Maryland
Historical Trust, which concluded that it was not of
statewide historical interest and therefore did not
warrant the use of Trust funds. The project has not been
thoroughly reviewed by any other State agency, and no
justification for the use of General Construction Loan
funds has been shown.

(10)   With respect to Item (M)(1)(l), this
appropriates $10,000 to restore and renovate the Severn
Crossroads Concert Theatre in Anne Arundel County. Funds
for this purpose have already been authorized by the
Board of Public Works from its contingency fund, and this
appropriation is therefore unnecessary.

(11)   Finally, with respect to Item (M)(1)(m), this
appropriates $55,000, subject to certain contingencies,
to place the Bollman Water-Main Bridge, formerly located
on Lombard Street in Baltimore City, at the Dickeyville
Sill. According to the Department of General Services,
the necessary rights of way and maintenance agreements,
which are conditions to the appropriation, have not been
resolved. Moreover, the Department has advised me that
the cost estimates for this project are insufficient, and
that no commitments for any other funding have been
received.

This project may be a worthwhile one, but I think
that these matters should be resolved before committing
funds to it.

Sincerely,
Marvin Mandel
Governor