St. Mary's County Commissioners, Yesterday proved to be a very grime day as I logged onto facebook to see an article circulating which stated the development in Hollywood next to Sotterly Road was unanimously approved.  My first thought was "no, you have got to be kidding me, this can't be happening!!" I quickly saw that my feelings are shared by many of the residents of this county.  I cannot sit idly by without expressing my disappointment and frustration with the decision.  As a life-long resident of this county, to include many generations before me, I have watched what was a small rural town with single lane roads, a locally owned grocery store, and one department store turn into what I call a mini suburb. Growth and change can be a great thing, it is what gave me the opportunity to grow up and work close to home rather than having to drive to D.C. as I thought I would have to do to have the career of my dreams. I didn't think this growth however, would turn Rt. 235 into Rt. 301. We have a large amount of commercial spaces sitting empty but we are still knocking down trees to build yet another grocery store for example or Rt. 4 and Rt. 235 or another pharmacy which has now been approved in multiple locations. Has any thought been given to what our county will look like in 20 to 30 years? Given the decisions that are being made, I would say no. I have always bragged to newcomers in the area that our county was great because we have the safety and security of a small town but yet we have the benefits of major cities within an hour drive away. I don't think my children will be able to say that when they become adults if they choose to stay here. We will have our very own Waldorf or  P.G. County right here and all of the problems that come along with that growth. Sadly, we are already starting to experience it on a smaller scale. As I have said, growth can be a great thing if it truly adds value to the community. What is being done with the numerous and continual requests for more family entertainment businesses? We finally got a new movie theater which was a nice addition. Don't let it stop there. Many of my childhood memories were at the Skate Station, lets have something locally that my kids can enjoy making those type of memories at,  something that families can reasonable afford. California and Lexington Park have had a commercialized makeover through the years, don't let Hollywood become the next target.  I will not pretend to know the laws or regulations as to whether this decision can be overturned, but I have created this petition for the residents of this county to have their voices heard in objection to this development and have the opportunity to prevent continuous developments such as these in the future throughout our entire county. Use the spaces we have before continuing to build new ones. Finally, ask yourself if you want your future generations to live in an area where they can still buy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and see horse and buggies traveling up and down the road, or even farm animals grazing in the fields? I know I do, that's why I graduated college and came back here. I chose to raise my family here. We are quickly forgetting our roots, and those of us that have signed this petition, are asking all of you to reconsider and remember what we the residents of St. Mary's County value most!!