The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Evening meeting draws more than three dozen
Commissioners hope new meeting time helps increase public participation

By The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Dec. 30 -- So far, so good.

At least, that's the perspective of all three Allegany County commissioners after their first two evening public meetings have drawn larger-than-normal audiences.

The first meeting on Dec. 16 had a special 7 p.m. start time and focused on the swearing-in of Commission President Mike McKay

The newly early evening start time for the Allegany County commissioners' weekly public meeting seems to be a success - at least so far.

Commissioners Mike McKay, Creade Brodie Jr. and Bill Valentine were sworn in and held their first public meeting, albeit one with a limited agenda. The commissioners' meeting room was packed, however, and though official figures aren't kept the number likely pushed against the 120-limit set by the state Fire Marshal's Office.

On Thursday at the new regular start time of 5 p.m., the audience was about one-fourth the size of that original crowd - but still about 10 times larger than the average meeting of the previous set of commissioners, who held their public meetings at 11 a.m. after an earlier work session.

It's not possible, from only two meetings, to determine whether the new meeting time is solely responsible for the larger-than-normal turnout. After all, the Dec. 16 meeting was packed with friends, family and campaign supporters and Thursday's meeting, which included discussion on the reunification of the Sheriff's Office and Bureau of Police, had been well-publicized and was sure to draw a crowd no matter the start time.

Still, there is reason to be optimistic, McKay said.

"Hopefully, the new hours will be a little easier on people getting out of work and we can fill all these seats next time," McKay said of the next scheduled meeting for 5 p.m. Jan. 13.

McKay said he hoped the 5 p.m. was a good "compromise." Before taking office, he and his new colleagues announced the time change but iimmediately drew criticism by some who felt a 7 p.m. start time would be even better.

"I appreciate so many people in the public here tonight," Valentine said. "I hope that, with the later meeting hours, we'll see this kind of response every week."

Jim Bestpitch, staff representative for AFSCME Local 1521 on hand to weigh in on the Bureau of Police officers' petition to organize and be represented by Maryland Classified Employees Association, called the later start time the "first step in open government."

Fulfilling a campaign promise, McKay said he and his fellow commissioners are willing to host public meetings in other parts of the county.

"If we need to take the show on the road, we'll be able to do that," McKay told Midland Mayor Craig Alexander.