The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Commissioners reverse past
practice - say no to alcohol
No more tax dollars to buy drinks

By Kevin Spradlin
The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Feb. 11 -- The Board of Allegany County Commissioners on Thursday proposed to ban county-funded alcohol purchases.

The controversial practice had been permitted under former commissioners Jim Stakem, Bob Hutcheson and Dale Lewis. The county was first questioned during a public meeting about two years ago by Frostburg resident Mike Wade, who learned, after filing a Public Information Act Request.

County Attorney Bill Rudd said during a public work session that the primary intent of the policy was to entertain guests for the purposes of economic development. He said county staff were concerned it could appear as being inhospitable if an employee refused to pay for a drink while hosting a prospective employer.

Commissioner Bill Valentine said he believed the policy opens the county up to a liability.

Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr. proposed a crystal-clear solution.

"I say we simplify it," he said. "No alcohol."

"I have no problem with that," said Commissioner President Mike McKay. "We don't need to be trading alcohol for business. There's no reason for taxpayer dollars to pay for alcohol."

There was no vote on the suggested policy reversal on Thursday. It's expected the issue could be introduced as a new policy as early as the commissioners' next public meeting on Feb. 24.